Mission

Androscoggin Dance was founded to enable qualified high school students in Lewiston-Auburn and surrounding communities to study and train at a pre-professional level. The Androscoggin School of Dance curriculum provides high-quality instruction and training in a local setting. The Androscoggin Dance Company provides opportunities to perform before the public with other artists. The School and The Company together are intended to prepare students to move on to nationally recognized schools and to dance professionally on the national stage. Androscoggin Dance has received wide support from Maine's dance community, the local community, and its leaders.

The Company

The Androscoggin Dance Company has been designated The Resident Dance Company of the Franco-American Heritage Center. The Company includes qualified high school students from the School and other young dancers, by audition. Guest artists are also invited to dance at Company performances, either with the Company or in their own presentations. Company programs feature classical ballet, contemporary ballet, modern dance, jazz, and hip-hop. Programs provide audiences with inspiring performances by young dancers at reasonable cost. The entire Company dances before the public at least twice a year and in other settings as small groups or individually.

The School

The Androscoggin School of Dance Intensive Program Syllabus provides at least sixteen hours a week of preprofessional training. Rehearsal time is additional. Instruction is given in classical ballet, pointe work, modern dance, partnering, jazz, and hip-hop (optional). Instruction is also given in health, nutrition, physical conditioning, dance history, and career planning. Commitment and a strong work ethic are required.

Curriculum
The Androscoggin School of Dance Intensive Program Syllabus provides at least sixteen hours a week of preprofessional training. Rehearsal time is additional. Instruction is given in classical ballet, pointe work, modern dance, partnering, jazz, and hip-hop (optional). Instruction is also given in health, nutrition, physical conditioning, dance history, and career planning. Commitment and a strong work ethic are required.

Philosophy
The School wants its students to develop to their fullest potential as dancers. The School wants its graduates to function professionally at their highest level as individuals but also cooperatively in groups. The School also wants its students to develop as well-rounded individuals with integrity, personal responsibility, high moral values, and admirable character. The faculty's values and teaching styles are formed to advance all these goals.

Faculty
Elizabeth Hansen, Artistic Director, choreographer (ballet, jazz, modern). Dance major, Skidmore College. Director, The Dance Center, Auburn since 1992
Rachel Ganteaume-Richards (ballet), Trained and danced with Joffrey Ballet
Lacey Moyse (ballet), Trained with Maine State Ballet
Amelia Pullen (ballet, modern, jazz) BA in dance, Belhaven College, Mississippi
Robin Vermilion (ballet), Majored in dance, University of Cincinnati

Board of Directors

Elizabeth Hansen, Artistic Director
Penny Drumm, Treasurer
Amy Baxter
Rachel Gantéaume-Richards
Richard Martin
Tina Plummer
Ian Pullen

Contact Us

For information about Androscoggin Dance, contact Elizabeth Hansen at 207.784.3246 or email dancecenterauburn@yahoo.com.