Three-in-one organization offers pre-professional
dance training, dance classes for community members and professional
dance company
By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN
The vision of St. Paul Ballet (SPB) is to lift the human spirit through the art of ballet.
SPB is a company of professional dancers, a pre-professional training program and a place for all members of the community to take dance classes.
It was established in 2002 when the St. Anthony School of Dance merged with the St. Anthony Performing Arts Guild located in the historic Grand Ave. “studios above the hardware store” where ballet has been taught for well over 60 years. In 2012, SPB was restructured under an artist-led business model. In 2014, SPB added the studios at 655 Fairview Ave. to more than double space for classes and rehearsals, according to St. Paul Ballet Executive Director Lori Gleason.
The 655 Fairview Ave. location also enables SPB to address socio-economic constraints and lack of cultural exposure to the arts by broadening its reach.
“I first walked into the Grand Ave. studio of the Andahazy School of Classical Ballet in 1978 (our current Grand location), and have stayed involved ever since serving in various ways including as a managing director, a student, a dancer, a parent and a board member,” said Gleason.
One of SPB’s board members was a foster child and credits the classes given to her by the Andahazy’s many years ago with giving her the passion and tools to create a successful, happy and fulfilling life. Now she would like to see others benefit from the same.
“Parents of young children tell us the dance classroom offers their children a place to experiment and be themselves without a right or wrong way to do things,” said Gleason. “It also is completely ‘unplugged’—no phones, television, video or other distractions.”
Benefits of ballet
Ballet is often the basis for many genres of dance. “Besides the obvious benefit of exercise it develops coordination, balance, self-confidence and more,” said Gleason.
Children learn to follow instructions, work in groups and perform before an audience. They gain a sense of their bodies and how to control them in motion.
“We have live accompaniment in all ballet and modern classes which is a must for training,” said Gleason.
Many of the SPB students are top academic students, and credit the focus and demands of ballet for their tenacity and capacity to take on difficult work.
“Ballet classes can also be a stress reliever. The concerns of the day drop away because it is nearly impossible to think of anything but the class,” remarked Gleason. “The exercise of the body reduces stress as the mind is consumed with the art.
“And who wouldn’t want to exercise to beautiful live music?”
Dance classes for professionals and community
SPB offers two programs that attract students of all ages, all levels of dance experience and body types.
More than 100 students participate in the pre-professional program that runs for a school year. There are six levels of training in the progressive ballet curriculum that builds the foundation for college-level programs, conservatory or a professional dance career.
The drop-in program serves another 200 students of all ages through classes in music and movement for ages 4-6, beginning ballet for ages 7-11 and beginning and open ballet classes for teens and adults.
The unique “Take Back the Tutu” initiative promotes the ballet dancer as athlete and celebrates the unique body types of individuals. “You don’t have to look just one way to wear the tutu,” observed Gleason. Free, public, monthly conversations are led by health professionals on topics about healthy bodies and dance.
The school has the advantage of a close affiliation with the SPB Company members, and advanced students have opportunities to perform in productions with the professional dancers.
The School of SPB holds a residency for Great River School (1326 Energy Park Dr.), including two, 12-week sessions in fall and spring with on-site classes culminating in a performance of student work and SPB Company excerpts.
Professional company works full-time
The St. Paul Ballet Company is experiencing a rebirth under Artistic Director Zoé Emilie Henrot, with the guidance of Artistic Advisor Christina Onusko.
The Company includes ten professional dancers, plus four apprentices. They perform a repertoire of classical and contemporary works, ranging from story ballets to works by local and national choreographers that explore new directions for ballet.
St. Paul Ballet recently performed at The O’Shaughnessy for the first time with its new Company, and the organization was happy to read the following review in the Star Tribune: “The October performance ‘hit all the right marks, weaving an enchanting tale with a sense of wonder.’”
“It is quite rewarding after all of the hard work over the last three years to revive the organization,” Gleason observed.
SPB utilizes an artist-led organizational model for ballet companies. Now in its ninth year, this artist-led model gives Company dancers opportunities within the infrastructure of SPB to broaden their voice and build their careers in the arts.
“One of our apprentices to the company was told as a child that she would never be a dancer. At SPB she has been able to pursue her dreams and has excelled,” remarked Gleason.
The Company dancers rehearse and perform for audiences four times a year; participate in outreach activities such as Ballet Tuesdays; take professional classes and rehearse during the day, Monday to Friday for five hours, September to May; and work 3-6 hours a week on their administrative duties. Some of the dancers also teach classes in the school several times a week. All Company classes and rehearsals take place at 655 Fairview.
Holiday show planned
The third holiday production of “Clara’s Dream,” an abbreviated version of the classic “Nutcracker” created and premiered in 2013, will be performed at the Janet Wallace Mainstage Theater at Macalester College Dec. 17-20. This year’s extended run will feature enhanced costumes and new backdrops from scenic designer Anne Henly, funded by an Arts Activities grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council. Tickets are on sale now at spballet.org.
This story appeared in the November 2015 Monitor.
By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN
The vision of St. Paul Ballet (SPB) is to lift the human spirit through the art of ballet.
