Back Next

FOREIGN EXCHANGE PROGRAM


The third annual Foreign Exchange Program of the , "Dance in Italy" was held in February 2007 in Genoa, Italy.  The dance students were selected through an extensive audition process by Artistic Director Prof. Amelia Wanderlingh and Master Teacher Madame Gabriela Bokros.

The winning students, all from performing arts high schools of the Greater Toronto Area, were awarded scholarships by the to attend the newly opened International Dance Academy directed by Irina Kashkova.  The International Dance Academy, located in the beautiful City of Genoa, is an official branch of the Bolshoi Ballet Academy of Moscow.

The winners were:

Mia Dilena

Mia Dilena
Age 17

    Allison Vale

Allison Vale
Age 16

    Koryn Wicks

Koryn Wicks
Age 19

    Nadia Dimic

Nadia Dimic
Age 18

    Melody Ichimura

Melody Ichimura
Age 18

   
This group of students had the privilege to study with Madame Irina Kashkova and the famed Prof. Alexander Bondarenko.  Prof. Bondarenko is the main teacher for Classical Ballet for the Pas de Deux at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy of Moscow and winner of the prestigious "BEST TEACHER AWARD" in Russia for 2005.

The Foreign Exchange Program with Genoa, Italy was an enormous success for all involved.  As a result of this success, the is proud to announce that this program will be repeated again in 2008.

We would like to further announce that the has initiated a new affiliation with the "" in Bergamo, Italy.  This world renowned Academy directed by Madame Svetlana Pavlova, formerly of the Bolshoi Ballet, has had the distinction, two years in a row, of being awarded first place as the "MOST OUTSTANDING SCHOOL IN THE WORLD" at the Grand Prix of Barcellona.  See www.pavlova.it.

Auditions for "" will begin in November 2007.  This year will be open to all North American dance students.  All participants must be 14 to 21 years of age.  Students under 14 can audition, but if they are chosen, they must be accompanied by a parent to Italy.

For further information, please call (905) 458 0753 or email us at vancliffen@yahoo.ca.

Top of Page
Back Next
All members of the VANCLIFFEN ARTS FOUNDATION are volunteers.  Vancliffen Arts Foundation is a non-profit and charitable organization.