Portland Ballet is pleased to name Daniela Malta Sabbath to the position of Principal of the School, and Amelia Bielen to the position of Assistant Principal. Artistic Director Eugenia L. O’Brien created these new positions to strengthen the organization and to enhance the professional teaching curriculum.  Says O’Brien, “This is a natural progression of our growth and a way to achieve our school vision while operating and communicating more effectively with students, parents, and the community we serve.”  Both Sabbath and Bielen earned Master’s Degrees in Dance Education from New York University: Teaching Dance in Higher Ed and the Professions: American Ballet Theatre Pedagogy. In this program, pedagogy and research are complemented with an arts management course to help prepare the graduate for a wide spectrum of opportunities within the world of dance.  Says Dr. Susan R. Koff, Director of the NYU Dance Education Department: “Daniela and Amelia were both excellent and dedicated students in our one-of-a-kind ABT Dance Education MA program, which combines the expertise of a world class education (NYU) and a world class ballet company (ABT).  We are the only location in the world that teaches the ABT National Training Curriculum in the context of a MA degree in Dance Education.  I am thrilled to hear this news because they both deserve these excellent opportunities and will represent both NYU and Portland Ballet well in these capacities.  We are thrilled that they are in Portland providing the expertise and passion that they both have for ballet pedagogy. Your school will be the leader in your region because of the thoughtful, thorough and competent leadership they will provide.”

Daniela Sabbath has performed with Portland Ballet Company and taught for the school for the past several years, in between getting a BFA in Dance from the Boston Conservatory and her Master’s Degree in NY.  She also had a performing career in her native Brazil, and performed with Los Ballets de Madrid in Spain.  She returns to Portland Ballet excited to share best practices in pedagogy, child development, dance psychology and anatomy, and to bring her creative leadership style to the organization. 

During her first year as Principal, she will teach across all levels, while becoming familiar with the administrative structure of the school.  She will be a resource for students, parents, and faculty.  Daniela says, “I'm excited to be part of the future of Portland School of Ballet! We have a great team of teachers and together we will provide guidance, enthusiasm, and inspiration to our students!”

Amelia Bielen has taught at PSB for the past two years, and is a favorite of students. She is currently a dancer with Portland Ballet Company, familiar to audiences as the stunning Sweetheart Rose in The Victorian Nutcracker.  Amelia will continue her work developing the Student Repertory classes, while also taking responsibility for children’s rehearsals for The Victorian Nutcracker, as well as the Kids 4 Kids program (Around the World with Flat Stanley and Red Riding Hood) and the Year End Student Showcase.  Says Bielen, “"Studying the American Ballet Theatre's National Training Curriculum has allowed me to better understand the incremental development necessary for young dancers. I am looking forward to working with Daniela and sharing this knowledge with the Portland School of Ballet"

Portland School of Ballet faculty also includes Adam Sterr, Morgan Sanborn, Vanessa Beyland, Kaitlyn Hayes, Jennifer Jones, Colleen Edwards, and Nell Shipman.

About Portland Ballet:

Portland Ballet is a non-profit organization founded in 1980.

Portland School of Ballet offers many choices for students with differing levels of commitments. We have ballet and modern classes for children and adults, beginner to advanced, recreational to professional. PSB offers small classes and individual attention. All of our classes are taught by adults with extensive teaching and performing experience.

Portland Ballet Company is a troupe of professional dancers bringing the best of classical and contemporary ballet to Maine stages throughout the year.