Acclaimed dancer Frank Augustyn comes to Elora Centre for the Arts on June 25.
The show is open to intermediate level students, dance teachers, and ballet-lovers. Observers are invited to view a ballet class in action as Augustyn leads the students through their paces.
The lesson will be held in the Fergus Elora Dance Academy, owned by Erica Finlayson, in the Elora Centre for the Arts. A ballet chat based on the history of Ballet will follow, in the Harris Room at the centre.
Augustyn gained global fame in 1973 at the second International Ballet Competition in Moscow, winning a special award for the best pas de deux with his partner, the renowned Karen Kain. From that moment Kain and Augustyn enjoyed a fabled partnership during their performing years.
Dancing all the major classical roles in every major city around the world Augustyn performed the lead role with companies such as; Royal Ballet, Shanghai Ballet, Berlin Opera Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet, Kirov Ballet, Boston Ballet, Royal Winnipeg Ballet and Turin Ballet. He worked with the most highly celebrated choreographers and artistic directors.
After retiring from the stage he produced, co-wrote and hosted a documentary series Footnotes, the Classics of Ballet seen on Bravo U.S. and Canada, authored two books, and directed the Ottawa Ballet. Additionally, he joined the guest faculty of the former Academy of Dance, Waterloo under the direction of Carolyn Zettel, renowned for her excellence in ballet training and widely recognized and visited by some of the country’s most influential artists and teachers.
Currently he is the chairman of the dance department at Adelphi University, N.Y
Since 2007 Augustyn & Carolyn Zettel-Augustyn have created dance workshops and lectures for people of all ages. Tickets and registrations are through the Elora Centre for the Arts, 75 Melville Street Elora or call 519-846-9698.
The schedule is
– Ballet Class, Intermediate Level, in the Fergus Elora Dance Academy – third floor, 6:00 to 7:25pm, cost: $20, and limited to 20 (includes lecture)
– Ballet observer, $10 (limited to 10);
– Ballet chat, based on The History of Ballet, in the Harris Room, first floor, 7:30 to 8:30pm, limited seating, $10.
For information, fax 519 846-0996, email: admin@eloracentreforthearts.ca or visit www.eloracentreforthearts.ca.
