Neglia Conservatory of Ballet
Neglia Ballet Artists is dedicated to enriching the regions cultural environment by building appreciation and support for the art of ballet. We are committed to preserving the artistry, technique and traditions of ballet through high quality performance and superior Instruction.
Neglia Ballet Artists takes its name from its co-directors, the married couple of Sergio Neglia and Heidi Halt. Sergio Neglia was born in Argentina where he started his ballet training at the age of seven, and continued in New York at the School of American Ballet. There he won the approval and encouragement of George Balanchine, who directed the New York City Ballet and was one of the great choreographers of this century. Sergio has appeared with ballet companies the world over, performing with the Santiago Ballet in Chile, The Miami City Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, The Slovak Ballet, and in Japan; The Nishina Ballet and the Okamoto Ballet.
Heidi Halt,a Buffalo native, began her professional career by dancing with the Buffalo Ballet Theatre. She also danced with the Oakland Ballet, Berkeley Ballet Theatre, Ballet Randolf in Miami, Cincinnati Ballet, Scapino Ballet of Rotterdam Netherlands and in Buffalo with the Pick of the Crop dance company.
The Neglia family name continues the legacy of Sergio's father, who was one of the most famous dancers in Argentina and a principal dancer in the ballet company of the Colon Theatre in Buenos Aires, where his mother danced as well.
In September of 1994 Sergio and Heidi established the Neglia Conservatory of Ballet, to introduce Western New York dance students to a new level of classical training. Sergio Neglia remembers the passion his parents carried in their bodies when they danced, and this is something he wants to pass down to his students. The Conservatory has been very successful at identifying and developing young ballet talent throughout the region.
Over the years students from the Conservatory have gone on to careers with dance companies such as the American Repertory, Colorado Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, North Carolina Dance Theatre and the Richmond Ballet in Virginia. Conservatory students have also received scholarships and acceptance to prestigious dance schools including the Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre, American Ballet Theatre, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Chautauqua Festival Ballet, Houston Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School, North Carolina School of the Arts, and the National Ballet of Canada.
In 1999 the couple established a performing company called Neglia Ballet Artists. Widely acclaimed, the Buffalo News praised NBA's July 2006 performance with the Buffalo Philharmonic at Artpark with terms such as "near flawless" and ballet brilliance." This dynamic performing ensemble is now in its eighth year of mounting professional dance productions using a core group of dancers, professional guest artists, and advanced students from the Conservatory.
Pilates classes are ongoing every Monday's, Wednesday's and Friday's 8:30 am - 9:30 am at the Neglia Ballet studios. Pilates instructor, Zonnie Bauer, will help you to strengthen and find your inner core! Cost is $15 per class or $100 for the month (8 classes). Call 716-447-0401 to register.
www.negliaballet.org
Picture courtesy of Gene Witkowski
Neglia Conservatory of Ballet
1685 Elmwood Ave
Buffalo, NY 14207-2435
(716) 447-0401
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