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Michele Cox, Director of Atlantic Ballet Company and its training center, People to People Dance Center: A co-founding member of People to People Dance in 1980, Ms. Cox performed as a member of the Senior Company while also acting as Junior Company Rehearsal Director. In 1988 Ms. Cox restructured PPDC, emphasizing a stronger base in classical ballet technique for each performer. Ms. Cox studied classical ballet in the Russian Vaganova Style with Sharon Dante, Director of Nutmeg Conservatory of the Arts and Andre Bossov, soloist with the Kirov Ballet. She furthered her training in ballet, modern and jazz at Bates College, Duke University, Manhattanville College, Portland Ballet Company, and with Sarah Yarborough of the Alvin Ailey Company. She has performed and taught Ballet, Renaissance and African dance in theaters and schools throughout Maine. In 2002 she performed in Robert Steele's premiere work of "Mozartina" and in 2003 Saint Saen's "Impressions". Ms. Cox currently performs with Bossov Ballet Theatre and Atlantic Ballet Company. Her most recent roles include, "Nutcracker's" Arabian duet and Snowflake Waltz soloist, the bird in "Tin Soldier", solo artist in both "Don Quixote" and in Coppelia".
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Heather Cox-Griffin, Artistic Director of Atlantic Ballet Company and its training center, People to People Dance Center: Having begun her formal dance training at the age of seven at PPDC, Ms. Cox-Griffin furthered her studies in the four year pre-professional training program at the Nutmeg Conservatory of the Arts in Torrington, Connecticut. Her teachers and coaches included Eleanor D'antuono (Jeoffry and ABT) and Denise Warner-Limoli, Sharon Dante (artistic director), Joan Kunsch, Alexei Tchernichov, and Scott Thyberg. She has continued to further her professional skills performing with Ballet Companies throughout New England and California such as New Jersey Ballet Co., Simsbury Light Opera, Centennial Theater, State Street Ballet Co. (California), Bossov Ballet Theatre, Nutmeg Ballet Co., and Atlantic Ballet Co. while enjoying the ongoing study of Ballet Pedagogy. Her recent roles include: Cinderella, "Nutcracker's" Sugar Plum Fairy and Dew Drop Fairy, Marzipan Pas de Trois, Snow Queen, Giselle, the Owl in "Holly and Ivy", the Christmas Angel, The Spirit of death in "Carmen" and "Voices of Spring". Most recently Heather performed Pas de deux in Maine Grand Opera's "Die Fliedemaus". In the Spring of 2006, she danced the role of Swanilda in "Coppelia".
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Dierdre Miles Burger (Guest Artist):
 As instructor and choreographer for ABC and PPDC Dierdre Miles Burger resides in Belfast, Maine as her first home. When in residence Ms. Burger instructs People to People Dance Center intermediate and advanced ballet and point classes (levels III, IV, and V). She is an integral staff member during Atlantic Ballet Company's "Dance Your Dream" summer student training programs held at the PPDC studio and Camden's Teen Center, both on Knowlton Street.
Born in Burlington, Massachusetts, Ms. Burger began her formative training with Margaret Prishwalko Fallon and subsequently at Boston Ballet School. She was the recipient of the Ford Foundation scholarship. Upon receiving this prestigious award, Ms. Miles became an apprentice with Boston Ballet School at the age of fourteen. Following her high school graduation, she joined Boston Ballet as a full time member, performing such roles as Princess Aurora in the Sleeping Beauty, Ophelia in Hamlet, and the Sugar Plum Fairy in the Nutcracker. Ms. Miles later performed as soloist with both Houston Ballet and Cleveland Ballet, her roles including Swanilda in Coppelia and Ben Stevenson's Britten Posole Deuk. In 1988, after many opportunities in performing and choregraphing, Ms. Miles joined the Boston Ballet's Artistic Staff, later being promoted to Artistic Coordinator. In 2001-2002, she directed The Worcester School for the Performing Arts. As principal of Boston Ballet School for 2004-2006, Ms. Miles oversaw the artistic and educational aspects of the largest ballet school in North America in three locations and supervised its faculty of over 50 staff and teachers. She established Boston Ballet School Ensemble, a youth performing group of upper level students and began a Trainee program for students with professional potential. Dierdre Miles Burger has instructed and trained students for many reputable schools and companies such as Boston Ballet, Boston Conservatory, Boston Ballet Company, Walnut Hill School, Ballet Workshop of New England, Franklin School of the Performing Arts and the Performing Arts School of Worcester. Atlantic Ballet Company is delighted that Dierdre Miles Burger has joined our staff.
