Dancers Work Hard to Get to the Top of the Class

photo: Francis da Silva

Dancers Madeline Chan (left to right), Sydney Zachariah and Gabriella Brignetti take a
break from their dance lessons at the Presidio Dance Theatre.

By Simone Haas

Flitting, floating, perfectly aligned and 12 years old describes one of the many dancers at the Presidio Dance Theatre, sponsored by the Presidio Performing Arts Foundation (PPAF). The foundation, which started in 1998 as a grass roots movement to create performing arts and cultural programming for children, has found a new location at the Presidio. It offers an education in performing arts to young children under the strong direction of internationally-renowned artistic director Vassilii Mountian.

"The children are taught to appreciate America and its gifts," gushes the thickly accented Mountian as he shows off his immense collection of costumes. "We try to teach them the importance of other cultures and history through dance."

The program offers multiple different opportunities for those who are serious about dancing.

"I do not tolerate lateness," says a steely-faced Mountian. "We expect our students to be committed."

The typical student has been studying with the foundation for about six years. A dancer in the program typically commits to eight years of lessons.

"Our students get accepted into the top dance schools in the country," says Judy Bretschneider, executive director of the program, "One of our girls just got into the Manhattan School of Arts on full scholarship."

These achievements are attributed to chief choreographer, Mountian, who has trained many dancers and Olympians who have achieved stardom.

Mountian's teaching style would make some parents cringe.

"Go!" screams Mountian with classical music blaring in the background as the troupe perfectly aligns into one of the many dance sequences they will rehearse. One boy gets a bloody nose and starts to cry. "Smile!" screams Mountian.

For an hour straight they run drills and dance steps until everything is perfect, including their bows. The troupe rehearses in hour-long sessions four times a week.

"We sent our girls here because they weren't challenged elsewhere. It's one big happy family," one parent said. Parents are not allowed into rehearsals but they can watch from behind double-paned glass doors. They insist this is where their children belong.

The non-profit PPAF is funded in-part by the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Foundation, Louis R. Lurie Foundation, BNP Paribas and Wells Fargo. It offers scholarships and has performed nationally. They perform every year at the Youth Arts Festival as well as other local events.

"We are more than just a neighborhood dance group," says Bretschneider, "We get national invites because of our location in the park and because of Vassilii. Our dancers work very hard. They are rewarded by being allowed to perform in front of large audiences and through enrichment, like meeting the members of the Riverdance troupe."

The foundation also does large amounts of community outreach through work with the University of San Francisco and local schools.

"We have children from the Sunset, Richmond and Bayview districts performing here," says Bretschneider. "We believe that art can be a bridge between communities and allow children to make great friendships."

The foundation is currently enrolling for the spring and has summer camps. Classes for available for non-troupe members.

The Presidio Performing Arts Foundation is located at the Presidio Dance Theatre at 1158 Gorgas St. For more information about the Presidio Dance Theatre, call (415) 561-3958.