March 10th, 2024
"If the student is unable to learn the way you are teaching, maybe you should teach the way the student can learn" - Raymond Lukens
Founded in 1939 by Lucia Chase and Richard Pleasant, American Ballet Theatre emerged as a groundbreaking force in the dance world, blending classical ballet with innovative choreography. American Ballet Theatre has developed a reputation as one of the world's great ballet companies. Over the years, ABT has showcased the artistry of legendary dancers and choreographers, cementing its reputation as one of the foremost ballet companies globally. ABT stands as a beacon of excellence in the world of ballet, captivating audiences with its enchanting performances and nurturing some of the finest talents in the dance industry. Behind this prestigious institution lies a rich history intertwined with the visionary contributions of individuals like Franco De Vita, Raymond Lukens, Kevin McKenzie, and Peter Marshall (along with the rest of the Medical Advisory Board) whose collective efforts paved the way for the establishment of the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum.
In 2006, the United States Congress passed a resolution designating American Ballet Theatre, with its 65 years of excellence, America's National Ballet Company. With that resolution came a responsibility that was born stating their mission "to bring innovative education and outreach to ballet schools throughout America". They understood that there was a need for a resource that addressed the entire dancer-including the basics of dancer health and child development for all ages and skill levels. As a company, they had a responsibility and saw the need to take a leadership role in dance training and education.
At the helm of ABT's educational initiatives was France De Vita, a distinguished ballet master with a passion for nurturing young talent. De Vita's tenure as the Artistic Director of ABT's Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School (JKO) marked a pivotal moment in the company's history. Recognizing the need for a standardized curriculum to train aspiring dancers, De Vita embarked on a mission to revolutionize ballet education.
Raymond Lukens, a revered ballet educator, joined forces with Franco De Vita to conceptualize and develop a comprehensive training program. Drawing upon their extensive expertise and insights gleaned from years of teaching, Lukens and De Vita crafted a curriculum that encompassed the essential elements of classical ballet while integrating modern pedagogical approaches.
Central to the development of the ABT National Training Curriculum was the integration of physical therapy principles to promote the holistic well-being of dancers. Peter Marshall MA, PT, an esteemed physical therapist specializing in dance medicine, collaborated with De Vita and Lukens to incorporate injury prevention strategies and conditioning exercises into the curriculum. Marshall's expertise ensured that dancers received comprehensive training that prioritized artistic excellence, physical health, and mental stability.
In 2007, American Ballet Theatre launched the National Training Curriculum and its course book, Training The Whole Dancer: Guidelines for Ballet Training and Dancer Health. The aim of the curriculum and related teacher training courses is to provide the information to dance educators and encourage them to design programs that meet the specific needs of their students and improve standards of training. It has been meticulously designed to help and empower ballet teachers. It provides age and developmentally-appropriate goals and milestones emphasizing on the overarching principles: correct posture, technique, alignment, artistry, musicality, coordination, and body placement. Franco De Vita and Raymond Lukens were both vitally important in the founding and writing of ABT's National Training Curriculum. They brought their expertise as students and years of experience from their professional careers to continue training the next generation of aspiring ballet dancers.
Thanks to Flint school of Performing Arts professional development fund, I had the distinct honor to travel to St. Louis, Missouri to attend the ABT National Training Curriculum Teacher Intensive in levels Pre-Primary-Level 3 from January17th-January 28th! I, along with 14 other talented individuals, had the distinct honor of being taught by Franco and Raymond during to St. Louis teacher certification course. It was such an inspiring and liberating experience that truly re-shaped the way I approached my teaching. The amount of wisdom, experience, passion, talent, and knowledge that they shared with us is absolutely unmatched in every way!
The entire course was 9 days in length with concluded in a verbal and written exam that would ultimately determine if we passed the certification course. American Ballet Theatre has a partnership with New York University as part of their masters program. If you go through the entire program, you end up graduating with Master's of Arts in Dance Education and completely certified in all levels of the ABT National Training Curriculum. It is truly an incredible partnership between two very prestigious educational institutions in the state of New York. So essentially, the teacher intensives are just a portion of the Masters Degree through ABT and NYU!
Our teacher training was held at the Center of Creative Arts in St. Louis, MO. It was an absolute beautiful facility with such amazing staff that made us feel right at home. Our days were spent listening to lectures about the curriculum material and injury prevention, watching Franco and Raymond teach ballet and point class, and taking class from some of the best ballet masters in America. The entire curriculum came rather easy to me seeing how it is deeply rooted in the Cecchetti method, and I am also getting ready to take my Grade 1 teaching exam in the Cecchetti Method this coming June!
I just received word that I passed my teaching certification in the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum in Levels Pre-Primary - Level 3! I am beyond thankful to my beautiful family, friends, colleagues, and students for their undying love and support. I want to extend another huge thank you to my wonderful boss and dear mentor, Tara Gragg, who continues to push for professional development opportunities for all of her staff members. Lastly, I want to thank my long time ballet teacher, mentor, dear friend, and coach, Jennifer Wiley, for her endless support and encouragement throughout this process. I am so thankful for the people in my corner, and I am so excited to see what the future has in store!
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