News & Events
Great Give 2021
Dear New Haven Ballet Family and Friends,
The Great Give begins Tuesday, May 4, at 8:00 a.m., and will run for 36 hours, ending on Wednesday, May 5, at 8:00 p.m. We at New Haven Ballet (NHB) recognize that this year has been hard for all our families—whether through lost earnings, lost studies, lost companionship, or the greatest loss of all, lost loved ones. Like you, we have been struggling, but we have continued to keep our dancers dancing, for we know that the joy of dance can unite and uplift our entire community.
We have faced many challenges, offering classes on Zoom and performances on YouTube videos. Our cleaning protocols and videotaping have ensured that once our students and faculty started returning to the studios and performing in ensembles they would be as safe as we could make them. These extra costs have been burdensome, but they have enabled our students to continue performing and our audiences to share their performances. Even now, our dancers are preparing to present a virtual spring performance, which will be sent free of charge to all our families.
Today, as Connecticut’s vaccine rollout brings hope that in the coming months we might once more perform onstage for you, we are looking ahead. NHB has launched a costume initiative, starting with our Waltz of the Snowflake tutus. The costumes are being remade to contain components that would match each dancer’s skin tone, components that will allow the costume to be shared from performance to performance. Down the road, we hope to make similar adjustments as we refurbish our other costumes.
So on May 4, we ask that you consider a donation to keep NHB’s dancers dancing and our sewers sewing. A donation of any amount would be welcome—you might want to consider donating what you would have paid for spring performance tickets, something that would help us defray the expenses of videotaping the performance. Thank you, and may you all stay safe and well as we look forward to the day we shall be together again.
Great Give: 8:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 4, to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 5.
New Haven Ballet is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and all donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
From all of us at New Haven Ballet, thank you for supporting us!
Summer 2021
New Haven Ballet announces its Summer 2021 Schedule, which offers in-studio summer intensive classes for Levels 2-8 July 5-17, 2021. Class sizes are limited and will adhere to NHB’s studio COVID policies. Weekly studio classes are also offered for Creative Ballet 1, Creative Ballet 2, Pre-Ballet, Primary, and Level 1 July 5-31. Drop in Open Division and weekly Level 2-8 classes are offered via Zoom July 5-31. For registration information call 203-782-9038 or Email: administrator@newhavenballet.org
Shared Ability via Zoom
Weekly dance workshops for differently abled dancers is offered Tuesday afternoons through March 2021. For more information Email: administrator@newhavenballet.org
Dancer Assessments
New Haven Ballet is thrilled to sponsor a FREE screening for Level 3-8 dancers with dance medicine professionals from Magna PT.
One on one appointments are being offered to Level 3-8 dancers on Saturday, January 23. Each screening is 15-minutes long. Space is limited. You must contact the office to reserve your spot.
Dancer Screenings:
Pre-pointe Screenings: A pre-pointe screening with a dance medicine professional will determine the dancer’s strength and readiness to go on pointe, while also creating a baseline for the dancer to improve upon, establishing areas of weakness and limitations in technique. The dance medicine professionals take a comprehensive look at the dancer’s body, focusing more heavily on the legs and feet to determine these strengths and weaknesses and provide a summary, as well as suggestions for exercises and conditioning to prepare the student for pointe work.
Level 3 students who wish to prepare for pointe work are encouraged to take advantage of this screening opportunity.
Dance Fitness Assessments: A dance fitness assessment with a dance medicine professional takes a comprehensive look at the dancer’s body from head to toe to assess strength, range of motion, flexibility, balance, and alignment in dance. These screenings are used as a tool to prevent injury and increase function in dance. Following the one on one assessment, the dancer will be provided with areas of weakness and exercises to improve upon these areas and maximize their abilities in dance.
Dance fitness assessments are recommended for all dancers.
