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New Ballet Ensemble and School

The New Ballet Ensemble and School is a place where Memphis children come together from all backgrounds to find a common ground in dance where talent, dreams and goals are nurtured, developed and realized regardless of the ability to pay. New Ballet trains young dancers in a quality classical ballet curriculum at a state-of-the-art facility and has a strong and varied repertoire that speaks to an increasingly diverse world. The program which focuses on diversity utilizes urban styles and multicultural dance forms as well as the classical to engage children's interest, with classical training and the foundation. New Ballet hosts a professional dance company, instructional dance classes (beginning at age 3 up to adult classes), a scholarship program, school performances, public performances, and outreach programs including partnerships with other youth and arts organizations. Thirty percent of New Ballet students receive full scholarships to participate in the core program and New Ballet has a goal to reach fifty percent scholarship participation in the next five years. In addition to the 155 students attending classes each week, a professional company of eight paid dancers rehearses under the same roof, teaches core classes, and travels to schools with an educational and informative curriculum designed to seek out potential students. Thirty percent of these dancers are African American and all but one dancer were raised in Memphis. Four dancers in the professional company come to New Ballet through the scholarship program. Last season, New Ballet brought school performances to over 8,000 Title 1 school children and students in rural areas. In the first half of this fiscal year, over 5,000 students have already been reached through the performances. This program brings ballet to life for Mid-South students, many who have never seen a live performance and have not been exposed to performing art. Currently, New Ballet tours city schools with a production of Peter and the Wolf. New Ballet provides school teachers with a pre-performance curriculum which allows their students to engage in activities that educate them on the composer's biography and the story of Peter and the Wolf. The curriculum also instructs on how instruments are used to represent characters and tell the story. New Ballet is known for including a uniquely Memphis style of 'hip hop' dance into performances. Search New Ballet + Dying Swan on You Tube to see an example of 'Jookin' blended into the classical idiom. This is a perfect example of how New Ballet discovers the abundant talent in the Memphis area and takes the student a step further into a cross cultural experience, creating a new form of dance in the process.

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    New Ballet Ensemble and School

    2157 York Avenue
    Memphis, TN 38104

    Phone: (901) 726-9225

    Fax: (901) 274-5370

    Email

    Official Website

• Current &
  Upcoming Events

  • Current Events

    07/06/10- 05/02/11

    Fall Registration New Ballet School Fall Registration Presented by New Ballet Ensemble and School at New Ballet School July 6, 2010-May 2, 2011 Conveniently located in the Cooper Young neighborhood, New Ballet offers classes for ages three through Adult. New Ballet's Core Program provides Classical Ballet based curriculum beginning with Creative Movement at age 3, Ballet, Flamenco, Hip Hop and Master classes with Guest teachers from internationally acclaimed companies and performance opportunities for students. The mission of New Ballet Ensemble and School is to bring children together by providing a professional standard of...

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    There are no upcoming events available for this organization at this time.

