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"Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey and special guest Sara Adams In this episode of "Dance Talk” ® host Joanne Carey interviews New York City Ballet soloist Sarah Adams. They discuss Sarah's journey from a young girl dreaming of ballet to becoming a soloist in one of the most prestigious ballet companies in the world. Sarah shares her early experiences in dance, the challenges of moving to New York City, her apprenticeship, and the excitement of being promoted to soloist. The conversation highlights the dedication, passion, and community within the dance world. In this engaging conversation, Sara shares her experiences and insights as a ballerina, discussing the joy of dance, the challenges faced in the industry, and the importance of collaboration and growth. She reflects on her favorite roles, the unpredictability of scheduling, and the significance of setting goals while finding joy in the art of dance. Sara emphasizes the need for strength training and movement, and offers valuable advice for dancers and individuals alike. Sara Adams was born in Dennis, Massachusetts, and began her dance training at the age of six at the Mid-Cape Ballet Academy. She later studied at the Boston Ballet School, before taking a summer course at the School of American Ballet, the official school of New York City Ballet, during the summer of 2003. She enrolled as a full-time student at SAB from 2003 to 2008. She became an apprentice with NYCB in June 2008 and became a member of the corps de ballet in September 2009. In February 2017, Ms. Adams was promoted to soloist. For more information on New York City Ballet and to go see Sara perform: https://www.nycballet.com/discover/meet-our-dancers/soloists/sara-adams/ Follow Sara @sara_jane_adams “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey wherever you listen to your podcasts. https://dancetalkwithjoannecarey.com/ Follow Joanne on Instagram @westfieldschoolofdance Tune in. Follow. Like us. And Share. Please leave us review about our podcast! “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey "Where the Dance World Connects, the Conversations Inspire, and Where We Are Keeping Them Real."
Carrie Euker has danced professionally with Milwaukee Ballet, David Taylor Dance Theatre, Seven Dancers and Missouri Contemporary Ballet. She is the Founding Artistic Director of Etoile Dance Competition and currently a full time faculty member at the Boston Ballet School.In this episode, Carrie gives us a sneak peek behind the scenes of Etoile Dance Competition, a concert dance competition focused on artistry, inclusivity, and meaningful networking opportunities in the dance world. We learn what led Carrie to start her own dance competition and what sets Etoile apart in the competition space. If you are curious about the value of dance competitions or looking for one more aligned with your goals, this episode is for you!Key Moments: Early dance training [1:46] How Carrie decided to attend college for dance [2:36] Her transition from college student to professional dancer [3:34] Starting the School of Missouri Contemporary Ballet [8:48] How Carrie balances all the aspects of her career and personal life [12:09] Carrie's favorite roles from her professional career [13:31] Her teaching philosophy [14:26] Why Carrie decided to start her own dance competition [16:38] What sets Etoile apart from other dance competitions [18:30] What Carrie sees needs to change about competition dance culture [24:33] Her biggest piece of advice for dancers pursuing a career [36:02]Connect with Carrie & Etoile Dance Competition:ETOILE DANCE COMP WEBSITE: www.etoilecomp.comETOILE INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/etoiledancecompLinks and Resources:Get your copy of The Ultimate Audition GuideSet up ticketing for your next event with DRT (Make sure to mention that The Brainy Ballerina sent you!)1-1 Career Mentoring: book your complimentary career callLet's connect!My WEBSITE: thebrainyballerina.comINSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thebrainyballerinaQuestions/comments? Email me at caitlin@thebrainyballerina.com
“Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey and special guest, Dawn Atkins, principal dancer with Miami City Ballet. In this episode of “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey, join host Joanne Carey as she chats with Special Guest, Dawn Atkins, principal dancer with Miami City Ballet. They chat about Dawn's recent appointment as principal dancer with Miami City Ballet and her upcoming season. Tune in and hear them share their thoughts on dancers as givers who touch the audience perhaps when they didn't even know they needed it. Dawn shares her desire to be someone positive in the room as well as her advice to dancers on the importance of developing their whole person, for that is the person audiences see on stage, not just the character you are portraying. Dawn Atkins began her dance training in Rutland, Vermont and upon moving to Virginia, continued her dance training with The School of Richmond Ballet. She attended North Carolina School of the Arts on scholarship, under the direction of Ethan Stiefel. Dawn joined Boston Ballet School as a trainee in 2011 and Boston Ballet II in 2012. In 2013, she was a Princess Grace Award nominee and was promoted to Artist of the Company. Dawn was promoted to Second Soloist at Boston Ballet in 2019. She joined Miami City Ballet as soloist in 2021. Atkins was promoted to the rank of principal soloist in 2022. Follow on Instagram @dawnatkinshilty Find out more about Dawn Atkins and Miami City Ballet https://www.miamicityballet.org/portfolio/dawn-atkins Follow Joanne Carey on Instagram @westfieldschoolofdance And follow “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey wherever you listen to your podcasts. Tune in. Follow. Like us. And Share. Please leave us review about our podcast! “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey "Where the Dance World Connects, the Conversations Inspire, and Where We Are Keeping Them Real."
Gabrielle Lamb is a choreographer and 2020 Guggenheim Fellow, is based in NYC, where she directs Pigeonwing Dance, described by The New Yorker as “eccentric…playful…curious”. Her work has also been presented by the American Ballet Theatre Incubator, the New York Choreographic Institute, the MIT Museum, BalletX, the Juilliard School, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Ballet Collective, Whim W'HIM, Jacob's Pillow, and Dance on Camera at Lincoln Center. She has won fellowships and competitions at Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Milwaukee Ballet, and the Banff Centre, as well as the S&R Foundation's Washington Award and a Princess Grace Award. A native of Savannah, GA, she trained at the Boston Ballet School and was a longtime soloist at Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, later performing with Morphoses/The Wheeldon Company and Pontus Lidberg Dance in NYC. She has been lauded by DANCE Magazine as “a dancer of stunning clarity who illuminates the smallest details—qualities she brings to the dances she makes, too." www.pigeonwingdance.com
Join us as we sit down with Deirdre Miles-Burger, a distinguished ballet competition judge with years of experience in the dance world. Ms. Miles-Burger helps pull back the curtain on what judges really think. What do judges love to see from competitors on stage? What are some no-nos? Why do some students not place yet still make it to finals? What's the role of costumes? How much does potential play a role vs. flawless performances? And, who is really making all the decisions? Ms. Miles Burger answers all these questions and more! About Ms. Miles-Burger Born in Burlington, Massachusetts, Dierdre Miles Burger began her formative dance training with Margaret Prishwalko Fallon and subsequently the Boston Ballet School on a Ford Foundation Scholarship. Ms. Miles Burger became an apprentice with Boston Ballet at age fourteen and joined the Corps de Ballet in 1974. From 1978 until 1982 Miles Burger danced in New York City and with Houston Ballet before returning to Boston Ballet in 1983. During her career she danced countless principal roles in the classical and contemporary ballet repertory but was most known for her portrayal of Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, and the Principal Stomper in Twyla Tharp's Brief Fling. In June of 1993 Miles Burger retired from performing and joined Boston Ballet's Artistic Staff. In September 2002 Miles Burger was appointed Principal of Boston Ballet School. In the summer of 2006 she left Boston Ballet to move to Florida with her husband, where she continued to teach and coach on a freelance basis. In addition she has served on the jury for a number of ballet conventions and competitions including Youth America Grand Prix regional semi-finals and New York City Finals. In July 2010 she was appointed Director of Orlando Ballet School, serving there for eight years until August 2018. Under her leadership Orlando Ballet School grew and developed programming, most notably the Orlando Ballet School Academy, which develops young dancers for professional careers. Reaching out to the community she instituted several programs for children with special needs including Adaptive Dance for students with Down Syndrome, Come Dance With Us for children with physical challenges and Kids Beating Cancer for children recovering from cancer. In 2019 Miles Burger assumed the position of Assistant Education Director for the Sarasota Ballet and continues as an examiner for the ABT National Training Curriculum.
