Biography & Resume:
Cassandra Macino
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| Artistic Director, Cassandra Macino is open and available for Guest Teaching throughout the Toledo metropolitan area and the United States. Ms. Macino teaches all levels of Classical Ballet to all ages. For more, information please call 419.297.2458.
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 Artistic
Director, Ms. Cassandra Macino, began training in classical ballet at age nine under the instruction of Ms. Gail Grant-Ryan in Toledo, Ohio. At the age of twelve, she was awarded a Ford Foundation Scholarship from the School of American Ballet in New York City given by Suzanne Farrell, former principal with New York City Ballet. Her scholarship continued through age seventeen. Ms. Macino has continued to study extensively in New York City, at American Ballet Theatre, Harkness House for Ballet Arts and Joffrey Ballet. She also studied classical ballet with Finis Jhung, and in particular Melissa Hayden and Willy Burmann. Ms. Macino has also studied jazz at Steps on Broadway and Broadway Dance Center under renowned jazz instructors: Chuck Kelly, Phil Black, Betsy Haug, and Frank Hatchett.
Ms. Macino founded the Cassandra School of Ballet in 1972. In 1981, she founded The Cassandra Ballet of Toledo, a non-profit organization governed by a Board of Directors. Over the years Ms. Macino has hosted many master classes at her school with a variety of distinguished guest teachers: Frank Ohman—former soloist with the New York City Ballet and now director of New York Dance Theatre and Ohman School of Ballet; Olivier Pardina, of the Paris Opera Ballet and now a Principal Faculty Member with Miami City Ballet; Bud Kerwin, with Indianapolis Ballet; Kenn Tolle, Artistic director of Hosanna Sacred Arts and faculty member of Briarwood Ballet; Stephanie Wingard with Adeum Dance Company in Houston, Texas.
Ms. Macino has choreographed over 100 original dances and has staged and produced a variety of classical ballets: The Sleeping Beauty Ballet—Act III; Cinderella Ballet; La Boutique Fantasque, Nutcracker Act II Divertissements; Hansel & Gretel; and The Little Match Girl. She also wrote and choreographed an original, full length ballet, Visions of Sugar Plums with music by Rossini/Respighi.
Cassandra Macino served two years on the Ohio Arts Council Board of Directors and on the Board for the Toledo Arts Commission. The Cassandra Ballet of Toledo has performed with The Toledo Symphony Orchestra's Young People's Concerts, The Toledo Opera and The Music Under The Stars Summer Concert Series for 35 years.
Students from the Cassandra Ballet have been accepted into the most prominent summer dance programs in the country including School of American Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Pittsburgh Ballet, Joeffrey Ballet, Miami City Ballet and Kirov Ballet Washington,D.C. Many alumnae have gone on to dance professionally with companies such as Miami City Ballet, New York Contemporary Dance Theatre, New Jersey Ballet, San Francisco Contemporary Dance, and Pittsburgh Ballet.
Ms. Macino attributes the success of her students' training to tradition, perseverance, and meticulous attention to detail. The classroom environment is disciplined and inspiring, encouraging young dancers to follow their dream to dance and to look to the future with enthusiasm. She hopes that the discipline of dance assists in the physical, emotional and social growth of each student. Through study and performance, students are encouraged to grow in an appreciation of and commitment to the arts, sharing this gift with others.
Ms. Macino continues to guest teach throughout the greater Toledo Metropolitan area.
Click Here to view Cassandra Macino's Resume |
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