What’s New
Meet the Artists (Part I)! Culture Window Opening Night: April 16, 2021
Designed to be viewed safely from the street and intended as a colorful revivifying moment of pride and connectivity for the neighborhood, Culture Window spans the world of live arts from classical piano to folk dance.
Part block party, part cultural happening, Culture Window @ the Jewelbox will be free and fun for the whole family to enjoy. Caribbean food and snacks will be available for purchase from Norm’s Bkn Jerkmobile!
MEET THE CULTURE WINDOW ARTISTS: APRIL 16
Simone Dinnerstein is an American pianist. She lives in Brooklyn, New York with her husband, son and dog, less than a mile from the hospital in which she was born.
Simone has a distinctive musical voice. The Washington Post has called her “an artist of strikingly original ideas and irrefutable integrity.” She first came to wider public attention in 2007 through her recording of Bach’s Goldberg Variations, reflecting an aesthetic that was both deeply rooted in the score and profoundly idiosyncratic. She is, wrote The New York Times, “a unique voice in the forest of Bach interpretation.”
Since that recording, she has had a busy performing career. She has played with orchestras ranging from the New York Philharmonic and the Montreal Symphony Orchestra to the London Symphony Orchestra and the Orchestra Sinfonica Nazionale Rai. She has performed in venues from Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center to the Berlin Philharmonie, the Vienna Konzerthaus, the Seoul Arts Center and the Sydney Opera House. She has made ten albums, all of which topped the Billboard classical charts, with repertoire ranging from Beethoven to Ravel.
At the April 16 Culture Window peformance, she will perform Mad Rush by composer Philip Glass, and accompany Brooklyn Ballet's Pas de Deux, playing Jean-Philippe Rameau’s Gavotte et Six Doubles.
Brooklyn Ballet is a not-for-profit dance company dedicated to artistic excellence and education, reflecting Brooklyn's diverse communities. Pas de Deux is an intricate and nuanced mixed-movement duet co-choreographed by Lynn Parkerson and James “Floats” Fable.
Steven Beck, a member of The Knights, plays two piano sonatas by George Walker, the first Black composer to win the Pulitzer Prize for music. His recording of Walker’s sonatas (the first recording of the complete set) will soon be released on Bridge Records.
Stay tuned for our Part II post featuring more amazing Culture window artists. And don't forget to RSVP for the show!
Extended! Free Video Featuring Diverse and Nuanced Ballerinas
Pas de Quatre honors four fabulous and influential women, the greatest ballerinas from the 19th Century Romantic ballet era.
The performance is available through March 31. Register here, and we'll email you the link to the show, along with special commentary by our 21st Century ballerinas.
This video is free, but viewers are encouraged to make a gift of support for this and similar programs. Donors of $10 or more will also receive a link to Quartet - the hip hop response to Pas de Quatre.
To learn more about Pas de Quatre, check out NBC and ABC’s coverage of last year’s event. And for a historical perspective with a look behind the scenes at Brooklyn Ballet’s unique creative process, read Christine Jowers' fantastic article in The Dance Enthusiast.
Enjoy the show!
New Semester, New Classes, & Summer Programs!
Brooklyn Ballet School Spring Semsester
February 20, 2021 – June 14, 2021
REGISTER FOR CHILDREN'S CLASSES
New and returning students are welcome to join us for Spring Semester classes. View the full class schedule here.
To accommodate our growing community, we've added the following new classes:
Brooklyn Ballet instructors Alicia Holloway and Audrey Borst
Adult Ballet
Mondays, 7:30-8:30 PM
Teacher: Alicia Holloway
This class meets in-studio every week!
Recommended for advanced beginners.
Alicia is dancing in her 6th season with the Dance Theatre of Harlem and is Visiting Faculty Co-Chair at School of American Ballet.
Elementary Ballet I/II
Thursdays, 4-5 PM
Teacher: Audrey Borst
This class meets in-studio every week!
Ages 5 & 6: Elementary Ballet I/II teaches students the fundamentals of ballet technique. The teacher will emphasize placement, vocabulary and dance etiquette. Students will also explore ballet-based improvisation.
Virtual Ballet Conditioning
Fridays, 4:30-5:30 PM on Zoom
Teacher: Yana Volkova
Recommended for students 9 years-old to adult. All levels are welcome!
Ballet Conditioning is a strengthening and stretch class that provides the cross-training necessary to improve a dancer's alignment, flexibility, core, back and leg strength. It incorporates exercises that will enhance turnout, increase cardiovascular endurance, and prevent injuries.
Read more about our School or email [email protected] for more information!
SUMMER PROGRAMS 2021!
