Even before the auditions were scheduled to begin, the building was bursting with activity. The Dance Shop was abuzz with patrons enjoying the fun atmosphere; Ms. Szabo was keeping her little dancers on task in Studio One, while Ms. Ward had her class in the charming Pas de Deux studio. Meanwhile, The Nutmeg Student Activity Committee was hosting a bake sale while a steady flow of students and parents made their way through the lobby.
It was a very eventful Saturday and it had only just begun!
As the visiting dancers filed into the multi-purpose CAP room with their parents, there were reassuring faces to welcome them and check them in. They were warmly greeted by JoAnne Lavine, The Nutmeg’s Registrar, who clearly enjoys what she does. Ms Lavine was assisted by one of the lovely Nutmeg dancers named Jenn, who happened to be very adept at soothing frazzled nerves as she handed out audition numbers and collected audition photos.
With the auditions scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m., the pace was brisk, but comfortable. Very quietly, Artistic Director, Victoria Mazzarelli, made her way through the crowded room to formally introduce herself, welcome the auditioners to The Nutmeg Ballet, provide a brief orientation about the summer program and audition process, and answer any questions.
The eager auditioners were then placed into groups and escorted to one of three studios. Once the students were focused in class upstairs, the emphasis turned to the parents waiting patiently below. The Nutmeg Parent Network volunteers were on hand to answer any additional questions and provide guided tours of the building.
First stop on the tour was the CAP room where the Conservatory Academic Program takes place each school day during the year-round program. Tour guides pointed out the adjacent office, with its large window that looks on to the CAP room and that has an almost-always open door, where Academic Director, Donna Mattiello keeps a sharp eye on the students of the academic program.
After learning, much to their delight, that the original part of the building on Main Street had originally been Torrington’s Chamber of Commerce building, the tour guide directed visitors through the bright and lively lobby to the front office where, they were informed that Mrs. Mary Dante, Registrar, has been keeping an eye on the dance program since her daughter, Sharon E. Dante, founded the school in 1969. There she was, busy as always, chatting with parents and buzzing people in through the security doors with her friendly, “Come in, please.”
In Dance Shop, Holly Watson, Dance Shop Manager, greeted each of the visitors with a smile. She told them that the Dance Shop was once a jewelry store which would explain the beautifully timeworn vault behind the checkout desk. The rich wood cabinets that now displayed various types of dance related merchandise were at one time display cabinets for exquisitely crafted jewelry, she explained.
Onward and upward, the group of visitors followed their tour guide to the second floor, where they would see Studio Two. There, Ballet Master, Tim Melady, was teaching a technique class to The Nutmeg trainees along with a group of the auditioning students putting their best foot forward.
As is customary on a Saturday morning, Resident Director, Karen Tuck, was busy cooking something delicious for the resident student’s lunch that day and so she stopped and chatted with the curious visitors responding to any questions they might have about resident life.
The third floor’s breathtaking Premiere Studio was experienced from the observation deck one floor above. From this eagle-eye-view parents had the rare opportunity to observe classical repertoire coach and famed ballerina, Eleanor D’Antuono, teaching technique not only to Nutmeg trainees, but to some of the auditioning students as well.
Needless to say, it was a wonderful experience, not just for those visiting The Nutmeg on that snowy Saturday for the very first time, but for all the staff, volunteers, and trainees who had the opportunity to share all the many reasons that the great building of steel and bricks and glass makes them so very proud to be a part of the magic.
For information about The Nutmeg Ballet training program, visit www.nutmegballet.org