About The Ballet Center

The Ballet Center and Artistic Director Debra Punzi has provided dance education on Long Island  for over 35 years . We have classes in Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop , Musical Theater, Acting and Tap for all ages, young and adult alike. The Ballet Center is competition-free; that is not to say our students are not competitive, just that we do not promote sports-like competitions that are more lucrative than educational. Rather our dance education is centered around stage performance. Professional quality dance productions with Ballet Long Island provide students with theater experience and the opportunity to refine their dance technique. In the process they develop technical and social skills needed for collective participation towards a common goal. We feel these skills are more valuable to the community and to the individual. And besides, even though preparing for a major full-length ballet performance is hard work, our students find out that it is a lot of fun - fun that they share with other dancers. Many of our students have gone on to careers in ballet companies, modern companies, film, TV, broadway shows, dance teacher, directors and for other they develop a life long love of dance and theater. Register for classes today call 631-737-1964

101 Reasons to Study Ballet - #35 Rhythm

Reason # 35 - Rhythm

Dance has long been linked to music. Teaching students to listen to the music and feel the music in your body is an important part of teaching dance. How to teach rhythm? First you need to give that student confidence. That doesn't mean to tell them that they're doing fine but to tell them that they are improving. Sometimes they don't realize that they're not moving well to the music. Some students are very self conscious about movement to music and might even feel embarrassed. Part of the job of the teacher is to pick music for the class that will help students understand how it all goes together. I often say the steps in the rhythm that they need to be performed - so the students start to get the rhythm in thier mind. Clapping the rhythm can also help. Repeat, repeat, repeat - in ballet it is important to do the steps over and over again, this will help students understand the steps and the rhythm. When it all come together - beauty. Join a ballet class today.  www.theballetcenter.org

101 Reasons to Study Ballet - #28 Learn a Little French

Reason # 28 Learn a Little French

French is the language of ballet. Most of the names of the steps in ballet come from the French language. King Louis XIV of France loved ballet. He performed in ballets along with members of his court. In 1662 he established the first official school of ballet, known today as the Paris Opera Ballet. The names of the steps created by King Louis are still used today. Ballet instructors pride themselves on teaching their students the French ballet vocabulary.
Many of the terms, when translated, give clues to their corresponding steps. There is an excellent book "Technical Manual and Dictionary of Classical Ballet" written by Gail Grant published by Dover that gives you the French pronunciation and definition of each term.  Here are some French terms used in ballet and the meaning of the word:

• assemble - assembled or joined together
• avant - forward
• plie - bend
• changement - change
• battement - beat
• pas de chat - step of the cat
• ballonne - bounced, like a ball 
• ballotte - tossed
• chaines - chains, links

All right, taking a ballet class will not help you order in a French restaurant or help you on your vacation to Paris but it will keep your mind sharp learning new words and their meanings. Start attending a ballet class today.
http://www.theballetcenter.org/

101 Reasons to Study Ballet - # 25 Warm Your Body

Reason # 25 Warm Your Body

The ballet barre is a series of exercises that warm your body to perpare to dance. A good ballet teacher knows how to warm you up properly. Professional dancers are careful with their bodies and this warm up has developed over 300 years. Every barre workout alternates the big and small muscles groups accelerating the exertion needed in a gradual method. Most dancers like to develop a warm up routine that they do before class starts. These pre-class warm ups can be simple :
Examples
> Roll head to right slowly and then left
> Roll wrists slowly out and in
>lying down on their back the dancer assumes a low passe, legs parallel and then turned out
> Reach up slowly to releve then slowly roll down to touch the floor
There are many more warm up exercises that dancers add to their routine before class.
Ballet will warm your body and help you gain a healthy body.
http://www.theballetcenter.org/

101 Reasons to Study Ballet - #22 Learn to Work as a Group

Reason # 22 - Learn to Work as a Group

   Ballet is a performing art.  Dance classes often involves preparing for recitals, class demonstrations or performances.  Learning and working in groups involves shared values. The class and the teacher wants the choreography to look good.  The class and each individual within it, will only be as effective as they are willing to respect differences within the group and work together. The teacher must help students with leadership skills, self-esteem gains for the students, conflict resolution skills, and role-taking abilities which become part of the leaning process, and betterment of the student. There are many skills that can be learned in ballet class. Start your ballet training today.
http://www.theballetcenter.org/

101 Reasons to Study Ballet - # 21 Leotard Shopping

Reason #21 Leotard Shopping

Leotards come in a rainbow of colors and styles. A leotard is a unisex garment that is one piece that covers the body but leaves the legs free. It was made famous by the French acrobatic performer Jules Léotard (1842–1870). Traditionally in ballet class female students wear a black leotard, pink tights and pink ballet slippers and males wear a white leotard, black tights and black ballet slippers.
The fabric of the leotard can be made of  cotton, nylon, lycra, wool, silk, spandex or a blend fibers. you can really have fun looking at all the styles available online or in your local dancewar store. Some dancing schools have a dress code where you are only permitted to wear the select style and color for your level class so check with your school as to dress code. then have fun going shopping for your new leotard.
http://www.theballetcenter.org/

101 Reasons to Study Ballet - #17 Bunhead

Reason # 17 You Can be a Bunhead

What is a bunhead? It is a term used as a playfull name for a ballet dancer or ballet student. Female ballet dancers wear their hair in a bun for class and for most performances. You can't just wear a bun hair style to be a bunhead you must take ballet class, read ballet books, watch ballet videos and go to ballet performances. Basically in the most essential respects; fundamentally you must walk, talk, eat, sleep and dream ballet. There is always something new in the ballet world to see and discuss. Ballet is a living breathing art form and you can be part of it. Go to see a ballet or take a ballet class. http://www.theballetcenter.org/

