Julie Smith Teaches Floor Barre & Jazz Master Classes At Marblehead School Of Ballet

Performer Julie Pappas Smith returns as a guest faculty member to the Marblehead School of Ballet (MSB). The North Shore native will teach Floor Barre on Friday, July 27 from 2:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. and Broadway Jazz from 3:15 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. at the school, located at 115 Pleasant Street in picturesque Marblehead, Massachusetts. The master classes are open to the public.

"I have worked with Julie Pappas Smith since she was a youngster. Julie went from our school and continued to study at Boston Conservatory of Music and pursue a professional performing career. She brings a wealth of knowledge to dancers. We are very excited to have her return every summer to teach at the Marblehead School of Ballet," said Paula K. Shiff, director of the Marblehead School of Ballet.

Pappas Smith began her professional training at MSB and returns annually to the school to teach another generation of dancers and performers. With a BFA from The Boston Conservatory of Music in Musical Theatre, Pappas Smith's lengthy credits include performing in A Chorus Line, Beauty and the Beast, and Showboat, directed and choreographed by Tony Award winners Harold Prince and Susan Stroman. Traveling worldwide, she performed with Broadway national touring companies and at Disney World, Tokyo Disney, Royal Albert Hall, and other prominent venues.

She has taught at the University of Miami, Florida International University, New World School of the Arts High School and College, and the Miami City Ballet's summer intensives. As a mentor for Zena Rommett Floor-Barre, she studied Floor-Barre with the technique's originator, Zena Rommett.

During July, MSB offers a range of master classes in Jazz and Acting for Dancers. Jessica Davison, a member of the Radio City Rockettes in New York City, will teach a jazz master class at MSB on Thursday, July 23 to 26 from 3:15 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. Davison is currently a member of the Radio City Rockettes in New York City and just completed her sixth season performing in their Christmas Spectacular. In 2016, she was in the New York Spectacular's cast starring the Radio City Rockettes choreographed by Mia Michaels. Originally from Bedford, New Hampshire, she studied jazz, tap, theatre, and voice at the Bedford Youth Performing Company and undertook ballet at Southern New Hampshire Dance Theatre.

Performer, choreographer, and dancer Karen Pisani joins the Marblehead School of Ballet's faculty teaching a special Acting for Dancers master class on Monday, July 16 and Tuesday, July 17 from 3:15 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. Pisani's luminous career includes Dance Captain and performer in the National Touring Company of A Chorus Line and dancing in Gypsy, Dames at Sea, Fiddler on the Roof, and Stop the World! I Want to Get Off. Her lengthy list of credits spans 32 years as choreographer for the Hasty Pudding Theatricals and the special event at Harvard's 350th celebration. In Washington, D.C., she choreographed the Jack Lemmon segment of the Kennedy Center Honors.

Dancers may sign up for these special master classes for the following rates:

• Acting for Dancers - $35 per class or both classes for $65

• Jazz - $35 per class or all five jazz classes for $165

• Floor Barre - $25

• Broadway Jazz - $35

• Floor Barre and Broadway Jazz taken together for $55

For further information or to register for the master classes, call 781-631-6262 or send an e-mail to msb@havetodance.com.

Celebrating its 46th 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 (NSCBC). The NSCB gives concert performances and a variety of educational programs for schools; all are suitable for different age groups and levels of development.