Did you know that when Eliot Feld founded Ballet Tech’s school in 1978, it was called The New Ballet School? The New Ballet School operated similarly to our current Introduction to Ballet program, which in its first year involved bussing 138 students from 8 different elementary schools to take beginner ballet classes at Ballet Tech’s studios.
But as students grew older and their training became more time-intensive, it became clear that it would be more efficient if academics and dance training could happen in the same building.
The school’s excellent reputation as a tuition-free dance academy led to an unprecedented partnership with the NYC Department of Education. Beginning in the fall of 1995, Ballet Tech students were able to take academic and dance classes all under one roof, making it easier for them to focus on their studies both in the classroom and in the studio. That’s the model we continue to use to this day.
Here are some images from the first day of on-site academic studies in 1995 and two photos of Roseanne Caruso teaching dance at The New Ballet School in the 80’s.
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