SCHOLARSHIPS NOW AVAILABLE FOR
SUMMER INTENSIVE TRAINING PROGRAM

Pick of the Crop Dance is offering full and partial scholarships for our Summer Intensive dance training program from July 5 to 15, 2005. Applicants can audition on any of the following dates:

Auditions, which consist of participation in POC Director Elaine Gardner's Seedling Company class, take place from 5:30 to 7:30 PM in the Dance Studio at Nichols School in Buffalo, 1250 Amherst Street (corner of Colvin, across from the Buffalo Zoo). No previously prepared material is necessary, just neat and comfortable class attire. Scholarships will be available for the full two-week program or for a one-week block, full days only. Applicants will be asked to provide financial information, which will be kept confidential. Interested young dancers at least 13 years of age can call 934.0515 or email info@poc.org for more details.

Participants in the 2005 Summer Intensive will study under the direction of Pick of the Crop Dance Artistic Director Elaine Gardner, along with guest artists Colin Connor, Debra Noble, and Benedetta Capanna. These artists will present a concert of their work in New Moves 2005 at the Flickinger Theater at Nichols School on Saturday, July 9 at 8 PM.

Scholarships offered by Pick of the Crop Dance are made possible by a grant from the Children's Foundation of Erie County.

The New York State DanceForce is a statewide consortium of dance organizers committed to increasing the quantity and quality of dance activity across New York State. Each year DanceForce members connect communities with dance artists by sponsoring performances and residencies. Annual networking meetings provide important opportunities for partnerships and professional development. Dance visionaries David White, of Dance Theater Workshop and Ivan Sygoda, of Pentacle Danceworks, Inc, founded the agency in 1994. In the past eleven years, the DanceForce has funded over 150 artist projects and infrastructure initiatives and has raised approximately $1.5 million in support of these endeavors.

The New York State DanceForce receives major sponsorship from the New York State Council on the Arts and Altria. Additional support is provided by JP MorganChase. For more information on the NYS DanceForce visit www.danceforce.org.

Founded 23 years ago by Scottish-born dancer/choreographer Elaine Gardner, the mission of Pick of the Crop Dance is to produce and promote excellence in contemporary dance through community performances, educational programs and the training of young dancers. Pick of the Crop Dance receives support from the New York State Council on the Arts, local businesses, foundations, and individuals.