Cecchetti Midwest 50th Anniversary

Our Midwest Committee Then and Now

Fifty years ago, a group of dedicated teachers began meeting monthly to learn the Cecchetti Method of teaching classical ballet. By 1963 several members of the Midwest Committee had passed their teacher grades I through V and were continuing their studies during their monthly meetings and by participating in teaching workshops in Michigan, England and Canada. At this time the Midwest Committee decided to add a student class as part of their meeting program. They learned that observing their students being taught by other qualified Cecchetti teachers was helpful for both their own teaching as well as for the students.

Today the Midwest Committee offers full day student workshops twice a year. Graded and non-syllabus ballet classes are taught by guest and member teachers to give students the opportunity to learn outside their home studios and to give teachers the opportunity to observe their students in this atmosphere. Each workshop also offers a variety of dance and exercise disciplines to give more student opportunities, which may not be offered in every studio. Both member and non-member students and teachers are welcome to attend.

All Midwest Cecchetti member teachers continue to study under qualified Cecchetti coaches during private times, just as members did in the early years of our committee. Our workshops today also offer separate teacher classes and we encourage non-member teachers to participate.