The Boden Center

Ladies & Gentleman...Please Welcome Elise Drew!

2012-02-01T11:19:00.001-08:00

We're so happy to announce the newest member of the Boden family of instructors, Elise Drew. Here is a little bit about her:

"Elise Drew, of Puerto Rican descent, is originally from Oxford, CT and received her early training with the Brass City Ballet School. In May 2007, she graduated Cum Laude with an Honorable Mention in Dance from the Ailey/Fordham BFA Program. She is an original member of TAKE Dance and HopeBoykinDance and has performed with Camille A. Brown and Dancers, the Santa Fe Opera, Sean Curran Company, Silver/Brown Dance Company, and Luna Negra Dance Theater in Chicago. Ms. Drew joined the Limon Dance Company in 2010."

That's what the bio says. Now here is what we have to say. She's is pure joy. In just the first few minutes of meeting her, I can truly say that she is a wonderful fit to the center. Dance Director Matthew Rushing would not turn the Modern students over to just anyone. Finding "Boden-esque" substitution for this particular discipline has been a nightmare. Not just anyone will work. The mission and purpose of this house is very different than what most schools are and we will not compromise the vision for anything. So we pray real hard during those seasons where our mainstay's must go on tour. Our prayers have been answered in Elise. We're working towards more live music collaborations for the already new style she brings in, in particular, the Limon technique. Our dancers will be introduced to a very new look for the Winter season and hope to show it off in July for the public.

So please join us in welcoming her.

-Joseph Cortese

Presence: The Winter Session

2012-01-04T05:35:00.000-08:00

The Boden Center' 2011/2012 season "Presence" moves into phase two this coming Monday, January 9th. The foundation has been set. The students are beginning to understand the vision of the season's theme and the formation of expression towards that end. It will all come together in magnificent fashion come July. The early indicators from 2 Peek Weeks are amazing. They are doing recital level work now in December. But until then, we work diligently incorporating not only the disciplines of music and dance but the disciplines of life in general, making sure that our artistry never loses touch with the development of our everyday lives.

Admissions: There are limited openings in Ballet4Kidz. Auditions for Modern Dance (Monday Jan. 9th) are more stringent since a student coming in now would be behind the rest of the class. A student with prior experience and a focused commitment can do well in this second semester. First time students are encouraged to wait till September to enroll. While Guitar and Drums have limited openings, we're happy to announce the addition of new Bass guitar faculty. Applied Music continues to be Boden's largest, most affordable group class with plenty of space. Any musician can benefit from AM.

Calendar & Tuition: Due to the holidays that fall during the Winter session (MLK Jr. Day/Presidents Day/Easter), we will run 10 weeks instead and tuition will be adjusted to reflect the shortened session.

For any questions, please feel free to contact our office at Crossroads Tabernacle, Monday-Friday, 10am-4pm.

-JC

Peek Week! Monday, Dec. 12th

2011-12-09T04:59:00.000-08:00

That's right. It's Peek Week and you're all invited. Our students have been working hard over the past 12 weeks and it's all coming together for what should be the best recital ever in July. But there is something besides "performance". There is "journey" and this too is something the students want you to experience with them. With every passing week is progress and development. And those movements require celebration. It is "celebration" that not only galvanizes a performing arts community, it also provides strength for the challenges of growth ahead. They can press harder because you have smiled on them and given them your thumbs up to the disciplines within the arts. So while it may just be a small movement for some and significant movement for others, all in all, it needs to be celebrated. Please...join us. Refreshments will be served.

Here's how it goes. Below are the viewing times for each group. Feel free to pick the one that interests you most or stay for as many as you like. They all run approx. 20 minutes.

Creative Movement (ages 3 &4) - 4:20PM

Ballet 4Kidz (ages 5-7) - 5:05PM

Ballet 4Kidz (ages 8-13, Level 1) - 5:50PM

Ballet 4Kidz (ages 8-13, Level 2) - 6:50PM

Modern4Kidz - 7:50PM

Modern Dance* (adults) - 8:40PM

*Because this particular showing is so late, Dunkin' Donuts will be served :-)

Drummers! Get Your Groove On At Boden

2011-08-23T12:38:00.000-07:00

Boden is happy to announce, among the many new offerings of the 2011-2012 season, private drum lessons with Joseph Henry Cortese, its President. But can he play? His performance pedigree can be viewed here but he is proud to have graduated from The Percussion Institute of Technology/Musicians Institute in Hollywood (Class of '86). There he studied privately with Jeff Porcaro, Joe Porcaro, Ralph Humphrey, Casey Scheurell, Alex Acuna, Joe Brancato and Maria Maritinez.

