2024

Pennsylvania’s The Rock School for Dance Mourns Alum Michaela DePrince

SEPTEMBER 13, 2024

[Philadelphia, September 13, 2024] The faculty and staff of The Rock School for Dance in Philadelphia are mourning the loss of renowned ballerina Michaela Mabinty DePrince. She was a cherished alum of The Rock School and an extraordinary dancer who trained at the well-recognized dance conservatory before becoming a professional. Michaela's remarkable journey from an orphanage in war-torn Sierra Leone to international ballet stardom was a testament to her unbreakable spirit, grace, and resilience.

DePrince's influence extended beyond her performances with professional dance companies, including Boston Ballet, Dutch National Ballet, and Dance Theatre of Harlem. She was a beacon of hope for countless individuals worldwide, including many of The Rock School's current students. Her story of resilience and triumph in the face of adversity inspired many to believe in the power of perseverance and the pursuit of one's dreams.

The Rock School was a part of DePrince's early training, where her extraordinary talent and dedication shone through in the years she attended from 2000 through 2010. Later, the widely screened documentary First Position (2011) by Bess Kargman shed light on her remarkable story of overcoming adversity to pursue her dream of becoming a professional.

The Rock School for Dance’s President and Director, Peter Stark, expressed, "We were privileged to witness her early brilliance at The Rock, where she danced beginning in 2000, continuing for a decade. Her drive and passion for dance were undeniable, and even as a young dancer, she showed the kind of spirit that would take her to extraordinary heights. Michaela leaves an indelible legacy in the ballet world. Her story of resilience and triumph in the face of adversity will continue to inspire future generations of dancers," added Stark.

In a public statement on social media, the school added, "The Rock School for Dance Education is heartbroken at the news of the passing of our alumna Michaela DePrince, a shining star in the world of ballet. Her grace, strength, and spirit inspired many, both on and off the stage. We honor her extraordinary legacy and offer our deepest condolences to her family, loved ones, and all whose lives she touched."

2023

LOCAL NEWS

Young Philadelphia-area dancers prepare for "Nutcracker" performance: "Complete dream come true"

BY SIAFA LEWIS, SEAN TALLANT

DECEMBER 13, 2023 / 11:46 PM EST / CBS PHILADELPHIA

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Some of the most gifted and hardworking kids are preparing to bring the enchanted world of "The Nutcracker" to life in Center City this weekend. 

The young dancers are enrolled at the prestigious Rock School for Dance Education, which has campuses in Philadelphia and West Chester. The upcoming performance at the Miller Theater is the highlight of the year. 

RELATED: Philadelphia Ballet's "The Nutcracker" becomes "Daddy and Me" Christmas tradition for NJ family

"We have over 600 students enrolled in our schools, and we have over 150 students dancing in our Nutcracker," Etienne Diaz, director of the Rock School West Chester, said.

"It's my dream to become a professional ballerina, and this school will take me there," Noe Lynds, a 16-year-old from Southern California, said. "I fully believe that the dance education I receive here is exceptional." 

WEST CHESTER’S ROCK SCHOOL FOR DANCE MERGES WITH MEDIA’S ACADEMY OF INTERNATIONAL BALLET

Bc July 14, 2023

(Philadelphia, Media, and West Chester, PA) - The Rock School for Dance West Chester has hired business owners and teachers Anastasia Babayeva and Denis Gronostayskiy for their faculty. The husband and wife team ran the Academy of International Ballet in Media, PA, which they closed on accepting full-time positions with the Rock School.

“Anastasia and Denis represent the highest caliber of dance teachers, with many former students dancing professionally worldwide,” said Etienne Diaz, director of Rock School for Dance West Chester. Diaz is a former soloist with Philadelphia Ballet, and Gronostayskiy and Babayeva are former dancers with Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow and Richmond Ballet.

Rock School for Dance West Chester has expanded its offerings with a full-day program and a professional ballet curriculum. Additional new faculty include Carlos dos Santos, Jr., a former dancer with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Complexions Contemporary Ballet, and Jody Anderson, a former principal dancer with Kansas City Ballet. 

