The Boston Ballet School North Shore Studio in Marblehead is comprised of young people whose dedication, effort and talent is evidenced in their well-worn ballet slippers. Register today for the BBS Summer Program where children ages 3 and up enjoy a supportive, welcoming, and engaging experience.
We had the pleasure to speak with Jessica Kreyer, Principal and Director of the Boston Ballet School Marblehead Studio about the Summer Dance Programs for ages three through adult at the state-of-the-art facility conveniently located on the Salem/Marblehead line within the Lynch/van Otterloo YMCA.
Here, Principal and Director Jessica Kreyer, tells North Shore Kid about the program and the experience the students have.
Q: Can you tell us about the Summer Studio program and some of the positive and nurturing benefits of Boston Ballet Summer Program for Children?
A: Summer is a fun and special time at Boston Ballet School. We create a very welcoming and supportive environment for students ages 3 and up. Our goal is inspire and nurture a love of dance. Each day begins with ballet followed by a variety of enrichment classes, all designed to introduce students to the wide world of dance. Children make new friends, explore new forms of dance, and immerse themselves in the wonderful world of Boston Ballet!
In Ballet Stories and Ballet Journeys, our youngest students, ages 3-7, explore ballet and also try new styles of dance to help develop their own personal expression.
For students ages 8 and up, Summer Dance Workshop is an opportunity to be immersed in dance five days a week. This daily access allows students to improve and keeps their passion alive and thriving. Students might learn a favorite song in musical theatre, or make new friends as they explore acting and drama. Other classes might include Character, Modern, Jazz and Chinese Dancing.
And for older, more advanced student, the Master Class Series, allows students to study technique classes from our world class faculty. Students are also given the opportunity to explore the music and repertoire of Boston Ballet and develop an important connection to our professional company and the art form.
Q: What are some of the “side effects” of dance you’ve witnessed in Boston Ballet School students?
A: While excellence in ballet training is crucial to our mission at Boston Ballet School, our job as arts educators goes well beyond teaching technique. The School’s philosophy and curriculum support the development of the whole student within a nurturing, educational environment.
Students gain valuable skills, such as critical thinking, problem solving, healthy lifestyle habits, time management, and self-confidence – which help them succeed in all areas of life.
Students enjoy their time in the studios and we teach them to fall in love with the process of studying ballet. They develop time-management skills, responsibility, and a great camaraderie with their peers. Our students go off to not only to dance for some of the top companies in the profession, but many of them graduate BBS and then attend some of the top universities and colleges in the county.
Q: Can you tell us a little bit about Boston Ballet’s Citydance program?
A: Established in 1991, Citydance is a cost-free “chance to dance” program that provides dance education to students in the third-grade. The program serves up to 3,000 students in the Boston and North Shore Public Schools per year. This year, Citydance visited over 30 public schools on the North Shore, and provides dance workshops with classes housed in our very own, state of the art Boston Ballet North Shore Studios. Citydance students also have access to see performances of both Boston Ballet as well as Boston Ballet School.
Q: Do you have a Fun Fact you might share about Boston Ballet School?
A: Well, personally a fun fact about Boston Ballet School is that it is a family affair for me and many others. My husband was a former Principal Dancer for Boston Ballet and now teaches for Boston Ballet School. We even piggy backed our honeymoon on one of the company’s tours to Spain. Our 3 year old daughter is now a student, currently enrolled in Hand and Hand 3, and will participate in her very first summer program with BBS. It is so neat to experience classes through our daughter’s eyes, or to come home and have my husband share a moment of triumph he has had with a student. So many of the faculty and staff not only work for Boston Ballet School, but also make the choice to share that experience with their loved ones!
Sign up for the Summer Program at Boston Ballet School Marblehead and experience the difference at Boston Ballet School - exceptional ballet training, expert faculty, and live piano accompaniment; Boston Ballet School introduces students to ballet and the wider world of dance in a creative, friendly and fun learning environment.
Visit bostonballet.org/school and bostonballet.org/school/summer to learn more and to register for school year and summer programs.
This summer, the Marblehead studio will offer:
- Ballet Stories (ages 3-4)
- Ballet Journeys (ages 5-7)
- Summer Dance Workshop (ages 8-14)
- Master Class Series (ages 12-16)
The Marblehead studio is located on the second floor of the Lynch/van Otterloo YMCA.
Please contact BBS Administrative Offices at 617.456.6333 if you have any questions.
Watch the video of Principal and Director of the Marblehead Studio Jessica Kreyer.