School News

2006-2007 History

• Joffrey Hopeful Derek Raskin Trained by Martha
• Trip to Spain Yields International Performance and Inspiration for New Choreography
• Congrats on a Great Performance!
• Great Photos from Dress Rehearsal
• Upcoming School Trip to Lincoln Center Environs to Study with Luigi
• Martha To Create New Children's Dance Documentary
• Important Dates Leading To Performance
• 2007 Annual Student Concert - The Rundown
• LIDC Honors Luigi
• Martha's New Choreography in LIDC Dance Fest April 28, 2007
  Her Teacher, Luigi, to be Honored
• Hip-Hop Rehearsal Video - New
• New Class Candid Photos - Advance Ballet Rehearsal of Garland Dance
• Martha's Video On YouTube!
• Theatre Auditions Successful and Fun
• Upcoming DTE LIDC Performance
• Participating in Organized Cuteness
• Martha Starts Filming in February
• Syosset Tree and Menorah Lighting Performance Wonderfully Received
• Nocellos Performance, December 1, 2006, Delicious Success!
• Rehearsals for December Performances Proceed Nicely
• Photo Shoot: Sunday, May 6, 2007
• Martha's Halloween Musical Theatre Parties - Wonderful Success
• Dancing Across Two States to Study with Martha
• Students take NYC Field Trip to Meet Luigi
• Mara Reiner to make Metropolitan Opera Debut
• Welcome Back for a New Year of Dance, Theatre and Drama
• First Day Photos
• Auditions held Dance Theatre Eclectic

Joffrey Hopeful Derek Raskin Trained by Martha

Many of you have already met Derek Raskin when he was in rehearsal for "Fashion Field Fantasy," Martha's piece for the Long Island Dance Consortium performance this last April. He has been one of Martha's private ballet students for several months now. He is coming to her for the express purpose that she prepare him to audition for the Joffrey Ballet!

Derek is planning on making dance his career. Already an accomplished international actor, he has been training hard under Martha's guidance to become the best ballet dancer he can. Derek has already accomplished a stellar performance for Martha in her "Fashion Field Fantasy". His acting talents brought an intensity and drama to his performance that captured the audience from the start and helped make this piece the most powerful of the evening.

Martha has a great track record of training students to become professional dancers, actors and many other professional careers supporting the arts. She has had her students go into major dance companies, onto Broadway, TV and the Big Screen! (See her alumni list for more info.) Derek is her current project.

He has consistently trained vigorously! She works with him most days of the week to help him learn and improve with lightning speed. It is this personal attention that will give him the edge over many other auditioning dancers who may have had more years of training, but not be able to match the focus and caring of Martha's teaching methods.

So Derek can set his sights high! The Joffrey Ballet is one of the premier ballet companies in the world. He is going to be facing some tough competition. While he has less than a year of training under his belt, he will be dancing on an even footing with dancers who may have trained longer, but with much less intensity. The combination of Martha's knowledge and sensitivity with Derek's focus and energy will carry him into the audition and onward to success!

Trip to Spain Yields International Performance and Inspiration for New Choreography

Martha has returned from a highly successful trip to Spain. Two of her top accomplishments from the adventure include her being invited to perform Flamenco dance in Madrid, and becoming inspired by the glorious works of the revolutionarily Spanish architect, Antoni Gaudi.

While in Madrid Martha made a connection with the lead dancer of a Flamenco company. Upon realizing Martha's zeal for all forms of dance and perceiving that she was well studied in Flamenco, Martha was invited to the stage to join them in performance.

Also in her exploits, Martha visited the Sagrada Familia (Sacred Family) Cathedral. The legendary architect Antoni Gaudi conceived this mammoth undertaking and spent many years in its construction. So vast a work is it that it could not be competed before his death. Indeed, work on this edifice continues through today and will continue for many more decades!

Yet, even as an unfinished work it is world famous. People come from around the world to experience the sweeping grandeur of this vast cathedral and be inspired.

And that inspiration has laid hands upon Martha. She is now planning a new choreography born of the inspiration of the art and artistry of Antoni Gaudi as she experienced it first hand in Spain.

We will look forward to her sharing more about this exciting project as the develops it for presentation in the Spring of 2008.