Peter Stark, president and director of the Rock School, stated, “We see Rock School for Dance West Chester as a sister to our Philadelphia location, offering the same level of excellence that has made the school famous for producing some of the world’s greatest dancers.” 

BIOGRAPHIES

Anastasia Babayeva graduated from the world-renowned Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow, Russia. She danced professionally with the Bolshoi Theatre in Russia, Chicago Ballet in IL, Richmond Ballet in VA, and International Ballet Classique in PA.

She has performed principal roles in classical ballets such as Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Coppelia, The Nutcracker, Giselle, Romeo and Juliet, and The Sleeping Beauty. Her awards include Outstanding Teacher at Youth America Grand Prix. 

Denis Gronostayskiy graduated from the world-renowned Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow, Russia, and is an ‘Artist of Distinction’ in the United States. Gronostayskiy was Principal Artist with the Moscow Renaissance Ballet in Russia, Philadelphia Ballet Theatre, Richmond Ballet, VA, and International Ballet Classique.

Gronostayskiy and Babayeva co-founded the Academy of International Ballet in 2001 and International Ballet Classique (IBC). Under their direction, IBC has presented acclaimed performances of major full-length ballets, including Coppelia, The Nutcracker, Giselle, Walpurgis Night, Swan Lake Act II, Paquita, and numerous mixed repertory performances.

Carlos dos Santos, Jr., was a principal dancer with major Brazilian and US dance companies, including Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance (US); Grupo Salto, Balé Folclórico da Bahia, Balé Teatro Castro Alves, and DanceBrazil (Brazil), where he also served as a rehearsal director.

Mr. Dos Santos' choreographic credits include works for Colorado Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, American Dance Festival, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, DanceBrazil, and his solo performances worldwide. He is a resident choreographer for Youth America Grand Prix.

——————

Ukrainian ballet dancers continue their education at The Rock School

BY HOWARD MONROE

FEBRUARY 24, 2023 / 7:25 PM / CBS PHILADELPHIA
View the full-length video here:
https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/ukrainian-ballet-dancers-continue-their-education-at-the-rock-school/

“YAGP has long matched young artists with exceptional schools and scholarship funds,” explains Larissa Saveliev, YAGP founder and artistic director. “Placing Ukrainian refugees in The Rock School both furthers our mission and provides humanitarian aid at a time when it is most needed.”

The Rock School for Dance Education in South Philadelphia has been training top dancers for more than 30 years; its graduates read as a who’s who of the ballet field. The school currently hosts students from nine countries and 24 states. 

YAGP, the largest international student dance competition, recently initiated an effort to match Ukrainian refugee dance students with scholarships at the world’s finest dance schools. This enables these young artists to continue pursuing their passion even amidst a time of grave crisis. The program enlists collaborators through a network of premier dance schools across North America and Europe. Saveliev has partnered with Peter Stark, president and director of The Rock School, for more than 20 years. This latest collaboration provides full scholarships that include tuition for dance and academics, dormitory housing, food, clothing, and medical care. 

International news stories, including a feature on CBS Sunday Morning, increased YAGP’s visibility and funding in support of the young Ukrainians. The Rock School scholarships, which average $43,000 per student annually, are funded in nearly equal parts by YAGP and The Rock School.

Stark, a longtime adjudicator, and supporter of YAGP, saw a unique opportunity for The Rock School to engage in a vital humanitarian effort during a desperate time.

“We don’t have borders in the dance studio. The Rock School is delighted to support these talented young people who have been displaced from their homes, families, and career goals. We will provide them with a safe home, a support network, academics, dance training, medical care, and an opportunity for a brighter future. We will not let the war in Ukraine rob these dancers of a chance at their chosen careers. With the unilateral effort of our partners at YAGP, our staff, and students, The Rock School welcomes them with open arms.”   stated Rock School President and Director, Peter Stark.

Two of the Ukrainian refugees will arrive from Poland this Saturday, January 14, joining a third already on site. The remaining two dancers are expected in the coming weeks. All students will be enrolled in English as a Second Language classes as part of their academic education alongside their regular dance lessons.

