March 2002

Parents and Participants of
The Catskill Mountain Foundation’s
Orpheum Dance Program
Tannersville, NY

Village of Tannersville
Downtown Revitalization Initiative
Tannersville, NY

Dear Village of Tannersville:

Our children are the grateful recipients of the extensive community dance experience provided by the Catskill Mountain Foundation’s Orpheum Dance Program. We strongly request that funding from the Tannersville DRI be granted for improvements to the Orpheum Theater and an expansion of its facilities, in order to further this exemplary program.  

In 2015, Victoria Rinaldi produced the first of what became our annual production of The Nutcracker at the Orpheum Theater. In 2017, Rinaldi initiated the Orpheum Dance program, which has not only brought quality, affordable dance instruction to our community, but has also enriched our children’s arts education through additional annual ballet productions like A Midsummer Night’s Dream, class recitals, master classes, private classes, virtual learning and performances, and exposure to elite dancers and dance companies through residencies.

Due to space limitations, the program operates in several locations, made possible only through meticulous scheduling. Often, students and classes are relocated or even canceled when there is a lack of studio availability. To fully meet the needs of the community, the Orpheum Dance program requires a dedicated studio home in one location, which will be made possible by the renovation and expansion of the Orpheum Theater.

This wonderful program has enriched our lives, as we have watched our children grow in their various roles and master new skills. Many of us have enjoyed working behind the scenes in the various productions, and so what began as a program for children who lack access to quality arts education has blossomed into a program that benefits the entire mountaintop community.  We have all benefitted from the creativity and diligence that the Orpheum Dance Program has invested into our children and our families.

We strongly urge you to include the Orpheum Theater expansion and upgrade in the funding available from the Tannersville DRI.

Thank you for your consideration!

Sincerely, 

The Parents and Participants of
The Catskill Mountain Foundation’s
Orpheum Dance Program