Von Heidecke's Chicago Festival Ballet to Host Spring Performance in May

Von Heidecke's Dance Center School of the Chicago Festival Ballet has announced The Von Heidecke Spring Performance featuring a refined compilation of the romantic ballet classic "Paquita," the Chinese Tongain Dance Troupe and the breathtaking "Swan Lake" Act II choreographed by Kenneth von Heidecke who is the protégé of legendary Prima Ballerina Assoluta Maria Tallchief and founder and chief choreographer of Von Heidecke's Dance Center School of the Chicago Festival Ballet. Von Heidecke's Spring Performance will take place at the Bolingbrook High School Auditorium (365 Raider Way, Bolingbrook) on Sunday, May 22, 2016 at 3 p.m. Tickets are on-sale now to the public.

"Teaching my students and then watching them perform at such a professional high-level is the greatest delight about the Spring Performance and Summer Intensive program," Kenneth von Heidecke said. "It's a huge satisfaction to have the opportunity to inspire such a fun and entertaining art form to my students who end up being so successful and passionate within the dance community on local, national and international levels."

The Von Heidecke Spring Performance will commence with "Paquita," followed by the Chinese Tongain Dance Troupe, displaying an astonishing array of traditional Chinese dance directed by Cecilia Wei, former professor in the China Opera and Beijing Dance Academy. Tongain Dance Troupe, previously Veila Dance Troupe, was founded at Von Heidecke's Dance Studio in Naperville, Ill. in 2015. The Tongain Dance Troupe mission is to enhance and spread awareness of the Chinese ancient and folk dances in the United States and culturally enrich the Chicagoland arts community.

The culmination of the program, Act II of Tchaikovsky's iconic "Swan Lake" will be choreographed by Kenneth von Heidecke, with inspiration from Ivanov's 1895 choreography of the same piece. Principal dancers in "Swan Lake" Act II will feature Deanna Stetsura, former principal of the Bolshoi Ballet from Moscow, as Queen of the Swans, in addition to Prince Siegfried will be portrayed by Garrett Anderson, former dancer of the San Francisco Ballet. The Sorcerer will be portrayed by former Joffrey Ballet artist Michael Anderson.

Individual tickets for The Von Heidecke Spring Performance at Bolingbrook High School Auditorium are on-sale now. Ticket prices range from $28 for adults, $25 for seniors, $15 for youth and free for children two- years-old and younger. To purchase tickets, visit www.vhspringballet.brownpapertickets.com.

Von Heidecke's Dance Center School of the Chicago Festival Ballet Summer Intensive Classes are available this summer June 6 through August 6 and culminates with the Summer Workshop performance on August 7, 2016. The Summer Intensive program offers various levels of pointe and technique and the courses ranging from ballet, pointe, musical theater, jazz and hip hop/contemporary. Course information is available here. Von Heidecke's Dance Center is located at 1239 S. Naper Blvd. in Naperville, IL. For more information, call 630-527-1052 or visit www.vhdancecenter.com.