2022

“I have known Peter Stark for a long time and admire not only his ballet teaching and business sense but more importantly him as a human being. I am excited to learn from Peter and have the opportunity to share my ballet knowledge and expertise with students at both The Rock School for Dance Education and my own school, The Art of Classical Ballet. I look forward to this new chapter in my career and to the future opportunities this brings for all of my students.” - Magaly Suárez

Magaly Suárez is an internationally renowned ballet teacher and coach and is the owner and Artistic Director of the ballet school, The Art of Classical Ballet, and the school’s nonprofit ballet company, Florida Classical Ballet in Pompano Beach, Florida. Magaly is an exceptional classical ballet teacher and coach with over four decades of ballet teaching experience. She regularly trains professionals and pre-professionals, stages impressive full-length classical ballets and galas, and is often invited as a jury member at national and international ballet competitions.

“Magaly Suárez is one of the greatest coaches and teachers in the world. She has trained star dancers leading every major ballet company. Having her on the Rock team is winning the ballet lottery!” - Peter Stark, President and Director of The Rock School for Dance Education

Suárez supports the individual development of each of her dancers providing superior direction with the highest technical standards, artistry, physicality, and emotional support. Among those who have trained with her, she is affectionately known for “#themagalymagic💫'' and as a result, her dancers have landed company contracts with the finest ballet companies around the world including Dutch National Ballet, English National Ballet, Vienna State Ballet, ABT, Boston Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, The Joffrey Ballet, Miami City Ballet, and others.

Many of Suárez’s dancers go on to lead illustrious ballet careers such as Aran Bell, Principal Dancer with ABT, Julia Conway, Soloist with English National Ballet, Jordan-Elizabeth Long, Soloist with Miami City Ballet, Sophie Miklosovic and Grace-Anne Powers with Ballet Met and rising ballet stars Madison Brown with ABT Studio Company and Brady Farrar now with ABT JKO School.

Suárez's teaching methodology is based on the Cuban Ballet Method. She has trained and coached her students to win awards at all major ballet competitions, including the Prix de Lausanne, IBC Helsinki, Jackson, Varna, Moscow, Beijing, Seoul, Shanghai, and YAGP Finals among others. Her dancers regularly receive scholarships to prestigious schools including The Royal Ballet School, English National Ballet School, Dutch National Ballet School, The John Cranko School, San Francisco Ballet School, and ABT JKO School to name just a few.

Suárez and her dancers consistently win awards at national and international ballet competitions including numerous YAGP Finals and Regionals Outstanding Teacher, Outstanding School, and Grand Prix Awards along with first-place across all categories including Large Ensemble, Pas de Deux, and individual Classical and Contemporary categories.

Suárez began her teaching career after graduating with honors from The Cuban National Ballet School where she spent nearly two decades honing her classical ballet teaching skills. Upon moving to the United States she worked with numerous ballet companies and schools as a classical ballet teacher and staged full-length ballets including Carmen, Giselle, Le Corsaire, The Nutcracker, Paquita, Swan Lake, and Sleeping Beauty. She could often be found working with Cincinnati Ballet, Corella Ballet-Angel Corella, Morphoses-Christopher Wheldon, Orlando Ballet, Orlando Ballet School, and CPYB.

Suárez has arrived at the stage in her career where she wants to share her ballet knowledge and expertise to reach as many students as possible. For the 2022-2023 season, she is excited to be expanding The Art of Classical Ballet’s pre-professional day program while also having the opportunity to join The Rock School for Dance Education as a part-time Resident Master Teacher. Suárez will share her time teaching between Philadelphia and Pompano Beach and maintain her position as a teacher, coach, owner, and Artistic Director of The Art of Classical Ballet and Florida Classical Ballet. Suárez remains committed to all of her students and is excited about continuing her contribution to forming the future stars of ballet.

The School, which is internationally known for training star dancers worldwide, is focusing on building its after-school programs to serve the local community. Located at the Broad Street and Washington Avenue crossing, The School is at the heart of South Philadelphia and a burgeoning new neighborhood with new construction on all sides. 

“We are focusing on being a South Philadelphia community school with a structured curriculum that is age-appropriate training dancers at every age and level of interest. Melissa is an expert in the essential beginning levels of dance.”– Peter Stark, President and Director of The Rock School for Dance Education

Melissa Stafford brings more than 20 years of experience to The Rock School as a ballet teacher, administrator, and school director. 

