Ensembles
The Jordan Dance Ensemble is the advanced performing unit of the
Jordan Academy of Dance. The Ensemble, under the artistic direction
of Academy Director, Larry Attaway, is devoted to the educational
and artistic development of the pre-professional dancer. To this
end, the JDE repertory is drawn from a diverse sampling of dance
styles and includes original choreography by Jordan faculty members
as well as guest artists from the Indiana dance community.
Performance opportunities may include; Penrod Arts Fair, Elementary
School Shows, Distance Learning Sessions, the annual Peggy Dorsey
Concert, The Holiday Extravaganza, the University of Indianapolis
Young Musicians and Dancers Concert and the annual JDE concert in
the Lilly Dance Studio Theatre.
The JDE dancers are full time students at the Academy studying
at least three of the four core disciplines (ballet, modern, jazz,
tap) at their advanced levels. They demonstrate a high degree of
ability and interest in performing a variety of dance styles.
Entrance to the ensemble is by audition.
The selection of dancers is made by the Artistic Director in
collaboration with Associate Director, Laura Byram and the JAD
Faculty. Members of the JDE are expected to set an example of
professionalism for the younger students of the academy in both
their talent, and in their demeanor in the classroom. These very
talented young people are prime examples of the value of arts
education. Their dedication to their dancing, their ability to
maintain high academic standards, their extremely well-defined work
ethic, their understanding of the importance of working as an
ensemble and their intense commitment to being the best that they
can be are all qualities that they will carry with them throughout
their lives. They are, in essence, our ambassadors of the
dance.