About Us

Mission, History, and Values

Ballet performances Rockville

Mission

Since 1971, MYB has been successfully preparing young dancers for a career in the performing arts as well as providing classes to dancers of all ages and levels, and by presenting professional quality, yet accessible, award winning ballet performances for the entire region.

 

Mission

Maryland Youth Ballet’s mission is multi-focused to provide the region with: the highest caliber classical ballet training to prepare young dancers for successful careers in the performing arts; the highest quality of classes for both recreational and professional adults; affordable professional-quality ballet performances; opportunities for financially disadvantaged minority children to be exposed to ballet; training scholarships for those with dance potential; and young children with physical disabilities, the opportunity to experience the joy of dance movement.

Ballet performances Rockville
Ballet history Washington DC

History

MYB began in founder Hortensia Fonseca’s basement in the 1960’s. Outgrowing the space, she moved into a studio in Bethesda and in 1971, MYB was incorporated as a non-profit organization. In 1976, Michelle Lees was brought on as Associate Artistic Director and led MYB to become one of the foremost classical ballet training programs in the region as Artistic Director and Principal. Retiring after 42 years, Lees was followed by Olivier Munoz, a 1981 Laureate of the Prix de Lausanne and an acclaimed principal dancer with many international companies. Munoz led MYB for 4 years, taking several students to successful YAGP competitions in 2021 and 2022.

Since 2007, MYB has been located in Downtown Silver Spring where it has flourished and annually trains 1,000 children and 600 adults. MYB consistently produces dancers that move on to professional careers in dance companies across the country, are accepted to performing arts conservatories, or attend some of the country’s highly ranked academic institutions.

Today, MYB continues its tradition of training excellence under Artistic Director and Principal, Deidre Byrne. Byrne is an MYB alum who trained under MYB Founder, Tensia Fonseca. Upon graduation she immediately entered the School of the Cleveland Ballet on full scholarship. She joined the Cleveland San Jose Ballet two years later where she danced for 13 years and was a soloist in much of the company’s repertoire. Upon her return to the DC area, she performed with Bowen McCauley Dance. Ms. Byrne earned her BS in business marketing at the University of Maryland University College and worked at the Kennedy Center with the Exploring Ballet with Suzanne Farrell Program. She is a certified teacher in the ABT® National Training Curriculum, Primary–Level 5. Byrne is a key member of MYB’s COVID-19 team, leading the organization not only through the pandemic but within two weeks had instituted virtual classes for all its students and was the only area ballet school that just 4 months later was able to return to the studio for in-person classes after the government mandated shut down. Byrne, together with an incomparable faculty, is focused on revitalizing MYB’s programs and community after 2 years of pandemic challenges.

History

MYB began in founder Hortensia Fonseca’s basement in the 1960’s. Outgrowing the space, she moved into a studio in Bethesda and in 1971, MYB was incorporated as a non-profit organization. In 1976, Michelle Lees was brought on as Associate Artistic Director and led MYB to become one of the foremost classical ballet training programs in the region as Artistic Director and Principal. Retiring after 42 years, Lees was followed by Olivier Munoz, a 1981 Laureate of the Prix de Lausanne and an acclaimed principal dancer with many international companies. Munoz led MYB for 4 years, taking several students to successful YAGP competitions in 2021 and 2022.

Since 2007, MYB has been located in Downtown Silver Spring where it has flourished and annually trains 1,000 children and 600 adults. MYB consistently produces dancers that move on to professional careers in dance companies across the country, are accepted to performing arts conservatories, or attend some of the country’s highly ranked academic institutions.

Ballet history Washington DC

Today, MYB continues its tradition of training excellence under Artistic Director and Principal, Deidre Byrne. Byrne is an MYB alum who trained under MYB Founder, Tensia Fonseca. Upon graduation she immediately entered the School of the Cleveland Ballet on full scholarship. She joined the Cleveland San Jose Ballet two years later where she danced for 13 years and was a soloist in much of the company’s repertoire. Upon her return to the DC area, she performed with Bowen McCauley Dance. Ms. Byrne earned her BS in business marketing at the University of Maryland University College and worked at the Kennedy Center with the Exploring Ballet with Suzanne Farrell Program. She is a certified teacher in the ABT® National Training Curriculum, Primary–Level 5. Byrne is a key member of MYB’s COVID-19 team, leading the organization not only through the pandemic but within two weeks had instituted virtual classes for all its students and was the only area ballet school that just 4 months later was able to return to the studio for in-person classes after the government mandated shut down. Byrne, together with an incomparable faculty, is focused on revitalizing MYB’s programs and community after 2 years of pandemic challenges.

Values

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement by the MYB Board of Directors (June 2020)

Values

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement by the MYB Board of Directors (June 2020)

Let there be no doubt that Maryland Youth Ballet holds as core values: racial equality, equity, and justice. Therefore, we stand in support of the Black Lives Matter movement and especially in support of our Black students and employees; you matter to us and we are dedicated to your dignity as well as your success.

The instances of racial injustice brought to the forefront of our public consciousness are shocking and heartbreaking. Now is the time to ask how we can improve as an organization and how we can influence our community to do better using the power of the performing arts to put an end to racism and discrimination.

For decades, MYB has taken pride in our pursuit of ballet training excellence and as we focus on the importance of excellence in fulfilling our social responsibilities, we will strengthen MYB’s work on challenges surrounding racism in the ballet world.

Notwithstanding the unprecedented disruption brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, MYB pledges to:

  • continue to offer the highest quality of classical ballet training to young dancers with potential, regardless of skin color or need, who wish to pursue a career in the performing arts, and
  • continue evaluating our programs to ensure training equity for all our students.

In addition, MYB supports the inclusion of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) culture and artistry in our organization and throughout the dance community.

Ballet and Dance Classes for kids near Bethesda, Wheaton, Takoma Park