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"I've been very pleased.… It's like a jewel in the city,"
Andrea Henson of Detroit, Parent
-Detroit Free Press 2012

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"She was very shy, but she loved it, and she blossomed and loves coming here"
Onnie Jacque of Detroit, Parent
-Detroit Free Press 2012

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"Ballet with a positive core"
- National Dance Teacher Magazine 2004

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"In Ballet Renaissance children aren't just moving their feet.
They are moving their hearts and souls to the rafters--
to the music of Tchaikovsky and other classical masters"
-Detroit News 2001

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“The rebirth of Detroit and dance go hand in hand. We have so much talent
and passion here. We feel it is important to empower the voice and the talent
and the energy and the spirit of the community of Detroit”
-Brianna Furnish, Founder
-Detroit News 2001

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"Through her company Ballet Renaissance, performer and instructor
Brianna Furnish is taking steps to expose classical dance to
a wider, more diverse community"
-Hour Detroit 1998

 

 

Ballet Renaissance is a 501 (c)(3) not for profit organization committed to establishing quality affordable ballet training and performance opportunities for dancers of all ages and experience levels in a manner that creates safe spaces for children, inspires community and fosters peace.

 

photo by Lisa Spindler

Born out of Furnish's personal and professional experiences with classical ballet, commingled with her experiences here in the city, Ballet Renaissance has a 14 year history of building bridges that span urban and suburban communities, uniting individuals in common vision. Sustaining the traditional, Ballet Renaissance remains open to new visions of hope and creative solutions for today's problems. Inspired by two teaching assignments for Detroit Public Schools, Ballet Renaissance was housed five years at Wayne State University's Maggie Allesee Department of Dance (1998-2003) and later at the all new Boll Family YMCA downtown. A long history of sustaining alliances with local artists and organizations, poised Ballet Renaissance for its current partnership programs, including outreach to public and charter schools and central training at the Detroit Opera House. In 2006, Radoslaw Kokoszka, Furnish's close friend and ballet partner, returned from a professional performance career in New York, and joined Furnish as Co-Director in October 2007. Together the two are committed to exploring and developing new and creative ways for establishing and sustaining Ballet in Detroit.

 

Board of Directors

Ms. Maggie Allesee
Honorary Chair

Dr. William Kupsky, MD,
Chairman

Ms. Brianna Furnish
President

Mr. Radoslaw Kokoszka
Treasurer

Ms. Sabrinia Smith
Secretary

Ms. Joan Abraham

Dr. Timothy Pryor, Ph, D

Ms. LaShanda Thomas, CPA

 

Legal Advisor

Ms. Laura Silvestri Del Pup, Esq
Clark Hill PLC

Advisory Board

Mr. James Bayson, CPA
Retired Audit Partner, Plante Moran

Mr. Zlato Buchs-Fagundes
School of American Ballet Alumnus

Ms. Linda Cleveland-Simmons
Associate Professor, Dance, WSU

Mr. Stephen Cooper
Ford Motor Company

Ms. Portia Fields-Anderson
WSU Dance Alumna

Dr. Victor P. Furnish, Ph.D
Retired Professor, SMU

Ms. Vanessa D. Guillebeaux
Non Profit Professional

Dr. Carol Halsted, Ph.D
Director of Dance,
Detroit Opera House

Ms. Mary Hammel
Grosse Pointe Schools

Ms. Jordeen Ivanov-Ericson
Chair, Marygrove College Dance

Ms. Christina Johnson
Former Principal Dancer,
Dance Theater of Harlem

Ms. Elizabeth Mawhinney
Retired Ballerina, Instructor

Ms. Samantha Shelton
Ballet Faculty,
Alma College Dance Department
American Ballet Theatre
Summer Intensives

Ms. Mary Thomas
Charles Schwab

Ms. Beverly Tolliver
Retired DPS Principal

 

