by June Portnoy

Trying to choose a dance school for your child?  Sure, there are many dance studios in the area, but why send her just anywhere when she can receive professional training at the Budzynski Studios of Ballet (BSB), one of the major performing arts centers in Pennsylvania and Bucks County.  Its mission is to provide the highest caliber of training possible, to all students, ages three and up, at all levels, from the beginning student to the professional, while developing confidence and self esteem in a caring, supportive environment.

“What truly makes this dance program unique is that I hire professional dancers to teach these classes,” says owner Marilyn Budzynski, who designed this 7,000 square foot, state-of-the-art studio.

Budzynski brings in professional teachers from such renowned companies as the Boston, Houston, Pennsylvania and Russian Ballet.

“I insist that my staff has this type of background so my students receive the most qualified instructors,” says Budzynski, who brings her own extensive experience to BSB.

Before opening her dance studio 40 years ago, Budzynski was a company member of the Pennsylvania Ballet.  She also danced with the New York City Ballet Repertoire.

Many students trained at BSB have gone on to receive further training from prestigious schools like the Kirov and NCSA (North Carolina School of the Arts) programs.  BSB offers Creative Dance to children between the ages of 3½ to 5-years-old and pre-ballet to 5- and 6-year-olds.  At the age of 10, students are invited to audition for the Dance Theatre of Pennsylvania (DTOPA), a non-profit, regional ballet performing company, founded and directed by Budzynski.  BSB is the official ballet school of DTOPA, which offers eight levels of dance, including entry, junior and senior levels.

“Through DTOPA, we strive to replicate the professional experience of training our students to be a dancer,” says Budzynski.  “We offer them the opportunity to dance with professional dancers in large venues with professional sets, lighting and costumes.”

DTOPA is a performing company with its signature Nutcracker production taking place this year on December 17th and 18th at Central Bucks High School South in Warrington.  Spring performances have included such full-length ballet classics as Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Coppelia.  DTOPA has commissioned such renowned choreographers as Matthew Neenan of Ballet X who choreographed the world premiere of Midsummer Night’s Dream in 2005.

“Many of our students have gone on to dance and perform with world-class companies,” says Budzynski.  “I am very proud of our students and their many professional dance accomplishments.”

There are still two weeks left to enroll in BSB’s Summer Intensive Program tailored to the serious dance student.  Your child must be nine through 15 for the intermediate level and at least 12 for the advanced level.  DTOPA will hold its annual open auditions on September 17th to the general public.  Advanced students must audition on Pointe.

And if your child is interested in participating in this year’s production of the Nutcracker, don’t miss auditions on September 18th.  Roles for company and non-company members are available for children as young at 3½.  Be sure to call to schedule your audition time.

For a class schedule at Budzynski Studios of Ballet, located at 4095 Ferry Road and Route 611 in Doylestown, visit www.budzynskistudios.com.  Also call for information at 215-345-0926.  For information about auditions at the Dance Theatre of Pennsylvania or to order tickets on-line for the Nutcracker, visit www.dtopa.org or call for information at 215-348-7175.  In-studio registration is also available on Wednesday, August 31st from 6:00pm until 8:00pm and on Saturday, September 3rd from 9:00am until 11:00am.