Ballet Academy Inc.
Arlington
781.641.4477
Ballet only, Cecchetti method. Adult classes range from beginning to intermediate -- year-round, including summer session. Large, wood-floor studio based in a church hall. Director/recommended teacher is Frances Kotelly. My correspondent reports there's "a good group of students, serious adults of all levels, and Mrs. Kotelly's younger dancers are very well trained."
Boston YWCA
140 Clarendon St., 7th floor
Boston
and
Debra Mason School of Dance
32 Cottage Park Avenue
North Cambridge (near Arlington)
617.739.7050
The recommended teacher is David Drummond. He teaches an intermediate level open class at Debra Mason School of Dance on Fridays at 6:30pm, and other nights at the Boston Y. My correspondent gives this epigram of a description: "Smallish studio, but David Drummond is very good, patient and demanding at the same time."
Boston Dance Company
550 Massachusetts Ave.
Central Square
Cambridge
617.491.8615
Clyde Nantais is the recommended teacher. No details except to say that the studio is quite small, but the instruction is excellent.
José Mateo's Ballet Theatre
400 Harvard St. (at Mass Ave., next to The Inn at Harvard)
Harvard Square
Cambridge
617.354.7467
Accessible via the MBTA Red Line, Harvard Square stop. Metered on-street parking is available.
My correspondent is working toward a professional dance career, and here's what he has to say about Jose Mateo: "He has analyzed ballet carefully, and is able to communicate it well. He has thought about everything he does, and is willing to question and even change things which don't make sense in a particular teaching or stylistic tradition. He's very picky, and will call your attention to details you were not aware of. He started ballet as an adult and danced professionally in New York for a number of years before moving to Boston. His legacy includes some of the finest training. And he runs a professional company as well as a school. Students can go as far as they wish. I have seen a number of ballet teachers and schools in my years, including ex-dancers from very top professional companies such as ABT, NYC Ballet, Dance Theatre of Harlem, etc. I have never seen someone as good at what he does as Mr. Mateo."
The Dance Place
50 Water Street, The Tannery
Newburyport
978.465.1485
Newburyport is about 40 minutes from Boston. This studio was recommended as a fine studio for ballet in general. Open intermediate classes on Wednesdays at 6:30pm and Saturday mornings at 8:45. Suitable for advanced beginners as well. My correspondent writes: "The studio is known for jazz, but the ballet classes are pure ballet, and Denise Collins is why people keep coming to these classes. She was one of my first teachers, and has always given very creative and thorough class, with excellent corrections and insight." Pilates offered at the studio during the day, more classes planned.
Classical Dance Center
Emmanuel Lutheran Church
24 Berwick St.
Norwood (near Boston)
781.341.0344
The student writes that teacher Arlene Zolla "currently offers quality instruction in classical Russian style ballet with emphasis on proper placement, port de bras, positions of the body and musicality, elements which are not always covered in an ongoing, open adult class situation. The ballet class is very thorough, gentle, yet effective in drawing out and building up individual strengths and correcting movement flaws. Personal daily stretching done outside of class and body muscle identification and function in the exercises are also encouraged as part of the training." Arlene updates that her class is now a combination of classical ballet and classical jazz. 8/03
Flamenco sin Limites
343 Medford St.
Somerville
617.666.8888
This studio is recommended by a die-hard flamenco aficionado and guitarist who should know. Near Boston, this is the Omayra Amaya studio. Amaya is a grand-niece of the renowned Carmen Amaya: 'She is a terrific person, a concentrated teacher and performer, socially graceful, and as polished as a glass paperweight. Since she is Gypsy, she has all the proper contacts and frequently has visitors from Spain and all over the flamenco world, which are important to students and aficionados alike.' The studio is accessible by public transportation.
New England Dance Conservatory
143 Shaker Road
East Longmeadow
413.525.7713
The recommended teachers are owners Kenneth Lipitz and Shelley Ziebel. And, it's a fabulous story from a dancing mom: "My daughter has studied at this school for several years. After sitting for MANY HOURS a week, I finally decided to take some classes myself. At 43 years old, I now take 10 classes a week: several ballet, also some modern, jazz, and tap. I have always felt welcome and not looked down on. When I was extremely self-conscious I was allowed to work without much in the way of corrections (this is what I wanted!!!). As my confidence grew, the teachers seemed to sense it and the corrections became more frequent. These people are WONDERFUL teachers. . . . I started out wanting a little exercise and wound up totally addicted!!!" Students from the conservatory have gone on to professional careers in ballet and modern dance.
Center for Creative Movement
(if anyone can provide the street address, please e-mail me)
United Methodist Church on Winthrop St. across from the police station
Winthrop (15 minutes north of Boston)
617.539.0798
Shannon Sheltra-Millar teaches Cecchetti method. Her focus is mainly on adults as they are dependable and work hard. Pointe is also offered. A student writes: "This class is challenging, yet the student never feels pressured, as the only prerequisite is that you do your best. Corrections are designed to instruct, not criticize. Shannon is patient, yet emphasizes improving your form as corrections are made. Center floor and combinations follow barre with emphasis on turns." Classes are 7-8:30pm on Monday evenings.
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