A house RESOLUTION

to recognize and honor virginia "ginny" siano-eck, founder of seneca's foothills dance conservatory, on her many years of outstanding dance instruction and to congratulate the conservatory on the twentieth anniversary of its production of the nutcracker in december 2022.

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that Foothills Dance Conservatory of Seneca recently celebrated a special anniversary: twenty years of annual productions of The Nutcracker ballet, all of which have been spearheaded by the conservatory's founder, Virginia "Ginny" Siano-Eck, serving as artistic director; and

Whereas, through Ginny's national reputation, the Christmas 2022 performances of The Nutcracker featured three professional performers engaged from Massachusetts, New York, and California; and

Whereas, Ginny Siano-Eck is an exemplary professional whose service to her profession and to the community is truly outstanding. Her dedication to the arts has helped bring students and the Tri-County area a real-world performing-arts experience. She holds a bachelor's degree in theatre/dance and secondary education from Barat College in Illinois, and she danced professionally for more than twenty years with companies such as the Tony Wilson Dance Company and Chicago Ballet Ensemble. Before starting her own dance studio, she taught dance to high school students for more than twenty years and was an artist-in-residence for the School District of Oconee County; and

Whereas, in 1997, while she was teaching at West Oak High School, it was determined there was no place children could learn classic dance styles in a more formal environment. Foothills Dance Conservatory (FDC) was born, with a focus on correct training. With the help of Lori Sons and Isa Harold in downtown Seneca, they started out with very young students who had received little or no previous dance training, and they added more advanced classes as the children advanced in their skill levels. In 2000, with the help of Ginny's father, Charles Siano, Ginny purchased the property where FDC remains to this day. The building is known as the Charles Siano Center; and

Whereas, through her efforts, the Foothills Conservatory for the Performing Arts (FCPA) was founded in 2000, and since 2002 it has brought together annual productions featuring seasoned professionals from top-level national companies. The Nutcracker's first performance took place at the Pendleton Playhouse, using local amateur dancers. The following year, through Ginny's leadership, the production was moved to the larger, state-of-the-art Brooks Center for the Performing Arts at Clemson University. Because of Ginny's professional associations, in 2004 Pavel Gureyvich, a professional ballet dancer in Boston, joined the production, which drew significant attention and accolades from the community. Professional dancers throughout our country continue to share their talents for these performances in the Tri-County area; and

Whereas, further, FCPA typically hosts a Tri-ARTs-supported experience of The Nutcracker on the Monday following the public performances. (Tri-ARTs is a performing-arts program for school-age children that offers free, or nearly free, tickets.) Each year, performances at the Brooks Center are given for area schools and home-schooled students, always to full houses; and

Whereas, in addition to her dance activities, Ginny is a member of Seneca Women's Literary and Civic Club, the oldest women's club in Seneca. She is also an active member of the Welcome Wesleyan Church and recently has been certified as an Oconee County Emergency Response Team member; and

Whereas, grateful for Ginny Siano-Eck's dedication and excellence in promoting the arts in Seneca, most particularly the art of dance, the House takes great pleasure in saluting her and her fine dance conservatory at the celebration of twenty years of delightful Nutcracker productions. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor Virginia "Ginny" Siano-Eck, founder of Seneca's Foothills Dance Conservatory, on her many years of outstanding dance instruction and congratulate the conservatory on the twentieth anniversary of its production of The Nutcracker in December 2022.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Virginia "Ginny" Siano-Eck.

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