NPD Blog
Spill the Tea: The Truth Behind the Battle Scene
Spill the Tea: The Truth Behind the Battle Scene By: Rosari SarasvatyThe Battle Scene has always been one of the most dynamic parts of the Nutcracker. How can it not? The music is anything but boring. Like the rest of the ballet, the Battle Scene is dance to music...
From the Students: Sophia Warner
Hear from NPD student, Sophia Warner, about what Dance+ means to her. What is Dance+? If you live around the Bis-Man area you've likely seen Dance+ posters around town over the years, or maybe you've been to the show before. Put on by Northern Plains Dance each year...
From the Students: Claudia Purdon
Northern Plains Dance student, Claudia Purdon, is a senior at Century High School. Here, she describes, in her own words, the process of working with a guest choreographer for Dance+. Nothing says Dance+ more to me than Guest Choreographers. For as long as Dance+, and...
What is a Summer Intensive?
But what is a Summer Dance Intensive? A dance intensive is typically held during summer break for young dancers between the ages of about 8 and 18.The idea behind a summer dance intensive is to provide a rigorous period of dance training. You’ll spend your days...
To Nutcracker or not to Nutcracker…
Six months ago, the pandemic caused the shutdown of our classes, rehearsals and venues in the name of safety and public health, thus requiring the cancellation of our production of Cinderella and our Butterfly Ball event. I, like you, had no idea that it was the...
Summer Intensive in a Modern World
Northern Plains Dance student, Zoey Jayne, spent the summer in her living room with Colorado Ballet. Here is her story. This summer I had the amazing opportunity to participate in Colorado Ballet’s Virtual Summer Intensive. Originally I would have gone to Colorado for...
July Make-Up Classes
An Update on July Make-up Classes June is coming to a close, and our July make-up class schedule is finally here. We are so looking forward to seeing our students back in the studio and ready to dance. The class schedule can be found below along with a link to a chart...
Academy Update
An update on classes for currently enrolled students Rather than canceling the spring semester, we have moved our in-person classes to an e-learning environment. Students are receiving online class content tailored towards their individual levels. The Academy staff is...
A Note from Hollis
Hello everyone, how are you? Are you happy, healthy, bored, tired, worried, or all the above? I've got to admit I'm feeling it all as I'm sure most of you are as well. It's a crazy time, but we are strong, optimistic, flexible, and confident; ready to take this on for...
What is YAGP?
Northern Plains Dance is embarking on its first trip to the Youth America Grand Prix in Phoenix, AZ next week. Here is a Q&A with NPD Director, Hollis Mackintosh Heid, about all things YAGP. What is YAGP? Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) is the world's largest...