Congratulations Vision Dance Theatre!!!

Congratulations to our pre-professional ballet company Vision Dance Theatre for their March 9th performance of Kaleidoscope at The Grand Oshkosh. Our young dancers did a fabulous job performing the works of four choreographers, including our very own Olivia Daniels and Anne Marie Abderholden.

Please mark March 14, 2020 as Vision Dance Theatre’s next performance at The Grand where they will be presenting Dissonance Part II.

Photo credit: Che Correa Photography

Vision Dance Theatre under the guidance and direction of Anne Marie Abderholden, provides pre-professional dance training and performance opportunities for qualified dancers across North-Eastern Wisconsin.   

Vision Dance Theatre is a self-governing organization with a board made up of its members; providing them with an opportunity to guide the direction of the company including choice of educational, leadership and service opportunities.  Community outreach is a significant part of Vision Dance Theatre’s mission and goes far beyond dance performance.  Company members have an opportunity to connect with and inspire their audience through interactive engagement.

With their rigorous rehearsal schedule, company members are given an opportunity to develop self-discipline, resilience, self-motivation along with a healthy work-life balance. As proof of this many company dancers are involved in a wide variety of activities outside of dance.  Additionally, all company members have achieved the academic excellence required for entry into the National Honor Society for Dance.

Past Vision Dance Theatre members have been awarded university scholarships for academics and dance; have been invited to study and perform with world-renowned dance companies and schools; and have gone on to serve their communities through social leadership.

Introducing the Choreographers - Katharina Abderholden

We are please and excited to present the premier performance of Vision Dance Theatre - Valley Academy for the Arts’ pre-professional dance company. The performance will be:

Saturday, March 9, 2019

2:00 pm

at The Grand Oshkosh

Kaleidoscope presents the work of several renowned choreographers. In this series, please meet our choreographers:

Katharina Abderholden, Kaleidoscope Rehearsal Director

Katharina began dancing at the age of 14 when she attended several ballet intensive programs. She attended the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee for four years where she focused her studies on contemporary dance technique and choreography.  While attending the university, Katharina was able to perform in works choreographed by Mark Morris, Arnie Zane, and Colleen Thomas.  Professionally Katharina worked with Danceworks Milwaukee (USA), Le Marchepied (CH), and projects created by Stephen Kowplowitz(USA) and Cie Utilité Publique(CH). Katharina currently teaches at Valley Academy for the Arts and has collaborated on several artistic installations across the state of Wisconsin including the Lake Arts Project.

Introducing the Choreographers - Olivia Daniels

We are please and excited to present the premier performance of Vision Dance Theatre - Valley Academy for the Arts’ pre-professional dance company. The performance will be:

Saturday, March 9, 2019

2:00 pm

at The Grand Oshkosh

Kaleidoscope presents the work of several renowned choreographers. In this series, please meet our choreographers:

Olivia Daniels

Olivia is 20 years old.  She is a very colorful, creative and passionate young woman. She is an ARTIST! And is thrilled anytime she has the opportunity to share her creative talents and imaginings with others. 

Olivia was born with a rare genetic syndrome call Hypohydrotic Ectodermal Dysplasia.  It affects her hair, teeth, skin, nails and sweat glands.  Additionally, Olivia has faced developmental learning challenges. Growing up looking and feeling different hasn’t always been easy for Olivia. But she embraces her differences.  And, like a true artist, she loves being unique.  Her passions give her confidence to face and rise above challenges.

Dance has always been a part of Olivia’s life.  She took her first ballet class when she was just 3 years old and she never stopped.   Dance is how she expresses herself and releases her emotions. She attended dance classes at Mirror Image Dance Academy from 2004-2013.  While at MIDA she was active in Performing Company for 7 years and The Nutcracker Ballet for 8 years. Roles she held included Little Snowflake, Chinese Dancer, Spanish Dancer, Party Girl, Party Server, Battle Mouse and Twirlygig.  Throughout her time at MIDA she also experimented with many others styles of dance (Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Irish, Musical Theatre and Modern). But her passion for ballet only grew stronger. 

