Ballet Montana launches academy for serious dance students

Published: September 8, 2010

Ballet Montana, formerly Artisan Dance, opens its official school, Ballet Montana Academy, starting Sept. 7 on the campus of Carroll College in Helena.

Professional ballet dancers from companies across North America have been traveling to Helena since 1995 to train under the direction of Sallyann Mulcahy, a master teacher and choreographer whose career spans more than three decades, including 14 years as a professional ballerina with Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Finis Jhung's Chamber Ballet USA, and New Jersey Ballet.

Ballet Montana Academy's Director of Development is Michael Russell, former captain of the US Freestyle Ski Team and winner of three World Cups in ballet skiing.

Ballet Montana Academy is open to career-dedicated students of classical ballet. Achievement Track I is designed for students who have acquired intermediate-level skills. Achievement Track II is open to students transitioning from Track I, or those who have attained advanced-level technique with the goal of dancing professionally.

The syllabus for both programs offers an optimal balance of technique, variations, pointe, and physical conditioning. All classes are held in Carroll College's 2000-square-foot, Harlequin Liberty-floored Arthur Vining Davis dance studio.

Additional offerings for students include:

• Summer intensives with Ballet Montana dancers, commencing 2011

• Classes in dance history and music appreciation

• "The Stage We Share," with interpretive student excursions to concerts, opera, dance performances and galleries

• Dance-career counseling

• Technique evaluation/consultation

• Semi-annual Academy performances

• Pilates training, injury prevention, nutrition and physical-rehabilitation guidance

• Choreography workshops and choreographic services

• Stage-combat instruction

• Seminars in ballet-teaching methodology

• Guest coaching

Initial class placement is determined after completing two 3/4-hour private lessons with the director. There is no fee for registration and no application form to submit, but two private lessons and a parental consultation are mandatory for acceptance at Ballet Montana Academy.

The Ballet Montana company will continue to explore the relationship between traditional and contemporary forms of dance by introducing original ballet works during its summer intensives. In July 2010, the company staged “Letters Home,” featuring original works by Nathan Powell of Festival Ballet Providence and Roy Gan of Sacramento Ballet.

For details, call 406-447-5508 or visit the company's website, balletmontana.us.