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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.

• At-a-
  Glance

  • Contact Info

    New Ballet Ensemble and School

    2157 York Avenue
    Memphis, TN 38104

    Phone: (901) 726-9225   |   Fax: (901) 274-5370   |   Email   |   Official Website

  • Current Events

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

  • Upcoming Events

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• Current &
  Upcoming Events

  • Current Events

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

  • Upcoming Events

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

• Past
  Events

  • Past Events

    04/22/12	SpringLoaded Family Matinees, "Peter and the Wolf" and "Hip Hop to Africa" Playhouse on the Square
    04/20/12- 04/21/12	SpringLoaded Playhouse on the Square
    04/19/12	"MOSAIC 3" Concert Playhouse on the Square
    01/28/12	L'Histoire du Soldat Christian Brothers University
    12/09/11- 12/11/11	Nut ReMix Germantown Performing Arts Centre
    07/21/11	Forain After Dark Performance: Une Nuit de Ballet with the New Ballet Ensemble Dixon Gallery and Gardens
    05/20/11- 05/22/11	Springloaded Buckman Performing and Fine Arts Center
    12/11/10- 12/12/10	Nut ReMix Germantown Performing Arts Centre
    07/06/10- 05/02/11	Fall Registration New Ballet School
    06/28/10- 07/02/10	Peter and the Wolf Camp ages 4-6 New Ballet School
    06/21/10- 06/25/10	Martha Graham Master Classes New Ballet School
    05/14/10- 05/15/10	Springloaded Buckman Performing and Fine Arts Center
    12/12/09	Nut ReMix Germantown Performing Arts Centre
    10/16/09- 10/17/09	Free Fall New Ballet School
    06/26/09- 06/27/09	Afrikan Revival: Drum and Dance Concert New Ballet School
    06/05/09- 06/07/09	Springloaded New Ballet Ensemble
    02/05/09- 03/26/09	Master Classes at New Ballet Ensemble and School
    12/05/08- 12/14/08	Nut ReMix
    10/24/08- 10/26/08	Free Fall
    06/13/08- 06/14/08	Springloaded
    04/01/08- 04/01/09	New Ballet Ensemble and School

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• Media
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• Member
  Reviews

  • Member Reviews

    • 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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