We're excited to offer LIVE, in-studio Summer Programs in July & August.
Pre-Ballet & Elementary Ballet I/II
Ages 3-7
Next Step Summer Intensive
Ages 8-18
Exact dates TBA
Stay tuned for our virtual placement auditions in March!
December-tini Sugarplum Mocktail
Prepare yourself a delicious beverage before settling in at home to watch The Brooklyn Nutcracker in the Jewel Box, Brooklyn Ballet's inclusive take on the holiday classic. At just 20 minutes long, our Nutracker virtual show is the perfect length to savor this holiday treat. Enjoy!
DECEMBER-TINI SUGARLPLUM RECIPE
- Equal parts of the following libations: Sparkling apple cider, pear or mango juice, and white grape juice
- Garnish until you're in the spirit: Fresh cranberries, sage, and / or crystallized ginger
- Enjoy the Sugarplum responsibly -- i.e., with family and friends!
(And if you haven't RSVPed for the virtual show - do so now! It's free, and available through January 4.)
Vintage Video Series
First up - Ballet at the Ballpark: A History of Ballet in Nine Innings, a story that BRIC TV aired in 2012 about our collaboration with the Brooklyn Cyclones baseball team. The piece tells our story; we create with Brooklyn’s talented dancers of all stripes and bring Ballet transformed to our communities. Check it out below. And at the NY Times!
Next - a piece from 2010 about our What is Ballet? Elevate performance at PS 251, with special guest Akua Noni Parker:
Don't miss this behind-the-scenes look at our 2015 performance at St. Francis College. Artistic Director, Lynn Parkerson discusses being a woman choreographer and shares her collaborative vision for ballet:
How did The Brooklyn Nutcracker come to be? This vintage video, created with a grant from BRIC Arts Media Share in 2016, tells that story and more. Creators, company dancers, and students share what it's like to be a part of Brooklyn Ballet:
Our final vintage video of the series is the very first one, created by BCAT in 2007 at the Brooklyn Museum. Artistic Director Lynn Parkerson talks about why she founded Brooklyn Ballet. We hear from company dancers and Brooklyn Ballet students, and look out for the stage debut of 3rd grader John Abenanty, and second graders Naazir and Shaakir Muhammad, all now dancing professionally!
Thanks for watching!
If you're able, please support our "Take Back Dance" campaign - which helps us to re-open our studio and resume other programming safely!
Brooklyn Ballet Re-Opening Update
Dear Community,
We hope that despite these trying times you are all getting in some rest and relaxation this summer. Many of you have contacted us for information about our Fall plans. Thank you! We’re so looking forward to seeing you again. We begin by re-opening our School, carefully and safely, then planning Company events and performances, when and where possible.
Below are important dates and information about Brooklyn Ballet School’s reopening.
Monday, October 5, 2020 - Brooklyn Ballet School Fall Semester begins
September 12-15 - Priority Registration for Fall Semester, Brooklyn Ballet families only
September 16 - Open Registration for Fall Semester
We are planning to offer hybrid in-studio/virtual dance classes.
Pre-Ballet and Elementary Ballet I will continue virtually for the Fall Semester.
Elementary Ballet II, Ballet I,II,III/IV, Modern and Jazz students may choose in-studio/virtual hybrid classes or virtual classes only.
Our Conservatory program will resume as well.
In-studio classes will be held in compliance with all mandatory New York State and Department of Health Guidelines. No more than 7 students will be dancing in the studio at one time, while the rest of the class will be coming in via Zoom. Groups will alternate dancing in the studio. A full registration packet, Safety Plan and Procedures, Fall Schedule, and more detailed information will be available September 8.
We are here for your questions, your concerns, and anything you might need. Please reach out at [email protected].
If you are not already on our mailing list and wish to be please sign up here.
Onward!
BB Team
Summer Program Extended!
Join us online this summer! Our virtual zoom program has been going so well, that we've extended it for two more weeks.
Let's Keep Dancing! Extended Schedule
AUGUST 10 - AUGUST 21
Pre-Ballet (Ages 3 - 4) - no experience required
Fridays 9:30-10:15am
Elementary Ballet (Ages 5-7) - no experience required
Mondays and Wednesdays 9:30-10:30am
Ballet I (Ages 8-11) - no experience required
Mondays • 10:45-12:15pm
Ballet I + Jazz
Wednesdays • 10:45am-12:15pm
Ballet I + Modern
Fridays • 10:45-12:15pm
Ballet I + Hip Hop
Ballet II/III (Ages 12-15) - at least 2 years of dance experience required
Mondays • 1:15-3:15pm
Ballet II/III + Jazz
Wednesdays • 1:15-3:15pm
Ballet II/III + Modern
Fridays • 1:15-3:15
Ballet II/III + Hip Hop
Questions about our extended summer program? Email [email protected].
