Long Beach, NY - March 6th, 2013 - Willa Damien, affectionately known as "Miss Willa", has been running The Dance Loft, a Long Beach staple for dance training since opening in 1984. Ms. Damien herself trained at the School of American Ballet and Julliard and was a member of prestigious ballet companies before opening the Dance Loft.
When Sandy decimated Long Beach in October, The Dance Loft was thankfully spared because of it's location on the second floor. While many of the Dance Loft students were reeling from damage to their homes, the studio opened once power was restored in order to bring some sense of normalcy to their lives. The arts are an important part of the lives of these students, many of whom have been dancing at The Dance Loft from a very young age. As a service of good will, Ms. Damien even continued paying her teachers while the Dance Loft was closed. This type of generosity is what is making the recovery possible.
Even as the famous Long Beach boardwalk is being rebuilt, Ms. Damien is bringing additional opportunities to the South Shore. NYCinLI, a 6 week musical theater summer intensive program created by Michael Jacobs Vocal Studio, is being hosted at the Dance Loft this summer. The program, which accepts only 22 students, is a training based program rather than a summer camp and is taught exclusively by NYC Broadway professionals. Jacobs states that, "NYCinLI was created in order to bring the same training that professional actors receive to aspiring professionals of all ages. We bring in agents, directors, choreographers, casting directors, coaches, Broadway actors and other professionals who are the same people running and teaching the professional theater world today." The workshop, which is holding auditions in Manhattan on March 23rd, is focused on training participants, audition technique, and making professional connections. Participants from last year's NYCinMA, the sister program to NYCinLI, operating out of Framingham, MA, signed with agents and managers, and booked professional TV, film and theater work.
This partnership is a sign of the continued recovery in Long Beach and the importance of the arts in our economy. For more information about the Dance Loft visit DanceLoftLB.com. For information about NYCinLI auditions on March 23rd, visit NYCinLI.com.