Dance Medicine Professionals:
Dr. Brianne Dwyer, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist, Clinic Manager, Dance Medicine Director
Bio: Brianne M. Dwyer is a Connecticut native who graduated from DeSales University in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Prior to receiving her undergraduate degree, Brianne trained with Mystic Ballet, as well as danced with American Ballet Theatre Collegiate Program, Annex Dance Company, and LEVY dance. Upon graduation in 2012, Brianne performed with Full Force Dance Theatre and CONNectic Dance. Brianne has taught dance throughout Connecticut and Southeastern Pennsylvania for over 10 years. Brianne has also been a certified Pilates instructor for since 2012. From 2012 to 2015, Brianne worked at Magna Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine Center as the Director of Dance Medicine & Conditioning. Since then, she went on to obtain her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Sacred Heart University in 2018, in which she had the opportunity to complete clinical affiliations at NovaCare Rehabilitation, Mount Sinai Rehabilitation, and The Johns Hopkins Hospital Performing Arts Physical Therapy Program. Brianne recently returned to Magna PT as the Clinic Coordinator of our Avon location and Dance Medicine Director to continue to grow and expand the amazing physical therapy programs Magna PT has to offer. Brianne continues to remain involved with the dance community in CT, as Vice President of the Connecticut Dance Alliance.
Dr. Meagan Robichaud, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist, Dance Medicine Coordinator
Bio: Meagan graduated with her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Springfield College. She was given the opportunity to complete her full time clinical affiliations with Mountain Center PT in NH, Lawrence and Memorial Hospital, and Magna Physical Therapy. Prior to receiving her doctorate she completed her undergraduate studies in Health Sciences and Dance. She has had a passion for dance and incorporating it into her career for many years. Meagan has been dancing since she was three, spending her time training with the Roxey Ballet in New Jersey and performing in the trainee company, fulfilling roles in ballets such as the Nutcracker, Cinderella, Swan Lake, and Pied Piper. Through her time at Springfield College, she had the opportunity to expand her dance variety and perform with the Dance Repertory Company. Meagan is very excited to have returned to Magna Physical Therapy as a physical therapist and Dance Medicine Coordinator to finally fulfill her dream of blending her passion for helping people with her love of dance.
Damien Johnson Returns
Damien Johnson will offer virtual classes to NHB students on the second Monday of each month
NHB Zoom Class: Levels 5-8
Starting: Monday, January 11, 2021
4:00-5:45 p.m.
Pilates/Technique
For Zoom Link Contact: Administrator@newhavenballet.org
Damien Johnson is originally from Dallas, Texas. He received his early dance training from Kitty Carter, Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, and The Etkin-Atkinson School of Ballet. Johnson went on to study at The Rock School and The School of American Ballet, the official school of The New York City Ballet.
As a professional dancer, Johnson has been a member of American Repertory Ballet, Dance Theatre of Harlem, New Chamber Ballet, Los Angeles Ballet, and London based Ballet Black where he was a principal dancer for 10 seasons. Since returning to the states in 2017, Johnson has performed with Madison Ballet, The Ashley Bouder Project, and The Suzanne Farrell Ballet.
Johnson is a sought-after teacher who is certified in the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum in Pre-Primary-Level 3 as well as classical Pilates through Power Pilates. He has also served as a National Visiting Fellow with the School of American Ballet and taught for many companies and dance institutions including The Central School of Ballet, Rambert School, Bermuda Civic Ballet, Lake Tahoe Dance Collective, Ballet Black, and Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures.
The Maidens
New Haven Ballet is pleased to share a virtual performance of The Maidens.
Photo: Kelsey Paff Photography (c) 2021
NHBC Audition
New Haven Ballet Company auditions will occur January 30, 2021. New Haven Ballet students in levels 5-8 are eligible to audition.
