Shely Pack-Manning of the Shely Pack Dancers of Half Moon Bay has been named “Arts Educator of the Year” by the Peninsula Arts Council. The Arts Council Diamond Awards are presented each year to recognize outstanding contributions made by individual artists, educators, volunteers, foundations, corporations, or by government support to the arts in San Mateo County.

This year, the 10th Annual Diamond Awards will be held at the Kohl Mansion (2750 Adeline Drive, Burlingame) on Thursday February 2, 2012(5:30 to 9:00 PM). Cocktail and hors d’ oeuvre reception, silent auction, entertainment and awards presentations will all be part of the event. Cocktail attire is suggested.   

           

 

Shely Pack Dancer joins brother in cast of Billy Elliot!

 Lexi Viernes, the source of inspiration for her brother JP Viernes’s meteoric rise to stardom as Billy Elliot in the touring show of the same name, is cast in the show to work along side her brother. To have two Shely Pack Dancers in the same show is not new to the studio (Kristen Oei and Peter Chursin were cast in the production of Wicked in both Los Angeles and San Francisco a few years ago) but having siblings in the same show is quite a feat.

Lexi will begin rehearsals December 13th in Washington D.C. and will join the show in her first performance in Minneapolis, Minnesota after the first of the year.

 

Shely Pack Dancer performs in scenes from the Nutcracker with Cleveland Orchestra as Joffrey Ballet trainee this Xmas season!

 Carina Brown, a Shely Pack Dancer from Fremont, California, is set to perform with the Joffrey Ballet in Cleveland. Selections to be performed include the “Waltz of the Flowers,” “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy,” and others.  This Family Orchestra performance is geared towards children ages 7 and older and their families. 

Carina has been studying with the Joffrey Ballet Academy in Chicago.The Joffrey Academy of Dance, Official School of The Joffrey Ballet, is committed to providing students of all ages, levels and backgrounds who have a desire to dance with a world-class education built on a foundation of classical ballet. With the talents cultivated at the Joffrey Academy, students can pursue careers as professional dancers at companies throughout the world, higher education opportunities in dance, or success in other fields. Through the Joffrey Academy’s programs, students develop a diverse set of skills including artistry, creativity, discipline and confidence, among others. The Joffrey Academy’s high-quality, educational programming forms future audiences and support for the Joffrey and builds the organization’s reputation worldwide.

                     

                           Photo Credit: Joffrey Ballet
 
The Shely Pack Dancers almost swept the Dance Masters of California competition this past weekend with three out of four title winners!
Jasmine Franklin wins Petite Miss Dance of California; Gabbrielle Pariseau wins Teen Miss Dance of California; and Matlynn Henry wins Miss Dance of California! Congrats girls!