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.
THE MYB ALUMNI REUNION IS BACK!
Join us backstage at The Nutcracker on Monday, December 23rd after the 5:00pm show.
Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center