AMHERST YOUTH BALLET
The Amherst Youth Ballet was founded by Executive Director Maris Battaglia in January of 2002. This young company is a non-for profit organization with dancers ages 13 - 18. The company performs classical, neoclassical and contemporary pieces. Many of these works are set by major choreographers from around the United States, including Michael Vernon and Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux. These talented young dancers provide the area with the finest performance opportunities in Western New York.
"Working
with the dancers of the American
Academy has always been a pleasure.
They not only have exemplary ballet
training and style, but also have
a love of dance and performing that
is normally only found in professionals.
Choreographing for them is closer
to working with a young ballet company
than with a school which speaks volumes
for the care and attention which has
been shown to them by their teachers
and most of all their Artistic Director, Maris Battaglia."
Michael Vernon, Ballet Master
American Ballet Theatre Company NYC
Michael Vernon, Ballet Master
American Ballet Theatre Company NYC
"I
can't begin to tell you how impressed
I was by your young company's performance.
My children were absolutely captivated.
From the activities in the atrium, to
the charming stories danced on stage,
they were mesmerized & danced around
the house for days! For me it was the
amazing talent of your young dancers and
the charming choreography. How wonderful
for Amherst and WNY that the Amherst Youth
Ballet is now a part of our culture & community."
Audrey Columbus
Audrey Columbus