PURPOSE AND PROGRAMS
In 1974, Margarita de Saa and John White - two of the original dancers with the late Alicia Alonso's National Ballet of Cuba - established the Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet Society. From pre-ballet to the adult divison, the school emphasizes the highest quality professional training for all students - regardless of age, experience, or aspirations. Through the years, the Academy has trained and helped placed graduates into dozens of professional companies around the world. Trained in the Vaganova method of ballet instuction, our students also have distinguished themselves in many international ballet competitions.
In 1987, the Whites established the Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet Society (PABS), a nonprofit organization, to serve several goals
- Educating and assisting advanced students to develop their full potential. Its pre-professional and apprentice programs provide individualized classes, workshops, scholarships, and stipends, performance opportunities, and audition assistance.
- Offering the local community a high-quality, low-cost introduction to the art of ballet through affordable public perforances. These include The Nutcracker at UDAPC, an annual Spring Performance that features our advanced studenst and guest artists, mini-Nutcracker performances in schools and at community events, master classes, special workshops, lectures and film screenings.
- Presenting on-site lecture-demonstrations throughout the year for elementary school students, senior citizens, and speical needs organizations. The IN STEP community outreach program is an engaging, interactive introduction to the art of classical ballet. Featuring the Academy's young pre-profressional dancers, the narrated performance is followed by lively Q&A with the audience.
PABS is funded in part by ticket sales and by generous contributions from indiviudals, foundations, corporations, and businesses. Please consider making a donation today at www.paacademyofballet.com!
To learn more about the school and the activites of the Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet Society call (610) 664-3455 or visit us at www.paacademyofballet.com and on Facebook: Facebook.com/paacademyballet, Twitter: @paacademyballet, and Instagram: @paacademyballet.
