Tulsa Ballet Student Mentorship Program Reaches 1st Milestone

Tulsa Ballet Center for Dance Education and its parent professional ballet company, Tulsa Ballet, have just begun a dynamic collaboration – the Tulsa Ballet Student Mentorship Program.

This visionary initiative will establish relationships between 16 budding dancers from the school with four company members who will serve as their artistic compasses over the next nine months.

Within this innovative program lies a unique and coveted opportunity for students – they will forge a meaningful connection with professional dancers, delving into the intricacies of their daily lives as members of Tulsa Ballet.

“I was very fortunate to grow up, as a young dance student, in the ballet school of a European Opera House, the Teatro San Carlo in Napoli, Italy. That meant I had the ability to watch rehearsals while I was waiting for my classes to start. And, because my father was a dancer in the company, I also had the opportunity to interact with professional dancers and ask them all my questions about a career in dance. With the mentorship program, we want to replicate the same kind of experience for our students and break down the barriers between accomplished professionals and aspiring young artists. I believe the program will accomplish this goal.”

Marcello Angelini

Artistic Director of Tulsa Ballet

The Tulsa Ballet Student Mentorship Program

The journey commenced this past weekend, an experience that included observing a behind-the-scenes company class, an intimate meet-and-greet with their mentors, and an exclusive backstage tour of the Tulsa Ballet’s Creations in Studio K program which opened on Friday.

In October, students and their mentors will watch together a special screening of FLOWER followed by an in-person Talkback session featuring the ballet star Misty Copeland (who is featured in the film) and Leyla Fayyaz from Life in Motion Productions.

Throughout the season, the Tulsa Ballet Student Mentorship Program promises an array of experiences such as a specially-dedicated reception, mentor-taught ballet classes, a dance photography workshop, and a professional contemporary dance photoshoot, along with a host of other engaging activities that promise to elevate their education as they continue their training.

“We are thrilled to be able to offer students from around Tulsa, this invaluable opportunity to connect with the professional dancers of Tulsa Ballet, and receive mentorship in their own personal dance journey,” says Lauren Richter, School Principal of Tulsa Ballet Center for Dance Education.

Featured Photo from the first milestone of the Tulsa Ballet Student Mentorship Program of (costumed) mentors Maria Rita Rapisarda (Apprentice), Haley Mae Wilson (Corps de Ballet), Julia Crosby (Corps de Ballet), and Talisson Farias (Apprentice) with Tulsa Ballet Center for Dance Education students. Photo courtesy of Tulsa Ballet.