New Photos Posted from LIDC Performance - Fashion Field Fantasy

A bit late, but they are at last out on the web for all to see! Go to the Performance Photos page and see the great photos, courtesy of Cathy Slatas, one of Long Island's top wedding / portrait photographers!

Congrats on a Great Performance!

Dear Performers,

Congratulations on a job well done! You performed exceptionally and wonderfully during out annual student concert on June 10, 2007, at the BayWay Art Center.

You certainly made you director / teacher Martha Merideth, teachers Kathleen Moore, and David Guggino, your family and friends very proud.

Remarkable progress and outstanding improvement made it evident that with the teachers, training, guidance and the students being led to cultivate a receptive nature the result was fantastic and fun.

Following the Student Concert the Saturday, June 16 field trip was also a great opportunity.

Wishing you the best, safest fun-loving summer, see you in the fall!

Martha Merideth

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Great Photos from Dress Rehearsal!

At last, there are some photos online from our dress rehearsal held on June 9, 2007 for our Annual Student Concert at the BayWay Arts Center in Islip! See out Performance Photos page to check out the whole set of them!

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Upcoming School Trip to Lincoln Center Environs to Study with Luigi

As a follow up of the LICD Honoring of Luigi in April, Martha is planning to take some of her students into New York City to meet and study under Luigi himself! The trip is planned for Saturday, June 16, 2007. Students will be taking the 11:00 AM class from Luigi and learn the foundations of his miraculous style of Jazz dance. He is the Godfather and Innovator of Jazz Dance of the 20th and 21st Centuries. So many professionals began training with Luigi at the early days of their careers! The list is very long and includes some of the top people in all fields of the performing industry: John Travolta, Liza Minelli, Madonna, Ben Vareen, Betty Ford, Jerome Robbins, Michael Bennett, etc. His dancers are welcomed into shows and performances around the world!

Students interested in participating in this historic event must be students in good standing in Martha Merideth School and be at least 10 years of ages. Acceptance is with permission of Martha. The deadline for application is June 1, 2007. Parents are welcome to attend with their dancer / student. Each person is responsible for their own expenses. Inquire at the front desk for further details.

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Martha To Create New Children's Dance Documentary

In celebration of 47 years of excellence and dedication, the Dance Theatre Eclectic will provide the platform to launch an innovative, entertaining and educational film. This film will be an opportunity for students attending the school as well as adults students returning to the school to express how their experiences mold and change their lives, both on and off stage.

Why do we dance, sing or act? Why must some of us dance, sing or act? Are we aware of what we gain from the best training? Do we understand in our early training what successes and achievements await us when we are receptive? How do we balance school, family and friends with the realities of beneficial training?

These are only some of the questions we look forward to exploring and answering with this documentary.

To apply, submit a statement based on the questions we pose above. It can be as brief or as long as you need it to be to express your feelings and ideas. The deadline for the first segment of filming will be June 17, 2007. It may be submitted in print or by email.

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Important Dates Leading To Performance

There are some critical dates to be aware of as we head toward the actual performance!

Dress Rehearsal

Be at the BayWay Theatre in Islip on June 9 by 11:30. Be prepared for your first number or scene in full costume and makeup. Hair should be done at home and you should arrive well groomed. The rehearsal runs promptly from 12:00 Noon to 6:00 PM. The schedule is further divided into time frames:

• Act I: 12:00 to 2:00
• Act II: 2:00 to 4:00
• Act III: 4:00 to 6:00

Parents need to make a list for their child that includes costumes, headpieces, tights, shoes, makeup, hair brushes, hair nets, pins, needle and thread and any other supplies that will be needed. Costumes should be brought on hangers and not stuffed in bags. Everything should have the name of the performer on it: costumes, shoes and props.

Dress rehearsal is the one day our performers have to get used to the stage. The whole show is going to be run in the same order as it will be for the performance the next day. Everyone will get to see where they make their entrances and exits. The lighting that will be used for the show will be set.

Be sure to be on time! The time is very short to run each number. Please be ready when your number or scene comes up!

Since it is a long day, please think ahead and bring water and finger food that will not mess up costumes or the theatre. This means no pizza, no messy, drippy sandwiches, sticky, melty candy or sticky drinks that could ruin costumes!

