We interviewed Mary Pat Robertson of the Princeton Ballet School (“PBS”), is the official school of American Repertory Ballet
They are one of the oldest and largest not-for-profit ballet schools in the United States. They are affiliated with a professional company, American Repertory Ballet and have three branches: Princeton, Cranbury, and New Brunswick. In addition to a strong ballet program for children and young adults, they have many Open Enrollment classes for adults (about 35 a week). Their Trainee program, is for post-high school students who are serious aspirants to a career in dance. They also produce three levels of Summer Intensive programs, ranging from an international program for dancers ages 13 and up to two day programs for younger dancers.
PBS is different from other schools in that they are affiliated with a professional company, and that professionalism of purpose and presentation carries over into the faculty and the conscientiousness of their students. They also have a faculty who specialize in certain age groups, so that each teacher feels comfortable with the age groups that they work with.
“There have been many moments of pride in individual students, when sitting in the audience at City Center or at State Theater watching alums dance. But equally important are the moments in the classroom when you see a young dancer exceed their own idea of their possibility, and enjoy the moment to moment practice of being a dancer” Mary Pat says.
Mary Pat thinks one of the biggest mistakes young dancers could make would be envisioning ballet as a series of tricks to be mastered: turns, jumps, etc. “Ballet is a systematic way of presenting the body, channeling the flow of energy, working the bones and muscles in an aligned way, which produces an elegant, energized, harmonious body,” she says. “They should work with your body, not against it. The turns and jumps will follow when the body is aligned correctly and strengthened well.”
Her goals for PBS are simple: as a teacher, I want to connect with my students as individuals, with each their own learning style and approach to the world; as a director, I want to help guide my faculty to an appreciation of our students, and helping them maximize their abilities.
Princeton Ballet Society was originally founded by Audrée Estey in 1954. PBS was just a small studio on Alexander Road, at the time. The professional company, now known as American Repertory Ballet, sprouted from the school, while the school expanded its reach tremendously. Now, they have three locations – Princeton, Cranbury, and New Brunswick – serving over 1,200 students per year.
Mary Pat became Director of Princeton Ballet School in 1986, after having taught here for several years. It has been a great honor to have stewarded this school through over 30 years of educational excellence and growth, and to have developed such a fantastic team of teachers and administrators. Mary Pat look forward to its future– they have a new Executive Director, Vanessa Logan, who just came to us from Boston Ballet. Artistic Director Douglas Martin and Mary Pat are looking forward to working closely with her to move the organization forward.
Please post a comment if you have had any experience with Princeton Ballet School or Mary Pat Robertson.
If you would like more information about Princeton Ballet School or the AmericanRepertory Balley, check out their website at http://www.americanrepertoryballet.org/.