A look inside the Process of Lake Arts Project and how they build bridges through bereavement ™, filmed on location at The Visionary during their residency, Summer 2022, interview hosted by Bernadette Winters Bell,LMSW PLLC. Annually, Lake Arts Project (2013 - present) brings together community groups and arts educators to workshop, cleanse, share, and then create. Collaborators include Feast of Crispian, a non-profit organization that brings professional actors and veterans together to strengthen the emotional resources they need to overcome trauma and reintegration issues. Lake Arts Project also works with high school art students, including THE ALLIANCE SCHOOL OF MILWAUKEE, a year-round school and a safe place for students regardless of sexuality, identity, appearance, ability, or beliefs. During the BECOMING WHOLE Visionary Retreat, the founders and directors of Lake Arts Project (Karl von Rabenau, Creative Director of the Minnesota Ballet) and his partner, Jennifer Miller, Milwaukee Ballet Faculty Master Teaching Artist) immersed themselves in the unique process that they have created for those around them, and record their actions, step by step, to create a digital manual for their process, which became their final performance on June 18, 2022 on The Visionary stage. Long time collaborators, dancers Barry Molina and Lizzie Tripp joined Lake Arts to explore and perform the final presentation of work. Bernadette also joined the final performance as a guest speaker. Lake Arts Project's co-founder and co-director, Karl von Rabenau is also Artistic Director for Minnesota Ballet Company. He began his dance training at Duluth Ballet, Minnesota Dance Theatre, Boston Ballet School, and San Francisco Ballet School. Mr. von Rabenau danced for Boston Ballet, Omaha Ballet, Pittsburgh Theater, and Milwaukee Ballet. Mr. von Rabenau is also a passionate dance educator. For the past 21+ years, he has taught throughout the Midwest and Eastern United States. He has been a faculty member at Milwaukee Ballet School & Academy, including his work with the second company, MBII. Mr. von Rabenau has also taught for many years at Point Park University's International Summer Dance in Pittsburgh, PA, and Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet in Carlisle, PA. As a choreographer, Mr. von Rabenau has created works for Point Park University's International Summer Dance Program and had works performed in Regional Dance of America Festivals in the Northeast Region and Southeast Region. In 2002, Mr. von Rabenau was invited to choreograph his pas de deux, Speranza, for a Milwaukee Ballet presentation at the Milwaukee Art Museum. Jennifer Miller, Lake Arts Project's co-founder and co-director, received her dance training at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. Ms. Miller also studied at Joffrey Ballet and San Francisco Ballet. Ms. Miller danced 16 years for Milwaukee Ballet Company, retiring as Principal Artist. In summer of 2005, Ms. Miller danced for Trey McIntyre Project, performing in Vail International Dance Festival and Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival. Ms. Miller, currently Ballet Master for Minnesota Ballet and School of Minnesota Ballet faculty, has also been on the faculty of Milwaukee area schools: Milwaukee Ballet School & Academy, Danceworks, Dance Arts Center, and Steps of Grace. For many summers, Ms Miller has taught at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, and Point Park University's International Summer Dance. As a private coach, she works with pre-professional dancers of all ages and levels including Youth America Grand Prix performers, ballroom dancers, gymnasts and Irish step dancers. As a choreographer, Ms. Miller created works for Milwaukee Ballet, Milwaukee Ballet II, Central PA Youth Ballet, Point Park University's International Summer Dance, Dance Arts Center and Erie Dance Conservatory. She received the Monticello award for emerging choreographers. PERFORMERS: Barry Molina is originally from Minnesota, where he started dancing at age six with the St. Croix Ballet in Stillwater. He went on to train at New York City's School of American Ballet year-round, after which he joined the Nancy Einhorn Milwaukee Ballet II Program. As a member of the program, he was called in, at the last minute, to perform as Peter's Shadow in the world premiere of Michael Pink's Peter Pan. Since being promoted to the Company in 2011, Molina has performed many featured roles in Michael Pink's repertoire, including Jack in Cinderella, the Bell Boy in Dracula, Pied Piper in Beauty and the Beast, Benno in Swan Lakeas well as Fritz, Jack and Chinese Principal in The Nutcracker. He was recently featured as Vaslav Nijinksy in Timothy O'Donnell's world premiere of Sacre, and Puck in Bruce Wells' A Midsummer Night's Dream. ---------------------------------- Lizzie Tripp trained at Milwaukee Ballet School & Academy (MBSA), and attended the Summer Intensives at American Ballet Theatre and Houston Ballet. In MBSA, Tripp performed lead roles in many ballets choreographed by Rolando Yanes and danced alongside Milwaukee Ballet's corps in Michael Pink's Swan Lake. She joined the Nancy Einhorn Milwaukee Ballet II Program in 2014, where she danced in Michael Pink's Don Quixote, The Nutcracker, Cinderella and Dracula, and performed in contemporary works by Timothy O'Donnell, Nadia Thompson, Lee-Wei Chao, Ilya Kozadayev and Petr Zahradnícek. Since being promoted to the Company, Tripp originated the role of the Enchantress in the world premiere of Michael Pink's Beauty and The Beast, and danced in Pink's Mirror Mirror and contemporary works by Enrico Morelli, Mark Godden and Garrett Glassman.
