Experience Another Culture in a Balinese Dance Master Class With Marblehead School of Ballet

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Experience Another Culture in a Balinese Dance Master Class With

Marblehead School of Ballet

            (Marblehead, Massachusetts; October 6, 2020) – Indulge your curiosity, while experiencing a new culture in Marblehead School of Ballet's Balinese dance master class. This live, virtual master class will be presented on Monday, October 19 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Dancers and non dancers, ages 12 and above, can learn new movements and add skills to their dance toolkit in this enriching Balinese dance master class taught by Salem native Carlos Fittante, Artistic Director of the New York City based BALAM Dance Theatre (BALAM).

            "Relieve your COVID-19 stress and take a Balinese dance class.  Experience the dance and culture of Bali with Carlos Fittante, an enthusiastic, encouraging, and delightful teacher," said Paula K. Shiff, Director, Marblehead School of Ballet.

            Students will learn excerpts from the scintillating Balinese dance, Oleg Tambulilingan (Love Dance of the Bumblebees), or the Oleg, as it is affectionately called. Dancers can enhance their performing charisma in this master class. "Balinese dance uses performance techniques that augment a performer's stage presence. Although this outcome takes time to manifest, people, who enjoy experiencing dance aesthetics from other cultures, will be well rewarded by this class, explained Fittante.

            "This class is a helpful primer for anyone planning a visit to Bali in the future, especially if they intend to take dance lessons there. Having a familiarity with the choreography allows the student to focus on the details and refine the movement. Also, the non-dancing tourist can experience the dance movement patterns that offer a kinesthetic impression of Balinese social values and cultural aesthetics," he said.

            Fittante studied Balinese dance in New York City and in Bali with pre-eminent dance scholars and practitioners. In New York City, he studied with Balinese dance pioneer Islene Pinder. He travelled to Bali several times and studied with award-winning Balinese dancers affiliated with the acclaimed Semara Ratih Gamelan.

            A principal dancer and co-choreographer with the Boston Early Music Festival, Fittante graduated from the School of American Ballet and holds a Master of Fine Arts in Dance from the University of Wisconsin.  He specializes in Baroque, Balinese, and Spanish escuela bolera dances and works as a choreographer, dancer, and teacher.  Known for spirited, elegant performances, his choreographies received praise from The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Village Voice, and Dance Magazine. A world traveler, Fittante performed his work with the International Arts Festival in Bali, Blue Hill Bach Festival, Apollo’s Fire, Gotham Early Music Scene, Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors, Downtown Dance Festival, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, and 2nd Encuentro de Baile Contemporáneo in Mexico. 

Registration

            The fee to attend the master class is $20 per person. Advanced registration is required and may be done online or by contacting 781-631-6262 or 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 school's website. www.marbleheadschoolofballet.com. Follow MSB on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @MSB_ballet.

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