American Ballet Theatre Dancer to 'Dance for Joy,' Teach Children in Mohegan Lake

A talented ballet dancer, who grew up in Yorktown and went to school here, has made a name for herself in the dance world. But Nicole Graniero cannot forget where she came from. 

She is coming back this summer as a guest teacher at Dance for Joy, a dance studio in Mohegan Lake, where she began her ballet training when she was 10 years old. Having performed all over the world, Graniero will teach aspiring young dancers for the fourth summer at the Yorktown studio during intensive summer workshops in August. 

"I thought that Nicole would be a good teacher mainly based on how well she interacted whenever she came back for a class," the studio's owner Roberta Humphrey told Patch. "I was blown away by what a great teacher she is. There is a range of ages and levels in the summer workshop and she makes them all feel important and pushes each one to do their best."

Humphrey, who once taught Graniero, said there are great dancers who don't always make for great teachers, but Graniero is both a great dancer and teacher. 

"Students come out of her classes glowing and I have been amazed at how much they progress in one week," Humphrey said. 

Graniero set her sights on dancing with American Ballet Theater when she was just 11 years old. After dancing at Dance for Joy, she went on to study in New York City. She joined the American Ballet Theatre Studio Company in 2004, then the American Ballet Theatre in 2006.  

With the American Ballet Theatre, some of her roles have included Cygnets in Swan Lake, Company B, Continuo and soloist and demi-soloist roles in various George Balanchine, Twyla Tharp and Benjamin Millipied ballets. She has been a guest artist in performances all over the world from New York City to Melbourne, Australia.

Recently she has guested in roles such as The Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, Giselle in Giselle, and the principal role in Paquita. Dance Magazine featured Graniero as “On the Rise” in an article the June 2009 issue.

Throughout the years Graniero stayed in touch with her hometown dance studio. After her American Ballet Theatre performances in New York, she would stay at the door to greet Dance for Joy students as if it wasn't that long ago that she was one of those star-struck students.

"She is just one of the nicest people ever," Humphrey said. "As a dancer she is extraordinary."

Dance for Joy's Dance Intensive workshop will be held Aug. 19 through Aug. 23. Graniero will be teaching the morning ballet class four of the days.

"I am always thrilled to be back at dance for joy, the place where I found great motivation and inspiration to become a professional ballerina," Graniero said. "It is a school that lets you learn the grace and beauty of ballet. They do this in an encouraging, and positive atmosphere. I love coming back in the summers, I feel I can give the young dancers an extra boast of confidence and motivation that they can do it too."

The workshop also includes Ukranian Dance with guest teacher Orlando Pagan and Core Work, Jazz, Modern and Rockette style with Dance for Joy faculty who include Deanna Ford, a former Rockette. The week culminates with a performance at the studio. 

That week Graniero will also be doing some private coaching of some of the Youth Ballet dancers who are preparing solos for the Youth Dance Festival of New Jersey.

"I think all ballet teachers hope to have one of their students ‘make it’ and I feel so fortunate that I had one come through my school right away," Humphrey said. "It proves my philosophy that my ballet school can provide a recreational program that teaches good technique and therefore a good beginning for any student who wants to go on and dance professionally."

The summer workshops are open to all dancers:

The Technique Intensive (current Int 1- Adv.)  

August 12-16 1:3- 4:00 

Core work followed by two hours of ballet with a focus on technique. 

Dance Camp (ages 8-11)  

August 12-16 1:30- 4:00 

Ballet, Jazz, character dance, improvisation, choreography and all things dance. There will be a special performance on Friday by the students for parents. 

Dance Intensive (current Int1- Adv) 

August 19-23  11-1:30/2-:00 4:00 

Core Work followed ballet classes in the morning. Afternoons will include guest teachers including ABT dance and DFJ alum Nicole Graniero, character dancer Orlando Pagan, and former Rockette Deanna Ford. 

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Dance for Joy is located at 1893 East Main Street in Mohegan Lake. For more information about the workshops visit www.danceforjoy.net or call 914-526-4486.

Editor's Note: The article was originally published on July 25.