Looking for entertainment and your next event? Stardancer Studios is always interested in participating. We are also committed to community service and providing opportunities for everyone to enjoy and experience dance. In addition, dancers often take master classes at conventions and competitions.
Attention Girl Scouts & Troop Leaders
Need some help getting your dance badge? Stardancer Studios is happy to help! Bring in your troop for a one-hour class where they'll learn a basic jazz warm-up, various dance skills like leaps and turns and a short hip hop style dance routine. We've already had one troop participate and it was a lot of fun! Call or email for details.
Have a birthday coming up?
Why not make it a Dance Party birthday! Stardancer offers three different birthday packages for the birthday girl or boy all of which include a one-hour dance class in any dance discipline you choose (that we currently offer). Call or email for details.
Upcoming Events:
Twas the Night Before Christmas, Newport, NH - December 13, 2008
Stardancer students will perform at the Newport Opera House as part of this annual celebration. This hour-long show will feature this year's competition routines, a solo by Erica and a holiday routine by our Stardancer students. Don't miss it!
6th Annual High School Dance Festival - November 22, 2008
Competition team members will once again attend the annual high school dance festival at Lyndon Institute in Lyndon, VT. This day-long festival includes three classes with master teachers, a critique session with peers and professionals as well as a performance. It's the first opportunity for the Senior Company to perform their routines on stage.
SYTYCD - November 2, 2008
Erica and seven students will travel to Manchester for the So You Think You Can Dance National Tour! Hooray! Can't wait to see all of the season 4 contestants live!
Conquest Dance Intensive - October 26, 2008
Erica and students will travel to Massachusetts to attend Conquest Dance Intensive where they will take classes in jazz, tap, lyrical and hip hop.
Jasmine Shaw teaches Indian Dance - October 5, 2008
Indian dancer Jasmine Shaw will give a 2-hour workshop in classical and folk indian dance. The movements learned here will then be incorporated into one of this year's competition routines. Sure to be a crowd pleaser!
Claremont Fall Festival - October 4, 2008
Stardancer will be on Pleasant Street for the annual Claremont Fall Festival. Come visit our booth!
Apple Pie Craft Fair - August 2008
Stardancer spent another beautiful summer afternoon on the Newport Common for the Apple Pie Craft Fair. Our lime green booth could be seen from the other side of the common!
Below are highlights from some of last year's activities.
Dance Teacher Conference, NYC - August '08
Erica, once again, attended the annual Dance Teacher Conference in NYC where she took master classes in ballet, hip hop, tap and jazz. This conference always provides her with a wealth of knowledge and new techniques for the upcoming season. It was great and truly inspirational!
High School Musical and the Performer's Playground - February '08 - May '08
Erica Ligeski, Owner of Stardancer Studios, served as lead choreographer for the Performer's Playground production of Disney's High School Musical. Weekly rehearsals were held at the studio and local students from Newport, Claremont and surrounding towns learned various dance routines to the very popular songs from this show. The show was then performed at the Claremont Opera House.
Local Girl Scouts earned their dance badge! January 27, 2008
A troop of local girl scouts visited Stardancer Studios and took a dance class to help get their dance badge. The scouts learned a basic dance warm-up, dance skills such as leaps and turns, as well as a short hip hop style dance routine. Congratulations girls!
Dancer's Inc Convention, Manchester, NH - January 20, 2008
Stardancer Owner Erica Ligeski, along with dancers Deschenes and Danny, attended a series of master classes in tap, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, musical theater and leaps and turns. It was a long and tiring day but we all had a lot of fun!
Newport Annual Holiday Festival, December 15, 2007
The competition team performanced all of their new routines at the Newport Annual Holiday Festival, "Twas the Night Before Christmas." The team was thrilled to have the opportunity to perform for the community and to dance in a wonderful venue before competition season officially begins. Can't wait to do it again next year!
5th Annual High School Dance Festival, Lyndon, Vt - November 17, 2007
Erica and the Senior Company participated in the 5th Annual High School Dance Festival on November 17. The Senior Company members took master classes in Chinese Dance, African Dance, and Stretch & Leap. Erica taught 3 master classes in Stretch & Leap/Contemporary Dance. They also participated in the annual performance--Erica performed a new solo entitled "The Moment I Said It" and the Senior Company performed their new jazz and open routines entitled "Ain't Nothing Wrong With That" and "Earth, Wind, Fire, Water." It was alot of fun as usual. On a special note, the festival coordinator has asked Erica to be a "regular" faculty member for the festival! This means Erica will be teaching at the festival indefinately!
