Otto M Budig Academy of Cincinnati Ballet (Open Division)
1555 Central Parkway
513.621.5219
The academy has one main studio in downtown Cincinnati and two extensions (Blue Ash and Northern Kentucky University). Recommended teacher Ellen Kent was a former member of the Cincinnati Ballet. Here's what her student writes: "She is warm, encouraging, very down-to-earth, and establishes a very nuturing enviroment for the adult ballet student no matter what your level of study. Truly a wonderful and innovative instructor that any adult ballet student can really enjoy and learn from. I have been taking classes with Ellen for about a year twice a week and out of six different ballet teachers I have had, she is the only one I felt comfortible enough to bring up my ultimate secret desire of doing pointe work someday. Not only did she not look at me like I have completely lost my marbles, but she thinks it is a great goal to have. Even offered some pre-pointe combinations to strengthen my feet. What more can I say? She is just AWESOME!" 6/03
Pointe West Studio
2777 Copley Road
Copley (near Akron)
The recommended teacher is Suzanne Winland, who in addition to being a good teacher, also directs a small dance company with opportunities for adult performers.
Dayton Ballet School
124 N. Main St.
(above the Victoria Theatre)
Dayton
937.223.1542
'Adult advanced class Friday evenings. Derek Wilder is the energetic, enthusiastic teacher. They also offer beginning and intermediate ballet and tap classes for adults.'
Pontecorvo Ballet Studio
534 E. First St.
Dayton
937.222.6880
Over the years, I've received several recommendations of this studio. Following is the recommendation that contained the most detail: "When I lived in the Midwest, I happily attended Barbara Pontecorvo's adult classes, held a couple times a week. She is the former principal of several ballet companies, including the Dayton, Ballet. In these piano-accompanied classes, she took a appreciated amount of time for corrections at the barre and center. Her beautiful and exciting choreography kept adult dancers interested, and challenged their capacity for learning movement. Her studio space is gigantic with high ceilings, encouraging freedom in allegro. Just watch out for one of the cats, Odie, who likes to sneak into adult classes and play audience. I miss just a few things about living in the Midwest. One is Barbara Pontecorvo. I cried at the end of my last class with her."
Arlene Cassara Dance & Theater Center
24371 Lorain Road
North Olmsted (Cleveland suburb)
440.716.1655
This studio is recommended by Blue Diamond website contributor George Janca (whose story is featured on our Men's Page, and who also contributed to the article on adults in dance competitions appearing in newsletter issue #6). He writes: "Arlene danced ballet professionally and has several decades of teaching experience. Her classes include ballet and tap for beginners to adult. She promotes adults in dance through recitals, competitions, and by sponsoring a performing dance troupe. She has carefully designed ballet choreography to be pleasing to the eye as well as challenging to the adult performer. Arlene promotes the love of dance through her tireless efforts to teach, gently correct, and share her own passion for dance. I am convinced she should have at least one tap step/break combination named after her."
Center Stage Dance Company
1385 Stony Creek Rd.
Troy
937.339.9444
'Jenell is the recommended teacher. She is a good dancer and gifted as a teacher. This studio is fairly new, and now in its second year. We had two students in adult ballet all last year; this year there are four in the class. Beginning/intermediate ballet, Monday nights.' Since this studio was initially recommended, the adult class has grown to seven dancers.
Academy of Dance
3040 Lincoln Way East
Wooster
330.262.5978
I hesitate to list this as a serious ballet studio, since the student who recommends it lists offerings as 'Ballet - Tap - Jazz - Acrobatics - Baton.' Oh, well, ballet teachers have to make a living, too. Studio owner/teacher Tamala Taylor is a member of Dance Masters of America and the Cecchetti Ballet Counsel of America. If there's no other adult class in your area, you may want to give this a try. The student who recommends Tamala says, 'Her adult classes are wonderful, she is a stick teacher yet the classes are so much fun . . . she loves to joke around and have a good time yet things get learned and everything.'
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