About Us Maryland Ballet Theatre The Maryland Ballet Theatre (MBT) was established in 1989 with the Russian technique of classical ballet as the curriculum. My goal is for the professional training of each student, whether their focus is on a professional dance career, dance college, or a related field in the performing arts. I hope to bring each one a sense of enjoyment and appreciation for this wonderful medium of self expression. The hallmark of a professional school is its' ability to sustain a ballet company environment. I grew up in that environment and I believe that is fosters quality dancers. MBT students have been accepted to some of the country's most prestigious, professional summer programs and their talent and training is recognized. The focus of Maryland Ballet Theatre & Arts Company to further develop the performing capabilities of our dancers, better preparing them for the professional arena; which is to take class, rehearse and perform. |
Staff
Arleene Monahan
Founder and Artistic Director
Curriculum: Classical Ballet, Russian Technique, Pointe and Variations, Character Dancing (Russian Folk Dancing) & Adagio
Arleene's training began with Dolores Kehr and The Ballet Petite Company of Washington, DC. Early performances included local NBC Television Specials, concerts with the United States Navy Band, and the annual Cherry Blossom Festival. Master classes and frequent trips to New York gave unique exposure to some of Ballet's most famous teachers: Leon Fokine, Anatone Vilsak, Madame and Igor Youskevitch, Madame Straganova and Violette Verdy. Additional study included classes with Frederick Franklin of the National Ballet of Washington and the Pennsylvania Ballet. Arleene was accepted on scholarship to The Harkness House for Ballet Arts in New York, directed by Donald Saddler with Leon Fokine, Ballet Master. Arleene went on to perform leading roles with the Fort Lauderdale Ballet Company, where she also taught and rehearsed the school classes.
Natasha Kirjanov
Guest Artist
Natasha Kirjanov started her formal ballet training in Philadelphia at the Pennsylvania Ballet and then at the Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet where she completed her Vaganova training. Natasha also had the opportunity to study at the School Of American Ballet in New York. She continued dancing and performing while completing a Biology degree from Goucher College in Maryland. In 1995, she embarked on her professional dance career with the Ballet Theatre of Maryland (then Ballet Theatre of Annapolis) and Kimberly Mackin Dance Company. While dancing with these companies she also guested with several other area companies and schools including Baltimore Opera, Howard County Ballet, Washington Opera, Trainwreck Dance Company and Manassas Dance Company. Natasha continues to teach, dance, choreograph in the area and is now pursuing a career in nonprofit fundraising as well as occasionally acting and supplementing her income with pet and house sitting!
Lora Fisher
Curriculum: Classical Ballet, Pointe
Maryland Ballet Theatre welcomes back Lora Fisher, who previously directed our Petite Program. Lora teaches the beginner through advanced levels and pointe classes. Lora is an alumnus of Maryland Ballet Theatre and Richmond Ballet and holds a Masters Degree in Psychology from Towson University.
Michelle Beyerle
Curriculum: Ballet, Pointe, Jazz & Tap
Michelle began dancing at age 3 and has lived and studied dance in Maryland and Washington, D.C. She has received numerous scholarships for summer study and attended such prestigious programs as BalletMet, Richmond Ballet, and Boston Ballet. For the past three years, she has been invited to Toronto. Ms. Beyerle has performed a wide variety of soloist roles in classical and contemporary works. Among the classics are the Nutcracker's Grand Pas de Deux, Snow Queen and Arabian; Giselle Act II; Swan Lake's Pas de Trois and Pas de Neuf; The Sleeping Beauty's Grand Pas de Deux; Paquita; Spring Waters Pas de Deux and Don Quixote's Grand Pas de Deux. Ms. Beyerle has also performed as a guest dancer at the French Embassy in Washington D.C., Calvert Arts Festival, Dance Impressions, Chesapeake Ballet Company, Westerville Ballet, and Chamber Ballet. Ms. Beyerle is very proud to be Miss Dance 2002 for Chapter 17's Dance Masters of America and 4th runner up in the national title competition for Miss Dance of America 2003. Ms. Beyerle was a semi-finalist at the XII International Ballet Competition, Trujillo, Peru. She earned the highest score (non-competitor) for the senior division in the 2001 Youth America Grand Prix Finals in New York. She has won several titles and overall high scores in regional dance competitions including Showstopper, Starpower and Starquest. Ms. Beyerle also earned the prestigious Maryland Distinguished Scholarship Award for Talent, a Senatorial Scholarship Award and a Delegate Award. Ms. Beyerle has proven to be a successful teacher and coach as well as a very talented young choreographer. She is certified to teach ballet and member for the Dance Masters of America, Chapter 17. She is fluent in Spanish, speaks Italian and she is currently studying the French language. Miss Beyerle danced professionally with Ballet Theatre of Annapolis and is currently a full time college student, majoring in dance performance, with a minor in Spanish.
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Board of Directors
Maryland Ballet Theatre & Arts Company, Inc., is a 501c (3) non-profit corporation and is directed by a volunteer Board of Directors.
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Lora Fisher
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Herb Frey
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Denise Frey
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Charlene Kurland
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David Lacey
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Donald Peacock
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Jan Withers-Sikes
Maryland Ballet Theatre & Arts Company, Inc. was founded by Arleene Monahan in 2001/2002 as a performing outlet for Anne Arundel County area ballet students and recently achieved non-profit status, bringing the company to a fully recognized regional ballet company for aspiring dancers.
Auditions for MBT Company are posted on this website, and performances include an annual production of The Nutcracker, Spring Gala, and performances at The National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, DC. Students in the Company are encouraged to audition for professional summer programs; and the Company makes an annual trip to New York City the last week of June to study at Steps on Broadway (is one of the largest professional dance studios in the world - its international, world-class faculty epitomizes excellence in dance teaching in all its forms) Maryland Ballet Theatre & Arts Company is recognized as one of the major ballet and performing arts organizations in the region.
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