Marblehead School of Ballet Celebrates 43rd Anniversary Year

The Marblehead School of Ballet (MSB) is celebrating its 43rd anniversary season with a full line-up of classes for 2014-2015. Applications are now being accepted for MSB financial and work-study scholarship awards on a rolling basis from applicants, ages 12 to 21, to study ballet. An application form must be completed and an audition performed at the school.

"The scholarships are open to dancers who have a passion and dedication for ballet. This is a great opportunity to study with a highly trained and experienced staff," explained Paula K. Shiff, Director, Marblehead School of Ballet.

Applicants must demonstrate financial need, as well as a genuine passion and talent for dance. Award recipients are expected to make the dance schedule a priority, while maintaining average or above average grades in school. Consistent attendance and enthusiastic par­ticipation is expected in every class.

MSB graduates have continued their dance studies at some of the most prestigious ballet companies worldwide, including Eliot Field, Alvin Ailey, Houston Ballet, Metropolitan Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Ballet de Lorraine in France, among others. Alumni have graduated from leading postsecondary institutions, such as Boston Conservatory, New York University Tisch School of the Arts, University North Carolina School for the Arts, University of Utah, and others and pursued careers in a range of fields globally.

With a motto of quality education, individual attention and working with people to reach their goals, seasoned dancers and avocational dancers -- men, women, girls, and boys of all ages find something of interest at this dance oasis on the North Shore. MSB provides weekly classes in ballet, pointe, and variations; pre-ballet and creative movement; modern and jazz; belly dancing; zumba; repertory; pilates, stretch and strength; and partner dancing with ballroom, fox trot, swing, Latin, Argentine Tango and salsa.

"The seasoned dancer will find high quality training at MSB. The internal mechanics of the body are emphasized and not the superficial aspects of style, bringing the dance to a higher level," said Shiff, recipient of Salem State University's 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award in the Arts.

She added that for new students of all ages, MSB offers a very strong foundation emphasizing proper technique, such as correct alignment, body mechanics and musicality. "To teach this way and for the dancer to work this way, one sees and feels the true joy of movement. This foundation is the heart of the dance."

Dancers come from near and far to study at the school. Students attending MSB are drawn 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. Others come from out-of-state, including Maine, Florida, Texas, New Hampshire, Vermont and countries such as France and Italy.

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