Marblehead School of Ballet Celebrates 49th Anniversary

Press Release

For Immediate Release

     Media Contact: Luhrs & Associates, press[at]luhrsandassociates.com

 Marblehead School of Ballet Celebrates 49th Season

The new season features a range of classes and workshops featuring ballet, modern, Tai Chi, and Balinese dance to meet dancers' needs and interests.

            (Marblehead, Massachusetts; August 17, 2020) – The Marblehead School of Ballet (MSB) celebrates its 49th anniversary and opens the new season on Monday, August 24. A range of classes, workshops, and events from Ballet to Balinese are lined up for the 2020-2021 year. Children, teenagers, and adults will find classes for all ages and levels provided live online. Private and semi-private lessons will be available online and also held on-site at the school's studio, located at 115 Pleasant Street, in picturesque Marblehead, Massachusetts.

            "The Marblehead School of Ballet looks forward to launching our 49th season. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we found new ways to reach out to the dance community far and wide to educate and enrich peoples' lives. In our new season, we send our best wishes to all the dancers and their families who come to MSB. As we approach our 50th anniversary, we look forward to developing the next generation of dancers," said Paula K. Shiff, Director, Marblehead School of Ballet.

New Season of Classes

            Embracing a motto of quality education, the MSB provides individual attention and works with people to reach their goals. The school's curriculum offers classes to meet seasoned dancers' needs, as well as avocational and up-and-coming dancers of all ages. Children, teenagers, and adults find a range of opportunities available to meet their interests. The new season offers classes for all ages and levels in ballet, pointe, variations, modern, creative movement, jazz, stretch and strength, Floor-Barre, tap, Latin solo work, couples salsa and bachata, and Tai Chi. Students may register for classes full-time or on a rolling basis. Drop-ins are welcome.

            Private and semi-private lessons are also available live online and in the studio for dancers of all ages and levels by appointment. Private lessons are available to create a fun dance at a couple's wedding, prepare for an athletic competition, develop skills for a dance performance, practice for college auditions, cross-train for a sport, work on alignment and coordination, or seek additional instruction. Information about classes and private lessons are available online.

Special Events

            In the new season, three featured events include a live online Modern Dance Technique workshop with Ivan Korn, a 49th season virtual Get-Together, and a Balinese Dance masterclass. Registration for the workshops may be done online at marbleheadschoolofballet.com/classes/schedule/. To participate in the 49th season Get-Together, call 781-631-6262 or contact msb@havetodance.com.

            Students learn classic moves of the American modern dance repertory in the Marblehead School of Ballet's new workshop, Modern Dance Technique, live and online with faculty member Ivan Korn. Korn, a native of Santiago, Chile, earned a Master of Fine Arts in choreography at the Boston Conservatory and has performed in New England at the Boston Center for the Arts, The Joyce SoHo in New York, and at Jacob's Pillow in Becket, Massachusetts.

            The workshop, held on Saturdays from September 12 to October 3 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., focuses on music accuracy, swing and the use of weight through movement and posture, as well as arm and leg coordination for dancers ages 12 and above. This workshop provides an opportunity to learn in a fun way some classic moves of the American modern dance repertory. Advanced registration may be done online. 

            The school's 49th season virtual Get-Together takes place on Sunday, September 20th from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. Students, alumni, parents of current and former students, and friends are welcome to join the fun, make a toast and catch up. RSVP for this free event online

            The third event presents a Balinese dance masterclass on October 19 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Students, ages 12 to adult, will learn excerpts from the scintillating Balinese dance, Oleg Tambulilingan (Love Dance of the Bumblebees), or affectionately called the Oleg. Carlos Fittante, a principal dancer and co-choreographer with the Boston Early Music Festival and artistic director of BALAM Dance Theatre (BALAM) in New York City, teaches this enriching workshop. Advanced registration will be available online in the near future.                   

Register          

            MSB operates year round and offers open enrollment on a rolling basis. Although students are welcome to start any time, advanced registration is required. To register for any class or for further information, visit www.marbleheadschoolofballet.com, call 781-631-6262, or contact msb@havetodance.com.       

About Marblehead School of Ballet

          Celebrating its 49th year, the Marblehead School of Ballet, founded in 1971 by Paula K. Shiff, has earned a wide reputation for the excellence of its training and integrity of purpose. Classical ballet forms the core of teaching with particular emphasis on correct alignment and development of strength and agility. The sheer pleasure of dance and music is always central to the classroom experience.

            The basic graded program for children includes classes in ballet technique with advanced work in repertoire and pointe. The school also offers a modern dance department, classes for young children in creative movement and classes in improvisation and technique for the older student. A full range of adult classes is offered.

            MSB is home to the North Shore Civic Ballet Company (NSCB). The NSCB gives concert performances and a variety of educational programs for schools; all are suitable for different age groups and levels of development.

            For further information, call 781-631-6262, send an e-mail to msb@havetodance.com or visit the company's website. Follow MSB on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @MSB_ballet.

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