Ballet school in Cooper Young reaches out to children regardless of social circumstances
Micro Memphis/Latresia Sutton Reporter
The beat of a guitar, accompanied by the sound of hands tapping on the back of a floor speaker, as dancers move with excitement and energy, in preparation of a live performance. New Ballet Ensemble is a school of arts and arts education with emphasis on professional performance. Founder, Katie Smythe, the Artistic Director and CEO of New Ballet Ensemble, had a deep desire for young people growing up in the city, who didn’t have social economical advantage. Her passion of teaching dance was brought to life in 2002, where she first began New Ballet Ensemble.
New Ballet Ensemble began at the icehouse, which is now home to ATA Karate, in 2002. They moved in to their current location on York Avenue in 2006. “Central and Cooper really is where it’s at,” said Smythe. New Ballet is the hub in the Cooper-Young area, and it’s where 220 students come in daily to study. They have students from Collierville, Arlington, Frayser and Whitehaven to participate in the arts and arts education program.
The dance ensemble school has several programs such as the arts education branch, artist development program, and core program where children from all walks of life can be allowed to learn professional dance. “I wanted a professional standard for children regardless of their ability to pay, regardless of their race or social circumstances, so that they can go out and do it” stated Smythe.
With no rooted performance home, New Ballet Ensemble performs year around, at sites such as GPAC and the Buckman Center, in high school auditoriums, and sometimes in their studio for small performances. Seasons usually begin in August, with three major performances. The fall performance is the called the Interdependence Day, which was performed live at the National Civil Rights Museum and it, was also web-cam live to New York city.
The Nut Remix is an "urban multicultural Nutcracker" performed during Christmas at GPAC. Spring Loaded is always performed in April or May, and this year was performed at Playhouse on the Square. Mosaic Three began Thursday in collaboration with Hattiloo Theater and the River City Concert Band, and consists of all African American composers.
Spring Loaded started Friday with heavy dance such as African, hip-hop and flamenco with River City Concert Band. Sunday was an all children’s matinee.
New Ballet Ensemble begins teaching children ballet at an early age of three and most of what they are able to do are with partnerships. They have partnerships with public and county schools, Girls Inc., The Women's Foundation and the Grizzlies Foundation, all of whom gives them access to children. As their school progresses, New Ballet Ensemble looks forward to more partnerships in the near future, so that more children can have access to the best dance training in the Memphis area.
Related Articles:
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/apr/01/arts-pupils-get-demonstration-of-different-dance/
http://www.newballet.org/
New Ballet Ensemble began at the icehouse, which is now home to ATA Karate, in 2002. They moved in to their current location on York Avenue in 2006. “Central and Cooper really is where it’s at,” said Smythe. New Ballet is the hub in the Cooper-Young area, and it’s where 220 students come in daily to study. They have students from Collierville, Arlington, Frayser and Whitehaven to participate in the arts and arts education program.
The dance ensemble school has several programs such as the arts education branch, artist development program, and core program where children from all walks of life can be allowed to learn professional dance. “I wanted a professional standard for children regardless of their ability to pay, regardless of their race or social circumstances, so that they can go out and do it” stated Smythe.
With no rooted performance home, New Ballet Ensemble performs year around, at sites such as GPAC and the Buckman Center, in high school auditoriums, and sometimes in their studio for small performances. Seasons usually begin in August, with three major performances. The fall performance is the called the Interdependence Day, which was performed live at the National Civil Rights Museum and it, was also web-cam live to New York city.
The Nut Remix is an "urban multicultural Nutcracker" performed during Christmas at GPAC. Spring Loaded is always performed in April or May, and this year was performed at Playhouse on the Square. Mosaic Three began Thursday in collaboration with Hattiloo Theater and the River City Concert Band, and consists of all African American composers.
Spring Loaded started Friday with heavy dance such as African, hip-hop and flamenco with River City Concert Band. Sunday was an all children’s matinee.
New Ballet Ensemble begins teaching children ballet at an early age of three and most of what they are able to do are with partnerships. They have partnerships with public and county schools, Girls Inc., The Women's Foundation and the Grizzlies Foundation, all of whom gives them access to children. As their school progresses, New Ballet Ensemble looks forward to more partnerships in the near future, so that more children can have access to the best dance training in the Memphis area.
Related Articles:
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/apr/01/arts-pupils-get-demonstration-of-different-dance/
http://www.newballet.org/