• Past
  Events

  • Past Events

    06/28/10- 07/02/10	Peter and the Wolf Camp ages 4-6 New Ballet School Peter and the Wolf Camp ages 4-6 Presented by New Ballet Ensemble and School at New Ballet School June 28-July 2, 2010 Peter and the Wolf Camp. Led by Creative Movement instructor, Mandy Possel, children will explore character development based on the characters in the story of Peter and the Wolf, the popluar children's ballet performed by New Ballet Ensemble in schools throughout Memphis. Arts and Crafts materials are included in the price of the camp and children will construct their own costume enhancements. Performance for parents on Friday at 10:30!
    06/21/10- 06/25/10	Martha Graham Master Classes New Ballet School Martha Graham Master Classes Presented by New Ballet Ensemble and School at New Ballet School June 21-June 25, 2010 Blakeley White McGuire, Principal Dancer if the Martha Graham Company will teach Master Classes at New Ballet Ensemble and School June 21-25. Serious students of dance and professional dancers are encouraged to attend. There will be live drumming accompaniment. Don't miss this rare opportunity to learn about the Master choreographer from one of the most important Modern dancers in the world.
    05/14/10- 05/15/10	Springloaded Buckman Performing and Fine Arts Center Springloaded Presented by New Ballet Ensemble and School at Buckman Performing and Fine Arts Center May 14-May 15, 2010 Avg. Event Rating (2.5 Stars): Presenting FEARLESS MINE by Francesca Harper From back wall of the theater, dancers emerge to protect one another, conquering their fears in this adreneline rush of a piece that leaves the audience wondering if they have taken even one breath during the first seven minutes of compelling movement. Guest Choreographer, Francesca Harper blends original choreography, dance, music and film to create groundbreaking works that are category-defying. After performing with the Dance...
    12/12/09	Nut ReMix Germantown Performing Arts Centre Nut ReMix Presented by New Ballet Ensemble and School at Germantown Performing Arts Centre December 12, 2009 New Ballet Ensemble & School presents Nut Remix, an original contemporary urban Memphis story based upon the traditional Nutcracker Ballet. Act I finds us at Beale Street celebrating the season with international visitors dining the Beale Street cafe run by a hard working single parent and his daughter, Clara. The Hip hop battle replaces the usual mouse and soldier confrontation and ends peacefully as snow descends on a surprised Memphis. Nut ReMix honors the cultures of the countries...
    10/16/09- 10/17/09	Free Fall New Ballet School Free Fall Presented by New Ballet Ensemble and School at New Ballet School October 16-October 17, 2009 The New Ballet professional ensemble brings its exciting blend of classical, contemporary and urban styles to audiences in this year's in-studio production of Freefall. Company members are featured in three solo works, Marta Graham’s Lamentation, Noelia Gracia Carmona’s Flamenco solo for Rudi Peyton and the beloved Dying Swan danced by Jookin’ Artist, Shamar Rooks. A reprise of Pulsations to Life by Graham Artist Blekely White McGuire is featured and Chris Roberts'...
    06/26/09- 06/27/09	Afrikan Revival: Drum and Dance Concert New Ballet School Afrikan Revival: Drum and Dance Concert Presented by New Ballet Ensemble and School at New Ballet School June 26-June 27, 2009 Memphis Dance Troupes, The Bantaba Dance Company of Memphis and Sankofa Drum and Dance Ensemble will unite for the first time on stage for the production, "Afrikan Revival: The Resurgence of Our Culture." This concert will feature breath taking dances, toe-tapping drumming , and soul stirring songs from all regions of African It will also includes dances from regions of the Caribbean. This will be movement in its raw element and a great family event for all ages, races, and...
    06/05/09- 06/07/09	Springloaded New Ballet Ensemble Springloaded New Ballet Ensemble Presented by New Ballet Ensemble and School June 5-June 7, 2009 New Ballet Ensemble presents SPRINGLOADED When: June 5 (7PM), 6, (7PM); 7 (2:30PM) Where: Buckman Performing Arts Center, 60 Perkins Extended Tickets: Adults $20.00; Children and Students of all ages $10.00 (with student ID) What: FIRE, choreography by Uri Sands Special Guest Appearances by Bantaba Dance Company and Hybrid Performance Group Presented by New Ballet Ensemble, SPRINGLOADED is an explosion of dance styles from...
    02/05/09- 03/26/09	Master Classes at New Ballet Ensemble and School Master Classes at New Ballet Ensemble and School Presented by New Ballet Ensemble and School February 5-March 26, 2009 FREE Master Classes with National companies (Int/Adv only) Ririe Woodbury Dance teaches Alwin Nikolais Technique Feb 5, 6PM courtesy of Buckman Performing Arts Rubberband Dance Group March 3 6PM courtesy of Buckman Performing Arts Dance Theater of Harlem March 26 6:30PM courtesy of Cultural Development Foundation
    12/05/08- 12/14/08	Nut ReMix Nut ReMix Presented by New Ballet Ensemble and School December 5-December 14, 2008 Avg. Event Rating (5.0 Stars): The New Ballet Ensemble brings ballet and urban styles together in an eye popping experience enjoyed by children, teens and grandparents alike, presenting a new story based on the traditional tale that takes place on Beale Street! In its sixth year at the Buckman Theater, New Ballet's Nut ReMix has become an annual favorite with families seeking to find something fresh for the holidays that even their teenagers will ask to see again. Audiences are delighted to witness...
    10/24/08- 10/26/08	Free Fall Free Fall Presented by New Ballet Ensemble and School October 24-October 26, 2008 The New Ballet professional ensemble, integrated wtih the New Ballet School, brings its exciting blend of classical, contemporary and urban styles to the Buckman's fall season in FreeFall with choreography by former Alvin Ailey dancer, Uri Sands and New Ballet Resident Artist, Kevin Trent Thomas, formerly of Dance Theater of Harlem. New Ballet welcomes guest artist, Tiffany Glen, member of Collage Dance Collective, Mr. Thomas' New York company. Ms. Glen will perform Rosa, a tribute to Rose...
    06/13/08- 06/14/08	Springloaded Springloaded Presented by New Ballet Ensemble and School June 13-June 14, 2008 New Ballet brings its eclectic blend of Ballet, Hip Hop and Flamenco back to the Buckman Performing Arts Center for the fifth annual production of Springloaded where young Memphis trained professionals and trainees will perform varied works bridging the great Martha Graham to the local dance phenomenon of Jookin'. Eight choreographers are represented in the production including Graham, Kevin Trent Thomas (formerly of Dance Theater of Harlem), Blakely White McQuire of the Martha Graham...
    04/01/08- 04/01/09	New Ballet Ensemble and School New Ballet Ensemble and School Presented by New Ballet Ensemble and School April 1, 2008-April 1, 2009 Avg. Event Rating (2.0 Stars): New Ballet Ensemble and School provides a professional standard of training to Memphis children ages 3-young adult in Midtown, regardless of the ability to pay. Classes are geared for individual attention and are rooted in the classical with intensive focus on classical ballet. New Ballet recognizes that we live in a changing world and through it's student's participation in professional quality performances, speaks to an increasingly diverse world with offerings in Hip Hop, Flamenco, and...

