Credits
The dancers and teachers featured throughout the Ballet is Fun video dictionary.
Ann Etgen and Bill Atkinson
Ann Etgen and Bill Atkinson have been active in training dancers since they started The Dallas Metropolitan Ballet Company in 1968, when the company joined the Southwest Regional Ballet Association of Regional Dance America. Since then, the company has won every award and honor in the organization. It is noted for the strong technique and stage presence of its dancers. Alumni from the school have joined major companies in the U.S. and Europe as principals, soloists and members.
As a regional company it has been awarded: Major Company and Honor Company and has been competitively selected to dance at the International Ballet Competition. Both Ann and Bill received their major training in New York with such teacher greats as Pereyaslavec, Dokoudovsky, Kosmovska, Tumkovsky, Vilsak, Stanley Williams, The School of American Ballet, and The Balanchine Seminars.
Barbara Bears
Barbara Bears, a native of Boca Raton, Florida, began dancing at the age of eight. She studied with Victoria Leigh and James Franklin.
Ms. Bears joined the Houston Ballet in 1988. In July of 1991, Ms. Bears was awarded the silver medal in the Senior's Women's Division at the International Ballet Competition in Helsinki, Finland. Ms. Bears was a principal dancer with the Houston Ballet.
Michelle Black
Michelle Black, featured at the age of five in the Pre-Ballet section of the Ballet is Fun Dictionary, was a ballet student at the Etgen-Atkinson Ballet School in Dallas, Texas.
She is the daughter of Benjamin and Yoko Black.
Li Cunxin
Li Cunxin, born in the People's Republic of China, was selected for the Peking Dance Academy at the age of 11.
In 1979, Mr. Li joined the Houston Ballet and was promoted to principal dancer in 1982. He was named a Princess Grace Foundation-USA Dance Fellow in 1986. He has received numerous medals in prestigious international competitions in the United States, Japan and Russia. In 1995, he joined the Australian Ballet as principal dancer.
Christine Dunham
Christine Dunham was born in Dallas, Texas. Her early training was under the direction of Ann Etgen and Bill Atkinson. At the age of 12 she was offered a scholarship to the School of American Ballet. Ms. Dunham was appointed a Soloist in 1985 and then Principal Dancer in 1989 with the American Ballet Theatre.
As a ballerina, Ms. Dunham is widely recognized for her authoritative interpretations of the major classical ballerina roles. Two of her favorite partners have been Rudolf Nureyev and Mikhail Baryshnikov.
Jennifer Davis Tinsley
Jennifer Davis Tinsley received her early dance training in Dallas, Texas, under the direction of Ann Etgen and Bill Atkinson. She quickly developed into a beautiful lyrical dancer with exciting technique and a lovely stage presence.
At age 14 she received a scholarship to study at the School of American Ballet. Ms. Davis Tinsley most recently was a dancer with the New York City Ballet.
Additional Credits
- Bobalu KaiserExecutive Producer
- Scott HaddenVideographer
- Eva RecoussineVoice Talent
- Herve Victor DebureVoice Talent