BalletFranklin
BalletFranklin, the ballet conservatory at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts, under the direction of Eivar Martinez (Tulsa Ballet, Festival Ballet, National Ballet of Caracas), offers the highest quality of classical ballet education and training in the area. Founded by Cheryl Madeux (American Ballet Theatre, Joffrey Ballet, Hartford Ballet), BalletFranklin’s curriculum provides unparalleled opportunities for dancers to pursue programs tailored to their interests, abilities, and needs. Whether you’re a beginner seeking to establish a solid foundation in classical ballet technique, or an advanced dancer focused on refining artistry, musicality, and performance qualities, you will find a home to train, grow, and develop at BalletFranklin.
The Faculty
BalletFranklin is led by world-renowned artist Eivar Martinez, former Principal Dancer with the National Ballet of Caracas, Tulsa Ballet, and Festival Ballet. He is joined by an extraordinary faculty of accomplished professionals trained in leading international traditions, including ABT, Vaganova, and Cuban, and who have performed with elite companies such as Boston Ballet, Ohio Ballet, and Newport Contemporary Ballet.
performance
Opportunities
Every BalletFranklin student is encouraged to audition for FPAC Holiday Productions’ annual presentation of The Nutcracker, which is performed with a professional orchestra and special guest artists from companies like American Ballet Theatre, Dutch National Ballet, The MetOpera Ballet, and Complexions Contemporary Ballet.
Conservatory dancers have the added opportunity to participate in our Spring Ballet Production as well as to audition for FSPA ensembles and Dance Company opportunities offered throughout the year. Our programs are designed to expand their knowledge of the classics and explore contemporary ballet and original works by faculty or guest artists.
Past Spring Ballet productions have included Alice in Wonderland, Prokofiev’s Cinderella Suite, Coppelia, Graduation Ball, Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, Les Patineurs, and Britten’s Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra. Repertory Concerts include classical and contemporary original works. Also in the spring, Conservatory students participate in FSPA’s annual Spring Concert, which showcases all disciplines and many levels of dance.
Participation in our productions is strongly encouraged and necessary for further advancement in our pre-professional program. We feel that performing is a crucial part of the training process and the development of a dancer as an artist.