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Ballet Chelsea’s Artistic Director Wendi DuBois Awarded Educator of the Year

Courtesy photo. Lori Walters, Jane Thompson, Wendi DuBois, Pat Kelly, Karen Flahie.

(Chelsea Update would like to thank Lori Walters for the information in this story.)

The Michigan Youth Arts Touchstone Award is presented to arts educators who exemplify best practices in arts education, advocate actively on behalf of the arts, and demonstrate a continued commitment to bring excellence to the artistic development of young artists in Michigan.

On May 19, Wendi DuBois, artistic director of Ballet Chelsea, was awarded Dance Educator of the Year at the 55th Annual Michigan Youth Arts Festival. DuBois’ nomination for this distinguished recognition was presented through The Michigan Dance Council. MDC’s Board Chair Gregory Patterson presented her with the award along with a State of Michigan “Special Tribute” signed by Governor Rick Snyder, Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley and other state dignitaries.

DuBois, who began her dance training at the age of 12, brings a passion for dance that is tireless and contagious. Her commitment to ballet, which began at the Virginia School of Ballet, has been unwavering. She received numerous scholarships at nationally recognized programs to continue her training, including the School of American Ballet in New York. As a member of Dayton Ballet Company, she continued her training under prominent masters such as Jon Rodriguez and Stuart Sebastian and has danced works by prolific choreographers such as Twyla Tharp and Loyce Houlton.

DuBois went on to earn an Undergraduate Degree at The University of Michigan and a Master’s Degree at Michigan State University.

She has also had a career in dance instruction spanning more than 30 years including the University of Michigan School of Music, Theater, and Dance and Eastern Michigan University. Her affiliation with Youth Dance Theater and Ballet Chelsea has spanned 20 years. This 20-year commitment to teaching dance in Chelsea has been influential and vigorous.

Ballet Chelsea’s collaboration with the Jackson Symphony Orchestra presenting the 20th anniversary of its Nutcracker with live musical accompaniment is just one example of this deep commitment to her students and the arts community.

About Ballet Chelsea
Ballet Chelsea is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, which provides professional-level dance training to young dance students, through performance opportunities, enrichment activities, master classes, summer intensives and pre-professional studies. Ballet Chelsea’s varied curriculum includes Ballet, Pointe, Contemporary, Jazz, Conditioning, Highland Step and more for students ages 2 through adult.  Ballet Chelsea also offers an Adaptive Dance Program that brings creative movement to people of all ages with physical and cognitive specialized needs.

Ballet Chelsea is proud to be supported by the Wilkinson Foundation.

For additional information, visit www.balletchelsea.org.

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