Welcome to our episode with Kevin Jenkins! (@kevin_jenkins_choreographer) Dance Magazine has praised Kevin's work as “riveting” and he travels throughout the country choreographing for State Street Ballet, St. Louis Ballet, San Diego Dance Theater, the School of Ballet Arizona, SUNY Purchase, CPYB, Island Moving Company, Dimensions Dance Theatre of Miami, and Big Muddy Dance among others. He has served on faculty at Boston Ballet School, Joffrey Ballet School, Walnut Hill School for the Arts, the University of San Diego, Goucher College, and Master Ballet Academy. His choreography has been performed on the Inside/Out Series at Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival and he has been awarded residencies with Djerassi and the National Choreographers Initiative. https://www.kevinjenkins.org/ In this episode, we discuss being a male dancer, the story of his ballet based on Psalm 23, and finding his voice through community. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/narrow-way-to-broadway/support
Gina McFadden is a dance educator, choreographer, yoga instructor, health coach and author. Gina danced professionally with The Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, Ballet Pacifica, State Street Ballet and The National Choreographers Initiative. She has been on the faculties of Boston Ballet School, Grand Rapids Ballet School, New Jersey Ballet School, Hope College and Grand Valley State University. Gina has degrees in business and legal studies. She is a certified yoga instructor as well as a Holistic Health Coach working with global clientele. She lives in Charleston, SC with her husband and two daughters where she is an avid home-cook and a highly marginal golfer. In this episode, we lay the groundwork for a new podcast episode series where we share some of our experiences with aspiring dancers and help you to gain more awareness that what you do in a studio daily is a part of becoming a successful dancer. Much ❤ Susanne & Gina Pointe To Rise links below:
Pacific Northwest Ballet, one of the largest and most highly regarded ballet companies in the United States, was founded in 1972. In July 2005, Peter Boal became artistic director, succeeding Kent Stowell and Francia Russell, artistic directors since 1977. The Company of nearly fifty dancers presents more than 100 performances each year of full-length and mixed repertory ballets at Marion Oliver McCaw Hall in Seattle and on tour. The Company has toured to Europe, Australia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Canada, and throughout the United States, with celebrated appearances at Jacob's Pillow and in New York City and Washington DC.In this interview, we speak with soloist Price Suddarth and corps de ballet Christopher D'Ariano and Amanda Morgan.· www.pnb.org· www.pnb.org/artists/price-suddarth/· www.pnb.org/artists/christopher-dariano/· www.pnb.org/artists/amanda-morgan · www.creativeprocess.infoPrice Suddarth | SoloistPrice Suddarth is from Westfield, Indiana. He studied at Central Indiana Dance Ensemble, the School of American Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet School, and he attended summer courses on scholarship at Pacific Northwest Ballet School, the Rock School, the School of American Ballet, and Miami City Ballet. Mr. Suddarth joined Pacific Northwest Ballet as an apprentice in 2010. He was promoted to corps de ballet in 2011 and soloist in 2018.Mr. Suddarth has performed as a guest artist with Panama National Ballet. He has choreographed for the Regional Dance America gala in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Pacific Northwest Ballet's NEXT STEP, and Pacific Northwest Ballet School's annual School Performance. In 2015, he choreographed Signature for PNB's mainstage repertory, and in 2017, he choreographed Shifted Figures for Sculptured Dance, a collaboration between Pacific Northwest Ballet and Seattle Art Museum presented at Seattle's Olympic Sculpture Park.Christopher D'Ariano | Corps de BalletChristopher D'Ariano is from The Bronx, New York. He studied at Ballet Tech, the School of American Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet School, and he attended summer courses at Ballet Tech, Boston Ballet, Nederlands Dans Theater, and Pacific Northwest Ballet. He was the recipient of the School of American Ballet Mae L. Wien Award for Outstanding Promise. Mr. D'Ariano joined Pacific Northwest Ballet as an apprentice in 2017 and was promoted to corps de ballet later that year.Mr. D'Ariano also has danced with Lunge Dance Collective, and he has choreographed for the Seattle International Dance Festival.Amanda Morgan | Corps de BalletAmanda Morgan is from Tacoma, Washington. She studied at Dance Theatre Northwest and Pacific Northwest Ballet School, and she attended summer courses at Alonzo King LINES Ballet, Boston Ballet School, and the School of American Ballet. She participated in PNB School's exchange with the Palucca University of Dance in Dresden, where she also performed with Dresden Semperoper Ballett. Ms. Morgan joined Pacific Northwest Ballet as an apprentice in 2016 and was promoted to corps de ballet in 2017.
Pacific Northwest Ballet, one of the largest and most highly regarded ballet companies in the United States, was founded in 1972. In July 2005, Peter Boal became artistic director, succeeding Kent Stowell and Francia Russell, artistic directors since 1977. The Company of nearly fifty dancers presents more than 100 performances each year of full-length and mixed repertory ballets at Marion Oliver McCaw Hall in Seattle and on tour. The Company has toured to Europe, Australia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Canada, and throughout the United States, with celebrated appearances at Jacob's Pillow and in New York City and Washington DC.In this interview, we speak with soloist Price Suddarth and corps de ballet Christopher D'Ariano and Amanda Morgan.· www.pnb.org· www.pnb.org/artists/price-suddarth/· www.pnb.org/artists/christopher-dariano/· www.pnb.org/artists/amanda-morgan · www.creativeprocess.infoPrice Suddarth | SoloistPrice Suddarth is from Westfield, Indiana. He studied at Central Indiana Dance Ensemble, the School of American Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet School, and he attended summer courses on scholarship at Pacific Northwest Ballet School, the Rock School, the School of American Ballet, and Miami City Ballet. Mr. Suddarth joined Pacific Northwest Ballet as an apprentice in 2010. He was promoted to corps de ballet in 2011 and soloist in 2018.Mr. Suddarth has performed as a guest artist with Panama National Ballet. He has choreographed for the Regional Dance America gala in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Pacific Northwest Ballet's NEXT STEP, and Pacific Northwest Ballet School's annual School Performance. In 2015, he choreographed Signature for PNB's mainstage repertory, and in 2017, he choreographed Shifted Figures for Sculptured Dance, a collaboration between Pacific Northwest Ballet and Seattle Art Museum presented at Seattle's Olympic Sculpture Park.Christopher D'Ariano | Corps de BalletChristopher D'Ariano is from The Bronx, New York. He studied at Ballet Tech, the School of American Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet School, and he attended summer courses at Ballet Tech, Boston Ballet, Nederlands Dans Theater, and Pacific Northwest Ballet. He was the recipient of the School of American Ballet Mae L. Wien Award for Outstanding Promise. Mr. D'Ariano joined Pacific Northwest Ballet as an apprentice in 2017 and was promoted to corps de ballet later that year.Mr. D'Ariano also has danced with Lunge Dance Collective, and he has choreographed for the Seattle International Dance Festival.Amanda Morgan | Corps de BalletAmanda Morgan is from Tacoma, Washington. She studied at Dance Theatre Northwest and Pacific Northwest Ballet School, and she attended summer courses at Alonzo King LINES Ballet, Boston Ballet School, and the School of American Ballet. She participated in PNB School's exchange with the Palucca University of Dance in Dresden, where she also performed with Dresden Semperoper Ballett. Ms. Morgan joined Pacific Northwest Ballet as an apprentice in 2016 and was promoted to corps de ballet in 2017.
