Trending
JAMESTOWN - Following the retirement of longtime Artistic Director and School Director Monika Alch after more than three decades of dedicated leadership, the Chautauqua Regional Youth Ballet (CRYB) is pleased to announce the appointment of Samantha Barczak as its new School Director.
A respected professional dancer and educator, Barczak brings a wealth of performance, teaching, and leadership experience to CRYB while providing a seamless transition for students and families. Having worked alongside Alch throughout the past year, she is already a familiar and trusted presence in the studio and is eager to build upon the organization’s long tradition of artistic excellence.
An Upstate New York native, Barczak received the majority of her early dance training at Myers Ballet School before continuing her studies on scholarship at The Rock School for Dance Education, American Ballet Theatre, and the New York State Summer School for the Arts. She began her professional career as a freelance dancer, performing as a guest artist with companies including Dayton Ballet, Northeast Ballet Company, Long Island Ballet Theatre, BalletFleming, and Contrast Dance Theatre. She also served as Ballet Mistress and Repetiteur for choreographer Christopher Fleming’s ballets throughout the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.
In 2009, Barczak became a Principal Dancer and Outreach Coordinator with The Rebecca Davis Dance Company before joining Pennsylvania Ballet as a company member in 2011. During her distinguished performing career, she danced featured roles in works by George Balanchine, Jiří Kylián, Matthew Neenan, Christopher Wheeldon, and many others, including principal roles in George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™, Jewels, The Four Temperaments, Raymonda Variations, Petite Mort, and Swan Lake.
Equally passionate about teaching, Barczak has served on the faculty of numerous regional schools and is committed to sharing her professional experience while inspiring the next generation of dancers.
“As we begin this exciting new chapter, we are thrilled to welcome Samantha as School Director,” said Elizabeth Bush, Executive Director of the Chautauqua Regional Youth Ballet. “Her exceptional professional background, dedication to high-quality dance education, and enthusiasm for working with young dancers make her an outstanding leader for our school. Samantha brings fresh ideas while honoring the traditions that have made CRYB a cornerstone of arts education in our community.”
Joining Barczak, who will also be instructing Intermediate and Advanced Ballet, is an outstanding faculty whose combined experience represents decades of excellence in ballet performance and dance education.
Theresa Crawford brings more than 50 years of experience teaching classical ballet. She served for fifteen years on the permanent faculty of Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and taught in its nationally acclaimed summer program for 39 summers. Crawford has also served as Principal of Orlando Ballet’s South School and Principal of Pennsylvania Ballet Academy. Her students have gone on to professional ballet companies throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. A highly respected master teacher, she continues to coach dancers of all levels and has taught throughout the United States as well as internationally in Guangzhou, China.
Charles Fuller is a graduate of SUNY Fredonia, earning degrees in Dance and Exercise Science. Currently pursuing a Master of Science in Biology, his research explores the relationship between posture and proper muscle usage in dancers, bringing a unique scientific perspective to dance training. Fuller has choreographed modern dance works for the Merrins Fall Chamber Concert and the Fredonia Dance Ensemble and is passionate about helping dancers develop healthy, efficient technique.
Erin Saxton-Filkins trained in classical ballet in California before studying at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in both Los Angeles and New York City. With more than two decades of experience as a choreographer, director, costume designer, and educator, she has worked extensively in musical theatre and arts education. Erin also brings valuable experience working with students with special needs, creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment for young artists.
Together, this accomplished faculty offers students a well-rounded education rooted in classical ballet while drawing upon professional experience in performance, choreography, modern dance, musical theatre, and arts education.
Students aged 6 and up interested in performing in CRYB’s beloved annual production of The Nutcracker are encouraged to participate in Nutcracker auditions on Sunday, Aug. 30. Audition information and schedules will be available through the CRYB office and website.
For more information about classes, registration, financial assistance, or upcoming events, visit www.cryb.net or contact the Chautauqua Regional Youth Ballet office.