In Memory of Nakotah LaRance
Nakota LaRance was one of the greatest dancers I’ve ever seen. It was an honor and a pleasure to work with him. His art was utterly unique, a seamless weaving of native hoop dancing with hip hop. Nakotah danced his Hip Hop Hoop dance for four consecutive years as part of The Brooklyn Nutcracker. He was seen and wildly applauded by over 14,000 audiences members here in New York. Nakotah was always learning, integrating, leaning into and incorporating new hip hop moves he picked up from Brooklyn’s streets and its dancers. Each year he came back to Brooklyn with added elements and new twists to his dance, new transitions, dynamic changes, faster, quicker, tossing a hoop to the ceiling, while another two hoops twirled by his feet, then a slow body wave, catch the hoop, dime stop. Magical.
He was loved by us all, he was a friend and we miss him. Our deepest sympathies go to the LaRance family. Brooklyn Ballet’s programs will continue to honor his legacy and Native Culture.
Lynn Parkerson
Founding Artistic Director
Brooklyn Ballet
If you would like to make a contribution in Nakotah's s honor, his family is accepting donations through the nonprofit Lightning Boy Foundation.
Read his full obituary in The New York Times.
In Case You Missed It
In honor of national poetry month, we thought it would be a nice time to remember our participation in the Schamrock Poetry Festival of 2018. The festival, based in Munich, Germany, launched a collaborative work between Brooklyn Ballet founding artistic director Lynn Parkerson with Augusta Laar (poet / electro-accoustic / mixed media) and Kalle Laar (sound artist).
The piece then took on a new iteration in New York at The Mark O'Donnell Theater in June of last year, with trombonist Abbie Conant and Brooklyn Ballet dancers Michael "Big Mike" Fields and Christine Emi Sawyer.
Watch excerpts of the piece here (scroll down to the very last video on the page). Thank you to our friends and collaborators at Schamrock for sharing!
Virtual Classes!
In preparation make sure you have a little bit of space in your home and find a sturdy chair or table to use as a barre. If you are taking the Ballet Conditioning, grab your Thera band, yoga strap.or small towel. Get dressed in your ballet clothes, shoes, fix your neat ballet hair and join us! Don't forget to tag @brooklynballet and send photos and videos of yourself!
Pre-Ballet with Ms. Christine
Pre-Ballet with Ms. Elisabet
Pre-Ballet Floor Warmup with Ms. Wendy
Pre-Ballet Center Exercises with Ms. Wendy
Pre-Ballet with Ms. Jessica - Saturday 9:15am, LIVE ZOOM class, link will be sent out on Friday.
Pre-Ballet & Elementary Ballet Warmup with Mr. David
Elementary Ballet with Ms. Christine
Elementary Ballet with Ms. Rachel
Elementary Ballet with Ms. Elisabet
Elementary Ballet with Ms. Wendy
Ballet I/IA with Ms. Elisabet
Ballet I/IA with Ms. Wendy
Jazz I with Ms. Jessica - Saturday 10am, LIVE ZOOM class, link will be sent out on Friday.
Ballet II with Ms. Christine
Ballet III/IV with Ms. Inna
Ballet III/IV warmup with Ms. Yana
Introduction to Language of Dance, Elevate Outreach Program, Week 2 with Ms. Tiffany
Introduction to Language of Dance, Elevate Outreach Program, Beginner Ballet with Ms.Tiffany
All videos are unlisted and must be accessed through the links above.
Though the classes are leveled - feel free to try any - you'll find a challenge, whichever you choose!
We will continue to expand our online programing and look forward to having you join us!
Take care and be well!
School Closure Update
We are writing to provide an update on Brooklyn Ballet during this unprecedented time. We hope you are well. We hope you are moving, and finding ways to creatively infuse your lives. We miss the energy our students bring to Brooklyn Ballet studio each day.
At this time, our school closure has been extended until further notice. We will continue to take our cues from the City/State Government, the Dept. of Health, the CDC, and our trusted partner organizations.
In the meantime, we are getting virtual programing up and running. Our faculty is working hard and exercising immense creativity in filming content that we can disperse to you - we hope to have options for every age from Pre-Ballet I to Ballet III/IV in the next week. Stay tuned for these classes which will be shared via email.
And if you missed our company performing Revisionist History in February, join us for a virtual performance this weekend. More info here.
