Programs created and successfully implemented

Master Classes and Discussions with

  • Alicia Graf Mack, Director of Juilliard's Dance Division

  • Maggie Small, former principal of the Richmond Ballet (RB) (virtual)

  • Julie Kent, Artistic Director of The Washington Ballet (TWB) (virtual)

  • Silas Farley, Dean of Colburn School's, Trudy Zipper Dance Institute: choreographer, former dancer at the New York City Ballet (virtual)

  • Mavis Staines, Artístic Director of Canada’s National Ballet School (NBS)

  • Gian Carlo Perez, Principal, The Washington Ballet

  • Laveen Naidu, Dance Director, The St. James

  • Lauren Anderson, Associate Director, Education & Community Engagement, Houston Ballet

  • Brett Bonda, Managing Director, Richmond Ballet School; and Carol Foster, Emergency Preparedness Specialist, International Association of Blacks in Dance (IABD), discussed Covid-19 experiences and solutions

  • Master class with Alicia Graf Mack, Director, Dance Division The Juilliard School

  • Beyond the Ballet Barre Students

  • Master Class with Mavis Staines, Artistic Director, Canada’s National Ballet School

  • Gian Carlo Perez, Principal, The Washington Ballet

  • Master Class with Gian Carlo Perez

  • L to R: Sandra Fortune-Green, Laveen Naidu, Kahina Haynes, Lauri Fitz-Pegado, Gian Carlo Perez, Royce Zackery, Dot Walker

Faculty and Student Exchanges

TC (now BTBB) visit to Richmond Ballet School (RBS) :

  • Toured RBS facilities

  • TC teachers observed classes and exchanged information with RBS faculty and administrators

  • TC students attended ballet classes

  • TC teachers and students attended a performance of the Richmond Ballet

TC (now BTBB) student virtual viewing and discussion of documentary “Beyond Moving,” the story of South African dancer Siphe November, principal, National Ballet of Canada.

Teacher and student exchanges with TC (now BTBB) and Canada’s National Ballet School (NBS): 2022-2024

  • NBS Senior leadership and staff visit Washington DC (2022)

  • TC officers & advisory board visit and teach at NBS, Toronto (2022, 2023)

  • NBS students visit Washington DC (2022, 2023)

  • Washington DC students visit Toronto (2022, 2023)

  • BTBB teachers and students participate in Assemblée Internationale 2023 (AI 23)

  • Lauri Fitz-Pegado teaching ballet class at Canada’s National Ballet School

  • Left to Right: Ashley Powell, John Alleyne, Siphe November, Adrian Vincent James, Lauri Fitz-Pegado, John Dalrymple, Royce Zackery

  • Left to Right: Kahina Haynes, Robert Thaler (Pianist) , Lauri Fitz-Pegado, and Adrian Vincent James

  • Lauri Fitz-Pegado with NBS Students

  • Canada's National Ballet Students v

    Canada's National Ballet Students Visit Washington DC

  • Students from Washington DC Visit Canada's National Ballet School

Symposium: Addressing Racialization in Ballet

The Symposium audience comprised over 600 participants from 10 countries. The multi-generational speakers, moderators, and panelists were from the US and Canada. They shared their lived experiences, and represented many areas of ballet- dancers, teachers, administrators, artistic and school directors, and experts on history, anti- racism, equity and inclusion.

Symposium Co-hosts: Kahina Haynes, Lauri Fitz-Pegado, Mavis Staines (L to R)

The Collective (now BTBB) contributed to designing, identifying speakers, moderating, participating on panels, and co/hosting.

Assemblée Internationale

Assemblée Internationale 2023: Internationale (AI), April 30-May 6, 2023 in Toronto.

Established by Canada’s National Ballet School (NBS) in 2009, Assemblée Internationale is an Olympic-calibre gathering of pre-professional dancers and artistic directors from training schools and organizations around the world. A unique and dynamic global event, Assemblée Internationale empowers young artists to develop as leaders and create meaningful connections with their peers. Collaboration is the essential and central value of each version of the festival.

The imperative for systemic change at every level of society is abundantly clear. Assemblée Internationale 2023 (AI23) is an opportunity for leaders of the global ballet training community to examine our accountability in advancing equity, create the change needed in our beloved art form, and lead by example. To strengthen the language of ballet and make it more relevant and powerful, the delivery and the creative process of ballet must resonate with and reflect the full diversity of our society.

Post-AI 23 sessions continue with participants and expanded groups of global professionals to explore and recommend viable solutions for advancing inclusion in ballet at all levels.

Pedagogy class with Sandra Fortune-Green at Jones-Haywood Dance School

Sandra Fortune-Green, Artistic Director, Jones-Haywood Dance School

Sandra Fortune-Green delivers ballet Pedagogy class

Master Classes and Movie Discussion