KORESH YOUTH ENSEMBLE

 
 

About

The Koresh Youth Ensemble was formed in the fall of 2008 to give gifted, young dancers more intensive dance training and greater performance opportunities. Students who demonstrate both the talent and desire to become professionals are selected to join the group. The ensemble allows young dancers the chance to show their commitment to dance and strive for excellence in performance, under the direction of some of the most highly respected teachers and choreographers in Philadelphia.

Melissa Rector, assistant artistic director of Koresh Dance Company, oversees the ensemble, teaching and rehearsing with them on a weekly basis. Students also have the opportunity to work with other instructors throughout the year as they prepare for various performances. In the past, they have performed choreography by Roni Koresh, Melissa Rector, Shannon Murphy, Sammy Reyes, Eric Bean, Jr. and Cheryl Carson. Working with instructors from various disciplines allows them to become strong and versatile dancers.

Members of the ensemble have gone on to study at Boston Conservatory, SUNY Purchase, Point Park University, Marymount Manhattan College, La Escuela Profesional de Danza de Mazatlan, Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company, The University of the Arts, North Carolina School of the Arts and San Francisco Conservatory of Dance, among others. Through dance classes, rehearsals and performance, the Koresh Youth Ensemble gives dancers the necessary tools and experiences to become professional dancers.

“THE 14 DANCERS OF THE KORESH YOUTH ENSEMBLE WERE TENACIOUS AS ALWAYS.  THEIR TECHNIQUE, LIKE THAT OF THE ENSEMBLE’S DIRECTOR, KORESH VETERAN MELISSA RECTOR, WAS IMPECCABLE AND IT’S NO SURPRISE THAT THESE STUDENTS END UP ACCEPTED TO DANCE PROGRAMS ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY.”

Performances

Koresh Youth Ensemble performs at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre in Philadelphia every spring as part of Koresh Dance Company's home season, as well as throughout the year at our Koresh Artist Showcase series. In addition to being featured alongside Koresh Dance Company, this elite group of dancers is given the unique opportunity to perform at festivals in Philadelphia and New York. In the past, they have performed company repertory by Roni Koresh and new choreography by Melissa Rector at these shows.

Our talented students are always thrilled to get as much performance experience as possible to better prepare them for higher education and professional work. To book the Koresh Youth Ensemble for your upcoming event, please email school@koreshdance.org. 

Check out KYE’s archive of performances!


2023-24 Performance Schedule

Sept 22 - Fourth Friday Block Party - Germantown

Sept 30 - Oct 1 – Koresh Artist Showcase - 3 performances

Nov 4-5 - Grier Gala - Workshops & Performance

November 18-19 – Koresh Artist Showcase - 3 performances

Nov 10-11 – FringeArts

** Stay tuned for the announcement of more events


Requirements

Students must be 14-18 years old to be eligible. There is a strong emphasis on training as members are required to take a minimum of five classes per week in the children's program at the Koresh School of Dance. Classes include ballet, pointe, modern, and jazz. In addition, they have rehearsal every Sunday. There is a fee for being a member of the ensemble. Please note that specific class requirements may change from year to year.

The Koresh Youth Ensemble enables young dancers to demonstrate their commitment to dance and strive for excellence in performance. In order to give members the best dance education, training is a fundamental part of our program. For this, we require the following of each member:



Class Requirements

 All KYE members must attend the following classes:  

  • Modern/Jazz 3 with Melissa Rector: Tuesdays, 4:30-6:00pm

  • Ballet 3 with Fang-Ju Chou Gant: Wednesdays, 4:30-6:00pm

  • Modern 3 with Courtney Conigatti: Thursdays, 4:45-6:00pm

  • Ballet 4 with Eva Szabo: Saturdays, 2:15-3:30pm

  • Pointe 2 with Eva Szabo: Saturdays, 3:30-4:15pm

  • Ensemble Repertory/Rehearsals with Melissa Rector: Sundays, 1-5pm

Photo by Frank Bicking

Photo by Frank Bicking

If interested in learning more about the Koresh Youth Ensemble call us at 215-751-0959 or email school@koreshdance.org.