ABOUT US

The Studio of Dance was founded in 1993 and continues to grow as one of the leading dance institutions in the Northeast. As West Hartford's premier school of ballet, we are committed to training fine dancers and bringing this vital art form to our community.

Classes are offered for ages 3 to adult in creative movement, creative dance, pre-ballet, ballet, pointe, contemporary, jazz, flexibility, and pilates.

Well-known for its exemplary training geared to teaching students of all levels the art of dance, the Studio of Dance places strong emphasis on proper technique.

The Studio of Dance recognizes, encourages, and develops each and every student through a comprehensive curriculum, including master class offerings taught by prominent guest artists-in-residence, complimentary and supportive consulting seminars, and outstanding performance field trips. In support of these goals, the central philosophy of the Studio of Dance is to demand the very best effort from each student, whether or not the student plans a professional career in dance.

The ballet program taught is based on the Russian Vaganova Pedagogical Method, which builds strength and grace in the dancer. It is enhanced through the inclusion of contemporary dance styles, preparing graduates for the eclectic demands of dance programs and majors at colleges and universities, and regional and professional dance companies.

Philosophy of the Studio of Dance

• To impart the finest dance education available, taught in a nurturing and creative environment to a variety of students.
• To promote the study of dance at every level of development, serving diverse individual needs and aspirations.
  To welcome the serious student as well as those who wish to discover dance for art appreciation and for pure physical enjoyment.
• To provide professional training in an atmosphere fostering proper technical development, love, and joy of the art.
• To demand the very best effort from each student, imparting the student with a positive self-image and a sense of discipline and dedication.

Studio of Dance students represent the future of dance: As dedicated, enthusiastic members of the dance community, and as potential members of regional and professional dance companies.

The Artistic Director
Bette-Ann Libin,
Founder and Artistic Director

Bette-Ann Libin, a graduate of The School of The Hartford Ballet Teacher Training Program, has been teaching dance to children and adults for over 42 years. Ms. Libin founded West Hartford's Premier Ballet School, the Studio of Dance, in 1993 gaining regional recognition as an exemplary training ground for dance students.

Ms. Libin utilizes her extensive expertise in designing dance classes that balance individual strengths and needs with the standard of excellence associated with professional training.

Ms. Libin brings to her work professional mastery of pedagogy training in parent and me, creative movement, creative dance, pre-ballet, ballet, pointe, contemporary, jazz, choreography, progressing ballet technique certified, signature stretch and flexibility, and a deep commitment to dance as an art form and a natural part of healthy living.

In 2006, Ms. Libin founded West Hartford Youth Ballet, a professional performing company comprised solely of aspiring young dancers and emerging professionals. Our youth based performing company promotes the advancement of technical and artistic development within a nurturing, professional production environment.

Bette-Ann Libin, a lifelong resident of the Greater Hartford area, is the ballet mistress and principal ballet teacher for Ballet Hartford. She is the founder and artistic director of Studio of Dance Ballet School and West Hartford Youth Ballet and serves as a ballet teacher on the faculties of School of Ballet Hartford and Hartford's Youth Arts Institute. She formerly served as ballet mistress and executive director of Ballet Theatre Company, which she also founded. Ms. Libin began her serious training at The School of the Hartford Ballet, whose Teacher Training Certificate Program she later graduated from before beginning her teaching career at The School of the Hartford Ballet, Hartt School, and Watkinson School. Her extensive mastery of the Vaganova pedagogical method can be traced back to the training she underwent with such noted ballet masters as Sharon Dante, Enid Lynn, Michael Uthoff, Diane Fleming, Wang Shao Pen, Jeanne (Tears) Giroir, Sandra Ray, Lisa Bradley, Judith Gosnell (Kempe), David Howard, Rebecca Wright and Truman Finney. Ms. Libin is ecstatic to bring the pioneering work of Agrippina Vaganova to Ballet Hartford in her third season as ballet mistress.