Pastor Joe can be frequently heard at Crossroads Tabernacle on various Sunday mornings and the last Sunday night of the month at Audience Of One, a concert series by the performing arts community of Crossroads Tabernacle.

Students will be required to audition and own a drum set. Space is limited.

Applied Music: Because You Asked For It!

2011-08-23T12:00:00.000-07:00

When is Boden going to have Applied Music again? That may be the most asked question over the past few years. While everything has a shelf life, it only takes a few minutes to realize that Garage Band and Fruity Loops do not make anyone a true musician. Those programs do help us to cut and paste the ideas of others into something that we might call our own, but that only lasts so long. That self deception is over.

We at Boden have been anxiously awaiting this moment. We knew the world would come full circle and we're here to help. Beginning on Monday, September 19th, Applied Music will return on Monday nights. It's more than a music class. It's a community of musicians including drummers, guitarist, pianists, bassists, woodwinds/brass players and singers who sharpen their skill set in the areas that apply to everyone in music. Here is a course description of what the hottest 60 minutes in Boden looks like:

Applied Music

Harmony & Theory: This session is designed to develop harmonic understanding, which would include a complete study of intervals, chord construction, chord voicing, harmonized scales and modes of the Major, Melodic Minor, Harmonic Minor and Diminished scales within an instrumental application.

Ear Training: Music is really all about hearing. An internal sense of pitch, rhythm, dynamics, etc. You use your ear to recognize notes, intervals, chords, major/minor tonality, scales and so forth. A musical ear is the single most important skill for musicians, but most musicians have poor aural skills because they do not practice ear training. Ear training develops greater musicality, confidence and enjoyment of music. You will experience that a musical ear helps you when you play music, sing, notate, improvise, compose and transcribe. Ear training will give you a better understanding of all the things you are doing with music.

Music Appreciation: Designed to introduce students to a wide variety of musical genres, productions and performances and encourage them to articulate their observations and maybe even present a piece of recorded music to the class and defend it and/or critique it. In addition, music history will be incorporated for the purpose of understanding the development and progression of musical styles and their roots.

Syncopation: A drill class where students learn to read rhythm. Students play several exercises and participate in dictation drills that can help them in sight-reading, regardless of their instrument. The session will also include identifying note names, key signatures, time signatures and rhythms.

Matthew Rushing Returns To Boden Center In A Modern Way

2011-08-23T11:16:00.000-07:00

After being away for most of the 2010-2011 season, Matthew Rushing has announced his return to the Bronx and the Boden Center could not be more excited. Matthew has served as the director of dance at Boden for the past six years. But his new appointment as Rehearsal Director for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater caused him to take on new responsibilities and travel assignments that made it impossible for him to remain as regular faculty. But Matthew' presence has never been far, even when he is dancing across the other side of the globe. He continues to counsel and consult via the wonderful means of technology.

During his absence, Boden saw one of its own in Anica Scott Garrel step up to the challenge of a season with no supervising presence in Matthew, only to experience the very theme of the season, inspired by her own journey, called "Grace: The Beauty And Charm of Music & Movement". Anica now moves on to new a growing opportunities with The Disney Company for the 2011-2012 season. We anxiously await her return to Boden as well as she'll be sorely missed.

Matthew Rushing will teach Modern4Kidz (ages 8-12) and Modern Adult class (both by audition only) on Monday nights.

While Matthew remains a world class dancer recognized by the world wide dance community, it humbles us to think that he spends most of his time thinking about this small community called Boden..one that he calls home.

Welcome back Matthew!

Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images Europe

Presence: The 2011-2012 Season

2011-08-15T09:28:00.000-07:00

The 2011 Fall/Winter season is just weeks away. The leadership and faculty have been working all summer long, taking a close look at the current program and seeking the consultancy of some of the sharpest minds in the area of arts and community to help us get even better. The results have been enlightening and exciting to say the least. Our desire is to do even more but not without the parallel movement of students and parents alike. So we've designed a mandatory orientation for all applicants to take place on Monday, September 12 (2 appointed times for maximum convenience: 5p.m. & 7p.m.) to bring you all up to speed. We ask that you please call or email us your time slot of choice.

During this orientation we will discuss our new theme, programs/objectives, standards and expectations. In addition, we'll introduce returning faculty & additional support staff that will help us stay connected all year long (in the same spirit as a parent coordinator). We heard your request for that need and we're responding. Finally, we'll answer any of your questions about the new season.

We look forward to seeing all of our returning students and those who are coming for the very first time.

Sincerely,

Joseph Cortese

Grace: July 8th-9th 2011

2011-05-11T10:29:00.001-07:00

The 2010-2011 season was dominated by a word. Grace. It's meaning melts the heart and its variations are innumerable. We tasted every kind from grace extended to grace received. And we are celebrating its presence at Boden by centering the entire 2011 recital around it. We hope you will join us on July 8th & 9th and experience this grace.

