A Couple More Clips from our Final Performance

Here are clips from our OPENING ACT

Two CLOWN ROUTINES

And some DANCE NUMBERS

Check them out!!! More clips will be posted throughout the month of August, so keep checking back. And it's not too early to start thinking about applying for the 2011 summer session of Next Step Prep. Due to the economic situation in our country, tuition is reduced again for next summer. If you have any questions, contact Greg Boris or Michelle Nigh-Mogstad at (406) 728-1911.

Guest Instructor - Becca Levy - Modern Dance

We had a surprise guest instructor during week two...Becca Levy...who taught the students some modern dance techniques. Becca previously performed with Lineage Dance of Pasadena, California.









While Becca focused on modern dance and expression, she also stressed the need to have strong core muscles in order to perform properly. She led the students through a tough series of core strengthening exercises.


Thanks, Becca, for sharing a couple days with the Next Step Prep students!

Guest Dance Instructor Jack Failla

Thanks to On Center Performing Arts for this bio as well! Jack Failla is a native of Los Angeles, California. He studied dance under some of the most respected teachers in the business: Joe Tremaine, New York's Luigi, West Side Story's Jaime Rodgers, just to name a few. Jack has performing and choreography credits ranging from Las Vegas's "Sigfried and Roy" at the Mirage, "Jubileee" at the Bally's Hotel & Casino, and world productions in South Africa, Greece, Asia, Portgual, and most notably "Bal Du Moulin Rouge" in Paris, France. Jack has participated in productions of widely varying genres, including World Tours of Dolly Parton's "Hello, I'm Dolly", Cirque shows "Galaxy" and "Cirque Dezire", both touring all over Europe. He recently choreographed for Miley Cyrus's daddy, Billy Ray Cyrus, for over 2 years. In 2007, Jack choreographed 7 new shows for Princess Cruises and the 5 star cruise line, Regent Seas.

Jack is known throughout Nevada, Montana, and Connecticut for his children's summer workshops, and Master Jazz classes with University students. He has the abilty to bring the artistry of dance, on this most sophisticated level of celebrity, to the level of the most novice of children. He has an incredible ability to assess qualitifes in his performers and being them to a higher level of performance. His pupils discover new facets to their own abilities on a regular basis. We were so pleased to have him teach at Next Step Prep for a couple weeks.

Jack stressed the importance of a good warm up and of regular stretching and range-of-motion exercises to the students, emphasizing that "it's what you DON'T see in the stretch that counts" and reminded students of the internal anatomy involved in dancing.




Movement work across the floor...


It was an absolute delight to watch Jack dance...I know it sounds cliche to use the word "fluid" when discussing dance, but, well...it fits!



Jack has a wonderful way of coaching and demonstrating for the students. He has an infectious spirit that motivates students to do their best, even with moves they find complicated...here Jack emphasizes the importance of a strong core muscle group...



Right in the thick of it with demonstration...


Thank you so much, Jack. We will miss you!

Guest Dance Instructor Matt Murphy

Thanks for On Center Performing Arts for providing this lovely bio for one of our guests dance instructors--Matthew Murphy. Matt is a Missoula native who has found acclaim as a dancer, writer and photographer. After receiving training at the North Carolina School of the Arts (he left Missoula to attend this school when he was THIRTEEN!!!!), he went on to dance in the corps de ballet of the world renowned American Ballet Theatre from 2004-2008. While there, he danced featured roles in Trey McIntyre's "Pretty Good Year," Lar Lubovitche's "Othello", Kurt Joos's "The Green Table" and countless other parts in all of the company's full length works, which he performed in countries as diverse as Japan and France.

In addition to his career as a dance, Matt has worked as a writer for Dance Spirit, Movmnt Magazine, Dance Magazine and Playbill. He has been a guest teacher for the University of Michigan dance program, has been featured as a theater expert for Playbill Radio, and has choreographed pieces in New York City and Montana. He currently works as a photographer for the New York Times. Matt's work can be seen at rantingdetails.com.

Matt taught beginning and advanced ballet techniques in a combined class with Next Step Prep students as well as students from the summer intensive program at On Center Performing Arts.

Matt leads the advanced students through movement exercises.

He helped the beginning dancers focus on preparation and stretching.



Demonstrating proper technique...


Matt was always on hand to offer correction and coaching as the students worked through the class...

Sara works hard to understand the movement...

Matt has a great personality and is incredibly creative. He really has a passion for his work...whether it be dance, photography or writing. I've had the opportunity to tune in to his blog and have been so impressed with his insight and depth. It was great to talk shop with a fellow photographer, especially another photographer who shoots live theater!!! Thanks, Matt, for your dedication, your drive, and your calm persistence to help these students develop their skills.