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Bryan Lewis, Master teacher:
Former soloist with both the Frankfurt Ballet and the internationally known Bavarian State Ballet in Munich, Germany; Solo performer, master teacher, coach and choreographer for the International Dance Competitions; Staff member of Connecticut College, Nutmeg Ballet, Ballet Binghampton and Connecticut Dance Theatre; Founded the Connecticut Danse Ensemble and developed its 8-year training program based on the Russian Vaganova system. |
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Enton Hoxha, in 2006 and 2007, performed the Soldier Doll, the Nutcracker Prince and the Russian Cavalier in our beloved, Nutcracker. He aptly danced the role of Franz in our 2006 production of "Coppelia". Enton studied at the Classical Ballet School at Moscow and Jordan Misja Dance Academy in Tirana, Albania, Member of The Ajkun Ballet Theatre in New York, Soloist with Eglevsky Ballet Company, Moscow Classic Ballet, Russian Chamber Ballet "Moskva", Principal Dancer with New England Ballet Company, Flint Institute of Art, Guest Dancer with Ballet Stars of St. Petersburg, Moscow Classic Ballet, performed with The Metropolitan Opera and the Russian Ballet. |
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William Pizzuto, as guest choreographer, brings an illustrious background as an accomplished dancer, teacher, and choreographer. As a Principal Danseur with the Houston Ballet, Boston Ballet and Ballet West, he has performed on four continents. As an instructor in the schools of the Houston and Boston Ballets and as visiting Professor of Dance and Choreography at many colleges and universities throughout the U.S., Mr. Pizzuto has earned a worldwide reputation as an inspiring teacher and coach.
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Principal dancer with Les Grands Ballets Canadiens from 1987-1995, Kenneth Larson established himself as one of the most prominent figures of dance in Canada. In addition to dancing featured roles in all aspects of the company's varied repertoire, he represented Canada at a number of international festivals and galas, including several appearances at Montreal's own Gala des Etoiles. Early on, Larson's talent prompted Anna Kisselgoff to write, in the New York Times, "Larson exhibits a strong combination of line, plastique, and youthful appeal which never mars the puity of his technique. He will go far." Since then, her words have proven true again and again, most notably in the classical and Balanchine repertoire. Especially lauded have been his performances of Giselle and the Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux, of which Kathryn Greenway said, in the Montreal Gazette, "Larson is one of Les Grands" most valuable assets. He consistently infuses his performances with equal parts dignity, passion, control, abandon, spice and artistry". Since 1995, Kenneth has worked as an international guest artist. From festivals in Russia and Vienna to prolonged tours with the Scottish Ballet and the Royal New Zealand Ballet, he has proven himself a valuable and versatile partner to ballerinas such as the Royal Ballet's Fiona Chadwick, San Francisco Ballet's Elizabeth Loscavio and Tamaro Rojo of English National Ballet. His appearance at 1992's Gala des Etoiles elicited from Linda Howe-Beck of Dance in Canada magazine, "Cross-cultural pairings provide one of the highlights of the evening. Les Grands' Kenneth Larson teamed up with Ina Dorofeyeva of the Donetsk Ballet in a lush, romantic pas de deux by Fernand Nault. This is a superb partnership, worth travelling miles to see".
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Elizabeth Glendinning, Specializes in Lyrical Modern, Classical Ballet and Jazz instruction at Atlantic Ballet Company's summer program. In 2007, Miss Glendinning created modern choreography for our performing troop. In 2006, Miss Glendinning received the Promising Young Artist Award from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA where she graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance. After training at the Joffrey Ballet Summer Intensive in New York, Miss Glendinning performed numerous roles in ballet repertory including Coppelia, Swan Lake, Raymonda and the Nutcracker. Miss Glendinning instructs dancers in Ballet, Lyrical Modern and Jazz. She has already taught in many schools and companies for her young years. These include Westchester Dance Academy in New York and New Jersey's South Jersey Performing Arts Group, Monmouth County Parks and Red Bank Catholic High School. Miss Glendinning has recently been awarded a contract as company dancer with Portland Ballet Company. We happily welcome Miss Glendinning to our Atlantic Ballet Company staff. |
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...where we dance on clouds |
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A Celebration in the Spirit of Dance --2002-2003
People to People Dance Company, a nonprofit organization now doing business and performing as Atlantic Ballet Company, continues in its ongoing efforts to foster the art of dance in Midcoast Maine communities. "A Celebration in the Spirit of Dance", was conceived and carried out for the purpose of enriching both body and soul with the joy of movement and the magic of theater. With financial assistance from supportive organizations, this artistic and educational project during the 2002-2003 season, reached out to fourteen hundred students and teachers in Midcoast Maine schools, five hundred residents in nursing homes, one hundred employees working at special needs facilities, and many community members interested in the art of dance.
Among other efforts, in September through November and January through May the Company traveled to schools and public facilities to present dance workshops and lectures-demonstrations. This series culminated in December with the "Nutcracker" ballet production and in June 2003 with "The Tin Soldier and The Paper Ballerina".
For more information or to arrange for an event at your school or facility...
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