American Ballet Theatre’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School Children’s Division Satellite Opens at Mason Gross

The Mason Gross Extension Division has partnered with the acclaimed American Ballet Theatre to open a satellite branch of their Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School Children’s Division.

Barbara Bashaw, graduate director of the master’s degree program in Dance Education at Mason Gross, says the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School not only provides rigorous training; it exposes young dancers “to a vast repertoire of classics, internationally acclaimed performers as role models and the opportunity to become a part of ballet culture, not just ballet classes.”

Ideally, says Christopher Kenniff, director of the Extension Division, “The classes initiate a lifelong relationship with the art form. Success, ultimately, is about immersing in the whole art form as opposed to merely mastering the craft.” 

Mason Gross Dean George B. Stauffer says the collaboration benefits the school’s Dance Department, as well as the program’s participants.

“We have wanted to strengthen and expand the ballet component of our Dance program for some time, and our newly forged alliance with American Ballet Theatre gives us the opportunity to accomplish this goal,” the Dean says. “ABT is one of the most distinguished dance companies in the nation, both in terms of performance and educational outreach. Our students will benefit immensely from our collaboration with this magnificent troupe.”

According to American Ballet Theatre, the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis school’s National Training Curriculum was created in partnership with a medical advisory board. The curriculum features age-appropriate, outcome-based guidelines and incorporates elements of the French, Italian and Russian schools of ballet.

Bashaw says American Ballet Theatre’s  curriculum and accredited instructors “put the well-being of children center stage and challenge the notion of professionalism in ballet instruction as mean-spirited and severe.” And, in the end, the classes can offer children a means of expression and a vehicle for their imaginations.

“Many children are content to read the storybook classics; others prefer to live inside them,” Bashaw says. “American Ballet Theatre allows them to do just that.”

Fall class schedule

Pre-primary (ages 4-5): Saturdays, 9-9:45 a.m.

Primary A (ages 5+): Saturdays, 10-11 a.m.

Primary C (ages 7+): Saturdays, 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

Level 1A (ages 9+): Saturdays, 1-2:30 p.m. and Monday 6-7:30 p.m.

Primary classes are open to all; no prior experience is necessary

Special registration discount: $100 off of fall 2012 semester for all registrants

For rolling admission throughout the semester contact 732-932-8618 or extension@masongross.rutgers.edu