MIAMI (April 25, 2012) – Miami City Ballet School, recognized as one of the top dance schools in the nation, will hold open auditions for dance students ages 7 to 18 for its Winter 2012-2013 program starting this September. Classes range from pre ballet to pre-professional levels. All auditions are held at MCBS studios located at 2200 Liberty Ave. (one block west of Collins) on Miami Beach.

AUDITIONS FOR 11 to 18 YEAR OLDS
All applicants are expected to have previous ballet training.  Those accepted will begin classes on Tuesday after Labor Day.  There is a $25.00 application fee for auditions held at MCBS.  If accepted, all applicants must show official proof of age.  As a general rule, recommendation letters, photographs and resumes are not accepted.  Girls should bring pointe shoes to the audition.  Observation of auditions are not permitted.

The following dates and times have been set for 11 to 18 year olds:
Wednesday, May 30:                       Wednesday, August 29:
5:30-6:30 pm: 11-13 year olds         5:30-6:30 pm: 11-13 year olds
6:30-7:30 pm: 14 and over              6:30-7:30 pm: 14 and over

AUDITIONS FOR 7 to 10 YEAR OLDS
No previous experience is necessary for children in this age group.  All classes start after Labor Day.  There is a 25.00 application fee for auditions held at MCBS.  If accepted, all applicants must show official proof of age.
Age eligibility: Children must have turned 7 by September 1, 2012.
Audition dress: Girls should wear a leotard or shorts and a T-shirt (no long pants).  Boys should wear a T-shirt and shorts (no long pants).  Socks may be worn if you do not have ballet slippers.

The following dates and times have been set for 7 to 10 year olds:
Wednesday, May 30:          Wednesday, August 29:
4:30-5:30 pm                    5:30-6:30 pm

Students 5 and 6 years of age need not audition. Please call MCBS school office at (305) 929-7007 for information and registration forms.
Age eligibility: Children must have turned 5 by September 1, 2012.  All students must show proof of age.
            
Please arrive at least one half hour before audition time to register.  For more information, please visit www.miamicityballet.org/school or call the school at (305) 929-7007.

Founded in January 1993, Miami City Ballet School was established in the manner and style of Miami City Ballet Founding Artistic Director Edward Villella, who trained at the School of American Ballet in New York. Villella, a former Principal Dancer for the New York City Ballet, is considered the most famous American male ballet dancer of all time.

“19 years after its founding, Miami City Ballet School is making an enormous impact on the world of dance and on the individual lives of each of its young students,” said Miami City Ballet School Director Linda Villella. “The school is committed to providing its students every opportunity and resource to help them develop into exceptional dancers.”

The school curriculum is based on the dynamic evolution of classical dance. The teachers are dedicated to providing complete preparation for the demands of a professional dance career including technique, role characterization, presentation and the various elements of staging.  As a result, many former students are pursuing professional dance careers at prestigious dance companies throughout the world – including Miami City Ballet.

 

MIAMI CITY BALLET SCHOOL’S ADVANCED STUDENTS
DAZZLE ON THE BEACH!

ANNUAL STUDENT SHOWCASE MAY 18-20, 2012.
SECOND ANNUAL STUDENT JAZZ SHOWCASE JUNE 1 AND 2, 2012.

Don’t miss your chance to see the future stars of the ballet world as students from Miami City Ballet School take to the stage with two exciting programs: the Annual Student Showcase May 18 through 20 and the second Annual Student Jazz Showcase June 1 and 2.   

The Annual Student Showcase will be presented Friday, May 18 at 7p.m., Saturday, May 19 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Sunday, May 20 at 2 p.m. All tickets are $25.  The program features advanced students from the Miami City Ballet School performing George Balanchine’s masterwork Serenade with music by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky (Serenade in C Major for String Orchestra), Balanchine’s Élégie (from Tschaikovsky Suite No. 3), excerpts from August Bournonville's Pas de la Vestale and original works by MCB School faculty.  

Proceeds from the Student Showcase performances support all aspects of the students’ training, including a scholarship program ensuring that all children who are accepted to the School, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds, are able to attend.

“The Toby Lerner Ansin Scholarship” – created in 2010 as a gift from the Ansin Family and the Ansin Foundation, to honor MCB’s co-founder, will be announced and presented to one student by School Director Linda Villella.  MCBS also acknowledges the generous support of its other scholarship donors: The Joan and Milton Baxt Foundation, Inc., Betty Madigan Brandt, Do Unto Others Trust, Inc. – Alicia Celorio and Rose Miniaci.

On Friday, June 1 and Saturday, June 2 at 7pm, Miami City Ballet School is pleased to present its second Annual Student Jazz Showcase.  The program will feature MCB students, from beginning-intermediate through advanced, performing original jazz pieces choreographed by faculty members Rafi Maldonado-Lopez and Liz Malm. For many students, these performances will be their grand finale before entering careers as professional dancers at ballet companies around the nation, including MCB. Tickets are $25.

All showcase performances take place at the Ophelia and Juan Js. Roca Center, Lynn and Louis Wolfson, II Theatre – Miami City Ballet Studios, 2200 Liberty Ave., Miami Beach. Tickets are $25 and available online miamicityballet.org or call (305) 929-7010 or toll-free (877) 929-7010.

About Miami City Ballet
Critically acclaimed by The New York Times, MCB was founded in 1985 by Artistic Director Edward Villella. The Company has more than 40 dancers, and a repertoire of over 90 ballets which they perform in the four home counties of Broward, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach and Collier, and around the world. MCB maintains its headquarters in Miami Beach in a facility designed by renowned architectural firm Arquitectonica. The facility houses rehearsal studios and administrative offices as well as the Company’s school: Miami City Ballet School.

For more information on Miami City Ballet or to purchase tickets, call 305.929.7010, toll-free 877-929-7010 or visit www.miamicityballet.org. You can also join us on Facebook, follow the Company on Twitter and subscribe to the MCB Blog.