HISTORY
MYB Executive Artistic Director, Rose Caiola, first opened Studio Maestro in 1995 at the 68th St. location on Manhattan's Upper West Side. Ms. Caiola's dream was to create a pre-professional ballet school for students, ages 8-23, with a strong foundation in classical technique including a diverse faculty to train aspiring young dancers in a nurturing environment. The first teacher for the pre-professional division of the school was current MYB Head Faculty, Deborah Wingert. As time progressed, Ms. Caiola was able to bring on more faculty members including current Head of Classical Repertoire, Marina Stavitskaya. She also brought in esteemed guest teachers including Violette Verdy, Judith Fugate, Christina Fagundes, and Leslie Browne. As the school grew, the need for a larger space became apparent. The search began for an ideal location to house the growing school, which was renamed Manhattan Youth Ballet in 2005.
In 2008, Manhattan Youth Ballet moved to Ms. Caiola's dream space of Manhattan Movement & Arts Center, an 18,000 square foot multi-purpose facility dedicated to serving the evolving needs of New York City’s arts community, as well as a cultural home base for one of the City’s newest residential neighborhoods, West Clinton. The school has grown from a two-level program into a six-level graded curriculum that includes classes in technique, pointe, men's technique, partnering, character, contemporary, and pilates. Each year, MYB serves over 100 students from New York City’s tri-state area, placing its graduates into some of the world’s leading dance companies, including American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Washington Ballet, Corella Ballet and Nederlands Dans Theater. Focused on real-world training, students are offered multiple opportunities to expand their professional experience, thanks to seasonal intensives, workshops and master classes taught by leading artists from around the globe. Also, thanks to a faculty whose pedigree spans The Kirov Ballet to modern masters such as Lar Lubovitch, students have the unique opportunity to learn classic and contemporary repertoire from Marius Petipa, George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, and Anthony Tudor, to name a few.
* In 2011, MYB added New York City Ballet Principal Dancer, Daniel Ulbricht as Artistic Advisor and Brian Reeder as Choreographer-in-Residence.
As a core program in the Centers’ conceptual design, Manhattan Youth Ballet feeds the founding vision of taking an art form traditionally available to a select few and making it accessible to all. The facility lies strategically between Lincoln Center and Broadway’s theater district, and, not coincidently, shares numerous ties with the professionals who work in both spheres.
In 2008, Manhattan Youth Ballet moved to Ms. Caiola's dream space of Manhattan Movement & Arts Center, an 18,000 square foot multi-purpose facility dedicated to serving the evolving needs of New York City’s arts community, as well as a cultural home base for one of the City’s newest residential neighborhoods, West Clinton. The school has grown from a two-level program into a six-level graded curriculum that includes classes in technique, pointe, men's technique, partnering, character, contemporary, and pilates. Each year, MYB serves over 100 students from New York City’s tri-state area, placing its graduates into some of the world’s leading dance companies, including American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Washington Ballet, Corella Ballet and Nederlands Dans Theater. Focused on real-world training, students are offered multiple opportunities to expand their professional experience, thanks to seasonal intensives, workshops and master classes taught by leading artists from around the globe. Also, thanks to a faculty whose pedigree spans The Kirov Ballet to modern masters such as Lar Lubovitch, students have the unique opportunity to learn classic and contemporary repertoire from Marius Petipa, George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, and Anthony Tudor, to name a few.
* In 2011, MYB added New York City Ballet Principal Dancer, Daniel Ulbricht as Artistic Advisor and Brian Reeder as Choreographer-in-Residence.
As a core program in the Centers’ conceptual design, Manhattan Youth Ballet feeds the founding vision of taking an art form traditionally available to a select few and making it accessible to all. The facility lies strategically between Lincoln Center and Broadway’s theater district, and, not coincidently, shares numerous ties with the professionals who work in both spheres.
