New Jersey Dance Theatre Ensemble celebrates the 30th Anniversary of award-winning Artistic Director, Nancy Turano. A two-time recipient of the prestigious New Jersey Governors Award, Turano is a powerhouse in her field of dance and dance education. She has been a visionary leader of NJDTE creating an unparalleled curriculum for their pre-professional dance education program known for its excellence. She also secured their 8,000sq ft state of the art home for the school and Ensemble company in Summit, NJ.
For 55 years NJDTE has provided superior dance training and performances opportunities, with forward- thinking programming that empowers dancers by engaging internationally acclaimed artists and choreographers and mentor dancers toward higher education while supporting its alumni as professionals in the field. “Graduates of the program are currently dancing in prestigious international companies of Netherlands Dance Theatre, Ballets Jazz Montreal and so many others dancing here in the states in acclaimed companies and on Broadway. Alumni have become teachers, choreographers and directors” says Turano.
For three decades Turano has trained generations of dancers and choreographed over 26 works for the company as well as commissioning works by modern masters such as Twyla Tharp, Paul Taylor and Robert Battle and over 50 cutting-edge artists like Sidra Bell, Andrea Miller (Gallim) and Kate Skarpetowska. "It has been a long journey of dedication with a focused mission of giving back. I was hired to teach one day a week and choreograph a full-length NUTCRACKER in 1994. We now have a pre-professional school with 10 levels of training and classes offered 7 days a week in ballet, pointe, modern and contemporary dance.” Says Turano. “We are thrilled to celebrate Nancy. she is incredibly passionate, knowledgeable and professional, as a teacher, choreographer, director, and mentor to our talented dancers. She has dedicated decades to the NJ arts landscape and inspired thousands of dancers” says NJDTE Executive Director, Barbara Carocci.
Turano is from Colonia NJ and began her training at the Walcoff-Mc Cusker Dance Studio and with renowned ballet master NJDTE founding Director Alfredo Corvino (Juilliard) from Ages 9-16. She received a BFA in Dance from SUNY Purchase and was a celebrated principal dancer and with Ballet Hispanico of New York and Buglisi Dance Theatre. Turano is the recipient of numerous awards, including the 2017 NJSCA Individual Artist Fellowship for Excellence in Choreography, NJSCA 2012 NJ Governor’s Award, NJSCA 2011 Distinguished Teaching Artist Award, and Outstanding Alumni Award by the Chancellor of SUNY Schools. She has been a National panelist and Chair for YOUNG ARTS for Presidential Scholars for the Arts. A master teacher, Turano has taught around the world at prestigious schools and companies including New York University, Purchase College, founding Director of the Harkness Youth Ballet at the 92nd St. Y in NYC and on the ballet faculty of the professional division the Ailey School for 21 years.
Join us in Celebrating Nancy Turano’s 30th Anniversary at our 55th Gala this Sunday June 9th 3pm performance & 4:30 Garden party at NJDTE Studios. The program with include Ensemble dancers and 14 Star Alumni spanning 30 years performing classical, modern and contemporary works by choreographers Eoghan Dillon, Jean Emile, Henry Steele Dillon and Nancy Turano plus excerpts of classics.
The Performance will take place at New Jersey Dance Theatre Ensemble, 315b Springfield Avenue, Summit, New Jersey on Saturday, June 9th at 3:00pm & 4:30 pm Garden Party Tickets are $75 VIP and $50 NJDTE Alumni and are available online tututix.com/njdte. To request an interview with NJDTE Artistic Director Nancy Turano or one of our guest arNsts, please contact Eliza Crawford at events@njdte.org
WHO: New Jersey Dance Theatre Ensemble
WHAT: NJDTE Celebrates Artistic Director, Nancy Turano 30th Anniversary at 55th GALA
WHERE: 315b Springfield Ave, Summit NJ @ NJDTE Studios
WHEN: June 9th 3pm performance I 4:30 Garden Reception
TICKETS: tututix.com/njdte. – (VIP/ $75 NJDTE Alumni / $50 )
To request an interview with NJDTE Artistic Director Nancy Turano or one of our guest artists, please contact Eliza Crawford at events@njdte.org
PHOTO CREDIT: GALA Image – photo by Jenny Mayfield
GETTING THERE:
VIA Parkway: Take the Parkway to Exit 142 B for Interstate 78 West. Take I-78 W to exit 48 for Route 24. Take exit 9A to merge onto country road 527 S. turn right onto Springfield Avenue, and NJDTE will be on your right.
NJ Transit Train: Penn Station NYC to Summit NJ
On-Site Parking: On-Site Free Parking is available adjacent to NJDTE Studios
