Through quality training and numerous performance opportunities, The Nutmeg prepares its students for the demands of today’s professional dance companies. Its faculty and staff are committed to each student’s overall development, with attention not only to growth as a dancer but also to overall deportment and the nurturing of self-confidence.  Students enrolled in The Nutmeg develop the discipline, attention to detail, focus and strength of spirit to succeed not only in the dance world but in any career they may choose.

The Nutmeg uses the Vaganova methodology as the foundation of its training curriculum. This method, used to train some of the greatest dancers in the history of classical ballet, is known for its clean lines, musicality, epaulment, port de bras, artistry and athleticism.  The Nutmeg combines this foundational focus with additional emphasis on neo-classical, contemporary and modern styles to create well-rounded young artists ready for the demands of today’s dance companies.

The Nutmeg has assembled an internationally renowned faculty with broad performance and teaching experience. Each instructor is dedicated to nurturing the talents and strengths of each student, seeking to develop meaningful teacher/student relationships. The core faculty is supplemented by guest artists in both our year-round and summer programs, providing students the opportunity to work with a variety of dance artists from the United States and abroad. 

The Nutmeg’s Year-Round program is designed to meet the needs of the serious dance student wanting to focus on technical proficiency and developing artistry.  Training for approximately 6 hours a day, 6 days a week, students have daily classes in classical ballet technique, pointe, men’s work, partnering, and classical, contemporary and modern repertoire. Additionally, classes are offered in Pilates, music theory and dance history. All students participate in numerous performance opportunities in various venues, allowing for the development and refinement of performance skills and artistry.

Class attendance is taken regularly, individual feedback is given daily in classes and rehearsals, and more formal written evaluations take place before the end of the school year.

Training for almost 5 hours a day, 6 days a week, the faculty knows each student and provides individual attention and proper corrections. The year-round program is for the hard-working, focused student and is comprised of two sixteen-week semesters, each made up of 432 clock hours (“clock hour” is defined as 60 minutes of instruction). Only a select group of students is chosen yearly for The Nutmeg’s accredited training. Standards are high and The Nutmeg seeks candidates that are inspired to excel in both dance and academic studies.

A student’s training is mastered through daily methodical and technical lessons in classical ballet technique, modern dance technique, pointe, men’s work, partnering, classical and contemporary repertoire, and performance experience. Class attendance is taken regularly, verbal reviews are conducted on an as-needed basis, and written evaluations and individual conferences are held at the end of each semester – January and May.

In addition to daily technique classes, female students are also guided in progressive pointe work according to the Vaganova syllabus, with additional emphasis on core strength for partnering, upper body suppleness, port de bras and work in female classical and contemporary variations.

The Nutmeg Men’s Program aims to train young male dancers for the rigors of a professional dance career focusing on partnering skills, jumps, appropriate strength and flexibility training, along with coaching in male classical and contemporary variations.

Students at The Nutmeg are prepared for company and university dance auditions, having cultivated artistry and confidence through repetitive focus on proper technique, partnering, repertoire and performance.  Those choosing paths other than dance find themselves well-prepared having developed strong skills in focus, self-discipline, working with others and setting individual goals.

Additionally, students are encouraged to seek out faculty and staff for their input in preparation for auditions and life beyond The Nutmeg.  With diverse backgrounds and experience, they are excellent resources willing to support our students in their endeavors.

The Nutmeg believes that students must be given opportunities to perform in order to develop as artists. This philosophy, as an integral aspect of Nutmeg training, drives faculty efforts to maintain a robust performance schedule each year.  The hallmarks of that schedule are The Nutcracker performances in December at multiple theaters, a Spring showcase, and a Graduation Series.  These presentations are costumed and stage lit, and produced with a mix of elaborate or more simple but creative sets/enhancements.  In addition to these performances, other opportunities are scheduled throughout the year, allowing for smaller groups to perform for varied audiences.

Students’ exposure to repertoire, choreography and guest artists, as well as time spent in rehearsals each day, are all designed to culminate in specific performances.  These performances provide a way for students to prepare themselves for a possible dance career by encouraging the development of stage presence, confidence, familiarity with theater protocol, etc.  Performances also allow faculty to evaluate student progress outside of the studio.  Beyond this, performances allow for interaction with audiences, communities, potential donors and sponsors.

Within the last decades, Nutmeg students have had the opportunity to perform in major venues of notable reputation.  In 2008, students performed for His Excellency, Pope Benedict XVI at Yankee Stadium in New York City.  Four years later, Nutmeg and The Torrington School of Ballet performed at Carnegie Hall in “The Christmas Rose”, a production starring Jane Seymour.  Dance Theatre of Harlem invited Nutmeg to perform in its Sunday Matinee Series in 2013.  Nutmeg students have also performed at Jacob’s Pillow’s Inside/Out Series in the summers of 2009, 2010 and 2012. 

The Nutmeg Conservatory for the Arts also has a major guest teacher program. Throughout the school year and during our summer programs, students have the opportunity to work with a variety of dance artists from the United States and abroad. Guest Artists include well-established and recognized names such as Kirk Peterson, Eleanor D’Antuono, Moses Pendleton (P’03), Barry Hughson (’88), Amy Fitterer (’97), Brian Simerson, Brian Reeder. Alexandre Proia, Helen Heineman, Emily Patterson Nicholas (’96), Thomas Nicholas, and Denise Warner Limoli. Additionally, veteran performers from MOMIX as well as up-and-coming artists actively working in the field of dance are frequent visitors to The Nutmeg’s studios. Through pre-planned field trips, The Nutmeg also provides opportunities for its students to see other dancers showcase their talents at venues such as Boston Ballet, Jacob’s Pillow, Lincoln Center Theatres, the Joyce Theatre, and more.

The Nutmeg continually seeks to provide additional resources and opportunities to its students to support their growth as artists and individuals.  Speakers on nutrition for dancers, dancing in college, and how to effectively prepare for auditions and resume preparation are frequently brought in to work with students. Collaborations with The Warner Theatre and the Five Points Art Gallery in downtown Torrington allow for creative outlets for students having interests in the fine arts or the technical aspects of the theater, such as lighting and sound.  In both its year-round and summer programs, through organized field trips, students are able to see performances of major dance companies and Broadway touring companies in Hartford, Boston and New York, and at Jacobs Pillow in Lenox, Massachusetts.