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RCB News – Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Rochester City Ballet Dancer Auditions For Opportunity to Dance for the President ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Seventeen-year-old Rochester City Ballet (RCB) dancer, Kelsey Buchanan, will travel to Miami on January 9th to participate in the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts (NFAA)’s Recognition and Talent Search® (ARTS) program. The auditions in Miami will determine Buchanan’s possible nomination to be named a 2006 Presidential Scholar in the Arts. If Buchanan receives a nomination and is selected as a Presidential Scholar in the Arts, she will perform for President Bush at the Kennedy Center. She was selected out of more than 8,000 applicants from across the country and will compete against 100 young artists in Miami. “We are thrilled about this amazing opportunity for Kelsey,” said RCB artistic director Jamey Leverett. “Her dedication and love for dance deserves recognition and we couldn’t be more proud of her.” As part of the application process, Buchanan submitted an audition video that included a two minute solo by Margo Sappington titled, “Habanera” as well as a two minute un-choreographed freestyle routine. Buchanan was also required to hold a GPA higher than 2.5. A Mendon resident, Buchanan began her dance training at the age of 2 ½. She is a Principal dancer with the Rochester City Ballet and has trained at the Draper Center for Dance Education. Buchanan has enjoyed dancing roles in classical ballets including Italian Ice, Magical Doll and French Mint in "The Nutcracker", the Spring Fairy in "Cinderella", a waitress in "Don Quixote" and a creature in "Firebird". In addition, she has performed in contemporary ballets choreographed by the Rochester City Ballet's Artistic Director, Jamey Leverett, including "Respect", "Push and Pull", "Pedestal" and has been a featured performer in "Gershwin in the Park." Kelsey anticipates an early graduation from high school, January 2006, with a New York State Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation. As an active participant in high school with memberships in such clubs as the Yearbook Committee, Entrepreneurs' Club, and an in-school mentor, she is also an honor student and is active in community service. Buchanan has earned a silver key award in photography, 2005, as granted by the University of Rochester and the Scholastic Art Awards while continuing to train in her field of dance. Upon graduation, she will pursue a professional dance career. The Rochester City Ballet (RCB), founded in 1987, is a non-profit, educational corporation. The company presents a full season of quality dance to diverse audiences and helps keep the arts alive by presenting performances to educate and entertain adults and children at community events and special RCB performances. The RCB has created at least 20 new ballets including Firebird, Don Quixote, Cinderella and the annual Nutcracker. FOR MORE INFORMATION Contact: ###
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