ASCEND Adult Dance Convention

You don't stop dancing because you grow old. You grow old because you stop dancing.

Welcome to ASCEND for Adults, a dynamic dance convention crafted exclusively for experienced dancers aged 35 and above. We believe that as we ascend in age, our dance experience can also rise to the occasion! This event is designed to reignite your passion for dance, offering a unique blend of classes tailored for intermediate-level dancers. Whether you're looking to refine your technique, explore new styles, or connect with a vibrant community of like-minded individuals, ASCEND is your destination.

CLASS HIGHLIGHTS

Warm-Up Session: Start the day with an energizing warm-up routine to prepare your body and mind for the day ahead.
Jazz: Dive into the world of jazz with classes that emphasize rhythm, coordination, and expressive movement. We'll explore jazz progressions and musical theatre jazz.
Lyrical: Explore the emotive and fluid style of lyrical dance, blending technique with storytelling.
Tap: Sharpen your tap skills with sessions focused on precision, timing, and dynamic footwork. Not a tapper? No worries - you'll still be an instrumental part of the class providing percussive rhythms.
Injury Prevention: Learn essential techniques and practices to keep your body healthy and injury-free, ensuring a long and enjoyable dance journey.

WHY ATTEND ASCEND?

Expert Instruction: Learn from seasoned instructors who understand the unique needs and goals of mature dancers.
Comprehensive Curriculum: Experience a diverse range of classes that cover key dance styles and essential skills.
Limited Class Size: Convention will be capped to promote individualized feedback.
Lunch Included: A nourishing lunch will be provided during the break.
Supportive Environment: Join a community that celebrates the joy of dance at every stage of life free of judgement!

Whether you're returning to dance after a break or looking to enhance your current skills, ASCEND is the perfect place to elevate your dance experience. Come join us and embrace the opportunity to grow, connect, and, most importantly, thrive!

DETAILS

DATE

UPDATED DATE OF SUNDAY AUGUST 18TH DUE TO TROPICAL STORM

TIME

9:30a-5:00p

COST

$139

(Lunch Included!)

LOCATION

New Heights Dance Academy

2905 N Florida Avenue

Tampa, FL 33602

DAY SCHEDULE

(Subject to change)

9:30a - Warm-Up

10:00a - Jazz Progressions

11:00a - Ballet

12:15-1:00p- Injury Prevention

1:00-1:45p - Lunch

1:45p- Post Lunch Warm Up

2:00p - Musical Theatre Jazz

3:00p- Tap/Percussion

4:00-4:15 - Break

4:15p- Lyrical / Contemporary

FACULTY

We're excited to bring you an amazing lineup of teachers who are ready to help you reach new heights at ASCEND!

Click on their photo to read the full bio.

Alexia Sky Colon

Musical Theatre Jazz

Alexia Sky Colón, a Tampa native and movement artist, with a diverse tapestry of dance expertise and theatrical experiences. Spanning from L.A. to N.Y. to Chicago, she has honed her skills classically and culturally, exploring techniques from ballet to breaking.
Choreographically specializing in jazz and contemporary dance.

As a proud Latina American, Alexia achieved her Broadway debut in "On Your Feet the Musical" and continued to shine in two touring companies of the iconic production "Hamilton." Her journey in dance and choreography reflects versatility, embracing live television, cruise ships, theme parks, show creations, industrial performances, commercials, international tours, and site-specific dance.

A graduate of Blake High School performing arts, Alexia has returned full circle, sharing her passion for dance with the Florida community through teaching at various locations. Learning from industry choreographers like Kenny Ortega, Andy Blankenbuehler, Teresa Toogie Barcelo, and Sergio Trujillo has added a unique and inclusive dimension to her teaching, underscoring her commitment to fostering diversity in dance education.

Performance credits include roles in "Hamilton: An American Musical," "Fly the Musical," "On Your Feet on Broadway," "West Side Story," NBC's "The Best Time Ever," Heidi Duckler Dance Theatre Los Angeles, Illuminate International Dance Tour, American Music Awards. Commercials for XBOX, Wendy's, Verizon, BOSE, and more.

Kameron Bink

Lyrical/Contemporary

Kameron Bink was born and raised in South Florida and started his Training at the Age of 6. He started working professionally at the age of 16 dancing in Miami with artists such as Paulina Rubio, Ivy Queen, Don Omar and Celia Cruz. In 2007 Kameron was a Top 10 Finalist on Foxʼs “So You Think You Can Dance”. Since then Kameron has had the Opportunity to teach all over the world in countries such as Australia, South Africa, Germany, Spain, Iceland, Italy, Singapore and Switzerland. In 2009 he had the opportunity to back to his true passion, performing, dancing in the company Bad Boys of Dance in Rastaʼs Thomasʼs “Rock The Ballet” and has been on 3 World Tours with the company. Kameron also had the opportunity to work under renowned Contemporary Choreographer Larry Keigwin and Premiered his Piece “Runaway” at the Joyce Theatre in New York City in the Spring of 2011. From 2011-2013 Kameron spent two years as a teacher and guest of The Icelandic Dance Company. Kameron is Currently living in South Florida, though still travels to cities all over the country, where he continues his education in Dance and hopes to continue moving and bring joy to audiences and inspire young dancers all over the world.

