Julie Faranda and the child dancer in the video, Julia, are both students at Fred Astaire Dance Studio, Tarrytown, NY. The dance was dedicated by Faranda to her daughter, Aja, who was the inspiration for this dance. Aja wrote the song in this video, ‘Reprieve: Dance of the Emerald Isle Fairies,’ at age 17 to relieve the stress of her upcoming AP’s and SAT’s. She is also the pianist in the video. (Her mother had a special piano bench made for Aja as a kindergartener because her feet did not yet reach the floor!)
Faranda, a certified speech and dance pathologist, met little Julia at the studio, where Julia’s father, Gil, also dances. Though Faranda got her start in ballroom in college, she has only been dancing at Tarrytown for 3 years; this was her second Showcase. She adores her Tarrytown studio and lovingly calls it ‘a generational school,’ where people across generations mingle easily, becoming good friends, and benefit from learning from, and supporting, one another through all of life’s experiences.
Faranda calls herself ‘Julia’s dance mom.’ The pair clearly perform beautifully together, and this dance helped Julia win the Junior Championship Division at Fred Astaire Dance Studios’ Cross Country Dance Competition (CCDC) in 2013.
Faranda would like to thank her daughter and her support system at Tarrytown, as well as Eduardo Apolonov, who choreographed this beautiful dance.
Fred Astaire Dance Studios offer instruction on Private and Group levels as well as Practice Sessions. We also offer wedding dance choreography. At every Fred Astaire Franchised Dance Studio, learning how to dance is made to feel easy and fun!
Contact your local Fred Astaire Dance Studio for their current Introductory Offer!
Call (413)567-3200 or visit http://www.fredastaire.com/ now!
