AAB dancers perform, learn at Disney World
by ELIZABETH TAUFA Reporter

Dancers from the American Academy of Ballet perform for audiences at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla. The group participated in a workshop and learned Disney choreography during their stay.

When American Academy of Ballet teacher Jessica Hapeman got married at Walt Disney World, she saw a poster for the Disney Performing Arts Program, which she thought could be beneficial to her students.

With the OK from AAB director Maris Battaglia, a test group of advanced students made the trip to Florida to perform and participate in a workshop with Disney dancers.

"They set the workshop up like a mock audition, and they were all hired, and it takes them through their first day on the job," Hapeman said of the workshop. "They went through what they would need to get hired, like a head shot and what their resume should look like. From that perspective it was nice."

The girls also learned a piece of actual Disney choreography that is used in the park, an experience that Hapeman said broadened the career horizons of her dancers.

"I think it really opened their eyes to the different opportunities," she said. "The trainer at the workshop was a classically trained ballerina, but (dancing with Disney) is a whole different world."

The students also performed for audiences at the Galaxy Theater in the park.

"They did a great job," Battaglia said. "They got permission to tape the performances and take pictures because they don't get a lot of ballet, and they want to use it in the future."

Battaglia also noted that audiences stayed through the whole performances that the AAB dancers put on, which, according to the Disney dancers, was impressive for a student group.

"They said that most people filter in and out," Battaglia said. "But people actually stayed through the whole show, which the Disney people thought was pretty special."

Battaglia also noted that the experience was useful enough to consider return trips in the coming years.

"I think they learned a lot of valuable things as far as the audition process," she noted. "And I was so impressed with how disciplined they remained while they were there and how professional and well-behaved."

"It was a lot of fun," said 14-year-old Gemma Fretas, a Clarence High School student.

Fretas and fellow dancers Kathryn Bezbatchenko, 15 and a Sacred Heart Academy student, and Anna Jacobi, 14 and a student at Williamsville North High School, all noted that the experience helped them to see more options for a dancing career than joining a ballet company.

"I think it's something we'll all stick with at some level," Fretas said. "We like all forms of dance."

"At this age, they don't really know if they want to stick with it professionally," Hapeman said.