Jenne Vermes

Tap/Percussion

Jenne has been dancing for 37 years, and it is truly her greatest passion in life. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Music and two Master's Degrees in Education from Florida State University. She is currently the Artistic Director of two professional tap companies: Noise Complaint - Tap Dance Theatre and Rhythm Theory Tap Ensemble, and she owns a dance studio in Fleming Island, FL. Over the past 20 years, Jenne has taught at dance studios, workshops, festivals, and conventions all over the US. Additionally, she was a dance captain and founding member of the professional tap New York City based tap dance company, #Taplife. She is currently working as a back-up dancer for the internationally acclaimed band, The Crüxshadows, which has allowed her to tour across Europe, The Caribbean and North America, dancing on international stages. She is also presently a back-up dancer and dance captain for the KPop Idol, Black On, for his US tours. Outside of dance she is a full time Math, Business, and Music teacher for K-12 schools and an adjunct instructor in dance at SJR State College. She is a professional musician and singer/songwriter, releasing original music and parody songs as a soloist while also working as a dummer for a local band. She is also an author/writer and a YouTuber/content creator.

Patricia Ross

Ballet

Patricia Ross is a certified educator and seasoned professional in the performing arts with over 25 years of experience. Holding a State of Florida Teaching Certificate in English, Drama, and Physical Education (K-12), Patricia has made significant contributions in cities such as Tampa Bay, New Hampshire, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Boston, Nashville, and New Jersey.

As a young dancer in Pittsburgh, Pat Ross's first professional engagement was with the Pittsburgh Civic Ballet, a small company that eventually evolved into Point Park University. Over the course of two years, she performed in several ballets with this company, notably featuring in a production of Coppélia. This ballet foundation subsequently led to a performing career primarily in musical theater, though she occasionally returned to pointe work upon request.

After numerous relocations and extensive teaching at various studios and master classes, Pat Ross moved to Florida and established her own dance studio. To teach at a professional level, she enrolled in the Royal Academy of Dancing Teacher Certification program, attending a summer intensive for teachers at Princeton University. This prestigious program guides students from the pre-primary stage through to the professional level. She successfully obtained the RAD Teaching Certificate in 1999 and for over a decade organized annual ballet exams for her students, with an examiner traveling from London to conduct the evaluations.

She emphasizes that a strong ballet foundation is crucial for mastering the art of dance.

Ashley Arnold

Jazz Progressions

Ashley is originally from North Carolina, but has lived in St. Pete for the last 5 years. Before arriving in Florida she attended East Carolina University where she received her BFA in dance performance with a concentration in jazz. After college she headed to Los Angeles where she continued to train and perform in live stage shows and music videos such as Katja Glieson’s “Look At Us” and Chris “Boogy” Marcos’ “Pick Up Lines.”

Over the years, Ashley has found her true passion is teaching. She travels back home to North Carolina a few times a year to teach master classes at studios across the state, to include classes through the North Carolina Dance Ambassadors Program. She is so excited to be at New Heights Dance Academy teaching contemporary and jazz in the adult program!

Dr. Meredith Butulis

Injury Prevention

Dr. Meredith Butulis is a sports/orthopedic Physical Therapist, Exercise Physiologist, NSCA certified Strength & Conditioning Coach, and certified Pilates, Yoga, and Progressing Ballet Technique instructor.

She graduated from Northeastern University with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy and Boston University with a Master's in Physical Therapy, Bachelor's in Health Studies, and minors in Dance and Psychology. While in school, she performed professionally with Impulse Jazz Company, Kelly Donovan & Dancers, and Medusa Dance. Upon graduation, she worked for New York City Performing Arts, servicing 3 Broadway shows and the Radio City Rockettes. She then worked in Boston and Minneapolis as a dance medicine Physical Therapist and Pilates/Yoga instructor.

Currently, she is the Physical Therapist Assistant Interim Program Director at the State College of Florida. Her passion is helping people feel better through movement.

Susannah Lemarquand

Warm-Up & Stretch

A graduated of UT, and current head of the Dance Department, Susannah has performed and choreographed professionally for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Busch Gardens Tampa, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Silver Seas Cruise Lines, Zoo Tampa (formerly Lowry Park Zoo) and multiple Florida-based production companies and directors.

Susannah created the dance major curriculum at UT, focused based on brain-compatible dance education. Her scholarship and research focuses in the field of dance pedagogy, and choreography in the world of commercial dance. Her choreographic research has recently delved in to the embodiment practices of higher education students during performance.

She is currently a resident choreographer for Busch Gardens Tampa. Susannah is often requested as a master teacher throughout Florida, and serves as an adjudicator for The Florida Dance Performance Assessment. Susannah is a professional member of National Dance Education Organization and Florida Dance Education Organization.

Located in Tampa Heights
Dance Classes Ages 2 -Adult

DETAILS

FACULTY

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