University Performing Fine Arts Centre (UPAC) Celebrates 15 Years of Dance

Small town Oviedo, Florida offers Orlando area residents big time dance instruction. With 15 years under their belt and numerous national dance competition awards, UPAC‘s overall goal is to offer the greater Orlando community several artistic dance styles and techniques while building confidence, motivation and sense of well-being.

(PRWEB) June 28, 2006 -- Nestled back in the heart of downtown Oviedo, Florida you will find one of the best kept secrets in the performing fine arts. The University Performing Arts Centre just finished wrapping up their 15 years of bringing Oviedo and nearby Orlando residents a vast experience of the fine art of dance.

Even with numerous national dance awards, the studio’s primary focus is not being number one, but focuses more on dance education as a whole while providing self-esteem, confidence building techniques and teamwork among children, youth, teens and adults.

“Striving for an overall dance experience, more formal dance education and making individuals feel good about themselves” is why director Judi Freed-Siegfried started her dance studio 15 years ago. She wanted to offer the Orlando area the heart and soul of dancing and felt there was a lack of dance education in the Oviedo area. Already on the faculty for dance education at UCF, she had embedded ties to the Oviedo and greater Orlando performing artist communities.

The studio offers a variety of classes for all ages so there is something for everyone. As far as styles go, there is something for every dancing personality out there including the professional offerings for the dancer that has a dream.

Classical ballet, main stream jazz, lyrical, tap and a combined acro style with added element’s of control, grace and technique are only a few of options and course offerings at UPAC. Their teachers are diverse in their styles and come from a variety of dance education backgrounds to comprise their own unique dance culture, and offer a wide range to the community.

From pre-school introduction classes, to pre-professional dance companies, and even dance instruction for parents, you will find several families that have spent the last 15 years growing with UPAC.

Stacy Burchifield was one of UPAC’s original students who started when she was only four years old. Now a college student locally in Orlando, Stacy spends her summers teaching dance camps and technique classes to the youth hoping to “give something back” and offer that same experience and love for dance that she felt growing up.

Many of the moms of the children that take classes at UPAC feel that keeping their children involved in a performing fine art not only teaches them a dance class, but life skills as well.

Susan Powers, mother of 10-year old Allyson have been part of the UPAC family now since her daughter was a mere 3 years old.

“Allyson’s confidence has done nothing but grow over the last few years, and by her taking dance classes it encourages a positive body image and gives her a great outlet for exercise. She is also learning life skills such as working together as a team and not always being the superstar as well as discipline and the value of making a commitment and keeping it. She also learns time management skills by doing homework and taking dance classes and keeping honor roll status at school.”

UPAC has been invited to attend Tremaine next month where a few of UPAC’s dance companies will not only be competing, but will be taking the latest choreography classes as well. They are excited to announce that one of their very own dancers, Justine Inman, was announced last year as Tremaine Dancer of the Year 2005! (http://www.tremainedance.com)

UPAC will be opening its doors to the public July 29th (10am – 2 pm) for an open house registration! They will be registering anyone and everyone interested in dance classes of all ages and dance levels.

UPAC is excited for the upcoming year and is hoping to make it a “Sweet 16” by appearing in many local events such as “Great Day in the Country,” “Taste of Oviedo,” and holiday events! They also support school events and welcome the opportunities to perform in the community.

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