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To our dancers, on the eve of The Center's first post-pandemic theater performance -

We CELEBRATE you! We celebrate your tremendous energy, and how generously you've poured it into this show. We celebrate your playful curiosity, and how naturally you've followed it toward deeper understandings and new ways of seeing. We celebrate your fierce sense of justice, and the tender way that you honor one another's differences. You inspire us; you delight us; you teach us. We are proud beyond measure.

And to the families of our dancers -

We THANK you! The Center survived a global pandemic thanks to your unwavering support and adaptability. You followed us into the rain and snow, you embraced the belief that grass makes a lovely dance floor, and you trusted us to keep your children healthy and safe. For this, we are humbled and grateful.

Finally, to our phenomenal instructors -

Where do we even begin? Your dedication, resourcefulness, patience and passion have fueled the everyday magic that The Center brings to our community. We appreciate you more than words can express, and love you so, so big.

At a time of unparalleled uncertainty, conflict, loss and pain, Amanda Gorman's Change Sings resonates so purely. As adults, we wish for our children a world less demanding of resilience. We wish for them fewer unanswerable questions. We wish for them so much more peace.

At the same time, our hearts soar when we witness these kids finding joy and purpose in the act of uniting to create art that reflects the change they know is possible.

We dedicate this show to children around the globe who bravely sing, dance, paint, compose, and tell stories of a world where all voices are heard, where all bodies are safe, and where all hearts know their value.

"There is hope where YOUR change sings."

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To our dancers, on the eve of The Center's first post-pandemic theater performance -- We CELEBRATE you! We celebrate your tremendous energy, and how generously you've poured it into this show. We celebrate your playful curiosity, and how naturally you've followed it toward deeper understandings and new ways of seeing.

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Welcome to The Center Dance's Spring Show!

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Welcome to The Center Dance's Spring Show!

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Change Sings... and Change DANCES! Find all the program information regarding the show on this Padlet page. Enjoy!

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Add your comments and well-wishes to the dancers underneath this post!

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Find all of the songs featured in the show here!

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Preview of Spotify

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Ashley and Caddy Carlisle began studying dance at the Pioneer Valley Ballet School in Northampton, MA, with Gail Collins. There, they performed leading roles in the company's annual Nutcracker and in original works by professional choreographers. Their training included summer intensives at American Ballet Theatre, the Rock School of the Pennsylvania Ballet, and Joffrey Ballet. While pursuing a Literature major at McGill University, Ashley danced and choreographed for Mosaica Dance Company, performing in arts venues throughout Montreal. As an Ada Comstock Scholar at Smith College, Caddy majored in dance, and continued to teach, choreograph and perform in the community. Ashley and Caddy began teaching together in 2012 at the Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter Public School, where they were trained by Ann Biddle in the Dance Education Laboratory (DEL) model of dance education. In 2014, they founded The Center Dance Studio. They have facilitated dance residencies in public schools throughout Western Massachusetts, both through DEL-PVPA and as visiting artists funded by the Mass Cultural Council, and have produced four original works: "The Last Winter" and "Beyond Sidewalk's End," "A 21st Century Nutcracker," and "The Enchanted Bookshelf," as well as adaptations of numerous beloved picture books. They look forward to a summer filled with dance, community, sunshine and family.

Words from Ashley and Caddy:

Jai Fuller...

Words from Jai:

