Aspiring Artists Can Study Ballet, Theater At Bell Works In Holmdel

HOLMDEL, NJ — Summer classes to explore dance and theater will take place at Bell Works in Holmdel at the Axelrod's Contemporary Ballet Dance Theater Studio there. The programs are offered by the Axelrod Performing Arts Academy.

Registration is now open for:

• Summer Dance Intensive for pre-professional students ages 11 and older.
• Primary Players Summer Camp for children ages 5 to 12.
• Cabaret Intensive for students 12 and older.

Classes are held at the dance studio at Bell Works, 101 Crawford Corners Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733.

To register, click here and for additional information email [email protected] or call 732-378-9948. The Axelrod Performing Arts Center is in Ocean Township.

Led by academy and dance theater Artistic Director Gabriel Chajnik, the academy was established to offer year-round programming providing children and adults extensive dance training through a unique performing arts experience, a news release from the academy says.

The academy shares the Axelrod dance theater's mission to "cultivate an environment rooted in diversity, inspiration, encouragement and equality."

“I am excited to welcome these talented, aspiring young artists to our studios. We are offering them a priceless experience to learn from an impressive group of world class teaching artists who have performed on some on the most prestigious stages in the world including Broadway,” said Chajnik in the news release.

Here are the details on the programs:

Summer Dance Intensive offers students ages 11 and older daily ballet and contemporary classes and weekly master classes. The curriculum immerses students into the world of professional dance to foster their growth both artistically and technically. Students enrolled for three weeks will have an exclusive opportunity to train with ballet theater dancers to become cast members in Chajnik’s original production of "The Lost Princess of Oz," which will have its premiere at the Pollak Theater at Monmouth University in West Long Branch from Aug. 19-28.

The program runs from July 18 to Aug. 19, Mondays through Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Fridays from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. for students performing in "The Lost Princess of Oz."

Tuition is as follows:

• One week - $425
• Three weeks - $1,450
• Five weeks - $1,800
• Day Pass - $120

Primary Players Summer Camp is an all-encompassing program designed to teach children 5 to 12 the ins and outs of the performing arts world. Coursework includes dancing, singing, acting, costume design, stage makeup application and more. Campers will also enjoy special collaborations with Bell Works retail partners including Virtual Reality with OasisVRX, flower arranging with Enchanted Blossoms and painting with Bell Works Resident Artist Franki DeSaro.

The program runs through July 29, Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. There is a Showcase on Friday, July 29, at 6 p.m.

Tuition is as follows:

• 1 week - $650
• 4 weeks - $2,500
• Day Pass - $150
• Half-day Pass - $75

Musical Theater: Cabaret Intensive allows children 12 and older to study voice and acting from master instructions for three hours once per week. Students will create their own show that will be performed at a Cabaret Night at Tim McLoone’s Supper Club in Ashbury Park for friends and families.

The program runs from July 11 to Aug. 1, Mondays from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Showcase is Monday Aug. 1. Tuition is $400.

The Axelrod Performing Arts Academy faculty is: Gabriel Chajnik, Director; Gilbert Bolden III, Corps de Ballet member New York City Ballet; Simon Clissold, APAA Student Mentor – Tap; Julie Caprio, Washington and Kansas City Ballet; Nicolas de la Vega, "Cabaret" cast member; Giada Garcia, Student Mentor - Dance and Acting; Michaela Greco, Rhythmic Gymnastics; Sealth Grover, Student Mentor - Acting; Alyssa Harris, Axelrod Ballet Theater company member; Lindsay Jorgensen, Axelrod Ballet Theater company member; Seyong Kim, Roxey Ballet; Olivia Miranda, Axelrod Ballet Theater company member; Wendy Roman, Primary Players Director; Brianna Schoemer, Hip-Hop/Dance Team; Heather Varley, Acting; Andrea Weber, former member Merce Cunningham Dance Company.

To purchase tickets to the premiere of AXCBT’s "The Lost Princess of Oz" follow this link.