Brianna Furnish, Founder

A native of Dallas, Texas, Furnish is the daughter of a modern dancer, who danced alongside her mother from an early age. At age six, Furnish began formal studies in the Martha Graham modern dance technique, under private instruction with Julliard graduate, Ms. Jerry Bywaters Cochran. At age thirteen Furnish was encouraged to begin ballet training (reluctantly at first!), as a means for augmenting her chances for a professional modern dance career, and quickly fell in love with ballet. She began training privately with Denise and Evelyn Brown and a year later, on talent scholarship, with Dallas Ballet’s professional program, under the direction of Royal Danish Ballet‘s Flemming and Vivi Flindt. It was there that she first met and trained with the late great Madame Nathalie Krassovska, former prima ballerina with Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, who became a significant mentor in Furnish’s personal and professional life. A year later, after relatively little ballet training Furnish was accepted to the acclaimed School of American Ballet in New York, where she had the exceptional opportunity to study with such ballet greats as Mme. Alexandra Danilova, Suki Shorer, Mme. Antonina Tumkovsky, Andrei Kramerevsky and Stanley Williams. She was then accepted to train an additional year at North Carolina School of the Arts, where she studied under the careful attention of former New York City Ballet principal dancer, Ms. Melissa Hayden. Furnish also danced for several regional companies in Dallas and Tennessee, including Krassovska’s Ballet Jeunesse and Tennessee Ballet (Memphis), while continuing private instruction with both Mme. Krassovska and the late Robert Scevers (Harkness Ballet). It is Krassovska and Scevers, along with Danilova and Hayden, that Furnish attributes with affecting her own teaching style most profoundly. After moving to Detroit to pursue premed studies at Wayne State University, Furnish became involved with the Maggie Allesee Department of Dance, and was given the opportunity to stage a ballet for Detroit Public “All City” High School dancers and to teach ballet for the Detroit Opera House’s ABT “Giselle” outreach program. Inspired by the passion of Detroit Public High School students juxtaposed with their profound inexperience with classical ballet, Furnish founded Ballet Renaissance in June of 1997, as a means for fostering local talent and inspiring community. She taught college ballet as Adjunct Professor for Wayne State University’s Maggie Allesee Department of Dance (1996-2004), served as full time high school ballet teacher for Fraser’s Arts Academy in the Woods (2006-2007), and continues to guest teach as Ballet Master Class Instructor throughout Detroit Public Schools (1996-present). In 2006, after ten years of work in the city, Furnish completed her BS in Dance from Wayne State University's Maggie Allesee Department of Dance, the school through which her inspiration for “Ballet Renaissance” had originated. As Co-Director, Furnish is responsible for, among other things, teaching, choreographing, program development, parent-student services and public relations. One of her greatest joys is dancing and performing with long-time friend, Co-Director and ballet partner, Mr. Radoslaw Kokoszka, who has made a profound impact on her life both personally and professionally.

 

Radoslaw Kokoszka, Co-Founder

A native of Wodzislaw Sl., Poland, Mr. Kokoszka began his early ballet training as a boarding student at the Ludomir Rozycki State Ballet School in Bytom, Poland. At age 13, he moved to the United States with his family, settling in Hamtramck, MI, and was introduced to Ballet Renaissance through the 1999 American Ballet Theatre Summer Intensive, a three-way collaboration between New York’s American Ballet Theatre, the Detroit Opera House, and Wayne State University’s Maggie Allesee Department of Dance (then home to Ballet Renaissance). He trained and performed as Furnish’s ballet partner (1999-2002) and Founded the first annual Ballet Renaissance Summer Intensive for Kids (2002). He received numerous talent scholarships and trained at a number of prestigious professional schools including: the Harid Conservatory (FLA), Boston Ballet (MA), Kirov Academy (Washington, DC) and the renowned School of American Ballet (New York), from which he graduated (spring 2003). Mr. Kokoszka was part of New York Choreographic Institute (2002) before dancing professionally for Carolina Ballet (2003-2004), New York’s emerging Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet (2004-2006), and the Suzanne Farrell Ballet, where he had the great honor of performing George Balanchine’s Don Quixote for the annual acclaimed Edinburgh Dance Festival in Scotland (2006). Kokoszka has trained and perform alongside the world’s greatest talents and maintain alliances with trusted peers and colleagues, bringing a wealth of knowledge and resources to Ballet Renaissance. He is an exceptionally talented, professionally trained and experienced dancer, and a thorough and accomplished instructor and choreographer. Particularly committed to breaking stereotypes regarding male dancers and to providing strong healthy role models for boys, Kokoszka possess a special skill-set for instructing male students in the classical technique. In addition to his responsibilities as Co-Director, instructor and choreographer, he maintains most of the managerial tasks for the organization, including web design and marketing. He performs regularly with dear friend, Co-Director and ballet partner, Ms. Brianna Furnish, providing young students of Ballet Renaissance, and their families with a unique, up-close experience with professional ballet.