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Deanna Seay, ballet instructor at the School of the Richmond Ballet. Deanna was trained at the School of Richmond Ballet and the North Carolina School of the Arts. Upon graduation, Deanna joined the Miami City Ballet, where she enjoyed an incredible 21-year tenure and was promoted to Principal Dancer of the ballet in 1998. In 2010, Deanna began teaching full-time at the Cary Ballet Conservatory and, later, at the Boston Ballet School. Now, she has come full circle and is investing in students at the School of the Richmond Ballet, where her entire journey began. Deanna's career is unique in a variety of ways, and because of this, she can share a rich and unique perspective on life, both on stage and off stage. On the podcast, Deanna generously shares her wisdom along a variety of topics, including how dance has changed over the past few decades, why it's important to stay “present” and enjoy every moment, how to build a marathon career at one single dance company, and so much more. Moving Quotes: "Savor every moment. Savor the good moments. Savor the bad moments. Because the day will come when you look back on it as a really meaningful part of your life." "Everything has its time. You can't push any faster than what's going to happen. You can work hard. You can work smart... But you have to trust the people who are there — your director, your ballet mistress... That they will see you when you're ready and use you to the best of your ability... That's a hard lesson." "Ballet is something elemental. It's like math. It's the underlying language of so many things." "Dance will always evolve and reflect the current mood — something that's going on in our lives at any given moment. That's why I'm interested to see what comes out post-pandemic." "When you're teaching while you're dancing, you're still focused on yourself. When you stop dancing, your focus changes." "If you can speak the language of dance clearly, then you will be able to communicate what you want to say clearly. And you can reach the widest number of audience members possible." Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed: 3:13: Deanna talks through her journey as a dancer and how she eventually ended up where her journey all started. 7:22: Deanna discusses how the School of the Richmond Ballet has changed over the years, both physically and in terms of curriculum. 11:08: Deanna explains how an academy adheres to the traditions of its parent dance company through the years, while still innovating. 13:41: Seay discusses how dance is core to all of us and reflects what's going on at any given time — which is why she's excited to see what comes out, post-pandemic. 17:49: Seay, who experienced a lengthy career at the Miami City Ballet, shares the key to sticking with one company for an extended period. 22:07: Seay discusses her transition from the stage to the classroom and speaks to the overlap when she was teaching while still dancing. 27:35: Deanna explains what's next for her and for her students, post-pandemic. 30:37: As she looks back at her long and fruitful career, Deanna shares some veteran advice for anyone aspiring to or currently living in the dance industry. Bullet List of Resources – Deanna Seay LinkedIn On RichmondBallet.com The Richmond Ballet Company Site Instagram Facebook Twitter YouTube
This week we are joined by Eugenia Zinovieva, Co-Director of Rhode Island Women's Choreography Project and dancer with Festival Ballet Providence. Born in Moscow, Russia, Eugenia moved to the United States at a young age and began her classical ballet training at the Boston Ballet School while also competing as a rhythmic gymnast. She graduated […] The post (231) Eugenia Zinovieva, Rhode Island Women's Choreography Project Co-Director and dancer with Festival Ballet Providence appeared first on tendusunderapalmtree.com.
This week we are joined by Eugenia Zinovieva, Co-Director of Rhode Island Women’s Choreography Project and dancer with Festival Ballet Providence. Born in Moscow, Russia, Eugenia moved to the United States at a young age and began her classical ballet training at the Boston Ballet School while also competing as a rhythmic gymnast. She graduated […] The post (231) Eugenia Zinovieva, Rhode Island Women’s Choreography Project Co-Director and dancer with Festival Ballet Providence appeared first on tendusunderapalmtree.com.
Pacific Northwest Ballet, one of the largest and most highly regarded ballet companies in the United States, was founded in 1972. In July 2005, Peter Boal became artistic director, succeeding Kent Stowell and Francia Russell, artistic directors since 1977. The Company of nearly fifty dancers presents more than 100 performances each year of full-length and mixed repertory ballets at Marion Oliver McCaw Hall in Seattle and on tour. The Company has toured to Europe, Australia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Canada, and throughout the United States, with celebrated appearances at Jacob's Pillow and in New York City and Washington DC.In this interview, we speak with soloist Price Suddarth and corps de ballet Christopher D'Ariano and Amanda Morgan.· www.pnb.org· www.pnb.org/artists/price-suddarth/· www.pnb.org/artists/christopher-dariano/· www.pnb.org/artists/amanda-morgan · www.creativeprocess.infoPrice Suddarth | SoloistPrice Suddarth is from Westfield, Indiana. He studied at Central Indiana Dance Ensemble, the School of American Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet School, and he attended summer courses on scholarship at Pacific Northwest Ballet School, the Rock School, the School of American Ballet, and Miami City Ballet. Mr. Suddarth joined Pacific Northwest Ballet as an apprentice in 2010. He was promoted to corps de ballet in 2011 and soloist in 2018.Mr. Suddarth has performed as a guest artist with Panama National Ballet. He has choreographed for the Regional Dance America gala in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Pacific Northwest Ballet's NEXT STEP, and Pacific Northwest Ballet School's annual School Performance. In 2015, he choreographed Signature for PNB's mainstage repertory, and in 2017, he choreographed Shifted Figures for Sculptured Dance, a collaboration between Pacific Northwest Ballet and Seattle Art Museum presented at Seattle's Olympic Sculpture Park.Christopher D'Ariano | Corps de BalletChristopher D'Ariano is from The Bronx, New York. He studied at Ballet Tech, the School of American Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet School, and he attended summer courses at Ballet Tech, Boston Ballet, Nederlands Dans Theater, and Pacific Northwest Ballet. He was the recipient of the School of American Ballet Mae L. Wien Award for Outstanding Promise. Mr. D'Ariano joined Pacific Northwest Ballet as an apprentice in 2017 and was promoted to corps de ballet later that year.Mr. D'Ariano also has danced with Lunge Dance Collective, and he has choreographed for the Seattle International Dance Festival.Amanda Morgan | Corps de BalletAmanda Morgan is from Tacoma, Washington. She studied at Dance Theatre Northwest and Pacific Northwest Ballet School, and she attended summer courses at Alonzo King LINES Ballet, Boston Ballet School, and the School of American Ballet. She participated in PNB School's exchange with the Palucca University of Dance in Dresden, where she also performed with Dresden Semperoper Ballett. Ms. Morgan joined Pacific Northwest Ballet as an apprentice in 2016 and was promoted to corps de ballet in 2017.
