About The Academy
John White and Margarita de Saá established the Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet in 1974. Their main purpose was to provide the best dance education possible for students of all ages. A key element of this purpose is to provide essential training for talented students with professional aptitudes and an interest in pursuing careers in classical ballet. Many graduates have danced professionally with companies throughout the world, and several have won high honors in both national and international competitions.
The Academy is also a school for non-professional students of all ages who wish to receive the very best dance training. All students, regardless of age and previous training, receive the same high quality dance education whether they are enrolled in the Regular or the Adult Division. All teachers have been trained to teach the Vaganova method of ballet instruction, ensuring continuity as students advance to new classes and change teachers.
Studio 1
Academy founders, John White and Margarita de Saá, were leading dancers with the internationally recognized Ballet Nacional de Cuba, having danced many principal roles in the company's repertoire. After retiring from the stage, the directors began their teaching careers. Mr. White as a ballet master with the company, and Ms. de Saá as an instructor in the new national school, Cubanacan. Both received instruction by visiting Soviet ballet masters who remained in Cuba for two years to establish the Vaganova method. Mr. White and Ms. de Saá bring important international dance experience to the Academy.
Also contributing significant professional experience is Melinda Pendleton, who was invited to join the Academy as Assistant Director in 1991. In addition to dancing professionally in companies in the U.S. , France and Japan , she also won awards in important national and international ballet competitions. Ms. Pendleton provides invaluable assistance in helping to run the Academy.
The three co-directors and their faculty of experienced and well-trained teachers all employ the same Vaganova syllabus and method that has produced such illustrious dancers as Nureyev, Makarova and Baryshnikov and a host of other internationally acclaimed artists. Indispensable continuity is assured when all teachers emphasize the same time-tested methodology that consistently provides students with a precise technique, musicality, complete body awareness and control, and a carefully structured breakdown of each movement. Well over sixty Academy graduates have gone on to significant careers in professional companies.
Studio 2
Young children, between the ages of five and eight years, begin their dancing experience in special CREATIVE MOVEMENT and PRE-BALLET classes. These classes provide an introduction to dance in an enjoyable relaxed environment that is designed to teach basic body awareness and the coordination of movement to music. These students take one sixty-minute lesson per week. The Regular Division begins at age eight. These students begin by taking two ninety-minute lessons per week. These lessons are designed to begin the process of learning the basic fundaments of classical dance. As students advance and grow stronger they begin to take lessons more frequently. At the appropriate time girls begin to learn the intricacies of pointe work. When a student decides that they wish to pursue a dancing career, he or she will be taking classes nearly every day. Most pre-professional and advanced students are invited to join the Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet Society's performing ensemble.
Teens and adults that wish to learn the art of classical dance may take classes in a separate Adult Division. They will enjoy challenging and progressive classes especially designed for more mature students at all levels, from BEGINNER through ADVANCED. The Adult Division is an especially popular option that offers adults a more stimulating alternative than a gym workout or other exercise regimen. Children under age thirteen are not permitted to take these classes, just as adults are not permitted to take classes with young children in the Regular Division. |