For Parents and other non-performers

The dress rehearsal is for the performers. Other people need to allow their performers to do their job. The audience area needs to be clear of distractions and empty of friends and family so the performers can concentrate. Please be prepared to keep yourself occupied while the dancers and actors do their stuff on stage for the dress rehearsal.

Performance

The big day is coming! The performance is June 10, 2007. Performers need to be at the theater well before the show start so they can get ready. The show starts at 2:00 PM, so all students must be at Theater by 12:30! Get ready for your first piece. There will be people to tell you when to line up to go to the stage.

Be sure to stay for the whole performance! At the end of the show all the performers will take their bows while they receive their trophies by special groups.

Mandatory In-Studio Blocking Rehearsals

Before you are ready to go to the theatre and perform it is important to understand the structure of the show. So we are giving you blocking rehearsals at the school so you can experience the show in the same order as the performance. We will run the show act by act and scene by scene to give everyone their first experience of how the whole show comes together.

All ballet students need to show up on two days: Thurs. 5/31 4:30–6:30PM & Sat 6/2 10:00AM-12:00 Noon. It is important to be at the studio on time both days.

Musical Theatre and Hip-Hop students need to be at the studio for two days: Fri 6/1 4:30-7:30PM & Sat 6/2 1:00-4:00 PM. It is important to be at the studio on time both days.

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2007 Annual Student Concert - The Rundown!

It is important to understand the order of the show to be able to be ready for any part you are involved in. Check out what is happening in the whole show! Be aware of what numbers are before any number you are in!

Act I: Theatre

The first act is a creative collection of the familiar and the surprising.

• God Bless America
• A tribute for world peace
• Tap/Hip-Hop
• Sound of Music Medley
• Mary Poppins Medley
• Hip-Hop
• ‘I Feel Pretty’ Vocal
• Entr'acte Spoof
• Forbidden Broadway Overture
• Hip-Hop Spoof
• Chita-Rita Spoof
• Idina – Christina Spoof
• Forbidden Broadway Finale

Act II: Ballet

The second act showcases a variety of famous classical ballet dances.

• Red White and Blue March
• Waltz of the Hours
• Tarantella Part I
• Tarantella Part II
• Ballet Polka
• Waltz of the Flowers
• Dawn Solo
• Garland Dance

Act III: Musical Theatre

All West Side Story Performers! The order of the numbers is same as in the actual play.

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LIDC Honors Luigi

The Long Island Dance Consortium honored the Jazz dance innovator of the 20th century: Luigi! Martha's teacher, Luigi, is known all the world round for his extraordinary style of Jazz and his legendary classes.

Pictured here on the left is the dinner party for Luigi at Luigi Q! From left to right in the back row is John Lopez (President of the LIDC) and wife Erin Lopez , Roberta Magg, Amanda Magg (Martha's student and performer in Fashion Field Fantasy), Tom Magg, and Mary Magg. In the front row are Lazar Cedeno (formerly with Ballet Theatre of Harlem, Joffrey Ballet, etc.), Luigi, Martha Merideth, Mami Tsudo (of the Ajkun Ballet and performer in Fashion Field Fantasy) and Derek Raskin (actor, student of Martha and Luigi and performer in Fashion Field Fantasy).
On the right is the Nassau Arts Council board.

Martha was the first to speak of her study and experience with Luigi. She was eloquent and heartfelt.

As the other speakers talked of Luigi's contributions to the world of dance the audience grew to know more and more of Luigi.
When Luigi spoke, he charmed the crowd! Everyone loved him and cheered him.

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Martha's New Choreography in LIDC Dance Fest April 28, 2007

Her Teacher, Luigi, to be Honored

Martha's newest choreography, "Fashion Field Fantasy", will appear on stage in the Long Island Dance Consortium Dance Fest 2007 on Saturday, April 28. The performance begins at 8 PM with a reception before from 6:30 to 8:00.

"Fashion Field Fantasy" is an exciting new piece. (See still photos below.) The music is delightfully varied, with Latin, Tango and Waltz. The three dancers, Amanda, Derek and Marianne Rose, get to experience these three temperaments of dance in a piece combining modern ballet with ballroom.

This year the LIDC honors Luigi, Jazz Dance Innovator of the Century! Martha first met Luigi while auditioning for Broadway. He was casting, so she danced for him. She has since studied with Luigi for many years and remains the best of friends with him. Martha continues to go into the city to take class with this legend as often as she can. Martha is dedicating her lavish choreography, "Fashion Field Fantasy", to her teacher, Luigi.