Pacific Northwest Ballet, one of the largest and most highly regarded ballet companies in the United States, was founded in 1972. In July 2005, Peter Boal became artistic director, succeeding Kent Stowell and Francia Russell, artistic directors since 1977. The Company of nearly fifty dancers presents more than 100 performances each year of full-length and mixed repertory ballets at Marion Oliver McCaw Hall in Seattle and on tour. The Company has toured to Europe, Australia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Canada, and throughout the United States, with celebrated appearances at Jacob's Pillow and in New York City and Washington DC.In this interview, we speak with soloist Price Suddarth and corps de ballet Christopher D'Ariano and Amanda Morgan.· www.pnb.org· www.pnb.org/artists/price-suddarth/· www.pnb.org/artists/christopher-dariano/· www.pnb.org/artists/amanda-morgan · www.creativeprocess.infoPrice Suddarth | SoloistPrice Suddarth is from Westfield, Indiana. He studied at Central Indiana Dance Ensemble, the School of American Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet School, and he attended summer courses on scholarship at Pacific Northwest Ballet School, the Rock School, the School of American Ballet, and Miami City Ballet. Mr. Suddarth joined Pacific Northwest Ballet as an apprentice in 2010. He was promoted to corps de ballet in 2011 and soloist in 2018.Mr. Suddarth has performed as a guest artist with Panama National Ballet. He has choreographed for the Regional Dance America gala in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Pacific Northwest Ballet's NEXT STEP, and Pacific Northwest Ballet School's annual School Performance. In 2015, he choreographed Signature for PNB's mainstage repertory, and in 2017, he choreographed Shifted Figures for Sculptured Dance, a collaboration between Pacific Northwest Ballet and Seattle Art Museum presented at Seattle's Olympic Sculpture Park.Christopher D'Ariano | Corps de BalletChristopher D'Ariano is from The Bronx, New York. He studied at Ballet Tech, the School of American Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet School, and he attended summer courses at Ballet Tech, Boston Ballet, Nederlands Dans Theater, and Pacific Northwest Ballet. He was the recipient of the School of American Ballet Mae L. Wien Award for Outstanding Promise. Mr. D'Ariano joined Pacific Northwest Ballet as an apprentice in 2017 and was promoted to corps de ballet later that year.Mr. D'Ariano also has danced with Lunge Dance Collective, and he has choreographed for the Seattle International Dance Festival.Amanda Morgan | Corps de BalletAmanda Morgan is from Tacoma, Washington. She studied at Dance Theatre Northwest and Pacific Northwest Ballet School, and she attended summer courses at Alonzo King LINES Ballet, Boston Ballet School, and the School of American Ballet. She participated in PNB School's exchange with the Palucca University of Dance in Dresden, where she also performed with Dresden Semperoper Ballett. Ms. Morgan joined Pacific Northwest Ballet as an apprentice in 2016 and was promoted to corps de ballet in 2017.
Today we are joined by Andrea Renee Long-Naidu, Former Principal with Dance Theatre of Harlem and current Boston Ballet School Faculty Member. Andrea began her ballet training at the Pennsylvania Ballet School, accepting an apprenticeship position with the company at just 14 years-old. After a year working with the company, she went on to continue […] The post (222) Andrea Renee Long-Naidu, Former Principal with Dance Theatre of Harlem and current Boston Ballet School Faculty Member appeared first on tendusunderapalmtree.com.
Today we are joined by Andrea Renee Long-Naidu, Former Principal with Dance Theatre of Harlem and current Boston Ballet School Faculty Member. Andrea began her ballet training at the Pennsylvania Ballet School, accepting an apprenticeship position with the company at just 14 years-old. After a year working with the company, she went on to continue […] The post (222) Andrea Renee Long-Naidu, Former Principal with Dance Theatre of Harlem and current Boston Ballet School Faculty Member appeared first on tendusunderapalmtree.com.
In this Meet the Cast episode, we speak to Garritt McCabe. Garritt began his dance training in Trexlertown, Pennsylvania. At the age of 16 he moved to Boston to dance and study with Boston Ballet. From 2017-2019 he was a trainee at Boston Ballet School. He joined Pennsylvania Ballet second company for the 2019-2020 season. Garritt has performed with PYB on numerous occasions. He now returns as a featured guest dancer to perform the role of Snow King. You can find Garritt on Instagram @garritt.mccabe. Music by Pyotr Ilyich Tschaikovsky, performed by George Balanchine's The Nutcracker, David Zinman, New York City Ballet Orchestra
You Booked It - How to create a successful entertainment career!
Dance Magazine has praised Kevin’s work as “riveting” and he travels throughout the country choreographing for State Street Ballet, St. Louis Ballet, San Diego Dance Theater, the School of Ballet Arizona, SUNY Purchase, CPYB, Island Moving Company, Dimensions Dance Theatre of Miami, and Big Muddy Dance among others. He has served on faculty at Boston Ballet School, Joffrey Ballet School, Walnut Hill School for the Arts, the University of San Diego, and Master Ballet Academy. His choreography has been performed on the Inside/Out Series at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival and he has been awarded residencies with Djerassi and the National Choreographers Initiative.@kevin_jenkins_choreographerkevinjenkins.orgTake Your Career to the Next Level!Work 1-on-1 with Dane, host of You Booked It.
