Berrend Dance Centre  

For Immediate Release  

Contact: Hjarman Cordero 

240-672-7472 or corderohjarman@hotmail.com

Berrend Dance Centre Presents Spring Dance Concert

OLNEY, MD (May 16, 2012) – The Berrend Dance Centre presents its annual Spring Dance Concert on Saturday, May 26 at 1 and 4 pm at the Sandy Spring Friends School, 16923 Norwood Road, Sandy Spring, MD.

Rehearsals started during the winter months and continue in the BDC studios this week as students and faculty immerse themselves in their preparations for the concert. “I’m excited about our end of year concert, which promises to be a day of amazing performances by the students in classical ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, and modern dance. We are thrilled that our students will perform with guest professional dancers from Carolina Ballet Theatre and the Bowen McCauley Dance company,” said Centre Director Patricia Berrend.

The dance concert is an event for the whole family and an opportunity to be part of the artistic expression of our local community. It will include “Octet Plus Four,” choreographed by Choo San Goh for the Dutch Ballet in 1975, staged now by Berrend for the Centre’s most advanced students. They will be partnered by Alvaro Palau, former dancer with the Washington Ballet and currently with Bowen McCauley Dance, and Samuel Chester, Martín Justo, and Matthew Harvey, all currently dancing with Carolina Ballet Theatre in Greenville, South Carolina.

Other pieces to be performed include original works choreographed by Berrend and faculty members Aaron Jackson, a former dancer with the Washington Ballet; Tally Frieder, a former dancer with San Francisco Ballet; local choreographer Roger Riggle; professional contemporary dancer Junichi Fukuda; a commissioned work by professional dancer and choreographer Robert Priore; and excerpts from the classic ballet “Sleeping Beauty.” Tickets for the concert are $15 for adults and $7 for children ages 5 and under and can be purchased at the door the day of the event or in advance at the Dance Centre.

Berrend Dance Centre, under the direction of Patricia Berrend, former Associate Director of The Washington School of Ballet, has gained the reputation as one of the Washington Metropolitan Area's finest dance schools and is part of the wonderful multicultural community in Olney. Berrend’s students have the opportunity to be part of the beloved “Nutcracker” during the holiday season, which is presented by Olney Ballet Theatre and staged by Berrend, as well as other community performances such as “Storybook Ballet.” This summer the Centre will be offering a dance camp for children ages 5- 11 centered around the Swan Lake Ballet, as well as a summer intensive for more advanced students in ballet technique, pointe, partnering, repertoire, modern, tap, jazz, hip hop and Pilates.

For more information on this performance or other inquiries, please call 301-774-3032 or visitwww.berrenddancecentre.com.