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Suzanne's School of Dance

Genesee County seniors treated to performances by little dancers, and cookies, too

By Billie Owens

Submitted photos and press release:
 
This spring, Suzanne's School of Dance and Tutu Tots have been celebrating a 35-year tradition of giving back to their community by dancing for the senior citizens of Genesee County.
 
Throughout the years, the children have visited various nursing homes and senior residences, delighting them with their performances and also spending some special time afterward to say hello, shake hands, enjoy cookies and punch. The seniors welcome the young performers and bask in their enthusiasm.

Genesee, Monroe County dancers to perform at nationally televised event

By Daniel Crofts

On New Year's Day, 26 lucky young ladies will ring in the new year in the Outback -- that is, in the stadium at the Outback Bowl half-time show in Tampa, Florida.

All 26 girls, ages 8 to 18, are students at Suzanne's School of Dance at 33 Center St. in Batavia. Most are from Genesee County, though there are a couple from Monroe County as well.

Sponsored by Outback Steakhouse and always held on January 1, the Outback Bowl is an annual, nationally broadcast college football game featuring teams from the Southeastern and Big Ten Conferences. The 26 dancers from Suzanne's will be representing Genesee County and Western New York in a performance featuring around 500 youth from all over the United States.

If this is an exciting opportunity, it is also going to be a test of skill and focus. The girls will spend a week in Tampa leading up to the big game, and their schedule will be packed with daily rehearsals to coordinate their choreography with the other 500 dancers.

Each participant faces a cost of about $1,300 for room and board, so the group is asking individuals and businesses in Genesee County to help offset the expense. Various fundraisers will take place over the next several months, and private donations are welcome as well.

According to Jennifer Vislay, the mother of one of the participants, the girls were selected as a result of an audition video that they wanted to do as a group rather than individually.

"They do everything as a team," Vislay said. "The older girls help the younger girls...it's just a very team-oriented project."

The first fundraiser will be a chicken barbeque this Sunday. It it set to start at 11 a.m. in the parking lot across the street from the studio, and will continue until sold out. A bake sale, basket raffle and 50/50 raffle will be included.

For more information, call Vislay at 737-5314.

The 26 dancers are, in alphabetical order by first name, Alexis Vasciannie, Allison Kropf, Alynn Franclemont, Amber Fitzsimmons, Ashley Johnson, Ashlyn Puccio, Aubrey Puccio, Cianna Kusmierski, Elizabeth Barcomb, Ella Bridges, Emilee Schroeder, Emily Thompson, Emily Verdaasdonk, Emma Richardson, Gyna Gibson, Haley Sweet, Kali Markek, Katie Raziano, Kendall Senko, Lily Senko, Maddie Phillips, Megan Currier, Micheala Misiti, Mikey Lullo, Mollie Heale, Rylei Odessa and Sarah Whitehead.

Photo taken by Jennifer Vislay

Noted dancer to teach two workshops in Batavia this month

By Billie Owens

Suzanne’s School of Dance, in Batavia, will be hosting two dance workshops with Kent State University dance education major, Lindsay Chmielowiec.

She just returned from Seattle where she participated in the International Dance Festival, "Beyond the Threshold." She has worked with numerous choreographers as a member of the Kent Dance Ensemble and her choreography was presented at the 2010 American College Dance Festival at Ohio University.

Chmielowiec says she's thrilled to share her experience and expertise to assist dancers in comprehension of technique and body awareness.

Classes will be taught in ballet, modern, contemporary and jazz. The first workshop is 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, July 17 for ages 8 to 11.

The second workshop will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, July 24 for ages 12 and up.

For more information or to register please call 344-4060.

Photo: Dance recital ticket line

By Howard B. Owens

This year, like previous years, parents are braving a long line to buy tickets to the Suzanne's School of Dance dance recital. The first person in line arrived before 8 a.m.

Parents line up all day for tickets to recital at Suzanne's School of Dance

By Howard B. Owens

No, Bruce Springsteen isn't coming to town. Yes, you're not missing a secret show by the Gwen Stefani on Center Street.

This ticket-seeking camp out began at 6 a.m. and it's filled with parents hoping for the best available seats for a Suzanne's School of Dance recital at Batavia High School this Friday and Saturday.

"Yes, we're crazy," said Cathy Chmielowiec, who arrived at 11 a.m. "This is what we'll do for our kids.

Candice Wells was the first in line. "It's important to my daughter," she said.

At the back of the line, a woman noted that no person is allowed to by more than 12 tickets. "We can't buy tickets for each other."

She declined to give her name.

"I don't want to face the wrath of Suzanne," she said. "I'm anonymous."

Another parent said the tickets used to be sold at the school each year, but administrators objected to the long, day-long lines, so now people queue up on Center Street the day of the sale.

The door for tickets opened a little early (scheduled for 6 p.m.), at about 5:40 p.m.

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