[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 59 (Wednesday, April 22, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E925]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   IN RECOGNITION OF BALLET ACADEMY EAST ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 30TH 
                              ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 22, 2009

  Mrs. MALONEY. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Ballet Academy 
East (BAE) as it celebrates its 30th Anniversary. BAE was founded in 
September 1979 by Julia Dubno, who continues to serve as its director 
and inspiring leader.
  Ms. Dubno opened BAE in a brownstone on East 79th Street featuring 
one small studio. Under Ms. Dubno's careful tutelage the school has 
flourished, growing in size and reputation. Today the school occupies 5 
spacious studios and features a world renowned faculty. Ms. Dubno has 
assembled a talented group of teachers and musicians to work with all 
levels of students from two year olds through adults. The school 
introduces toddlers to the concept of dance, provides a nurturing 
environment for training older children and enables adults of all ages 
to stay in shape.
  There are times when it seems that every small girl on the Upper East 
Side is taking ballet class at BAE. Toddlers in pink leotards and their 
mothers or caretakers flock to BAE's building every day. The elevators 
are crowded with youngsters in strollers, scrambling to put on ballet 
slippers as they rush to class. They find a ballet fantasy world, 
filled with music, movement, story-telling and dance.
  While toddlers of every degree of interest in dance are welcomed, by 
the time children reach first grade, the school begins to evaluate and 
grade students with an eye to preparing them for the rigorous world of 
dance. In the afternoon, these older children arrive, exuding a sense 
of purpose and a desire to succeed. Advanced students rave about the 
fact that instruction really seems to be a group effort, with each 
class complementing the others. The pre-professional program consists 
of classical training that is intended to prepare young dancers for any 
professional company. Combinations become more advanced as students 
improve their technique. BAE's faculty help students discover a love of 
dance and enable skilled students to improve their technique. Students 
find that BAE allows them to expand as artists, discovering their 
strengths and finding ways to overcome their weaknesses. BAE students 
perform for the public at annual spring and studio performances, and as 
part of Dances Patrelle's annual Nutcracker.
  Darla Hoover (former member of New York City Ballet) is the artistic 
advisor and coordinator for the graded level program. Graduates have 
gone on to perform with many national and regional ballet companies or 
to attend other topnotch ballet schools, including the School of 
American Ballet, Dance Theater of Harlem Ensemble, Nashville Ballet 
School, BalletMet, Nashville Ballet II and Kansas City Ballet. Students 
often return for additional classes. As one student wrote in the most 
recent newsletter: ``Change is good, but it's always nice to know you 
can go back.''
  The school was thrilled to welcome Cynthia Gregory, whom Rudolf 
Nureyev once called ``America's prima ballerina assoluta,'' as one of 
its Permanent Guest Faculty. She staged Michael Fokine's Les Sylphides 
for the BAE Student Company Studio Showing in February.
  For adults working to stay in shape or seeking to improve flexibility 
or muscle tone, BAE offers Open Classes for adult students of all 
levels in Pilates, yoga, jazz, and modern. Adults laud the intimate 
classes and the dedication of the faculty. Instructors are knowledgable 
and willing to offer advice so that even the most advanced dancers can 
improve.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing the 
great contributions Ballet Academy East has made in training young 
ballerinas, and Julia Dubno for guiding young people to achieve their 
best.

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