MoBBallet Symposium on the Hill
Ballet Intensive for Intermediate and Advanced Dancers
Our intermediate and advanced ballet intensive centers Blackness both in our students and faculty. Participants will not only have the opportunity to learn from our elite and diverse faculty, but also to truly connect with them as they learn about (Black) ballet history, discuss body image and aesthetics, and discuss training and higher education. Our Advanced track is designed to support dancers on the cusp of entering the professional realm by pairing them with a personal mentor who will provide individualized coaching, feedback, and mentorship, both in and outside of the studio.
1:1 Mentoring
Originally designed as a preparatory program for advanced students on the cusp of beginning their professional careers in addition to those in second companies, apprentices or in their first year of corps de ballet, MoBBallet Symposium 1:1 mentoring makes our program unique. All advanced dancers are intentionally paired with a personal mentor and coach for the week. Mentors are assigned based on their goals, aspirations, strengths and weaknesses shared on their applications.
Ageless Intermediate Dancers
Our levels are determined by skill not age, and since we know that some dancers come to dance, and specifically ballet later we don’t think age should be a barrier, therefore there is no cut age cut off for our intermediate level. We have found that by creating an environment that sees value and potential in all participants, and honors the process, and respects the desire to learn allows for a broader wider range of dance students to share in the experience and contribute whether through movement or by sharing their perspectives in our personal development sessions. Additionally it creates a beautiful environment of support and caring within the cohort Our intermediate dancers receive group mentorship to support where they are in their dance training.
Intermediate dancers receive group mentoring along with personal development classes
MoBBallet: Empowering Blacks in Ballet | Art Loft
Memoirs of Blacks in Ballet, or MoBBallet, seeks to preserve, present, and promote the contributions of Blacks in Ballet internationally. A symposium hosted in Miami brings together legends of the dance world, students, early career dancers, acclaimed mentors, scholars, and educators to forge the future of Black ballet. Learn how a combination of high caliber dance education and mentorship are helping to empower the next generation.
Dance Faculty and Mentors thus far:
Katlyn Addison- Principal Ballet West
Alan Barnes- Frm Ballet Frankfurt
Caroline Rocher Barnes- Towson University Frm. DTH/LINES/
Troy Brown- Independent Teacher and Coach Frm. Pacific Northwest Ballet
Prince Credell- Netherlands Dance Theater Frm. LINES/ Ballet de Genevé/ NDT
Kai Davis- Mountclair University, Frm. Boston Ballet, Faculty LINES
Ramon Flowers- Formerly Pennsylvania Ballet, Ballet Frankfurt
Brandye Lee- Independent Teacher and Coach
Meredith Rainey- Frm. Pennsylvania Ballet
Miranda Silveira-Reframing the Narrative, Frm. San Francisco Ballet, Joffrey Ballet
Ballet Course Classes:
- Technique
- Pointe
- Allegro
- Variations
- Corps de Ballet
- Contemporary
- Corps de ballet
- Repertory (advanced)
- Body maintenance
Studio Culture:
At MoBBallet Symposium not only are focused on providing high caliber training we are equally concerned about how we do that. MoBBallet Symposium is curated as a learning space for all: participants, faculty, mentors and staff. We are all committed to creating the dance culture we want to see. Hence there is great attention to the language we use in speaking or evaluating the body, the way we offer critique and feedback, the aspect of mentoring encourages students to use their voices, while allowing faculty to get us to hear them. We are actively investigating the boundaries of flattening the hierarchy of communication which allows for dancers to express and contribute, while maintaining respect for expertise and authority for the front of the room. Conversely faculty and leaders are investigating how to work collaboratively, make space for those voices, receive suggestions and feedback while managing the room. All of this learning garnered during our time together will be carried back to each person’s dance home, effectively pollinating our field with these concepts and ways of being.
Mentoring:
Originally designed as a preparatory program for advanced students on the cusp of beginning their professional careers in addition to those in second companies, apprentices or in their first year of corps de ballet. Each advanced dancer is paired with a personal mentor for the week who will provide individualized coaching, feedback, and mentorship, both in and outside of the studio.
Our levels are determined by skill not age, therefore there is no cut age cut off for our intermediate level. We have found that by creating an environment that sees value and potential in all participants, and honors the process, and respects the desire to learn allows for a broader wider range of dance students to share in the experience and contribute whether through movement or by sharing their perspectives in our personal development sessions. Additionally it creates a beautiful environment of support and caring within the cohort Our intermediate dancers receive group mentorship to support where they are in their dance training.
Centering Humanity
MoBBallet sees every dancer as a leader of tomorrow, hence we see the highest potential in each participant in all areas: dance, intellect, teamsmanship, leadership and pour into them. All participants engage in the MoBBallet Personal Development Curriculum encourages them to examine ballet and their position encouraging agency by prompting them to think critically about dance and beyond. Deep dive group conversations help develop a sense of voice, and agency while promoting critical thinking.
Personal Development Programming:
- Icon Talks
- Dance history
- Body image workshop
- Nutrition and cooking class
- Screenings of films
- Pointe shoe workshop
- Ballet and Higher Education
- Exercising your Agency ...and more
Dance Classes
- Technique
- Pointe
- Allegro
- Variations
- Contemporary
- Corps de ballet
- Repertory (advanced)
- Body maintenance
Personal Development
- 1:1 Mentoring
- Icon Talks
- Dance history
- Body image workshop
- Nutrition and cooking class
- Screenings of films
- Pointe shoe workshop
- Physical therapy workshops ...and more
Repertory
Advanced dancers have an opportunity to be in a creative process with out Pathways to Performance choreographic Fellows, and learn the A,B,Cs of best studio practices in our Corps de Ballet class.
Intermediate students have a repertory workshops lead by our faculty, in addition to our Introduction to Corps de Ballet class.
HOST WALNUT HILL MAKES US AT HOME
The 2024 Symposium on the Hill is being hosted by Boston Ballet School and Walnut Hill School for the Arts, and takes place on the beautiful Walnut Hill campus in Natick, MA, just outside of Boston. MoBBallet (Memoirs of Blacks in Ballet) will have access to their state-of-the-art facilities, which includes 3 large studios, blackbox theaters, a gym, generous grounds, and we are now able to offer both a daily meal plan as well as dormitory lodging.
Come Board With Us....
Walnut Hill has opened their dormitory and dining facilities to the MoBBallet Symposium. Participants can choose from double or quad rooms, in Bishop Hall. Each room is furnished with a desk and desk chair, a bookshelf, a bureau and a bed for each occupant. All dorms have common spaces for gathering. The dining hall will provide 3 meals a day for all participants.
