The participants came from all over…Canada, California, North Carolina, Utah, Georgia, and from many cities in Arizona. Various students from different studio’s united to absorb new technique and style ..and to enrich themselves. We hope that everyone walked away from our Intensive fulfilled.

If you would like to receive information about any of our upcoming Master classes or our Third Annual Summer Intensive, please click on the link below and you will automatically be added to our list!

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The Initial Existence at Master Ballet Academy’s 2nd Annual Summer Intensive is intended for intermediate and advanced dancers ages 8 to Adult taking 6 to 8 hours of instruction a week.
Ages are an approximate guideline and the final level decision will be made by the instructors on the first day of classes.

Registration is on a first-come, first served basis with a limited number of positions available. We also have a limited number of one day passes available as well.

download: Summer Intensive Schedule (27KB) added: 10/08/2009 | clicks: 379 description: Updated 08/16/09

SCHEDULE
All classes are 1.25 hours.

• Fri : 3:00 – 10:00 (includes a 15 minute break from 5:15 to 5:30 and a dinner break from 6:45 to 7:15)
• Sat: 12:00 – 10:00 (includes a 15 minute break from 1:15 to 1:30, 3:00 to 3:15, and 7:00 to 7:15 and a dinner break from 4:45 to 5:30)
• Sun: 1:00 to 9:00 (includes a 15 minute break from 3:30 to 3:45 and a dinner break between 5:15 and 6:00)

Schedule subject to change!

$310.00 – Tuition – Click HERE for a registration form
$150.00 – One Day Pass – Click HERE for a One Day Pass Registration
Intense Faculty – (faculty and schedule subject to change!)

Nick Lazzarini
Nick Lazzarini was the first season winner of “So You Think You Can Dance”. and is on faculty for “Jump”. Nick was the first person ever to appear on the cover of Dance Spirit twice, with the January 2006 issue. Beginning in March of 2006, he became a founding member of the Evolution Dance Company, which debuted at the OC Pavilion in Santa Ana, California, alongside SYTYCD alumni Melody Lacayanga and Craig DeRosa. Choreographers in the company include Liz Imperio and Mia Michaels.

Dee Caspary
Dance Magazine wrote, “Dee Caspary is the modern day Fosse of our time! “. He started his career by appearing in numerous films, videos, and commercials. His video credits include Paula Abdul’s “Forever Your Girl” and “Knocked Out”. His films include “Newsies” where he played the role of Snitch, and “Mac & Me”.

In 2007, Dee was the associate choreographer on Justin Timberlake’s “Future Sex/Love” Show World Tour for which he choreographed and organized stage direction.

Dana Metz
Dana Metz was born and raised in Arizona. She began training at Dance Connection at age 8 and danced there until she graduated. There she participated in their competitive group and had a chance to work with many choreographers such as Ray Leeper, Tina Caspary-Cyphert, Mandy Moore, Mark Meismer, and Dee Caspary. Along with training at Dance Connection she attended Arizona School for the Arts for six years, and studied ballet and modern at the School of Ballet Arizona. Dana had choreographed at Dance Connection where she started her national winning choreography. Dana and Natasha Lewis have recently started “Initial Existence” – a performance company for local dancers in Arizona.

Natasha Louis
Canadian-born Natasha toured with some of the most popular artists in the world, including Janet Jackson, Beyonce, Britney Spears, Usher, Michael Jackson, Brian Mcknight, Aaron Carter and others. Her choreographic talents have earned her numerous national awards. Natasha travels extensively throughout the US and Canada teaching master classes and setting choreography. In addition to her directorial duties with Initial Existence, Natasha is also a choreographic assistant with “So You Think You Can Dance Canada” and is a featured performer on television commercials currently promoting the show throughout Canada. Prior to forming Initial Existence, Natasha was the Artistic Director for Dance Motion Performing Company in Phoenix.

Teddy Forance
Teddy is quickly making his mark on the dance world as a performer, teacher and choreographer. He has worked with various well-known dance icons such as Mia Michaels in Cirque du Soleil’s Delirium and Rasta Thomas in Bad Boys of Dance. Teddy has also made TV appearances on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, TRL, Good Morning America and So You Think You Can Dance assisting Mia Michaels. Most recently you can also catch him in the music videos for Janet Jackson’s “Feedback” and “Rock with You.”

Jillian Meyers
Jillian grew up just outside of Portland, Oregon where she trained in all dance genres. Since moving to Los Angeles, Jillian has had the opportunity to work with choreographers like Ryan Heffington, Bubba Carr, Mandy Moore, Dee Caspary, Liz Imperio, Jason Parsons, Kevin Maher, and Tabitha and Napoleon among others. Her recent credits include assisting Brian Friedman, Tovaris Wilson and Mia Michaels for the hit reality TV show So You Think You Can Dance. Jillian is now getting ready to dance with Janet Jackson on her upcoming project 20 Years Old! Jillian is a member of Evolution Dance Company and is represented by MSA.

Kenny Wormald
Kenny has danced at the White House and won numerous competitions: At eleven he won the Master Dance of New England, at thirteen Junior Mr. Dance of New England, Teen Dancer of Boston at fourteen, and Teen Mr. Dance of New England at fifteen. Wormald appeared in the films You Got Served, Center Stage: Turn It Up, and Jackass II. He has been in music videos with Madonna, Mariah Carey’s “It’s Like That”, JoJo’s “Baby It’s You”, Christina Aguilera’s “Candyman”, Chris Brown’s “Gimme That”, and Prince. After performing in the Nelly Furtado video “Promiscuous”, he was noticed in an audition by Nelly and danced backup with her in a performance of her hit “Maneater” on the TV show Saturday Night Live. He has toured with Justin Timberlake.

