Lecture Demonstration of American Ballet Theatre's National Training Curriculum

Contact: Deb Young FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Phone: 865.567.4017 Email: deb@youngandmead.com AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE PRESENTATION AT KNOXVILLE MUSEUM OF ART Knoxville Ballet School Students Demonstrate Renowned Training Curriculum Knoxville Ballet School presents a lecture demonstration of American Ballet Theatre’s National Training Curriculum in the auditorium at Knoxville Museum of Art on Sunday, February 5, at 2:00 pm. This free presentation is open to the public and features performances by Knoxville Ballet School students with live piano accompaniment by Eva Holder. American Ballet Theatre (ABT) was named America’s National Ballet Company by an act of Congress in 2005. According to Artistic Director Kevin McKenzie and Executive Director Rachel Moore, ABT takes a leadership role in dance training and dance education in the United States. ABT engaged two ballet icons, Franco De Vita and Raymond Lukens, together with other experts across many disciplines, to develop a classical ballet curriculum embracing sound ballet principles and focusing on kinetics and coordination, anatomy and proper body alignment, dancer health, and age-appropriate milestones. This 8-level curriculum—the National Training Curriculum (NTC)—incorporates the health, safety, and well being of the child, combining elements of the French, Russian, and Italian schools of classical ballet training. Since 2008, over six hundred dance educators across the globe have completed certification in American Ballet Theatre’s National Training Curriculum; a handful of those, thirty-six, have been named Affiliates by ABT, including Knoxville Ballet School. Founding school director, Deb Young, will present young students to demonstrate elements of the ABT/NTC. Following the demonstration Ms. Young will answer questions from the audience. Knoxville Ballet School’s mission is excellent instruction in correct classical ballet technique. The school accepts students starting at age five in Primary Level A of American Ballet Theatre’s National Training Curriculum. Students are presented to an ABT adjudicator annually for Affiliate examinations, and also benefit from instruction by renowned guest artists periodically. School Director, Deb Young, is certified in Primary Level through Level 5 of the ABT/NTC and was named an Affiliate instructor by ABT in May, 2010. Adult ballet classes are also offered at the school; enrollment in children’s and adult classes is ongoing. For more information, visit www.KnoxvilleBalletSchool.com. # # #