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Ariel Rose, a dancer and choreographer at the Miami City Ballet. Rose, who hails from New York City, trained at multiple arts and dance schools before training at the Boston Ballet School on full scholarship. Rose has since danced professionally with a number of renown ballet companies, yet his true passion is for choreography. Ariel’s education was tailor-made to foster a love of choreography inside of him from a young age, and his works have been featured at a number of ballet companies and schools across two continents. Ariel is a deep, passionate thinker and holds unique perspectives on a wide variety of topics within the dance realm. On the podcast, Aleksandra and Ariel span a number of topics, including his own journey in ballet, his view on dancing a diversity of styles, his creative process, the challenges of being a young and aspiring choreographer, and why there’s a gender disparity in dance, to name a few. Both dancers and non-dancers are sure to come away from the podcast more knowledgeable and more inspired to achieve their goals. Moving Quotes: “I live to create ballets that make people feel something or move them or uplift them… Creating dance gives me a sense of purpose." “You can’t teach someone how to choreograph. You can guide them into being aware of the audience — where the audience’s attention is." “Sometimes working hard is not the ultimate answer. You can run into a wall and not break through it. Sometimes you just have to step to the left and open the door… Think through the problem. You have to be a smart dancer." “Music has always been important to me; it affects me in a very deep way. How that translates for me is choreography." “You have to stay inspired. Because as long as you’re inspired, the work is not work." “Dance can really do things for people that words can’t." “When you’re imagining movement in your head, it’s easier to do so imagining it on actual people that you know, who you’ve seen on stage. It helps manifest the visual in the mind." “I think that the dance world is pushing people to be very limited in style because it’s easier to categorize people. But I feel that, as an artist, that’s limiting. I’ve tried to face that challenge. I don’t have a singular style; I want to be diverse." Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed: 3:18: Ariel discusses what he is doing currently with the Miami City Ballet and when he was first exposed to choreographing, which is his greatest passion. 5:02: Ariel further describes how his education nurtured his love for choreographing and prepared him to create movement for years to come. 6:32: Rose speaks to the satisfaction of seeing his work on stage and gives some insight into his creative process. 8:35: Ariel discusses why, though rare in modern dance, being a well-rounded dancer that knows many styles is beneficial for both dancers and audiences. 13:56: Rose explains how he casts his works and speaks to the importance of finding the right dancers to fit the roles that you’ve imagined in your head. 16:22: Rose describes the biggest challenge that he’s facing today as a young choreographer. 18:34: Ariel shares some great advice for those that may be interested in pursuing a dance career. 24:09: Ariel discusses why he believes that there is a gender disparity when it comes to on-stage dancing, dance administration, and choreography. 28:43: Rose provides commentary on the recent story where Prince George was shamed for attending dance classes, sharing how he believes that situation is ultimately for the best. 31:38: Ariel describes the satisfaction he feels when his choreography moves people and improves others’ lives. Bullet List of Resources – Ariel Rose Choreography Portfolio LinkedIn
This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra chats with Mikko Nissinen, Artistic Director of the Boston Ballet and Boston Ballet School — the largest ballet school in North America. Mikko was born in Finland and has danced for numerous ballet companies, including the Finnish National Ballet, the Dutch National Ballet, Basel Ballet, and the San Fransisco Ballet, where he spent a full decade as principal dancer. Prior to his current role, Mikko served as Executive Director of the Boston Ballet, where he carried out a number of large-scale efforts such as a complete company rebrand and a move to a new, permanent performance home — the Boston Opera House. Nissinen loves the art of ballet, and his passion for the craft is evident through his life and words. On the podcast, he discusses how dance has a transformative power that can even impact entire cultures. Mikko spends some time reflecting on his career as a dancer and how his best dance experiences have been rooted in the camaraderie of dancers that are selflessly performing for the good of the company. Perhaps most importantly, Mikko shares advice that is applicable for both dancers and non-dancers about leaning into your strengths and sharpening your weaknesses through diligent practice.
The Creative Process · Seasons 1 2 3 · Arts, Culture & Society
Pacific Northwest Ballet, one of the largest and most highly regarded ballet companies in the United States, was founded in 1972. In July 2005, Peter Boal became artistic director, succeeding Kent Stowell and Francia Russell, artistic directors since 1977. The Company of nearly fifty dancers presents more than 100 performances each year of full-length and mixed repertory ballets at Marion Oliver McCaw Hall in Seattle and on tour. The Company has toured to Europe, Australia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Canada, and throughout the United States, with celebrated appearances at Jacob's Pillow and in New York City and Washington DC.In this interview, we speak with soloist Price Suddarth and corps de ballet Christopher D'Ariano and Amanda Morgan.· www.pnb.org· www.pnb.org/artists/price-suddarth/· www.pnb.org/artists/christopher-dariano/· www.pnb.org/artists/amanda-morgan · www.creativeprocess.infoPrice Suddarth | SoloistPrice Suddarth is from Westfield, Indiana. He studied at Central Indiana Dance Ensemble, the School of American Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet School, and he attended summer courses on scholarship at Pacific Northwest Ballet School, the Rock School, the School of American Ballet, and Miami City Ballet. Mr. Suddarth joined Pacific Northwest Ballet as an apprentice in 2010. He was promoted to corps de ballet in 2011 and soloist in 2018.Mr. Suddarth has performed as a guest artist with Panama National Ballet. He has choreographed for the Regional Dance America gala in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Pacific Northwest Ballet's NEXT STEP, and Pacific Northwest Ballet School's annual School Performance. In 2015, he choreographed Signature for PNB's mainstage repertory, and in 2017, he choreographed Shifted Figures for Sculptured Dance, a collaboration between Pacific Northwest Ballet and Seattle Art Museum presented at Seattle's Olympic Sculpture Park.Christopher D'Ariano | Corps de BalletChristopher D'Ariano is from The Bronx, New York. He studied at Ballet Tech, the School of American Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet School, and he attended summer courses at Ballet Tech, Boston Ballet, Nederlands Dans Theater, and Pacific Northwest Ballet. He was the recipient of the School of American Ballet Mae L. Wien Award for Outstanding Promise. Mr. D'Ariano joined Pacific Northwest Ballet as an apprentice in 2017 and was promoted to corps de ballet later that year.Mr. D'Ariano also has danced with Lunge Dance Collective, and he has choreographed for the Seattle International Dance Festival.Amanda Morgan | Corps de BalletAmanda Morgan is from Tacoma, Washington. She studied at Dance Theatre Northwest and Pacific Northwest Ballet School, and she attended summer courses at Alonzo King LINES Ballet, Boston Ballet School, and the School of American Ballet. She participated in PNB School's exchange with the Palucca University of Dance in Dresden, where she also performed with Dresden Semperoper Ballett. Ms. Morgan joined Pacific Northwest Ballet as an apprentice in 2016 and was promoted to corps de ballet in 2017.
