Marshall Ellis Dance School to Launch Junior Dance Company ME1st

Marshall Ellis Dance School will launch its junior dance company, ME1st, next month. The program is for dancers ages 8-13 in Central Florida and provides an opportunity for them to train and perform in a positive, professional atmosphere. To be considered for ME1st, interested dancers should attend an audition class at ME Dance School. Based on skill and potential, they can be invited to join ME1st.

The program will begin in September, and students can audition and join throughout the year. ME1st is designed for young dancers who wish to more fully develop their skills and technique, and potentially pursue a career in dance. This junior company is a path to the ME2 pre-professional dance company, and eventually to the Dance Theater of Orlando professional company - all part of Marshall Ellis Dance School.

Members of ME1st will have access to unlimited evening and weekend classes at ME Dance School, and they will train with top industry professionals in a variety of styles including ballet, contemporary, lyrical, tap, jazz, hip hop and more. Participants will have weekly rehearsals at key times of the year and will join ME2 and even the Dance Theater of Orlando company for select performance opportunities.

ME1st is guided by school founder and owner Marshall Ellis. Ellis has trained, traveled and danced around the world, performing soloist and principal roles in Europe, Asia and the United States. He joined Orlando Ballet under the direction of Fernando Bujones, performing in a range of roles from corps de ballet to principal dancer. He became a principal equity performer at Walt Disney World Resort and performed the principal ballet role in La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil.

ME1st will be under the leadership of Program Director Darlene Chudzinski. Chudzinski trained from a young age and began her professional dance career before graduating from high school through opportunities with Ballet Internationale and Moscow Ballet. She danced with Celebrity Cruise Line, became a principal equity dancer at Walt Disney World Resort, performed as a backup dancer for Mylie Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers, and continues to dance in the Central Florida entertainment industry. She's a member of the Dance Theater of Orlando company. Ellis founded ME Dance Company in 2012 and opened ME Dance School two years later. For more information about ME Dance School and ME1st, visit medanceschool.com or email classes@medanceschool.com.

http://marshallellisdanceschool.com/me1