Marblehead School of Ballet Launches Summer Session

With summer approaching, the Marblehead School of Ballet has a full line-up of enriching classes ready to launch next week for people of all ages. Dance, exercise and have some fun, too, this summer at the North Shore’s Marblehead School of Ballet located at 115 Pleasant Street in Marblehead, Massachusetts.

MSB, as its known to students, followers, and dance enthusiasts, has been a cultural beacon in the North Shore area for 43 years. The new session runs from June 22 to August 15. Newcomers and tourists to the North Shore are invited to stop by and take an open class.

“We work with each person to assess individual dance and exercise goals. The internal mechanics of the body are emphasized and not the superficial aspects of style, bringing the dance to a higher level. The school provides a very strong foundation emphasizing proper technique, including correct alignment, body mechanics and musicality,” said Director Paula K. Shiff, recipient of Salem State University’s 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award in the Arts.

During the summer, open classes are available weekly in ballet, variations, modern, jazz, repertory pointe, stretch and strength, pilates and more. For children, ballet and creative movement classes are offered to meet their needs. Students may register for a complete session or attend on a rolling basis.

Dance enthusiasts and newbies are welcome to sign up for the school’s partner dance series. Step on the dance floor and learn ballroom, fox trot, swing, Latin, Argentine Tango and salsa.

Master Classes

The summer session also features master classes in floor-barre and musical theatre taught by guest teacher Julie Pappas Smith. Pappas Smith, a senior Zena Rommett Floor-Barre instructor, received a BFA from The Boston Conservatory of Music majoring in Musical Theatre. Her extensive credits include performing on Broadway in A Chorus Line, Beauty and the Beast and Showboat directed and choreographed by Tony Award winners Harold Prince and Susan Stroman.

Students attending MSB are drawn from the surrounding cities and towns of Beverly, Boston, Boxford, Danvers, East Gloucester, Hamilton, Haverhill, Ipswich, Lynn, Manchester by the Sea, Marblehead, Melrose, Nahant, Reading, Revere, Rockport, Salem, Saugus, Swampscott, Topsfield, Wakefield Wenham and Winthrop. Others come from out-of-state, including Maine, Florida, Texas, New Hampshire, Vermont and countries such as France and Italy.

For the complete summer session schedule, contact the school at 781-631-6262 or send an e-mail to msb@havetodance.com. Follow MSB on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter.