New dance group formed in Yarmouth

Together this group is Momentum, a graceful group of local dancers and one Brazilian exchange student.

Megan Fitzgerald, Janelle Deveau, Jessica Aucoin, Natalie Sweeney, and Stephanie Cummings have all trained with Elena Arnett, the director of the Yarmouth Ballet School.

Brazilian Natalia Barbatto has received her training in another part of the world, but she is just as passionate about dance as her friends and plans on performing with them until she leaves sometime in January.

They describe their dance style as contemporary and very athletic with a strong technical background because of their ballet training. “We wanted to start this because there’s no professional company in this end of the province,” said spokesperson Janelle Deveau. “It helps the arts community, especially the ballet community, to give girls a physical goal for themselves,” she said.

The group has five “solid” pieces and the dancers believe they only need to add two or three more for a good show.

Their repertoire includes classical music, and other pop, contemporary or instrumental songs. They rehearse several times a week, three or four hours total.

One of their goals is to be ready to perform at Th’YARC in late December or early January.

The dancers were scheduled to present a “Get Momentum” workshop for ages five to eight from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia western branch on Sunday, Nov. 16.

They will be holding a contemporary dance workshop at the Yarmouth Ballet School on Sunday, Nov. 23 at 2 p.m. The cost is $12. To participate, email: nataliesweeney@hotmail.com or call 902-742-4738 for more info. Registration forms can be picked up at the ballet school on Pleasant Street immediately prior to the event. “We are also planning on having a variety of other workshops in the near future,” said Deveau.

The dancers have established a facebook group at: www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=22526547758