- Auditions/Jobs
- Artists & People
- Companies
- Schools
- Agents/Agencies
- Health
- Organizations
- Events
- Video & Photo
- Dance courses
- Articles
- Forum
- Green room
Gainesville Ballet School
The hard work and passion of a dancer are stitched into the worn toes of a ballet shoe. |
About the School
Maria-Monica Koo founded Gainesville Ballet School (GBS) in Gainesville, Virginia in 2005, and serves as the Artistic Director. She leads the school as teacher, choreographer, and performer. Gainesville Ballet School offers dance instruction for students of all levels from age three to adult. The school’s goal is to provide the highest quality of ballet training.
Drawing upon her classical background, Miss Maria trains her dancers in the Vaganova method taught by Petipa-Vaganova. This technique emphasizes a continual flow of the body, with coordinated positions for the head and arms. The Vaganova method is a popular pedagogy around the globe, and has produced many of this century’s eminent dancers including Pavlova, Nijinsky, Nureyev, Baryshnikov, Makarova, and Alla Sizova. The instructional techniques are also practiced by the famed Kirov School in Saint Petersburg, Russia; the Kirov School in Washington, D.C.; the Royal Ballet in London; the National Ballet of Canada; the Royal Swedish Ballet; the Boston Ballet; and the Pittsburgh Youth Ballet.
As a classically-trained ballerina, Miss Maria combines technical competence, creative passion, and unyielding dedication to the development of Performing Arts in our community. The rapidly-growing region of greater Piedmont nestled in the foothills of northern Virginia benefits from the vast experience of the founder, teacher and Artistic Director of Gainesville Ballet School.
On 6 May, Gainesville Ballet School was honored as Outstanding Arts Organization during the 2012 Seefeldt Awards for Arts Excellence. Each year, the Seefeldt Awards recognize individuals and organizations who have contributed to the strength and success of the local arts. The ceremony was held as part of Arts Alive! 2012 in the Hylton Performing Arts Center with special guest emcees, Bob Madigan of WTOP and Tracee Wilkins of NBC4. The Artistic Director accepted the award in recognition of her devoted efforts to advance the arts in our community, particularly programs to support young and up-and-coming dancers.
Gainesville Ballet School was spotlighted in the September issue of Prince William Living, a lifestyle magazine recognized as Business Supporter of the Arts during the 2012 Seefeldt Awards for Arts Excellence. The section entitled “On a High Note” features articles about the arts and arts organizations in Prince William County. Media coverage about the ballet school can also be found on InsideNova and WTOP radio.
This year, the award-winning school is committed to uniting the community and the arts in unprecedented style. On 15 September 2012, the dancers of Youth Ballet Company performed on-stage for audiences at the tenth annual Korean-U.S. (KORUS) festival in Centreville, Virginia. The Festival is a three-day event celebrating the relationship between Korea and the United States. Stage-seasoned dancers from the ballet company had the opportunity to represent the arts in the regional and global community, as can be viewed in the Washington Post section for Prince William County (image 2 of 6).
Maria-Monica Koo founded Gainesville Ballet School (GBS) in Gainesville, Virginia in 2005, and serves as the Artistic Director. She leads the school as teacher, choreographer, and performer. Gainesville Ballet School offers dance instruction for students of all levels from age three to adult. The school’s goal is to provide the highest quality of ballet training.
Drawing upon her classical background, Miss Maria trains her dancers in the Vaganova method taught by Petipa-Vaganova. This technique emphasizes a continual flow of the body, with coordinated positions for the head and arms. The Vaganova method is a popular pedagogy around the globe, and has produced many of this century’s eminent dancers including Pavlova, Nijinsky, Nureyev, Baryshnikov, Makarova, and Alla Sizova. The instructional techniques are also practiced by the famed Kirov School in Saint Petersburg, Russia; the Kirov School in Washington, D.C.; the Royal Ballet in London; the National Ballet of Canada; the Royal Swedish Ballet; the Boston Ballet; and the Pittsburgh Youth Ballet.
As a classically-trained ballerina, Miss Maria combines technical competence, creative passion, and unyielding dedication to the development of Performing Arts in our community. The rapidly-growing region of greater Piedmont nestled in the foothills of northern Virginia benefits from the vast experience of the founder, teacher and Artistic Director of Gainesville Ballet School.
On 6 May, Gainesville Ballet School was honored as Outstanding Arts Organization during the 2012 Seefeldt Awards for Arts Excellence. Each year, the Seefeldt Awards recognize individuals and organizations who have contributed to the strength and success of the local arts. The ceremony was held as part of Arts Alive! 2012 in the Hylton Performing Arts Center with special guest emcees, Bob Madigan of WTOP and Tracee Wilkins of NBC4. The Artistic Director accepted the award in recognition of her devoted efforts to advance the arts in our community, particularly programs to support young and up-and-coming dancers. Hylton Performing Arts Center and the Prince William County Arts Council have built a strong framework for a thriving community of arts - in the gallery, behind-the scenes, on-stage, and through any medium shaped by hard work, creativity and passion. Gainesville Ballet School is proud to be part of that strong tradition through this award.
Gainesville Ballet School was spotlighted in the September issue of Prince William Living, a lifestyle magazine recognized as Business Supporter of the Arts during the 2012 Seefeldt Awards for Arts Excellence. The section entitled “On a High Note” features articles about the arts and arts organizations in Prince William County. Media coverage about the ballet school can also be found on InsideNova and WTOP radio.
A Children's Nutcracker in 2011. Evening Clara - Sara Massei.
The children of Youth Ballet Company at Gainesville Ballet School rehearse Act II.
