Posted September 28, 2023
Inaugural Performance – Momentum Oct. 8 at DAI
DAYTON, OH (Sept. 28, 2023) – Dayton Performing Arts Alliance’s Dayton Ballet School introduces the Dayton Ballet School Ensemble (DBSE), a high-level training program within the Dayton Ballet School. Formerly called DBII, DBSE offers aspiring young dancers interested in pursuing a professional dance career by providing access to world-renowned guest choreographers, increased performance opportunities, and artistic mentorship. DBSE’s first performance, Momentum, is Sunday, October 8, at 3pm in the Mimi and Stuart Rose Auditorium at the Dayton Art Institute. Tickets for Momentum are on sale now at https://daytonperformingarts.org/tickets
“My vision for Dayton Ballet School and its Dayton Ballet School Ensemble is to provide high quality and high-level training to dancers with an aspiration of pursuing dance as a professional career,” said Brandon Ragland, Dayton Ballet Artistic Director. “The goal of DBSE is to provide level-appropriate performance opportunities for dancers of the Dayton Ballet School that can serve as a path to future careers in dance, choreography, arts administration, or as a patron of the arts.”
“I’m ecstatic to have Brandon’s overarching artistic vision for the School,” said Jeaunita Chateau Olowe, DPAA’s VP-Learning and Community Engagement programs. “His vision begins with renaming our high-level training program (DBII) to Dayton Ballet School Ensemble (DBSE). His realignment of the School and DBSE promotes an authentic trajectory for dancers to visualize themselves on stage as professionals in Dayton Ballet. Students in the ensemble will receive increased performance opportunities, artistic mentorship, high-quality technical education, and mental and physical strength training.”
Building off the success of the DBII Junior and Senior Companies, DBSE will serve as a more enhanced and expanded pre-professional program consisting of a Full Company Ensemble, Apprentice, and Junior Ensemble. Co-directors Megan Forney and Gabrielle Sharp, alumnae of Dayton Ballet School and DBII, look forward to the opportunities DBSE brings their students.
“We have eagerly embraced Brandon’s vision for Dayton Ballet School,” said Forney and Sharp, “and we look forward to guiding our students with the same spirit, optimism, and momentum he brings to Dayton Ballet.”
Momentum features choreography from five area female choreographers: Megan Forney (DBSE Co-Director and DPAA Ballet School Education Manager); Alison Reny (graduate of the Wright State University Dance Program); Elizabeth Sabol (Wright State University ); Gabrielle Sharp (DBSE Co-Director); and Jennifer Sydor (Dayton Ballet alumnae, Metropolitan Opera Ballet).
DBSE presents Momentum on October 8 at 3pm in the Mimi and Stuart Rose Auditorium inside the Dayton Art Institute.
For more information on Dayton Ballet School and DBSE, visit daytonballetschool.org.
Tickets for Momentum are on sale now at https://daytonperformingarts.org/tickets.