In 1986, the Logrea Dance Academy’s doors opened, and they have remained open in the same location in Ossining ever since. In May, the academy is celebrating its 40th anniversary.
On Saturday, May 16, in the SUNY Purchase Performing Arts Center, dancers will take to the stage at 5 p.m. to begin a “40th Anniversary Performance: A Celebration of Dance.” The show will feature pieces from the academy’s spring repertoire, alumni appearances, and even welcome local dancers, honoring the past, present and future of dance within the community.
Since he turned one year old, Nick Logrea, the academy’s co-director, knew his life would revolve around dance.
“My birthday is December 12, and I’ve just come to understand that my birthday coincides with Nutcracker season. I may be in rehearsal, I may be at the theater, I may be in a performance on my birthday,” Logrea said.
His parents, Beth Fritz-Logrea and Jean Logrea, met at the Graz Opera House in Austria as two accomplished ballet soloists. The pair soon became a trio, welcoming their son into the world before moving to the United States. When they were offered co-artistic director positions at the Westchester Ballet Company, Beth Fritz-Logrea would only accept under one condition: if she could open a for-profit school to train dancers.
“And that’s how Logrea Dance was born,” Logrea said, and this marks the studio’s 40th season presenting The Nutcracker.
To honor the four generations of creativity and dedication, the anniversary programming will showcase a variety of works, including Sleeping Beauty Waltz, Graduation Ball, and original choreography by Sara Knight, the artistic director at SLK Ballet School and Chevalier Ballet Company. There will also be excerpts from Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, La Bayadère and of course, The Nutcracker, choreographed by Beth Fritz-Logrea, with Jean Logrea performing as Uncle Drosselmeyer and Nick Logrea performing as The General, originally his father’s role.
“I’ve always had a sense of responsibility continuing what my parents started, and to continue the legacy that they’ve left here,” Nick Logrea said.
A fundamental belief of the Logrea Dance Academy is not to just make children better dancers, but better people.
“Getting that confidence in being in front of a couple hundred people, a couple thousand people — it gives them confidence about themselves, and hopefully they can take that with them over the course of their life,” Logrea said.
Just as he felt growing up and fosters in his students today, Logrea hopes his daughter will find the same magic and appreciation for the performing arts.
“Even my daughter, who is six years old — I want her to come to as many shows as possible. I want to show her backstage. I want to show her the lights and all the tricks that we do, just because it’s such an important part of me, and that’s something that I want to pass down to her,” he said.
After 40 years of positive impact on the community, the Logreas aren’t done yet. With his father still teaching six to eight dance classes a week and his mother continuing to choreograph, Nick Logrea is dedicated to reaching as many more families as possible.
“My parents started something very special, and like I said, I have a sense of responsibility to give it my best foot forward and 100% effort to make sure that that legacy continues,” he said.
- logreadance.com
