School News
2007-2008 History
- New YouTube Video Workshop Debuts This Summer
- Dress Rehearsal and Performance Directions!
- LIDC Photos: "Concert In The Park"
- Carling Talcott Newest Miami City Ballet Apprentice!
- Jessica Rizzo Makes It To Broadway
- New LIDC Performance Coming Soon: Martha Choreographs "Concert In The Park"
- Sandy Durst Tapes Canon Commercial
- School on Recess Until 2/16: Martha on Location
- Exciting New Adult Classes Forming Now
- Martha's Spain Performance Photos
- Sandy Durst Gets Wal-Mart Commercial
- Two Great Performances: Chamber of Commerce Lighting Ceremony and Nocellos
- New: Zangogo Dance Fitness Class
- Four Martha Merideth Students Audition for Broadway!
Two Awaiting Extraordinary News! - Derek Raskin Turns Pro! Martha Ecstatic!
- Candids of Our Students
- First Day: September 10, 2007
- Parent Observation Days
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
New YouTube Video Workshop Debuts This Summer and Fall
Martha is pleased to announce a new series of video workshops that will put you on the web!
Everyone at the studio knows Martha is already on YouTube with a wonderful, artistic video filmed by director Michael Russo. Now Martha is making it possible for her talented students to follow her lead! Over the years Martha has helped launch the professional careers of many of her students, and they have gone on to be honored with such prestigious awards as a Tony. Martha wants to impart her knowledge and training of performance through a new series of workshops.
Each one day workshop will attempt to complete a new short piece. Through focusing on the production of a single work Martha exposes each student to the techniques and talents that are needed to make progress toward the realistic and practical goal of making a video. Training included on-camera technique and introspection skills to know what works and how to constantly improve your performance skills.
As every workshop works on a different project, each workshop is unique and will teach the attending student new and ever more advanced skills to develop the aspiring performer to new and greater achievements!
Call the studio today for the schedule of upcoming workshops!
Dress Rehearsal and Performance Directions!
It's down to the wire! The show is around the corner!
Dress rehearsal is Saturday, June 21, 2008 at The Stage Theatre in Merrick.
The stage is directly north of the Merrick LIRR Train station.
From the Meadowbrook Pkwy:
- Sunrise Hwy [27] Exit 8 East
- Proceed east for 3 traffic lights to Hewlett Ave and turn left.
From the Wantagh Pkwy:
- Sunrise Hwy [27] Exit 5 West
- Proceed west for 7 traffic lights to Hewlett Ave and turn right.
The performance is Sunday, June 22, 2008. Call is for 6 PM for the 7 PM curtain/
See everyone there!
LIDC Photos: "Concert In The Park"
At last, here are some photos from the dress rehearsal for the April 12 performance of Martha's choreography, "Concert In The Park" that debuted at the Long Island Dance Consortium Festival. Some photos are from the dance. Some are from between the takes!
Carling Talcott Newest Miami City Ballet Apprentice!
Martha's students are always making news! Carling Talcott is now an apprentice at Miami City Ballet as reported by the Miami Herald. Her early training with Martha gave her such a wonderfully strong foundation in ballet that Carling just had to keep going further and further! On May 17 and 18 she is performing in a benefit featuring Balanchine's Allegro Brillante and the finale of Petipa's Sleeping Beauty. Her dance career is moving forward at tarantella speed!
So many of Martha's student make it as professional dancers and actors! Training develops skills. Skill lifts you above the rabble of lesser performers. It is this level of skill that Martha gifts her serious students! Her students just keep on performing and succeeding! Congrats to Carling!
Jessica Rizzo Makes It To Broadway
Another of Martha's graduates makes it in the professional world of theatre! Jessica Rizzo is on Broadway! After earning her BFA in Dance from University of Massachusetts Amherst she returned to New York and is taking Broadway by storm! Recent tours include Grease and Guys and Dolls. Her performing career includes other such great shows as Cabaret, Evita, West Side Story.
And Jessica isn't stopping with performing. She is currently going on for her Masters in Dance Education at NYU.
We will be seeing more of Jessica both on and off the stage for a long time to come! Congratulations, Jessica!
New LIDC Performance Coming Soon: Martha Choreographs "Concert In The Park"
The annual Long Island Dance Consortium Festival is almost here! On April 11 and 12 the LIDC will present pieces by 13 of Long Island's dance schools. Martha Merideth School of Dance will be represented among the cream of LI when students of Martha perform "Concert In The Park". This choreography is a comedy, portraying characters who go to the park and discover various adventures. It is one of the most fun pieces Martha has choreographed in recent years! All the dancers love it and are looking forward to presenting it on Saturday, April 12.
Here is a glimpse of the fun from the publicity shoot we held on March 8.
