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Byham Center for Dance Opens
PBT celebrated the grand opening of the Byham Center for Dance, a 14,000-square-foot addition to its Liberty Avenue studios in the Strip District. As the centerpiece of the company’s 10-year campus expansion initiative, which launched in 2009, the annex building added two spacious new studios, community and student dressing rooms, and a fully equipped Pilates and sports conditioning studio for dancers, students and community members.
PBT Moves to Strip District Studios
Thanks to a purchase made by Loti and Leon Falk, PBT moved into its new Liberty Avenue studios in the Strip District, where the company and school remain today.
Patricia Wilde Becomes Artistic Director
PBT entered a new artistic era with the appointment of Patricia Wilde as artistic director – a position she would hold for 15 years. The former New York City Ballet dancer elevated the company with a refined technique and works by modern masters, including her mentor, George Balanchine.
Loti Falk Becomes Executive Director
Co-founder Loti Falk Gaffney, who had served the company in many capacities from the start, became executive director.
Intensive Summer Program Launches
PBT School launched its Intensive Summer Program for pre-professional ballet students from across the country.
The Founding
Fifty years ago, a charismatic choreographer and a passionate arts enthusiastic joined forces to create Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre.
As a major supporter of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Loti Falk Gaffney had already stepped forward as a leader in Pittsburgh’s arts community. And it was her involvement with the Pittsburgh Playhouse that connected her with Nicolas Petrov, a young dancer and choreographer, who had moved to Pittsburgh to run the Playhouse’s dance department and who later founded the dance program at Point Park College (now University).
Both believed that Pittsburgh deserved a professional ballet company among its cultural treasures. With Falk’s financial backing and Petrov’s artistic vision, they founded Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre in affiliation with Point Park College in the fall of 1969.
As founding artistic director, Petrov brought artistic connections, choreographic experience and a corps of young talents from the dance programs he developed at the Pittsburgh Playhouse and Point Park. As founding chair, Falk served the fledgling company in nearly every capacity – even selling tickets and stitching costumes on occasion – and infused the company with an energy and ambition that live on today.
7 Summer Dance Photos from Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Dancers
From May through July, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre dancers take a well-deserved break from their full-time rehearsal schedule. For many dancers, summer is a time to travel, soak in the sun, guest perform and teach, rest and recuperate. Here, eight PBT dancers share some snaps of what they’ve been up to on and off the stage.
Pro Tips for a Successful School Year
School-year pointers for the serious ballet student
From Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School graduate student to company soloist, dancer Gabrielle Thurlow has discovered that hard work and unwavering passion yield high results. As serious ballet students head back to the studio, Thurlow shares her pro tips for maximizing your school year and staying inspired.
From a PBT School student to a soloist, what skills have you mastered? How have you grown?
“Since becoming a soloist, I have learned the importance of grit. I’ve learned that casting should not affect how hard you work. You may not always get the role you hoped, but that does not mean you should give up. There is always going to be someone better than you. But instead of feeling defeated, use that to fuel you. Hard work does pay off, whether that is sooner or later. I’ve always loved ballet class, and I use it every morning to get my body and mind going in the right direction.”
Looking back on your time as a full-time ballet student, what advice would you give your younger self…or any serious ballet student?
“I would advise a younger student to watch a lot of different dancers. There’s so much you can learn from watching people. You can decide what you like and what you don’t. Try to discover why you like a certain dancer, but maybe not another as much. Then, try to implement what you like on your own technique, while finding a way to make it your own. Remember what you did not find beautiful and try to make sure you don’t form bad habits.”
As a student, what did you do outside of class to maximize your experience?
“As a student, I would seek out lots of corrections, which I still do today. I like to have different people watch my rehearsals because they give different feedback. Also, even if a different person suggests the same thing, they might say it in a different way. It may then “click” better with me. If no one is available to me, I will sometimes record myself. This can often be difficult to watch, as I am usually my own worst critic, but it does help me see things to try to improve.”
How do you increase your flexibility and strength now as a professional?
“I do a lot of Pilates and cardio work, which I still find very useful today. Pilates works the deep intrinsic muscles in our bodies, which are so important for ballet. It stretches and strengthens at the same time. It also works your alignment, which I believe helps avoid injuries. Cardio is good for building and maintaining stamina, which is important for various repertoire.”
What were your goals and challenges as a student? What are they now?
