INSTRUCTORS

Academy

Rebekah von Rathonyi - Academy Director

Rebekah von Rathonyi began her early ballet training in Rochester, NY with Maria Mogilevsky and Luba Gulyeava as a corps de ballet member. Later she joined Compania Nacional de Danza in Mexico City, under the direction of Fernando Alonzo Reneri. In 1994, she was accepted into the year-round trainee program at The Rock School of the Pennsylvania Ballet, where she performed in productions of "Nutcracker," "Giselle" and "Paquitta." Upon returning to New York, Ms. Von Rathonyi joined Rochester City Ballet as a principal dancer, appearing in principal roles in "Nutcracker," "Don Quixote" and "Cinderella." Since joining Peoria Ballet in 2002, she has performed principal roles in "Nutcracker," "Firebird," "Giselle," "Dracula," "Follow Our Footsteps," "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and "Cinderella". She is a 2006 recipient of Peoria's 40 Leaders Under 40 award.

As Academy Director, Ms. von Rathonyi has raised the caliber of instruction by implementing a pre-professional program for aspiring dancers. In 2006, she attended the prestigious teacher training program at Royal Winnipeg Ballet in Canada. Ms. von Rathonyi has guest taught and choreographed throughout the United States including Pennsylvania, New York and Chicago, IL.

Pat White

A well-known local actress and dancer in central Illinois, Pat White has taught drama, tap and ballet and developed drama programs and children's theater productions. Her professional experiences include lead roles of Ado Annie in "Oklahoma," Adelaide in "Guys and Dolls," and Dolly in "Hello Dolly." White received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Speech and Theater from Illinois Wesleyan University and a Master's Degree from Bradley University.

Tamra Challacombe

Tamra has a BFA in Classical Ballet from Texas Christian University. She has extensive training in tap, jazz, ballet, modern, acrobatic dance, dance history, kinesiology and acting. Tamra has choreographed for the Normal Parks and Recreation Summer Theater and served as a resident company member at Conklin's Dinner Theater. She has also worked in Chicago with Alphabet Soup Productions. Tamra is an original company member of Twin Cities Ballet and in 2000 became their Artistic Director. She has taught dance and choreographed for many local theaters and dance studios and is a member of the Chicago National Association of Dance Masters. Tamra joined the Peoria Ballet staff in 2005.

Lauren Trerice

Lauren is currently in her second year teaching at Peoria Ballet. Originally from Normal, Illinois, Ms. Trerice began her training under the guidance of Jane Plum. She also trained with Peoria Ballet before dancing with Chicago Ballet for one year. While in the Studio Company at Chicago Ballet, Ms. Trerice danced in "Serenade," "Concerto Barocco," "Divertimento #15" and "Nutcracker." Lauren recently graduated from Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School's Graduate Program where she performed in many "Don Quixote." Some of her more unique experiences involve portraying Barbie locally on several occasions for Toys R Us as part of their "Big Barbie Even" promotional campaigns.

Jennifer Reiter

Jennifer received her Master's degree in Dance from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts and her BFA in Dance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Both of her degrees are in performance and choreography. Ms. Reiter has taught and produced choreography for private studios, universities, summer intensives and theater companies in the Midwest and the East Coast, including New York City. As a teacher, she specializes in ballet, pointe/variations, modern, lyrical, musical theatre dance, improvisation, choreography, adult beginner dance and movement for actors. Her students are presently performing in national tours, in ballet and modern dance companies, for Disney and on Broadway.

Sarah Haynes

Bryan Blanks

Joshua Gullett

Kates Sitton

Kates Sitton received her Bachelor of Science in Dance Performance from Illinois State University, where she was an active member of Illinois State Dance Theatre and Illinois State Dance Association. Before her work at Illinois State, Kates was a member of Millikin University's Dance Ensemble and a long-time company member, guest artist, and choreographer for the Springfield Ballet Company. She has performed in many productions across central Illinois including "Rockballet," "Nutcracker," "Sleeping Beauty," and "Cinderella," as well as numerous theatrical productions in Peoria, Springfield, Decatur, and Bloomington-Normal.

CLASSES

Class Schedule

Peoria Ballet Academy offers classes to children beginning at age 3, up to adults of all ages. A wide variety of courses provide a complete education in classical dance—a pre-professional course of study for students who wish to pursue a career in dance, as well as a selection of classes in ballet, tap, jazz, acting and musical theater for those who wish to dance simply for the enjoyment and physical benefits.

2010-2011
CLASS SCHEDULE

Summer Intensives

Peoria Ballet Academy's Summer Intensives program immerses dancers in intense classes that focus on improving student's skills in a variety of areas in each week long session. Dancers work with some of the nation's leading professional ballet dancers and teachers as well as the faculty of the Peoria Ballet Academy, gaining new skills and improving techniques in many dance styles. Classes last five to six hours per day, five days a week, with demonstrations on Saturday morning. The Summer Intensive is open to dancers who are on pointe and take ballet class at least two times per week. We are happy to find host families for out-of-town students.

New this year, is our Alice in Wonderland Workshop. This themed summer intensive is targeted towards younger children (formerly known as Tutus and More). Click on the link below to view the registration form.

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SUMMER INTENSIVES

Summer Programs

Peoria Ballet offers a number of summer programs for children, as well as continued quality dance instruction in a more relaxed atmosphere.

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SUMMER SCHEDULE

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Medical Forms

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MEDICAL FORMS

Showcase 2010

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SHOWCASE BOOKLET

Parent Handbook

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PARENT HANDBOOK

Class Registration Form

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REGISTRATION FORM

Scholarship Form

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SCHOLARSHIP FORM

Male Tuition Waiver Form

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MALE TUITION WAIVER FORM