Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Soo Theatre Project Expands STARS Dance Program

Soo Theatre/STARS is pleased to announce the expansion of its dance program with a new studio across the street from STARS. The north side of Austin’s Oak at 539 Ashmun has been transformed into a large, modern dance space known as STARS studio E. This additional instructional space allows STARS to increase its offerings to 45 dance classes. In addition to a full program of movement, pre-ballet, and ballet classes, STARS will be offering tap, lyrical, jazz, modern, hip hop, acrobatics, ballroom and Scottish Country Dance. Joining Dianna George, Director of dance, will be dance instructors Courtney Bailey, Caroline Behling, Lea Cilluffo, and Martina Vollman.

Fall classes in music include Tunes for Toddlers, Elementary Musical Theater, Voice Performance Class, and Beginning Piano Classes. Private lessons are available in violin, viola, cello, harp, piano, voice, flute, clarinet, and brass instruments. Performing groups set to meet are Youth Chorus for middle and high school students, Intermediate and Senior Youth Orchestras, Flute Choir, “Not Quite Ready for Prime Time” string ensemble, and Recorder Consort.

Acting, Handmade Book Workshops, and Creative Writing offer opportunities for young people to explore their creative side. Yoga classes for teens and adults will meet at morning, lunchtime, and evening times. A new class, Chair Yoga, is designed for seniors and other adults with limited mobility.

Registration is open now for the 14-week fall term which begins Sept. 14. Registrations are taken in person at the Soo Theatre/STARS office, 534 Ashmun St., weekdays 10 am to 6 pm.Brochures listing class times and tuition fees are available at STARS or on the web at sootheatre.org. For more information, call 632-1930 or visit the website, www.sootheatre.org.

Soo Theatre Arts Resource Studios (STARS) is a community arts center offering instruction in music, dance, theater, visual arts and yoga for students of all ages. STARS is a program of the Soo Theatre Project, partially housed in the historic Soo Theatre complex.