Tiffany Joseph is a woman full of education, experience, gifts, and talents. She graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a Bachelor's in Communications and a Masters in Social Justice Education. Presently, she facilitates community discussions and workshops around the Pioneer Valley surrounding different social justice issues including sexism, internalized racism, storytelling, financial aid, and elder abuse. She is a dancer, a writer, a poet, a spoken word artist, peer mentor, dance teacher, a Yoga instructor, and Zumba instructor. Tiffany has danced since the age of 3, studying ballet, contemporary, hip hop, jazz, lyrical, modern and tap, with Day Dance Center and with Joan Sherry Studio. She attended Burncoat Senior High School, a performing arts school in Worcester, MA, where she began her career as a dance team member, traveling dance team ensemble member, choreographer, and co-facilitator of community dance teaching programs. During her college career she worked at the Woman of Color Leadership Network, where she then joined the group Body Politics, an award winning spoken word performance group, creating original productions by and about women of color, exploring a diverse number of topics ranging from body image, mental health, intimate relationships, family, and oppression. At The Center Dance, Tiffany teaches Hip Hop 1 & 2 and is a co-founder (and teacher!) of On Point/Demi-Point, a ballet program for BIPOC children.
Words from Tiffany:
Carson Kelly has been dancing since she was in elementary school and has danced competitively with D.A.N.C.E. by Kristin since she was 14. At DBK, Carson was not only a student but she also served as an assistant dance teacher and captain of the competition team. Carson also studied briefly with Liane Fisher of Fisher Ballet Productions and had the opportunity to perform as Clara in their annual production of the Nutcracker Ballet. Carson has attended the Gen IV summer intensive and most recently attended the Joffrey NYC Jazz & Contemporary summer intensive. Carson just finished her sophomore year at The University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she is pursuing degrees in Communications and Dance. Over the summer, she will be working as Curriculum Media Specialist with Transparent Language.

Words from Carson: Teaching at The Center has been a truly rewarding experience. The kids are inspiring and eager to learn which is refreshing as a teacher. I love the positive attitude and motivation my dancers bring into the room. My dancers have reminded me that you can never be too old for freeze dance!!

Kate Martel relocated back to the Pioneer Valley in 2017 after 15 years in New York City. While in NYC, she performed and choreographed as an independent dance artist. Most notably, she has been a collaborating artist with Laura Peterson Choreography for ten years, performing throughout NYC and internationally. She has also danced for choreographers Rebecca Brooks, David Hurwith, Luis Lara Malvacias, Juliette Mapp, Nora Stephens and Sarah White-Ayon. Her own choreography has been presented by Women in Motion, Triskelion Arts, Dixon Place, Center for Performance Research and Rooftop Dance Series. She was a collaborator on Nicole Wolcott's solo PaperPieces , and Conor Simpson's film , which premiered at the Flatlands Dance Film Festival. Kate has been part-time faculty at Adelphi University, Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University, and Western Connecticut State University. She has also taught at Newport Academy of Ballet. She earned her BA from Goucher College and MFA from University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. Kate is an AmSAT board certified Alexander Technique teacher who studied under Ann Rodiger at the Balance Arts Center. Kate has choreographed numerous contemporary and ballet pieces for The Center Dance's spring productions and A 21st Century Nutcracker. At The Center, Kate teaches advanced choreography ( Theme & Variation) and the Book & Bar(re).
Words from Kate:
Sophie Schilling is a dance artist and educator located in Western Massachusetts. She is currently on faculty at The Center Dance in Amherst, teaching elementary school ballet ( Pre-Ballet and Ballet 1) and contemporary technique ( Counterpoint Technique), as well as creative movement and choreography classes ( Spinning Yarns and Story Arc). Sophie also facilitates The Center's summer camp programs. She is entering her third year at The University of Massachusetts Amherst, pursuing a BFA in Dance and a minor in Education.

Words from Sophie: This past year teaching at The Center has been a blast. My most memorable moments have definitely been our adapted outdoor performances, such as the Spinning Yarns performance at Groff Park last spring, The Nutcracker flash mob, the Snow Dancer performance, and the Earth Day flash mob. It is so special to see dancers fully in their element, in the elements! This summer I will be working at The Center summer camps! I am so excited for the two new weeks The Center is offering, as well as the chance to work with dancers familiar and new.

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Ashley and Caddy Carlisle began studying dance at the Pioneer Valley Ballet School in Northampton, MA, with Gail Collins. There, they performed leading roles in the company's annual Nutcracker and in original works by professional choreographers. Their training included summer intensives at American Ballet Theatre, the Rock School of the Pennsylvania Ballet, and Joffrey Ballet....

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Reading of Change Sings by Amanda Gorman

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Reading of Change Sings by Amanda Gorman

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Here is the reading of Change Sings by Amanda Gorman performed by The Center Dance students