New Heights Dance Theater

For the vibrant community of Elmira, New York, and across the entire Twin Tiers region, New Heights Dance Theater (NHDT) stands as a prominent non-profit organization dedicated to showcasing the talents and fostering the love of dance in young performers. As a resident dance company of the prestigious Clemens Center, NHDT plays a crucial role in enriching the local arts scene, producing high-quality productions that captivate audiences and provide invaluable performance opportunities for dancers aged six years and older.

Since its inception in 2000, New Heights Dance Theater has brought together over a thousand men, women, and children to participate in their spectacular winter production of "The Nutcracker in Motion" and their dynamic spring production, "Legends! A Tribute to..." Each year, these highly anticipated shows grace the stage of the Clemens Center, becoming cherished traditions for many local families. NHDT's mission extends beyond entertainment; it's about building a strong foundation of confidence, character, and community for its dancers, skills they carry forward in life.

Reviews from the community consistently highlight the positive impact of NHDT. Patrons commend the "pleasant staff" and note that the theater is "good for all ages of children," offering "plenty of dance varieties offered in classes." This feedback underscores NHDT's commitment to creating an inclusive and enriching environment for its participants, making it a beloved fixture in the performing arts landscape of Western New York.

New Heights Dance Theater is officially located at 251 E 14th St, Elmira, NY 14903, USA. This address places the organization in a key part of Elmira, making it easily accessible for dancers and audiences from across the city and throughout the wider Chemung County and Twin Tiers region of New York. East 14th Street is a familiar thoroughfare, ensuring straightforward navigation for parents during rehearsals and performances. Being situated within Elmira, NHDT is well-integrated into the local community's cultural landscape.

As a resident dance company of the Clemens Center, many of NHDT's major performances, such as "The Nutcracker in Motion," take place at the Clemens Center itself, located at 207 Clemens Center Pkwy, Elmira, NY 14901. This premier performing arts venue is a central landmark in Elmira, known for its accessibility and amenities, including ample parking. Rehearsals, particularly for productions like "Nutcracker in Motion," are often held at affiliated studios like the Leslie School of Dance in Elmira Heights or Watkins Glen, further expanding the accessibility for dancers across the region. This combination of a central Elmira office and regional rehearsal spaces ensures that New Heights Dance Theater effectively serves its broad base of participants and patrons throughout Western New York.

• High-Quality Dance Productions: New Heights Dance Theater is primarily known for producing two major annual stage productions:
• "The Nutcracker in Motion": A unique, jazzed-up variation of the traditional Nutcracker, incorporating various dance styles including classical ballet, tap, high-energy Rockette-style jazz, lyrical, and acro. This production has been a local holiday tradition for over two decades.
• "Legends! A Tribute to...": A vibrant spring production that celebrates music icons through dance. Past themes have included a tribute to Billy Joel.
• Performance Opportunities for Youth Dancers: NHDT's core mission is to bring dancers ages six years and older together to showcase their talents on a professional stage, fostering a love for dance and the arts.
• Comprehensive Dance Styles in Productions: While a resident company, their productions showcase a wide variety of dance forms, reflecting the diverse talents of their dancers and choreographers. These include:
• Ballet & Pointe
• Tap
• Jazz (including Rockette-style)
• Lyrical
• Acro
• Dance Intensives and Rehearsal Programs: NHDT organizes intensive rehearsal periods and camps, such as the "NIM Summer Intensive Camp" for "Nutcracker in Motion" dancers, ensuring rigorous preparation for their high-quality productions.
• Costume and Prop Provision: For performances, NHDT typically supplies all costumes, accessories, and props, simplifying the process for participating families.
• Collaboration with Local Dance Studios: New Heights Dance Theater often draws its talented youth dancers from various local dance studios in Sayre, Elmira, Horseheads, and Watkins Glen, demonstrating a collaborative spirit within the Twin Tiers dance community.
• Community Engagement: As a non-profit organization, NHDT is committed to enriching the local community by producing accessible, high-quality artistic events.

• Resident Dance Company of the Clemens Center: This affiliation highlights NHDT's prominence and commitment to high-quality productions, as they consistently perform at the region's premier performing arts venue.
• Over Two Decades of Community Impact: Since its founding in 2000, NHDT has provided performance opportunities for over 1000 dancers, establishing itself as a long-standing and beloved cultural institution in the Twin Tiers.
• Unique and Engaging Productions: NHDT is renowned for its signature productions, "The Nutcracker in Motion" (a jazzed-up version of the classic) and "Legends! A Tribute to...", which offer fresh, high-energy, and artistically diverse performances.
• Focus on Youth Talent Development: The primary goal of NHDT is to bring dancers aged six and older together to "show off their talents" and "demonstrate their love for dance and the arts," providing invaluable stage experience.
• Diverse Dance Styles Showcased: Their productions are a vibrant showcase of multiple dance genres, including classical ballet, pointe, tap, jazz (including Rockette-style), lyrical, and acro, appealing to a wide range of interests.
• Positive and Welcoming Environment: Reviews commend the "pleasant staff" and note that the theater is "good for all ages of children," indicating a supportive atmosphere that fosters participation and enjoyment.
• Building Confidence, Character, and Community: NHDT is dedicated to more than just dance steps; it aims to build "a strong foundation of confidence, character and community" for its dancers, instilling valuable life skills.
• Community-Wide Participation: NHDT involves dancers from various local studios across the Twin Tiers region (Sayre, Elmira, Horseheads, Watkins Glen), creating a collaborative and inclusive artistic community.

Address: 251 E 14th St, Elmira, NY 14903, USA

Phone: (607) 737-9014

Mobile Phone: +1 607-737-9014

For residents of Elmira, New York, and throughout the surrounding Twin Tiers region, New Heights Dance Theater (NHDT) is an exceptionally suitable and enriching opportunity for young dancers and arts enthusiasts alike. Its central location in Elmira, combined with rehearsal affiliations in nearby areas like Watkins Glen, ensures accessibility for families across the region. However, what truly sets NHDT apart and makes it ideal for locals is its profound commitment to providing high-quality, professional-level performance experiences within a supportive and community-focused environment.

As a non-profit resident dance company of the esteemed Clemens Center, NHDT offers unparalleled opportunities for dancers aged six and older to perform in "high quality productions" like the beloved "The Nutcracker in Motion" and the dynamic "Legends! A Tribute to..." These are not just recitals; they are full-scale theatrical events that build "a strong foundation of confidence, character and community." The variety of dance styles showcased, from classical ballet to energetic jazz and acro, ensures that dancers can explore and excel in diverse forms of movement. The "pleasant staff" and welcoming atmosphere make it "good for all ages of children," encouraging participation and a lifelong love for the performing arts.

By bringing together talented youth from various local studios, NHDT fosters a collaborative spirit and strengthens the entire dance community in the Twin Tiers. For any local family seeking to provide their child with exceptional stage experience, professional training, and the chance to be part of a celebrated artistic tradition, New Heights Dance Theater offers an invaluable and highly recommended pathway to developing talent, passion, and a lasting connection to the arts in Western New York.

This video provides a glimpse into a past "Nutcracker in Motion" production by New Heights Dance Theater, showcasing their unique twist on a holiday classic. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFfMM3v3sJc)

New Heights Dance Theater

251 E 14th St, Elmira, NY 14903, USA