We look forward to seeing you at the show!
Sandy Durst Tapes Canon Commercial
Yes, Sandy has now taped a second commercial, as of today, Monday, March 24, 2008. Her career is in high gear! Sandy studies Musical Theatre and Ballet with Martha. Indeed, she spends most of her Saturday at the studio strain and honing the skills she needs on auditions and on professional jobs.
Sandy loves to come and study with Martha. Enthusiasm and creativity
School on Recess Until 2/16: Martha on Location
Martha is away working on the film "Voodoo Island Spirit", so the school is closed on recess and will reopen on Saturday, February 16, 2008.
The final filming of "Voodoo Island Spirit," a horror-spoof film by Paragon Productions, is taking place in Barbados. Martha is bringing her talent to new vistas. Her personal training has earned her a major part in this production and reinforce all the lessons she teaches in her classes.
Here are a few test shots from a makeup session for the film:
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Exciting New Adult Classes Forming Now
Martha is proud to announce new classes for adults searching for fitness and fun beginning March 2008.
- All Latin Mon 7:15–8:15: Salsa, Meringue, Cha-Cha, Mambo
- Hot Jazz / Tap Tues 8:00-9:00
- Ballroom Thus 8:00–9:00
Adults - Men and Women
Join the Fitness Fun and Wellness Movement Party through Dance.
A total experience benefits you when going to weddings and parties!
Affordable rates!
Trial Lesson: $25 – single or couple
10 Classes $150 per person.
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Martha's Spain Performance Photos
It took some time, but at last here are some pictures of Martha's Flamenco performance from her trip to Spain. You just can Martha's feet to stay still when there is a chance to dance!
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Sandy Durst Gets Wal-Mart Commercial
Sandy Durst will soon be appearing nation wide on a new Wal-Mart commercial! She has taken her training from Martha Merideth and successfully auditioned. She got the call-back and finally earned the nod from the casting directors.
Sandy is as professional as she is enthusiastic about her acting. She maintains her commitment to high quality training by attending classes regularly. She is not one to miss a class needlessly, and her diligence paid off.
The casting directors saw her poise and composure and knew she will make a good spokesperson for their sponsor, Wal-Mart. This marks another stepping stone in her professional career.
Let's all congratulate Sandy on her grand success! And just in time for the holidays!
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Two Great Performances: Chamber of Commerce Lighting Ceremony and Nocellos
On December 9 and 10 2007 the dance and theatre students of Martha Merideth School performed before enthusiastic audiences.
The weather was brisk but tolerable on December 9 for the Syosset Chamber of Commerce Tree and Menorah Lighting. Martha choreographed an excerpt of 'Snow' from Nutcracker for five of her top students. When the time came, they mounted the show mobile and danced to wonderful applause.
Dancing in a strange environment can be daunting, yet the girls all did splendid, performing with focus, timing, grace, poise, style and technique.
The very next evening, Monday, December 10, Martha staged a performance at Nocellos Restaurant. A dozen student performed, singing, dancing and generally enjoying the holiday celebration.
The evening began with a buffet. Some performers ate heartily and some held off from eating until after they performed.
The show opened with Hallelujah, a perennial classic. The numbers included humorous songs like "Alma Mater" and "Beauty School Drop Out" from Grease, more serious songs as "Defying Gravity" from Wicked, and high energy songs like "Hand Jive". The dance portion included "Snow" from Nutcracker and a Tap solo by Jensine. The show concluded with the song "Where Are You, Christmas?" from How the Grinch Stole Christmas. There were tired hands in the audience after all the applause died down.
Good food, good entertainment and good times were had by all! If you missed this exciting event be sure to keep your ears open for the next time we perform at Nocellos. We seem to have an open invitation to return again soon!
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New: Zangogo Dance Fitness Class
Join the Healthiest Party
Zangogo!
Moms and Dads!
Zangogo is a total experience fitness program.
Zangogo is inspired by the body’s
most natural passion and basic needs.
Energized movement to motivating music.
Zangogo restores and rejuvenates!
Feel Alive! Stay Young Forever!
Come and join in the fun and get more fit and healthy than you have been in years!
It is the rhythm! It is the movement! It is the pulse! It is the fun!
Beginning Monday, January 7, 2008 7-8 PM
Experience the pleasure and benefits of Zangogo
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Four Martha Merideth Students Audition for Broadway!
Two Awaiting Extraordinary News!
On November 3, 2007 four of our dancers, Jensine, Sami, Sandy and Stavroula, made their way into Manhattan to answer the open call for the upcoming Broadway production of Billy Elliot. Normally, few dancers get to audition for a Broadway role. Yet Martha advised these students to go into the City to try their talents in front of the casting directors. It was a wonderful experience for all of them.
