For over 20 years, Neglia Conservatory of Ballet students have received extraordinary ballet training. As you’ll read from some alumni reflections, their education was more than just dancing. We are grateful to our alumni for sharing their experiences and insights. If you are a past student of Neglia and would like to be included on our alumni page, please email us at info@negliaballet.org
Studied at Neglia 1995 - 98
cum laude graduate from University at Buffalo
How did your education at Neglia Ballet influence your career path?
From Buffalo to NYC, the ballet instruction I received at Neglia stands above as masterful in establishing a firm foundation and nurturing deeply inspired movement. I can clearly recall my being called upon to bridge the expression and "juiciness" that I explored in modern dance to my work at the ballet barre. Having clarity in my technique and honesty in my expression has been beneficial in my excelling in college and my professional teaching / performing career.
As an adult (even if you are not a professional dancer) do you continue to incorporate dance, movement, physical wellness into your life?
Upon moving to Brooklyn NY my dance career has spanned concert and commercial fields including Fela! on Broadway, the Michael Jackson 30th Anniversary Concert and Urban Bush Women where I am currently Associate Artistic Director.
If you could travel back in time, what advice would you give to your new young dancer self?
Ha! I'd remind myself not to get discouraged being the oldest and tallest in class....It's really a journey to get to your personal best. FYI, I was exactly where I needed to be
What is your favorite or most vivid memory of your time at Neglia Ballet?
Too Many!
I can recall how inspired I was when I first encountered Heidi and Sergio at Performing Arts Dance Week....I took their class and knew I had to study with them!
I also have fond memories of Sergio articulating in Birkenstocks and Heidi letting me borrow a CD used for class because I loved the music (I brought that all the way to NYC). Perhaps most importantly I remember them both encouraging me to allow the freedom and expression I had in modern into my ballet training. They were the first to help me understand they weren't so separate, or perhaps I didn't have to be so separate...ballet is expansive enough for me to bring the truth of my movement voice.
Studied at Neglia 2001 - 2007
Graduate of University of Notre Dame, 2011
University at Buffalo School of Medicine, 2017
How did your education at Neglia Ballet influence your career path?
I just finished interviewing for my Pediatrics residency and I can’t tell you how many times ballet came into the conversation — nor how glad I am that it did! It shed light on all the unexpected ways in which my ballet training has been present in my life. Having the discipline, the sensitivity and the expressiveness that ballet fosters has drawn me to and helped me succeed in Medicine. And as I’ve learned through my interviews, even when people don’t have personal experience with ballet, they always have great appreciation of the discipline it requires and admiration of it as an art!
As an adult (even if you are not a professional dancer) do you continue to incorporate dance, movement, physical wellness into your life?
I love to move. It’s one of the reasons I loved dancing and why I continue to make sure I do something physical, whether it’s yoga, walking, running, etc., everyday. Hopefully I will be able to incorporate dancing into my life again too, someday soon!
If you could travel back in time, what advice would you give to your new young dancer self?
Love every minute even more than you did! Practicing ballet everyday is a privilege and dancing with Neglia is an experience like no other.
What is your favorite or most vivid memory of your time at Neglia Ballet?
So many favorite memories! The best are probably:
How did your training and experiences at Neglia influence you?
Honestly, my decade at Neglia influenced me in ways I didn’t expect. Primarily, Neglia gave me a sense of discipline that I was able to carry over into my academic experience (as well as continuously pursuing physically challenging endeavors. For instance, after I left Neglia, I became a distance runner). Aside from a learned practice of discipline, Neglia gave me a love of art, (more specifically, dance). It sounds so incredibly corny, but it’s true. Every city I’ve lived in I make a point to see operas, dance performances, art shows and galleries. Neglia made me aware of art in all of its forms; however, my favorite artistic expression will probably always be ballet.
Looking back, what is your fondest Neglia memory?
Studied at Neglia from 2004 - 2011
Company Apprentice with The Washington Ballet since 2016
Neglia Ballet is proud to announce that alumna Adelaide Clauss will be dancing with the Royal Danish Ballet this Spring. She is the first dancer to participate in a new dancer exchange program started by the Washington Ballet's Artistic Director. Adelaide began dancing at Neglia Conservatory of Ballet at the age of 6 and was the first Marie in Neglia Ballet Artists' first production of the Nutcracker in 2009. She is currently a company apprentice with The Washington Ballet. Congratulations Adelaide!
(Adelaide studying at Neglia Ballet in 2008)
If you're interested in sharing your story, please email info@negliaballet.org. Thank you!