Jessica Epting & Anica Scott-Garrell are getting the dance department ready with new expressions that are sure to make you leap with joy. Joe Knowles & Phil Hamilton are doing the same on the instrumental side of things. You'll experience the growth of those who have been at it for a while and equally surprised by some new students that have come in with a bang (look for the young woman on guitar that's become quite the new buzz).

Boden Welcomes Kafi Pierre To Ballet/Modern4Kidz

2010-12-29T09:00:00.001-08:00

We're so excited to welcome Kafi Pierre to the 2011 Winter Session. She hails from Toronto and now resides in New York City. She has a tremendous breath of experience in performance and instruction. Read more about here:

During her studies at the Alvin Ailey Dance Center, Ms Pierre was given the role of assistant ballet mistress in the AAADC Junior Division, and after graduating she was offered a teaching position in school's First Steps Program, where she taught for 6 years while building her dance resume in New York.

As Dance Captain in the Toronto production of "The Lion King", a position she held for 3 years, Kafi taught and integrated new artists into the show, in particular the kids who played young simba and nala. She was also a liaison for the Stage Management team, and was in charge of maintaining the quality of the Disney production. Ms Pierre also served as the Rehearsal Director, for the D’nueve Contemporary Dance Company in Toronto, before moving back to New York in 2004. While in New York Ms Pierre also worked in the non -for-profit sector teaching under privileged children with the organization Free Arts NYC.

In 2005, Kafi joined the "Fitness World" and was hired by Jamie King (choreographer and director for Madonna) to teach and promote the “Nike Rockstar Workout” in New York (with Crunch Fitness) and across the USA. With Crunch Fitness she also help to design a Silver Sneakers Program for Senior Citizens and the Stiletto Strength Program which combined strength training, pilates and dance.

After joining Cirque du Soleil Kafi, had the honor of taking on the role of Dance Captain yet again, to teach, coach, guide and inspire the Acrobats and Dancers of their production of “Dralion”.

Boden Welcomes Back Anica-Scott Garrell

2010-12-29T06:10:00.000-08:00

After almost a half-year on the high seas as part of the cast of "Bijou", Anica Scott-Garrell returns home...both homes. Not only her residence in the NYC but her residency at Boden Center in the Modern Dance department. She left her strongest mark on this community teaching and choreographing for the "Move" season, along with appearing in the upcoming documentary "Gotta Make Me Cry" (based on the performing arts community of Crossroads Tabernacle, home of The Boden Center)

She is loved and sought after by all students, delivering the perfect balance of patience and passion in her studio. Who is Anica Scott-Garrell? This is Anica-Scott Garrell.

Winter Session Announced

2010-12-22T10:09:00.001-08:00

Boden Center will resume with its Winter session on Monday, January 10th and will continue with a "Monday only" schedule. The schedule is as follows:

Ballet4Kidz

Ages 3-4 / 4:30-5:15pm

Ages 5-7 / 5:15-6:00pm

Ages 8-13 (Level 1) / 6:00-7:00pm

Ages 8-13 (Level 2) / 7:00-8:00pm

Tuition: $150/12 weeks

Modern Dance

Modern4Kidz / 5:15-6:00pm

Adult Level I / 6:00-7:30pm

Adult Level II / 7:30-9:00pm

Tuition: $180/12 weeks

(*audition required)

Musical Instrument (piano, guitar, woodwinds)

Various

Tuition: $180/12 weeks

*Audition dates:

Monday, January 3 / 5:00-7:00pm

Tuesday, January 4 / 5:00-7:00pm

Please note that all auditions are by appointment only. Please call 718.904.0202 to schedule.

Peek Week Is Here!

2010-12-01T06:33:00.000-08:00

Finally! After 12 weeks of hard work, the children's dance program is ready to show you what they've been working on in preparation for their 2011 recital slated for July 15 & 16. Everyone is invited. Bring family and friends! The viewings are as follows:

Ballet ages 3-4 | Monday, December 6th 4:30-5:15pm

Ballet ages 5-7 | Wednesday, December 8th 4:15-5pm

Modern ages 8-13 Level I | Wednesday, December 8th 5-6pm

Ballet ages 8-13 Level I | Wednesday, December 8th 6-7pm

Modern ages 8-13 Level II | Monday, December 6th 5-6pm

Ballet ages 8-13 Level II | Monday, December 6th 7-8pm

For any further questions, feel free to contact us at 718.904.0202. Can't wait to see you all there!

Fall Season Announced!