 Olivia joined Valley Academy for the Arts six years ago in 2013.   She was most delighted to study classical ballet at VAA with performance opportunities in classic stories like Peter and The Wolf (Water and Grass), Hansel and Gretel (Bird),  Pippi (Pirate, Country Girl), Twelve Dancing Princesses (Mazurka Vender), Where the Wild Things Are ( Solo role as the Moon), as well perform Variations from classic ballets during Just Tchaikovsky.  She’s enjoyed VAA Summer Intensives.  And also just completed her 14th season of Nutcracker.  This includes the past 6 seasons with VAA at Nutcracker in the Castle where she danced the roles of Marzipan Trio and Doll soloist.

Olivia entered into the world of competition dance from 2009 – 2017 mostly as a soloist.  It was during this time that she discovered her passion for telling stories.  She began by working with her choreographers: choosing her music, creating her stories, designing her costumes and adding her own phrases within her dances.  She has been choreographing her own ballet/contemporary solos for the past 4 years.  Her solo choreography credits include:  Believe, Finding Me, Frolic, and Chariots of Fire.   Most recently, she choreographed her first pointe solo titled, The Pirate Queen, and made a dream come true by performing it on stage as part of the Passion Presentations for the 2019 Wisconsin Miss Amazing pageant.  

Olivia was recently crowned the 2019 Wisconsin Miss Amazing Jr. Miss.  She also held the titles for Wisconsin Miss Amazing 2018 Teen and the Uniquely You 2017 Teen.  Both organization help girls and women with disabilities grow in their confidence and leadership skills.  She has used her titles to help advocate for girls and women with disabilities.  Olivia’s journey as a state representative for Wisconsin Miss Amazing is just beginning.  Later this year she will travel to Chicago to attend National Miss Amazing and compete for a National title. 

Olivia created a platform called Operation Cool-Danna to help raise awareness for the National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias and for Heat Stroke and Heat Exhaustion.  This is important to Olivia, because a main feature of her syndrome is that she doesn’t sweat.  She is unable to internally regulate her body temperature and overheats easily just from being in a warm environment.  The cooling neck bands (Cool-Dannas) help to keep her body cool.

Olivia created another platform called Operation In-Full Bloom as a way to spread acts of kindness by sharing her signature hair flowers with others.

Olivia is currently an intern at Project Search where she is working on her employability skills and becoming more independent.  Her future dreams include becoming a published author, work in the field of costume design and creating a special needs dance company.  Through her passions, Olivia hopes to inspire others, make a positive impact in her community and a positive change in the world for people with special needs. 

Olivia jumped at the chance when she was offered the opportunity to participate in a student choreography project. And is very excited to be showcasing her very first self-choreographed group piece which she calls The Human Spirit.

Introducing the Choreographers - Anne Marie Abderholden

We are please and excited to present the premier performance of Vision Dance Theatre - Valley Academy for the Arts’ pre-professional dance company. The performance will be:

Saturday, March 9, 2019

2:00 pm

at The Grand Oshkosh

Kaleidoscope presents the work of several renowned choreographers. In this series, please meet our choreographers:

Anne Marie Abderholden - Valley Academy for the Arts

Anne Marie Abderholden was born in Holland and spent most of her childhood in Switzerland. At age seven she joined the Opera Ballet School in Zurich. After a nine-year professional ballet career, Anne    Marie went on to complete an      advanced degree in classical ballet (extended Vaganova) pedagogy from the Music College in Cologne, Germany.  She taught at the Opera Ballet School in Zurich, at the Swiss School for Professional Dancers and at the     Theater Ballet School in Krefeld and Monchengladbach, Germany. In 1991 she moved to Madison, Wisconsin where she taught for the Monona Academy of Dance. She was a choreographer for the Wisconsin Dance Ensemble and the Performing Arts for Children. In 2002 Anne Marie founded Valley Academy for the Arts where she is currently Artistic Director.

