About New England Academy of Dance
The New England Academy of Dance is a pre-professional ballet training program for students, ages 3-18. Under the direction of Artistic Director’s Frances Ortiz, Ginna Ortiz and Ted Thomas students thrive in an elite atmosphere dedicated to the success of each student.
NEAD School follows a specific graded curriculum, divided by age, which is outlined in the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum.
The Vaganova Method is introduced at the Sr. Pre-Professional Division. Classes include Classical Ballet Technique, Pre-pointe, Pointe, Variations, Pas de Deux, Character Dance, Modern, Contemporary as well as Strength and Stretch Class.
Our Artistic Directors
Frances Ortiz
Frances Ortiz was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico where she began her early dance training. She studied at the New World School of the Arts in Miami, FL, and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Purchase College. She’s been awarded full scholarships at several prestigious institutions including; The Alvin Ailey American Dance School, The Jose Limon Dance Institute, The Martha Graham School of Dance and The Dance Theater of Harlem. She then went on to earn a Master of Arts in Dance in Higher Education from New York University. Upon graduating she received the award for “Outstanding Achievement in Choreography” from the Department of Music and Performing Arts Professionals. In 2001 she co-founded the contemporary dance company Thomas/Ortiz Dance with her husband Ted Thomas. Mrs. Ortiz is presently the co-owner of the New England Academy of Dance in New Canaan, CT, and co-Artistic Director of the New England Dance Theater. She is a Connecticut State and ABT® National Training Curriculum Certified Dance Teacher and tenured with the Greenwich Public Schools. Mrs. Ortiz is proud to have received the 2023 Connecticut Fellowship Award for Artistic Excellence in Dance and Choreography.
Ginna Ortiz
Ginna Ortiz was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico where she began her early dance and ballet training. She attended New World School of the Arts high school in Miami, FL, on full scholarship and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Purchase College with a ballet focus. There, she was awarded the VP Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Quality of Student Life. Ms Ortiz received scholarships to attend summer programs at the Richmond Ballet and Dance Theatre of Harlem.
After graduation from SUNY Purchase, Ms. Ortiz joined the prestigious Dance Theater of Harlem company, founded by the legendary Arthur Mitchell, and toured the world performing classic works with DTH such as Firebird, Serenade, Western Symphony, and more. At DTH she had the opportunity to work with icons of dance including Suzanne Farrell, Alonzo King, and Alicia Graf. She continued to perform with independent choreographers in New York City for many years.
Ms. Ortiz was a founding member of Thomas Ortiz Dance, performing contemporary works with the company and becoming its rehearsal director. She was featured as a guest artist in the Nutcracker at New England Academy of Dance, began teaching there, and eventually became the co-owner of the respected school in 2003. Ms. Ortiz earned her teacher certification from American Ballet Theater in 2017, qualifying her to teach in the style of Cecchetti ballet, along with her previous training in the Vaganova and Balanchine styles.
Miss Ginna is a passionate teacher, owner, and director at NEAD, and Co-Artistic Director of its non-profit performance arm, New England Dance Theater, which brings the art form of dance to underserved communities throughout Fairfield County.
Ted Thomas
A native New Yorker received his early dance training at the Bernice Johnson Cultural Arts Center in Queens NY, and then attended La Guardia High School of Performing Arts in New York City. A scholarship student at the Alvin Ailey American Dance School, The Joffrey Ballet School and The Dance Theater of Harlem, Mr. Thomas went on to receive his Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance performance from Purchase College. There he earned various awards for outstanding achievement, most notably the university’s Presidential Scholarship as well as the Harry Belafonte Award for the Arts. Upon graduation, Mr. Thomas received the Thayer Fellowship Award for professional potential in the arts. Mr. Thomas earned his Master of the Arts in Dance in Higher Education from New York University, which has given him a wide range of experiences in all facets of dance. Additionally, he worked for two years as a full time faculty member, advisor, and artist in residence at Barnard College, New York where his duties included teaching Modern and Ballet classes, mentoring undergraduate dance students, choreographing in faculty concerts, and setting and overseeing works by major choreographers.
As a professional dancer Mr. Thomas’ career has afforded him the opportunity to perform with The Paul Taylor Dance Company, where he was featured in the 2008 Academy Award Nominated documentary film “Dancemaker’’ as well as an recipient of the Princess Grace Award while with the Elisa Monte Dance Company. He has also danced with The Nikolais & Louis Dance Company, Ballet Hispanico of New York, and Rebecca Kelly Ballet, among others. These experiences have given him the opportunity to be an active member of the worldwide arts community.
Currently, Mr. Thomas is a Connecticut State and ABT® National Training Curriculum Certified Dance Teacher and has worked as a Theater/Production manager, Choreographer and Teacher for the Wilton, Greenwich, and New Canaan Connecticut Public School systems. He co-owns and operates a ballet school and regional not-for-profit ballet company in New Canaan, Connecticut, as well as directs and choreographs for Thomas/Ortiz Dance Company and the Ted Thomas Dance Foundation, a 501©3 professional dance organization now based in New Canaan, CT which he started in 2001. Mr. Thomas also serves on several boards and contributes and collaborates with many Fairfield County Arts Organizations. Mr. Thomas is proud to have received the 2018 Connecticut Fellowship Award for Artistic Excellence in Dance and Choreography.
Our Locations
Our Main Street Location – The Masonic Lodge
Our school is set in a quaint Masonic Lodge, sitting within walking distance to downtown New Canaan, CT. Within the historic building are three studios (Studios A, B, and C) equipped with Marley floors, extensive mirrors, and top-end audio systems. Studio C, on the top floor, flaunts ceilings over 20 feet tall, which prove ideal for partnering rehearsals and high jumps. The impressive space also holds four bathrooms, a full changing room, and a newly renovated waiting room and kitchenette.
Parking is available in our private parking lot in the rear of the building. If full, additional free street parking can be found on adjacent streets. Please abide by town restrictions (clearly posted on street signs) if seeking street parking. As a reminder, the front door on Main Street and side door on Church Street are great places to drop off students, without congesting the back parking lot.
Our In Town Location
We have expanded to include our in town location just behind the Town Hall and accessible from the alleyway on Elm Street. We have ample metered parking and drop off is a breeze. This facility features….
The School
New England Academy of Dance offers four divisions for dancers:
The Pre-Primary: Ages 2-6, Primary, Ballet 1-4A: Ages 7-11
Jr. Pre-Professional: Ages 11-14, Sr. Pre-Professional: Ages 14-18
Performances
New England Academy of Dance offers two performances. The Nutcracker with all its unforgettable moments and everlasting memories in the holiday season and the wonderful end-of-the-year performance to showcase what our students have learned over the past year.
The New England Dance Theater (NEDT) is the non-profit arm of the New England Academy of Dance (NEAD). As a group of dedicated parents and local volunteers, we work together to: Create greater access, awareness and appreciation of the Performing Arts through dance.”