Pennsylvania Youth Ballet / Ballet Guild of the Lehigh Valley Elects New Board Members

Ballet Guild of the Lehigh Valley recently held its annual meeting at which time elections took place for officers and members of the Board of Directors. The officers and their affiliations for the 2019-2020 season are as follows: President, Jennifer L. Altemose, Esq. of Bethlehem (Attorney); Vice President, Tjasa Crofoot Ritchey of Hellertown (Assistant Swim Coach – Parkland Aquatic Club); Lori M. George of Fogelsville, Secretary (Preschool Teacher – First Presbyterian Church of Allentown); and Treasurer, Julian Ritchey of Hellertown (Vice President of Public Affairs and Patient Advocacy, Sanofi Pasteur).

Current board members and their affiliations are:  Amy Belet of Phillipsburg, NJ (First Grade Teacher – Belvidere School District); Amanda Lovell of Breinigsville (Director of Public Engagement – Allentown Art Museum); Emily Quiros of Coopersburg, (Pediatric Anesthesiologist – St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children); Kim Shively of Bethlehem (Professor of Anthropology – Kutztown University); Elisabeth Sollog of Bethlehem (Tax Associate – Pricewaterhouse Coopers, Former Soloist – Suzanne Farrell Ballet); Joyce Yoder, LSW of Allentown (Bereavement Coordinator – Hospice Compassus)

The Ballet Guild, under the direction of Karen Kroninger Knerr since 2008, is the parent organization of Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. Classes are offered from September through May, as well as during a six-week summer intensive program, including a wide variety of community classes for children ages three to adults. Students have the opportunity to perform alongside luminaries in the dance world in PYB’s annual production of The Nutcracker at Zoellner Arts Center, Lehigh University, as well as in numerous outreach and education programs held throughout the Lehigh Valley during the year.

Summer Classes – First Week!

Our 2019 six-week summer dance program began this week and will end the week of July 29th. Two of our Community Division classes are full: the Tuesday Pre-Ballet and Youth Ballet II – we are taking names for a waiting list. The Adult/Teen Beginning Ballet class scheduled for Thursday at 6:45 pm is canceled,  however, because of insufficient enrollment. That class will be offered again in the fall.

Serious dance students from all schools and areas are welcome to enroll in our daytime intensive program – register for one week, two weeks, or more – your choice!  Also offering Progressing Ballet Technique each Tuesday and a great guest teacher schedule!  Click here to find out more about our awesome program!

BGLV Sets Annual Meeting

Ballet Guild of the Lehigh Valley, Inc. will hold its annual membership meeting on Thursday, June 27 at 6:00 p.m. at its facility located at 556 Main Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018.

Immediately following the 6:00 p.m. membership meeting, the board will convene for its regular monthly meeting.  Any donor during the current fiscal year, July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019 is considered a member in good standing and is invited to attend.  Members planning to attend the meeting should call the Guild’s office at 610-865-0353, or e-mail pyb@rcn.com.

Read more by clicking the following link: Annual Meeting – Press Release – 2019

Adult Classes Offered During The Break!

Classes for ballet and pointe will be available during our post-season break. See days, times, and tuition cost below. A minimum number of registered students is necessary to have this class, so please enroll now!

• DAYS:  Monday, May 20, Thursday, May 23, Monday, June 3, Thursday, June 6
• TIMES: 10:30 am-12:00 pm, Ballet Class, 12:15 – 12:45 pm, Pointe Class
• TUITION:  $90 for all classes paid in advance or at the first class; $30 for both ballet & pointe class per day; $22 for single ballet class

Current students: You may pay by credit card through our website payment page here: https://www.bglv.org/for-students/ (the password is “CandyCane”)  Scroll down the page until you see the words “Pay Your Invoices” and then complete the required entries. Indicate your class choices on the form.

New students: Click the following below for the registration form – download, print, complete, and email or mail to our office with your full payment as soon as possible. Post Season Session Registration Form 2019

Coppelia tickets now on sale!

Tickets for that great comedic ballet “Coppélia” are now on sale at Zoellner Arts Center! Purchase yours today – click here

Dancers from Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and professional guest artists will appear in this production, with choreography by Artistic Director Karen Kroninger Knerr; including an original puppet by Mock Turtle Marionette Theatre.  One of the best-loved comedic ballets, “Coppélia” is an enchanting tale about a mad inventor and the life-like doll he creates.  When a village boy becomes infatuated with the doll (thinking it’s a real girl!), his fiancée becomes unhappy. The ensuing mix-ups and misunderstandings between the two young lovers sets the stage for plenty of hilarity.  With colorful costumes and joyful dancing, this ballet is sure to delight both young and old alike!

Now accepting summer class registrations!

Our spectacular summer dance program opens the week of June 24th and includes classes for serious pre-professional students, children ages 3 & up, and adults! New to the Pre-Professional Day Intensive curriculum this year is the revolutionary supplementary dance training program – PROGRESSING BALLET TECHNIQUE! For more information about all classes, please visit the following page on our website:  https://www.bglv.org/classes/summer-dance-program/

2019 Summer Schedule Posted!

It’s almost time to register for our exciting 2019 Summer Dance Program! The class schedule is posted on our website for both the daytime Pre-Professional summer intensive and the evening Community Classes – click here for more information.  Class size is limited for the young children’s classes – so be sure to register as soon as it opens!

Yes! We are open today – March 4th, 2019

All classes are being held today as scheduled!

All Classes Canceled – Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Again – another snow and ice storm is forcing us to cancel all classes for Wednesday, February 20, 2019! We hope spring will soon be here!

Sad News

The Ballet Guild organization mourns the passing of a long-time BGLV board member, friend, and supporter, John L. Cleveland, on Saturday, February 16, 2019.  He made a difference in many lives through his service to the community and was greatly admired and loved by all who knew him.

There will be a viewing on Wednesday February 20, from 6PM-8PM and on Thursday February 21, from 10AM-11AM followed by the Funeral Service at 11AM in the John F. Herron Funeral Home 458 Center At Market Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018. Burial will follow in Nisky Hill Cemetery in Bethlehem. Click here for more information.