New Haven Ballet is introducing pointe class to its open division drop-in schedule. The class will be held on Friday mornings following the beginning technique class. Participation in the technique class is required. Click here for more information or contact New Haven Ballet at 203-782-9038 or email: administrator@newhavenballet.org
New Haven Ballet has announced that registration for its 2024 Children’s Division Fall Semester has opened. Classes are offered at studios in New Haven, Hamden, Bethany, and Branford starting on August 26, 2024.
The Gentle Syllabus
The Children’s Division is a special segment of the school that caters to young students ages 3 through 2nd grade. According to Artistic Director Lisa Kim Sanborn, what sets the program apart is that “[w]e begin training by using our gentle approach syllabus, which introduces our youngest dancers to the joys of music and movement through a system that gradually adds structure as students mature.” Sanborn adds, “Classes are filled with laughter and held in spacious, sunny, state-of-the-art studios by the region’s best instructors. Dancers in Creative Ballet and higher are also invited to audition and perform in our large productions at the Shubert Theatre in New Haven.”
Sanborn refers to the carefully constructed syllabus she created, which was later supplemented by Children’s Division Director Timothy Fountain. The syllabus uses age-appropriate exercises and stretches while gently introducing students to classical dance and musical tenets. For example, in First Steps, students in 3-K pre-kindergarten use their creativity to learn the fundamentals of musicality, while in 4-K pre-kindergarten and Kindergarten, students participate in Creative Ballet, focusing on motor skill development and musical awareness. Pre-ballet students are in 1st grade, and Primary students are in 2nd grade. These students begin formalized classical ballet training and learn more advanced vocabulary and movement.
Students who successfully complete New Haven Ballet’s Children’s Division enter the Student Division ready to join Level 1, where they continue building a clean classical foundation. As the standard for classical ballet training for over thirty-five years throughout greater New Haven, the school is known for producing dancers with excellent technique and beautiful artistry.
But the journey doesn’t end with classes. Dancers in Creative Ballet and higher are not just learning; they perform. Dancers in 4-K pre-kindergarten and older are invited to audition and showcase their skills in New Haven Ballet’s large productions at the prestigious Shubert Theatre in New Haven. The next grand performance will be The Nutcracker, starring guest artists from New York City Ballet.
Parents often enroll children to participate in the arts because they wish to support better academic achievement and the gain of critical skills for their children. These skills might include discipline, fine motor skills, physical strength, critical thinking, coordination, and confidence. However, according to Sanborn, the best reason to join is because “New Haven Ballet’s trained instructors teach using our highly sought-after gentle approach, allowing children to build these skills without them knowing. Over time, students acquire the foundation for a beautiful classical technique and embrace discipline, learn to listen and follow instructions, and the rigors ballet presents. And they make friendships and memories that last a lifetime, too.”
New Haven Ballet is at www.newhavenballet.org. For more information about classes, call 203-782-9038 or email administrator@newhavenballet.org.
About New Haven Ballet
New Haven Ballet is led by Artistic Director Lisa Kim Sanborn and Children’s Division Director Timothy Fountain. As a community-based ballet school in New Haven, Connecticut, it offers dance classes in state-of-the-art studios to dancers ages 3 to adult. Regarded as the standard for classical ballet training throughout Greater New Haven, this 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization offers classes to the Children’s Division at studios in New Haven, Bethany, Hamden, and Branford. In addition to performances, New Haven Ballet’s outreach programs, including DanceAIR, which offers free training to New Haven Public School children in traditionally underserved communities, and Shared Ability, which provides weekly dance workshops to disabled artists, are made possible through the generosity of Stonesthrow Fund, Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, City of New Haven Creative Arts Advancement Program, Anna Fitch Ardenghi Trust, State of Connecticut Office of the Arts, the Jordan Fund, NewAlliance Foundation, Ethel & Abe Lapides Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, Bank of America, City of New Haven Creative Sector Relief Fund, the Zayas Law Fund, and the Branford Community Foundation.
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Photo: (c) 2024 Kelsey Paff Photography. If you want more information about New Haven Ballet, please call 203-782-9038 or email administrator@newhavenballet.org.
New Haven Ballet held its annual DanceAIR performance on Friday, May 10, at the ECA ACES Arts Hall in New Haven. Seven deserving students from Fair Haven School, Truman School, Barack H. Obama Magnet University School, Edgewood Creative Thinking Through STEM School, Lincoln-Bassett School, and the Dixwell Community House received full scholarships to train at New Haven Ballet, including tuition for 12 months, all performance fees, costume fees, and free dance attire. Other students were awarded free summer tuition to study at New Haven Ballet.
DanceAIR is a community program that partners the Ballet with New Haven Public Schools and community centers in traditionally underserved neighborhoods to provide free classical ballet training, scholarships, and performance opportunities.
Photo: (c) 2024 Kelsey Paff Photography
Congratulations to the 41 dancers who comprise the 2024 New Haven Ballet Company! These new and veteran company members will be joined by Creative Ballet I, Creative Ballet II, Pre-Ballet, Primary, and Level 1-4 students from the ballet school to perform at the Shubert Theatre New Haven on May 25. We are excited to begin rehearsals next week!
New Haven Ballet will once again offer Shared Ability, a program that creates performances by dancers with and without physical disabilities. Click Here to Learn More.
Photo of Shared Ability dancers performing at the Shubert Theatre New Haven on May 27, 2023, courtesy of New Haven Ballet and Thomas Giroir Photography (c) 2023.
New Haven Ballet’s Nutcracker was featured in a fantastic article by Clare Byrne in the CT Examiner. Click Here to see the article.
