NOLTE COMPANIES DECLARATION IN SUPPORT OF BLACK, INDIGENOUS, and PEOPLE OF COLOR (BIPOC*):6/15/2020 Nolte companies stand for love and creativity. Our aim is to grow artists in a safe, inclusive, and innovative environment. To our students and the larger community: From police brutality to the exclusion of BIPOC artists of all genres, all faculty and staff of Nolte companies strongly condemn any and all forms of racism and discrimination. We acknowledge that to begin to dismantle the systemic racism extending back to and preceding the establishment of the United States of America, we all must take action within our own daily practice. We commit to doing better; we need to do better. Black Lives have, and always will, Matter. All Nolte programs stand firmly with BIPOC colleagues, artists, and community members, as well as any others experiencing discrimination. NOLTE COMPANIES 2020-2021 BIPOC SUPPORT ACTION PLAN: We, at Nolte companies, vow our support to help bring about meaningful changes in our programs and our broader community through the following action plan for our 2020-21 season: • Develop a committee of Nolte faculty and staff dedicated to overseeing and ensuring the action plan is being executed with integrity. • Develop an advisory board made up of community members external to Nolte companies to provide encouragement and accountability as we fulfill our action plan. • Invite BIPOC guest artists in all arts areas we teach at Nolte including acting, theatre arts, voice, preschool, and all genres of dance. This step is kicked off this summer by our Open Doors Dance Festival Tap Intensive, “Integrity+Truth.”* • Decolonize* arts education, especially in Jazz, Tap, and Hip Hop, as these are Black American vernacular dances, by utilizing footage highlighting dancers of color, incorporating in-depth study of the history of dance as ethnic communication, and guiding students to make meaningful connections with this history through Sankofa*. • Create both an online and in-studio library of dance and the arts that incorporates high quality resources on BIPOC arts heritage, history, and stories, with recommended reading lists for a variety of ages. • Develop a partnership program with a neighboring Black dance/arts institution or program for BIPOC to bring arts instruction to a more racially and socioeconomically diverse pool of students. • Provide arts or academic tuition scholarships to BIPOC students. • Hold a fundraiser to help support a local BIPOC business or an organization working for racial equity. • Maintain a safe and respectful culture in all Nolte programs: free of verbal, physical, and emotional harm to all. * Links to referenced: https://www.thebipocproject.org https://www.opendoorsdancefestival.com/tap-intensive-1 https://oxfordre.com/…/978019…/acrefore-9780190264093-e-240… http://www.sankofaedgroup.org 
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 Dear Nolte families -- That’s a wrap on a very different end to our year from where we began! I am so grateful to each of you for sticking with us and for being our partners in this evolving world. While we weren't able to capture the growth of this year from Hancher's big stage, we did pull together a phenomenal production with each of our broadcast recitals. Thank you for your extra effort in helping make that experience a success. We heard from many of you that your children watching themselves and their friends on the screen was one of many #SilverLinings. If you would like to rewatch your recital, please feel free to do so on Vimeo: Special thanks to our phenomenal staff for gracefully shifting their talents and teaching approaches mid-year. We couldn't have done the uncharted without them. Our 20th Anniversary year looked a little different than we imagined. Our humble beginning at a small strip-mall location with bare-bones staff has flourished into a thriving, bustling hub for arts education, and for that, we are grateful. We are at work on our fall schedule, and continuing to explore education options this summer through private instruction, classes, camps and Open Doors Dance Festival. Please stay tuned for more information. And, if we don’t see you this summer, we’ll be on the lookout for you in the fall when classes begin after Labor Day. Again, thank you for an incredible year. And best wishes to our graduating seniors. Each one has unique gifts and I look forward to seeing their next adventures in and out of the dance world! All my best, Leslie
monday: 50sThink of the movie Grease. Sock Hop style! TUESDAY: 60sPeace, man ✌️ Bellbottoms, bright colors, and funky patterns! WEDNESDAY: 70sChannel your inner hippie today! THURSDAY: 80sWe love a good 80's workout video! Leg warmers, leotards, sweatbands, and all things denim! FRIDAY: 90sScrunchies were cool then, too! Watch Clueless, Fresh Prince of Bel Air or Friends for good reference! SATURDAY: futuristicWhat does the future of fashion look like to you? Let your imagination run free!
 Please join us for a live webinar and safe space for preteens, teens and caregivers to learn and explore challenges during these times of social distancing and uncertainty on Friday, May 1. This important talk is FREE, courtesy of Nolte Academy. Please register by clicking the button below and send along to any friends and family who may benefit. All comments and questions will be kept anonymous. Dr. Christopher Okiishi is a Board Certified Child, Adolescent and Adult Psychiatrist. A native of Iowa, he completed his training at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics in 2002. He specializes in the medical treatment of all mental disorders across the lifespan including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, Mood Disorders (Bipolar, Depression), Behavioral Disorders, Trauma, Psychotic Disorders, Tic and Tourette’s Disorder, and Impulse Control Disorders. He enjoys working with families and individuals to create a plan to recovery and maximum potential.