The Dance Fest spotlights pieces by top dance schools from Nassau and Suffolk. Each school presents their students' work.

The Dance Fest begins on Friday, April 27 and completes on Saturday, April 28, the day Martha presents her extraordinary new work to the world! Be there to see the spectacle.

Get tickets for the LIDC Dance Fest 2007 from B.O.C.E.S., the Town of Oyster Bay Arts Council, or the Long Island Dance Consortium. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door.

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Hip-Hop Rehearsal Video - New

Check out the footage of the new Hip-Hop routine Amanda is creating for her Monday class!

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New Class Candid Photos - Advance Ballet Rehearsal of Garland Dance

Check out the new candid photos as the advanced ballet students begin learning new steps in the Garland Dance.

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Martha's Video On YouTube!

At last one of the pieces Martha's worked on while she was out of the country is available for viewing. It is now posted on YouTube. To see it, and other recommended videos, go to our new Recommended Video page.

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Theatre Auditions Successful and Fun

On Saturday, March 3rd, auditions were held for students of the Musical Theatre programs of the Martha Merideth School. These tryouts gave the students a realistic opportunity to vie for parts in West Side Story scenes to be presented at the BayWay Theatre in East Islip in June.

Everyone had a fun-loving time with encouragement from Director-Teacher Martha Merideth and pianist Fred Gatti.

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Upcoming DTE LIDC Performance

The Dance Theatre Eclectic performs again in the 6th Long Island Dance Consortium Festival in April.

Our excitement escalates as we practice, practice, practice and prepare. Martha Merideth is in the thick of her new original choreography: Fashion Field Fantasy. Lots of surprises in store.

Martha dedicates this fantastic choreography to her fabulous teacher and mentor, Luigi! She has brought Luigi to the LIDC and he will be honored greatly. And no wonder! Luigi is applauded as the Godfather of Jazz. Luigi is the innovator of Jazz of the 20th and possibly 21st century.

In fact on March 20, 2007, Luigi celebrates his 82nd birthday. We, in turn, celebrate that he still conducts classes six days a wee at Studio Maestro in NYC, plus Master classes world wide.

Pictured are Marianne Rose and Amanda with just a hint of the dance treats awaiting you in Fashion Field Fantasy. Wedding gowns take on new meaning in the Dance Theatre Eclectic repertoire, and Marianne Rose and Amanda are performing and not getting married.

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Participating in Organized Cuteness

Here are some of our Creative Ballet Tap girls taking a moment to catch their breath during an exciting class here at Martha Merideth's. Many different things are learned and experienced in each and every class. This is a tableau created with the seven girls cooperating to make this single picture. These dancers develop their bodies by learning dance positions and steps and experiencing the shapes and relationships with their own limbs and between themselves and their classmates.

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Martha Starts Filming in February

Martha has been cast to be in a new movie with Paramount Productions. It is a Science Fiction / Horror piece. The filming begins in Puerto Rico in February. She will be away from February 9 to 19. Details are still developing, so check back to find out more as it develops!

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Syosset Tree and Menorah Lighting Performance Wonderfully Received

Bracing weather could not deter our intrepid DTE performers. The Syosset Chamber of Commerce Tree and Menorah Lighting took place at the Astoria Bank, just around the corner from our studio, on Sunday, December 3, 2006 at 4 PM.

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Nocellos Performance, December 1, 2006, Delicious Success!

Nocellos hosted DTE to perform for their patrons Friday evening, December 1, 2006. They opened with "Alleluia". Next, they performed "America" from West Side Story. Third, Shelby and Samantha sang "Defying Gravity". Martha choreographed a Hip-Hop / Tap number for the girls. And the performances finished with "Where Are You Christmas." The audience was enthusiastic and Martha received an invitation to perform there again.

Brimming with excitement from the performance adrenaline, the performers, their family and friends and all the other patrons returned to their tables and enjoyed truly fine dining as the Fred Gatti Quartet, plus one, continued to serenade us. The dance floor was soon filled with dancers doing Foxtrot, Cha-Cha, Hustle, or just danced freestyle. The evening was complete with guest singers joining Fred's group for favorite ballads from past decades.

