Alumni

MYB consistently produces dancers that move on to professional careers in dance companies across the country, are accepted to performing arts conservatories, or attend many of the country’s highly ranked academic institutions.

“MYB has always had a reputation of being one of the best ballet schools for classical ballet…producing many successful professional dancers.  It plays such an important role in the lives of many people in our community, especially many young, aspiring dancers who need the kind of guidance and professional training that MYB provides.” MYB Alum- Julie Kent,  former Principal Dancer with American Ballet Theatre, former Artistic Director of The Washington Ballet, and current Artistic Director of Houston Ballet

“With its excellence in teaching, its many performance opportunities, and its ability to ignite passion for this artform, MYB is a dream school for any serious student wanting to learn the art of ballet. I can certainly attest that my success as a dancer was based on the strong foundation that Mrs. Fonseca, Michelle Lees, and all the other teachers of the school imparted on me during my training years. I have so much gratitude.” MYB Alum- Susan Jaffe, former Principal Dancer with American Ballet Theatre, former Dean of Dance at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, former Artistic Director of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, and current Artistic Director of American Ballet Theatre 

“Due to the impeccable training, I achieved my childhood dream of becoming a professional dancer.  I realize that MYB not only provided a solid foundation for ballet technique but also a strong foundation for leading a successful life.”  MYB Alum- Kathi Martuza, former Principal Dancer with Oregon Ballet

“As a budding professional, the training I received at MYB was outstanding.”  MYB Alum- Jane Vorburger, former Soloist with American Ballet Theatre

“I know now how privileged I was to be a student at MYB- the depth it gave to my teen-age years that could have been spent in a shopping mall or in front of a TV.  I feel enormous gratitude to the teachers who taught us a lot more than steps.”  MYB Alum- Martine Hyland, Johns Hopkins

“I hope that my success shows young dancers that you can channel all the important values, lessons, and skills that you learn during your time at MYB into dance, as well as other goals like Fulbright or other scholarships.  Thank you for giving me those skills to take on the world with confidence, tenacity, and grace.”  MYB Alum- Caroline Martin, Fulbright Fellowship recipient. 

“MYB opened a world of art and an appreciation for effort. It provided a perspective, both inside and outside the studio. It gave a sense of achievement, pleasure, excitement and joy.”  MYB Alum- Anna Smith, NYC Arts Fundraiser

“The staff at MYB is one of the most tirelessly dedicated and generous of any I have seen.  The tools they gave me have taken me on a great adventure in dance and around the world.”  MYB Alum- Ariel Freedman, Hell’s Kitchen Dance, Aszure & Artists, Batsheva Ensemble

 

MYB alumni have danced professionally with the top companies across the country including:

DANIEL APPLEBAUM, New York City Ballet

CARLY BAKER, Ballet Arizona Studio Company

SADE BARNWELL, dawsondancesf

ANNIE BOYER, Sean Curran Company

BOBBY BRISCOE, Luna Negra Dance Theater, Joffrey Ballet, Sacramento Ballet

JAZZ BYNUM, Ballet West

DEIDRE BYRNE, Cleveland San Jose Ballet

HEATHER CARLSON, Dissonance Dance

MARTINA CHAVEZ, Oregon Ballet Theatre

BEAU CHESIVOIR, Ballet West

ELISA CLARK, Alvin Ailey, Monica Bill Barnes & Company, Mark Morris Dance Group

ALISON CROSBY, Bowen McCauley Dance, Joffrey Ballet

JULIA CROSBY, Milwaukee Ballet, Atlanta Ballet II, Tulsa Ballet

ALICIA CURTIS, Bowen McCauley Dance

LILLIAN DIPIAZZA, Pennsylvania Ballet, Ballet Opera de Paris

ALEXANDRA FARBER, Texas Ballet Theatre

NICK FONSECA, Orlando Ballet

PETER FONSECA, American Ballet Theatre

EMILIE FORREST, The Suzanne Farrell Ballet Trainee, Stavna Ballet

ARIEL FREEDMAN, Hell’s Kitchen Dance, Aszure & Artists, Batsheva Ensemble

JOHN MARK GIRAGOSIAN, Joffrey Ballet

MONICA GIRAGOSIAN, American Repertory Ballet

ILANA GOLDMAN, Oakland Ballet, Sacramento Ballet, Trey McIntyre Project Dance

SIDNEY HAMPTON, Bowen McCauley Dance, Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company

SARAH BRITTON HICKS, Sacramento Ballet

SUSAN JAFFE, American Ballet Theatre, Dean of Dance at North Carolina School of the Arts, Artistic Director Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Artistic Director of American Ballet Theatre

WILLIAM ROLAND JONES, Richmond Ballet II, Ballet West II

RISA GARY KAPLOWITZ, Dayton Ballet, Houston Ballet, Ballet Manhattan Director of Princeton Dance & Theater

JULIE KENT, American Ballet Theatre, Artistic Director of The Washington Ballet, Artistic Director of Houston Ballet

KRIS KIDWELL, Orlando Ballet

ALLEGRA KIRKSEY-CURTIS, Ballet Palm Beach, Visions Contemporary Ballet, Joffrey Ballet

BETTY KLEIN, Kansas City Ballet 

MATTHEW LINZER, Diablo Ballet/Smuin Ballet

MARK LEBER, Ballet Magnificat

KATE LOXTERCAMP, Ballet Arizona

KATHI MARTUZA, San Francisco Ballet, Oregon Ballet

HANNAH MACLEOD, Kansas City Ballet Trainee

HARRIET MCMEEKIN, Oakland Ballet, Ballet San Jose, Bowen McCauley Dance

KATHARINE MOSER, Ballet Arizona Studio Company

ELISABETH MOSER, Orlando Ballet Second Company

TORY NORTH, Complexions Dance Company

JULIE PETRUSAK, JP Dance Group

JULIE PLEASANT, Minnesota Ballet

KAITLYN POTTS, Utah Regional Ballet, Lecturer at Utah Valley University

SPENCER RAMIREZ, Mark Morris Dance Group

NATHANIEL REMEZ, San Francisco Ballet

MELANIE RIFFEE, The Suzanne Farrell Ballet

SAM RODRIGUEZ, Houston Ballet

PHYLLIS ROTHWELL, Idaho Ballet 

PAIGE RUSSELL, Ballet Austin II, Oklahoma City Ballet

JUSTIN RUSTLE, Ballet Arkansas, Bowen-McCauley Dance Company, Wonderbound, Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company

MINORI SAKITA, Tulsa Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet

GAREN SCRIBNER, San Francisco Ballet, Nederlands Dans Theater/ An American in Paris Broadway Musical

CHRISTOPHER SCRUGGS, Alberta Ballet Canada, Boston Ballet, Houston Ballet

CHRISTA SENSANO, Texas Ballet Theatre

CHERYL SLADKIN, The Suzanne Farrell Ballet, Ballet NY, Washington Ballet, American Repertory Ballet, Metropolitan Opera Ballet

KIMBERLY THOMPSON, Gainesville Ballet, Washington Ballet

BEILA UNGAR, Royal Danish Ballet

CHRISTINA VARGAS, Hubbard Street II, Alonzo King’s LINES Ballet Trainee

JANE VORBURGER, American Ballet Theatre

ALLISON WALSH, Joffrey Ballet, Ballet X, An American in Paris Broadway Musical

CHERYL YEAGER, American Ballet Theatre

MYB Alumni – Keep in Touch!

We want to hear from you. Let us know if you are dancing, received a new job, moved, or have any other achievements you would like to share with the MYB community. Submit a quick update HERE.