Uniting Generations Through Artistic Expression. Marblehead School of Ballet Celebrates 54th Season.

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

Marblehead School of Ballet Celebrates 54 Years of Dance:

Uniting Generations Through Artistic Expression

            (Marblehead, Massachusetts; August 25, 2025) – The Marblehead School of Ballet (MSB) announces its 54th anniversary season, launching on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, with a comprehensive dance program of in-studio and online classes that bridges generations and celebrates artistic expression.

Located at 115 Pleasant Street in picturesque Marblehead, Massachusetts, the Marblehead School of Ballet has been a cornerstone of dance education and a home to generations of dancers for over five decades. The school offers an extensive range of classes from ballet to ballroom designed to accommodate dancers of all ages and skill levels—children, tweens, teenagers, adults and seniors.

A Legacy of Dance Across Generations

"Dance enriches all of life," said Director Paula K. Shiff. "It teaches discipline, grace, self-control, musicality and other qualities that transcend the dance floor and carry over into every profession. At MSB, we learn to dance, and we learn from dance. Teachers pass on their art through a beautiful choreography of legacy, creating an unbroken chain of dancing that flows from grandparents to parents to children.”

Multi-Generations Inspired to Dance

The school's unique multi-generational approach is exemplified with families like the Macombers, for whom dance has become a cherished family tradition. Grandmother Meechee Macomber and her daughter Coree Dovev have all studied at MSB, and granddaughter Hannah continued the tradition, beginning her dance studies at the school as a toddler, creating an unbroken chain of artistic passion.

In the 1980’s, Dovev started studying ballet at MSB at three years of age. “I’m grown and have a family of my own, but my love for ballet has never faded. Now, my daughter shares the same passion. Watching her skills grow in the very same studio, where both my mother and I once danced, has been truly special. We are so fortunate to have Marblehead School of Ballet teaching the love of dance in our community for 54 seasons,” she said.

New Season of Dance Offerings

            Embracing a motto of quality education, the MSB provides individual attention and works with people to reach their goals. The school’s 2025-2026 season features a range of classes to meet seasoned dancers' needs, as well as avocational and aspiring dancers of all ages, with a trained, professional staff. The new season offers classes for all ages and levels in ballet, pre-ballet, child ballet, pre-pointe, pointe, variations, modern, creative movement, stretch and strength, ballroom, West Coast Swing, Argentine Tango, and Latin solo work. 

            The MSB also meets the diverse needs of dancers, athletes, and people undergoing rehabilitation from an injury. The school provides classes and private and semi-private lessons in the studio, as well as live online instruction for dancers and athletes of all ages and levels by appointment. Personalized instruction is provided to prepare for performances, competitions, auditions, weddings, special events and personal growth. Athletes from various sports, such as skating, soccer, or gymnastics take lessons to cross-train for increased strength, range of motion, alignment and coordination. 

National and International Reach

            Dancers come from near and far to study at the school. In Massachusetts, students attend from the surrounding cities and towns of Beverly, Boston, Boxford, Danvers, East Gloucester, Hamilton, Haverhill, Ipswich, Lynn, Manchester by the Sea, Marblehead, Melrose, Nahant, Reading, Revere, Rockport, Salem, Saugus, Swampscott, Topsfield, Wakefield Wenham and Winthrop. Other dance enthusiasts come from out-of-state locations, such as Maine, Florida, Texas, New Hampshire, and Vermont. International students have come from France and Italy to train at the school.

Alumni Accomplishments

            The MSB's graduates continue their dance studies at some of the most prestigious ballet companies worldwide, including Eliot Feld, Alvin Ailey, Houston Ballet, Metropolitan Opera Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Limon Dance Company and Ballet de Lorraine in France, among others. Alumni also pursue careers in a range of fields worldwide. They graduate from leading postsecondary institutions, such as the Boston Conservatory of Music, New York University Tisch School of the Arts, The Johns Hopkins University, University of North Carolina School for the Arts and the University of Utah.

Registration and Information

            The Marblehead School of Ballet operates year-round and offers open enrollment. Students may register for classes full-time or on a rolling basis. Drop-ins are welcome.             

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

            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. 

            The 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 www.marbleheadschoolofballet.com. Follow the MSB on Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter) @MSB_ballet.

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