Alumni
Nicole Graniero, American Ballet Theatre
Born in New York City, Nicole Graniero began her early ballet training in Westchester County. She later trained with Francois Perron, Marina Stavitskaya and Deborah Winget at Studio Maestro. In January 2004, Graniero continued her training with John Meehan at the Studio Company Associate Program, presently known at the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at American Ballet Theatre. She attended summer programs at Ballet Regent, the Chautauqua Festival Dancers, Stiefel and Students, and five years at American Ballet Theatre’s Summer Intensives.
Graniero has performed the Don Quixote and Flames of Paris pas de deux, Giselle in Giselle and many roles in The Nutcracker.
Graniero joined the Studio Company in 2004, the main company as an apprentice in 2006 and the corps de ballet in March 2007.
Her repertory with the Company includes Amour in Don Quixote, the Canteen Keeper in Alexei Ratmansky’sThe Nutcracker, a leading role in Some Assembly Required, a little swan in Swan Lake, and roles in Ballo della Regina, Black Tuesday, Company B, Continuo, From Here On Out and In the Upper Room, as well as roles in all of the full-length ballets. She created a role in Everything Doesn’t Happen at Once.
Graniero has performed the Don Quixote and Flames of Paris pas de deux, Giselle in Giselle and many roles in The Nutcracker.
Graniero joined the Studio Company in 2004, the main company as an apprentice in 2006 and the corps de ballet in March 2007.
Her repertory with the Company includes Amour in Don Quixote, the Canteen Keeper in Alexei Ratmansky’sThe Nutcracker, a leading role in Some Assembly Required, a little swan in Swan Lake, and roles in Ballo della Regina, Black Tuesday, Company B, Continuo, From Here On Out and In the Upper Room, as well as roles in all of the full-length ballets. She created a role in Everything Doesn’t Happen at Once.
Alexandra Basmagy, American Ballet Theatre
Born in Red Bank, New Jersey, Alexandra Basmagy began her ballet training at The Academy of Dance Arts under the direction of Jennifer James Church. There, she achieved the grades of Highly Commended and Honours in the Royal Academy of Dance examinations in Grade 4 through Advanced. In 2001, she continued her training at Studio Maestro, in New York City.
In 2004, Basmagy was accepted into the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at ABT under the direction of John Meehan. She continued her studies and graduated from the JKO School under the direction of Franco de Vita. During her training, Basmagy attended Summer Intensives at Pacific Northwest Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, and three consecutive summers at American Ballet Theatre in New York.
In 2008, Basmagy joined as an inaugural member of Corella Ballet Castilla y Leon, in Segovia, Spain. Under the direction of Angel Corella, Basmagy performed tall pas d'action and a shade in Natalia Makarova's La Bayadère, pas de trois and a big swan in Swan Lake, stomper in Twyla Tharp's In the Upper Room, friend variation in Marius Petipa’s Raymonda, Clark Tippet's Bruch Violin Concerto, Christopher Wheeldon's VIII and the first principal pas de deux in DGV: Danse a Grand Vitesse.
Basmagy joined the corps de ballet of American Ballet Theatre in October 2011.
In 2004, Basmagy was accepted into the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at ABT under the direction of John Meehan. She continued her studies and graduated from the JKO School under the direction of Franco de Vita. During her training, Basmagy attended Summer Intensives at Pacific Northwest Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, and three consecutive summers at American Ballet Theatre in New York.
In 2008, Basmagy joined as an inaugural member of Corella Ballet Castilla y Leon, in Segovia, Spain. Under the direction of Angel Corella, Basmagy performed tall pas d'action and a shade in Natalia Makarova's La Bayadère, pas de trois and a big swan in Swan Lake, stomper in Twyla Tharp's In the Upper Room, friend variation in Marius Petipa’s Raymonda, Clark Tippet's Bruch Violin Concerto, Christopher Wheeldon's VIII and the first principal pas de deux in DGV: Danse a Grand Vitesse.
Basmagy joined the corps de ballet of American Ballet Theatre in October 2011.
