BWW News: Dance Theater Of Harlem Dancer Teaches Ballet at Northwest School of the Arts

Blumenthal Performing Arts, in conjunction with Wells Fargo, and Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts +Culture are collaborating to host the historical and internationally-acclaimed classical ballet troupe, Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH), at Knight Theatre, January 22-24, 2015. Founded in 1969, shortly after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s assassination, DTH present African American and racially diverse artists at the highest level of quality. This will be DTH's first-ever appearance in Charlotte. An additional perk, the event hosts also made it possible for DTH to present a master class at a local arts school.

On December 3, Chyrstyn Fentroy, one of eighteen premiere ballerinas of the Dance Theater of Harlem, graced the "Queen City" as the instructor of the master class with the dance students of Northwest School of The Arts. My astounding observation was how quickly the students grasped and performed the choreography that Chyrstyn introduced. It was a day of swan-like pirouettes, plie´, and Grande Jete´.

The amazing fact about the Dance Theatre of Harlem is the wide range of musical genre it incorporates into its dance routines...from classical to soul. I was so enthused when Chyrstyn taught the students choreographic dance steps to the upbeat and soulful musical rendition, Popcorn, by the late, undisputed "King of Soul" James Brown. That's music from my era...1970s...long before the students were born!

At the end of the session, the students engaged in an informal Q&A with Chyrstyn. She revealed that she has been dancing since she was two years old but began to take her gift seriously at the age of 16. Her mother was a dancer and introduced her via video to several dance troupe, including Dance Theatre of Harlem. At the age of 18, she received word that DTH was holding auditions. She auditioned and the rest is history. One of Chyrstyn's notable accomplishment is her feature on the January 2014 cover of Dance Magazine.

Major kudos to the dance instructors and students at the Northwest School of the Arts...job well done and keep up the good work! To Chyrstyn and the rest of the Dance Theatre of Harlem dancers, we anxiously anticipate your performances in January! Charlotte patrons, purchase your tickets - you are in for an unimaginable treat! For more information on Dance Theatre of Harlem visit http://www.dancetheatreofharlem.org

January 22-24 - Dance Theatre of Harlem - Knight Theater - Levine Center for the Arts - http://www.blumenthalarts.org

Ticket price includes a pass to the exhibition on the history of Dance Theatre of Harlem opening January 2015 at the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Art + Culture http://www.ganttcenter.org

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