What makes Petit Papillon different?
EDUCATION Ballet training is based upon the Russian Syllabus as developed by the noted dancer and teacher Agripina Vaganova in the 1940's. This method has and is still training some of the worlds finest dancers. Modern dance classes are based upon the technique developed by the great American modern dancer Martha Graham and others. Teaching is carefully geared to each class and the students participating. The development of creativity is very important in these classes. Petit Papillon holds Master Classes in Character Dance, Modern Dance, Jazz, mime and the Pilates Method of strengthening and conditioning for dancers in the school. Summer intensives are scheduled with Tatiana Tchernova, noted Russian dancer and teacher who teaches world wide and now resides in Canada. The school does not have recitals. There is a class visitation week in January and an open house/sharing night in May during which students present compositions choreographed by their teacher. PERFORMANCE Original productions are produced in collaboration with special artists within and outside the state of NH. Storytellers, costumers, musicians, lighting and set designers. Rehearsals for all performances and productions are held separately from class time. Members of Petit Papillon often participate in the creative process. This helps them grow as artists and develops self esteem. Choreography is all original and done by the Artistic Director and the Associate Director. Two sources of revenue for the company are ticket sales and fund raising. There are no costumes, pictures or videos to buy. OUTREACH Petit Papillon performs for 3 to 5 schools in the course of the year. Sometimes these performances relate to part of the curriculum the students are working on. Such as: Native American Cinderella stories to augment a Social Studies topic. A performance of "The Carnival of Animals" or "Peter and the Wolf" to demonstrate specific composers and orchestral instruments as part of the music education program. Petit Papillon has performed for residences of Havenwood, The Odd Fellows Home, Epsom Manor, the State Hospital and Clough Manor, New London. For school performances the company has traveled to Colebrook, Nashua, Manchester, Pittsfield, Chichester, Webster, Peterborough, Newfound Regional School District and Beaver Meadow, Rumford and Conant schools in Concord, to name only a few.