JMBT was really a second home to me. It was one of the places I spent the most time and felt the most comfortable growing up and I am grateful to have had that.

How – and when – did you first come to JMBT?

JMBT was really a second home to me. It was one of the places I spent the most time and felt the most comfortable growing up and I am grateful to have had that.

Do you think that your ballet/dance training at JMBT helped prepare you for your professional career? How so?

I think so. My ballet training was so ingrained in my life growing up, it’s hard to parse out, but I think it trained me to have high expectations of myself and to be self-motivated in my work. I think it taught me to approach things with a growth oriented mindset of always striving to improve.

Katie performing at Boston Center for the Arts in 2024 (Olivia Moon Photography)

After graduating from/leaving JMBT where did life take you?

I went to Connecticut College for my undergraduate studies where my understanding of dance and my own relationship to it really expanded. While I didn’t pursue a degree in dance, I danced actively there and learned a lot about modern dance and improvisation, among other aspects of the field. After college I spent a few years teaching dance (at JMBT among other places!) and yoga and collaborating and performing modern dance professionally around Boston and New England. I then went back to school and got my masters at Lesley in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Dance Movement Therapy where I gained the skills to do the work I’ve been doing for the last 10 years. I also continue to collaborate and dance professionally with a few local choreographers and spend most of my time outside of work with my now three year old daughter – who loves to have dance parties around the house and occasionally tags along to rehearsals with me.

Do you have any advice you would like to give to current ballet students who want to pursue the same career as yours?

I would encourage young dancers to consider that dancing and performing professionally, while wonderful goals for some, are not the only path to “success” or to a career in dance. I would encourage young dancers interested in a career in dance to think about what it is about this art form that they love and to let that inform what career path within dance may be the best fit for them. There are many ways to keep dance an active part of one’s life!

The post Alumni Feature: Katie McGrail first appeared on José Mateo Ballet Theatre.

Stay curious and do what you enjoy, even if it is hard!

Board member (since March 2025) and JMBT alumna Natalie Ferris first came to José Mateo Ballet Theatre in 2003 as a Level 1 student in the Young Dancers Program (YDP). Today, Natalie lives in California where she works at Apple as a biophotonics scientist -a field that bridges physics, biology, and cutting-edge optical technology. When asked about joining the Board, Natalie shared that she was inspired by the JMBT’s emphasis on community and her desire to support that commitment as an alumni of the School. 

How – and when – did you first come to JMBT?

I started at JMBT in 2003 in the YDP program in Level I. I had been asking to do ballet for years and JMBT’s emphasis on a well-rounded education and community was important for my family.

What did you enjoy most about dancing at JMBT?

First and foremost were the friendships I made with other students. Learning alongside and performing with the same people every day forged some really close bonds. I also always felt incredibly supported by faculty, other parents, and my peers, making it a great place to learn. I felt safe pushing myself, which allowed me to grow not only as a dancer, but also as an individual. 

Natalie performing as Clara in JMBT’s The Nutcracker

After graduating from/leaving JMBT where did life take you?

After high school I went to Dickinson College where I danced at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, performed with Dickinson’s Dance Theatre Group, and majored in Physics. After graduating, I came back to Boston to do a PhD in Biophysics at Harvard. During that time taking open classes at JMBT was really important for my mental health. The challenge of ballet has always helped center me; it is a great work out and it forces me to be truly in the moment. 

I now live in California working as a biophotonics scientist and I still take open classes as frequently as I can. I also recently started to teach ballet classes to adults and am finding it incredibly rewarding to be able to give back to a community that has given so much to me over the years.

Do you have any favorite memories from your time at JMBT you would like to share!

My best friends were my classmates in YDP and Youth Works (one of them was even the maid of honor at my wedding!). It is really the little moments of friendship that stick with me; sitting on the floor of the dressing room between rehearsals playing card games, dashing across Mt. Auburn street to get Berry Line before our parents arrived to pick us up after class, attending summer intensive auditions together, supporting each other’s accomplishments, and performing together in The Nutcracker and at the Dance for World Community Festival are just a few highlights that stand out.

