Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/97647
Sarasota News Leader December 7, 2012 Page 94 SARASOTA BALLET DANCE PROGRAM EXPANDS SPACE, OFFERINGS Known for inspiring and transforming at-risk students from Sarasota County Title I schools, The Sarasota Ballet's educational program, Dance — The Next Generation (DNG), is making some internal transformations of its own, the ballet company has announced. 500 Tallevast Road in Sarasota, will feature three large dance studios along with multiple classrooms and administration offices. Thanks in large part to Mark Famiglio, a board member of The Sarasota Ballet who is making the space available, "this exceptional program Having moved to a larger rehearsal space ear- will now comfortably accommodate the 116 lier this month, this one-of-a-kind program — students who participate," the release adds. funded by community donors and foundations and free of charge for the students — will have "This program helps students realize their full room to stretch out and extend its impact to potential both in the world of dance and in education. Having the additional room will allow more local children, a news release says. us to support the kids in the program more Previously housed inside the FSU Center for effectively," said Lisa Townsend, director of the Performing Arts, the program had long DNG. outgrown the cramped and crowded quarters that it shared with The Sarasota Ballet Compa- In conjunction with that additional legroom, ny and School, the release points out. The new DNG, which traditionally has catered to stuspace, a 6,000-square-foot building located at dents in grades three through nine, will be of- Dance — The Next Generation students work at the barre. Contributed photo