Annual Student Concerts

Culminating a year’s work with world-renowned dance educator and choreographer Ellen Robbins, each student creates his or her own dance solo, steeped in the unmistakable individualism that resides in every child. Their works span a variety of theater experiences: humorous, dramatic, lyrical, minimal, abstract. Music selections also cover a broad range from Saint-Saens to Bartok, to Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.
Each of the four unique concerts consist of solos by the students, ages 9 – 18, and the following group pieces: 6/7 at 7:00pm: Swatch, Towel Dance, 6/8 at 7:00pm: Ode, Murmuration and Wriggle Room by Elizabeth Keen, 6/9 at 12:00 pm: Carnival of the Animals and New Work by Alumni, and 6/9 at 4:00pm: Piecework, and Secret Service.

Ellen Robbins teaches dance for children in Soho and on Saturdays, she teaches at New York Live Arts. She was the resident dance educator at Dance Theater Workshop for 34 years. She is a recipient of the 1993 Arts in Education Round Table Award and a 1986 Bessie (New York Dance and Performance Award) for her work with children.

In May of 2015, she was the honoree of La MaMa Moves Gala. Ms. Robbins presents an intensive teacher’s course, “Growing a Dancer” for the 92nd St. Y’s DEL program (Dance Education Laboratory). She has also taught dance education at Sarah Lawrence College, and, as a guest lecturer around the country and abroad. She is a consultant to choreographers working with children. She has been on the faculties of the 92nd St. Y, Bennington College July program, and ArtsConnection, a performance arts project for public school children. She has directed the Young Dancers School at the American Dance Festival in Durham, North Carolina. In the summer of 2001, Dances By Very Young Choreographers (Ellen Robbins’ students ages 8 – 18) was produced at the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival in the Doris Duke Theater. Ms. Robbins is known for her repertory of group dances, choreographed in collaboration with children. For more information, see: www.ellenrobbinsdance.com