The purpose of the New Haven Ballet Company is to provide intermediate and advanced level students with enhanced training through performance opportunities. In recent years, New Haven Ballet Company has worked with professional teachers, choreographers and dancers from companies such as School of American Ballet, New York City Ballet, Boston Ballet, and Miami City Ballet, as well as performed highly acclaimed work, including Giselle, Le Corsaire, Paquita, and Swan Lake. The Company’s eclectic repertoire includes classical ballet, neo-classical ballet, modern, contemporary, and other dance forms. Students audition in January and rehearse on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The Company performs at the school’s spring performance as well as many prestigious festivals.
This year, New Haven Ballet’s spring 2021 performance will occur virtually through a professionally curated film, which will be shared at no charge so that friends and family may view the program.
*A minimum ballet class attendance and an audition is required to participate. Students must be register to audition.
For more information contact: administrator@newhavenballet.org or Tel. 203-782-9038
Free Trial Class
New Haven Ballet is offering a free trial class to new students ages 5-18 years through January 2021. Space is limited and classes fill quickly. Studio and Virtual class offerings are available. Studio class participation requires adherence to Studio COVID-19 protocols and winter travel/visitor restrictions, as prescribed by our COVID-19 Task Force. For more information, and to register and reserve your spot Contact: administrator@newhavenballet.org or Tel. 203-782-9038.
Photo: Kelsey Paff Photography (c) 2021
Waltz of the Flowers
New Haven Ballet is pleased to share a virtual performance of Waltz of the Flowers from The Nutcracker, filmed in our Whitney Avenue studios in New Haven.
Happy Holidays from New Haven Ballet!
Dec. 1 Giving Tuesday
The wait is finally over – #GivingTuesday is here!
Community members like you are the reason we’re so excited! If you’re as passionate as we are about making classical ballet accessible to Greater New Haven, we hope you’ll consider supporting New Haven Ballet today.
In case you’re wondering about the importance of your gift, here’s how New Haven Ballet
- Studio Classes: We know the importance of maintaining access to the studio, especially during these challenging times. Regrettably, tuition does not cover increased and fixed expenses, nor small class size restrictions due to COVID
- Performances: Even without a theater, we are hard at work partnering with talented musicians and creating new choreography to accommodate small groups of dancers who will present a Winter Showcase series, to be shared virtually with the community at no cost
- Virtual classes: We understand that home spaces are not the same as studio space. Our virtual classes are designed to cater to students who are working at home
- Community programs: We know that everyone in the community benefits from high quality arts programming and look forward to continuing Shared Ability, DanceAIR and other community programming
You know the scope of our work stretches beyond providing the finest classical ballet instruction and performances. And, it’s through the generous support of community members like you that we are able to provide so much access to the magic of ballet to so many.
Thank you for being part of our community and for giving so generously!
New Haven Ballet
Damien Johnson
Damien Johnson to offer class to NHB students
NHB Zoom Class: Levels 5-8
Monday, November 30
4:00-5:45 p.m.
Pilates/Technique
For Zoom Link Contact: Administrator@newhavenballet.org
Damien Johnson is originally from Dallas, Texas. He received his early dance training from Kitty Carter, Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, and The Etkin-Atkinson School of Ballet. Johnson went on to study at The Rock School and The School of American Ballet, the official school of The New York City Ballet.
As a professional dancer, Johnson has been a member of American Repertory Ballet, Dance Theatre of Harlem, New Chamber Ballet, Los Angeles Ballet, and London based Ballet Black where he was a principal dancer for 10 seasons. Since returning to the states in 2017, Johnson has performed with Madison Ballet, The Ashley Bouder Project, and The Suzanne Farrell Ballet.
Johnson is a sought-after teacher who is certified in the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum in Pre-Primary-Level 3 as well as classical Pilates through Power Pilates. He has also served as a National Visiting Fellow with the School of American Ballet and taught for many companies and dance institutions including The Central School of Ballet, Rambert School, Bermuda Civic Ballet, Lake Tahoe Dance Collective, Ballet Black, and Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures.