The post Alumni Feature: Natalie Ferris first appeared on José Mateo Ballet Theatre.

I want to do things that make a difference and bring joy—all in the spirit of love.

A Lifetime of Leadership, Love, and Dance

Since joining José Mateo Ballet Theatre’s Board of Trustees in 2010, Erline Belton has been a steadfast advocate for the organization’s mission to make ballet accessible and community-centered. She first met José through the Barr Foundation when he was part of its inaugural class of Fellows. I was so impressed by José and his values, she recalls. 

She retired as the founder and CEO of Lyceum Group, an organization development firm, following a career in corporate America as a Senior Vice President of Human Resources working internationally across 31 countries. Beyond corporate life, she’s authored two books (“Your Voice Matters” and “A Journey That Matters, Your Personal Living Legacy”), held faculty appointments at UMass, Tufts University, and Harvard, and served on numerous nonprofit and corporate boards – including as Vice Chair of the Red Cross of Boston, the Museum of African American History, and a decade-long tenure on board of Applebee’s International Inc. Notably, she worked closely with the CDC to develop workplace policies during the AIDS epidemic – an effort that helped change how organizations cared for their employees. 

But behind this distinguished resume is a personal story – about a connection to dance. As a child (8-9 years old), Erline studied ballet. Yet after being harshly discouraged by a teacher – “You’re impossible. You’ll never be a dancer.” -she stopped dancing. And then, at 50 years old, she joined a dance group in Roxbury, MA and began dancing again. She recalls that her dance teacher, Fred, created a dance for her to “A Woman’s Work” that they performed many times together. Here I was, doing a solo, when most of my life I spent thinking I couldn’t dance.

Erline’s return to dance helped shape her commitment to JMBT’s mission. Ballet and dance should be available to everybody, she emphasizes. Dance brings people together – it’s laughter, connection, community. Reflecting on José Mateo Ballet Theatre’s impact, she adds, It’s a little company with a big vision. It brings communities together around dance and reminds people that ballet is accessible to all. We’re building spaces where people can find love and community through art.That sense of purpose drives her continued board service. I want to support the organization in any way I can. To help keep that magic alive, to bring people together, and to keep my voice present in something that matters.

The post Board Profile: Erline Belton first appeared on José Mateo Ballet Theatre.

Listen to your teachers, Listen to the music, Listen to your heart…it will reveal your passion and help you follow even the most difficult paths to excellence!

How – and when – did you first come to JMBT?

I first came to JMBT as a student in the Young Dancers Program back when the studios were on Mass Ave in Boston. I was an Angel in the first production of José Mateo’s The Nutcracker! I continued my ballet training at JMBT through high school and was on track to attend Barnard College when I saw the company perform their spring production. I was inspired! With the full support of my mother, who saw the opportunity to dance in a company as a unique opportunity, I deferred college in order to try dancing professionally. I became an apprentice in the company, and then a full company member. After a decade of dancing in the company, Mr. Mateo invited me to join the faculty at JMBT. For some years I was dancing full time and teaching in the YDP and Adult Open Class Program. Then I added Nutcracker Children’s Cast Coordinator to my list of responsibilities at JMBT. Over the years I have worn many hats at JMBT!

What did you enjoy most about dancing at JMBT?

The thing I enjoyed most about dancing at JMBT was the thrill of performing original choreography, especially world premieres of José Mateo’s choreography!  I always considered myself lucky to have witnessed and been a part of the creative process for these most special ballets.  

Molly in class with Amy Chan

Do you have any favorite memories from your time at JMBT you would like to share!

