school

Meet The Nutcracker Kids

Post by Crista Villella, Ballet Mistress

The Nutcracker Intensive rehearsal week has come and gone, and I am happy to report that the kids know all of the choreography and proper rehearsal behavior. Every year they get better and better! My angels are close to perfect and my soldiers can count the music, which is really difficult to do. I couldn’t be more impressed! Diana, one of the Marie’s, just came from Cuba and doesn’t understand English. I don’t speak Spanish, but amazingly we communicate quite well despite the language barrier and she is doing great work. Mariana, the other Marie, knows every part in The Nutcracker. She may just have to take over my job one day! The two Fritz’s are best friends and they are so funny. As sweet as they are, they are always testing to see how much I will let them get away with. They certainly have the gift of charm. The best part of my day is when I see the little ones in the hallway and they light up and say, “Miss Crista!” as they run to give me a hug. What could be sweeter? I have a pretty cool job.

Mommy and Me

Miami City Ballet School offers an exciting new way for children ages 3 and 4 and their parents to have fun together while introducing the child to the very beginning steps in dance! A new Mommy and Me Music and Movement Class will be held on Thursdays from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., beginning tomorrow (September 10). To enroll or for more information call (305) 929-7007 or email school@miamicityballet.org.

Mommy and Me instructor Jeanne Elser Smith knows both dance and small children — she’s a former dancer at the Kansas City Ballet and Pennsylvania Ballet, has taught dance at the Massachusetts Youth Ballet, has a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education and has taught first grade for several years. We caught up with Jeanne and her adorable daughter Abby for a taste of Mommy and Me Music and Movement.

MCB School’s 5-Week Summer Intensive Wraps Up

The time has come to bid farewell to the Summer Intensive Program students. The stage of MCB’s Lynn and Louis Wolfson, II Theatre was graced with the dancing of these young students yesterday as they showcased what they learned. The entire MCB building was buzzing with excitement. Five weeks of hard work was evident as the serious dance students, ages 12 years and older, displayed their abilities and strengths. Friends and family came from all over the world to watch their favorite dancer.

We are sad to see them go. During the past weeks, the studios and hallways were flowing with vibrancy and positive energy. It was something else to watch students who didn’t even speak the same language come together and form friendships. We’ve been chronicling the Summer Intensive through videos and pictures on MCB School’s Facebook page.

We look forward to having these bright dancers return next summer. Watch out for them! There are big things ahead for our students. Lucky for us, some of them will be training at MCB School during the Winter Program.

But we don’t have to wait until the Winter Program begins in September to have students in the studios! On Monday, the 2-week Summer Program (for 11 & 12-year-olds who are just starting on pointe) begins.