The lights…the scenery…the music…the dancing!
Don’t miss New Haven Ballet’s The Nutcracker at the Shubert Theatre New Haven this weekend, December 15-17. New York City Ballet’s Sara Adams and Harrison Coll lead the talented cast as the Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier, with Alejandro Ulloa performing the role of the Snow King and Michael Requena performing as the Trepak and Coffee Principal Dancer. New this year is a spectacular, larger-than-life Land of Sweets set, costumes designed by Kimberly Salsbury, and choreography by Artistic Director Lisa Kim Sanborn. Kick off the holidays with New Haven Ballet’s The Nutcracker. Tickets start at $29 at the Shubert.com box office, or Click Here to purchase tickets.
The Shubert Theatre New Haven is located at 247 College Street in downtown New Haven, in the heart of the city’s restaurant and shopping district.
New Haven Ballet is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community ballet school setting the standard for classical training throughout Greater New Haven.
New Haven Ballet continues to kick off the holiday season by returning to the Dixwell Community House (“Q House”) to present a free Holiday Dance Concert on Sunday, December 3, at 3:00 p.m.
New Haven Ballet will perform excerpts from Artistic Director Lisa Kim Sanborn’s The Nutcracker, which premiered at the Shubert Theatre New Haven in 2013. Also presented will be excerpts from the ballets Cavaliere Allegro and Vivaldi Concerto.
Located at 197 Dixwell Avenue in the heart of New Haven, the performance will feature beautiful costumes, professional sound and lighting, and the quintessential holiday music by Tchaikovsky. Parking is available. Admission is free. Audience members are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy a holiday afternoon of ballet.
This performance is made possible through the generosity of the City of New Haven Department of Arts, Culture, and Tourism and in partnership with the Dixwell Community House.
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If you want more information about this event or New Haven Ballet, please call Ruth Barker at tel. 203-782-9038 or email: administrator@newhavenballet.org.
Kick off the holiday season with New Haven Ballet when they return to the Shubert Theatre to perform The Nutcracker, a favorite holiday tradition.
A treat for the whole family starring New York City Ballet’s Sarah Adams and Harrison Coll as the Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier, who are joined by many bright young dancers from New Haven Ballet’s School and guest artists Michael Requena and Alejandro Ulloa, rounding out the talented cast.
The production features larger-than-life sets with a Christmas Tree that grows to colossal heights, a snowstorm, exquisite costumes, a new pas de deux, and the timeless score by Tchaikovsky that will fill the rafters when local singers lend their voices to the Waltz of the Snowflakes. New Haven Ballet’s Nutcracker allows audiences to enjoy New York City Ballet stars at modest ticket prices, the convenience of the Shubert’s location, roomier seats, an upgraded sound system, and a phenomenal show!
The Shubert Theatre is located at 247 College Street in the heart of New Haven’s popular downtown restaurant and shopping district. Tickets start at $29 and may be purchased at Shubert.com or the Shubert Box Office at (203) 562-5666.
Performances are offered:
Friday, December 15 at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 16 at 1:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 16 at 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 17 at 1:00 p.m.
The story follows young Clara as she enjoys her family’s festive party, where her Uncle Drosselmeyer entertains guests with magic and dancing dolls and gives her a real nutcracker. After falling asleep and dreaming of her magical evening, Clara awakens to a daring battle between a fierce Mouse King and brave soldiers led by a heroic Nutcracker Prince, who resembles her uncle’s charming nephew. The Prince joins her in her adventures in the Land of Snow and the Land of Sweets, where they meet the Sugar Plum Fairy and her handsome Cavalier. This magical show will have you tapping your feet and humming familiar tunes throughout the performance.
New Haven Ballet kicks off its 2023 Annual Appeal!
Please consider making a donation to New Haven Ballet during our 2023 Annual Appeal. Your support means the world to our dancers, making our superior training, performances and outreach programs possible.
We are offering some amazing prizes this year —
The top four (4) donors over $1,000 will be invited to dine with the stars of The Nutcracker, joining guest artists from New York City Ballet, the Artistic Director, and others for dinner at Union League Cafe on Saturday, December 16 at 8:00 p.m. Must be 12+ years to dine.
Those who donate over $500 will be invited to view backstage the new Nutcracker sets premiering this year at the Shubert Theatre New Haven on Saturday, December 16 after the conclusion of the 5:00 p.m. performance. Must be 12+ years to attend.
No substitutes, trade or rain checks for prize winners.
To those who have already made a donation, thank you!
New Haven Ballet is offering Nutcracker tee shirts for purchase as a fundraiser to support NHB’s Nutcracker 2023 production. Each year we produce a tee shirt in a different color. This year’s Nutcracker tees are Bella + Canvas forest green, unisex sized, and made from 100% airlume combed, ringspun cotton jersey. All unisex youth and adult-sized tees cost $25 and are available in sizes XS to XL. We will be taking orders for Nutcracker tees this Saturday and Sunday, October 7-8, at 70 Audubon Street during Nutcracker rehearsals. Tee shirts must be pre-ordered and prepaid. The deadline to order your NHB Nutcracker tee shirt is Monday, October 9, 2023. We cannot accept late orders. Once the order is placed it will take approximately 4 weeks for the tees to come into the office.
Sample sizes will be in the New Haven office on Saturday and Sunday if you wish to see sizing, color, and quality. To place an order online please follow the link below. Choose the Saturday option and select the size and color tee shirt you would like.
https://app.thestudiodirector.com/newhavenballet/portal.sd?page=Login
Nutcracker tee shirts are a custom-made-to-order item and we are not able to take any new orders after the October 9 deadline.
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