• Program Description
    The dance program encourages the creative use and development of dance as a medium for students who either seek careers or have an avid interest in dance. It brings forth vital aspects of the dancer as a performer, creator, writer, interpreter, and arts advocate. Each student gains a unique experience with personal attention to his/her needs. The program offers students opportunities to forge new relationships between the arts and allows for possibilities of inter-disciplinary studies. the program gives students information about the existence of all art forms and offers techniques to analyze current issue in dance. Students leave this program with an in-depth knowledge of ballet and modern techniques, history, kinesiology and choreography.

    Faculty

    Albena Arnaudova, Director, Dance, Classical Ballet 

    Albena Arnaudova

    Contact: albena.arnaudova@hcps.net

    Albena Arnaudova is a co-director of the Howard W. Blake High School Department of Dance, currently teaching Ballet, Dance Kinesiology, Dance History and Aesthetics. She started formal ballet education in her native country, Bulgaria. From 1978 until 1981 she continued her training on a full scholarship at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow, Russia. She holds an Associate Degree in Ballet Performance from the Bolshoi Ballet Academy, Moscow, Russia, Bachelor Degree in Dance Performance from the University of South Florida and Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Tampa. She is an American Ballet Theatre® Affiliated Fellow Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training in Primary through Level 7 and Partnering of the ABT® National Training Curriculum.

    Mrs. Arnaudova danced professionally for fifteen years with the National Opera and Ballet Theatre, Sofia, Bulgaria, touring extensively throughout Europe, Asia and North Africa. She is an active member of the Florida Dance Education Organization (FDEO), a former member of the FDEO Board of Directors, Conference chair and co-chair of the Florida Dance Performance Assessment (FDPA). She was a Steering Task force member, Reviewer and Writer for Raise to the Top Performing Fine Arts Assessment, as well as a recipient of the Teacher Incentive Grant from the Arts Council in Tampa, FL, Donors Choose, Target Educational Grant, and is recognized at Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers others. Mrs. Arnaudova was nominated as a 2012 Hillsborough County Dance Teacher of the Year and 2014 H. W. Blake High School Teacher of the Year.

    Kelly Rayl, Director, Dance, Modern

    Kelly Rayl

    Contact: kelly.rayl@hcps.net
    Once you have applied, you will receive an email with step-by-step instructions for your audition!

    Each student will be required to:
    (1) Participate in a Ballet class which includes barre, center, pirouettes and allégro.
    (2) Modern Dance Technique class, which includes center work, across the floor, and improvisation
    (3) Students should be prepared to perform a one-minute solo in ballet, modern, or jazz techniques ONLY upon the request of the Dance Faculty. Music needs to be prerecorded on a CD.

    • Students must have the appropriate dance attire (pink tights and black leotard).
    • Students are to bring a picture of themselves in 1st arabesque and échappé in 2nd position.
    • If you are auditioning for two majors, please report to dance first.

     

     

     

    INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE DANCE AUDITION:

    Step 1: Video Introduction & Solo Performance Videos, submitted by Monday, March 31, 2025.

    Send video introduction & solo to Albena Arnaudova & Kelly Rayl Albena.arnaudova@hcps.net Kelly.rayl@hcps.net

    Important Note: Dance attire is required: plain black leotard, tights, ballet shoes (for the ballet portion), hair secured on a bun and neatly groomed.

    Video Introduction-

    Record a short 1 minute or less introduction video including the following:

    · What brought you to dance initially?

    · What motivates you to continue to pursue dance in high school?

    · What are your artistic goals?

    · Why do you want to study dance at Howard W. Blake High School? Information about the kinds of techniques you have studied and anything else you would like us to know about you as an artist.

    Prerecorded Solo-

    The video should not exceed 1 min.

    The solo can be:

    · Recording of a solo from concert, dance recital, competition, etc.

    · Recorded teacher or self-choreographed solo of your preferred dance style

    · Or videotaped 1 minute improvisation showcasing you as an artist and style preferences

     

    Step 2: Attend the IN-PERSON part of the Audition Wednesday, April 2, 2025:

    Howard W. Blake High School

    1701 N. Boulevard

    Tampa, FL 33607

    (813)272-3422

     

    1. Please Park in the garage. DO NOT ARRIVE ON CAMPUS PRIOR TO 4PM.

    2. The in-person audition will include:

    Ballet

    · Barre work

    · Centre work

    · Pirouettes from 5th and 4th positions

    · Sautés in 1st and 2nd positions, en face

    Stretching

    Hamstring stretch, Back flexibility, Split to the right and to the left

     

    Modern Technique

    Phrase 1:

    Center phrase of movement that demonstrates transfer of weight, suspension, breath, isolation, and succession.

    Phrase 2 :

    Triplets, undercurves, runs and jumps

    Phrase 3:

    A phrase that travels across the floor with attention to rhythm and incorporates head tail, inversions (supported upside-down movement), floor work (rolling or other movement in and out of contact with the floor), changes of directions.

     

    Improvisation

     

    3. Students will be escorted to the audition areas. Parents must remain in the cafeteria or patio areas.

    4. Students will not receive their audition results on the evening of the auditions. They will be notified via the same portal where you applied.

    If you have specific questions about your dance audition, please send them to the following:

    albena.arnaudova@hcps.net

    kelly.rayl@hcps.net

    Again, we congratulate you on your invitation to the audition.