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Voglio Ballare ... Italian Ballerinas
Our founders Jeb Fennelly, Alex Gray, and Becca Platoff were chatting at the start of Italian class in their first year at Penn when they discovered that each was a ballet dancer, but none had the time to commit to an audition-based dance company while in college. It was then that the idea of Penn Ballet was born: an open, low-pressure group that would allow Penn students to continue to pursue classical ballet and perform from the repertoire they loved. In the years since, Penn Ballet has grown and changed, but we have stayed true to our commitment that ballet classes should be free and accessible to anyone in the University community, without an audition requirement. Students at all levels attend our classes to gather with a welcoming group of dancers, strengthen their technique, get some exercise, and have fun! These open classes are taught twice a week, both by professional dancers and teachers from the Philadelphia area, and by our own student directors. Each semester, we also hold auditions for our performances - the holiday classic The Nutcracker each fall, and a new ballet each spring - and the dancers that become part of our cast bring each story to life on stage. Past performances include Don Quixote (Spring '15), Sleeping Beauty (Spring '16), Swan Lake (Spring '17), Paquita (Spring '18), and Cinderella (Spring '19). We couldn't do what we do without the help of our teachers, friends, and families, as our small group of cast members takes on the work of choreography, direction, and production for every single performance. Penn Ballet exists because we each have deep love and dedication for this art form, and above all, because year after year, our audience allows us the privilege of sharing the joy of ballet with them. We look forward to another ten years of tulle and satin at Penn, and beyond! |
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WHAT DO BALLERINAS DO WHEN THEY AREN'T IN CLASS?
Great question! Penn Ballet is a student activities group and therefore also puts on events with its members outside of the studio. In the past we have hosted group dinners in the Philadelphia area, taken dance classes in other styles, gone to see performances and, of course, ordered lots of Penn Ballet gear to wear around campus. If you think that sounds like fun, come try out a class and see what you can bring to Penn Ballet!
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FOUNDERS
BECCA PLATOFFBecca Platoff was Penn Ballet's first Artistic Director. Originally from Connecticut, Becca started dancing as a toddler and spent over 10 years with the New Haven Ballet. Throughout her experience as a dancer, she developed a particular love for choreography, which she brought to Penn Ballet. But both off and on the barre, Becca is an exceptional leader. Becca graduated in 2012 with a B.A. in Biochemistry. She is completely obsessed with organic chemistry, healthcare in Africa, and Penn Ballet dancers. She is immensely proud of all the dancers!
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ALEX GRAYAlex Gray acted as Penn Ballet Performance Director. She was a member of the Westchester Dance Academy Company in Los Angeles where she developed a love for lyrical and contemporary dance, which she incorporated into her final season with Penn Ballet. Alex graduated in 2012 with honors and a B.A. in Italian Studies. Alex would like to congratulate all the dancers on their hard work.
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JEN FENNELLYJen Fennelly acted as Managing Director during her time with Penn Ballet. Jen started dancing at a local Philadelphia studio with her mother, Robin, as her instructor and then moved on to spend 7 years at the Academy of Ballet in Narberth, Pennsylvania. Jen graduated in 2012 with a double major in Spanish and Italian Studies.
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