JENN OLDFIELD DANCERS

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UNIVERSITY OF SCRANTON JAZZ DANCE TEAM

In late January, JOD member Jordan Cominsky along with other members of the University of Scranton dance team participated in the "2011 Collegiate Dance Team and Cheerleading National Competitions" in Orlando Florida. The University of Scranton jazz team is to be congratulated for making it to finals. They also participated in hip-hop competition. Jordan was on the jazz team and can be seen as the blond dancer, extreme stage left, back line. As a freshman, this is Jordan's first year on the dance team and we are proud of her accomplishments. --- GO JORDAN!!!
A video of the the team's performances is available for viewing here. After you click the link below and the Varsity Screen comes up enter "scranton" in the white rounded box (upper right) and click search. This will bring you to the selection list of Scranton's performances. The finals performance starts automatically. Enjoy!

To see Jordan, click here.

UPCOMING WORKSHOP

A dance workshop will be held on March 5 in Chambersburg, PA conducted by Broadway performer James T. Lane pictured at right. James is from Philidelphia and has recently performed in several revivals on Broadway that include "A Chorus Line" and "Chicago". The following BIO is from his most recent effort, -- "The Scottsboro Boys" --

"James T. Lane (Ozie Powell, Ruby Bates). A native of Philadelphia. Broadway: A Chorus Line (Richie Walters), Chicago (Aaron/Amos). Concerts: Johnny Mercer Tribute (Soloist) - Carnegie Hall (New York Pops), Indianapolis, Ottawa, Baltimore and Naples' Symphonies. Television: "The View," "Ellen Degeneres," "Dancing with the Stars" and James Brown on "One Life to Live." Marriage Equality!"

THE ROCKETTE™ EXPERIENCE

During the recent Christmas break, Miss Gail brought a student to Radio City Music Hall in NYC to participate in "The Rockette Experience". This was a joint effort involving two other studios.

Very briefly, "The Rockette Experience" is an excellent day long program intended for serious dance students that gives them the opportunity to experience a day in the life of a Radio City Rockette.

Following orientation, it begins with students undergoing a two hour Master Class taught by a Rockette in which they learn choreography from the current Christmas Spectacular and this takes place in the actual Rehearsal Hall.

Students are next guided through an audition process where they're taught one of the Rockette audition routines and their performance is evaluated by a panel of distinguished judges and fellow Rockettes. This is followed by a Q & A session for a closer view on life as a Rockette.

Lastly, they are taken on an extended tour of Radio City Music Hall and its facilities by one of the experienced tour guides and here they get a behind the scenes look at New York’s favorite masterfully restored landmark theater… where the biggest names in show business have performed!

Since a picture is worth 1,000 words, selected photos from the adventure have been incorporated into a new page. To view it, click the link button above and scroll down to the Rockette Experience button on that page and click it. Optionally just click here.

~ IN MEMORY ~

December 23, last week,Corliss Fyfe Whitney. a dear friend of Miss Gail passed away while in hospital. She was one of the senior members in the Rockette Alumnae and will be "remembered" at the Rockette Alumnae meeting on January 9th. To see and hear her in a recent interview click here

The following excerpt is taken from "Newsday.com" magazine

"Corliss Whitney, former Rockette, dies at 83

In 1945, when she was 17, Corliss Whitney was hired as a Radio City Music Hall Rockette. She danced with the troupe for seven years - an era when shows were performed seven days a week, four or five times a day.

She left the stage after she got married in 1952 and, over the next four decades, raised a family and ran a market on Fire Island. She resumed dancing in the early 1990s and reached the finals of the Ms. New York Senior America Pageant.

In 1992 she formed the Seasoned Steppers, a dance troupe for women over 60 that performs at hospitals, schools and other venues. Whitney, who danced and choreographed the routines, ended each show with a full-drop split, which she mastered as a Rockette."