Florida Dance Theatre is Polk County’s only professional dance company, now preparing for its 15th anniversary season 2008-2009. Florida Dance Theatre incorporates diverse influences from classical ballet to contemporary cutting edge choreography, under the dynamic leadership of Artistic and Founding Director Carol Krajacic Erkes and Associate Director and Resident Choreographer Ferdinand De Jesus. In addition to their performance season, the company has a strong commitment to the cultural education of the community, providing several different outreach programs including lecture demonstrations and performances for elementary schools, workshops, summer camps, and scholarship programs at their training academy
The evening promises to be filled with choreographic creativity and deliciously dynamic contemporary dance. The performance includes Ferdinand De Jesus’ “Bolero” set to Ravel’s mesmerizing score and his finely hewn “Transport” to compelling music depicting the failure to escape one’s deepest and darkest secrets, Carol Erkes’ “Suite Tango” an alluring, exciting, and sensual interpretation of the world’s most famous dance of love
and New York choreographer Earl Mosely’s choreographic masterpiece “ Snow & Roses” that depicts the beauty of ones silent thoughts during the peace of a fresh snowfall.
Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the works of some of New York ’s and Florida ’s hottest choreographers by this exciting company
Artistic/ Founding Director
Carol Krajacic Erkes, originally from Cleveland, Ohio, brings to Lakeland a world of experience as both a professional dancer and teacher. She began her professional career at the age of 15 performing with the Ohio Chamber Ballet/Ohio Ballet in Akron. She was a soloist with the Cincinnati Ballet and the August Ballet and has taught and danced with Southern Ballet Theatre (now Orlando Ballet) and Texas Ballet. She has also been featured as a Guest Artist with numerous ballet companies including New Mexico Ballet, Ballet Orlando, San Diego Metropolitan Ballet, Houston Civic Ballet, the Ron Jones Company, and Vero Beach Ballet. She has been on faculty at Augusta Ballet, John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School, James Dance Center, University of Houston-Clear Lake, as well as been a guest instructor at the School of Performing Arts, Harrison School of the Arts, Rochelle School of the Arts, Dr. Phillips High School, University of South Carolina, Raskin Dance Studio, and most recently, Osceola School for the Arts in Kissimmee. As Artistic Director, Ms. Erkes wears many hats in order to maintain the continual growth of the professional company and the training Academy. The
Academy has shown tremendous growth, and now offers close to 50 classes weekly to students ranging in age from three years old to adult. She has had the pleasure of seeing many of her students grow and achieve many honors, and her ability to create such a rich atmosphere for learning will inevitably continue to assist all students that come to Florida Dance Theatre, instilling in them the knowledge that they have the ability to achieve any goal, whether it be to dance or pursue other endeavors.
Associate Artistic Director/ Resident Choreographer
Ferdinand De Jesus, otherwise known as "Freddie," began his dance training with Nannette Bearden (wife of the acclaimed Harlem Renaissance painter Romare Bearden, in her Contemporary Dance Theatre when he was 14 years old. In 1987, his family relocated to Hollywood, FL where he completed his academic education at McArthur High School of Performing Arts. He then returned to New York City and received a full scholarship to the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. Later on, he also received a merit scholarship to train at the Dance Theatre of Harlem. His extensive professional experience includes Dayton Contemporary Dance Co., Donald Byrd/The Group, Philadanco, and most recently Bruce Wood Dance Company in Dallas, TX. Mr. De Jesus has also served as faculty at Rochelle School of the Arts, Florida Dance Theatre, and Raskin Dance Studio, to name a few, and has been a guest teacher for the Florida Dance Association’s “Young Dancer’s Workshop” and “Performing Arts High School’s Dance Workshop.” Mr. De Jesus’ affiliation with Florida Dance Theatre began in 1998 during a hiatus in his extensive 15 year stage career, and his ongoing
mission for the organization is to present the highest quality professional dance performances and improve the skills of emerging professional dancers and to help them find their own artistic voices.