Melissa Stafford’s Career
A Pennsylvania native, Stafford joined her siblings in training at the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet (CPYB) with Marcia Dale Weary. 

Stafford began student teaching at CPYB under Weary’s guidance. After earning a Bachelor of Arts in psychology (summa cum laude) from Houghton College, Stafford joined the Peabody Preparatory Dance Department at Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, MD) in 2001 under Artistic Advisor (and Pennsylvania Ballet founder) Barbara Weisberger. In 2006, she was invited by Peter Stark to become ballet principal for Next Generation Ballet in Tampa, FL where she helped the school to expand more than 10 fold in three years.

She returned to Peabody at Weisberger’s invitation as Dance Department Chair where she created a dance training scholarship program for boys. Additionally, she programmed ballets including masterworks by Isadora Duncan, Martha Graham, Pearl Lang, Anna Sokolow, and Antony Tudor.  Stafford has also been on the adjunct faculties of Goucher College and taught for the Orlando Ballet School Summer Intensive, CPYB Summer Intensive, The Next Generation Ballet Summer Intensive, and The Hartt School at the University of Hartford.

Stafford’s students have danced professionally with companies including American Ballet Theatre, Royal Swedish Ballet, Carolina Ballet, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, and Philadanco! 

In 1999, Stafford received the Regional Dance America/Northeast Region Monticello Award for Emerging Female Choreographers. She is the recipient of the 2017 Peabody Preparatory Excellence in Teaching Award.

ABOUT THE ROCK SCHOOL
Mission
The Rock School strives to develop the whole dancer, enabling students to reach the highest standards of technique and artistry in a nurturing, supportive environment that elevates the art form, the dancer, and the audience.

The Rock School for Dance Education is one of the world’s top pre-professional training institutions. Dancers from around the world have been to The School’s exceptional faculty, individual attention, nurturing environment, and the success of its alumni for more than 30 years.
 
The Rock School operates on a $5 million annual budget. Facilities include The Rock Center at 1101 S. Broad Street in Philadelphia and a suburban satellite school in West Chester. Boarding students find a comfortable home and community at The Marine Club across from The Rock Center. Many students receive both their dance and college preparatory academic education at the Rock School.
 
For 30 years, the School has developed dancers for premier dance companies worldwide, as well as on Broadway and London’s West End. Rock students have competed and received honors in the Prix de Lausanne, Youth America Grand Prix, World Ballet Competitions, USA International Ballet Competition, Moscow IBC, and Berlin Tanzolymp. The faculty includes distinguished dancers, instructors, and choreographers serving more than 1,200 students. The Rock School is proud to award more than $700,000 in annual scholarships.

2021

Boston’s Ballet’s Peter Stark to succeed Bojan Spassoff as President and Director of The Rock School for Dance Education 
December 1, 2021

(Philadelphia, PA)– The Board of Trustees of The Rock School of Dance Education announces the appointment of Peter Stark as the School’s new President and Director; Mr. Stark will join The School in February 2022.  

Peter Stark is an internationally renowned ballet teacher and coach who has been influential in dancers’ successes across the United States and Europe.

Stark is currently associate director of Boston Ballet II and head of the Men’s Program with Boston Ballet School. He regularly teaches the professional dancers of Boston Ballet and represents the company as an international judge and adjudicator. His previous leadership roles included founding artistic director of Next Generation Ballet in Tampa and school director of Orlando Ballet growing both organizations to international acclaim. Stark danced leading roles at Washington Ballet, Washington National Opera, Boston Ballet, and New York City Ballet. Stark has coached students to top prizes at major international ballet competitions, including Youth America Grand Prix, YoungArts, SYTYCD, Princess Grace Foundation, and the International Ballet Competitions in Helsinki, Jackson, Beijing, and Seoul. 

