Studio 1
ABOUT THE DIRECTORS
Academy founders, John White and Margarita de Saá, were leading dancers with the internationally recognized Ballet Nacional de Cuba, having danced many principal roles in the company's repertoire. The directors also began their teaching careers in Cuba. Mr. White began as a ballet master and company teacher, while Ms. de Saá taught in the new national school, Cubanacan. Both received instruction from visiting Soviet ballet masters who remained in Cuba for two years and established the Vaganova method. Mr. White and Ms. de Saá bring important international dance experience to the Academy.
Also contributing significant professional experience is Melinda Pendleton, who was invited to join the Academy as Assistant Director in 1991. In addition to dancing professionally in companies in the U.S., France and Japan, she also won awards in important national and international ballet competitions. Ms. Pendleton provides invaluable assistance in helping to run the Academy.
The three co-directors and their faculty of experienced and well-trained teachers all employ the same Vaganova method that has produced such illustrious dancers as Rudolf Nureyev, Natalia Makarova and Mikhail Baryshnikov and a host of other internationally acclaimed artists. Indispensable continuity is assured when all teachers emphasize the same time-tested methodology that consistently provides students with a precise technique, musicality, complete body awareness and control, and a carefully structured breakdown of each movement.
Studio 2
ABOUT CLASSES
Children, between the ages of four and seven years, begin their dancing experience in special CREATIVE MOVEMENT and PRE-BALLET classes. These classes provide an introduction to dance in an enjoyable relaxed environment that is designed to teach basic body awareness and the coordination of movement to music. Students take one sixty-minute lesson per week.
REGULAR DIVISION classes begin at age eight with two ninety-minute lessons per week that emphasize the basic fundamentals of classical dance. As students advance and grow stronger they begin to take lessons more frequently. At the appropriate time, girls begin to learn the intricacies of pointe work. Students wishing to pursue a career in dance will eventually be taking classes nearly every day.
The Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet is a non-recital school. Twice a year, parents and relatives are invited to attend special observation lessons that demonstrate what the students have been learning during the year. When students graduate to LEVEL 3 they are given the opportunity of participating in the studio’s annual holiday performances of THE NUTCRACKER which are held every year at the Upper Darby Performing Arts Center. Rehearsals are conducted in addition to regular classes, and every effort is made to minimize interruptions of the normal class schedule. In addition, most PRE-PROFESSIONAL and ADVANCED students are invited to join the Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet Society's performing ensemble.
- Class time is never used to rehearse end of year “recitals.”
- Parents never pay for parts in performances or for costumes.
- Parents are never required to purchase tickets for performances their children participate in.
Teens and adults that wish to learn the art of classical dance take lessons in a separate ADULT DIVISION. They enjoy challenging and progressive classes especially designed for more mature students - - all levels, BEGINNER through ADVANCED. This division is an especially popular option that offers adults a more stimulating alternative than gym workouts or other routine exercise regimens. Children below age thirteen are not permitted to attend these classes. Neither are adults permitted to take classes with young children in the REGULAR DIVISION. |
