The research is undeniable - exercise and physical activity maintain and improve mobility, flexibility, and balance for people with Parkinson’s Disease.
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!
📸: @wpend26
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!
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!
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!
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.
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.”
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!
Her favorite place in Memphis is Crosstown Concourse, she always eats chocolate before a performance, and she likes Fleetwood Mac music!
Phoebe, have a terrific day! We’re so glad to have you at Ballet Memphis!
📸: @justinfoxburks
NEW CLASS!
In our six week Latin Dance series presented by @ultimateballroom 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.
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!
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 in bio to register!
Ballet Memphis + Cazateatro Bilingual Arts Expression Camp starts June 24! Link in bio!
Ages: 6 to 16 years old
Dates: June 24 - June 28
Time: 9am - 12pm
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.
For more information, contact Dorimar Ferrer or Mónica S. Sánchez at (662) 469-6095
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.
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.
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.
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!
📸: @justinfoxburks
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?
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!
📸: @wpend26
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.
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.
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 pvangilder@balletmemphis.org or jtretter@balletmemphis.org to get started.
📸: @wpend26
UPDATE: Pilates in the Park is canceled FRIDAY MORNING AT RIVER GARDEN! ⛈️⛈️ Stay safe and hope we see you there next week!
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!
Wednesday nights we meet @overtonparkshell at 5:30PM, Thursday mornings we do Pilates on the First Horizon Visitor Center patio @shelbyfarmspark at 10AM, and Friday mornings at 8AM we meet at River Garden @downtownmemphis .
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!