“My goal as a student was to become a professional in a ballet company. I was fortunate enough to get hired at PBT. Now my goal is to continue to improve my artistry and technique. This is a constant battle, because there is always room to grow. With new roles come new challenges and different steps to work on. I am less comfortable in adagio, so I often find myself working on stability and control.”
As a student, what motivated or inspired you during the school year?
“As a student, the allure of company life was my motivation. I love the art form so much that the thought of making it my career was so inspiring. Getting to that point was a lot of work. I danced full-time as a student and spent my evenings working as a server in a restaurant. However, I never thought of giving up because I had so much passion for it.”
When you’ve had a tough day, mentally or physically, how do you bounce back?
“Although I do love ballet, it can often be challenging, both physically and mentally. After a particularly tough day, I try to get out of my head and leave the studio behind. I find it helpful to take a long walk with my dog and talk things out with someone I’m close with. For me, it’s important to have someone that supports me, and I’m grateful to have several of those people in my life.”
What are your dance bag essentials?
“Toe spacers (corn prevention!), water bottle, snacks, leg warmers and extra pointe shoes.”
New Dancer Spotlight: Jonathan Breight
Artistic Director Terrence S. Orr recruited Pittsburgh native Jonathan Breight from PBT School’s Pre-professional Division where he’s trained since 2013 — first as a full-time high school student and then as a Graduate student. Breight also has participated in PBT School’s Intensive Summer Program and in Point Park University’s International Summer Dance Program. Breight has performed in PBT productions of West Side Story Suite, PBT: New Works, Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Alice in Wonderland, Giselle and Beauty and The Beast. He also teaches pre-ballet classes for PBT School’s Children’s Division and assists PBT’s education department with adaptive dance classes for students with special needs. Get to know Jonathan here:
Fun Facts
Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – Forest Hills
Family: “My Father, Rev. Ronald M. Breight, or “The Good Reverend” as we like to call him, is the Pastor of Christ Lutheran Forest Hills. My Mother, Linda Breight, is a teacher assistant at The Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf. I have one older and two younger brothers: Miguel, David and Timothy. My older brother, Miguel, is a specialist in the U.S. Army. David attends The Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf and enjoys competing in the Special Olympics. My youngest brother, Timothy, attends Woodland Hills and loves fishing with Dad…Our dog Bailey adds to the excitement of the house.”
Pre-performance ritual: “Chapstick. Aquaphor: it’s my must-have.”
Hobbies: “I play the hand bells, teach for PBT school, used to perform in Woodland Hills musicals, and can sign ASL.”
Favorite food: “My favorite food is spaghetti with Alfredo sauce and garlic shrimp.”
Favorite musician/song: “It depends on the day… but today I would say anything Phantom of the Opera! Yesterday I would have said Barrette Sisters, but tomorrow might be Rhianna.”
Ultimate dream role: “Performing in William Forsythe’s Artifact Suite.”
Favorite role to date: “King of Hearts in PBT’s Alice in Wonderland.”
Q&A
How do you think you’ve grown as an artist during your time in the PBT School Graduate Program? How has it prepared you for a professional position?
“I have grown as an artist during my time in the Grad program by setting and working toward three goals: a personal daily goal, a monthly goal and a year-long goal. While I will continue goal setting, the transition from student to company member will be a large step, because you no longer have a safety net of student learning. You’re held to higher expectations, and the criteria of hard work and dedication is a standard. However, the work ethic and passion to push toward greater learning never stops, only changes, shaped by what we choose to see. The day you lose your pursuit of growing is the day you should stop dancing.”
Describe your ballet “epiphany” – the moment you knew this was what you wanted to do professionally.
“I was a musical theater and marching band geek who could sing and act, but one of my teachers at the time said I needed to be a triple threat if I wanted to “make it in this business.” I used to hate ballet; in fact I skipped my ballet classes during the summer of 2012 at Point Park. It wasn’t until I came to PBT and found a passion for ballet that I became serious and knew I wanted to pursue this career.”
What are some of your personal goals for your first season as a company dancer?
“I would love the opportunity to learn Divertimento No.15. There is a beauty to George Balanchine’s works because of how purely they are preserved through the Balanchine Trust. As a new dancer, you are told to push toward becoming something different, a “standout,” in order to achieve success. However, working within the preservation of the Trust, you learn to give everything you have within the boundaries of Balanchine’s vision. My goal then becomes finding this balance.”
What’s the most fulfilling thing about being a ballet dancer?
