About Us
Mission, History, and Values
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.
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.
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. 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, together with an incomparable faculty, continues to focus on revitalizing MYB’s programs and bring dancer’s training into the 21st century.
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.
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.
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. 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, together with an incomparable faculty, continues to focus on revitalizing MYB’s programs and bring dancer’s training into the 21st century.
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.
Values
Values
For decades, MYB has taken pride in pursuing excellence in ballet training. As part of our commitment to excellence and our responsibility to the broader community, we will continue to foster an environment in which talented young dancers have meaningful opportunities to learn, grow, and pursue their goals in the performing arts.
MYB pledges to:
- continue to offer the highest quality classical ballet training to young dancers with potential, regardless of race, ethnicity, background, or financial circumstances; and
- regularly evaluate our programs and practices to promote fair and equitable access to training and opportunities for all students.
MYB is committed to maintaining a welcoming, respectful, and inclusive environment for all members of our organization and the broader dance community, including LGBTQ individuals.