~

Mr. Chris Braz is a college dance major at Wayne State University’s Maggie Allesee Department of Dance. He has trained with Destination Imagination, Youth Ensemble of Atlanta Theatre Company, Disney’s Dreamers Academy and Henry Ford Community College. His training includes studies in ballet, modern dance, fraternity stepping, musical theatre, improvisation, Central African Dance and stage production. In 2011 he was awarded the Portia Fields-Anderson Endowed Scholarship to attend the International Association of Blacks in Dance Conference in Los Angeles, California. Chris performed for Ballet Renaissance with Miss Elaine in this past June’s production of “Ballet with Bach” and assisted Miss Brianna with children’s classes during our January-June 2011 class season. Most recently Chris received a full scholarship to study dance this summer at Cleo Parker Robinson’s International Dance Institute in Denver, Colorado. We welcome Chris to our Ballet Renaissance family.

Miss Julie Gervais graduated cum laude from the State University of New York at Albany, then discovered ballet at age 23 and promptly changed all life plans.  Her initial studies and performances were in Bridgehampton, NY with the late Aras Ames and his Southampton Ballet. She then studied in NYC with Mme. Gabriella Darvash, David Howard, Nancy Bielski, and other luminaries of the NY dance scene. She performed with several small companies around the NY metropolitan area and then returned to upstate NY, partnering with family engineers to launch a start-up high-tech firm (subsequently merged with a Detroit area firm). She performed with small companies in the Albany area and studied ballet pedagogy and technique at Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs with Denise Warner Limoli. She performed with Lexington Ballet Company (KY) and came to the Detroit area in 2000. She performed and taught at Marygrove College for four years, also studied and performed with Joanne Danto. She has taught at many local studios including Rochester School of Dance, Milligan School of Ballet Dearborn Heights, Dance Dynamics Walled Lake, and The Academy of Russian Classical Ballet Novi. She is certified in the instruction of Stott Pilates matwork beginner through advanced. She has extensively studied Vaganova technique with Sergey Rayevskiy (Novi).  She co-produced (August 2010) the first ‘Stars of Russian Ballet’ Gala Performance at Power Center for the Performing Arts, Ann Arbor. In 2008, she created www.dancepanorama.com: a dance site with the goal of bringing together all of Detroit metro’s dance information, so that we may better inform and support each other, and reach out together to offer to the public an easy access point to our world.

Miss Lisa Levy is a metro Detroit native who grew up in Farmington Hills, MI. She self-professes to have discovered dance when she was 4 years old , falling in love with ballet immediately and insisting that her parents sign her up for classes (sound familiar to anyone, parents?). She attributes the bulk of her early studies to Detroit’s Carole Cotter (former Boston Ballet ballerina), for whom Lisa also taught children’s classes. Later, Lisa studied with the late acclaimed Detroit  ballet teacher, Mr. Iacob Lascu (Marygrove College and Oakland University Dance Departments), and as a high school student, Lisa had the privilege to perform as a corps de ballet member for Lascu’s well-respected production of “The Nutcracker.”  Lisa supplemented her classical training with various Summer Ballet Intensives, including those at Marygrove College and the International Ballet Seminar (Gelsey Kirkland, Janina Cunova, Mikhail Lavrovsky, Audre Deckmann Mendel, Ute Mitreuter, Victoria Rockhill-Schneider, Jurgen Schneider, Mark Spivak, Margarita Zagurskaya; instructors). She holds an Associate Degree in Social Work and graduated this past December with a Bachelor’s of Science in Behavioral Science (a combination of Psychology, Sociology and Anthropology). She plans to continue her studies at the post graduate level and use her education in these fields, to help children. She recently completed an internship at the Common Ground Shelter in Royal Oak, which assists children in crisis, and is now continuing intern work at the Burger School in Garden City, a special school for children with Autism. At Ballet Renaissance, her passion for ballet meets her commitment to help children and we welcome her to our Ballet Renaissance family.

Miss Sarah Lonardo is a dance graduate from Interlochen Arts Academy and Wayne State University’s School of Medicine. She has contributed much time, resources and talent to Ballet Renaissance over the years, teaching classes, performing as ballerina in a number of productions, and spending countless hours designing, sewing, decorating and fitting costumes for Ballet Renaissance. Sarah is married to Dr. Fulvio Lonardo, who has also been a dedicated supporter of Ballet Renaissance and a member of our adult class. Sarah and Fulvio are proud parents of a young daughter and son. We appreciate Miss Sarah taking time from her busy schedule to help Ballet Renaissance in this special way.

