Monica Dorna, one of the Academy’s original 70 students when we opened five years ago, begins her first season as a professional ballet dancer with the Orlando Ballet. She auditioned for the company in January and was immediately accepted.

KELLY VAUGHEN spent a week in New York City in July. She was selected for Luigi’s Jazz Intensive Program, where she took daily jazz classes with Lizi Minelli. Kelly also took ballet classes from David Howard at Broadway Dance Center.

ELYSE JENSEN spent two weeks of July at Shenandoah University, where she was selected for the Shenandoah Performs! Summer Intensive Program. Elyse studied ballet, modern, African, and jazz and performed in the program’s final concert.

OLIVIA SCHNEIDER, who played Clara in our 2004 Christmas Benefit Concert, was crowned the 2005 Young Miss Fauquier at the Fauquier County Fair in July.

Jessie Schwetke is our new hip-hop teacher. She has just returned from a week in New York City studying at Broadway Dance Center with hip hop master teachers: Jazz/Funk with Chio, House and Whackin with Brian “Footwork” Green, and Hip Hop with Ephrat Asherie, Jose de la Cruz, Leslie Feliciano, Adrian Wiltshire, Ant Boogie, and Bev Brown. Jessie is ready to teach the latest new moves here in Warrenton. In July, Jessie studied/toured China as part of the People to People Student Ambassador Program.

MELISSA YOWELL received her nursing degree in May and is now an RN working in the Neonatal ICU at Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg. She works nights so that she can continue to teach and dance with her friends and students.

LINDA VOELPEL traveled to New York City in August for a teacher training seminar with internationally known master ballet teacher Finis Jhung. The seminar included training for the Academy’s new Leap ‘n Learn curriculum for ages three through seven. While in New York, Linda also continued her jazz studies with Luigi, taking class with Lizi Minelli and other recognizable actors and dancers..

ALLISON HART GEARY is back from maternity leave. She is currently choreographing a piece for Chesley Sculpture as part of their October 29 gala celebration at the Hume estate of Frederick Hart’s widow. Allison’s choreography will depict The Four Daughters of Odessa, Hart’s sculpture that was recently placed in The Hermitage.

Tina FRATELLO LORE will add Intermediate III Ballet classes to her teaching schedule this year. Tina is expecting her second child shortly before Christmas and will be on maternity leave from December 19 until the end of January.