In addition to his time at Meadowlark Psychiatric Services, Dr. Okiishi consults with several other agencies in Eastern Iowa including Tanager Place and Young House. He is an award-winning lecturer for the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Indian Hills Community College and the Iowa City, Sioux City and Cedar Rapids School Districts. He travels nationally educating teachers, community workers and families about mental illness. 
Isabella Boylston FRIDAY, APRIL 17 Born in Sun Valley, Idaho, Isabella Boylston began dancing at the age of three. While training at the Academy of Colorado Ballet, she won the gold medal in 2001 at the Youth America Grand Prix Finals in New York City. In 2002, she began training at the Harid Conservatory in Boca Raton, Florida, on a full scholarship.
Boylston joined the ABT Studio Company in 2005, the main Company as an apprentice in May 2006 and the corps de ballet in March 2007. She was promoted to Soloist in June 2011 and to Principal Dancer in August 2014. She has danced leading roles in nearly all the classics as well as works by Alexei Ratmansky and George Balanchine. Boylston won the 2009 Princess Grace Award and was nominated for the 2010 Prix Benois de la Danse. In 2011 she received the Clive Barnes Award. She was the recipient of the 2014 Annenberg Fellowship. She has appeared as a guest star with the Mariinsky Ballet, Royal Danish Ballet, Paris Opera Ballet, National Ballet of China, and Ballet Estable del Teatro Colon. Boylston has also transcended onto the big screen, starring in Francis Lawrence’s film Red Sparrow alongside Jennifer Lawrence. She has recently teamed up with pop singer Rozzi by co-choreographing and starring in the music video for her hit song Mad Man, as well as collaborating on a show titled When I Think Of You, which premiered in early 2019 at The Argyos Performing Arts Center in Ketchum, Idaho. She has appeared in campaigns for Nike, Cartier, and Allbirds, among others. Boylston is the Founding Festival Artistic Director of Ballet Sun Valley in where she has offered free classes to children and curated performances from star dancers from around the world. TO SIGN UP FOR ISABELLA'S WEBINAR, CLICK THE BUTTON BELOW! All of Nolte Academy would like to extend a huge 'thank you' to our friends, family, and alumni who work as healthcare professionals and/or first responders. We're incredibly thankful for your hard work to keep us healthy each and every day. Below is a list of fantastic men and women who deserve our gratitude: 
Another fabulous weekend in the books for Affect! As always, we're so proud of each and every dancer. Results and photos below! 👇
If you know Leslie, you know she isn't one to talk about her own achievements...but as the Nolte Academy marketing team, we couldn't help but share! Each year, 10 women are recognized for making a difference in the Corridor as role models and leaders in their fields and community, and our own Leslie Nolte has been selected as a Woman of Influence by the Corridor Business Journal! Honorees are selected by the previous year’s Women of Influence. Below is the full list of honorees as well as some excerpts from letters of recommendation submitted on her behalf! 
Affect's presence was small but mighty at NYCDA this past weekend in Chicago. We had a fantastic showing from our participants, and so appreciate all the support Affect families offered to make it an extra enjoyable weekend! Now, on to the accolades and photos! Awards #1: Mini and Junior Solos and Duets Top 10 Mini soloists: 2- Gabe- Dont Worry Top 10 Mini Duets/trios: 4- Gabe and Maya Top 10 Junior Soloists: 4-Quinn Cute Top 10 Junior Duets/Trios: 4- Quinn and Delaine- Orange Colored Sky Awards #2: Teen Solos (75 entries) Top 15 Teen soloists: 9- Emma McMahon - On Broadway 2- Tatiana - Timelapse Awards #3: Teen Groups and Line Fuse - HGold Breathe - Platinum Make me Feel - Platinum Mess is Mine - Platinum Class Act Studio: (representing your dancers with class) - Nolte Academy Scholarship Recipients: Regional Scholarship to NYCDA next season: Ballet: Emma McMahon Tap: Quinn Fridrich Future stars: Isaak Martin And Maya Cheng Scholarship finalists: Tatiana Schmidt, Sigrid Rossi, Delaine Tyler, Emma McMahon, Gabe Johnson, Maya Cheng, Isaak Martin $1,000 Perry Mansfield Scholarship: Delaine Tyler $500 Body Traffic Scholarship: Emma McMahon Outstanding dancers: (National Convention Scholarship in New York City) Minis - Gabe Johnson Teens - Emma McMahon and Delaine Tyler Fuse High Gold - 289.1/300
Breathe - Platinum 291.6/300 Make Me Feel - Platinum 290.7/300 Mess is Mine - Platinum 290.25/300 |