Introducing the Choreographers - Elisabeth Roskopf

We are please and excited to present the premier performance of Vision Dance Theatre - Valley Academy for the Arts’ pre-professional dance company. The performance will be:

Saturday, March 9, 2019

2:00 pm

at The Grand Oshkosh

Kaleidoscope presents the work of several renowned choreographers. In this series, please meet our choreographers:

Elisabeth Roskopf - Li Chiao-Ping and Danceworks Performance Companies

Elisabeth Roskopf’s passion for dance began at age 6 and she has been dancing ever since. She graduated with a BA in Piano and a minor in Dance from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 2011. She is a company member with Li Chiao-Ping Dance and Danceworks Performance Company as well as a guest artist with Wild Space Dance Company, Marlene Skog Dance, and an alumna of Catey Ott Dance Collective. Since the spring of 2014, Elisabeth has been performing in the Lake Arts Project, directed by Jennifer Miller and Karl von Rabenau of the Milwaukee Ballet. Since 2015, Elisabeth still continues to choreograph and perform her solo works with Danceworks DanceLAB Get It Out There  concert series.  Elisabeth is honored to be a guest choreographer for the Vision Dance Theatre at Valley Academy for the Arts.

Introducing the Choreographers - Karl Von Rabeneau

We are please and excited to present the premier performance of Vision Dance Theatre - Valley Academy for the Arts’ pre-professional dance company. The performance will be:

Saturday, March 9, 2019

2:00 pm

at The Grand Oshkosh

Kaleidoscope presents the work of several renowned choreographers. In this series, please meet our choreographers:

Karl Von Rabeneau - Milwaukee Ballet School and Academy

Raised in Duluth, Minnesota, Karl von Rabenau received his early dance training at the Duluth Ballet, now Minnesota Ballet. He continued his training at Minnesota Dance Theatre, the Boston Ballet School, and the San Francisco Ballet School. Mr. von Rabenau began his career as a member of Boston Ballet II and apprentice to Boston Ballet. Mr. von Rabenau has also danced for Omaha Ballet and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. He danced his final ten seasons as a soloist for the Milwaukee Ballet. His wide repetoire included dancing soloist and principal roles in works by Alvin Ailey, George Balanchine, Jean-Paul Comelin, John Cranko, Agnes De Mille, Lisa DeRibere, Choo San Goh, Jose Limon, Eugene Loring, David Parsons, Marius Petipa, and Bruce Wells. Highlights of his career include, touring to Taipei, Taiwan with PBT, dancing the roles of Iago in Jose Limon’s The Moor’s Pavane, and The Blue Bird Pas de Deuxfrom Sleeping Beautyand fulfilling the dream of dancing in Balanchine’s Tarantella Pas De Deux.

Mr. von Rabenau’s second passion in life is teaching ballet. He has had the true pleasure to do this for the past 26 years throughout the Midwest and Eastern United States. Mr. von Rabenau has been on faculty with The Milwaukee Ballet School & Academy for 15 years and also works with the Milwaukee Ballet II as one of the principal faculty. During the summer months Mr. von Rabenau returns to Pennsylvania where he has been invited to teach at Point Park University for the past 20 years and the world renowned Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet in Carlisle, PA for the past 26 years.

As a choreographer, Mr. von Rabenau has created numerous works for Point Park University’s International Summer Dance Program. He has had works performed in the Regional Dance of America Festivals in both the Northeast Region by CPYB and Lake Erie Ballet School, and also Southeast Region by Classical Ballet of Memphis. Mr. von Rabenau was invited to choreograph a pas de deux, Speranzafor a Milwaukee Ballet presentation at the Milwaukee Art Museum.

In 2013 Mr. von Rabenau in partnership with his wife, Jennifer Miller, created Lake Arts Project, which is a collaborative non-profit organization that finds new and innovative ways to further enhance arts education in high schools. Each year Lake Arts Project has collaborated with local high schools in the Milwaukee area to create one of a kind performances. Each year visual art and written word provided by the local high school students are transformed by professional choreographers into world premier ballets and dances that are performed by professional and high school dancers.

Email: kvonrabenau@milwaukeeballet.org

Rhythm & Groove Winter Recital

Congratulations to our Rhythm & Groove and Neenah Park & Rec divisions for a successful winter recital. The students did a terrific job and the event was enjoyed by all! Thank you to our instructors, Miss Tracy, Miss Courtney, Miss Rebekah and Mr. Tom and to the First Presbyterian Church of Neenah for sharing their space with us.