“For me there are two parts – personal and professional. Personally, I love dance: classical ballet, neoclassical, contemporary, modern, etc. I love ballet; I love pushing the limits of each style every day and building off of what has been accomplished the day before. Professionally, as a teacher in PBT School, I often hear the kids talking about the company members they idolize and look up to. I aim to follow those I grew up aspiring to be, pass on the values and work ethic I was given the chance to emulate, and to help guide our younger students towards their own goals and aspirations, as not only young dancers, but the young people they will become. Our Children’s Division Ccoordinator, Kaila Lewis, continues to be my role model in transitioning into the person and teacher I want to become.”
What are you most looking forward to dancing next season?
“Everyone is going to tease me for this, but I want to say The Nutcracker. There is a real beauty in becoming not only versatile in learning so many different and unique roles, but also in having so many performances as opportunities to grow. The repetition of performing The Nutcracker year after year offers a unique potential, allowing room for artist development in building the different facets of each character.”
If I wasn’t a ballet dancer, I would be…
“If I had not pursued a ballet career, I would have pursued something in the math and sciences. I enjoyed the precision of mathematical calculations and the pursuit of knowledge expansion.”
New Dancer Spotlight: Yu Chieh Chao
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Artistic Director Terrence S. Orr recruited Yu-Chieh Chao, of Pintung City, Taiwan, from PBT School’s Pre-professional Division where he’s trained since 2015. Prior to PBT School, Yu-Chieh trained with the Taipei National University of Arts. He has performed in PBT productions of The Nutcracker, PBT: New Works and West Side Story Suite and in PBT School performances of Etudes and the Bluebird pas de deux from The Sleeping Beauty. Get to know Yu-Chieh here:
Fun Facts
Hometown: Pingtung City, Taiwan
Family: I lived with my parents, my sister, and my grandma at home in Taiwan. I am the only person who dances in the family.
Pre-performance ritual: Taking a deep breath.
Hobbies: Swimming and biking
Favorite food: Chocolate and fruit in general
Favorite musician: Lana Del Rey
Ultimate dream role: Des Grieux from Manon or Albrecht from Giselle
Favorite role to date: Bluebird from The Sleeping Beauty
Q&A
How do you think you’ve grown as an artist during your time in the PBT School Pre-professional Division?
“I think I have grown as an artist during my years in PBT School by learning from my teachers. The schedule and the training really helped me to build my technique and prepare to be a professional ballet dancer.”
Describe your ballet “epiphany” – the moment you knew this was what you wanted to do professionally.
“I think it was the first time I saw a ballet video that was one of my favorite dancers, David Hallberg doing the prince in The Sleeping Beauty. All the movement that he did was so powerful and elegant. It made me want to be a dancer as good as him.”
What are some of your personal goals for your first season as a company dancer?
“I hope I can become more comfortable performing on stage. For me, I still get nervous when I’m dancing in front of people, and I hope I can get better by getting even more opportunity.”
What’s the most fulfilling thing about being a ballet dancer?
“For me, the most fulfilling thing about being a ballet dancer is I get to do the thing I love every day and it be my career.”
What are you most looking forward to dancing next season?
“Mozart in Motion is what I most looking forward to do next season.”
5 Ways to Maximize Your Ballet Under the Stars Experience
Ballet Under the Stars sets the stage for Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s 50th Anniversary Season with a free, al fresco performance on Sun., Aug. 18, at beautiful Hartwood Acres park. Here are 5 ways to maximize your Ballet Under the Stars experience.
Early birds have the most fun. Soak up some fun in the sun before kicking back for Ballet Under the Stars. Festivities begin at 5 p.m. with food trucks and free family fun, including craft and dance activities, photo ops with costumed dancers, a ballerina dress-up station and more! Plus, spread your blanket, set up your chairs and claim a prime performance spot!
Eat dinner with the dancers. Mingle with artists before the show at our pre-show Picnic in the Park! Head to the VIP tent for drinks and dinner. Tickets, which cost $60 for adults and $20 for kids, benefit repertory, scholarships and community education programs.
Or, pack your own picnic. Whether it’s wine and cheese or a full supper spread, Hartwood Acres is the perfect place to enjoy a picnic with your performance experience. If you prefer to travel light, visit one of Hartwood Acre’s featured food trucks and bring a bite back to your blanket.
Don’t be afraid to dance along. Sit back, relax and let the music move you. The combination of fresh air, open sky and inspiring art never fails to bring audience members to their feet – or get them swaying in their seats!
Plan your next ballet experience. Get a look at the main-stage lineup for PBT’s 50th Anniversary Season, which features classic stories and exciting contemporary masterworks. Then, check your program for your exclusive Ballet Under the Stars promo code, and save 30% on any 2019-2020 Season ballet!
