SYV Star Staff Report

The Santa Ynez Valley Performing Arts Company, under the direction of Christine Fossemalle, will present its 30^th anniversary celebration with a public performance of “An Invitation to Dance.”

Dancers from many years of instruction will come back to perform at 7 p.m. from June 22-24 at the Santa Ynez Valley High School Little Theatre.

Dancers will perform an excerpt from “Don Quixote” at Fossemalle Dance Studio’s 30th anniversary celebration from June 22-24.

The wide range of ages and expertise from the dancers associated with their mutual support and camaraderie makes for entertaining performances of ballet, jazz, hip-hop and tap choreographies. The enthusiasm for the challenge is delightful to witness, Fossemalle said.

It will be the farewell performance for 2017 graduates Victoria Arias, Isabella DeLeon, MaKayla Guillen, Harley Haberkorn, Alyssa Muller and Alyssa Richardson after years of involvement with the company.

“Unbelievable as you witness that your former dancers have now their children on the stage, and always exciting as you showcase another generation of newcomers,” Fossemalle said.

The performances have been made possible by a succession of outstanding current and previous choreographers including Stephanie Carsello, Ann-Jeanette Maldonado, Susan Manchak, and Sonia Ibarra Corona, she added.

Tickets are on sale exclusively at the Fossemalle Dance Studios in Santa Ynez. For more information, call 688-8494.

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From her very first ballet class when she was a little girl, Christine Fossemalle knew her life would revolve around dance — but she didn’t know it would take her all over the world, from her home country of France to the small town of Santa Ynez, where she is celebrating her 30th year of teaching dance.

Fossemalle starts her preparations for the summer Invitation to Dance dance performance in January, choreographing and organizing volunteers to build sets and help backstage.

“I remember our first year we had costumes the girls had to share because we could only afford one style of costume. So one group would dance and then strip right after to give to another girl for their performance,” Fossemalle recalled.

Invitation to Dance runs from June 23 -25 at the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School Little Theater with performances starting at 7 p.m. Call 688-8494 for tickets.

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Star Report

This year’s theme, “Circus, Circus,” celebrated the big top and all the fun that comes along with going to the circus with your family and friends of Los Olivos Dance Gallery for their 22nd annual Center Stage on May 20 and 21.. It is their annual showcase for the outstanding achievements of dedicated dancers in various styles, including ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, contemporary, and hip-hop.

Performers ranged from first-time dancers to professional-level choreography and artistry. Classes portrayed their versions of “Growing Up in the Circus,” “Back on the Tightrope,” “Feejee Mermaids,” “Cirque de Fuego,” “Smash,” and peculiar oddities like “Cirque de Kurios” (images attached). The entire performance was done by director Maggie Mesikep and the amazing teachers Jessica Ruiz, Nicole Helton, Ashley Kohler­ Reynolds, Cecily Stewart, Mariah Korte, Anna Carnes, Jillian Haig, Donovan Tunay, and special guest choreographer Joe Istre.

For five graduates, Lily Connolly, Emma Kuskey, Michael Loos, Abigail Mullin, and Sarah Stucky (solo picture attached), this was their farewell performance, for some after more than a decade with the school.

Los Olivos Dance Gallery alumni continue to dance with prestigious companies like American Ballet Theater Irvine and Alabama, San Francisco Conservatory, The Rock, Boston Ballet, Ballet West, and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago’s senior intensive in Chicago and their new two week program at USC.

The post The Circus Came to Town and Danced appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.