Ballet Memphis

Big week at Ballet Memphis! The dancers are back, and we have both familiar faces and some new ones, too. The building is alive with dance again already!
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​​Welcome back, everyone! Please show our company artists how much they were missed with comments and likes. Season 38 begins now!

Be your best! Ballet Memphis Pilates + Wellness wants us to all find joy through movement, and one of the ways we do that is by educating and training Pilates professionals on sound practices so that they can share Pilates with others. Several opportunities are coming up for learning new things and getting certified! See below and get in touch with Jessie at [email protected] for more information.
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​​Advanced Chair | August 9
​​Advanced Mat | September 5 and 6
​​Intensive Cadillac | beginning September 13
​​Advanced Cadillac | October 4
​​Advanced Reformer | beginning November 1
​​Intensive Reformer | beginning January 9

Our Winter Wonderland dancers finished their week of learning and moving with a performance for parents. They showed off all their best moves and were smiling the whole time!
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​​Fall registration is open - we’d love to have your children in class with us! Link below for schedules and we are HAPPY to talk to you if you have additional questions.

https://www.hisawyer.com/ballet-memphis/schedules

TONIGHT! Don’t be late for Paquita+ performed by our incredible Beyond Technique Advanced Intensive students! Show starts at 6pm in the Fly Studio at Ballet Memphis HQ on

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Join us tomorrow night for Paquita+ in Fly Studio and see the culmination of all the hard work these students (and teachers!) have put in during Beyond Technique Advanced Intensive. The program is beautiful, including excerpts from Paquita and original choreographic works by Brandon Ramey and a collaboration between Cameron Cofrancesco and student dancers. Come to the performance at 6pm and stick around on for the night!

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Look who it is! We are SO glad to have former Ballet Memphis company artist Cam Cofrancesco back in the building lending his time and talents to our BMS Beyond Technique Advanced Intensive! He had a beautiful year with us during Season 36 and then moved west to dance with the company of another Ballet Memphis alum, Garrett Ammon, at Wonderbound! We love to see these incredible connections being made through dance!
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​​BTA Intensive is a three-week course that further deepens the student’s skills. Special attention is given to technique and preparing for stage performances. Each day dancers take class before workshops and rehearsals - similar to our professional company artists - while allowing time for creative development.

Barrels, Reformer, Cadillac, and MORE!
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​​We have many courses coming up in the next few months to get you certified in different areas of expertise building on your current level and taking you to the next!
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​​Are you interested in becoming a Pilates Instructor or in continuing your Pilates Education? We specialize in STOTT PILATES® certification training, known worldwide for its thoroughness, attention to detail and high quality training. At Ballet Memphis Pilates we mentor you on your journey to becoming an instructor, including training, practice teaching, consultation, and exam prep.
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​​For questions about the workshops or becoming an instructor, contact Pam at [email protected] or Jessie at [email protected].

AUGUST 2023:
​​We launched into fall by opening our doors to the community. Our Open House at the Madison Avenue building included free classes, performances, snacks, painting stations, and more! It was a full day of sharing joy and dance with our community of friends.
​​OCTOBER:
​​Season 37 premiered at Playhouse on the Square with A Midsummer Night’s Dream featuring a performance of perennial fan favorite, In Dreams.
​​DECEMBER:
​​Dreams do come true! Our annual production of The Nutcracker received its much-deserved re-imagining including new choreography, sets, and costumes. What didn’t change? Sharing the joy of the holidays with thousands of families across our region!
​​FEBRUARY 2024:
​​Winter Mix was a dynamic celebration of our season’s theme, “dreams.” A new work set to the music of Dolly Parton was the cherry on top of a sublime show.
​​MARCH:
​​We recognized our founder by dedicating our building in her honor. Now known as the Dorothy Gunther Pugh Center for Dance, our midtown headquarters is a flagship for celebrating Ballet Memphis’ legacy, fulfilling our mission in the present, and charting the course for bright futures ahead.
​​APRIL:
​​One of our favorite activities brought our school and Inclusive Dance students together with Best Buddies to raise awareness and demonstrate that dance is for EVERYBODY.
​​We closed the professional company’s season with American Roots, a weekend of shows that featured live music from the Stax Alumni Band.
​​MAY:
​​A special season of dance culminated for our Youth Ballet Memphis dancers with an outstanding spring show and touching send-off for our ten (!) seniors. We’re so proud of our young dancers and all they continue to accomplish!
​​SUMMER:
​​In addition to a full roster of summer classes, camps, and intensives, we’ve expanded our Pilates programming. Catch us around town for FREE Pilates in the Park mat classes at one of our city’s world-class greenspaces. Info at balletmemphis.org or .