Nutcracker Tea Party

Thank you for all those who made our inaugural Nutcracker Tea Party at the Ballroom at the Reserve. We had a spectacular event hosted by Jessica Pfister, Event Coordinator for the Ballroom and her staff with custom cookies provided by Whisk & Arrow Sugar Studio with Valley Academy for the Arts’ dancers performing selections from the Nutcracker ballet. It was a close and intimate event with over 100 young girls and their parents attending. We look forward to this becoming an annual event and partnership between VAA, the Reserve and Whisk and Arrow.

Beauty & the Beast Jr. Photo Blog

We are excited to share a few feature photos from our October production of Beauty & the Beast Jr. Thank you Jessica L. French for the professional direction and Che Correa Photography for the professional photography! All photos are the intellectual property of Che Correa.

The History of the Nutcracker

The origin of the Nutcracker, a classic Christmas Story, is a fairy tale ballet in two acts centered on a family’s Christmas Eve celebration. Alexandre Dumas Père’s adaptation of the story by E.T.A. Hoffmann was set to music by Tchaikovsky and originally choreographed by Marius Petipa. It was commissioned by the director of Moscow’s Imperial Theatres, Ivan Vsevolozhsky, in 1891, and premiered a week before Christmas 1892. Since premiering in western countries in the 1940s, this ballet has become perhaps the most popular to be performed around Christmas time. The story centers on a young girl’s Christmas Eve and her awakening to the wider world and romantic love. The composer made a selection of eight of the more popular pieces before the ballet’s December 1892 premiere, forming what is currently known as the Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71a, as is heard in Moscow Ballet productions. The suite became instantly popular; however the complete ballet did not achieve its great popularity as a Christmas performance event until almost 100 years later. (extracted from www.nutcracker.com)

Please join Valley Academy for the Arts in partnership with the Paine Art Center for our annual Nutcracker in the Castle.  Guided tours feature dancers from Valley Academy for the Arts in their presentation of select pieces from the Nutcracker ballet.  Make your reservations today HERE.

Upcoming Musical Theatre Events

Please join us for the upcoming Musical Theatre Events:

Founder and Artistic Director - Anne Marie Abderholden

Anne Marie Abderholden is the founder and Artistic Director for Valley Academy for the Arts. Anne Marie does not like to toot her own horn and prefers to stay out of the spotlight.  She is, however the backbone of our organization and deserves to be recognized for her talent, her experience, her education and the profound gifts she brings to the dance community.  

Anne Marie was born in Holland and spent most of her childhood in Switzerland. At age seven she joined the Opera Ballet School in Zurich. Upon graduation at age 18, she joined the Opera Ballet in Zurich, performed with the Volksopera Ballet in Vienna, the Stadttheater Badden and toured with Munich Opera. She has worked with the accomplished and world renowned choreographers Patricia Neary and Hans van Manen. Anne-Marie holds an advanced degree in the teaching of classical ballet, (extended Vaganova) from the Music College in Cologne. She taught at the Opera Ballet School in Zurich, at the Swiss School for Professional Dancers and at the Theater Ballet School in Krefeld and Monchengladbach, Germany.

In 1991 she moved to Madison, Wisconsin where she taught for the Monona Academy of Dance. She was a choreographer for the Wisconsin Dance Ensemble and the Performing Arts for Children. She was co-owner and artistic director of Turning Pointe School of Ballet before starting Valley Academy for the Arts in Neenah, WI.

Anne Marie  currently  holds a position on the Board of Directors for the Wisconsin Dance Council, An organization founded in 1966 to promote dance and dance education in the state of Wisconsin.  To help promote the Arts locally she serves as a board member on the Neenah Arts Council.

Throughout Anne Marie's Dance Career many children under her instruction  have been accepted into prestigious programs such as Kirov Academy Washington DC, The Nutmeg Conservatory, Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet, Bolshoi Academy, and the Milwaukee Ballet summer program. Many of her students have gone on to acclaimed college dance programs and professional dancing careers such as Principal Dancer with the Charleston Ballet Theater, Hamburg Ballet in Germany and Morgan Scott Company in New York. 

Rhythm & Groove Program Openings

Valley Academy Rhythm & Groove Programs and

Pre-Ballet

Dance appreciation classes with basic instruction, technique and choreographed routine with costume and performance.

