Hope Stone, Inc. Announces the Beginnings of its Second Dance Company – Hope Stone Dance II (HSD II)

As an audition for HSD II, Hope Stone is conducting a week-long dance intensive, August 12-16, 1pm-5:30 pm. Please note that this intensive is open to all interested young dancers, (ages 13-19) even if they do not want to audition for HSD II. Auditions for HSD II are open only to those 14 years and above. To register for the intensive/audition, dancers can call the studio @ 713.526.1907, visit www.hopestoneinc.org or e-mail JoDee Engle:JoDee@hopestoneinc.org

Under the direction of Jane Weiner, (Executive/Artistic Director of Hope Stone Dance Company) and JoDee Engle (Rehearsal Director of Hope Stone Dance Company), members of this new junior company, will participate in advanced modern and ballet classes for two nights each week and rehearse for HSD II’s final performance in May 2014.  During rehearsals they will learn various pieces of repertory (choreographed by Jane Weiner) from Hope Stone Dance Company. Also, Hope Stone’s Catalina Molnari, Courtney D. Jones, and Jane Weiner will work with them on other new pieces.

Both Weiner and Engle are excited to create this nurturing environment to provide pre-professional teens the professional experience. “A creative environment filled with a sense of community and strong company support, are critical to young dancers but often not a part of early training.   Our dream is to provide this while we train them in the evolving proficiency of the form”, said Jane Weiner.

HSD II’s end-of-year performance titled beekeeping, showcasing their year of learning Hope Stone repertory and new works will be in May 2014.

Hope Stone, Inc. is a non-profit arts organization consisting of (1) the choreographic endeavors of Artistic Director Jane Weiner; (2) Hope Stone Dance Company, a professional modern dance company; (3) Hope Stone Kids, an arts outreach program that reaches underserved children with free arts education annually in Houston and Katy, TX and New Orleans; (4) Hope Stone Studio, accommodating adult and children’s movement classes taught by the finest Houston artists and master teachers; and (5) HopeWerks, a space residency offered to emerging choreographers and performance artists to assist them in the early stages of their artistic journey.  Founded in 1997, Hope Stone strives to unlock the innate creativity of children and adults through the performing arts.

Hope Stone is grateful to the following sponsors and foundations:  Axiom Design Group, Brown Foundation, Children’s Fund, ConocoPhillips, Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts, The Fant Foundation, Aubrey and Sylvia Farb Community Service Fund, Favrot Fund, Gainer, Donnelly & Desroches, LLP, Hackett Family Foundation, Houston Arts Alliance, Houston Endowment, Houston Jewish Community Foundation, Kaplan Family Foundation, Kinder Morgan Foundation, Lilly Foundation, Mark and Twilight Freedman Foundation, McCrea Foundation, Momentum Southwest Land Rover, The Nugent Foundation, The John M. O’Quinn Foundation, Alvin & Lucy Owsley Foundation, Posoli Family Foundation, Powell Foundation, Karen Pulaski Philanthropic Fund, Sequoia Foundation, Simmons Foundation, Strake Foundation, Texas Commission on the Arts, Kittsie & Charlie Thomas Family Foundation, Wells Fargo, The Wortham Foundation.

Hope Stone is located at 1210 W Clay #26, Houston, TX, 77019. For more information, visit www.HopeStoneInc.org or call 713-526-1907.