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LEVELS A, B, C, D

These classes are designed for young ballet students. Each level is carefully structured to develop technique, musicality, classroom etiquette, and discipline. Students are not advanced to the next level based on age. Each student progresses to the next level only when she or he meets training criteria.

Level A provides an introduction to ballet for beginning four- and five-year-olds. Formal ballet training begins in Level B for children who are generally age six to eight. We recommend students at this early stage of development take class once a week. Taking class twice a week helps dancers in Level C begin to develop muscle memory. At Level D an additional third class per week is recommended to prepare the student for more advanced training.

At Level B and above, students may be offered the opportunity to audition for mainstage performances, when appropriate. With few exceptions, each MAB student who auditions when eligible will be cast. These are opportunities to appear in full-length ballet productions (not recitals) and involve additional rehearsal time outside of class. In this way, no class time is lost in preparing for a show, and the student continues to progress in his or her training while gaining valuable theater experience.

Dress Code for Levels A and B:
Ladies – Any style black leotard, pink tights, pink leather ballet shoes. Legwarmers may be worn in cold weather. No garbage bag pants. Hair must be securely off face in at least a ponytail, bun preferred.
Gentlemen – White short-sleeve t-shirt, black shorts or sweatpants (not too baggy), white socks and white leather ballet shoes.

Dress Code for Levels C and D:
Ladies – Any style black leotard, pink tights (convertible preferred), pink canvas or leather ballet shoes. Black jazz shoes are optional. Legwarmers may be worn in cold weather. No garbage bag pants or loose-fitting warm-ups in class. Hair must be off face and neck and secured into a neat bun. No jewelry please, except small earrings.
Gentlemen – White short-sleeve or sleeveless t-shirt, black tights with dance belt, and black canvas or leather ballet shoes. Long hair must be in a ponytail.

 

LEVELS E, F, G, H, I

These advanced levels are designed to meet the needs of students who desire more intense training. Advanced students may aspire to become a professional dancer or to continue dance education at a university. The program offers a comprehensive course of study in which technique, musicality, and artistry are emphasized. Students at Level E are generally ready to begin training en pointe, although each student reaches this milestone when physically able to do so.

As students progress through these higher levels, they will be expected to increase their class time to four to five days per week, as well as participate in rehearsals for performances. Master classes and residencies by guest faculty are also part of the advanced curriculum, as well as jazz, modern dance, and Pilates mat class.

When students have reached this level of proficiency, they may audition for the MAB Company, Apprentices, or Trainees. Members of these groups perform in most MAB performances with professional guest artists and they receive priority in casting. They may also be invited to learn the craft of choreography, function as faculty interns, and participate in MAB outreach programs.

Note: New students wishing to enroll in this division must first be evaluated by the artistic director. Please call 302-266-6362 for an appointment.

Dress Code for Levels E – I
Ladies – Any style black leotard, pink tights (convertible preferred), pink canvas or leather ballet shoes. Black jazz shoes are optional. Legwarmers may be worn in cold weather. No garbage bag pants or loose-fitting warm-ups in class. Hair must be off face and neck and secured into a neat bun. No jewelry please, except small earrings.
Gentlemen – White short-sleeve or sleeveless t-shirt, black tights with dance belt, and black canvas or leather ballet shoes. Long hair must be in a ponytail.

Raise the barre on your workout with our classes for teens and adults!

Whether you are a beginner or a more experienced dancer, you will enjoy our special programs that allow adults to work at their own pace and meet a variety of personal goals. Our proximity to the University of Delaware makes MAB a great place for college students and faculty to nurture their inner dancer and have fun exercising!

Class offerings include evening ballet and Pilates mat classes. Our flexible payment policy allows you to pay for a number of classes in advance and take them when it works into your schedule.

2009-2010 Schedule:
Tuesday
8pm – 9pm Adult Ballet

Wednesday
7pm – 7:45pm Pilates

Thursday
8pm – 9pm Adult Ballet

Dress Code for Adults: Leotards and tights in solid colors are preferred, but sweatpants and t-shirts are acceptable.

Ballet Camp
Each summer, MAB offers week-long day camps for children ages four to ten. These camp sessions immerse children in the world of ballet with several daily dance classes, stage crafts, choreography, music, ballet stories, and more. Previous dance experience is not required for ballet camp.