It’s hard to believe that school starts August 12 - ONE month from today! Have you registered yet? We have a new and improved software system that is much more user friendly. We think you’ll love it! Questions? Email Courtney at [email protected] and she will get you answers.

See you all back in the building very soon!

Location, location, location! Our gorgeous building right on Overton Square (with a private parking lot) is available for rentals! We hold events large and small from weddings and class reunions to company retreats for businesses. Get in touch with Courtney and check our pricing and availability by emailing [email protected].

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Get back in the groove with us after the long holiday weekend at Pilates in the Park this Wednesday! Bring your mat and water and work out with us at the iconic Overton Park Shell. See you at 5:30PM for a FREE hour-long workout with one of our amazing certified instructors!

Our offices will be closed on Thursday and Friday to observe the Fourth of July holiday. Don’t fret! Business as usual resumes with camps and classes the following week, and some Pilates + Wellness instructors will still hold classes on July 5. Check our website or MindBody for options. Have a fun and safe holiday!

On the Road This Summer? Show Your Support for the Arts Everywhere You Drive!
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​​Support for the arts comes in many forms, and one easy way to both contribute funds and raise awareness of the cause is by purchasing a Tennessee Arts Commission Specialty License Plate. It costs only $36 and can be pro-rated based on when you last renewed your plates. Sign up for one today and help the arts in Tennessee!

The research is undeniable - exercise and physical activity maintain and improve mobility, flexibility, and balance for people with Parkinson’s Disease.
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​​Rather than show you statistics, we’d like you to see photos of our participants smiling, laughing, and moving in our weekly Dance for Parkinson’s class. Led by Julie Niekrasz and Kristen Osborne Lucas, Dance for Parkinson’s is a program built using science and recommendations while not forgetting that class should be fun and engaging. The benefits go far beyond the metrics! If this class would be a good fit for you or someone you know, join us on Friday mornings at 10am at Ballet Memphis!
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Here is a quick roundup of our camps this summer! It is amazing how far our students come in such a short time. For some it is their first experience with dance, and for others they have been learning at Ballet Memphis for years, but by the smiles and laughs we know they are all having a great time!

Start at square one with our Absolute Beginner Series for adults! This is the class for you if you don’t know the difference between first position and a plie - and we will teach you with no judgment!
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​​You’ll have the opportunity to learn the basics and grow at a slow pace with others at your level. Come move with us! Wednesday evenings from 5:30 - 6:45pm through July 24. If you’re “too advanced” for this class (😉), check out one of our other adult series: Latin Dance presented by Ultimate Ballroom on Thursday nights or Modern Dance with Kristen Osborne Lucas starting tomorrow night!

Join us for Inclusive Dance Summer Intensive!
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​​Participants will use the tools of movement and their own voice to find their creative selves and connect with others through the joy of dance and drama while having fun at a week-long workshop with old and new friends!
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​​This Intensive Workshop takes what we do in Inclusive Dance classes throughout the year and amplifies it over five days. Students develop body awareness, stronger self-expression, social emotional learning, and will celebrate personal uniqueness through dance-based learning. Students of varying levels of physical and developmental disabilities AND their peers are welcome.
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​​June 17 - 21 from 9am - 2pm at Ballet Memphis HQ on Madison Ave. Come move with us!

Happy HAPPY birthday to Phoebe Magna! Phoebe has been dancing professionally for over 10 years and has been with Ballet Memphis since 2022 when she made her debut in Steven McMahon’s “Dracula.”
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​​Phoebe is from Canton, Connecticut originally and has been a fan of UCONN Women’s Basketball long before the attention and interest around NCAA women’s teams this past season. Love that support!
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​​Her favorite place in Memphis is Crosstown Concourse, she always eats chocolate before a performance, and she likes Fleetwood Mac music!
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​​Phoebe, have a terrific day! We’re so glad to have you at Ballet Memphis!

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NEW CLASS!

In our six week Latin Dance series presented by we will explore many of the Latin dance styles from the traditional Cha Cha and Rumba and Samba to the styles that have evolved into club dances such as Merengue and Bachata.
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​​All classes will be taught by Guest Teacher Yana Miekhova from Ultimate Ballroom Dance Studio. Yana came to the United States from her homeland of Ukraine. She has been involved in dance since young age, exploring various dance styles. Yana is very patient with her students and has a great personality!
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​​Sign up today for this fun course that starts NEXT WEEK! Thursdays, June 13 - July 25 at 5:30pm right here at the Ballet Memphis HQ on Madison! Link here - https://balletmemphis.org/pilates-wellness/adult-ballet-tap