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Rehearsals for December Performances Proceed Nicely

Martha has been rehearsing her DTE performers for the two December performances: Nocellos and the Chamber of Commerce Tree and Menorah Lighting. Here are some candid photos of their singing and dancing.

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Pre-Performance Photo Shoot: Sunday, May 6, 2007

Starlight Photos has agreed to return to Martha Merideth's to photograph all our students in their performance costumes before we do out June Student Dance Concert. In previous years Martha has posed our students and they have taken wonderful photos to create lasting memories of walls and wallets. Save the date and starting at the beginning of April, sign up for your time slot!

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Martha's Halloween Musical Theatre Parties - Wonderful Success

Martha Merideth School hosted two free musical theatre parties for Halloween. The parties were open to all students and friends of Martha Merideth, past, present and future. With live Broadway music, theatre games, acting, singing and dancing, everyone had a great time.

There were contests for acting, singing, dancing, best costume and Make-A-Mummy. All that and pizza and candy, too! There was a great turnout and everyone had terrific fun with all the activities.

There was acting, singing and dancing!

The Make-A-Mummy contest was extremely popular. And the mess afterwards was great fun, too! (And easy to clean up when the fun was done!)

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Dancing Across Two States to Study with Martha

Students take NYC Field Trip to Meet Luigi

On Monday, October 9, Martha went into NYC introduced two of her dancers to Luigi, the legendary innovator of Jazz dance technique. Everyone took the advanced class and it was wonderful! Luigi taught a great combination. Everyone in the class, amateurs and professionals alike, danced with passion and vitality. It was an exhilarating experience!

Luigi is a legend among dancers and choreographers alike. He has taught such stellar talents as Liza Minelli, Ben Vareen, Bob Fosse, Madonna, and too many more to mention. Be sure to check out Luigi's web site to find out more about the man and the technique!

Martha met Luigi years ago when she was auditioning. She impressed him so much that he ran to her impressed upon her his famous command: NEVER STOP DANCING! She never did and he never did. They have maintained their friendship across the year.

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Mara Reiner to make Metropolitan Opera Debut!

When a young dancer first steps onto the dance floor it is impossible to say just how far it will take her. For Mara Reiner, Martha's early training was to initiate world travel. Indeed, Mara toured with the Mark Morris Dance Company, among other performing adventures. Pictured here, she is the Barbie Doll from Mark Morris's The Hard Nut. And now her career continues with a new chapter. Mara will be making her debut with the Metropolitan Opera in NYC in the world premier of The First Emperor. This lavish production will be running for nine performances in December and January. Return to School News Top

Welcome Back for a New Year of Dance, Theatre and Drama!

A warm welcome back to all our student, both past and present.

This summer was filled with amazing, wonderful surprises. Five students came to our Adult Ballet class Wednesday evenings. They came from New Jersey, Plainview, Oyster Bay, Bayville and Arizona! They had been my students about 20 to 40 years ago. It was thoroughly thrilling to be in their company and provide class for them. Their technique, artistry and self expression had a magical presence and had withstood the years and times.

Our first day back was fun filled. A total experience of how to now work hard, but work correctly! How to boost our brains through positive and real good attitudes and behavior as we dance, sing and act. How to expand and reinvent ourselves passionately. How to enjoy learning and become successful.

Register early so you can get in on all the fun! There are many exciting new developments this year. New classes! New choreography to perform! A new musical to act in! Old friends to greet and new friends to make! Check out the schedule of classes and make sure to get your spot reserved.

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First Day Photos

Here are some candid shots of students, new and old, at Martha Merideth Studios in their first dance classes of the new school year!

The summer didn't slow down the first ballet classes of the year!

Here is a nice arabesque at the barre.

All this on the first day back! What will the rest of the year produce? Come reinvent yourself at Martha Merideth Studios and find out!

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Auditions held for Dance Theatre Eclectic!

Martha has held two auditions for DTE membership. Check out the pictures from the first DTE audition. Get involved and try out to perform in Martha's special performance training program. As a member of DTE you will have opportunities to participate in Community Service performances and her dance company Project IV Daring Shadowgraph Dances.

Dance and sing with DTE!

Call Martha to let her know you are interested and with any questions you may have.

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