The Florida Dance Theatre is an organization and contemporary dance company dedicated to the enhancement of culture in the community, through the art of dance. Utilizing dance as an instructional and educational tool, the professional dance company and training academy provide high quality dance to the greater central Florida communities.
FDT is a proud member of the Florida dance association, The Cultural Arts Board, Polk Arts Alliance, and the Lakeland are Chamber of commerce. This organizations commitment to exposing audiences and Florida community members to the art of dance. A strong team of qualified instructors, dancers, choreographers, designers and directors play an integral part in the continuance of this 13 year strong dance institution.
With the help of many community members Florida dance Theatre has led the way in offering it’s public the very best dance arts in Polk County. Volunteer efforts at Florida Dance Theatre give members an opportunity to work closely with the artistic and creative faculty. It is and honor for interested company members to be accepted into the ensemble of this hard working troupe, and must audition by appointment only in order to be considered for a position with such a prestigious group of influential artists. Associate artistic Director and resident choreographer, Ferdinand De Jesus has been involved in the Lakeland Dance community for over 8 years, as an instructor, choreographer and dancer, now associate director (and still dancer). The company performs several performance series to enrich the cultural landscape of Polk County. The dance company presents it’s season at the beautiful historic POLK theatre in downtown Lakeland. Florida Dance Theatre has inspired an 11 year old Holiday concert, a series of Jazz performances,Cultural Diversity programs celebration Latino and African American culture, and contemporary dance repertoire mainstage concerts in modern and ballet, with choreographic premieres. A variety of influential dance educators, performers and directors have taught master classes at the FDT Academy Studios. Instructors from all over the world have participated in the instruction of students in all levels of dance training at the FDT Academy School. The Ruth Eckerd Scholarship has been awarded to several student members of the FDT training academy, many of whom audition and are accepted into many schools for the visual and performing arts, dance or musical theatre departments. Collaborations with Southeastern University, Platform art parties, The Polk County Public Libraries and the Polk theatre diversify the ways that the Florida Dance Theatre contributes to the artistic community of Polk County.
The Arts and Education program is a passion of the founder since the organizations inception. Her drive to educate youth about the importance of the performing arts in their lives while spreading an appreciation for the arts through direct education of the dance art form. By taking professional dance into area public schools Florida dance Theatre has reached and instilled an understanding of dance as an art form to as many as 20,000 young people in and throughout Polk County While maintaining a continued commitment to the improvement of the quality of life in Polk county, the Florida Dance Theatre acts as a center for innovation and Education.
In it’s new season Florida Dance Theatre intends on providing a multitude of extraordinary and diverse dance programs. With the support of esteemed members of Florida Dance Theatre’s accomplished Board of Directors, and the continued support of The Community foundation, Family Fundamentals, Publix Supermarket charities, The Glazer Foundation and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Ford Heacock, Arts on the Park, The Florida Dance Association, Polk Arts Alliance, The Polk Theatre, as well as other Private/Academy family contributions and anonymous donors, and all performance viewing supporters, this multidimensional dance organization will continue it’s mission as one of central Florida’s leaders in American Dance.
DREAMS FEBRUARY 17th
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Who I'd like to meet: Dancers, musicians, artists... all people with love for everything artistic!
How are you? I'm fine. My CD is almost ready, but until then... ...I send you this live-performance video for your listening-pleasure. Hope you'll enjoy. Let me know what you think.
Le attività di Respiro e Movimento raggiungono anche il nord Italia... infatti saremo presto a Milano (18-19 aprile) con lo stage intensivo di 13 ore ci trasferiremo poi a Firenze (9-10 maggio) per tornare poi a Roma (23-24 maggio)...
Clicca sull'immagine qui sotto per maggiori informazioni!:
E' un lavoro intensivo di due giorni che si basa sul riequilibrio del corpo per andare poi a lavorare sui "blocchi" che un corpo può avere (mobilità del bacino, aperture, equilibrio etc..) per capire come lavorare sul proprio corpo in maniera adeguata capendo quali muscoli utilizzare nei diversi movimenti ed esercizi...
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