Camp Registration (PDF)

Summer Intensive
This five week program is for serious students from throughout the area. For five full days each week, students train with guest and resident faculty in ballet, pre-pointe and pointe, Pilates mat, variations, jazz, modern, partnering, dance history, and repertoire. Intensive is open to intermediate and advanced students ages 10 to 20. Non-MAB dancers should audition for proper placement.

Intensive Registration (PDF)

2010 Schedule
June 16 & 23 Stay-in Shape Classes
5-6:30pm - $5 per class

July 5- 9 Ballet Camp

July 12-16 Intensive 1
July 19-23 Intensive 1
July 26-30 Intensive 2
August 2 - 6 Intensive 2
August 9 - 13 Intensive 2

 

 

Guest Teacher Intensive 1 Week 1 July 12-16 Claire Kallimanis

Raised in Delaware, Claire is an original alumni of the Mid Atlantic Ballet, attending prestigious summer programs such as Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and the School of American Ballet.  She went on to continue her training at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.  After graduating, Ms. Kallimanis found a home with Columbia City Ballet in Columbia, SC.  Some of her favorite roles include Mena in Dracula, Dew Drop Fairy in The Nutcracker and Snow White in Snow White.  Claire has had the opportunity to perform such Balanchine greats as Serenade, Western Symphony and Donizetti.  Viola Alone...(with one exception) choreographed by Kevin O'Day is her favorite role thus far.

 

 

 

 

Guest Teacher Intensive 1 Week 2 July 19-23  Miranda Blogg

 

 "Miranda Bailey joined Columbia City Ballet in 2001, promoted to the rank of Soloist in 2009, and in her eight seasons with the company she has performed such roles as Victoria in Dracula, where the Free Times notes she 'established herself as a beautiful dancer with gorgeous legs & arms, but she also exhibited a beaming stage presence & portrayed her character with utmost believability.'  She also danced the title role in Pocahontas, and as Pride in Beauty & the Beast, the Free Times wrote '...was a standout.  Bailey performed with a self-assurance & fluidity, underpinned by precise technique, a clean classical line, and rock-solid balance.  When she danced, it was hard to look at anyone else.'  She is best known for performing Chinese Tea in the Nutcracker, & the Free Times named her Best Local Dancer in 2006.

    Born in Maynard, Massachusetts, she still spends her free time working for Dance Prism in Boston where her professional dancing began in 1996.  She is currently one of their featured dancers & resident choreographers.  At Dance Prism she has staged such ballets as Coppelia, Swan Lake, & Giselle and portrayed such roles as Swanilda in Coppelia, Aurora in Sleeping Beauty & the title role in Giselle."

 

Guest Teachers Intensive 2 Week 1 July 26-30 Matthew Keefe
and Brittany Fridenstine Keefe

 

MATTHEW KEEFE discovered dance while a student of the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.  His early inspiration came from the late Tim Wengerd of the Martha Graham Dance Company.  He has danced in numerous ballet, modern and opera companies including The Lynda Martha Dance Company, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Fort Wayne Ballet, Boston Ballet 2, Charleston Ballet Theater, Louisville Ballet, Ohio Ballet, the move, Ballet Met Columbus, Minnesota Opera and the James Sewell Ballet as well as numerous guest artist appearances. A choreographer of over 40 ballets, his work has won awards from the Regional Dance America and was selected for the Ballet Builders Showcase in New York. In 1999, Matthew received an MFA in Dance from the University of Iowa. Equally at home in the artistic, education, production and administrative realms of dance; Matthew has served as the Interim Artistic Director of Ballet Quad Cities for the 2006-07 season, founder and producer of “The Studio 2A Project – a performance of dance in the round”, Development Associate/Special Events Manager at George Street Playhouse, Company Manager/Stage Manager for American Repertory Ballet, and part time faculty member for the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University.  Matthew has recently returned to freelance teaching, choreographing, stage managing and consulting for arts organizations -- he is also developing new professional development models for working and aspiring dancers.  He resides in New York with his wife, dancer Brittany Fridenstine.

