Huntington Ballet Academy Adds Teen and Beginner Classes

Huntington Ballet Academy in Suffolk County is adding teen ballet and modern classes, plus open ballet classes for beginners ages 7 and older, which will run in 10-week sessions starting in October.

“We want ballet to be accessible to everyone. That’s why we offer open auditions to students outside of our academy,” says Joan Albright, owner of Huntington Ballet Academy. “We’re focusing on storytelling ballet, using music from classic movies and jazz."

Huntington Ballet Academy's faculty is comprised of professional teachers, many of which have their master's from the New York University and American Ballet Theatre program. All Huntington Ballet Academy teachers are American Ballet Theatre^®-certified and/or have their master's in ballet pedagogy from NYU. ABT's National Training Curriculum embraces sound ballet principles and elements of the French, Italian and Russian schools of training. The ABT and NYU graduate program involves examination of ballet techniques and preparation for teachers to work in different environments, focusing on dance education with a concentration in ballet pedagogy.

"We could describe our mission as helping ordinary kids do extraordinary things," Albright says.

Huntington Ballet Academy is a part of the Long Island Ballet Theatre; students take part in its classic productions such as Sleeping Beauty and Wizard of Oz. 

“A Long Island Ballet Theatre alumna will be directing The Nutcracker production this year after enjoying a successful professional dance career and serving as its assistant director last year," Albright says.

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Main image: An alumna of the Long Island Ballet Theatre will direct its performance of The Nutcracker this year.
Courtesy Huntington Ballet Academy