TESTIMONIALS

“I began at the Manhattan Ballet School when I was six and danced there for 12 years. It remains one of my most cherished memories of growing up. Our teacher, Ms. Jennifer, taught us not only strong dance technique, but also how to create deep friendships and grow as individuals.  Performing on stage twice a year helped me gain confidence, and forced me to learn how to calm my nerves under pressure and strive for greatness.  As I got older and my role at the school became more prominent, I was even granted the opportunity to choreograph my own pieces for performances.  I will forever remember my years at the Manhattan Ballet School and I am so thankful to have found a second home that I can return to for years to come.” 

Jordan Carey, Indiana University

“I would not be who I am today without the Manhattan Ballet School. My mother took classes at MBS as a young adult, and I am forever grateful that, at seven years old, I, too, became a member of this loving and supportive community. Manhattan Ballet School taught me the discipline of classical ballet, the creativity of modern dance, and the beauty of student choreography. However, the greatest gift I received from MBS is the family I will treasure for the rest of my life. I never miss an opportunity to help backstage and give back to the school that gave everything to me.”

Sydney Leon, Northwestern University

“In second grade, when I joined the Manhattan Ballet School, I was immediately met with a welcoming and encouraging community that would become my family. At MBS, I have met my closest friends and most important mentors. While learning ballet, pointe, and modern dance, I developed skills that helped me grow during my ten years at the studio. As a college student now, I still look forward to helping backstage every year and seeing Ms. Jennifer’s beautiful performances. I owe so much of who I am to this school.”

Francesca Cruz, Yale University 

“When I enrolled at the Manhattan Ballet School in the second grade, I was welcomed by a supportive and accepting environment that would eventually become my family. My dearest friends and most significant mentors are people I met at MBS. Throughout my ten years at the studio, I learned modern, pointe, and ballet, and I also developed abilities that helped me advance in more ways than one. Even now, as a college student, I still eagerly anticipate working backstage and enjoying Ms. Jennifer's lovely performances each and every year; getting to come back and see the improvement and growth from my past classmates. I owe this school so much of who I am, and Manhattan Ballet School will forever have a place in my heart.”

Sasha O’Halloran, Elon University

 “I danced for 10 years at Manhattan Ballet School and it was and is such an important part of my life. Not only did I find my passion for dance, but I also made lifelong friendships. It truly became a second home and family to me. I looked forward to seeing my loving teachers every day who pushed me to be the best dancer and person I could be. Without them, I wouldn’t have the confidence, strength, or work ethic that I have today. MBS fostered such a passion for dance in me that I even continued my dance career in college! I am so grateful for all the school has given me, and owe so much to it.”

Tara Carlin, Penn State

My time spent at the Manhattan Ballet School was one of the most treasured aspects of my childhood. I started coming to the MBS at the age of seven, per recommendation by a close friend of mine, and have been a student there ever since. From the beginning, the warm and familial atmosphere attracted many girls my age to come take class, and it became the best part of my day. Our teachers, Mrs. Merman and Ms. Jennifer, taught us not only how to dance, but also other invaluable lessons such as respect, determination, cordiality, and more. Learning how to dance such a beautiful art form, both in classes as well as on stage, made the experience priceless. The relationships and bonds I made with my peers and teachers created some of my best friends and mentors to this day. As we got older, taking extra classes and becoming more involved in the school not only made us more experienced dancers, but better academic students as well. Ballet teaches discipline and perseverance, which helped us manage our time wisely and therefore resulted in continued excellence in our schoolwork. As an older student at the school, I learned how to be a role model to and how to interact with the younger students who looked up to the senior girls of the class. I loved coming to class every afternoon, and seeing my best friends and having the chance to dance in such a beautiful school fostered a real love of ballet that I still have to this day. Our Saturday rehearsals and Nutcracker and Spring Concerts were the highlights of my year: performing such exhilarating shows boosted my confidence and gave me something amazing to be proud of. I will always be grateful for my time spent at the MBS, and hope that any child wishing to learn the art form of ballet will be lucky enough to become a member of this wonderful community."

Marika Chrisanthopolos, Barnard College

"The Manhattan Ballet School has been my second home since I was 5 years old. I consider everyone who works and goes there my family. The Manhattan Ballet School gave me a place to pursue my dreams of becoming a dancer. Thanks to all that I learned there, I am now a dance major at my college, pursuing classical ballet, modern dance, and choreography."

Jacquelyn Dropkin, Skidmore College

"I have been dancing at the Manhattan Ballet School since I was six years old. It became part of my daily routine as I grew up, and I loved every moment of it. Ms. Merman and Mrs. Jennifer have been like family to me, and they have created a close community and welcoming environment where we have all been able to work hard and still enjoy ourselves. Even now that I am at college, I miss being able to go to class almost every day after school, and I still try to attend whenever possible. Ms. Merman, Mrs. Jennifer, and all of the girls I have had the pleasure of dancing with have taught me discipline, stamina, partnership, and support. They have taught me to try my best, even if that means trying it a hundred times. Manhattan Ballet School is a place I know I can always go back to and it will always be dear in my heart."

Elizabeth Makkos, New York University

"I attended the Manhattan Ballet School from first grade through senior year of high school, and it was and will always be such an integral part of my life. Through studying at MBS, I gained not only a strong technique in and love of ballet but also a drive and discipline that continue to help and influence me in all areas of my life. I think that one of the school’s strongest and most unique aspects is the incredibly close community that it fosters, a community of talented, intelligent, well-rounded, and kind individuals who support each other in and out of the studio. I will always be so grateful for the amazing friends that I was able to make and grow up with during my time at MBS, friends whom I have know since I was six years old and who continue to be some of my best friends. I have learned so much from my teachers at MBS, especially Mrs. Merman and Miss Jennifer, who have become my mentors and role models. Growing up, I always looked forward to coming to classes and especially enjoyed rehearsing for our performances. In classes and rehearsals, I could do everything that I loved do. I could dance, learn, and spend time with my best friends; I could work both as an individual and as a member of a community. I also loved having the opportunity to perform on stage. Having graduated two years ago, I miss the school and everyone in it so much, but I love to come back and help out with performances, see my friends and teachers, and take classes again!"

Reagan Menz, Brown University

"The Manhattan Ballet School has been a huge part of my life. I danced at the school from age 3 until I graduated high school. It is a tight knit community of passionate dancers who support each other and encourage each other. I met some of my best friends here and four years later I still love coming back to visit the school and take a class."

Kimberly Davis, Smith College

"I began my studies at The Manhattan Ballet School at age three and it became one of the most influential parts of my life. Ms. Jennifer and Mrs. Merman are dedicated teachers who gave me a strong ballet technique and instilled in me a life long love of ballet. As students, we were not only taught how to dance and perform, but also discipline, determination, and respect for our peers. They have created a beautiful community of dancers who support and encourage each other in and out of the classroom. As I grew up at the school, I was mentored by my teachers and by older students who I looked up to as my role models. In my high school years I then learned how to be a role model for the younger students. MBS taught me valuable life skills including time management, hard work, and tenacity, which also enhanced my academic work. My experience in the classroom and on the stage gave me confidence and poise that has served me in all areas of my life. The warm community at the school enabled me to make life long friends and wonderful memories. Now, in college, I am still coming to class and continuing my ballet education with MBS. It is a privilege to be a part of this school and I am very thankful to be a part of it."

Morgan Wilson, The New School