It’s difficult choosing a favorite memory of JMBT, when you’ve been involved with the organization for as long as I have.  However, a very special time for me was rehearsing and performing the fall production, Hallowed Dances in 2001.  This rep show included Mr. Mateo’s Isle of the Dead, one of the ballets that had inspired me as a student all those years before watching from the audience!  It was only the second rep show produced in the new Sanctuary Theatre after Resurgence (another amazing memory!)  And I was honored to perform one of the Three Sisters alongside Meg, my best dance friend since I was 18 years old!  What a special series of shows those were.

Do you think that your ballet/dance training at JMBT has helped prepare you for your professional career?

My training at JMBT, especially directly under José Mateo for so many years, helped shape who I am as a dancer, teacher and choreographer.  Beyond the dance steps and performance experience, JMBT taught me discipline and decorum, hard work and humility, persistence and patience – I learned so many life lessons in the school and the company and even being on the faculty at JMBT.

What advice would you give to current ballet students who want to pursue a career the same career as yours?

The best advice I can give to current ballet students is to really listen.  Listen to your instructors, listen to the music, listen to your heart!  Ballet will teach you to listen to corrections and criticisms.  You mustn’t be frightened of that.  Listen, for you will hear the advice of generations of ballet dancers and teachers guiding you.  Listen to the music, for without it we as dancers would be nothing.  And listen to your heart, for it will reveal your passion and help you follow even the most difficult paths to excellence!

The post Alumni Feature: Molly Wheat first appeared on José Mateo Ballet Theatre.

My career now is really a culmination of all of my training both through JMBT and when I went away for summers. JMBT was a great base for training in terms of learning to pick up combinations, ballet etiquette, professionalism, and basic lessons in life that I wouldn’t learn anywhere else. Without JMBT, I would not have been able to get into the other good summer programs I did and would not be where I am today!

What is life like now that you have graduated from JMBT?

I am currently a performer with Disney Cruise Line. My work life is very busy due to the nature of my job and is similar to my previous dance life at JMBT. When I am on the ship, I perform every day in the ship’s production (a broadway-style show) and in the outdoor deck stage shows, but also dance and act offstage entertain the guests.

Before being with Disney and after I graduated college, I danced in JMBT’s Nutcracker in 2023! JMBT will always be my home and I am proud to return back to the studios and take class.

What did you enjoy most about dancing at JMBT?

I loved the performing opportunities! I never realized how privileged we were as students at JMBT until I went away for the summers and met other students. Many other dancers I met from other studios only held a few Nutcracker shows and one recital at the end of the ballet school year. At JMBT, we got to perform at numerous stages and events, including about 25 Nutcracker shows a year.

At the time I was a student, the professional ballet company existed and we could look up to them which was really inspiring. We got to dance along side the professionals during Nutcracker season and watch their other ballet productions throughout the season. During the spring and summer season, we received more performance opportunities at Mayfair and Dance For World Community which was a really exciting time to show off our repertoire. It was also great to be involved in the local dance community.

Amy in class with faculty member Molly Wheat

Do you have any favorite memories from your time at JMBT you would like to share!

The Nutcracker is an experience like no other. It is such a huge traditional production to be a part of and is extremely rewarding. I loved performing on the various proscenium stages with the high quality lights, scrims, and backdrops. The parents would get involved as volunteers and we would get to know a lot of kids throughout our classes or students who came from other studios. I highly recommend every young dancer to participate in The Nutcracker!

What advice would you give to current ballet students who want to pursue a career the same career as yours?

Take other styles of dance. The dance world is changing and ballet is not enough. Ballet is great for foundational technique, but being adaptable is the greatest asset one can have in the industry.

My career now is really a culmination of all of my training both through JMBT and when I went away for summers. JMBT was a great base for training in terms of learning to pick up combinations, ballet etiquette, professionalism, and basic lessons in life that I wouldn’t learn anywhere else. Without JMBT, I would not have been able to get into the other good summer programs I did and would not be where I am today!

The post Alumni Feature: Amy Chan ’18 first appeared on José Mateo Ballet Theatre.