"Peter has been a valuable asset to Boston Ballet and Boston Ballet School for the past six years.  I am thrilled for him to make this next step in his career and want to thank him for all the incredible work he has done for Boston Ballet II and our School.”
Mikko Nissinen, Artistic Director of Boston Ballet and Boston Ballet School  
 

About the Director Search
The four-month long international director search was overseen by a committee composed of TRS Trustees, Bojan and Stephanie Spassoff, and TRS leadership staff, under the governance of the Board of Trustees. Search Committee chair/TRS Board Chair Chris Raphaely, Esq., led the committee through in-depth interviews and research to narrow the list of candidates. The final list of candidates was presented to the full Board of Trustees, who completed the selection process and ratified a conditional offer in a special session, full board vote, on November 5, 2021.

"Peter Stark brings a high-level, successful track record and a deep caring for the development of young dancers to this role that continues The Rock School leadership legacy,”
Christopher Raphaely, Rock School Board of Trustees Chairman

About Peter Stark
During nearly seven years at Boston Ballet, Stark established new touring, expanded the repertoire for Boston Ballet II, and was instrumental in creating a pre-professional division partnership with Walnut Hill School for the Arts. Prior to Boston, Stark was the founding artistic director of Next Generation Ballet in Tampa and chair of the Patel Conservatory Dance Department. He created the school and pre-professional company that quickly became an exemplary professional track dance program attracting students worldwide. Graduates of the program have gone on to careers with many of the top companies domestically and abroad. 

Peter Stark is a graduate of the School of American Ballet and studied with Andre Eglevsky, Stanley Williams, and Fernando Bujones. His eclectic career has allowed him to choreograph original works for Orlando Ballet, Washington Ballet, and Boston Ballet II, including a critically acclaimed Cinderella. He also danced several principal roles with The Washington National Opera, including two PBS national telecasts with Placido Domingo. He served on grant panels at the city and state levels and with the National Endowment for the Arts. On top of a fulfilling dance and education career, Stark studied business administration at Strayer University.
 

About The Rock School for Dance Education
Throughout its 58-year history, the school has developed dancers for premier dance companies throughout the world and has transformed from a small regional school into an internationally acclaimed institution. To complement The Rock School’s ballet training, Rock Academics provides flexible but rigorous 7-12 grade college preparatory course work while Residence provides a nurturing and convenient home away from home for elite national and international ballet talent. Because the Professional Division students are the dance stars of tomorrow, The Rock School awards more than $700,000 in annual scholarships to its dancers.

The Rock School for Dance Education is a 501(c)3 organization and depends on the generosity of donors to achieve its goals in training pre-professional dancers from around the world, making dance accessible to thousands of children from underserved local communities through outreach programming, and continually expanding the School's repertoire.  

2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - September 16, 2020

ROCK SCHOOL DIRECTORS WILL RECEIVE INTERNATIONAL HONORS AT DANCE TEACHER VIRTUAL ANNUAL EVENT
Rock School for Dance Education Directors To Receive International Accolade at Dance Teacher Magazine Awards, virtually in New York City.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - September 2020

ON THE EVE OF ITS 21st SEASON, ROCKREACH, IS AWARDED LEAD SUPPORT BY THE WILLIAM PENN FOUNDATION AND ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FROM THE NEA
The world-renowned Rock School for Dance Education was awarded a three-year major grant from WPF to support its extensive dance residency program, RockReach in schools across Philadelphia’s underserved communities.

2019

Rock Directors Bo and Stephanie Spassoff discuss the ins and outs of The Rock School’s annual Showcase performance.

2018

2016

WEB:

• December 29th, 2016 - 25 To Watch - Sarah Lapointe - Dance Magazine 

• December 18th, 2016 - In Search of the Best Mous King: A Tale of Three Nutcrackers

• December 9th, 2016Timeless ‘Nutcracker’ continues to create magic

• November 17, 2016 - The Rock School for Dance Education Will Present Nutcracker 1776 - Dance Journal

• November 1st, 2016 - RP Featured Artist: Wanting Zhao - Russian Pointe

• October 13th, 2016 - Defying Gravity - Nancy Wozny, Pointe Magazine

• September 14th, 2016 -Philly Dance: A Season of Changes, surprises, and premiers - philly.com

• August 24th, 2016 - 10 Recent High School grads on Why They Decided Not to Go to College - Kate Beckman

• June 1, 2016 - Bo & Stephanie Spassoff - Pointe Magazine

• May 18th, 2016 - Happy news: Taylor Stanley Gets Promoted - Dance Magazine