Session One: September 10 – December 15, 2018

Mommy/Daddy & Me           SAT                   10:00 – 10:45 am

3 yr old Ballet Tap                 M                      11:30am – 12:15pm

4 yr old Ballet Tap                 W                    11:30am – 12:15 pm

5/6 yr old Ballet Tap             TH                       5:15 – 6:00 pm

7-12 yr old Jazz                      M                         5:15 – 6:00 pm

7-12 yr old Lyrical                   M                        6:00 – 6:45 pm

7-12 yr old Tap                        T                         5:30 – 6:15 pm

7-12 yr old Irish                       T                         4:15 – 5:30 pm

5-6 yr old Hip Hop                TH                        5:30 – 6:15 pm

7-12 yr old Hip Hop              TH                         6:15 – 7:00 pm

Pre-Ballet                               M                         4:00 - 4:45pm

Tuition only $88.00 per session.

$10.00 registration Fee and $55.00 recital costume fee.

Printable Registration Form HERE.  

Guest Instructor Fredrick Davis

Valley Academy for the Arts is honored to welcome guest instructor, Fredrick Davis to our studios September 17 - 21, 2018.  This special teaching opportunity is free to Valley Academy students and open to the public for a fee of $45.00 per day.  Classes will be held 4:30 - 7:30 pm (details to follow). The week will culminate in a showcase performance on Friday evening.  (details to follow).  

Born in Brooklyn, NY and raised in Chattanooga, TN, Mr. Davis began his training as a full scholarship recipient with Ballet Tennessee. 

Then he moved to New York City where he was given a full scholarship to train with the Joffrey Ballet School. 

He also has been given opportunities to study at summer intensives on full scholarship such as American Ballet Theatre, Boston Ballet, Charlotte Ballet, Joffrey Ballet School of NYC and Ballet Academy East of New York City. 

Fredrick joined Roxey Ballet dancing leading roles as "The Moor" in William Shakespeare's Othello, "The General" in Carmen and the "Pas de deux" from Diana and Acteaon.

Mr. Davis was accepted by Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble to have the privilege to work with Arthur Mitchell and then was promoted Company member under direction of Virginia Johnson dancing numerous such as the "Pas de Deux" from George Balanchine' s Agon, the "Pas de Deux" from Alvin Aliey's Lark Ascending, "The Male Duet" from Ulysses Dove's Dancing on the Front Porch of Heaven, the "Pas de Deux" from Darrell Grand Montre's Vessels, Christopher Huggins "Pas de Trios" In The Mirror of Mind, "Four Men's Variation" from Freddie Franklin's Pas de Dix of Raymonda and Donald Byrd's Contested Space.

In October 2016, Fredrick was invited by Mary-Beth Cabana Artistic Director of Ballet Tucson be a Guest Principal Dancer to have opportunities to dance major roles such as the Sugarplum Cavalier in The Nutcracker, Romeo in "The Balcony Pas de deux" from Romeo and Juliet, Lead male dancer in Daniel Precup's "Love Songs", Basilio in 3rd Act Grand Pas de deux from "Don Quixote", and Solar in Kingdom of the Shades of "La Bayadere".

He has performed with Dance Theatre of Harlem company on National and International tours, and was also a U.S. Ambassador for Dance Theatre of Harlem in Kingston, Jamaica, St.Thomas, and Honduras. Performed at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem, has been a guest artist for Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Donald McKayle honors performance in Irvine, CA, The Kennedy Center and Honors in DC, The Paramount Theatre in Seattle, WA, danced the "Pas de Deux" with Emiko Flanagan from George Balanchine's ballet Agon for Wendy Whelan's documentary private presentation of "The Restless Creature" and has performed for Arthur Mitchell's DTH Vision Gala with Ashley Murphy (Washington Ballet) alongside with Misty Copeland (ABT) and Matthew Prescott (International Freelance Artist).

 "From the streets to the stage the Journey of Fredrick Davis" documentary from WTCI-PBS production that also won an Emmy last January at the 31st Midsouth Regional Awards. Watch the documentary here:  http://www.pbs.org/program/streets-stage-journey-fredrick-davis/

Master Ballet Workshop with Jennifer Miller and Karl Von Rabenau

Please join us in welcoming Karl Von Rabenau and Jennifer Miller who will be presenting a Master Ballet Workshop for both Valley Academy students and the general public.  August 20 - 24, 2018

August 20 - 24, 2018

Levels 3 & 4 students:  12:00 noon - 3:00 pm

Levels 5 & 6 students:  12:00 noon - 4:00 pm

Performance Showcase on August 24th starting at 4:00 pm.