Wormald choreographed the song “3452;/928; (MIROTIC)” for Korean vocal group TVXQ, which was released on 21 September, 2008. He also recently appeared in Korean superstar BoA’s American debut music video ‘Eat You Up’ as a backup dancer. The music video also features Misha Gabriel, who choreographed the song with Nick Bass.

On November 1, 2008 the Oxygen cable network debuted Center Stage: Turn It Up (also known as Center Stage 2) in which Wormald played a lead character. He is in the doll domination tour with The Pussycat Dolls.

Slawomir Woźniak
Slawomir Woźniak was born on 2 November 1967. His sister, Iwona, who was a dancer, quickly recognized her brother’s abilities. In 1977-1986, he attended the Poznań ballet school. He gained first stage experience partnering artists of Teatr Wielki in Poznań in the performances of Cinderella. Slawomir Woźniak’s professional debut took place in 1986 at the Wroclaw Opera where he danced the Prince in Cinderella choreographed by Teresa Kujawa. Klara Kmitto recognized his talent and invited him to work at that theatre right after school. He was employed there in 1986-1988. It was in Wroclaw that he met his future wife, also a soloist of ballet company of Wroclaw Opera. Their performance in Swan Lake left an unforgettable impression on all those who had a chance to see it.

In 1988 he became a soloist and in 1989 the principal dancer of Teatr Wielki in Łódź. His first premiere there was also Cinderella. Irina Fokina, who prepared the spectacle, invited him to the USA where he appeared in the Nutcracker. On the stage in Łódź, he performed leading parts in classical and modern ballets. Among others, he danced John in Lorca Massine’s Zorba the Greek, the role which gained him the admiration of the audience in Łódź and Warsaw, where he still successfully performs the part. It also brought him the nomination of the French magazine Danse for Revelation of the Year 1992”.

In 1991 he joined the ballet of the National Opera in Warsaw as a first soloist. From 2000 he has been the principal dancer of the company. In Warsaw he performs all leading male parts and also gives guest performances at many theatres in Poland and abroad. In 2000 Slawomir Woźniak graduated from the Ballet Pedagogy at the Frederic Chopin Academy of Music in Warsaw. For the last five years he has conducted dance courses for young Americans during the Summer Camps.

Together with Kathleen Arcierci, he won a bronze medal at the Third International Ballet Competition in New York in 1990 (gold medal was not awarded that year). In New York, Slawomir Woźniak received several professional offers but he decided to return to the country. Current Artistic Director of Master Ballet Academy.

Irena Woźniak
Irena Woźniak has recently joined Ballet & Friends in 2007 as Ballet Mistress after retirement from a successful career as a soloist with the Warsaw National Opera House in Poland.

She started her ballet training at age eleven in Gdansk, Poland at the State Ballet School. Irena graduated with high honors after performing and touring in many concerts and galas throughout France and Spain. After graduation Irena received the position as Soloist at the Wroclaw Opera House in Poland. It was there that she met Slawomir Woźniak as they performed main roles together such as Cinderella, Swan Lake, and Giselle.

In 1988 Irena joined the Wielki Theatre in Lodz, Poland along side Slawomir where they both performed in all of the companies Repertoires and Tours throughout Europe. Her repertoire includes soloist and principal roles in Sheherezade and Gershwin’s Night while touring throughout Germany and Belgium.

In 1991 Irena joined the Warsaw National Opera House until her recent retirement this last year. Irena is married to Slawomir Woźniak, Artistic Director for Ballet & Friends and they have two sons Slawomir Jr. and Michael.

Slawomir and Irena own and operate Master Ballet Academy in Phoenix where she teaches her love and passion for ballet to her many students.

Bobby Newberry

Based in Los Angeles, California, Bobby Newberry travels the world teaching master classes, inspiring students with his dynamic and unique style. His choreographic talents have been sought after by a wide variety of popular artists including Pussycat Dolls, Girlicious, Kelis, Eminem, Taylor Dane, Jenie Tracy, Aaron Kwok, Strawberry Blonde, Flava and others. Bobby is also a permanent faculty member at the Edge Performing Arts Center in Hollywood.

Bobby Newberry is renowned for his talent, innovativeness and drive in the dance industry. Bobby paves the way with his inventive choreography and is in constant demand to teach master classes world wide, including Europe and Asia. His credits include Pussycat Dolls, Kelis (Blindfold Me, Milkshake, Bossy Live Stage), Eminem (Just Lose It video), Eva Longoria for Bebe, Playboy Mansion, Strawberry Blonde, Aaron Kwok, Jenie Tracy, Flava, Taylor Dane, and many others. Bobby’s choreographic ingenuity continues to fire on all cylinders as he continues to challenge himself and his students abroad..

Inividuals can set up auditions in the month of June or July. Simply send an email to initialexistence@aol.com
You can attend a Summer Intensive Class at Master Ballet Academy in which a day and time has been selected for you to be evaluated by Initial Existence Directors. Remember, Appointments are required…

Otherwise….

Initial Existence company auditions for the 2009/2010 season:
New company member auditions will take place during the Initial Existence Summer Intensive, August 14th – 16th. If you are interested in becoming a member of Initial Existence and would like to audition for the 2009/2010 competition season, you must attend the Initial Existence Summer Intensive. If you have questions about becoming a member, or would like to try out please email initialexistence@aol.com