We are here for your questions, your concerns, and anything you might need. We will continually keep you updated. If you need us for anything at all please reach out at [email protected].
Virtual Performance - Revisionist History 2
Brooklyn Ballet Family,
As we are all taking the appropriate measures to stay safe and healthy, we wanted to offer our friends and supporters a chance to view our Winter 2020 Season performance of Revisionist History 2. Featured in The New York Times, NBC, ABC, Fox 5 NY and others, Revisionist History 2 bridges diversity to classicism in a profound way, while exploring movement and its history.
"The work realizes a refined creative vision while avoiding any sense of elitism. I'm sure that the dancers, their friends and family will be proud to view this well- crafted documentation for years to come. I'm happy to be a Brooklyn Ballet supporter."
--Nicholas Croft, audience member and Kickstarter backer
Your purchase of a ticket to view the performance helps us continue to bring audiences what we are so passionate about here at Brooklyn Ballet.
HOW IT WORKS
1. Purchase your ticket HERE to view either Saturday 3/28 or Sunday 3/29.
2. We will send you a private link to view the performance via Vimeo. The link will be active for the entire day, so watch whenever and as many times as you'd like!
3. Sit back and enjoy the show!
And PLEASE consider supporting our COVID relief effort by donating to our Take Back Dance Fund. Our school, company and outreach programs depend on funding from generous supporters, like you.
Wishing you all health, safety and wellness.
-Brooklyn Ballet Team
COVID-19 UPDATE
Beginning Saturday, March 14th Brooklyn Ballet will be suspending all classes and programing for 2 weeks, resuming March 28th. This is a precautionary measure based on the recommendations of the CDC, Dept. of Health and many other cultural institutions in Brooklyn. It is important to note there are no known cases of Covid-19 in our Brooklyn Ballet community at this time.
This decision has not been made lightly. Our organization has weighed extensively the pros and the cons and believe it is in the best interest of our community of students, families, teaching artists, and staff as well as the broader community to orchestrate a closure. We understand that in moments of crisis, dance and art are more important than ever — we are preparing ways in which we can offer aspects of Ballet remotely. Please expect to hear from us over the coming days.
We will be offering make-up classes and likely extending our semester through June. Our Next Step Summer Intensive audition on March 21st will be postponed.
If you have purchased or reserved adult classes they will be credited to your account and we will extend expirations as needed.
May you be well in body and spirit.
We're on Kickstarter!
This February, Brooklyn Ballet presents an unprecedented evening of dance that bridges diversity to classicism in a profound way, while exploring movement and its history. The program includes a re-staging of the classic work Pas de Quatre with a cast of 4 diverse and nuanced ballerinas, and the premiere of Intersection - an innovative mixed movement piece choreographed by artistic director Lynn Parkerson.
To help us bring these great works to the stage, we have launched a Kickstarter campaign. We have less than 30 days to raise $3,000 and we hope you can chip in!
We have many rewards to offer as a thank you for giving, including t-shirts, adult ballet classes, access to behind the scene rehearsals, and more. Thank you for our support!
Join us for Giving Tuesday!
This year, Brooklyn Ballet has joined forces with the Brooklyn Community Foundation's #BrooklynGives campaign. From now through December 3rd you have the opportunity to give locally and invest in your neighborhood ballet company. Check out our campaign page here!
Why give? Because Brooklyn Ballet honors world-wide dance traditions and provides accessibility to the art of dance in the heart of Brooklyn. Your gift brings The Brooklyn Nutcracker - a multi-cultural, multi-genre production to life and allows us to offer free and reduced priced tickets to the community, as well as scholarships to students in need. Click here to learn more!
Whether you give $5, $50, $500, or more - any amount makes a difference and celebrates the power of dance to inspire audiences of all backgrounds.
Thank you for your support! Please tweet, post, share and spread the word on how you'll be spending your #GivingTuesday (and don't forget to tag us @brooklynballet)!
Dancer Miku Kawamura
Photographer: Brian Stanton
The Brooklyn Nutcracker Community Matinee
The Brooklyn Nutcracker transforms familiar Nutcracker characters and scenes to represent the diverse traditions and vibrant culture of melting pot Brooklyn. Starting from the point of view of old Dutch Brooklyn and leading to our iconic Flatbush Avenue, the production is fresh and full of virtuosity—in essence, a love letter to the borough we call home.
The Brooklyn Nutcracker works together with Brooklyn’s diverse communities on a Nutcracker we can call our own. We’re thrilled to offer this special performance for students, senior citizens and other community members to enjoy this magical performance at a steeply discounted rate. The performance is appropriate for all ages.
