WELCOME TO DUTCHESS SCHOOL OF PERFORMING ARTS

A Premiere Dance Studio

A premier school for Performing Arts with Professional instruction at all levels in Classical Ballet, Contemporary, Traditional Irish Step & Rhythm Tap

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OUR HISTORY

More About Dutchess School Of Performing Arts

Dutchess School of Performing Arts, located at 46 Noxon Road in
Poughkeepsie, NY opened in September of 2013 under the artistic
direction of Denyse Looney.

Since that time we have been offering personalized, professional instruction to dancers of all levels and interests in LaGrange, Wappingers and throughout the Hudson Valley. We believe that dance is a celebration, not a competition and strive for quality not quantity.
Our faculty, Ms. Denyse Looney, Ms. Jennifer Fuchs Nathanson, Ms. Bella O'Connell, Ms.
Leighann Kowalsky, Mr. Walter'Sundance' Freeman, Ms. Carolyn Freeman and Miss Christine Lovett have all worked and
performed as professionals in their fields.
Collectively, they have been members of, The New York City Ballet,
The Boston Ballet, The Chicago Lyric Opera Ballet, Eglevsky Ballet,
The National Dance Company of Zimbabwe, Eric Hawkins Dance, J-Han
Dance, The D'amby Project and Riverdance.

Dutchess School of Performing Arts offers professional taught classes at all levels,
from Introductory to Pre-Professional, in Classical Ballet,
Traditional Irish Step, Contemporary Dance, and new
this year, Rhythm Tap.

Our goal is to provide and maintain a truly professional
environment for young people to study multiple dance techniques. We
are eager to pass our knowledge and dedication to the Arts onto our
students and to mentor their talent and continuing personal
development.

Photos and video by Chosen Moments Photography

Classical Ballet

Here at Dutchess School of Performing Arts we help our dancers meet the challenges of impeccible Classical Ballet Technique by utilizing the most successful methods (syllabi) of the best-know international schools of dance. Placement in our levels of instruction are based on; Experience (if any), Understanding the technique, and an ability to execute the technique correctly. Each student is placed in the level that will provide them the greatest opportunity to study, to grow, to discover and to excel as an individual dancer.
Dutchess School of Performing Arts offers professional training at all levels of classical ballet technique, beginning with 3-4 year olds in Creative Movement or Introduction to Ballet and continuing through the Advanced and Pre-Professional levels.

Dutchess School of Dance Finals part 1-6

Contemporary Dance

In terms of the focus of its technique, contemporary dance tends to combine the strong but controlled legwork of ballet with modern dance movements that place an emphasis on the torso. It also employs contract-release, floor work, fall and recovery, and improvisation characteristics of modern dance. Unpredictable changes in rhythm, speed, and direction are often used, as well.

Rhythm Tap

Tap dance has its roots in the fusion of several ethnic percussive dances, including African tribal dances, English clog dancing and Irish jigs.

Rhythm tap focuses on musicality, and practitioners consider themselves to be a part of the jazz tradition.

Traditional Irish Step

Stepdancing as a modern form is descended directly from old-style step dancing. There are several different forms of stepdancing in Ireland. Irish stepdancing is primarily done in competitions, public performances or other formal settings.
Dutchess School of Performing Arts is so excited to be able to offer Traditional Irish Dance with Leighann Kowalsky. This is not a “competition Irish” class. Leighann’s primary focus is the technique and movements of traditional Irish Step.

NEW THIS YEAR,

JAZZ / THEATER DANCE

Join us on Tuesday's as we welcome Miss Christine Lovett

for Jazz / Theater Dance.

Beginning thru Advanced.

See our schedule for class times.

Mr. Hall began his training with the Festival Ballet in Rhode Island and then continued in New York City at the School of American Ballet and Joffrey Ballet School. As a professional dancer, he performed with the Boston Ballet and Washington Ballet. He has been a guest artist with a number of ballet companies in the United States and currently teaches and choreographs throughout the Northeast and overseas.

MEET US

Meet our unparalleled staff at Dutchess School Of Performing Arts. Focused on teaching exceptional technique and creating unforgettable experiences, our team of professional colleagues is committed to our dancers’ satisfaction and success.

The Faculty at Dutchess School of Performing Arts is dedicated to providing an environment that inspires young people to learn and grow through the Art of Dance and Music.

The Conservatory-based training nurtures positive attitudes, dedication and development of artistic potential. The value of this training offers students the tools for life-long success including, confidence, self-esteem, creativity, discipline and individual growth.

Our LaGrange, Dutchess County New York location has two beautiful, brand new dance studios.

Read through our instructors’ bios below, and if you’d like to set up an introductory meeting don’t hesitate to reach out.