SPB is a company of professional dancers, a pre-professional training program and a place for all members of the community to take dance classes.
 |
| SPB utilizes an artist-led organizational model for ballet companies. Now in its ninth year, this artist-led model gives Company dancers opportunities within the infrastructure of SPB to broaden their voice and build their careers in the arts. (Photo submitted) |
It was established in 2002 when the St. Anthony School of Dance merged with the St. Anthony Performing Arts Guild located in the historic Grand Ave. “studios above the hardware store” where ballet has been taught for well over 60 years. In 2012, SPB was restructured under an artist-led business model. In 2014, SPB added the studios at 655 Fairview Ave. to more than double space for classes and rehearsals, according to St. Paul Ballet Executive Director Lori Gleason.
The 655 Fairview Ave. location also enables SPB to address socio-economic constraints and lack of cultural exposure to the arts by broadening its reach.
“I first walked into the Grand Ave. studio of the Andahazy School of Classical Ballet in 1978 (our current Grand location), and have stayed involved ever since serving in various ways including as a managing director, a student, a dancer, a parent and a board member,” said Gleason.
One of SPB’s board members was a foster child and credits the classes given to her by the Andahazy’s many years ago with giving her the passion and tools to create a successful, happy and fulfilling life. Now she would like to see others benefit from the same.
“Parents of young children tell us the dance classroom offers their children a place to experiment and be themselves without a right or wrong way to do things,” said Gleason. “It also is completely ‘unplugged’—no phones, television, video or other distractions.”
Benefits of ballet
Ballet is often the basis for many genres of dance. “Besides the obvious benefit of exercise it develops coordination, balance, self-confidence and more,” said Gleason.
Children learn to follow instructions, work in groups and perform before an audience. They gain a sense of their bodies and how to control them in motion.
“We have live accompaniment in all ballet and modern classes which is a must for training,” said Gleason.
Many of the SPB students are top academic students, and credit the focus and demands of ballet for their tenacity and capacity to take on difficult work.
“Ballet classes can also be a stress reliever. The concerns of the day drop away because it is nearly impossible to think of anything but the class,” remarked Gleason. “The exercise of the body reduces stress as the mind is consumed with the art.
“And who wouldn’t want to exercise to beautiful live music?”
Dance classes for professionals and community
SPB offers two programs that attract students of all ages, all levels of dance experience and body types.
More than 100 students participate in the pre-professional program that runs for a school year. There are six levels of training in the progressive ballet curriculum that builds the foundation for college-level programs, conservatory or a professional dance career.
 |
| St. Paul Ballet is a company of professional dancers, a pre-professional training program and a place for all members of the community to take dance classes. SPB offers classes at two studio locations in St. Paul, one on Grand Ave. and one at 655 Fairview. (Photo submitted) |
The drop-in program serves another 200 students of all ages through classes in music and movement for ages 4-6, beginning ballet for ages 7-11 and beginning and open ballet classes for teens and adults.
The unique “Take Back the Tutu” initiative promotes the ballet dancer as athlete and celebrates the unique body types of individuals. “You don’t have to look just one way to wear the tutu,” observed Gleason. Free, public, monthly conversations are led by health professionals on topics about healthy bodies and dance.
The school has the advantage of a close affiliation with the SPB Company members, and advanced students have opportunities to perform in productions with the professional dancers.
The School of SPB holds a residency for Great River School (1326 Energy Park Dr.), including two, 12-week sessions in fall and spring with on-site classes culminating in a performance of student work and SPB Company excerpts.
Professional company works full-time
The St. Paul Ballet Company is experiencing a rebirth under Artistic Director Zoé Emilie Henrot, with the guidance of Artistic Advisor Christina Onusko.
 |
| “I believe any story can be told through dance, but only successfully if the eyes are present to complete the puzzle. The beauty of dance truly lies in the details. That’s real artistry,” said St. Paul Ballet Company dancer Nicole Brown. (Photo submitted) |
The Company includes ten professional dancers, plus four apprentices. They perform a repertoire of classical and contemporary works, ranging from story ballets to works by local and national choreographers that explore new directions for ballet.
St. Paul Ballet recently performed at The O’Shaughnessy for the first time with its new Company, and the organization was happy to read the following review in the Star Tribune: “The October performance ‘hit all the right marks, weaving an enchanting tale with a sense of wonder.’”
“It is quite rewarding after all of the hard work over the last three years to revive the organization,” Gleason observed.
SPB utilizes an artist-led organizational model for ballet companies. Now in its ninth year, this artist-led model gives Company dancers opportunities within the infrastructure of SPB to broaden their voice and build their careers in the arts.
“One of our apprentices to the company was told as a child that she would never be a dancer. At SPB she has been able to pursue her dreams and has excelled,” remarked Gleason.
The Company dancers rehearse and perform for audiences four times a year; participate in outreach activities such as Ballet Tuesdays; take professional classes and rehearse during the day, Monday to Friday for five hours, September to May; and work 3-6 hours a week on their administrative duties. Some of the dancers also teach classes in the school several times a week. All Company classes and rehearsals take place at 655 Fairview.
Holiday show planned
The third holiday production of “Clara’s Dream,” an abbreviated version of the classic “Nutcracker” created and premiered in 2013, will be performed at the Janet Wallace Mainstage Theater at Macalester College Dec. 17-20. This year’s extended run will feature enhanced costumes and new backdrops from scenic designer Anne Henly, funded by an Arts Activities grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council. Tickets are on sale now at spballet.org.
This story appeared in the November 2015 Monitor.
No comments:
Post a Comment