Marblehead School of Ballet and North Shore Civic Ballet to Present a Performance and a Poetry Reading in Celebration of National Poetry Month

PRESS RELEASE | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   

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

Marblehead School of Ballet and North Shore Civic Ballet to Present a Performance and a Poetry Reading in Celebration of National Poetry Month

Summary: The Marblehead School of Ballet, in collaboration with the North Shore Civic Ballet, celebrates National Poetry Month and spring with a presentation of classical ballet, modern dance, Balinese dance and poetry readings on April 26.

(Marblehead, Massachusetts; April 10, 2025) – The Marblehead School of Ballet (MSB), in collaboration with the North Shore Civic Ballet (NSB), celebrates National Poetry Month with a special program, ‘Spring Spotlight: An In-Studio Performance’, on Saturday, April 26. The special event will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Marblehead School of Ballet, located at 115 Pleasant Street in Marblehead, Massachusetts.

The program is open to the public and free, with donations greatly appreciated. Seating is limited. Reservations are required and may be made by e-mail or calling 781-631-6262. The program is sponsored in part by the NSCB, a not-for-profit dance company based at the school, and the Ruth N. Shiff Memorial Fund.

‘Spring Spotlight: An In-Studio Performance’ features students, who are enrolled in the MSB's Repertory class and Monthly Dance Adventure workshop, performing a range of dances, including classical ballet, modern, and Balinese. The dancers will perform the following pieces: excerpts from The Nutcracker and Coppélia; the modern works I Insist and Winterreise (Winter Journey) by Ivan Korn, the resident choreographer of the NSCB; and the Balinese dance duet, Tari Coba Kecil Oleg-Parts 1 and 2, adapted from the traditional Balinese dance, Oleg Tambulilingan (Love Dance of the Bumblebees), with choreography by guest performer, Carlos Fittante. Fittante, the artistic director of BALAM Dance Theatre, will also dance Harlequin’s Whimsical Love Dance, a work in-progress. Guest vocalist Molly Grant will join the dancers and perform a medley of songs.

National Poetry Month Readings

In observance of National Poetry Month in April, the Marblehead School of Ballet and the North Shore Civic Ballet launched a Poetry Contest in March. The MSB’s current and former students and the general public were invited to submit poems with the theme, Steps to My Soul: How Dance Transforms Me. During the Spring Spotlight: An In-Studio Performance program, the poetry contest’s winners will also be announced, receive their awards and read the poems they wrote. 

Love Dancing? Go Shopping!

During National Poetry Month, enjoy the spring season dancing and shopping. The Marblehead School of Ballet is offering a range of dance products, such as coffee mugs, sweatshirts, sweatpants, blankets, totes, and more in the school's online store. Shop and receive 20% off the total order. To receive the special discount, customers must use promo code Spring25 at checkout.

For information about the performance, the poetry contest, the Marblehead School of Ballet, or the North Shore Civic Ballet, call 781-631-6262, send an e-mail to or visit the school's website or the balle4t company's website.

About Marblehead School of Ballet

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.  

For further information about the Marblehead School of Ballet, call 781-631-6262, send an e-mail or visit the school's website. Follow MSB on Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter) @MSB_ballet.

About North Shore Civic Ballet Company

The North Shore Civic Ballet (NSCB), a not-for-profit dance company based at the Marblehead School of Ballet, has provided performances and arts education to the Greater Boston community for 51 years. Artistic Director Paula K. Shiff and Associate Director Florence C. Whipple founded the company in 1974.

The NSCB is home to an ever-changing group of talented dancers made up of both seasoned professionals and aspiring young dancers. For several years, Ivan Korn, resident choreographer, has created a range of work for the ballet company. For further information about the North Shore Civic Ballet, call 781-631-6262, send an e-mail or visit the ballet company's website.

###