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Ballet school puts on a show for a cause

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Nearly three dozen dance students recently twirled their way through Integral Ballet’s annual charity production to benefit the Andrea Rizzo Foundation, which provides movement therapy to children suffering from terminal illnesses.

The show, a grand production at the Brookside School in North Merrick, featured “classically trained dancers performing contemporary works,” said Erin Drennan, co-dance director at Integral Ballet, a nonprofit school at 1842 Merrick Road in Merrick.

More than 200 parents and friends attended the performance. Participants had to sell a minimum of six tickets, with proceeds going to the Andrea Rizzo Foundation.

In recent years, Integral Ballet has raised more than $3,000 for the foundation and $5,000 for the American Lung Association.

The production, Drennan said, “was kind of eclectic,” with a mix of ballet and jazz movements.

“It was great,” she said. “The kids get really nervous the week before the performance. Then they just bring it.”

This year’s production also featured performances by teachers at the school, she added.