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
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 professionally 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.
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.
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.
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!
OUR CLASS SCHEDULE
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
CONTACT
46 Noxon Rd, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603, USA