Find more Ballet Under the Stars details here!
New Dancer Spotlight: Caitlyn Mendicino
Artistic Director Terrence S. Orr recruited Pittsburgh native Caitlyn Mendicino from PBT School’s Graduate Program, where she’s trained since 2016. She began ballet classes at PBT at age 4 and continued her training in Pittsburgh with Nicolas Petrov, PBT’s founding artistic director, and Mansur Kamelatdinov in 2007. She continued at the Ballet Academy of Pittsburgh and went on to graduate from North Carolina School of the Arts. She danced as an apprentice with Charlotte Ballet for two years before joining the PBT School Graduate Program. She also has completed summer intensives at American Ballet Theatre, Ballet Austin and Boston Ballet among others. Mendicino has performed in PBT productions of Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Dracula, Romeo and Juliet, Alice in Wonderland and Giselle. Her repertoire also includes The Sleeping Beauty, Le Corsaire, and Balanchine’s Valse Fantasie and The Four Temperaments. Get to know Caitlyn here.
Fun Facts
Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Tell us a little bit about your family: “My parents relocated not too long ago to Ohio, where my dad is a foot and ankle surgeon (very lucky for me). I have one older brother who will be starting his first year of law school in the fall. Besides that, my extended family still lives in Pittsburgh, and they are the best support system anyone could ask for.”
Pre-performance ritual: “If I am able to see into the audience before the show or during it, I always look for my dad. He is easy to spot with his grey hair. Seeing him and family in the audience gives me confidence and calms me down if I’m nervous.”
Hobbies outside dance: “I love photography, crocheting and baking (I make pretty good French Macarons).”
Favorite food: “Either my family’s homemade spaghetti sauce with cavatelli or popcorn.”
Favorite musician/song right now: “Fleetwood Mac is my favorite musical group, but my favorite song would be Norwegian Wood by the Beatles.”
Ultimate dream role: “Juliet in Romeo and Juliet.”
Favorite role to date: “Principal in first movement of George Balanchine’s Western Symphony.”
Six-question Q&A
How have you grown as an artist during your time in the PBT School Graduate Program? How has it prepared you for a professional position?
“I think the graduate program has helped me become stronger not only in my ballet technique but also in my performance quality. I have had the opportunity to perform with the company a lot as a grad, which has enabled me to pick up choreography quickly and work on my stage presence. Having the opportunity to work with these professionals has helped me mature as a person, get out of my comfort zone as a dancer, and grow as an artist.”
Describe your ballet “epiphany” – the moment you knew this was what you wanted to do professionally
“There is one moment that I would describe as my epiphany. My last year at Charlotte Ballet I was performing The Sleeping Beauty pas de deux in the pre-professional showcase. Patricia McBride coached me on this role, teaching me the importance of giving your entire self when you dance as well as dancing from your heart. In that performance of The Sleeping Beauty I felt what she had taught me. It was such a wonderful experience and reassured me that ballet is what I wanted to do professionally.”
What are some of your personal goals for your first season as a company dancer?
“I want to work on my stage presence and artistry as a dancer. Those are two things that any dancer can always improve upon and grow throughout their entire careers.”
What’s the most fulfilling thing about being a ballet dancer?
“I would say that the most fulfilling thing about being a ballet dancer is the ability to inspire other people through my dancing. I know that when I was little, going to performances of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre inspired me to become a ballet dancer. I love that I could possibly inspire someone like 4-year-old me to pursue their dreams.”
What are you most looking forward to dancing next season?
“I’m definitely excited for Mozart in Motion, but I am also looking forward to The Sleeping Beauty because it is my favorite classical ballet.”
If I wasn’t a ballet dancer, I would be…
“I think I would be in the medical field, either a nurse or a doctor. I would want to do something that helps people and being in medicine would definitely accomplish this.”
3 Reasons Summer Intensives Are Invaluable
Just when the academic school year winds down, the summer intensive season gears up for serious ballet students.
From late June to mid July, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School’s annual Intensive Summer Program (ISP) packs over 180 hours of concentrated technique and repertoire classes into five weeks that are as inspirational as they are intensive.
There are many reasons over 200 students swap a month of summer relaxation for an Intensive Summer Program spot at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. Here are just three ways summer intensives help students become better dancers:
Build momentum.