At JMBT, I really enjoyed the friends I made. They were a huge reason I loved going to classes. I still keep in touch with quite a few of them. I remember going out for ice cream sometimes after classes in the summer or just stretching before barre with them and catching up on life.  

What is life like now that you have graduated from JMBT?

I recently spent three years in London getting my MA in photography and then working while traveling the world. Since then, I have been back in Boston from the spring. I have been freelancing around Boston, rediscovering its wonders and working at a gallery in SOWA.

Even though you are not a professional dancer, do you think that your ballet/dance training has helped prepare you for your professional career?

My dance background has helped me immensely as it has given me a good instinct for when to capture motion. It has also given me a great ability for posing and directing dancers so they don’t look awkward or mistakenly not have pointed feet. I think having grown up a dancer, I have a bit of insight into a dancer’s mind, so it helps me interact with them in order to create better content. Plus, I know ballet terms!!

Do you have any advice you would give to students who want to pursue a career as a photographer?

To any who are interested in a professional photographer career, I’d just say practice. It’s the best way to learn, build a network, and create a portfolio. And if you’re looking to go into dance photography, dancers barely say no to photos if you need some practice in that area.

View this profile on Instagram

Boston Dance Photographer (@mickeywestphoto) • Instagram photos and videos

The arts are incredibly important and I would not be where I was without the immense support of the Boston dance community. I am eternally grateful to them. But now, arts nationwide need support more than ever. So much funding was just rescinded for programs and events where the money was already allocated. I will not let this pass by and will fight to protect the arts however I can.

Photo credit to the amazing Nicole Volpe.

Check out Mickey’s portfolio and website here.

The post Alumni Feature: Mickey West first appeared on José Mateo Ballet Theatre.

JMBT is a great school for aspiring ballet students who want to pursue a professional career since the program offers rigorous, technical classes, and especially YouthWorks for performance experience. Even though I am one of the youngest company artists at SCB, my performance resume is just as strong and varied!

What is a day in the life for you at SCB?

We perform 4 major ballets a season, with two to three other performances staged in between. I rehearse and train five days a week in the studio, with two days off. Unless we are in the midst of a performance, then days off are rare and hours can be quite long, especially on travel days. Our main theater is in Columbia, but we also perform throughout southeast SC and northeast GA.

What was the process to enter into a professional ballet company such as SCB?

In the winter before audition season, I rehearsed and filmed audition materials, compiled a resume and appropriate videos/photos to send to companies, then awaited responses for in-person auditions. The SCB audition was a company class followed by an interview with the Artistic Director, William Starrett. I was offered a contract at the end of the interview!

Did your training at JMBT help prepare you to be a professional dancer? How so?

I began dancing at JMBT at the Summer Intensive. Angie DeWolfe was my instructor and really pushed me while also giving me the confidence boost I needed at that time in my training. I appreciated learning different dance styles at the intensive as well – Indian and Flamenco.

This has actually been helpful in my first year at SCB as not many ballet dancers have that experience. At SCB, we perform a shortened ballet for school groups as educational outreach. This is often rehearsed around our main ballet, and students are certainly a unique audience! My time in YouthWorks provided this experience of performing a piece with only a few rehearsals and in front of varied audiences. But my last year at JMBT was the most preparing – one of my teachers was Boris Richir. His teaching style prepared me for company class, along with his corrections and notes. Understanding and quickly implementing corrections and notes is a valuable asset as a company artist!

What is one of the most important things that you took away from your training at JMBT?

The ability to adapt to different directors’ techniques. I had the opportunity to learn from many different teachers that all had different styles. Learning to adapt to each style and technique helped me in auditions where you need to quickly acclimate!

What did you enjoy most about dancing at JMBT? Do you have any favorite memories from your time at JMBT you would like to share!

