Rockette to Teach in Marblehead School of Ballet's Intensive

The Marblehead School of Ballet (MSB) announces Jessica Davison, a member of the Radio City Rockettes in New York City, returns for a second year to teach a jazz master class at the school's celebrated Summer Intensive Dance 2018 program. She joins other prominent guest faculty teaching in the school's summer program.

Davison brings her experiences performing several seasons with the Rockette's Christmas Spectacular and dancing in the cast of the New York Spectacular 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. Davison attended summer intensives at the Rock School of Ballet, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, and San Francisco Youth Ballet.

Calling Dancers to Register

The Marblehead School of Ballet celebrates its 46th anniversary and invites dancers to apply now to the school's renowned Summer Dance Intensive. The Summer Intensive Dance 2018 program takes place at 115 Pleasant Street in Marblehead, a historic, scenic coastal town located on the North Shore region of Massachusetts in the United States.

MSB is accepting applications for its Summer Intensive Dance 2018 program for dancers ages 11 and over from July 16 to August 4 and the Young Dancers' Intensive for children ages 8 to 12 and over from August 6 to August 10. International students, ages 15 and above with intermediate level dance training, may also apply.

Students enrolled in the Summer Dance Intensive participate in MSB's annual excursion to Jacob's Pillow in Lenox, Massachusetts. This year, the students take in an enriching experience to see the Royal Danish Ballet on Sunday, June 24. The trip includes a guided tour and the performance.

Dancers of all levels of experience cultivate their technical skills and enrich their understanding and appreciation of the art form with personalized training in small classes taught by leading professionals in the field in the MSB's summer dance intensive.

"We emphasize correct alignment, musicality, and a graded approach to material allowing dancers the opportunity to extend their skills in a balanced way without injury,” explains Director Paula K. Shiff, recipient of Salem State University's 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award in the Arts, who trained at the Boston Ballet School, studied at the American Ballet Theatre and the Martha Graham Studio and performed with the Boston Ballet Company.

Students ages 11 and up participate in customized ballet, pointe, jazz, stretch and strength, variations, floor-barre and modern technique classes. The program also presents classes in the related disciplines of music theory, nutrition, anatomy, injury prevention, and dance history, among others. By popular demand, the third week of repertory focuses on technique, choreography, and rehearsals, culminating in a special public performance on Saturday, August 4. The program is sponsored in part by The Ruth N. Shiff Memorial Fund and provides support for the guest teachers and the performance.

Students Perform With Leading Companies

The intensive attracted dancer Tanner Myles Huseman, who graduated from the Boston Conservatory at Berklee and performs now with the Limón Dance Company. He credits MSB with introducing him to ballet.

"Thinking back, I have a lot of vivid memories from the intensive. I remember laughing and making friends during lunch, sweating in the studio, and realizing how much I didn't know about dance.

"In class, I was guided through the fundamentals of ballet technique. The more advanced dancers, who moved through the space with such grace, confidence, and understanding, motivated me. This was a truly eye opening experience," he says.

Learn more about the Summer Dance Intensive 2018 and the Jacob's Pillow annual excursion on the MSB's website. For further information and to register, call the school at 781-631-6262 or send an e-mail.