                                                                                                            

Brittany was raised in Seattle, WA and trained in the professional division program at Pacific Northwest Ballet. Currently an international guest artist, she has previously danced with Pacific Northwest Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Ballet Memphis, Minnesota Dance Theatre, the James Sewell Ballet and American Repertory Ballet as well as numerous guest artist appearances across the world.  She has originated roles in ballets by Graham Lustig, Mark Godden, James Sewell, Kent Stowell, Val Caniparoli, Christian Burns, Heather Maloy, Frank Chavez and Luca Veggetti. Passionate about her professional development as an artist, she has studied with Alonzo King at his professional summer workshop as well as studied Horton and Taylor modern techniques and improvisation.  Last summer she performed in Europe with Luca Veggetti as the sole dancer in an improvised show; and this summer she represented the United States in the Third International Festival of Dance in Cali, Colombia.  Brittany teaches ballet and repertoire and has created a dance program for children with special needs, called Kids in Motion!  She is a certified teacher of the GYROTONIC® expansion system (www.myspiralmotion.com).  Brittany believes in the great potential for the field of dance and its individual artists; she is the chair of the “Dancer's Council” for Dance/USA and also provides a resource for dancer empowerment through her blog at: www.dancersmarts.blogspot.com. 

 

 

 

Guest Teacher Intensive 2 Weeks 2 & 3 August 2-6 and 9-16 Chelsea Teel

 

Chelsea trained at Fort Wayne Ballet, directed by Michael Tevlin, Robert Kelley, and Karen Gibbons-Brown. She trained at the schools of Grand Rapids Ballet, Ballet Arizona, and Northwest Florida Ballet, received several of Regional Dance America’s highest honors in the Midwest region, and was awarded scholarships to ballet schools throughout the U.S. In 2001 Chelsea became an apprentice with Kansas City Ballet, and was promoted to company member four months later. During seven seasons with KCB she performed principal roles in ballets that included Balanchine’s Concerto Barocco and Mozartiana, Ib Andersen’s Romeo and Juliet, Duato’s Jardi Tancat, José Limón’s The Moor’s Pavane, Val Caniparoli’s Lambarena, Twyla Tharp’s Deuce Coupe, Nine Sinatra Songs, and As Time Goes By, and the Agnes de Mille solo Debut at the Opera. Chelsea has been a guest teacher at ballet schools across the U.S. and has had works commissioned by the New American Youth Ballet, Midwest Youth Ballet, and Crossroads Ballet Festival. Chelsea performs and choreographs with Quixotic Fusion of Kansas City. Since joining Ballet Arizona last season, Chelsea originated the role of Titania in Andersen’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and performed a principal role in Balanchine’s Stravinsky Violin Concerto, and was featured in Fokine’s Les Sylphides, Tharp’s The Golden Section, and Balanchine’s La Valse.

Guest Partner Intensive 2, Tuesdays & Thursdays Ryan James Stauffer

Ryan James Stauffer attended the University of the Arts as a ballet major, since school Ryan has danced with Raven Symone on tour and danced under the direction of Roberta Mathis in the steps faculty show.  Recent regional credits include, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, the Producers & Hairspray at the Walnut Street Theatre. Ryan also played Tommy in Father of the Bride at the Totem Pole Playhouse.

 

 

 

 

 

Guest Choreographer for Week 2 & 3 Diane Sharp-Nachsin

Diane started her career in Pittsburgh, dancing with Pittsburgh based, Mary Miller Dance Company from 1992-1994. She returned to Philadelphia to dance on scholarship with Philadanco. Diane has also danced professionally with Juan Antonio and dancers, Trapezius Aerial Dance Company, Deborah Birrane, Anne-Marie Mulgrew and Dancers, Convergence Dancers and Musicians/Dance Matrix and Amsterdam based company Jacqueline Knopps and dansers. Diane has performed with Pennsylvania Ballet Theaters’ Principal dancers Leslie Carothers and Meredith Rainey and Dirk Platzik, formally of The White Oak Project with Mikhail Baryshnikov. Some of Diane’s teaching experience includes: Indiana University of Pennsylvania, The Governor’s School of New Jersey and Assistant Director of the Penn State University Abington Dance Company. Some of Diane’s original work has been showcased in Philadelphia, Maryland, Pittsburgh, Delaware and at the New Zealand Embassy in Washington D.C. After suffering from injuries that forced Diane to retire from performing, she founded SHARP Dance Company in 2005 and is currently the Artistic Director and choreographer for this 9 member professional modern dance company. Diane recently was selected as a 2007/2008 New Edge Mix Artist Award recipient in Philadelphia, PA and was awarded the first alternate position for the 2008 Dance/USA convention grant/ scholarship in Colorado.  SHARP recently returned from Phoenix, AZ after performing at the Phoenix Fringe Festival.