I enjoyed the frequency of the YouthWorks performances as well as the opportunity to revisit pieces choreographed by Mr. Mateo. I appreciated the chance to really understand and feel confident about a piece. I also formed amazing friendships at JMBT that will truly last a lifetime – one of my favorite memories at JMBT was performing company pieces, specifically Pachelbel. Getting to perform at so many different events, formal and informal, with the same girls really bonded us and allowed us to fully understand and enjoy the piece to its fullest!

What advice would you give to current ballet students who want to pursue a career as a professional dancer?

Put in the work, push yourself, and you’ll see the progress. Ballet isn’t a sprint but a marathon where you’re constantly learning and growing. It’s okay to have a diverse experience; there’s no one singular path. Having different kinds of training in different styles actually helped me get as much performance experience as possible. Finally, make connections in the dance and ballet world; knowing the right people can also be a benefit.

Learn more about our Summer Intensive program! Register to audition today.

The post Alumni Feature: Emily Bartee ’24 first appeared on José Mateo Ballet Theatre.

Here are some of the many benefits of learning ballet at a later age.

The Body

Ballet is known for developing great strength and flexibility in those who practice it. The precise and controlled movements help strengthen and condition muscles throughout the entire body. The progressive nature of ballet starting from smaller movements at the barre to large leaps and turns in center facilitate a long, moderate-intensity workout – a great substitute for cardio at the gym! The focus on lengthening muscles also helps to improve flexibility and reduce the risk of injury, especially with posture!

The Mind

Dancing ballet is not only beneficial for the body, but also for the mind. The concentration needed to learn and execute correct choreography to the music is a mental workout as well! An active brain is a healthy one. However, unlike academic studies, the combination of dancing and music can help relieve stress and anxiety. In fact, studies have shown that dance can have positive effects on mood, increasing endorphin production, releasing adrenaline and promoting an overall sense of well-being.

The Heart

Although ballet has a very precise and demanding technique, it also allows dancers to express their creativity and emotions through interpretation. Music, movement and facial expression combine to tell stories and convey feelings, which encourages personal expression and artistic development. Remember that the ballet studio is a safe space and a chance to work on you. Even just one class a week is a coveted opportunity to get away from the grind and get away.

New to ballet? Sign up for our Adult Intro to Ballet classes! Perfect for absolute beginners with no experience.

The post Benefits of Learning Ballet as an Adult first appeared on José Mateo Ballet Theatre.

But what about children? Why should they be involved in this art from an early age? Ballet not only offers elegance and beauty on stage, but also a number of physical, mental and emotional benefits, especially for children that can positively influence their development. If you are thinking about enrolling your children in ballet lessons, here we explore the many benefits it can offer children:

1. Physical development: Ballet is a complete physical discipline that promotes strength, flexibility, coordination and balance from an early age. Children who participate in ballet classes develop better posture, muscle tone and body control, which helps them to have a healthy growth and development.

2. Improved concentration and discipline: Ballet requires attention to detail and focus on precise movements. Through regular practice, children learn to follow instructions, maintain concentration and work toward specific goals. These skills of focus and discipline are reflected in other areas of academic and personal life.

3. Encouraging creativity: Ballet is a form of artistic expression that allows children to explore their creativity and develop their imagination. Through dance, they learn to communicate emotions, tell stories and experiment with music and movement in a unique and personal way. They can develop their own style and interpretation of the movements and music.

4. Building confidence and self-esteem: As children master new skills and overcome challenges in the study of ballet, their self-confidence and self-esteem grow. The ability to perform on stage in front of an audience also helps build confidence and self-assurance.

5. Active Lifestyle: Participating in ballet classes encourages an active and healthy lifestyle from an early age. Children develop regular exercise habits and learn the importance of physical care and mental health.

6. Encouraging teamwork: Ballet is not only an individual activity, often involves group exercises and performances, thus encouraging teamwork and collaboration. Children learn to work with their classmates, to respect others and to support each other to achieve a common goal.

Enrolling your children in ballet classes can enrich their lives in many ways, exploring their creativity and developing important skills.