Roman Zhurbin, American Ballet Theatre
Roman Zhurbin was born in Moscow, Russia and came to the United States at 13. He began his ballet training at 15 at LaGuardia High School under the direction of Michelle Mathesius, Joey Smith, Michele Benash and Eddie Shelman. During his high school years Zhurbin trained at Studio Maestro. In 2003, he attended American Ballet Theatre’s Summer Intensive Program and was asked to join ABT’s Studio Company.
Zhurbin joined American Ballet Theatre as an apprentice in April 2004 and became a member of the corps de ballet in April 2005. His roles with the Company include the High Brahmin in La Bayadère, Gavrilyich in The Bright Stream, Dr. Coppélius in Coppélia, the Pasha in Le Corsaire, Don Quixote in Don Quixote, Lysander inThe Dream, the Father in Fall River Legend, the Duke in Giselle, The Man She Must Marry in Jardin aux Lilas, Armand’s Father in Lady of the Camellias, Monsieur GM in Manon, the Baron in The Merry Widow, Drosselmeyer in Kevin McKenzie’s The Nutcracker, Drosselmeyer and the Russian Dance in Alexei Ratmansky’s The Nutcracker, the Moor and the Chief Coachman in Petrouchka, Lord Capulet and Lord Montague in Romeo and Juliet and von Rothbart, the Spanish Dance and the Lead Czardas in Swan Lake and roles in Baker’s Dozen, The Brahms-Haydn Variations, Brief Fling, Black Tuesday, Company B, Dark Elegies, Désir, The Garden of Villandry, The Leaves Are Fading and One of Three.
Zhurbin created the role of the Fiance’s Father in On the Dnieper and a role in Everything Doesn’t Happen at Once.
Zhurbin joined American Ballet Theatre as an apprentice in April 2004 and became a member of the corps de ballet in April 2005. His roles with the Company include the High Brahmin in La Bayadère, Gavrilyich in The Bright Stream, Dr. Coppélius in Coppélia, the Pasha in Le Corsaire, Don Quixote in Don Quixote, Lysander inThe Dream, the Father in Fall River Legend, the Duke in Giselle, The Man She Must Marry in Jardin aux Lilas, Armand’s Father in Lady of the Camellias, Monsieur GM in Manon, the Baron in The Merry Widow, Drosselmeyer in Kevin McKenzie’s The Nutcracker, Drosselmeyer and the Russian Dance in Alexei Ratmansky’s The Nutcracker, the Moor and the Chief Coachman in Petrouchka, Lord Capulet and Lord Montague in Romeo and Juliet and von Rothbart, the Spanish Dance and the Lead Czardas in Swan Lake and roles in Baker’s Dozen, The Brahms-Haydn Variations, Brief Fling, Black Tuesday, Company B, Dark Elegies, Désir, The Garden of Villandry, The Leaves Are Fading and One of Three.
Zhurbin created the role of the Fiance’s Father in On the Dnieper and a role in Everything Doesn’t Happen at Once.
Dana Genshaft, San Francisco Ballet Soloist
Dana Genshaft was born in Moscow and trained at the Kirov Academy of Ballet, School of American Ballet, Studio Maestro and the Paris Opéra Ballet School, prior to being named apprentice with San Francisco Ballet in 2000. She joined the Company as a corps de ballet member the following year and was promoted to soloist in 2008. Genshaft has performed lead roles in works such as Ashton’s Monotones I andSymphonic Variations; Elo’s Double Evil; McGregor’s Chroma and Eden/Eden; Morris’ Pacific, Maelstrom, and A Garden; Tomasson’s 7 for Eight and Trio; Welch’s Naked; Wheeldon’s Carousel (A Dance),Ghosts, and Within the Golden Hour; as well as a singing role as Rosalia in Robbins’ West Side Story Suite. In addition, she created roles in Caniparoli’s Ibsen’s House and Morris’ Joyride.
Jenelle Manzi, New York City Ballet
Jenelle Manzi was born in Ridgewood, New Jersey and began her dance training at the age of four. In 1999, Ms. Manzi began studying at the School of American Ballet (SAB), the official school of New York City Ballet. While a student, Ms. Manzi originated a featured role in Christopher d’Amboise’sTribute, as part of the SAB 2005 Annual Workshop. During her training, she also studied at Studio Maestro.
