Rhonda Kendzicky & Dance Arts of Manchester – Maintaining Tradition While Expanding Dance Opportunities
Rhonda Kendzicky, director of Dance Arts of Manchester and instructor Laura Goodell with youngest students at 2013 spring recital rehersal.
Rhonda Kendzicky, director of Dance Arts of Manchester has been teaching dance in Manchester for a decade, but her history with dance goes back much farther and broader and it is this depth of experience and the connections she’s made with other programs that provide not just a quality dance education but expanded opportunities for her students.
During the school year, Dance Arts Of Manchester offers students ages 3 through adult, classes in creative movement, ballet, pre-pointe, pointe, & jazz. Classes are held in the Ackerson building, 410 City St., Manchester.
This summer, Dance Arts of Manchester is offering a week of dance for students of all ages. From July 27 -31 in the Ackerson Gym. You do not need to be a current Dance Arts of Manchester student to participate.
Children ages 3-8 will explore “The Wonderful World of Disney” with music, dance and a craft, all focused on favorite Disney movies. Students will learn a dance, make a costume prop and perform on the last day for family and friends. Ages 3 & 4 will meet Tuesday July 28 & Thursday July 30 from 10 to 11am. The cost is $25. Ages 5 to 8 will meet Monday July 27, Wednesday July 29 and Friday July 31 from 9:30 to 11am. The cost is $60.
Students ages 9 and older will spend the week learning and improving skills in different forms of dance such as ballet, jazz, lyrical & modern. Stretching and conditioning will be included along with pre pointe/pointe, musical theater and repertory dance. They will meet everyday Monday July 27 through Friday July 31 from 11am to 1pm. The cost is $120.
To register for summer or with any questions about summer dance or dance during the school year, contact Rhonda Kendzicky at dancerk11@yahoo.com or 734-475-3349.
Kendzicky began dancing at age 7 with her mother Pam Rutledge, who was also principal dancer for the Ann Arbor Civic Ballet Company. She continued training in the Cecchetti method, which seeks to develop the essential characteristics of dance in its students through rigid training and the studying and internalising of the basic principles of classical ballet with Sylvia Hamer, Marjorie Randazzo, and Nancy Abbey. She performed as a child with Ann Arbor Civic Ballet and attended Cecchetti seminars at Michigan State as a student.
As an adult, she has continued with Cecchetti, and since 2000 has been a teacher member of the Cecchetti Council Of America, a international organization for the teaching of classical ballet. She has attended Cecchetti seminars at Hope College as a teacher over the years and holds certificates in Cecchetti Grades I-IV both as a student and teacher. She has been teaching ballet in surrounding communities for the past 18 years and in Manchester for the past 10 years. Then in January of 2010 she took over the Manchester dance program in hopes of building it back up and creating a partnership with the Dance Arts Of Chelsea studio, (now Ballet Chelsea) who she had been involved with since 1997.
Her connections in Chelsea and Dexter have provided additional opportunities for her Manchester dancers. Because she serves as Ballet Mistress and teacher for Ballet Chelsea and dance instructor for Dexter Community Education, for the past several years, Dance Arts of Manchester has partnered with first Dance Arts Of Chelsea, and then Ballet Chelsea for their spring recital. They have also appeared as guests in Dexter Community Education’s year end show.
Kendzicky has now seen students she started teaching as preschoolers develop into talented teenage dancers. She stated, “Many of my Manchester students who have been dancing from age 3 or 4 are now dancing on pointe, performing as members and guest members in Ballet Chelsea’s company, and assisting Ms. Laura and myself with teaching the younger dancers through class and on stage demonstration.”
Ms. Laura is Kendzicky’s right hand in Dance Arts Of Manchester. Laura Goodell began dancing with Kendzicky at the age of 14 in Manchester. She progressed very quickly, and soon was assisting with teaching the younger students. She continued with additional training at Dance Arts Of Chelsea, and also became a Company member of Youth Dance Theatre Of Michigan. (now Ballet Chelsea) Goodell has trained in the Cecchetti method, passing the Grade I & II student exams commended and highly commended. She is currently assisting Kendzicky with students preparing for the Cecchetti grade I exam, and is planning to take the teacher’s Grade I exam on June 19. She has been on staff since 2010. Kendzicky said of Goodell, “She has the knowledge, skill, energy, commitment and compassion that make her an exceptional instructor! Dance Arts Of Manchester is very fortunate to have Laura Goodell on staff as a dance instructor!”
Kendzicky and Goodell plan to continue to grow and expand their program as well as working to become more visible in the Manchester Community. They are just beginning to plan for next year, starting with the purchase of a portable mirror to use in the big gym. They are investigating adding some morning classes for preschool age children and adults if there is an interest. They will continue Wednesday classes, and are looking into adding another day of the week for additional classes and a repertory group to provide additional performing opportunities for dancers in the Manchester area.
To keep up to date, like Manchester Dance Arts on Facebook.
Miss Rhonda with her mother and teacher Pamela Rutledge. Photo courtesy of Dance Arts of Manchester.
(L to R) Sarah Stommen, Ashley Bobo and Kayley Bobo after this spring’s recital. Photo courtesy of Heather Stommen.
7 & 8 year old jazz class taught by Ms. Laura at this spring’s recital’s rehearsal.
5 & 6 year old ballet/jazz class at this spring’s rehearsal for the recital.
Waiting to go back stage, 2013 recital.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login