Support for the arts comes in many forms, and one easy way to both contribute funds and raise awareness of the cause is by purchasing a Tennessee Arts Commission Specialty License Plate. It costs only $36 and can be pro-rated based on when you last renewed your plates. Sign up for one today and help the arts in Tennessee!

https://tnspecialtyplates.org/purchase-a-specialty-plate/

Ballet Memphis + Cazateatro Bilingual Arts Expression Camp starts June 24! Link here - https://events.humanitix.com/arts-expression-camp-campamento-de-expresion-artistica-cazateatro-and-ballet-memphis?hxchl=hex-pfl

​​Ages: 6 to 16 years old
​​Dates: June 24 - June 28
​​Time: 9am - 12pm
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​​Theatre and Ballet enhance children’s natural performing ability through structured theater games and activities. Children will develop imagination, movement skills, and speaking abilities and become active storytellers using their bodies, voices, and emotions.
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​​For more information, contact Dorimar Ferrer or Mónica S. Sánchez at (662) 469-6095
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​​El teatro y el ballet mejoran la capacidad interpretativa natural de los niños a través de juegos y actividades teatrales estructurados. Los niños desarrollarán la imaginación, las habilidades de movimiento y el habla y se convertirán en narradores activos utilizando sus cuerpos, voces y emociones.
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​​Para más información comuniquese con Dorimar Ferrer ó Monica S. Sánchez at (662) 469-6095.

Happy HAPPY birthday to Demetrious Reed! This Philadelphia native just completed his first season with Ballet Memphis and we are so glad he’s here! You saw him as Demetrius (just a coincidence) in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” dancing Caramel, Candy Cane, and Snow Flake in “The Nutcracker,” and others throughout the Season 37.
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​​He likes having a good meal at Good Fortune downtown, can’t live without music (he has been to several Beyonce concerts), and watches videos for laughter or inspiration before his performances. Fun fact: he has always wanted to be a dancer.
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​​Demetrious has been a wonderful addition to the company and we can’t wait for you to see him perform in our exciting schedule of shows for Season 38! Have a terrific day, Demetrious!
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Recently we held our first ever Adult Ballet Intensive and were blown away by the interest! Participants took short courses in Pilates, Modern, Ballet, and Jazz, AND also learned company repertoire. The response was so overwhelming that we are thinking of doing it again! Did you attend? What did you think?
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​​Although the next intensive is not yet scheduled, next month we have three new adult series beginning - Latin Dance with Ultimate Ballroom, Modern Dance, and Absolute Beginner Ballet - if you are looking for ways to move weekly. Sign up today!
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Did you know that Ballet Memphis does not just have Pilates classes for the public, but it is a licensed STOTT Pilates® training facility? Our Director of Pilates + Wellness, Pam VanGilder, is a well-respected Instructor Trainer and holds multiple sessions each year to train new instructors and keep their knowledge current with continuing education credit workshops.
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​​This summer you can sign up for the Intensive Mat 2nd Edition, Intensive Reformer 2nd Edition, Intensive Barrels, and Advanced Barrels to round out your training or just deepen your practice and understanding of Pilates.
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​​Both Pam and Pilates + Wellness Manager, Jessie Tretter, are always interested in helping share their Pilates experience and answer questions. Reach out if you think this might be right for you! Email [email protected] or [email protected] to get started.

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UPDATE: Pilates in the Park is canceled FRIDAY AT RIVER GARDEN due to the weather. Hope to see you there next week! Stay safe!

We’re watching the skies for Pilates in the Park this week, but in case the weather holds out, you can come see us at three different gorgeous green spaces around the city!
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​​Wednesday nights we meet at 5:30PM, Thursday mornings we do Pilates on the First Horizon Visitor Center patio at 10AM, and Friday mornings at 8AM we meet at River Garden .
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​​You can always sign up online for other Pilates + Wellness classes indoors or our virtual options. The important thing is that you show up for yourself!

TWO WEEKS AWAY!
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​​For young dancers wishing to start their ballet training this summer, join us for this Beginner Ballet course where new students will explore the foundations of ballet technique and form. Meets Tuesdays from June 4 through July 23 at 5:30PM with Megan McCusker! You’ll love learning with her and will grow so much by the end of the term. Sign up at link here - https://tickets.balletmemphis.org/TheatreManager/1/online?performance=87012

Look closely and you will see a small, uncredited member of our cast for “The Nutcracker” on the Orpheum stage!
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​​Part of the magic of working at Ballet Memphis is being included in the holiday traditions of so many people, and partnering with storied organizations like , , , and that bring people together in the city. We need more of that! Support the arts, support Memphis.
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