Legends Dance Convention - Marlborough, MA - October 28, 2007
Erica, Deschenes, Ivey, Megan, Lindsey and Nikkita headed to Massachusettes for master dance classes in tap, hip hop, ballet/lyrical and jazz. This was certainly a fun filled day! We learned the basics of "popping" as well as some fun and funky routines. Special note: Deschenes Graham was awarded a one-year, full scholarship to Peridance Center in New York City. She is able to take as many classes as she wants at the center for an entire year. Only 4 students out of the entire convention recieved this scholarship. Congratulations Deschenes!
So You Think You Can Dance Tour - Manchester, NH - October 4, 2007
Erica and a group of students attended the National Tour of last season's So You Think You Can Dance. Seeing the show on TV is good, but seeing the dancers in person is even better!
Annual Vermont Alliance for Arts Education Workshop - Ludlow, VT - Friday, Sept 28, 2007
Erica taught two master classes to New Hampshire and Vermont public and private school teachers. One class was for teachers currently instructing dance in their schools. This advanced level class included warm-up techniques, tricks across the floor as well as choreography. The second class for for teachers looking to incorporate movement into their non-dance classrooms. This class focused on time, space and energy as well as body part initiation and improvisation. It was a great day!
Apples & Crafts - Newport, NH - Saturday, August 25, 2007
Stardancer survived the heat at this year's Apples & Crafts on the Green in Newport. We met lots of new people and saw lots of familiar faces. The competition team performed some of last year's routines. It was a great time!
Erica attends annual Dance Teacher Conference in New York City - August 18-21, 2007
As part of her ongoing teacher training, Erica attended the annual Dance Teacher Conference in NYC sponsored by Dance Teacher Magazine. She took master classes in hip hop, jazz, lyrical, tap and partnering, and also participated in discussion sessions with veteran studio owners.
MicroCredit Local Business Event - Newport, NH - Saturday, July 14, 2007
Stardancer Studios proudly participated in this brand new business expo on the common. We had a nice little booth, complete with a TV and DVD player which played our recital DVD. We had a few students on hand to perform as well. It was fun!
Lyndon Institute Visit - Newport, NH - Saturday, April 7, 2007
On April 7th the Senior Company was visited by the dancers from Lyndon Institute in Lyndon, VT. The Lyndon dancers are heading to their first dance competition later that month and sought advice from the veteran competitors from Stardancer. The Seniors taught them proper make-up application, the importance of paying attention to details, what to expect the day of the competition and what the judges look for.
Performance at Woodlawn - Newport, NH - Saturday, March 31, 2007
The Junior and Senior Companies performed all of their competitive routines for the residents of Woodlawn in Newport, NH. The residents seemed to really enjoy everything from the costumes, to the music and, of course, the dancing. The dancers had a wonderful time entertaining the residents and performing in this untraditional venue. Thanks for the invitation Woodlawn!
Job Shadow Day - Newport, NH - Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Stardancer Studios hosted two 8th grade students from Claremont Middle School in Job Shadow Day, organized by the Upper Valley Business and Education Partnership. Both of the students were very interested in pursuing dance careers in the future and requested to visit the studio. Erica, with help from Ivey, shared with the students the "ins and outs" of the dance world - they learned the skills necessary to become a dancer, dance teacher and dance studio owner. They also participated in a creative movement lesson and learned a hip hop dance routine.
Bring a Friend Week - Newport, NH - Jan 22-26, 2007
Thank you everyone who participated in bring a friend week. What fun! We had quite a few new students in class and I think everyone really enjoyed themselves. We'll definately do it again next year!
4th Annual High School Dance Festival - Lyndon, VT - Saturday, November 19, 2006
The Senior Company participated in master classes and performed at the 4th Annual High School Dance Festival at Lyndon Institute. We look forward to this event each year. Erica has been asked to teach at next year's festival and we're looking forward to it!
Legends Dance Convention - Massachusettes - Sunday, Oct 29, 2006
Lee Nangeroni, Ivey Brown, Ashley Titus, Deschenes Graham and studio owner, Erica Ligeski, attended the half-day convention in Massachusetts on Sunday, October 29. They took classes from master teachers in tap, jazz, and ballet/lyrical, and also took hip hop from Jamile of Season 1's So You Think You Can Dance. Deschenes Graham, Senior Company Co-Captain, received a $170 scholarship from Legends Dance Convention. This scholarship is good for 10 dance classes at either Broadway Dance Center, Steps on Broadway or Peridance Center in New York City. She was one of 3 dancers (out of more than 100) to receive a scholarship. Way to go, Deschenes!
Apples & Crafts - Newport, NH - August 2006
Dancers participated in the Apples & Crafts Fair in Newport, NH. They performed a variety of numbers and then taught audience members a fun hip hop routine. They can't wait to participate again next year!