Sophia Smith Mansion

In our historic building in in Hadley MA, East Street Dance Center ( also known as East Street Ballet ) is bringing together students, choreographers, dancers, musicians and artists. We link to the professional dance world to ensure that your experience will be a rich and rewarding one. As a student you will be part of a vibrant dance community... an invigorating place to learn dance and movement. The teaching staff - together with visiting artists and companies -will provide unrivalled expertise in classical ballet, choreography, contemporary dance, and performance. As established artists they will bring their own creative practice to their teaching. Our program will provide you with the technical, artistic and creative skills to pursue a career in dance in the twenty-first century. Daily, rigorous and challenging technical training will underpin your development as a versatile and resourceful performer. You will gain a strong foundation in dance and build upon your interests, experience and abilities. Areas of study are offered at introductory level and advanced levels to allow you to develop your skills appropriately. You will have numerous opportunities to perform, to work directly with leading dance artists, and to participate in a number of performance and choreographic projects. Time is also provided for individual coaching and tutorials. The 4 purpose-built spacious studios have sprung floors, pianos, marley floor covering and large windows that allow natural light to flood into the space during the day. Performance is central to becoming a performer and the performance space ( our 100 seat studio-theater ) provides a flexible space for a range of events including, open rehearsals, informal presentations, guest performances, lecture-demonstrations and community dance events. Our program celebrates the whole person, developing body and mind, extending artistic and technical abilities, deepening understanding of dance, and encouraging invention and inquiry. CLASSICAL BALLET STUDENTS are assigned to a class level based on a placement class. Advancement through the program is based on the individual students level of skill, accomplishment and commitment. is designed to be affordable and competitive, and it may be paid in a variety of ways. Payment plans, financial aid and discounts for multiple family members are available.

Donna McGee is a talented artist based in Hadley, MA, who specializes in working with low-fire red earthenware and paper clay. Utilizing techniques such as sgraffito, her creations showcase a unique blend of functional artistry and spontaneous gestures, drawing inspiration from the human figure, fields, and domestic life. McGee holds a B.S. degree in Re-creation Art and Society from Southern Illinois University and has studied clay at the Jacob Cramer Centre for the Arts in England. Her artistic journey is defined by her commitment to seamlessly combine drawing with the medium of clay, reflecting a grounded knowledge of artistic tradition coupled with an exploration of limitless creative potential. Generated from the website