The Creative Process · Seasons 1 2 3 · Arts, Culture & Society
Pacific Northwest Ballet, one of the largest and most highly regarded ballet companies in the United States, was founded in 1972. In July 2005, Peter Boal became artistic director, succeeding Kent Stowell and Francia Russell, artistic directors since 1977. The Company of nearly fifty dancers presents more than 100 performances each year of full-length and mixed repertory ballets at Marion Oliver McCaw Hall in Seattle and on tour. The Company has toured to Europe, Australia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Canada, and throughout the United States, with celebrated appearances at Jacob's Pillow and in New York City and Washington DC.In this interview, we speak with soloist Price Suddarth and corps de ballet Christopher D'Ariano and Amanda Morgan.· www.pnb.org· www.pnb.org/artists/price-suddarth/· www.pnb.org/artists/christopher-dariano/· www.pnb.org/artists/amanda-morgan · www.creativeprocess.infoPrice Suddarth | SoloistPrice Suddarth is from Westfield, Indiana. He studied at Central Indiana Dance Ensemble, the School of American Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet School, and he attended summer courses on scholarship at Pacific Northwest Ballet School, the Rock School, the School of American Ballet, and Miami City Ballet. Mr. Suddarth joined Pacific Northwest Ballet as an apprentice in 2010. He was promoted to corps de ballet in 2011 and soloist in 2018.Mr. Suddarth has performed as a guest artist with Panama National Ballet. He has choreographed for the Regional Dance America gala in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Pacific Northwest Ballet's NEXT STEP, and Pacific Northwest Ballet School's annual School Performance. In 2015, he choreographed Signature for PNB's mainstage repertory, and in 2017, he choreographed Shifted Figures for Sculptured Dance, a collaboration between Pacific Northwest Ballet and Seattle Art Museum presented at Seattle's Olympic Sculpture Park.Christopher D'Ariano | Corps de BalletChristopher D'Ariano is from The Bronx, New York. He studied at Ballet Tech, the School of American Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet School, and he attended summer courses at Ballet Tech, Boston Ballet, Nederlands Dans Theater, and Pacific Northwest Ballet. He was the recipient of the School of American Ballet Mae L. Wien Award for Outstanding Promise. Mr. D'Ariano joined Pacific Northwest Ballet as an apprentice in 2017 and was promoted to corps de ballet later that year.Mr. D'Ariano also has danced with Lunge Dance Collective, and he has choreographed for the Seattle International Dance Festival.Amanda Morgan | Corps de BalletAmanda Morgan is from Tacoma, Washington. She studied at Dance Theatre Northwest and Pacific Northwest Ballet School, and she attended summer courses at Alonzo King LINES Ballet, Boston Ballet School, and the School of American Ballet. She participated in PNB School's exchange with the Palucca University of Dance in Dresden, where she also performed with Dresden Semperoper Ballett. Ms. Morgan joined Pacific Northwest Ballet as an apprentice in 2016 and was promoted to corps de ballet in 2017.
In this episode of The Vibe of the Tribe, Ashley sits down for a candid, one-on-one conversation with Boston Ballet soloist Isaac Akiba. Isaac began dancing at the Boston Ballet School when he was 9 years old and joined the main company in 2009. One of the two Jewish dancers in the Boston Ballet, Isaac has performed in the fantastic winter production “The Nutcracker” for 18 years. Listen in as Ashley and Isaac discuss his Jewish journey, the summer he spent teaching dance in Israel, the lack of Jewish influence in classic ballet and what Jewish ballet they'd love to see made today. Edited by Jesse Ulrich, with music by Ryan J. Sullivan.
Summer is almost over and many of our listeners are getting ready to head back to school. To help ease us into that transition, we sat down with the director of the Boston Ballet School, Margaret Tracey. Margaret had an illustrious 16 year career as a principal at the New York City Ballet, dancing a […] The post (104) Margaret Tracey, Director of Boston Ballet School appeared first on tendusunderapalmtree.com.
Summer is almost over and many of our listeners are getting ready to head back to school. To help ease us into that transition, we sat down with the director of the Boston Ballet School, Margaret Tracey. Margaret had an illustrious 16 year career as a principal at the New York City Ballet, dancing a […] The post (104) Margaret Tracey, Director of Boston Ballet School appeared first on tendusunderapalmtree.com.
This week we are presenting our final episode recorded from the Vail Dance Festival in August 2017. Today we sit down with Matthew Neenan, PA Ballet Choreographer in Residence & Co-founder of BalletX. Matthew began his dance training at the Boston Ballet School, later continuing his studies at the School of American Ballet. From 1994-2007 Neenan […] The post (81) Matthew Neenan, PA Ballet Choreographer in Residence & Co-founder of BalletX appeared first on tendusunderapalmtree.com.
This week we are presenting our final episode recorded from the Vail Dance Festival in August 2017. Today we sit down with Matthew Neenan, PA Ballet Choreographer in Residence & Co-founder of BalletX. Matthew began his dance training at the Boston Ballet School, later continuing his studies at the School of American Ballet. From 1994-2007 Neenan […] The post (81) Matthew Neenan, PA Ballet Choreographer in Residence & Co-founder of BalletX appeared first on tendusunderapalmtree.com.
This week we are pleased to welcome Patricia Barker, Artistic Director of Grand Rapids Ballet and former Pacific Northwest Ballet Principal Dancer. Patricia began her ballet training in Richland, WA and later studied at the Boston Ballet School and the Pacific Northwest Ballet School. Patricia is regarded as one of the world's most gifted ballerinas […] The post (41) Patricia Barker, Artistic Director of Grand Rapids Ballet appeared first on tendusunderapalmtree.com.
This week we are pleased to welcome Patricia Barker, Artistic Director of Grand Rapids Ballet and former Pacific Northwest Ballet Principal Dancer. Patricia began her ballet training in Richland, WA and later studied at the Boston Ballet School and the Pacific Northwest Ballet School. Patricia is regarded as one of the world’s most gifted ballerinas […] The post (41) Patricia Barker, Artistic Director of Grand Rapids Ballet appeared first on tendusunderapalmtree.com.
Today Sarah asks Megan what her thoughts are about Boston Ballet School and Company. Do you have a question about Ballet? YOU can be a part of the show by sending us your questions by clicking HERE: Balancing Pointe's website Premier Dance Networ
Matthew Neenan began his dance training at the Boston Ballet School. He later attended the LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts and the School of American Ballet in New York. From 1994-2007, Matthew danced with the Pennsylvania Ballet and 2007, Matthew was named Choreographer in Residenceat the Pennsylvania Ballet. Matthew’s choreography has been featured and performed by the Pennsylvania Ballet, BalletX, The Washington Ballet, Colorado Ballet, Ballet West, Ballet Memphis, Milwaukee Ballet, Oregon Ballet Theatre, Tulsa Ballet, Ballet Met, Oklahoma City Ballet, Juilliard Dance, New York City Ballet’s Choreographic Institute, Sacramento Ballet, Nevada Ballet Theatre, Indiana University, Opera Philadelphia, and LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts (NYC), among others. In 2005, Matthew co-founded BalletX with fellow dancer Christine Cox. BalletX had its world premiere at the Philadelphia Live Arts Festival in September 2005 and is now the resident dance company at the prestigious Wilma Theatre. BalletX has toured and performed Neenan’s choreography in New York City at The Joyce Theater, The Skirball Center, Symphony Space and Central Park Summerstage, Vail International Dance Festival, Jacob’s Pillow, The Cerritos Center, Laguna Dance Festival, Spring to Dance Festival in St.Louis, and internationally in Cali, Colombia and Seoul, Korea. In 2010, Matthew became a trustee member for DanceUSA. His ballet The Last Glass was praised in the New York Times as the “The Top 10” of 2013. Matthew Neenan's website BalletX Website New York Times Article mentioned in introduction Balancing Pointe's website
Nao Kusuzaki was born in Ehime, Japan and grew up in Japan, Washington D.C., and Boston. In Japan, Ms. Kusuzaki trained at the Yatsuzuka Ballet. In the United States she trained with Mary Day and Patricia Berrend at the Washington School of Ballet and with Tatiana Legat, Laura Young, and Sydney Leonard at the Boston Ballet School. Ms. Kusuzaki has danced professionally with Boston Ballet for five seasons. In 2004 Nao joined Houston Ballet as a member of the Corps de Ballet. In 2008 she was promoted to Soloist.