FREE to Valley Academy for the Arts students

For Non-VAA students:

$180.00 (for the week) for Level 3 & 4 students

$240.00 for Level 5 & 6 students

Jennifer Miller

Jennifer Miller

Ms. Miller received her formal dance training from the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet under the tutorage of  Marcia Dale Weary.  Ms. Miller continued her studies at Joffrey Ballet and with the San Francisco Ballet. Ms. Miller danced for the Milwaukee Ballet Company, rising through the ranks to the level of Principal Artist. She has had the privilege of dancing a wide range of  roles in such ballets as, Swan Lake, Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet, Hunchback of Notre Dame, Scherazade, Giselle, Coppelia, Midsummer Night's Dream, Sleeping Beauty; and works by Trey McIntyre, Choo San Goh, David Parsons, George Balanchine, Gerald Arpino, Peter Anastos, Antony Tudor, Lila York, Margot Sappington, Alvin Ailey and Michael Pink.

    In the summer of 2005, Ms. Miller was invited to dance for inagural season of the Trey McIntyre Project, performing in such places as Vail International Dance Festival and Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival.
    Ms. Miller is currently on faculty at the Milwaukee Ballet School, Danceworks in Milwaukee, Dance Arts Center in Racine, and Steps of Grace in Brookfield. For the past 20 summers, Ms Miller has had the honor to be invited back to teach at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet; she also teaches for Point Park University's International Summer Dance and Valley Academy for the Arts. Ms. Miller is also an established private coach, working with pre-professional dancers of all ages and levels including Youth America Grand Prix performers, ballroom dancers, gymnasts and irish step dancers.
    As a choreographer, Ms. Miller has created works for Milwaukee Ballet, Milwaukee Ballet II, Central PA Youth Ballet, Point Park University's International Summer Dance, Dance Arts Center and Erie Dance Conservatory. She received the Monticello award for emerging choreographers.

Karl Von Rabenau

Karl von Rabenau:

Raised in Duluth, Minnesota, Mr. von Rabenau received his early dance training at the Duluth Ballet. He continued his training at Minnesota Dance Theatre, the Boston Ballet School, and the San Francisco Ballet School. Mr. von Rabenau danced for ten seasons as a soloist for the Milwaukee Ballet. During his tenure with MBC he danced such roles as Iago in Jose Limon’s The Moor’s Pavane, and The Blue Bird Pas de Deux from Sleeping Beauty. Mr. von Rabenau has also performed the lead roles in Choo San Goh’s In The Glow of the Night and Unknown Territory as well as George Balanchine’s Rubies, The Four Temperaments, Tchaikovsky Pas Deux, Serenade, and Allegro Brilliante. While with Milwaukee Ballet, Mr. von Rabenau also had the opportunity to dance in works by Petipa, Eugene Loring, David Parsons, Jean–Paul Comelin, and Lisa de Ribere.

     Prior to dancing with MBC, Mr. von Rabenau danced for five seasons with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. While with PBT, he toured to Taipei, Taiwan, and fulfilled the dream to dance Balanchine’s Tarantella Pas De Deux. He also performed the role of Lucentio in John Cranko’s The Taming of the Shrew. Other highlights of his time spent with PBT include dancing many works by George Balanchine including the 3rd Movement from Western Symphony, Benvolio in Bruce Wells’ Romeo and Juliet, as well as Agnes De Milles, Fall River Legend, and Falls in Alvin Ailey’s The River. 

Mr. von Rabenau began his career as a member of Boston Ballet II and apprentice to Boston Ballet. He has also performed with the Omaha Ballet and Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet where he had the privilege to dance such roles as Harlequin pas de deux, Tarantella pas de deux and the lead in Divertomento No.13. 

Mr. von Rabenau’s second passion in life is teaching ballet. He has had the true pleasure to do this for the past 21 years throughout the Midwest and Eastern United States. He is currently a principal faculty member at the Milwaukee Ballet School. Mr. von Rabenau has also works with the Milwaukee Ballet II. It has been a great privilege for him to teach class and set choreography on the talented dancers that have passed through this program. During the summer months Mr. von Rabenau returns to Pennsylvania where he has been invited to teach at Point Park University for the past 15 years and Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet in Carlisle, PA for the past 21 years.