Ms. Elizabeth Crall Mawhinney: Ms. Betty began her dance training in Mansfield, Ohio, at the Ethyl Battin Dance Academy and attended summer programs at the School of American Ballet in NYC and Jacob's Pillow in Massachusetts. She received a B.A. degree in dance and an M.A. degree in theatre, respectively, from Butler University and The Ohio State University. Her performing credits include dancing with the Ruth Page Chicago Opera Ballet, Radio City Ballet, Emily Frankel Dance Drama Company of NYC, Indianapolis Ballet Theatre, and summer stock companies under Equity contract in Minneapolis, Seattle, Ohio, New Jersey, and Indiana. In Detroit she is a member of the adjunct faculties of Marygrove College, Wayne State University, and Ballet Renaissance. Previous faculty positions include teaching and/or developing courses in dance and theatre movement for Radford University in Virginia, University of Oregon, Butler University, and Wayne State University where she was also a faculty member of the American Ballet Theatre Summer Intensive for several years. While tenured at Butler University she was resident choreographer for the Butler Ballet and received grant support for dance history research conducted in France. After moving to Detroit in 1987, she served on the Board of Directors of the former Michigan Dance Association. She currently is a member of the Board of Directors of Detroit Dance Collective and an Advisor for Ballet Renaissance.

Miss Elaine Sledge began her dance training at age four. She studied ballet, modern and African Dance at Wendy’s School of Dance, Marygrove College, Center for Creative Studies, Northern High School and Ballet Renaissance. Elaine received a full Talent Award Scholarship to train at Wayne State University’s Maggie Allesee Department of Dance and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree. She has performed in many operas for Michigan Opera Theatre at the Detroit Opera House and is a member of Madame Cadillac Dance Theatre. Elaine is also an accomplished instructor. She has taught for Motor City Dance Factory, Youthville of Detroit and most recently for Ballet Renaissance.

 

Classes meet year-round during 2 seasons:

Fall / Winter Season: September - June
Summer Season: July - August

>Curriculum is geared toward serious students only (boys and girls) interested in training over a period of years, with equally committed and involved parent/guardian.

>Registration is taken seasonally. Priority is given to returning students.

>There is a strict dress code for all classes. No admission to class without proper dress code.

*Girl's Dress Code: plain black leotard (must be long sleeve), no skirts, pink tights covering entire foot, pink leather ballet shoes, hair must be secured neatly in an "up do" (off face and back of neck). No jewelry.

*Boy's Dress Code: plain white short sleeve t-shirt, black tights, black leather ballet shoes (dancebelt required for teens).

*Please contact balletren@balletren.org for information about where to obtain dance attire for dress code.

>Location: Classes meet weekday evenings at the Detroit Opera House Ford Center for Arts and Learning (Margo V. Cohen dance studio, Floor 5), 1526 Broadway, Detroit, MI 48226.

>Tuition: Tuition is payable, through PayPal, Check, Cash or Money Order, by the 15th each month, %10 discount will apply to dancers choosing an automated option with debit or credit card. All tuition is subject to $25 late fee if paid after the 15th of the month.

>Performance: All students who meet criteria are eligible to perform.

>Courses:

*Preparatory Program (Ages 4-9 years of age): Placement audition is required; 5 different levels of training; if admitted student is required to study a minimum of 2 days per week.

*Preteen/Prepointe and Teen/Pointe: placement audition is required; if admitted student is required to study a minimum of 3 days per week.

>Registration Procedures: Priority registration is given to returning students. New students interested in studying with us should contact balletren@balletren.org and will be informed as to whether openings exist. All new students must attend a placement audition class before admittance into program.

For Current Students Only

Tuition

Preparatory Ballet $100.00 USD Teen Ballet $150.00 USD Scratch Card $100.00 USD Late Fee (after 15th) $25.00 USD

 

 

 

Financial Contributors 2011

GoLightly Educational Center Performance Season is Sponsored
by Target Community Grant

M & R A Allesee Foundation

Anonymous

Bingham Family

Clampitt, Dr. & Mrs. Philip T. & Hanna D.

Crawford Family

Dixon Hammel, Mr. & Dr. Calvin & Sara

Furnish, Dr. & Mrs. Victor P.

Guillebeaux, Vanessa

Hazely, N.E.

Jacque Family

Kaesler, Nancy & Walt

Kornmeier, Nancy L.

Kucharski Family

Kupsky, Dr. William

Lillvis, Rev. David & Rev. Meredith Hunt for Vina Lam Lillvis

Livingston Family

Lonardo, Dr. & Dr. Fulvio & Sarah

Moiin, Dr. Ali

Murphy, Chacarra

Newmark Engber, Juilanne

Pryor, Timothy R.

