Join the Mill Ballet School for a wonderful work out inspired to give adults a great way to take part in the art of dance while building rhythm, coordination, flexibility, musicality and lean muscle. mass. This is a beginner level class but all are welcome. http://www.millballetschool.com

To learn more about Summer Dance at the Mill Ballet School go to www.millballetschool.com or call Melissa Roxey at 609-397-7244

by: Christina Holl Three years ago, I graduated Montclair State University with my BFA in Dance. The dance training I received there was excellent and I felt ready to enter the world as a professional dancer. I knew I wanted to perform professionally and teach, but I also wanted to be able to serve others through dance. After countless auditions in New York City and not being able to book a job, I was introduced to Mark, Melissa, the Roxey Ballet Company, and Mill Ballet School. The whole thing seemed to fit perfectly together- I was dancing professionally for the company, I taught for Mill Ballet School, and I was given the opportunity to become a teaching artist and teach the Dance to Learn curriculum to special education schools in New Jersey. The Dance to Learn program is an interdisciplinary and inclusive dance curriculum with the goal to advance dance education in schools and community settings. The Dance to Learn curriculum encourages students to explore, internalize, and transform classroom learning through movement. It allows students to develop their individual creative voices! There are a few dance companies in New Jersey that teach this curriculum, however Roxey Ballet is the only company that works with the special needs community. I was nervous going into my first residency in fall 2017 because I wanted to be able to provide the best experience for my students as possible. I went in with an open mind and an open heart. The students were a little apprehensive at first, but as time went on it was amazing to see how the power of movement and dance allowed these students to express themselves. Melissa Roxey always starts off each residency asking the students what they think dance is and after they give the expected responses of “moving to music” or showing us “the floss”, she explains that dance is “communicating not with our words, but with our bodies.” One moment in particular that really stuck with me was during a class with students who were all physically disabled in some way. They depended either on a walker or wheelchair for mobility. One student who was wheelchair bound and non-verbal did not care much to join in dance class every week and would often just sit in his chair and not participate. I developed a system of drawing picture graphs on a large poster board every class in order for the students to choose- through either pointing or eye contact- how they wanted to move (i.e. water, fire, air, earth). After weeks of this student being non-responsive when I approached him with the picture board, he pointed to an image of a swirl which represented the wind. He started moving his arms in a circular motion while displaying a bright smile on his face. His teachers and myself were so excited to see him make that connection and communicate through his body not words that he understood! Being able to teach creative movement residencies at special education schools has been a life-changing experience for me. It is truly remarkable to see how dance transcends any type of communication barrier and the positive impact it has on the mind and body. I leave each residency with a grateful heart hoping that I have impacted my students as much as they have impacted me. Roxey Ballet teaches creative movement residencies as well as provide other educational assemblies and workshops to schools across NJ and PA. If you are interested in a program for your school please contactroxeyoutreach@gmail.com

By​ Melissa Roxey I want to preface this by saying I am not a fan of screens! As many of you have witnessed I do not sit or stay still for long. These past few months have been a huge transition for me, both mentally and physically. So for all of you out there that do not want to learn from a screen, I hear, feel, and understand you. However, what I want more is to continue to do what brings me happiness and contentment and this is teaching dance and bringing a smile to everyone’s face. So I turn to the screen and technology to continue moving forward with what I love. We all know we do not have options in how we are instructed. The only option is to dig deep and turn to technology to continue to learn and grow or stop. I choose and hope you choose to be unstoppable. I also know this too will pass and when it does I want to come out brighter, smarter, and stronger than before and with a greater ability to adapt. As parents it is my hope you will help your children see this. Their minds are not equipped to make these decisions. Their minds are equipped to make a decision based on how they feel in the moment. Engaging in conversation on learning and growing during this time by asking questions and creating space for your child to share their feelings will empower them to keep going. Change is not easy and especially with little notice. For our youngest students I welcome older siblings and parents to participate in class with them. We know actions speak louder than words. We also know class on a screen at home is quite different from an in person class at a separate location! All is good. From parents and siblings joining in, to the special appearance of pets, to the exposure of our very well lived in homes, to the mishaps with technology we are all learning and growing in ways we would not have prior to #stayathome. And now for the white elephant in the room...But are virtual online classes worth it? Yes! Now more than ever children need to be connecting with friends, peers, and their teachers. Keeping them connected to their community through virtual lessons is key to helping them get through quarantine emotionally sound. While your child may not be advancing at the speed of light when it comes to virtuosity by practicing their grand allegro (big jumps) they are benefitting in many other ways. Teachers are giving students more creative exercises through improvisation and unique choreography. Students are also instructed to dance smarter by executing simpler combinations in efforts to develop correct muscle memory and better execution of positions and lines. Students are able to reconnect with peers and teachers that have relocated. However, the most important skill they are acquiring is the ability to adapt at a high level. This is what we teachers at the Mill Ballet are committed to. It is through these lessons during this unprecedented time that our students and your children will develop the tool to zoom through life whatever life shall bring!

We are excited to announce we are planning to re-open for Summer Dance 2020 pending NJ governor’s re-opening protocol. We will follow all recommendations from the CDC as the safety of our students, families, and faculty are paramount. It is imperative that you register if you would like to secure an in person spot in a Summer Dance 2020 program. We will be offering the opportunity to attend programs virtually as well. Detailed information on virtual attendance will come out soon! For more information call 609-397-7244 Email us at info@millballetschool.com

Join us on August 28th and 29th from 4:00-7:30pm for the Mill Ballet School's Fall Open House! Come meet the directors, faculty, families, and friends of the ballet! Enjoy free trial classes as well as learn about auditioning for the Trainee Program and Roxey Ballet's Nutcracker. ​ Free Classes In Mini Musical 4:30-5:00pm Jazz 5:15-5:45pm Creative Movement 6:00-6:30pm Contemporary 6:30-7:15pm

The Mill Ballet School is honored to perform at this year's Travis Manion Foundation's 9/11 Heroes Run in Doylestown, PA on September 29th. Each year dancers, families, and faculty of the Mill Ballet are moved by the Travis Manion Foundation's work to honor the brave servicemen and women of our country. To join us in this special day, register to Team Mill Ballet at www.911heroesrundoylestownpa.itsyourrace.com

This year, the Mill Ballet is proud to add a new class to the schedule! Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) is a program specially designed to improve the technical skills of classical ballet dancers. By focusing on muscle memory, enhancing flexibility, and injury prevention, PBT is sure to aid in safe, healthy, and strong dancing! ​ Congratulations to the Mill Ballet's Christina Holl for achieving PBT certification! Christina joins Melissa Roxey in instructing PBT at the Mill Ballet. Progressing Ballet Technique 1 and 2 will be offered on Monday and Saturday respectively.

The Mill Ballet is pleased to welcome Pinja Sinisalo to the Mill Ballet Faculty! Pinja was born in Vantaa, Finland. She started her dance studies at the Helsinki Dance Institute at age of 4. After years of training with Institute's Professional Training Program, the Finnish National Ballet School, and the Hungarian Dance Academy in Budapest, Pinja graduated in 2017, completing the Bachelor Degree in Arts specialized in Classical Ballet. From there she started her professional career with Ballet of Sorbisches National Ensemble and had the amazing opportunity to tour all over Germany with the company, performing very versatile repertoire. Pinja is excited to join the Mill Ballet to bring her copious experience to our hardworking students!