2010-08-13T05:56:00.000-07:00

Boden will begin its 6th Fall season this coming September 13 through December 11th. The schedule is as follows:

"Little Feet" (Mondays Only)

Ages 3-4 / 4:30-5:15PM

Tuition: $144.00

Ballet 4Kidz (Mondays & Wednesdays):

Ages 5-7 / 5:15-6PM

Ages 8-13 / Level 1 / 6-7PM

Ages 8-13 / Level 2 / 7-8PM

Tuition: $288

Ballet/Modern/Repertory Class (Ages 13 & Up)

Level 1: Mondays, 6PM to 7:30 / Wednesdays 6PM to 7:30

Level 2: Mondays, 7:30PM-9PM / Wednesdays 7:30PM-9PM

Tuition: $360

36 Total hours

Instrumental Private Lessons (Mondays):

4PM - 9PM (40min., various)

Tuition: $180

Keyboard Lab (1st time piano students only, Mondays):

7PM - 8PM

Saturday 7/31 Schedule

2010-07-30T14:47:00.000-07:00

Dancercise - 10am (Room 5, 45 min.)

Ballet II (Track 2) - 9:30am (Main stage)

Ballet I (Track 1) - 10:45am (Main Stage)

Urban II (Track 2) - 10:45am (Room 5)

Public Showings - 12noon (Main Stage)

Boden Summer Dance Showings

2010-07-27T18:39:00.001-07:00

The Summer Dance Program is a smash with over 80 students enrolled in 100+ hours of Ballet, Modern and Urban expression. And you're all invited to come and see them in action. Bring your friends and family. Here's the schedule of showings (approx. 30 min each).

Children

Ages 3-5 / Friday / 9:30am

Ages 6-8 / Friday / 10:30am

Ages 9-12 / Friday / 12noon

Adults

Saturdays / 12noon

All showing are on the main stage @ Crossroads 1320 Castle Hill Ave. 718.904.0202

Move: The 2010 Recital & Coffee House

2010-07-05T06:06:00.000-07:00

This coming Friday & Saturday, join us in celebrating the 2010 season as we present MOVE. This year's recital will see the return of Ballet 4Kidz (ages 4-12), under the impeccable direction of Jessica Epting. They're electrifying! Multi-instrumentalist Joe Knowles will present 5 piano students, playing pieces that have been cooking in the oven all year long and are now ready to be presented. These pianist' have their own band. They're serious. And the Modern Dance will close out the evening in typical finale fashion with their 3-movement piece entitled MOVE, directed by Matthew Rushing and Anica-Scott Garrell. The lobby @ Boden Center/Crossroads will also feature a gallery of works created by the Fine Art students under the direction of Daniel Mopango

Come on out, bring friends and family, and support the arts at Boden. This vision, now a reality, is having an impact on the lives of its students just as its founder Rev. Aimee Cortese predicted. And while here, you can get more information on our Summer Program that is sure to knock your socks off and give your wallet a break. It's free!!

Tickets for MOVE can be purchased at Crossroads Tabernacle in advance for $15 or $20 at the door. We have some great desserts for those wanting table service as well. MOVE...on over to Boden this weekend. See you then!

Mopango Returns For An Encore Season

2010-04-07T20:22:00.000-07:00

We're so happy to confirm that artist Daniel Mopango will return to the Spring season of Boden Fine Art to coach "all who desire to take their talent to the next level" (Mopango). This workshop atmosphere yields a great affordable casual setting where various artists come together to work on a given theme while Daniel offers his expertise and insight into everyone's unique expression. This season will even include working with the presence of a live model. Everyone's work will be featured as part of a special gallery in the lobby of Crossroads Tabernacle over the Boden concert weekend July 8-10. Classes begin Monday April 12th @ 6:30pm. $25 Fee.

Peek Week

2010-03-19T03:22:00.000-07:00

Yes, Peeking! We're so used to being told "no peeking". But that's not the case this coming Monday night, March 22nd from 5pm-8pm. You are all cordially invited to peek in on what's happening at Boden Center Performing Arts, the place where lives are being saved through the arts.

We are moving into our last trimester of the season entitled "MOVE" that culminates in a weekend of concerts July 8-10. And just before we put the "metal to the pedal", we want you to come in and see what's been happening in the areas of music, dance and fine art. Each class will be in session as normal and you are invited to come in, sit in, with no worries about interruptions. We're expecting you!

We'll also have people on hand to answer questions, tell you about the various programs and give you a better understanding of the eThos of Boden Center. If you think you or someone you know are interested in becoming part of the Boden family, you can take home an application as well and consider the Spring season that runs April 12-June 28. We look forward to seeing you. Bring as many people as you want. You will not be disappointed.