Oklahoma City Ballet comes full circle

Over 40 years after its beginnings, Oklahoma City Ballet’s school completes its own pirouette and returns to where it all began.

(Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) – The Dance Center of Oklahoma City Ballet announces the addition of a satellite school location to meet the increasing demand for enrollment. Classes will be held Thursdays on the campus of Oklahoma State Fair Park in the Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center dance studios beginning August 22, 2013.

Oklahoma City Ballet was originally formed in 1963 as the Oklahoma City Civic Ballet. The Company began under the artistic direction of Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo dancers, Yvonne Chouteau and Miguel Terekhov.  Chouteau is one of the "Five Moons" or Native prima ballerinas of Oklahoma. A member of the Shawnee Tribe, Yvonne Chouteau grew up in Vinita, Oklahoma. She became the youngest dancer to be accepted by the Ballet Russe at age 14.

Ms. Chouteau taught ballet in these same studios on the Oklahoma City fairgrounds decades ago. Students attending classes in the Oklahoma Contemporary location will be provided ballet instruction by The Dance Center of Oklahoma City Ballet staff. The holiday schedule for the satellite location will follow the same schedule as the hub location. This location will be able to serve the surrounding neighborhoods and further the growth of our school. Classes held at Oklahoma City Ballet studios at 7421 N. Classen are still available for enrollment.

“It is an exciting time for growth and a reminder of our history,” says School Director, Jane Vorburger. “We are going back to our roots at the fairgrounds location and hope to welcome many new students into the program now that we have a secondary location for increased accessibility.”

Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center is located at 3000 General Pershing Blvd. Oklahoma City, OK 73107 on the Oklahoma City fairgrounds. The Dance Center of Oklahoma City Ballet will offer classes in ballet and jazz for children ages 3-10 at this location. Registration and dress code information may be found at www.okcballet.com/school.

About The Dance Center of Oklahoma City Ballet:  The Dance Center of Oklahoma City Ballet prepares young dancers for a professional role in the arts, as well as providing a recreational activity. With a foundation in classical ballet technique, the school nurtures young dancers, fosters self-discipline, and provides the tools for self-expression. Throughout its 40-year history, The Dance Center of Oklahoma City Ballet has placed students in scholarship programs with many prestigious companies. Among these are the Washington Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, American Ballet Theatre and the New York City Ballet. Many students have gone on to become professional dancers in companies all over the country, including Oklahoma City Ballet. The school incorporates the AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE® National Training Curriculum into the school's program. It embraces sound ballet principles and incorporates elements of the French, Italian and Russian training systems. This curriculum helps provide a safe and fun learning environment and allows the students to experience a feeling of mastery in each level.

 7/24/2013

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