Star City School of Ballet is offering Roanoke dancers the opportunity to learn from a Broadway experienced dancer and International Prima Ballerina this summer! Camps are being offered for ages 3 through Adult. Chose by age or experience. The Junior Ballet intensive is great for newcomers to ballet and dance. Our Senior Program fits best for students who have experience or all enrolled in pre-professional ballet programs. The Junior and Senior programs include the summer maintenance class offered to year round students.
Storytale Dance Camp
July 8-12, 2024
Boys and Girls from 3-7 for 5 days
Join us for a week of graceful movements, creativity, and fun designed for kids aged 3 to 7. Our camp runs from 9 AM to 12 PM and is packed with exciting activities to keep your little ones engaged and inspired.
Your young dancers will be taught by Pedro Salazay, Owner of Star City Ballet, Artistic Director of Southwest Virginia Ballet, and founder of Dance Espanol. A native of Venezuela, Szalay was born to Hungarian parents and is a native of La Guaira , Venezuela where he started dancing in local school by Ms. Machado .He received a scholarship at Ballet Nacional of Caracas, coached by Vladimir Isayev and many other national and international teachers. There he danced many of Nebrada's choreographed pieces. Later he traveled to New York City to be coached by Madame Darvash and performed with New York Dance Theatre directed by Frank Ohman. After New York, Szalay was company dancer with Richmond Ballet from 1996 to 2006 where he was an inspiration for many choreographers and he danced pieces from Balanchine, Burn, Canaporoli, Lang, Soleau, Stevenson, Orff, Wainrot, Winslett and many others. He was also a guest performer and choreographer with the Latin Ballet of Virginia .
Pedro's teaching, performance experience, and community involvement is extensive. Please learn more here.
Junior Ballet Intensive
July 15-19, 2024
Girls and Boys Ages 8-12 or teens who are new to dance.
Our summer intensive program offers an immersive experience that goes beyond the barre to nurture the dancers to teach them how to take care of themselves. Our expert instructors will guide you through daily classes in classical ballet technique, mime, pointe work (where applicable), variations, and enriching workshops that improve flexibility, and artistry, technique, strength. with focus on Injury Prevention and Body Awareness.
The Junior Ballet Intensive will be taught by Valerie Tellman-Henning, Internationally experienced Prima Ballerina. Valerie will be teaching ballet at our Junior Ballet Camp. She began her dance training at Tulsa Ballet and Lexington Ballet. She joined the State Ballet of Virginia, Richmond Ballet in 2000, and while continuing to perform with them, Valerie also joined The Suzanne Farrell Ballet at The Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., where she rose to the rank of Soloist and performed acclaimed Balanchine works from 2013 through their 2017 season. She has performed principal roles in, Romeo and Juliet, Cinderella, Giselle; Balanchine ballets such as, Allegro Brillante, Mozartiana, Stars and Stripes and Jewels; as well as in Anthony Tudor's Jardin Aux Lilas and Agnes de Mille's Rodeo. Learn more about Valerie's international experience and Register Here.
Senior Ballet Intensive
July 22-26, 2024
Male and Female experienced Dancers Ages 13-20 and students with sights on becoming professionals.
Dive into intensive training in classical technique, partnering, contemporary dance, variations, and conditioning, all designed to elevate your artistry and technique. Daily classes include mime, pointe work for female dancers, and for the male dancers strength training. With a focus on Injury Prevention and Body Awareness.
Michael Crawford, Broadway experienced dancer, will teach the Senior Ballet Camp. He is from Takoma Park, Maryland. He began dancing with prestigious schools, including the Maryland Youth Ballet and Kirov Academy, with summer intensives at The Rock School and San Francisco Ballet on full scholarships. In his senior year, he was accepted into the Kennedy Center’s Master Class Series, where he trained and performed with top international companies. Mr. Crawford then moved on to the Washington Ballet where, in their top training program, he performed with the company under the direction of Septime Webre. Upon graduation, he went on to study and perform in the Professional Division of The Pacific Northwest Ballet under the direction of Kent Stowell and Francia Russell. Learn more about Michael's Broadway experience and Register Here.
Adult Summer Camp
July 28 through August 3, 2024
Join us for an unforgettable dance experience in the heart of the stunning Roanoke Valley! Star City Dance Camp for Adults, aged 21+, is your ticket to a summer of movement, music, and making memories. Whether you're a seasoned dancer or a complete beginner, this camp is designed for adults of all skill levels who share a passion for dance and a desire to learn, grow, and have a blast. Learn more here.
What Parents Are Saying:
The Roanoke area has many dance schools, but there is only one true classical ballet school, Star City School of Ballet. If you have a dancer that wants to learn classical ballet technique, this is the school for you. The instructors are amazing and caring and truly love sharing their love of ballet with their students. You won't get ballet instruction like this anywhere else in the Roanoke area. G. Connor
Pedro is an awesome teacher! He has helped my granddaughter rebuild her self confidence as she has grown as as a dancer. Now he'll be there for her as she works to recover from hip surgery. His willingness to go the extra mile and meet with her surgeon to learn how to help her regain her dancing technique is what makes a not only a great teacher but a caring teacher! S Penney
