Young ballet dancers from Carmel, Fishers, Westfield, Greenwood, and Northern Indianapolis take another bold step with American Ballet Theatre® National Training Curriculum Examinations. In two short years after implementation, Performer’s Edge remains the only school in the state of Indiana to pursue ABT’s examination process! Last year 14 dancers and 1 certified teacher were involved. This year, 38 dancers and 2 certified teachers are standing in the spotlight.
Mr. Franco De Vita, Principal of the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School, the official School of the American Ballet Theatre located in New York City, returns for a second year in a row.
Mrs. Nataly Lowder, Director of Ballet Programs at Performer’s Edge and the Artistic Director of the Ballet Theatre of Carmel is an Affiliate Teacher and Certified Teacher of the American Ballet Theatre® National Training Curriculum in levels primary through level 7. She will be presenting dancers in ABT levels 4A and 5A.
Mrs. Jane Hachiya-Weiner, Associate Artistic Director, Ballet Theatre of Carmel, is a Certified Teacher of the American Ballet Theatre® National Training Curriculum in levels primary through level 3. She will be presenting dancers in ABT levels 3A and 3B.
The American Ballet Theatre has been designated by The United States Congress as America’s National Ballet Company ® In creating its National Training Curriculum, ABT assembled a Medical Advisory Board to collaborate with ballet instructors in order to provide medical guidelines for the healthy and sound training of dancers. Preserving the best aspects of the tried and true methodologies of ballet training developed globally throughout the last 4 centuries, ABT brought these methodologies into the modern day to meet the technical requirements of 21st century ballet while preserving the traditions of the past.
“This examination process is so good for the dancers, the school, and us as teachers,” stated Nataly Lowder. “It’s much like getting ready for an AP academic final. The focus and intensity are very similar. We are looking forward to the examination this weekend, Saturday May 14th.”