Walnut Hill School Forms Partnership with Ballet School

Walnut Hill School for the Arts, an independent boarding and day high school dedicated to the education of intellectually engaged young artists, and Ballet Austin today announced a strategic partnership to provide students and teachers of dance at both organizations expanded teaching, learning, and performance opportunities through shared resources, facilities, and professional expertise, including choreography. This is Ballet Austin’s first formal partnership with an independent high school and underscores Walnut Hill’s position as a leading institution for students aspiring to professional careers in dance.

“We are thrilled to partner with Ballet Austin to provide our students and faculty of dance with access to the talent and resources of one of the nation’s premier ballet companies,” said Walnut Hill’s director of Dance Michael Owen. “The nature of this collaboration is incredibly unique and opens up a dynamic set of possibilities for our student dancers.”

Through this partnership, the two organizations will work together to identify Walnut Hill seniors who are ideal candidates to enter Ballet Austin’s Butler Fellowship Program. This year-long, post-high school training initiative is endowed by Sarah and Ernest Butler through the Ballet Austin Foundation, which allows all participants to attend tuition-free. The professional-track program provides quality training in classical ballet and contemporary choreography, while mentoring participants to meet industry expectations of technique, artistry, and personal conduct necessary for a career in dance. Butler Fellows rehearse and perform with Ballet Austin’s main and apprentice companies in main stage, touring, and educational performances. Up to 15 fellowships are awarded annually.

“Ballet Austin shares Walnut Hill’s dedication to excellence, innovation, and collaboration,” said Walnut Hill’s Head of School Antonio Viva. “We look forward to working together to build a program that will provide exciting and relevant opportunities for the students and teachers of dance at our respective organizations.”

“Ballet Austin is becoming a national incubator for exceptional dancers and choreographers, and our strategic goals align perfectly with the academic objectives and curriculum in place at Walnut Hill School for the Arts,” Artistic Director Stephen Mills said. “We look forward to working with Walnut Hill’s students and staff to give young artists an outstanding foundation from which to launch their careers as professional dancers.”

The new alliance will bring Ballet Austin Associate Artistic Director Michelle Martin to Walnut Hill as a guest teacher during October of this year to teach a series of master classes. In addition, both organizations are exploring the idea of performing a piece choreographed by Stephen Mills as part of Walnut Hill’s Spring Repertory performance. Future plans also include the opportunity for Walnut Hill students to visit Ballet Austin during the school’s spring break, allowing them to experience the Butler Fellowship Program firsthand as they take class and observe rehearsals.

The partnership with Ballet Austin is another example of Walnut Hill’s commitment to excellence in preparing aspiring dancers for meaningful and successful careers. Walnut Hill also recently announced an academic partnership program with The Boston Conservatory that enables select Walnut Hill graduates to earn a B.F.A. in Dance in just three years at the Conservatory—a year shorter than the traditional four-year degree program. This unique partnership recognizes the academic and artistic education received at Walnut Hill provides a strong foundation for success that enables students to begin their professional careers sooner.

Article submitted by Walnut School of the Arts