    As a choreographer, Mr. von Rabenau has created numerous works for Point Park University’s International Summer Dance Program. He has had works performed in the Regional Dance of America Festivals in both the Northeast Region by CPYB and Lake Erie Ballet School, and Southeast Region by Classical Ballet of Memphis. In 2002, Mr. von Rabenau was invited to choreograph a pas de deux, Speranza for a Milwaukee Ballet presentation at the Milwaukee Art Museum.

Karl & Jenny and their beautiful family

Vision Dance Theatre

Vision Dance Theater

Vision Dance Theater is a non-profit, semi-professional ballet company led by Valley Academy’s Artistic Director Anne Marie Brunner-Abderholden. The dance company is striving to further enhance the training and artistic experience of an extraordinary group of young dancers. Vision Dance Theater serves as a stepping stone for young committed people toward a professional career, along with providing enriching experiences to those young dancers who may not aspire to a professional career, but are dancing for pleasure. Valley Academy for the Arts is the resident Ballet School for the Vision Dance Theater.

Current company members range in age from 10-17 years old.  Auditions for the company are in early September and are open to any child age 10 and up, with previous dance experience. 

Company members get a range of performance opportunities throughout the year, such as “Nutcracker in the Castle”, a collaborative effort with the Paine Arts Center and Gardens (Oshkosh WI), the Spring Concert (full length feature ballets) and performances with Badger State Girl Choir. Past productions include “Hansel and Gretel”, “Where the Wild Things Are”, “Twelve Dancing Princesses”, and “Sleeping Beauty”.  Vision Dance Theatre can also be found sharing their talents through a wide variety of performance throughout the community.  

For information on the Vision Dance Theater, contact us.

For more information on the Nutcracker in the Castle, click here.

Note:  Some featured dancers also members of the K2Move Project facilitated by Katharina Abderholden. 

Welcome our Wellness Director, Lauri Ann Lumby

Wellness Director, Lauri Ann Lumby, MATS

Photo Credit:  Che Correa Photography

Lauri Ann Lumby, MATS, comes to Valley Academy for the Arts with over twenty-five years of experience in the field of human development.  With a Master’s Degree in Transpersonal Psychology and certificates in Spiritual Direction/Counseling and Adult Education/Pastoral Ministry, Lauri has supported hundreds of women and men in their journey toward self-actualization and vocational discernment. 

As the owner of Authentic Freedom Academy, Lauri has developed and implemented a curriculum in human development which Lauri has taught both locally and online, and which has been facilitated by trained instructors across the country.  Lauri is a teacher of mindfulness and meditation practices for relaxation and stress relief and has studied the therapeutic benefits of an on-going mindfulness practice.  Lauri is a published author in the field of self-improvement and has been highly published in such media as: National Catholic Reporter, Edge Magazine, Reiki News and is a featured writer at Kosmos Journal and East Sivana.  Lauri is also a Reiki Master Practitioner.  Lauri lives in Oshkosh and is the proud mother of two young adults.  You can learn more about Lauri and her work in the field of human development at www.authenticfreedomacademy.com.

Lauri will be providing one-on-one transformational counseling and mentoring; vocational development and discernment; and Reiki sessions.  She will also be offering classes, workshops and retreats and will be coordinating ongoing wellness offerings for Valley Academy for the Arts. 

You may reach Lauri regarding wellness services or to schedule an appointment at :  lauri@authenticfreedomacademy.com. 

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July/August Wellness Special

Schedule a 60 minute Reiki or Transformational Counseling Session with Lauri Ann Lumby, and pay the introductory rate of $90.00 per hour (usually $150.00 per hour). 

New clients only!

Email lauri@authenticfreedomacademy.com to schedule your session. 

Valley Academy for the Arts Announces Musical Theatre!