In December 2005, Ms. Manzi became an apprentice with NYCB, and in February 2006, she joined the Company as a member of the corps de ballet.
In December 2005, Ms. Manzi became an apprentice with NYCB, and in February 2006, she joined the Company as a member of the corps de ballet.
Yoko Callegari, Barcelona Ballet
Yoko Callegari was born in Yorktown Heights, New York, where she studied with Rose-Marie Menes. She continued her training at Studio Maestro/Manhattan Youth Ballet in New York City.
From 2004 to 2006 she joined Washington Ballet and in 2007 Smuin Ballet (San Francisco).
From 2004 to 2006 she joined Washington Ballet and in 2007 Smuin Ballet (San Francisco).
Dara Johnson, Former New York City Ballet
Dara Johnson was born in Norwalk, Connecticut, and began her dance training at the age of five at the Academy of Dance in Westport, Connecticut, with Paula Fichtenkort and Theodore Pollen. At age 12 she began studying at the School of American Ballet (SAB), the official school of New York City Ballet. While at SAB, Ms. Johnson also studied at Studio Maestro with Deborah Wingert. In October of 2000, Ms. Johnson became an apprentice with New York City Ballet and joined the Company as a member of the corps de ballet in October 2001.
In addition, Ms. Johnson appeared in a television commercial with Suki Schorer.
In addition, Ms. Johnson appeared in a television commercial with Suki Schorer.
Colby Treat, Carolina Ballet
Colby started dancing at age two in her hometown in upstate New York. After leaving home at age fifteen to study at Walnut Hill School for The Arts, she lived and danced in NYC with Manhattan Youth Ballet. She also trained in Columbus, OH at BalletMet's Pre-Professional program. Colby is currently a Trainee with Carolina Ballet.
Lauren Treat, Carolina Ballet
Lauren started dancing at age two in her hometown in upstate New York. After leaving home at age fifteen to study at Walnut Hill School for The Arts, she lived and danced in NYC with Manhattan Youth Ballet. She also trained in Columbus, OH at BalletMet's Pre-Professional program. Lauren spent last year as a dancer with Milwaukee Ballet II. She is currently a Trainee with Carolina Ballet.
Bryan Arias, Nederlands Dans Theater
BRYAN ARIAS DIAZ (Puerto Rico) moved to New York City and began his training at age 13 under the direction of Marilyn J.A. Hamilton Jackson. He attended Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts and trained with Elisa King, Joey Smith and Michelle Mathesius. He has also trained at Studio Maestro under the direction of Francois Perron, and Deborah Wingert. Mr. Arias danced with Complexions from 2006 to 2008 and is now a member of Nederlands Dans Theatre.
Jeremy Nedd, Dresden Semperoper Ballet
Jeremy Nedd, born and raised in Brooklyn N.Y. Jeremy began his dance training at Eliot Feld's Ballet Tech. He then attended the Fiorello H. LaGuardia H.S. of performing arts under the direction of Michelle Mathesius, while simultaneously training at Studio Maestro. Jeremy ended his formal dance training at SUNY Purchase College in the Conservatory of dance under Carol Walker, Dean of the program. Jeremy has danced with Atlanta Ballet, Complexions Contemporary Ballet and is now a member of the Dresden Semperoper Ballet.
Daniel Rodriguez, Sarasota Ballet
Daniel was born in New York City and has been dancing since he was 10. He was introduced to dance by the National Dance Institute, founded by Jacques d’ Amboise. The National Dance Institute gave Daniel the opportunity to perform throughout NYC and even as far away as Shanghia, China. In 2004 Daniel was accepted into the dance department at LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, where he trained in modern and ballet under the direction of Michelle Mathesius. Daniel danced at Manhattan Youth Ballet for three years, dancing a varied repertory of classical, Balanchine and contemporary roles. Daniel was a member of NC Dance Theatre 2, North Carolina Dance Theatre and currently a member of the corps de ballet at Sarasota Ballet.