Shields, Dr. & Mrs. Kenneth and Joanna

Smith, Dr. & Dr. Alton & Wontika

Stringer Family

In-kind Contributors

Ms. Laura Silvestri Del Pup, Esq
Clark Hill PLC

Ms. Brianna Furnish
Founder

Mr. Radoslaw Kokoszka
Co-Director

Ms. Elizabeth Mawhinney
Retired Ballerina, Instructor

"There is always that one teacher whom you will always remember that helped to change your life. Brianna Furnish and Ballet Renaissance is that for me. When I was a teenager and all I wanted to do was dance my heart out, she provided me a means of expression and a platform to do so through classical ballet. Ms. Brianna (affectionately known by her students) helped to foster my creativity through strong support, mentorship and friendship. Had she and Ballet Renaissance not been in my life, I don't think I would have reached the successes I have today."

-Naima Mora
America's Next Top Model 2005

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"Ballet Renaissance has been very instrumental in the Detroit community. It is one of the only Ballet Schools that teaches Classical Ballet. My daughter Chloe Wright has been a member of the school since she was three years old. Her confidence, showmanship, technical skills, love of classical music, and ability to perform on a grand stage at The Detroit Institute of Arts or several venues during "Noel Night." Chloe has had invaluable experience with performing and promoting the wonderful things that go on at Ballet Renaissance like performing for children at The Children's Hospital or assisting Mr. Radek at The Charles H. Wright African-American Museum by teaching a class to promote classical ballet. Lastly, Chloe and I Love Miss Brianna and Mr. Radek, their dedication, professionalism, commitment, and experience is unrivaled."

Thank You, Carrie Wright
Ballet Renaissance Parent

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"We have enjoyed performances by Ballet Renaissance in Detroit for the past nine years.  For example, we loved the exquisite "Ballet with Bach" performances at the Detroit Institute of Arts auditorium last June.  Ballet Renaissance provides a wonderful opportunity for students in Detroit of all ages, economic and racial backgrounds to gain affordable, professional ballet training and performance opportunities.  The whole process, we are pleased to note, is characterized by love, support, safety and appreciation of all who participate.  We are enthusiastic supporters of this fine Detroit arts organization." 

Dr. and Mrs. Philip Clampitt
Ballet Renaissance Supoorters       

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"This program offers a wonderful foundation for dancers and cultivates their growth.
I am amazed every time I hear my girls using the correct & proper terminology of the positions and movements of ballet!  Their grace is beautiful & it's attributed to the wonderfully talented instructors at Ballet Ren!

I can't say enough about having this jewel right here in the city of Detroit!  I don't have to drive far distances to get to this program..it's right here!  The culture & arts that my daughters are exposed to right here in their backyard is fabulous.  From this, they have such a positive image of Detroit that unfortunately so many others don't have.

We do our best to spread the word of Ballet Renaissance.  It's definitely been a treasure to us, our family & friends!"

Fondly,

Andrea Henson
Ballet Renaissance Parent

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"My daughter has been dancing with Ballet Renaissance for the past three years.  She was looking for a way to diversify her 12 years of Cecchetti ballet with a more contemporary form.  Little did we realize how much BR would help Maggie grow in more ways than just her dance.  Her travel from the suburbs to Detroit downtown has allowed her to navigate the city and become comfortable there, as well as to meet a group of teens from different schools who share her love of dance.  She's discovered the art of partnering as well as new exciting ballet techniques.  In the past year, she has started to assistant teach with a few classes of the younger dancers.   She now feels, not only a part of this "family", but committed to its mission."

Anne Stafford
Ballet Renaissance Parent

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"Fall/Winter 2011 was the 1st time my 2 daughters ever took a ballet class. I was so proud of them, and could see the enjoyment in their faces as they'd come home every Wednesday night and show me all the positions, and then teach their little 3 year old sister. Even she knows the names of the positions, and tries to practice with them at home. The ultimate joy for me was seeing my 2 girls on stage for the winter performance at the Charles H. Wright African American museum. I admit there were more than a few tears shed as I watched them dance. I am most grateful that Ballet Renaissance has an outreach program at my daughter's school. Otherwise, I am sure they would have never had this opportunity to experience this beautiful art."

Sheri D Conaway
Ballet Renaissance Parent Outreach Program

 

 

Telephone: 313.469.0694
Email: balletren@balletren.org
Location: Detroit, Michigan
Ford Center For Arts And Learning
5th Floor Margo V. Cohen Dance Studio
Detroit Opera House

Address:
BALLET RENAISSANCE
c/o DETROIT OPERA HOUSE
1526 Broadway st.
Detroit, MI 48226
~

Telephone: 970.480.7697
Email: balletren@balletren.org
Location: Estes Park, Colorado
Suzanne's Center Stage
2050 Big Thompson Avenue
Estes Park, CO 80517
Address:
Ballet Renaissance
P.O.Box 3768
Estes Park, CO 80517

Website:
www.balletren.org

E-mail:
balletren@balletren.org

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