Center Stage dancers to return to New York

Yvonne Groves, owner of Center Stage Dance Studio, announces that two students were accepted into the Joffery Ballet Summer Intensive Program in New York City. Caroline Cabezas and Sara Obata will participate in studies of ballet, pointe, modern, character, yoga and health classes under the direction of the Joffery faculty including Francesca Corkle, Dorthy Lister, Michael Anderson, Gelsey Kirkland and Louisville’s Wendy Whelan.

Caroline Cabezas, right, and Sara Obata.

Caroline Cabezas, 14, is the newest recipient to be accepted into the program. She started dancing at Center Stage at age 3. When asked about being accepted into the program she said, “I’ve been dreaming for this for 11 years. I wouldn’t have made it if it weren’t for Ms. Yvonne, Ms. Tiffany and Ms. Sherry or my family and friends who have supported me. It’s truly hard to believe, but it’s really happening. All you can do is work hard and sometimes you get lucky.”

Sara Obata, 15, will return for her third summer to Joffery. She first attended the intensive study in 2009. She also started her training with Center Stage at the age of 4. “I am really, really excited as always. I think New York is a good place to start your dancing journey to the future. I am looking forward to seeing my dance buddies from last year and sharing with them what we have learned.”

Caroline attends T.K. Stone Middle School, where she will graduate from the eighth grade and become a freshman in the fall. Sara attends Marion County High School, where she will be a junior.

The girls study ballet, pointe, tap, jazz and hip-hop during the fall and winter months with Groves, Sherry Gilpin and Tiffany Hill.

Both will perform in Center Stage’s Spring Concert. Performances will be at the Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. June 1 and 4 and at 2 p.m. June 5. The performances are free to the public.