Dance Program Celebrates Ten-Year Alliance with Boston Ballet

Nestled among brownstones in the Back Bay, the Boston Ballet's Clarendon Street studio seems worlds away from the clamor of the city. With classical musical reverberating gently through the softly lit foyer, it offers the perfect atmosphere for studying dance. Thanks to Professor Margaret Pappalardo Musmon, coordinator of dance in the Performing Arts Department, UMass Boston students have a unique opportunity to take dance classes at this prestigious institution.

Through a partnership formed in 1992 by Musmon and Bruce Marks, then artistic director of the Boston Ballet, UMass Boston students have been able to take classes at the Boston Ballet, and Boston Ballet dancers have had the opportunity to take courses at the university. The program allows UMass Boston students to study at a level that may not have been accessible otherwise. Since 1992, more than 200 UMass Boston students have the chance to take classes at the Boston Ballet.

'students with the appropriate ballet background come to an audition that is listed in the schedule book," says Musmon. After auditions, students are placed in different-level ballet classes. While beginner classes are taught at the UMass Boston campus, intermediate and advanced students attend classes at the Boston Ballet's studio and are taught by master teachers.

Micheal Grealy, a freshman who has been dancing for five years, is the only UMass Boston student currently in advanced-level classes. Grealy sees taking classes at the Boston Ballet as a way to gain entry into the professional dancing world.

"It's a perfect avenue for people to meet and connect and get jobs when they get out of college," Grealy says. He hopes one day to be a member of a professional company, he understands the importance of having an experience that sets him apart from the crowd while he's in school.

"Especially in Boston, you have to seek out opportunities to dance," he notes.

But those who aspire to be in a professional company are not the only students taking classes at the Boston Ballet. Others, like Inga Sheaffer, a dance minor who hopes to pursue a master's degree in choreography after completing her undergraduate work, sees Boston Ballet classes as an avenue to success in a different area.

"I"m really more of a modern dancer," she says. "But taking classes at the Boston Ballet has been good for my technique, which is helpful in any area of dance."

In addition to studying with master instructors affiliated with the Boston Ballet, there is the benefit of dancing in an attractive and well-equipped facility.

"They have beautiful studios and good pianists for all the classes," says Sheaffer, who also enjoys the expertise of Boston Ballet's skilled and relaxed instructors.

"The teachers are great. They are professional, but also personable and quite funny," she says.

One of these teachers is Arthur Leath, personnel manager of the Boston Ballet Orchestra and former company member. Leath says that although it is difficult to go from a college to a company because of the stiff competition, it is not impossible. He adds that taking classes at the Boston Ballet may help students forge a path into professional dancing.

"This will give them an edge," he says. "Coming and doing the classes here gives you a much better base."

In the fall of 2003, the partnership will celebrate ten years of success in helping dance students further their education.

"We are planning a gala celebration of this win-win educational and artistic endeavor," says Musmon.

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