On Their Toes

Area ballet students get master classes; performance tonight

By: Marie Martin - Texarkana Gazette

Ballerinas hold their positions during a rehearsal Thursday evening in Paul W. Klipsch Auditorium in Hope, Ark. The Dancetastics students took eight days of master classes from the co-founder of USA Ballet, Dr. Ken Bello. The students and the USA Ballet troupe perform today at Hope City Hall.

Ten-year-old Kitesy Purtle, right, and Zowie Norman, 9, hold their poses during their routine Thursday. The Dancetastics students were practicing their ballet choreography to music from “Pocahontas.”

HOPE, Ark.—Rural Arkansas students are getting a glimpse into the culture and artistic gifts of Russian-born ballet choreographer and dancer Dr. Ken Bello in a two-week artist residency.

Ballerinas will display the essentials of the Vaganova-style of ballet, which is considered a mastery ...

Published: 03/07/2009