The Men's Dance Program at Walnut Hill

HE WALNUT HIL

Liza Voll Photography

“

I wanted to attend Walnut Hill because I felt like it was a

place where I could concentrate on becoming the

best dancer I could be, and for once be surrounded by other male dancers who want the same. My favorite class that’s offered is Modern because I love to dance modern

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and contemporary.

— Dylan Contreras ’16

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I always loved men’s ballet class, mostly because I

felt challenged in a class with boys who had more ballet technique than I had, but also because Mr. Owen cares so much about the beauty and strength of the male dancer.

You could tell by his attention to each one of us young men that he could see each of our own individual

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potential as a dancer, even if we didn’t always see it.

— Levi Marsman ’05

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Tarrice Love

Liza Voll Photography

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My favorite dance class at Walnut Hill is Men’s Technique. It provides

me with the opportunity to constantly self-assess and correct.

It’s tough and can be discouraging, but when you see results, and consequently improvement, it’s really rewarding. I also think it’s my favorite class because it requires the most virtuosity, control, and cleanliness of movement. When you see a dancer who does the steps that

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we do in this class really well, it’s truly spectacular.

— Neeraj Ramachandran ’16

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So far I have found the Choreography elective to be my favorite

dance class at Walnut Hill. This class, taught by Diane Arvanites, presents creative opportunities for young students that many dance programs do not offer. From having choreographed a piece in our New Works performance, I’ve not only learned about choreography, but I’ve also learned more about myself as a dancer. In a way, it changed how I want choreographers to perceive me as the

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dancer in the choreographic process.

— Sean Lammer ’15

Liza Voll Photography

Liza Voll Photography

“

I love to dance for the same reason as anyone loves to do what

they are passionate about; it gives me a sense of fulfillment and joy.

I have become a much stronger and more well-rounded

dancer at Walnut Hill through a balance of strict Ballet classes

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and others such as Modern, Jazz, and Pilates.

— Rees Launer ’16

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One piece of advice I would give to male dancers

applying to Walnut Hill is that if you are truly passionate about dance, work hard to get through the admissions and audition process, because the end result is attending the most supportive high school where everyone is

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appreciated and valued for their art.

— Matthew Gilmore ’15

Liza Voll Photography

Hackpolitik, Choreographer: Kate Ladenheim

“

Walnut Hill prepared me for what lay ahead by connecting me with

some of the most influential people in my life and helping me realize

the freedom in accepting responsibility for myself. It also provided me with the technique, strength, and respect for other forms of art

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that I needed entering The Boston Conservatory.

— David Glista ’09

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Michael Owen is the Director of Dance at Walnut Hill School for the Arts, where he teaches classes in Ballet Technique, Men’s Virtuosity Technique, and Pas de Deux. Mr. Owen received his training at the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet with Marcia Dale Weary, the School of American Ballet, and American Ballet Theatre. He studied with many notable teachers, including Stanley Williams, André Eglevsky, Mikhail Baryshnikov, and David Howard.

Michael Owen also danced with American Ballet Theatre from 1973 to 1998. He has been featured in numerous movies, PBS specials, and Live from Lincoln Center productions.

Mr. Owen has co-authored two studies on injury prevention in young dancers, the findings of which he has presented at International Association for Dance Medicine & Science (IADMS) Conferences. Prior to joining the faculty of Walnut Hill, Mr. Owen taught at New York University, SUNY Purchase, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Alabama Ballet, and American Ballet Theatre’s Summer Intensives. He teaches master class across the United States, Canada, Japan, and China, and has recently begun adjudicating ballet competitions.

Rosalie O’Connor, circa 1999

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