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• Member
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    • Event Name: Springloaded
      "Awesome Job"
      Review posted by: Rhonda Roberts from Millington, Tn, May 17, 2010
      

      After seeing the show both Friday and Saturday nights. I can only imagine the hours that was put in to make this show the success it was. A packed house both nights. We really have exceptional... Expand

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      After seeing the show both Friday and Saturday nights. I can only imagine the hours that was put in to make this show the success it was. A packed house both nights. We really have exceptional talent in Memphis. Great choreography. It's like going to Baskin and Robbins you get to have a taste of all sorts of flavors of dance. Ballet, Hip Hop, Flamingo....etc!! Awesome job!!! Collapse

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    • Event Name: Springloaded
      "More than "just ballet""
      Comment posted by: Teresa Bell from Memphis, TN, May 16, 2010
      

      As I was walking to my car after attending New Ballet Ensemble's Spring Loaded, a boy around 6 years old was exclaiming to his mother, "It wasn't just ballet!" He continued excitedly describing the... Expand

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      As I was walking to my car after attending New Ballet Ensemble's Spring Loaded, a boy around 6 years old was exclaiming to his mother, "It wasn't just ballet!" He continued excitedly describing the performances he saw all the way to the parking lot. I believe this kid knew what he was talking about. What makes NBE's show so amazing is that they present a beautiful classic ballet piece that exudes elegance and then follow it up with something a little more intense, rhythmic, and gritty. How many shows give you Samuel Barber and Florence + The Machine pieces back to back? All the performers and choreographers did a spectacular job, but there were a few that completely rocked it. The first piece I have to mention is "Howl" choreographed by Maxx Reed. The movement in this piece is fantastic and all I have to say about the performers is that they totally brought it. Another highlight of the evening was Noelia Garcia Carmona's "Mujer", a piece that demonstrates the intense, precise foot work of the flamenco genre. "Mujer" is nicely preceded by a jazzy fan dance that puts all the cool and smooth into it that one would expect as it is set to Miles Davis' "Concierto de Aranjuez". "Fearless Mine", a piece by guest choreographer Francesca Harper, has a tortured yet beautiful look to it that brought to mind elements of Madonna's "Human Nature" video. The African fusion dance "Elements" was able to seamlessly blend modern, ballet, and African influences into an exciting and dynamic piece that had the audience clapping along. This dance was made all the more memorable by the live drumming and fantastic lighting. Lastly, the concluding performance "Popplagio" was an absolute stand out. The performers displayed remarkable skill and Chris Roberts demonstrated his talent of choreographing a piece that feels fresh and contemporary. Overall, Spring Loaded provides the audience with more than "just ballet"; it allows us to see the wide range of artistic expression that is possible by borrowing from a myriad of dance traditions and musical styles. Collapse

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    • Event Name: Nut ReMix
      "professional quality show!"
      Review posted by: Not a Big Ballet Fan, but this was GREAT from Memphis TN, Dec 09, 2008
      

      Wow-- I saw the '08 version of Nut Re-Mix and was amazed at how they keep the show fresh / changing yr to yr but still within the Nutcracker story. There are about 8(?) different styles of dance --... Expand

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      Wow-- I saw the '08 version of Nut Re-Mix and was amazed at how they keep the show fresh / changing yr to yr but still within the Nutcracker story. There are about 8(?) different styles of dance -- flamenco / hip-hop / classical ballet / Chinese / African / modern / Russian -- represented, and each is executed at a really high level. The pros are great, and the kids are fantastic! It's a great show, and nothing like a sleepy Nutcracker you may remember from your childhood... or adulthood. Collapse

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    • Event Name: New Ballet Ensemble and School
      "Katie Smythe is teaching children to love dance!"
      Review posted by: Meg Synk from Memphis, TN, Jul 21, 2008
      

      Students are regularly exposed to professional dancers and an appreciation of many forms of dance, but the teachers always work with the children at an age appropriate level. From my perspective, I... Expand

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      Students are regularly exposed to professional dancers and an appreciation of many forms of dance, but the teachers always work with the children at an age appropriate level. From my perspective, I see attention to individual needs and respect for all the dancers; my daughter sees the joy in expression and the challenge to learn and improve. Collapse

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    • Event Name: New Ballet Ensemble and School
      "Highly recommended"
      Comment posted by: Parent of students from Cordova, Apr 21, 2008
      

      NBE is a wonderful school. The instructors and classes are great.

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      NBE is a wonderful school. The instructors and classes are great.

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    • Event Name: Springloaded
      "Try it out!"
      Comment posted by: G. Milnor from Memphis, Mar 25, 2008
      

      This is a unique group of talented young adults and children - all from the Memphis and Shelby County. Their dance is very eclectic and energized! I promise you will not be bored nor disappointed... Expand

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      This is a unique group of talented young adults and children - all from the Memphis and Shelby County. Their dance is very eclectic and energized! I promise you will not be bored nor disappointed with their performances. Collapse

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