Friday, December 13, 2019 at 11:30am
Kings Theatre
1027 Flatbush Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11226
If you are a director, teacher, principal or parent who is interested in more information, email [email protected].
Brooklyn Ballet thanks Con Edison for sponsoring our community matinee.
Downtown Brooklyn Arts Festival Performance
October 5th at 2pm, we will be perfoming one of the company's signature mixed movement pieces 'Pas de Deux'. See you there!
Discover the epicenter of Brooklyn’s art and culture.
Downtown Brooklyn Arts Festival is an annual weekend celebration of Downtown Brooklyn’s cultural community—and the artists, writers and performers who inspire the borough’s creative spirit. Throughout the weekend, acclaimed local arts organizations across the Brooklyn Cultural District will open their doors with exciting performances, talks, and tours, and present a host of free programming at The Plaza at 300 Ashland, including theater, poetry, dance, music, and other performances. This year’s Downtown Brooklyn Arts Festival will take place Friday, October 4 through Sunday, October 6.
Brooklyn Ballet Welcomes Three New Board Members!
Guy Dorsainvil is an experienced investment banking, capital markets, and strategic advisory professional with substantial expertise in the real estate, lodging and hospitality sectors. Guy has spearheaded several capital markets offerings and served as a critical advisor on buy-side, sell-side and corporate strategic transactions exceeding $50 billion in aggregate deal value. Guy joined Citi's investment banking franchise in 2010, where he began execution and coverage efforts for corporate clients in various subsectors of real estate and lodging. Prior to Citi, Guy was a generalist mergers and acquisitions professional at an independent investment bank in New York. Guy earned his MBA from Columbia Business School and his Bachelor of Science from New York Institute of Technology.
Anne Glusker is a native New Yorker, proud Brooklynite, and longtime journalist. Her passion for the arts began when she began her career at theSoho Weekly News in the 1970s and has continued through positions as an editor, a writer, and an on-air radio host at art, fashion, and legal magazines, the Washington Post, a European radio station, and now Forbes, where she is deputy editor of the Leadership section. Her interests include food, feminism and France (where she lived in a small town for four years), and she is thrilled to be involved with Brooklyn Ballet, which so perfectly combines social justice and dance.
![](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48637627413_676f120fbe_q.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="Dave.jpg)
David M Paragamian has almost 30 years in branding, advertising working for both the largest marketers (Procter & Gamble, Johnson & Johnson) as well as the largest global advertising holding companies (Havas and Publicis Groupe). Currently, Dave serves as the President of Razorfish Health, a Publicis Groupe agency, leading one of the largest health and wellness agencies in the world, with offices in NY, Chicago, Philadelphia, and London. He is a published author and speaker on the subject of branding, and is a member of the adjunct faculty at St Joseph’s University Haub School of Business where he teaches product management and marketing in the MBA program. He and his wife Bashi live in New York; he serves on the board of the Medical Advertising Hall of Fame and the Brooklyn Ballet.
FREE Classes! Open House 2019
Brooklyn Ballet welcomes students ages 3 to adult to our Open House, Saturday September 7! Join us to learn more about Brooklyn Ballet. All classes free!
- 10:00-10:30 - Pre-Ballet I (Age 3 by September 1st)
- 10:45-11:15 - Pre-Ballet II (Age 4 by September 1st)
- 11:30-12:30 - Elementary Ballet I & II (ages 5-7)
- 1:00- 3:00 - Ballet Conservatory Placement (Ages 8-18)
- 3:15-4:15 - Modern (Ages 8-18)
- 5:15-6:30 - Adult Beginning Ballet
Mark your calendars SEPTEMBER 19 Capezio will bring a pop-up shop to Brooklyn Ballet Studio for a 10% discount on all dancewear and shoes. Look here for Brooklyn Ballet dress code information.
See you there!
Photo: Jennifer Davidson
CALLING YOUNG DANCERS
September 28 1:30pm
Brooklyn Ballet is looking for young dancers (ages 8-16) to perform in The Brooklyn Nutcracker December 14, 2018 at the Kings Theater.
The Brooklyn Nutcracker transforms familiar Nutcracker characters and scenes to represent the diverse traditions and vibrant culture of melting pot Brooklyn.
The Brooklyn Nutcracker fulfills Brooklyn Ballet’s mission by providing the borough’s youth with opportunities to dance, by expanding the annual performance season for the professional artists in our company, by injecting contemporary ideas into a classic art form, and by working together with Brooklyn’s diverse communities on a Nutcracker we can call our own.
Audition fee:
$20- Non Brooklyn Ballet Students
$10- Brooklyn Ballet Students.
Click here to register or call 718-246-0146
