The Harrison Sisters
Dance Education
-
Academy of the Dance: Madame Helene Antonova and Mr. James Jamieson
Eighteen years Training and Teaching
First Assistant to Mr. Jamieson -
American Ballet Theatre School:
Madame Tamara Pereyslavec and Miss Nanci Clement
Private Tutoring with Madame Alexandra Danilova - School for the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo: Mr. Leon Danielian
- Mr. David Howard
- Charles Kelley, Bob Audy, Theatrical Jazz and Tap
- Choreography Certification from The Wilmington Opera Ballet
- West Chester University
- United Kingdom Alliance: Master’s Degree in Classical Ballet and Theatrical Dance
Teachers/Directors
Instructors of Clasical Ballet at West Chester University, 1972
Originators of the Dance Therapy Program for The Devereux Foundation
Originators of the Owen J. Roberts School District’s Dance Program
Directors of the West Chester Area School District’s Cultural Program of “The Nutcracker”
Writers of the Dance Evaluation Score Sheets used in Dance Adjudication for The Miss America and The Miss Pennsylvania Scholarship Pageants
Offered: Directorship of The Kilgore Rangerettes, Kilgore, Texas
Offered: Directorship of The University of Houston’s “Cougar Dolls”
Directors of The Harrison Studios, Pennsylvania’s largest training school for children and professional calibre dancers
Directors of The Harrison Starlight Tap Company
Directors of PHILLY JAZZ, the Professional Jazz Company highly acclaimed following its debut in Philadelphia
Directors of The Chester County Ballet Company, Chester County’s first ballet company
Instructors of pupils who are dancing professionally in Ballet Companies, on Broadway, in Dinner Theatre and Las Vegas, and as Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall
Instructors of pupils who have graduated from universities, having majored in dance and studied with scholarships
Awards and Honors
First Place Awards in Niagara Falls International Competition
First Place Awards in World Youth Festivals Competition Finals in New Jersey, New York, Florida, and Canada
First Place Awards and High Score Achievements in Classical Ballet, Theatrical Jazz,vBroadway Tap, and Unique Partnering in Solo and Group Competition Finals from the East Coast
Special Proclamation from Governor Bob Casey for “The Nutcracker” Artistic Endeavor for the Community
Special Proclamation from West Chester Mayor, Mr. Thomas Chambers “Extraordinary Artistry for the Children of our Community”
Special Proclamation from Chester County Commissioners: “Fine Arts contribution and artistry to the citizens and youth of Chester County”
Request from Governor Richard Thornburgh for special choreography for the “Learning Disabled Educational Campaign”
Request from Governor Jim Florio for a special performance in the Governor’s Mansion for The Adam Walsh Foundation
Personal request from Mr. Dick Clark to create opening production for his evening of dedication for Mr. Jack Steck
Honorary Membership and Citation for “service of compassion” in six performances for the first six returning flights from Operation Desert Storm. This is our most coveted prize.
Professional Performance History
Miss Deborah Harrison was the last Rockette ever hired by the Creator of The Radio City Music Hall Rockettes, Mr. Russell Markert. He personally chose Miss Harrison, who soon became his personal assistant. Mr. Peter Gennaro chose Miss Harrison to assist in creating choreography and instructing the Rockettes for his production of “Yesterday” at Radio City Music Hall.
Miss Christine Harrison was a member of The Radio City Music Hall Corps de Ballet, when Radio City had its own ballet company. Upon returning home, she joined The Wilmington Opera Ballet, before beginning the organization of growth for The Harrison Studios, and creating The Chester County Ballet Company.
The Harrison Sisters now direct eleven of the twelve schools The Harrison Studios encompasses, having been founded fifty-nine years ago by their mother, Mrs. Louise B. Harrison, who directs and instructs in the Downingtown Studio.