Gabrielle Lamb is a native of Savannah, Georgia and was trained at the Boston Ballet School. She joined Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montreal in 2000 and was promoted to soloist in 2003. In 2009 moved to New York City and began working with choreographer Pontus Lidberg, as well as Morphoses, then under the direction of Christopher Wheeldon. Her repertoire as a performer also includes principal roles in works by George Balanchine, Jiri Kylian, Mats Ek, Ohad Naharin, Nacho Duato, Luca Veggetti and Shen Wei. She won the 2009 National Choreographic Competition of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and in 2013 won first prizes in both Milwaukee Ballet's International Choreographic Competition and Western Michigan University's National Choreographic Competition. During the 2013-2014 season her work will be performed by BalletX, Milwaukee Ballet, Ballet Memphis, and Ballet Austin. Ms. Lamb is also a self-taught video artist and animator, and her dance films have been presented by Dance on Camera at Lincoln Center, the American Dance Festival, Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, and Dance Theatre of Harlem, among others.
Melanie Atkins Varga is a full time faculty member at the Boston Ballet School as well as the company's Childrens Ballet Mistress. Melanie's teaches dancers from the pre-professional division all the way through to the trainees. Melanie trained at Walnut Hill School of the Arts after her family moved from England to Massachusetts. After graduating high school Melanie trained at the School of American Ballet in New York City before being chosen by Suzanne Farrell and Paul Mejia to join Mejia's company in Fort Worth Texas. After a few years of training and performing under this acclaimed master teacher, Melanie joined the Miami City Ballet where she quickly moved through the ranks to Principal. After many successful years with Miami City Ballet, Melanie moved to Alberta Canada to join Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen Within a few days of moving to Canada, Melanie learned that Mikko Nissinen was moving to Boston Ballet as their new Artistic Director. Mr. Nissinen asked Melanie to join him in Boston. While in Alberta Melanie met her husband Sabi Varga who was a soloist with the company. Fortunately for both of them, Mikko asked Sabi to join him in his move to Boston as well. After their move, Melanie enjoyed a successful ten years with Boston Ballet. After the birth of Sabi and Melanie's daughter, Melanie chose to retire from the rigors of being a company member and joined Boston Ballet as a full time Ballet Mistress for the Pre-Professional and Trainee program.
Szabolcs (Sabi) Varga received his training at the Hungarian Dance Academy in Budapest, Hungary. In 1997 he was named Best Young Dancer at the International Rudolf Nureyev Competition. Upon graduation he joined Alberta Ballet under the direction of Mikko Nissinen. There he performed principal roles in works by George Balanchine, Helgi Tomasson, and Christopher Wheeldon. In 2002 Nissinen invited Varga to join Boston Ballet as a member of the corps de ballet. He was promoted to second soloist in 2004 and to soloist in 2006. Varga is married to former Boston Ballet soloist Melanie Atkins, who is currently Children's Ballet Mistress and faculty member with Boston Ballet School.
Szabolcs (Sabi) Varga received his training at the Hungarian Dance Academy in Budapest, Hungary. In 1997 he was named Best Young Dancer at the International Rudolf Nureyev Competition. Upon graduation he joined Alberta Ballet under the direction of Mikko Nissinen. There he performed principal roles in works by George Balanchine, Helgi Tomasson, and Christopher Wheeldon. In 2002 Nissinen invited Varga to join Boston Ballet as a member of the corps de ballet. He was promoted to second soloist in 2004 and to soloist in 2006. Varga is married to former Boston Ballet soloist Melanie Atkins, who is currently Children's Ballet Mistress and faculty member with Boston Ballet School.
Health Chat with Kat with Special Guest Dottie Lee Active Wellness USA LLC encompasses the educational and wellness activities of: Healing Touch Houston TX - integrative therapy to overcome neurological challenges -- Parkinson's, MS, Stroke, Autism, OCD, PTSD, addictions as well as to relieve stress, promote healing and foster general well being. The modalities of Reiki and Healing Touch are utilized to treat these challenges. Healing Touch Dance - offered to those with movement disorders such as Parkinson's and has been found to be a beneficial therapy to "train the brain." Dance & Gymnastics USA - provides professional instruction in dance, gymnastics, martial arts and athletic skills on site to children attending public and private schools in the Houston area. Holistic Chamber of Commerce (President - Houston Chapter) is a growing national organization representing holistic professionals, practitioners and non holistic businesses that offer services to our members. We encourage and promote healthy living and support the professionals and businesses that make it possible. Together we can -- together we will -- make a difference. My dance education includes training in New York, Ct and at Boston Ballet School. I earned an MBA at the University of Texas, am a Registered Dance Educator, healing touch/reiki practitioner and a teaching member of - Dance for Parkinson's.Teacher Member-Dance for Parkinson's.
Active Wellness USA LLC encompasses the educational and wellness activities of: Healing Touch Houston TX - integrative therapy to overcome neurological challenges -- Parkinson's, MS, Stroke, Autism, OCD, PTSD, addictions as well as to relieve stress, promote healing and foster general well being. The modalities of Reiki and Healing Touch are utilized to treat these challenges. Healing Touch Dance - offered to those with movement disorders such as Parkinson's and has been found to be a beneficial therapy to "train the brain." Dance & Gymnastics USA - provides professional instruction in dance, gymnastics, martial arts and athletic skills on site to children attending public and private schools in the Houston area. Holistic Chamber of Commerce (President - Houston Chapter) is a growing national organization representing holistic professionals, practitioners and non holistic businesses that offer services to our members. We encourage and promote healthy living and support the professionals and businesses that make it possible. Together we can -- together we will -- make a difference. My dance education includes training in New York, Ct and at Boston Ballet School. I earned an MBA at the University of Texas, am a Registered Dance Educator, healing touch/reiki practitioner and a teaching member of - Dance for Parkinson's.Teacher Member-Dance for Parkinson's.