Salinas School of Dance

Information may not be reliable

The Spirit of Salinas Irish Dancers are trained in both Irish dance and ballet, making them a versatile and exciting group of performers. The dancers take technique classes, attend rehearsals and perform in over thirty venues each year, at times having multiple performances in one day. With full length shows for St. Patrick's Day celebration, church functions and corporate events, the company repertoire includes a patriotic show, a traditional Irish show and a more contemporary show. Each show is fully costumed with stunning costumes for every dance number.

The Salinas School of Dance was founded in 1938 by Ramon Renov, a principle dancer with the Ballet Russes de Monte Carlo. Renov turned over the operation of the Russian style ballet school to Lisa Eisemann in 1980 when he retired. Over the years, classes have grown and Irish dancing was added in 1995. By 1996, the Spirit of Salinas Irish Dance Company was performing around the community.
Lisa Eisemann, a Salinas native, attended Santa Catalina High School before leaving the area to attend college. Beginning ballet classes at the age of two, she continued to dance while at college, often traveling to Europe and Canada to study with well known companies and teachers. After purchasing the studio, Eisemann began to build a ballet company and later, the Spirit of Salinas Irish Dance Company.

After studying with Eileen O'Doherty of the Northwest Irish Dancers in Seattle , Eisemann expanded the Irish dance company and wrote and taught an innovative class called Ballet for the Irish Dancer, providing strengthening and turn-out exercises for Irish dance teachers. Today, Eisemann is the director and choreographer for the Spirit of Salinas and Spirit of Santa Cruz Irish Dancers.

An associate member of An Comhdhail, The Congress of Irish Dance Teachers based in Dublin , Ireland , she has taken dancers to the All-Ireland International Irish Dance Competition in Ireland for the past two years. The studio teaching routine and the company performance schedule have made the dancers one of the most popular entertainment groups in Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties. Today, they are often booked over one year in advance for shows, weddings, and St. Patrick's Day events.

The Spirit of Salinas Irish Dance Company holds an annual Teddy Bear Drive to provide individually wrapped teddy bears to the Salinas Police Department. Officers carry the bears in their cars to hand out to children in traumatic situations such as car accidents, domestic violence, house fires or when a parent is arrested. The dancers set a new record in Dec. 2008, donating 580 bears which were accepted by Chief Daniel Ortega just prior to his retirement. The dancers have a special place in their hearts for this police chief, the only chief they have ever known.
Corporate sponsors joined individual donors to set this record and will receive advertising at all dance shows and in all programs for the calendar year 2009. This was the fifth year for this community service project which has provided over 2000 bears to local children in crisis.

Important Dates to Remember
Nov. 2, 2010 Studio Closed for Election Day Joe Gunter is running for City Council and Lisa and Terrin will take this day to spend with Joe.
Nov. 23-27, 2010 Studio Closed for Thanksgiving Break SVCBC dancers will have daily rehearsals this week, except for Thursday. Dress Rehearsal for the Nutcracker is Friday, with shows on Saturday and Sunday.
Dec. 19, 2010 Field trip to see the Rockettes!

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