STUDENT TESTIMONIALS
"Since my first trial class with Ms. Patty at the church on 91st Street, BRB has always provided a welcoming space for me to express my love for dance!
As part of the Student Ensemble, we were exposed to different dance forms and learned the values of discipline, focus, and hard work. The constant support and positive encouragement from Ms. Patty and all the BRB teachers helped me build confidence, not only in my dancing but in exploring different opportunities to gain experience and grow.
I discovered the joys of working with children as a Junior Teacher and am now a double major in Early Childhood Education and Psychology with a minor in Dance at Macaulay Honors College at CUNY Hunter. Even though I have graduated from BRB, I still feel a sense of pride when I see my kids, some of whom are now JT’s themselves.
My BRB dance training gave me the foundation to become a more well-rounded dancer and artist as I take more contemporary dance classes. Dance continues to be a major part of my life in college, while I explore how it can be incorporated into many other disciplines. I have taken a class that uses post-modern dance movement to model cancer biology and research, choreographed the school musical at Macaulay, performed in the Hunter Dance Department showcase, led many dance parties (😊), and continued to learn about different methods that educators can implement into their teaching to help young children develop their creative expression through movement.
Ms. Patty and my other mentors at BRB have been instrumental in my development as an individual, and I hope to inspire others with a love for dance as they did for me. "
​
Allison L.
Former BRB Student
“When Bay Ridge Ballet first opened, I was only two years old and came for a trial class with Miss Patty in my very first black leotard and tutu. All of the other dancers were of course in pink, but I still knew I fit right in! I fell in love with dance after that first class, and some of those ballerinas are still my best friends today! I remember watching the Nutcracker and recital, seeing the older students dance and thinking, “Wow, I want to be just like them!”
Ms. Patty and all of my instructors at Bay Ridge Ballet are all so knowledgeable and kind, and they have been so helpful and supportive in my dance journey so far. I have grown so much as a dancer at Bay Ridge Ballet thanks to their investment in my dance education.
At Bay Ridge Ballet, there are so many special opportunities such as being a part of the Student Ensemble, Junior Teaching younger dancers, and performing in the Nutcracker as well as the recital, all of which I love! Bay Ridge Ballet offers so many different types of dance that have challenged me and made me a well-rounded dancer. It turns out that I love tap!
Bay Ridge Ballet has given me an outstanding dance education preparing me for admissions to Joffrey and American Ballet Theater, and I know that there is so much more to learn and improve on. The studio will always be there full of friends, teachers, and mentors. It’s truly my happy place!"
Evie P.
BRB Student 2016-Present