Denyse Looney is the Artistic Director of Dutchess School of Performing Arts.
She was a scholarship student at the official school of The New York City Ballet, The School of American Ballet. She has danced professionally with, The New York City Ballet, The Chicago Lyric Opera Ballet, as a soloist under the direction of Maria Tallchief,
Denyse has also been a member of the Washington Ballet, the Hartford Ballet, and as a soloist with the Eglevsky Ballet Company under the direction of Michael Vernon. Denyse studied with David Howard, Melissa Hayden, Robert Denvers, Bobby Blankshine, and Dianna Cartier, among others, and taught professionally in New York City at the studios of both Robert Denvers and David Howard.
Denyse has been teaching in the Hudson Valley for over 20 years.

Leighann Kowalsky began her dance training in ballet with Amy Desmond in 1993. She began studying Irish Dance with Deirdre Lowry in 1998, and was fortunate to workshop frequently with Donny Golden, Joel Hanna and Jean Butler. In 2006, Kowalsky began extending her dance education to Erick Hawkins, Limon and Cunningham style Modern Dance, and Contemporary Dance and Classic Jazz with Elaine Colandrea, Katherine Duke, Abby Saxon, and Kathy McDonald.
Leighann is the Founding Director of the D’amby Project. Leighann has taught at the D’amby Project since day one while also dancing with the Erick Hawkins Dance Company and pursuing a master's degree in communications from Marist College.
Leighann is also currently the Director of Dance, Director of Weekend Programs and RIS2C Coordinator at Millbrook School in Millbrook, NY.

Jennifer Fuchs Nathanson grew up in Brooklyn, New York and began her dance training at the age of 4. At 10 years of age she was accepted to study ballet at the world-renowned School of American Ballet. In 1989 she was chosen by Peter Martins to join The New York City Ballet.
During her career with The New York City Ballet, Jennifer performed in an extensive list of all ballet repertory by George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins and Peter Martins. She performed as a soloist in many ballets, including The Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, The Concert, Swan lake, Bugaku, Square Dance, Valse Fantasie, The Four Temperaments and Vienna Waltzes.

Mr. Freeman is the most sought after Rhythm Tap Teacher in Dutchess County.

Mr. Freeman has taught Master Class Internationally and at the American Tap Foundation where he was named 'Tap Teacher of the Year' in 2007.

Mr. Freeman has had the honor of performing for two U.S. Presidents, Prime Minister Tony Blair of England, and the Presidents of both Ireland and Germany.

Mr. Freeman has starred in two Broadway Shows, the three time award winning show Black and Blue at the Minskoff Theatre and Riverdance at the Gershwin Theater.

He is also featured in five films, The Principal, with Lou Gossett Jr.,Worlds Greatest Dancers, Bojangles starring Gregory Hines, Riverdance: Live in Geneva, and Tap, also starring Gregory Hines

Please see Mr. Freeman in action on Youtube!

Isabella O'Connell began her dance studies at the age of 6, learning styles such as ballet, tap, lyrical, and Irish step. When she was 10, her primary area of focus became Irish Step dance. Bella has performed at numerous Irish festivals including, Hooley on the Hudson and festivals in New York City and Boston. She has also presented contemporary choreographic work at, "Choreography on the Edge," and at the Wappinger's Falls Earth Day Festival.
Isabella has been teaching Irish step and contemporary classes for the last four years at Cherilyn's School of Dance and for the last two years at Dutchess School of Performing Arts. She currently studies and performs with the D'AMBY Project located in Red Hook, New York.

OUR CLASS SCHEDULE

CLASS SCHEDULE 2019 / 2020

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Our 2019 / 2020 Calendar

Learn More

Combo Class

for

Beginning

Dancers

OPENING HOURS

Mon: 3:30pm - 9:00pm
Tue: 4:00pm - 9:00pm
Wed: 4:00pm - 9:00pm
Thu: 3:30pm - 9:00pm
Fri: 3:30pm - 9:00pm
Sat: 10:00am - 2:00pm

EVENTS & WORKSHOPS

Mark Your Calendar

In addition to our regular class schedule, Dutchess School Of Performing Arts is always hosting exciting events for everyone to enjoy. These events offer a great opportunity for our instructors, dancers and greater community to come together.

* NEW THIS YEAR* Jazz/ Musical Theater Dance

ADULT RHYTHM TAP CONTINUES TUESDAY'S FROM 6:00 - 7:00

Come join Mr. Walter Freeman for exceptional instruction & a wonderful time!

July 22nd - 25th, 9:30am-11:30am

We had such an amazing time last year with our Sleeping Beauty Camp. This year we will be exploring the beloved CINDERELLA. Space is limited so contact denyse@dutchessperformingarts to save your spot!

Calling All Dancers 6+

for a Fun Filled Dance Camp

This is an extraordinary opportunity for Intemediate dancers in the Hudson Valley. Our Summer Ballet Program provides unparalleled technical training by world-class faculty for Intermediate students. As a D.S.P.A. intensive student you will experience a program completely focused on improving your technical skills and developing your confidence as a dancer.

June 25th - 28th

Click below for

Registration Form

We are always delighted to extend an open invitation for trial classes.

Interested in learning more about our upcoming events? Get in touch today.