Valley Academy for the Arts is excited to be adding Musical Theatre to our list of offerings.  It has long been our dream to expand beyond dance instruction, providing a full spectrum of artistic and creative instruction and performance opportunities for both children and adults.  Learn more about our Musical Theatre Division HERE and allow us to introduce Jessica L. French, Director of our Musical Theatre Division:

Jessica L. French, Director Musical Theatre Division

American singer, actress, and director Jessica Lynn French began performing professionally at the age of eleven in the National Tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat alongside Donnie Osmond.  After completing her studies at Interlochen Arts Academy, she received her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from The Boston Conservatory of Music.  She went on to do a fellowship with the Nashville Opera while getting her Masters of Music in Vocal Pedagogy and Voice Performance from Belmont University.

During her time in Detroit, Boston, Nashville, and New York she has performed with and coached artists signed with/managed by: Sony, Curb Records, Word Records, Disney, William Morris Agency, Simeon Studios, and Graffiti Records to name a few.  In order to better understand the demands on her recording artist clients, she recorded a contemporary Bilingual EP with a full band, which is available on itunes.  Favorite performance roles include: Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music, Miss Hannigan in Annie, Augusta Tabor in The Ballad of Baby Doe, La Zia Principessa in Suor Angelica, and Kate in The Pirates of Penzance.  In 2016, Ms. French launched a music theatre album entitled "Songs I Can Sing from Roles I'll (Probably) Never Play" on iTunes and Spotify.  She performed a Cabaret style album release concert at The Laurie Beechman Theatre on 42nd Street.

Ms. French is also a sought after clinician.  She travels the US and Internationally performing and teaching vocal masterclasses raising awareness of vocal health.  She helped to facilitate The Metropolitan Opera's National Educator Conference and was a masterclass instructor for The Carnegie Hall Association.  In the summer of 2017, Ms. French taught a music theatre masterclass at the newly opened Studio Paulsen, the first ever professional actors training center in Guayaquil, Ecuador.  She also enjoys voice over work, recording with MTI (Music Theater International) and serving as a vocal coach for Sockeye Media.  

During her time as a New York City resident, Ms. French served as Teaching Artist for Broadway Bound Kids and The Metropolitan Opera Guild  She is a proud member of AGMA (American Guild of Musical Artists) and currently serves as the Director of the LCA Musical Theatre Intensive, a national training program for Broadway hopefuls in middle and high school.  She maintains a private vocal studio based out of Neenah.  Her past students have been cast in national Broadway tours and major motion pictures, seen on American Idol and The Voice, as well as accepted to top performing arts collegiate programs.

Jessica L. French  Director

Musical Theatre Division | Valley Academy for the Arts

p: (920) 886-9330

w: www.valleyacademyarts.org

e: jfrench@valleyacademyarts.org

a: 139 N Lake St, Neenah, WI 54956

Community Service: Discover Neenah Family Day

Community Service is a significant part of the Valley Academy for the Arts mission.  Toward that end, Valley Academy of the Arts dancers who are part of our Vision Dance Theatre Company shared their choreography, teaching and dance skills as part of the Discover Neenah Family Day on Saturday, June 16th.  Our dancers were charged with the responsibility of researching line dancing routines, learning them, teaching and then performing them with children and adults from the Fox Valley who attended the Discover Neenah Family Day event.  As you can see from the images below, our students and those in the community who participated (either in dancing or simply watching) had a blast!  

Moving Beyond the Battlefield - Lake Arts Project

The Mission of Lake Arts Project is to give young people an experience immersed in art, teaching them that art is an essential part of life. We accomplish this through creative and collaborative performance-based projects.

For the past 4 years, Valley Academy for the arts instructor, Katharina Abderholden has been an active participant, guest choreographer and performer in the Lake Arts Project. This year, Katharina played a key role in the Lake Arts Projects Moving Beyond the Battlefield. Moving Beyond the Battlefield was a joint effort between Lake Arts, Feast of Crispian and DNAWorks, providing support through the creative arts for military veterans who are suffering with PTSD.  The end result of Moving Beyond the Battlefield was an interdisciplinary production incorporating storytelling, poetry, spoken word, visual art, and dance.

Katharina Abderholden was commissioned to choreograph and lead the production entitled, “13 Folds” and participated as a dancer in the final piece. Valley Academy for the Arts students, Akiwela Burayidi, Margot Sanderfoot, Daria Thielen and VAA graduate Imogene Gillard also participated as paid, professional dancers.

Moving Beyond the Battlefield was presented at DanceWorks Studios in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, May 12-13 to rave reviews.