Our intrepid four found themselves in the midst of about 200 aspiring Broadway stars of tomorrow! Many of the most talented dancers and singers from the entire region turned out for this audition. It was an exciting and a daunting experience to be in such a crowd. Yet these four bravely strode forward and took their places on stage to do their best.
The first challenge was the ballet audition. The combination was demanding, but not overly grueling for dancers trained by Martha! Next was the tap combination. It was a brisk set of steps! Yet the steps were all moves that Martha teaches in her classes, so, again, the girls were well trained for what was demanded of them.
The dance audition generally comes before the singing audition in professional auditions. It is harder to find good dancers than it is to find good singers, so having the dance portion come first generally eliminates those that cannot dance well enough to make the final cut.
Our classmates had the right stuff, but what are the casting directors looking for? That is always an important question. If you have the look they want, you are already one step toward landing a job. If you don't have the look they require, then no amount of talent make them pick you! The cast call stated they they are not looking for the classic ballerina types, yet that doesn't say what it is they actually are looking for!
Two of the four made it past the first round, the dance audition. Sandy and Stavroula were asked to return in the afternoon for the singing audition! Wow! Few schools can muster from their entire student body even two to try the auditions, and two from Martha Merideth School of dance passed the first step and moved on to the next!
Stavroula had a moment when she might have had a problem when the pianist started playing from the wrong point in the score. Already with professional aplomb, she interrupted him, apologized for not being more precise, and told him where she needed him to begin playing. She retained her composure and handled the matter better than many an adult would!
That must have made an impression on the judges, for in the end both Sandy and Stavroula were told they will receive word of the results of the casting in February of 2008! Yes, they made it past the singing audition, too! Now all that remains is the final casting! Congratulation to both of them!
One of the most difficult parts of this type of audition process is the waiting. There will be a long wait before Sandy and Stavroula get final word if they have made it into the cast of Billy Elliot. Until they get that magic call, it is a time to wait, to hope, to dream and to keep fingers crossed!
Congratulations to all four of our talented, aspiring Broadway Stars to Be! It is exceptional to get this opportunity. Many would have been intimidated by the whole process of such a significant audition and all four did marvelously well!
And we need to remember to give a round of applause to the supportive and enduring mothers who stand behind their talented children in the quest for performing excellence and achievement! It takes quite a lot of energy to take their progeny to class each week, perhaps several days a week. (More times for the students who are aiming at and achieving spectacular results!) And it take much more to be willing to travel into the city for the audition. And it will take even more to assist them as they rehearse and perform in a Broadway show!
Mothers (and fathers, too) who devote themselves to their child's dreams and aspirations are a golden blessing and indispensable to developing young talent and nurturing a budding career in the performing arts.
It was a long and exciting day and one that will be remembered for a lifetime!
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Derek Raskin Turns Pro! Martha Ecstatic!
Derek has achieved more in his year of studying ballet than most dancers who trained for a decade or more! He has just been hired to perform at the Met for their upcoming performance of the opera "War and Peace" and has been tapped to perform for the Joffrey Ballet! His career is moving ahead at lightening speed!
Derek recently auditioned for the Metropolitan Opera. They immediately cast him into their production of "War and Peace". It is particularly fitting that this be his debut performance as he has long been a student of Russian history. He will be appearing as a Russian soldier.
Derek first came to Martha at the beginning of 2007. He had no ballet training. It is because of the combination of his determination, drive and focus and Martha's knowledge, skill and talent at training students who have the true dedication to achieving excellence in dance technique that Derek could make such astounding progress in such a short time.
At this time we do not have any details of the Joffrey piece that Derek is to dance in, nor his role in the piece. We will look forward to hearing more as he begins rehearsal. And of course many of us here at Martha Merideth's will be anticipating sitting in the audience to see his Joffrey and Met debuts!
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Candids of Our Students
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A group of our young dancers aspiring to new shapes and new experiences with their bodies. |
Jensine loves to dance. Even when she is not in class she constantly practices. Here she is taking a rest and is still practicing her point work! |
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First Day: September 10! We Are Back!
Once again a new school year begins with an eye for fun and a mind for focus. Here are a few photos from the first day back to studying dance for the 2007 - 2008 school year.
Young dancer take to the barre to focus on and review the foundations of ballet. Kathy prepares their young bodies for the grace and beauty of Vaganova technique.
More mature dancers refresh their muscle memory with their first class since leaving the studio last June. Martha guides them and makes sure they have good alignment in all that they do.
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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
- New Hip-Hop Teacher: Amanda Fairchild
- 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
- Request for Raffle Donations for Annual DTE Raffle
- Welcome Back for a New Year of Dance, Theatre and Drama
- First Day Photos
- Auditions held Dance Theatre Eclectic
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