With school out for the summer, ISP provides a focused environment to concentrate solely on your dancing. You’ve worked hard all year to hone your technique, expand your flexibility and build strength. Summer intensives help you avoid backsliding and start the next academic year at an advantage. In addition to dance classes, ISP integrates Pilates mat classes and access to reformer training and other cross training equipment. Over five immersive weeks at PBT School, you can grow by leaps and bounds as you zoom in on the details that lift your dancing to the next level.
Expose yourself to new faculty and feedback.
In addition to PBT School’s respected roster of faculty members, ISP offers the opportunity to work closely with Artistic Director Terrence S. Orr and Ballet Mistress Marianna Tcherkassky — both of whom are American Ballet Theatre alums — and guest instructors from other prestigious companies. Students benefit from exposure to different teaching styles, fresh feedback and a wealth of perspectives and experiences from expert instructors with diverse backgrounds.
Meet and mingle with other dancers.
With five weeks away from home, it’s a chance to break out of your comfort zone and network with fellow dancers who share your passion for your career path. Find new friends and fresh inspiration by swapping insights with talented dancers from across the country and around the world. You never know when you’ll next cross paths in the increasingly connected dance world.
Learn more about Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School’s annual Intensive Summer Program here. For updates on annual audition dates, which run from January through February, sign up for PBT School email updates here.
New Dancer Spotlight: Colin McCaslin
Artistic Director Terrence S. Orr recruited Colin McCaslin, of Vineland, New Jersey, from PBT School’s full-time high school program, where he trained for two years. Before joining PBT School, McCaslin trained with the Atlantic City Ballet School under Phyllis Papa and in Miami City Ballet School’s summer intensive. He has performed with PBT in The Nutcracker and West Side Story Suite and with Atlantic City Ballet in Carmen and Swan Lake. His repertoire also includes excerpts from Giselle, La Sylphide, The Sleeping Beauty, Don Quixote, Paquita and Western Symphony. Get to know Colin here.
Fun Facts
Hometown: Vineland, NJ
Family: “I come from a family of 13, two of whom were adopted from China. My parents are pretty much the most selfless people you’d ever meet; they’ve always done their best to make sure I could do what I loved.”
Pre-performance ritual: “I usually just listen to music and prepare myself mentally.”
Hobbies: “I don’t really have too many hobbies, but hanging out with the people I love and a good cup of coffee are two of my favorite things.”
Favorite food: “Salmon (if done well), but I also love pizza, sausage and sushi.”
Favorite musician: Paul McCartney
Ultimate dream role: Basilio in Don Quixote
Favorite role to date: “I had a lot of fun performing the first movement of Western Symphony, but I also loved performing Paquita (in PBT School’s Pre-professional Showcases 2018).”
Six-question Q&A
How do you think you’ve grown during your time in the PBT School Pre-professional Division? How has it prepared you for a professional ballet career?
“I feel that I’ve established a strong foundation as well as been given many challenging opportunities from which I can continue to learn and grow. I think in a lot of ways the many rehearsals throughout the day are not unlike that of a company schedule. The dynamic of the Pre-professional Division really does a great job of preparing dancers for a professional career. I feel I’ve become a lot stronger and more confident having been given so many incredible opportunities.”
Describe your Ballet “epiphany” – the moment you knew this is what you wanted to do professionally.
“I never really had one moment, but every time I go on stage I’m reminded of why and how much I love this art form.”
What are some of your personal goals for your first season as a company dancer?
“Just to keep on working; everything can always be better.”
What’s the most fulfilling thing about being a ballet dancer?
“I think the most fulfilling thing about being a ballet dancer is bowing after a good performance, knowing that you gave it your all.”
What are you most looking forward to dancing next season?
“I’m definitely looking forward to The Great Gatsby.”
If I weren’t a ballet dancer…”I think I’d be an attorney.”
New Dancer Alert: Four New Company Members Signed for 2018-2019 Season
See all four dancers on stage this weekend in Spring Performance 2018, their final performance with PBT School! Snag seats here.
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Artistic Director Terrence S. Orr has signed four more dancers to the company roster for the 2018-2019 Season, which opens Oct. 26-28, with Mozart in Motion with the PBT Orchestra.
Orr recruited the following dancers from PBT School’s Pre-professional Division: Jonathan Breight, of Pittsburgh; Colin McCaslin of Vineland, New Jersey; Yu-Chieh Chao of Pingtung, Taiwan; and Caitlyn Mendicino of Pittsburgh. All four dancers will join the company as apprentices.