101 Reasons to Study Ballet - # 16 Just For Kicks

Reason # 16  Just For Kicks

There are two meanings here - one ballet is fun and you will have a great time studying ballet, two - you do kicks in ballet class. A kick in ballet class in called a grand battement it is a powerful movement where the dancer takes the leg as high as possible, while the supporting leg remains straight. Do not try to push your kicks high the first time. You will injure yourself to the extent that you may never be able to kick high again. Ballet is a process that take time and effort. You will be rewarded with a beautiful body and a fun activity. try a ballet class today - just for kicks.http://www.theballetcenter.org/

Scholarship Audition

Dance Scholarships 2012-2013
The Ballet Center offers a broad scholarship program for its students.  To encourage and support our serious dance students, The Ballet Center offers significant reductions in tuition for those who qualify.  The broad scope of this scholarship program is exclusive to The Ballet Center.  During the semester 2012 – 13, Artistic Director, Debra Punzi, will offer fifty (150) scholarships to deserving students.Scholarships are full and partial depending on skill or financial need. The Ballet Center is the only school on Long Island that offers this great scholarship program. Our mission is to make dance available and affordable to everyone. Many of our students have gone on to professional careers in dance – teachers, professional dancers and choreographers. Ms. Punzi believes serious and talented dancers should be rewarded and encouraged.Serious about dance? Apply for a TBC Scholarship.

Scholarship is awarded through the audition process. Students wishing to apply for a scholarship must file an application and audition at The Ballet Center, 1863 Pond Road, Ronkonkoma, NY 11779

Audition Dates:
Sat June 23 - 11:00am
Wed July 18 - 7:00pm
There is a $10. Application fee.
For more information Call 631-737-1964 www.theballetcenter.org

101 Reasons to Study Ballet - # 14 Nice Booty

Reason # 14 - Nice Booty

Now you too can have a Movie Star backside that turns heads. No expensive surgery or overpriced trainer needed just attend ballet class. Ever notice how ballerinas and male dancers have perfect, firm buns.  Doing a few exercises in ballet class will help you attain the butt of your dreams. There are so many exercises in ballet class that tone and define your rear. At the start of ballet class we plie - this movement strengthens and tones the butt, legs, arms and back. Later we grand battement -  kick this uses all the muscles of the leg and rear.  Releves are easy toe rises when done correctly you squeeze your butt together, stomach in and perfect posture. Toward the end of class you jump it will burn calories and tone your butt. You will do all this exercising with grace and listen to wonderful classical music. Start your ballet class today. http://www.theballetcenter.org/

101 Reasons to Study Ballet - #11 It's Easier Then You Think

Reason # 11 It's Easier Then You Think

Ballet it is easier then you think. Ballet classes are taught in levels. Take the first step - sigh up for ballet class. Look for a beginner level class. Ballet classes are often ongoing so some of the students in the class will be new but some may be taking this class for years. How can this be? Well some students find the beginner level class challenging and do not want a move to a higher level class. All ballet steps start from basic human movement, walking, running, leaping, jumping, hopping, and bending. In beginner level class teachers will break down the movements so students can understand and perform the steps. You will have fun, learn new steps and French terms for the names of the steps. I am not saying being a professional ballet dancer is easy. Professional dancers train daily and must be artists and athletes. Becoming a professional dancer in a ballet company is a highly competitive process.  Many people have the goal but only a handful are able to enjoy successful careers in this physically demanding job. With that said you can have fun learing ballet. You will enjoy taking ballet class.http://www.theballetcenter.org/

How To Choose A Ballet School

What do you need to know to find the right ballet school.
First - Find a professional ballet school, even if you only want to introduce your child to ballet. It is best to learn proper technique. Take a look at the schools website. Look for a school with a professional ballet company in residence.
Second - Visit the school. Talk to the staff. Ask how many students have become dance professionals.
Look for a professional setting at the school. Ask about the dance floor. It should be a "floating dance floor".
Third - Small class size allows for more individual instruction. The teacher can catch any problems before they turn into bad habits or improper technique. Proper names of steps should be taught. French is the vocabulary of ballet.
Fourth - There is no license issued by the government to teach ballet so anyone can teach ballet. Ask for information on the teachers background and look at the schools website and read the bios of the teachers. A good school will have a good website with lots of information for you to read.
Fifth - look on Youtube to see if the school has videos posted so you can see the students and teachers.
This is a good start on how to find a ballet school for yourself or your child.

Dance Scholarship Auditions

As a not-for-profit dance organization, our mission is to make dance available and affordable to everyone.

To help accomplish this mission, The Ballet Center has a long history of offering a broad scholarship program to encourage and support our serious dance students. 

The Ballet Center offers significant reductions in tuition for those who qualify.  During the 2012 – 13 school year, Artistic Director Debra Punzi will offer fifty (50) scholarships to deserving students. 

Scholarships are full or partial and depend on skill or financial need. The Ballet Center is the only school on Long Island that offers this great scholarship program. Many of our students have gone on to professional careers in dance: teachers, professional dancers and choreographers. Ms. Punzi believes serious and talented dancers should be rewarded and encouraged.

Serious about dance? Apply for a TBC Scholarship.

Scholarships are awarded through the audition process. Students wishing to apply for a scholarship must file an application and audition at The Ballet Center, 1863 Pond Road, Ronkonkoma, NY 11779.

Audition Dates:
Sat June 23 - 11:00am
Wed July 18 - 7:00pm
There is a $10 application fee.

For more information Call 631-737-1964 or email balletlongisland@aol.com