en Avant School of Dance – 1841 Bay Rd, EPA
June 26 – July 30
Come see Summer Dance Camp students in Pinocchio on July 29th and 30th at Eastside College Prep!
Programming for Ages 3-14 Years
en Avant School of Dance is proud to open enrollment to our 5-week Summer Dance Camp in East Palo Alto. Youth participants will experience dance and theater training from professional dancers and master teachers in our Bay Road studio, in East Palo Alto with a concluding performance for friends and family to enjoy.
The curriculum will include choreography that participants will perform on July 30th, in âFolk Dancesâ the annual folk tale and music celebration produced by en Avant Schoolâs parent company, Mannakin Theater & Dance.  All youth participants are invited to join us in this concluding performance!
Photo by Alexis Bartlett
Summer Dance Camp 2023
Pay half of summer tuition today as a deposit to hold your spot. The second payment is due by June 24th.
New students incur a one-time registration fee of $125 â includes dancing uniform, ballet shoes, hair supplies and en Avant School ballet bag
Looking for our Fall Class Schedule? Click below to learn more!
Dancers attend class 4 days per week, Monday-Thursday â our oldest group of students (Fuchsia) attends 5 days per week. Class sizes are limited to 12 dancers, and will focus on ballet, jazz, tap, music, and Mexican Folklorico. These classes incorporate storytelling and arts and crafts. Strict measures will be taken to reduce exposure to Covid-19.
Photos by Alexis Bartlett
Summer Dance Camp PerformanceÂ
July 30th
The curriculum will include choreography that participants will perform on July 30th, in âFolk Dancesâ the annual folk tale and music celebration produced by en Avant Schoolâs parent company, Mannakin Theater & Dance.  All youth participants are invited/expected to perform in this concluding performance!
All students must attend a dress rehearsal on Saturday, July 29th
No refunds for tuition or registration fee
New students must pay a one-time registration fee of $125
Registration Fee Includes all Necessary ballet materials including:
- Ballet bag
- Uniform leotard and tights
- Ballet slippers
- Tutu or skirt (level dependent)
This MTD program is supported by The Atkinson Foundation, Palo Alto Weekly Holiday Fund, San Mateo County Arts Commission and California Arts Council to bring your family high level ballet training.
Countdown to Summer Dance Camp!
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Nathan Cottam
Photo by Hans Halberstadt
Nathan Cottam is a dancer and choreographer devoted to welcoming more people into the appreciation and performance of dance and theater arts. Raised in Buffalo, New York and the Mountain West, Nathan was exposed early in life to music and drama, finally joining them together in the study of ballet at Brigham Young University.
After completing a BS in sociology, Nathan went on to earn a Master of Fine Art in Dance from the University of Arizona. He has performed with many companies including Oakland Ballet, Bay Pointe Ballet, Northern Ballet Theatre and the Serbian National Ballet in Belgrade. In 2013 Nathan founded Mannakin Theater and Dance to showcase his own choreography and artistic vision. With his company, Nathan has created many new dances, produced three tours of Serbia, and conducted outreach with Syrian and Afghani refugees in Bulgaria and young children in East Palo Alto, CA.
Traci Finch
Photo by Steven Trumon Grey
Traci Finch lives in San Francisco, CA and currently assistant directs and dances with Mannakin Theater & Dance. Traci spent ten years in New York City, dancing with The Suzanne Farrell Ballet, New Chamber Ballet, and CelloPointe. Recent projects have included guesting with Les Grands Ballet Canadiens; dancing in Signals from the West, Bay Area Artists in Conversation with Merce Cunningham at 100; and Marco Pelleâs T+I at Lake Tahoe Dance Festival. She has performed classical and neoclassical ballets with Neglia Ballet in Buffalo, NY. Originally from Utah, Traci graduated from Brigham Young University with her BA in Dance.
Traci has choreographed work presented in New York City, San Francisco, Seattle, and Lake Tahoe. She currently teaches at en Avant Dance in East Palo Alto and is guest faculty member at Tahoe Youth Ballet. She has taught around the United States in New York, Utah, California, Nevada, New Jersey, and Montana.
Norberto Martinez
Norberto Martinez graduated from Instituto Mexicano de Arts and Centro Estatal de Bellas Artes of MĂ©rida, YucatĂĄn in Mexico, trained in classical ballet, folk and modern dance. He developed a deep desire to promote the âmagicâ of the Mexican culture though dance. He has more than 25 years of experience performing, as well as choreographing for respected dance organization throughout Mexico, South America, Europe, Asia and United States of America. Norberto Martinez was a principal artist and resident choreographer with Ballet Folklorico of the Universidad AutĂłnoma de YucatĂĄn, MĂ©xico. He was also performed with Ballet FolklĂłrico MĂ©xico Danza, Bay Point Ballet, and Peninsula Ballet Theatre. Most recently, Mr. Martinez performed and collaborated with Grammy award winning singer and writer Lila Downs and with Grandeza Mexicana Folk Ballet Company on Lila Downs Al Chile USA tour. In addition to his work in performing arts, Mr. Martinez designs and manufactures costumes, clothing, dance accessories and stage props. His costumes and designs have been used in productions throughout Mexico and California
Alexis Bartlett
Photo by Chris Rylee
Alexis Bartlett grew up in Sydney, Australia and now lives in the Bay Area, working as an artist, graphic designer, and ballet teacher. Growing up, she danced seriously as a student in the RAD method, and then pursued the visual and graphic arts. She has danced throughout adulthood, and moving to the US has given her the opportunities to rekindle her love of all things ballet. In Summer 2022 Alexis performed the role of Odile in Mannakin Dance’s Swan Lake Suite. Sheâs very excited to be joining the Mannakin team: to pass along the love of dance to the next generation as well as continuing her own dance endeavors.
Greyson Gerdts
Greyson Gerdts is a performer, choreographer, and teacher. She trained under the direction of New Jersey Ballet company member Jessica Lavorgna for a majority of her childhood. Greysonâs teaching career began in 2017 when she choreographed the Old Library Theatreâs production of Children of Eden. Her choreography earned her a nomination for Best Choreography at the end-of-season Gala. Greyson graduated from Muhlenberg College in 2021 with a BA in Dance with concentrations in performance, choreography, and education as well as an Italian Studies minor. In early 2022, Greyson was invited to return to her alma mater, James Caldwell High School, to choreograph her high schoolâs spring production of Matilda. Choreographing for the community and stage she once danced with felt like a full circle moment and an honor! She returned again for the 2023 spring production of Grease, which closed this past March. Greyson is beyond thrilled to be here in California at Mannakin Dance!
