01945 Winter 2020 V2 web

WINTER 2020 | 29
It’s in the work. You have
to be excited about the
journey, not the applause at
the end or the flowers at the
end. It’s very special to be on
stage and to have that give and
take with the audience. But the
work is special too.
— Paula Shiff
NSCB is home to an ever-changing
group of talented dancers made up of
both seasoned professionals and aspiring
young dancers. Ivan Korn, resident
choreographer, has created several
original works for the company, which
has performed throughout the region.
For several years, the company has
performed in José Mateo Ballet Theatre's
Annual Dance for World Community
Festival and has presented new work
in the annual "12 Dancers Dancing...A
Christmas in Cambridge."
While the Company has not been
rehearsing during the COVID-19
pandemic, the School is alive and well.
In April, they started conducting lessons
on Zoom.
Teaching dance during the pandemic
features its own set of challenges and
benefits.
“It is different and it is hard. But
I’ve always tried to be the glass half-full
person,” she said. “We’re actually giving
the same high quality lessons that we
gave before, and that’s something I didn’t
expect.”
“We have a very large demographic
of students and some live an hour and
half away from our studio. Now, because
there’s no driving, some students have
actually increased the amount they’re
taking classes.”
In addition, the school has expanded
its reach during COVID, including
students from New York, Florida,
California, Oregon and Pennsylvania
who would not be able to get involved
otherwise.
While she admitted that it was a
struggle to work without an audience,
Shiff said the act of creating is valuable
and inspiring.
“It’s in the work. You have to be
excited about the journey, not the
applause at the end or the flowers at
the end. It’s very special to be on stage
and to have that give and take with the
audience. But the work is special too.”
Each year, the NSCB seeks
donations of gift cards and gift
certificates representing a range of
services and products, artwork, jewelry,
handmade items, and other apparel for
their annual auction.
The online auction officially launched
for bids on Monday, November 16 at
Bidding for Good, www.biddingforgood.
com/ballet, and ran through Friday,
December 4.
Volunteers are welcome to get
involved and participate in a number of
ways.
All proceeds from the auction
support new choreography, costuming,
scholarships, special educational projects,
and other required dance equipment and
resources in the North Shore region.
“We really want to give more
scholarships out,” said Shiff. “We gave a
lot of scholarships out during COVID. I
will never say no to any child who wants
to dance even if they don’t have the
funds. We will find a way to help them.
During this time when people have lost
jobs and lost income I want to support
those in need.”
Shiff believes that dance, and the arts
in general are more needed now than
ever before.
“The arts are what keep that human
connection and we really need that,
especially when we can’t have that
physical connection with each other.
We need to find a way that the arts can
still bring some beauty and soul into
our lives.”
Serving the North Shore since 1972