If you are interested in enrolling your children with us, our Young Dancers Program, offering ballet training for children ages 3 to 18, has an unsurpassed reputation throughout New England for its excellent, humanistic approach to ballet education. Our ballet instructors will help your child learn the basics of ballet while having fun and getting a great workout.

Sign up today for a trial class!

The post 6 Reasons Why Children Should Learn Ballet first appeared on José Mateo Ballet Theatre.

Good news: the structure of a typical ballet class is laid out below, and will be almost always the same no matter what dance studio you go to, or if you are a beginner in your first class or a professional dancer.

In general, a ballet class is divided into two parts: Barre and Centre.

The first part of class, dancers use the barre – a horizontal bar that dancers hold onto for assistance with balance while they perform a series of exercises to warm up, stretch and perfect ballet technique. At the barre and throughout ballet class, exercises will progress in difficulty, movement, coordination and speed. The beginning steps and exercises tend to be slower and smaller with the intention of warming up the body gradually and progressing through technique.

The typical order of exercises at the barre is as follows:

• Pliés and Grand Pliés (to bend): Pliés are leg bends performed with the knees.
• Tendus (stretched): Exercises to work on leg extension while keeping the foot in contact with the ground. They are performed to strengthen the muscles of the legs and improve the precision of the movement.
• Degages, Glisses, Jetés (disengaged, throw): Like tendus but the working foot is raised slightly off the ground.
• Ronds de jambes: Circular movements of the leg that can be performed by keeping the foot in contact with the ground (à terre) or by raising it off the ground (en l’air). RDJ helps to work on leg rotation and connection to the center of the body.
• Fondus (sinking down): Like plies, except on only on the supporting leg. It works on strength and balance.
• Frappés (to strike): Quick movements in which the working foot is forcefully extended, either off the ground, or by the instep striking the ground.
• Développés (developing movement) and Adagio: Slow and fluid exercises in which the leg unfolds to show extension in an open position, working on flexibility and control.
• Grands Battements: High, powerful leg lifts following the process of tendu and degage.

The barre is then removed for the second part of the class in which the students move to the center of the studio. Centre work consists of more dynamic and full body movements that incorporate all the steps done at the barre. These exercises must be performed without assistance and generally move around the studio, involving the entire studio space.

Centre exercises order is as follows:

• The initial exercise after moving off the barre is usually an Adagio. Adage or adagio refers to the slow and melodic music that accompanies this exercise, involving steps such as developpes, promenades, and port de bras. Adagio focuses on the dancers’ balance, strength, and control to execute smooth movements.
• A tendu and jete exercise can also be swapped with Adagio as the first one in centre. Reverting back to the beginning exercises at the barre, this exercise helps to establish a dancer’s weight placement in centre.
• A Pirouette or Waltz combination is next. This exercise features different types of turns and generally moves across the studio from one end to the other at a slightly faster tempo. Additional steps include balance and pas de bourree.
• Finally, the last section of class consists of all different types of jumps. Jump or Allegro combinations progress from small, fast jumps, or bigger and slower jumps. Petit allegro is usually jumps that stay on the spot such as sautes, changements, and echappes. A medium tempo allegro moves from side to side in the studio and consists of assembles, glissades, and sissonnes. Finally, grand allegro is a large jump exercise that moves across the entire studio floor with large leaps and turning jumps like saut de chat and tour jete.
• We usually end with a Reverence. Ballet dancers must always say thank you at the end of class or a performance to their audience members, fellow peers, teachers, and accompanists. Reverence is a way of celebrating ballet’s traditions and elegance with a series of bows or courtesies.

Your first ballet class can be an exciting and rewarding experience that will open doors to a world of beauty and artistic expression. Now that you know what to expect and how to prepare, it’s time to get out there and try a class! 

Pro Tip: If you get lost, try to position yourself where you can copy and follow a fellow dancer for the exercise!

We have classes for all ages and skill levels. Check out our programming offerings here.

The post Ballet 101 first appeared on José Mateo Ballet Theatre.