Ballet schools in Florida - Tampa/St. Petersburg

[balletrocs2]

Can anyone recommend schools with very advanced, pre-pro training within daily driving distance of the Tampa area?

[dagny78]

Orlando Ballet

 

There is also a school in St. Petersburg, Academy of Ballet Arts. I don't know enough about them to make a recommendation but they did have students who competed at the YAGP in Orlando.

[SweetPetite1]

Diane Partington Studio of Classical Ballet in Ellenton, FL

[vrsfanatic]

The Patel Conservatory at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center is a relatively new program run by professional ballet people who have been part of the Tampa Bay ballet scene for at least 20 years (maybe more). Take a look at it. I have seen a few in auditions who seemed well trained technically and artistically for their age. There has been a recent change in faculty however so ask questions about who the teachers are and will be.

 

http://www.patelconservatory.org/dance/cbtp.htm

 

The other schools mentioned are also very nice schools that have a good track record in producing dancers who work professionally in many dance companies.

[dagny78]

The Patel Conservatory at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center is a relatively new program run by professional ballet people who have been part of the Tampa Bay ballet scene for at least 20 years (maybe more). Take a look at it. I have seen a few in auditions who seemed well trained technically and artistically for their age. There has been a recent change in faculty however so ask questions about who the teachers are and will be.

 

I am curious about the future of this program, since the director left they are still operating with "interim co-directors". Something that might impact this is that the Orlando Ballet has trademarked the name "Tampa Ballet" and I wonder where that will take things?

[vrsfanatic]

I did check the job openings thread prior to making my post. The job opening for Director of the dance division is no longer posted. Perhaps it has been filled.

 

Yes, I heard from a very reliable source (this is not a rumor) a few weeks ago that the trademark of the name Tampa Ballet had been purchased by Orlando Ballet. I found it interesting to say the least. Lots of questions and interesting debate about that one however the name Tampa Ballet has nothing to do with the Patel Conservatory at TBPAC. Or previously there was no association between the two...

[dagny78]

I didn't realize that about the director. Now I am reallycurious!

 

About the Tampa Ballet name. Orlando has also trademarked "Jacksonville Ballet". There was a little blurb in the Orlando Sentinel a couple of weeks ago about this. It certainly could make things interesting here in Florida!

[balletrocs2]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. How long does it take to drive from Tampa to Orlando?

[Stork]

Where is Haydee Gutierrez now?

 

I would estimate the communte from Orlando to Tampa would be 90min to 2 hrs, depending on time of day and exact location in Tampa, if memory serves. Not "exactly" communtable.

[Proud Mom]

Does Diane Partington offer summer classes (specifically the last 2 weeks of July)? If not, does the studio have teachers who teach private lessons during the summer?

[Robin G]

I was also checking out this area for dance as my daughter will be at USF. Orlando is about an hour and forty-five minutes from Tampa (right,vrs?). I noticed the Patels are huge donors to the University,and are building a palatial home in the area. I wonder how they came to start the dance Conservatory(looked like some notable faculty) in Tampa, saw they had roots in NJ as physicians. I guess they are wealthy arts lovers. I'd be interested to know more,if anyone knows.

[dagny78]

Does Diane Partington offer summer classes (specifically the last 2 weeks of July)? If not, does the studio have teachers who teach private lessons during the summer?

 

 

She does offer summer classes but I don't know what her schedule is this year. Diane and her husband Rey Dizon are the primary instructors and if there are any privates available it would only be either one of them doing the teaching.

 

 

 

Where is Haydee Gutierrez now?

 

I don't know where, but I know she is working with some students one-on-one. I can try to find out if you would like to contact her.

[vrsfanatic]

Where is Haydee Gutierrez now?

 

I believe, she is teaching in her own school somewhere in the St. Petersburg area.

[Robin G]

Correction-Tampa is only forty minutes plus from Orlando.balletrocs2.

[Stork]

PK, I have family in the area, and from downtown Orlando to Downtown Tampa it is at least 90 miles, and more like 1hr 45 to 2 hours, depending on traffic. From Orlando Ballet to the USF area, it is still 75 miles or so; and with Orlando Ballet just off I-4, and I-4 being the parking lot it is during AM and PM drive times, I can't imagine getting there in 40 minutes. Maybe Brandon to Disneyworld in 40 minutes.