Luminary Performers, NYC Rockette to Teach at Marblehead Ballet

The Marblehead School of Ballet (MSB) welcomes performer Julie Pappas Smith, New York City Rockette Jessica Davison and luminary dancer Karen Pisani as guest faculty members in its prestigious summer master class program. North Shore native Pappas Smith returns as a faculty member to the studio to 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.

Julie Pappas Smith

Broadway performer 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.

Range of Master Classes Offered

During July, MSB is offering 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.

Luminary 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.

Register

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[at]havetodance.com.

Photos.

1) Performer Julie Pappas Smith

2) Radio City Rockette Jessica Davison

3) Dancer Karen Pisani