Earlier this season, Orr announced the hire of PBT School graduate students Christian García Campos, of Puebla, Mexico, and Tommie Kesten, of Pittsburgh, who also will join the company as apprentices for the 2018-2019 Season.
In total, Orr has hired six dancers from PBT School’s Pre-professional Division this year.
“The Pre-professional Division is where dancers begin making the transition from student to professional. At this stage, dancers are honing their performance skills, cultivating their individuality as artists and testing their technique in company repertoire,” Orr said. “It has been a pleasure to work closely with these dancers. They’ve stood out on stage in both student and professional performances, and they’ve proven their passion, not only for their art but for this company.”
PBT School’s Pre-professional Division prepares students for professional ballet careers with an intensive training schedule, extensive performance opportunities and high-quality repertoire. The program also serves as a powerful cultivation and recruiting tool for PBT’s company roster: More than half of PBT’s professional dancers are PBT School alumni.
The four new dancers, along with García Campos and Kesten, will make their final performance as students in the school’s Spring Performance 2018, May 25-26, at the Byham Theater.
Later, they’ll make their professional debuts at PBT’s free Ballet Under the Stars performance at 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 19, at Hartwood Acres, followed by Mozart in Motion, the company’s main-stage season opener, Oct. 26-28, at the Benedum Center.
About the New Dancers
Jonathan Breight
Pittsburgh native Jonathan Breight has trained in PBT School’s Pre-professional Division since 2013 — first as a full-time high school student and then as a Graduate student. Breight also has participated in PBT School’s Intensive Summer Program and in Point Park University’s International Summer Dance Program. Breight has performed in PBT productions of “West Side Story Suite,” “PBT: New Works,” “Swan Lake,” “The Nutcracker,” “Alice in Wonderland” “Giselle” and “Beauty and The Beast.” He also teaches pre-ballet classes for PBT School’s Children’s Division and assists PBT’s education department with adaptive dance classes for students with special needs. He will perform in excerpts from George Balanchine’s “Western Symphony” and in PBT Principal dancer Yoshiaki Nakano’s “The Symphony” among other works at PBT School’s Spring Performance 2018.
Yu-Chieh Chao
A native of Pingtung, Taiwan, Chao has trained in PBT School’s Pre-professional Division as a full-time high school student since 2015. Prior to PBT School, he trained with the Taipei National University of Arts. Chao has performed in PBT productions of “The Nutcracker,” “PBT: New Works” and “West Side Story Suite” and in PBT School performances of “Etudes” and the Bluebird pas de deux from “The Sleeping Beauty.” He will perform in “Graduation Ball” and excerpts from “Western Symphony” among other works at PBT School’s Spring Performance 2018.
Colin McCaslin
Colin McCaslin, of Vineland, New Jersey, has trained for two year’s in PBT School’s Pre-professional Division as a member of the full-time high school program. Before joining PBT School, McCaslin trained with the Atlantic City Ballet School under Phyllis Papa and in Miami City Ballet School’s summer intensive. He has performed with PBT in “The Nutcracker” and “West Side Story Suite” and with Atlantic City Ballet in “Carmen” and “Swan Lake.” His repertoire also includes excerpts from “Giselle,” “La Sylphide,” “The Sleeping Beauty” and “Don Quixote.” McCaslin will perform in “Graduation Ball” as well as excerpts from “Paquita” and “Western Symphony” at PBT School’s Spring Performance 2018.
Caitlyn Mendicino
Pittsburgh native Caitlyn Mendicino has trained in PBT School’s Graduate Program since 2016. She began ballet classes at PBT at age 4 and continued her training in Pittsburgh with Nicolas Petrov, PBT’s founding artistic director, and Mansur Kamelatdinov in 2007. She continued at the Ballet Academy of Pittsburgh and went on to graduate from North Carolina School of the Arts. She danced as an apprentice with Charlotte Ballet for two years before joining the PBT School Graduate Program. She also has completed summer intensives at American Ballet Theatre, Ballet Austin and Boston Ballet among others. Mendicino has performed in PBT productions of “Swan Lake,” “The Nutcracker,” “Dracula,” “Romeo and Juliet,” “Alice in Wonderland” and “Giselle.” Her repertoire also includes “The Sleeping Beauty,” “Le Corsaire,” and Balanchine’s “Valse Fantasie” and “The Four Temperaments.” Mendicino will perform in excerpts from “Swan Lake” and “Western Symphony” at PBT School’s Spring Performance 2018.
Learn about fellow PBT School graduates and incoming company dancers, Christian García Campos and Tommie Kesten, here.