New Paltz School of Ballet

1 Bonticou View Dr, New Paltz, NY 12561, USA

Address:	1 Bonticou View Dr, New Paltz, NY 12561, USA
Phone:	+1 845-255-0044
Site:	npsballet.com
Rating:	3.7
Working:	3:30–9PM 3:30–9PM 3:30–9PM 3:30–9PM 3:30–9PM 3:30–9PM Closed

Location

Photos 12

Reviews 5

Marisa Trees

As Vice-President of the volunteer Board of Directors of the New Paltz Ballet Theatre Inc., a 501c3 (not-for-profit) Dance Company, I am compelled to contradict a Google review, written in June 2015 by Brody Taylor, of the New Paltz School of Ballet, as it is based on a misconception. Taylor claims fundraising is being conducted under false pretenses, and therefore generated a negative review of the NP SCHOOL of Ballet. The NP SCHOOL of Ballet and the NP Ballet THEATRE are two entirely separate and independent organizations. Lisa & Peter Naumann purchased the New Paltz SCHOOL of Ballet, a privately owned business, in 1995. With the help of a parent group, the not-for-profit New Paltz Ballet THEATRE was established in 1996. The THEATRE’s origination was the result of the express intent of providing dancers in the Southern Ulster Co. region of New York the opportunity to perform with professional dancers from NYC in professional productions; a costly goal which has been fulfilled annually to this day. The owners of NP SCHOOL of Ballet are the Artistic Directors of the New Paltz Ballet THEATRE, as the Board retains their services due to the Naumann’s impressive experience and accomplishments. Despite the similarity of names, the two organizations have two respective separate and independent: webpages, Facebook pages, email addresses, bank accounts, tax ID numbers, governing bodies, mailing addresses, purposes, bulletin boards, functions, etc. The THEATRE’s quarterly newsletters are distributed to all, with extra copies available in the lobby, to reiterate the two organization’s differences while informing readers of THEATRE activities. Fundraising by the THEATRE is conducted year round and all monies are dedicated to THEATRE productions (the annual Nutcracker and Spring Galas such as Coppelia, Peter and the Wolf, etc.), the Spring Master Class Series, and outreach endeavors such as the Ray Delle Robbins Sponsorship. THEATRE expenses include, but are not limited to: salaries of professional guest dancers (most notably principal dancers from NYC Ballet); maintenance, storage, and replacement costs of professional costumes and staging items for Nutcracker and other productions; insurance; Master Class Teacher honorariums; and publicity. Dance students from the surrounding community are welcome and encouraged to participate in any THEATRE production and/or Master Class to enrich their dance education. Not being a representative of the SCHOOL, I can only address Taylor’s complaint of SCHOOL and Recital costs from a parent perspective. Private lessons, photos in the Recital book, additional Recital tickets, and advertisements in the Recital book are all optional. I have never been charged to receive a copy of the Recital book nor been limited to how many copies I receive. Paid advertising offsets the printing cost of the keepsake Recital Program. Costumes for the Recital are custom made by hand for each dancer, not stock from a catalog. The SCHOOL must pay a rental fee for the facility and their staff, plus additional hired technical staff, for the Recital. It should be noted that every September scholarships are offered to offset SCHOOL tuition costs, having been donated by various parties including the studio owners, which are now given by the THEATRE as the Ray Delle Robbins Sponsorship. Application forms are available at the studio, and the THEATRE conducts certain fundraising solely for this endeavor. An unfavorable review of New Paltz SCHOOL of Ballet, with regard to the fundraising efforts (raffle, bake sale, etc.) that the THEATRE group conducts at the SCHOOL and its Recital, out of the Naumann’s generosity, is undeserved and absolutely incorrect. It is distressing that the reviewer did not check facts before publicly disparaging an exemplary ballet school. – Marisa Trees, VP of the 501c3 New Paltz Ballet Theatre, Inc.

A Ballet Mom

We have been a part of the New Paltz School of Ballet family for eight years. I refer to us as a part of a family at the school because the owners,Lisa and Peter, and the other exemplary instructors have been involved in helping my husband and I to raise focused, grounded, well-rounded, children. Our kids self-esteem has benefited from their lessons and the stage work they have done for The Nutcracker and recitals. Speaking of The Nutcracker and recitals...the shows are nothing less than FABULOUS! Before we were at this school I thought "Oh, The Nutcracker. Been there, no thanks!" Now that I have seen the show the New Paltz Ballet Theatre puts on, at The Bardavon every year, I can HONESTLY say there is NOTHING THAT COMPARES to it. As Artistic Directors, Lisa and Peter manage to keep the show fresh and interesting for the audience AND the performers. Coppelia, again BEAUTIFUL. The care that goes into the costuming is BANANAS! And listen, I know recitals can be deadly...not when you sit at a New Paltz School of Ballet recital! In the air-conditioned comfort of the Walkill High School auditorium you are treated to performances that leave you proud of your dancer(s) and beautifully entertained and proud of ALL the other dancers! People pay hundreds of dollars and travel hours to see shows of this caliber. I am happy to invite friends and family to the performances, knowing THEY will enjoy themselves too. But...back to the school... We all love it! I am glad that we found it, and I recommend it.

Nell Boucher

Many parents become aware of the New Paltz School of Ballet because of its sister organization the New Paltz Ballet Theatre’s annual production of the Nutcracker at the Bardavon in Poughkeepsie. The high-quality production and the professionalism of the young dancers is impressive. When my daughter was little, I learned more about the New Paltz School of Ballet chatting with another mom on the playground. She told me the instruction is top-notch because the teachers are all experienced both as instructors and as former professional dancers. The head teachers of the school are former New York City Ballet dancers. But what they have to offer isn’t just high-quality ballet instruction. As part of the school community, dance students learn self-respect, respect for their teachers and classmates. They develop listening skill and learn to focus. They become more organized and self-sufficient. The students have opportunities to work as a team, to develop leadership, and to feel a sense of camaraderie. With each public performance or recital, they know that they have worked hard to achieve something wonderful. These skills give the students the tools they can use outside the ballet studio and the theater. These are skills that can help them do well in school and maintain poise and grace in their interactions with others. I feel very fortunate that my daughter is a student of the New Paltz School of Ballet. --Nell Boucher

Anonymous User

These people who wrote these nasty reviews sound like sour grapes. This is undisputedly the best ballet school in the Hudson Valley. The directors are not only extremely professional at this school but are very courteous as are the students. In fact one of the things insisted on by the instructors is courtesy & etiquette (something lacking in most other schools). Unusual in such a competitive world as ballet. I would recommend this school to anyone with a youngser just starting out or to an older child who really wants to learn to dance. I would not recommend it to people with kids who are not willing to work hard and see themselves at the level of technique they truly are, therefore feeling the need to put others down. Its true you will get very honest answers about your childs abilities at this school (as it should be) but its also true that things are always conveyed with compassion and guidance.

Diane Tanner

Our daughter started dancing with New Paltz School of Ballet when she was 3. Ten years later, her love of ballet has not faltered a bit. She loves her instructors, and the studio is her "home away from home." Her discipline of dance has spilled over into her personal and academic life. This is all attributed to her professional and caring instructors. New Paltz School of Ballet teaches discipline, nurtures the love of dance, and produces quality and professional ballet productions. From seeing The Nutcracker at the Bardavon, which has become a favorite family tradition, to Spring recital, which is unlike any recital Ive seen from other places, you know you are going to be treated to a vibrant, quality, professional show. We are lucky to have this gem of a school located in New Paltz.