Monthly Archives

January 2023

Jan 25
Love2

Spring Classes for Youth

By News

Enrolling students now

This spring we will be offering PreBallet and Ballet 1. The session starts February 2, 2023 and runs through April 27, 2023 with no classes on March 30th for spring break. Also, current students will have an opportunity to perform with the company in April! Registration is processed through Mindbody online. If you would like to request a payment plan, please email. Read our FAQ’s here about the studio policies.

PreBallet (Ages 3-5)

Ms. Andrea

Thursdays, 5:30-6:15pm
$175 or divided evenly into 3 payments

In Pre-Ballet young dancers will learn the basics of ballet technique, including ballet positions, vocabulary, and general class structure. Students will enjoy using imagery, music, games, and props to increase their posture, coordination, flexibility, and musicality. Ballet slippers are encouraged but not required.

Ballet  I (Ages 6-8)

Ms. Jennifer

Thursdays, 6:30-7:30pm
$225 or divided evenly into 3 payments

Ballet I is the beginning of classical ballet training. In this class dancers will learn proper ballet technique, follow a set class structure, learn basic ballet steps and vocabulary, and begin learning basic choreography. Ballet slippers are required.

Registration for Spring Semester

Enrollment is now open! In-studio class sizes are limited to 15 students in-studio. Registration is processed through MindBody online. If you would like to request a payment plan, please email here.

Looking for adult classes?

Verb Ballets offers dance classes for adults too!

Andrea Belser

Andrea is a Performing and Teaching Artist from Cleveland with a Bachelor of Arts in Theater Studies, emphasizing in Dance and Applied Voice, from Wright State University. She teaches various dance, theater acting, and musical theater to all ages and abilities with theaters and companies around Northeast Ohio, including but not limited to Playhouse Square, Dancing Wheels, Cleveland Play House, and DANCECleveland. Under the stage name Andrea Belser, she also continuously works on and off stage as an actor, dancer, singer, choreographer, stage manager, and dresser.

Jennifer Forcucci-Marzluf

Jennifer grew up dancing at her mother’s studio, Cathleen Forcucci Dance Academy in Orange County, CA. After her mother’s passing, she owned and directed CF Dance Academy in Fullerton, CA for 18 years. During that time Jennifer also directed the award-winning Fullerton Youth Ballet Junior and Senior companies. She presented annual ballets including Coppélia, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Paquita and The Nutcracker as well as original works including The Little Mermaid and The Jungle Book. In 2017, two of Jennifer’s advanced students represented the United States at the Cecchetti International Ballet Competition in Florence, Italy. Jennifer is currently serving her second term and eighth year as Secretary on the Board of Directors for Cecchetti USA Classical Ballet. Jennifer holds her Licentiate Teaching Certification for Cecchetti Classical Ballet and is looking forward to training as an International Examiner.

Studio Policies

  • Tuition will not be prorated to accommodate for missed classes for any reason, and no make-up classes will be issued in the event your student misses a class.
  • Verb Ballets will allow each class ONE snow day/cancellation per semester.
  • If class is cancelled by Verb Ballets or the instructor for any reason (beyond the one allowed snow day/cancellation mentioned above), a make-up class will be scheduled.
  • If you would like to request a payment plan, please email school@verbballets.org

Frequently asked questions

Verb Ballets has developed a Health and Safety Policy is to keep students, guests, dancers and staff of the Verb Ballets Center for Dance safe, healthy and to encourage confidence to return to our programs. All individuals including guests and teachers who enter will be required to wear masks at all times. Every student is also required to complete a contact tracing form prior to entering the studio. Click here to read all the safety measure in place at the studio.

Classes will be offered in-studio for small socially spaced groups of twelve students. Masks are recommended.

Yes, we ask that all students enroll for the session.

Spring semester dates:
Classes run February 2, 2023- April 27, 2023. No classes on March 30th for spring break.

Verb Ballets does offer a payment plan of three equal installments over the course of the semester.  A valid credit card saved on file is required to set up a payment plan. If you would like to request a payment plan, please email school@verbballets.org

Yes, for all level Ballet I and up we ask the girls wear a black leotard with tights and ballet slippers. Hair must be secured off the face and in a bun. Boys are asked to wear gym shorts and a white shirt and ballet slippers.

In The Dealership at 3558 Lee Road in Shaker Heights.

In order to allow for social distancing we ask that parents drop students at the door and the teacher will walk them to class. The teacher will walk them to the door for pick up.

Tuition will not be prorated to accommodate for missed classes for any reason, and no make-up classes will be issued in the event your student misses a class. Verb Ballets will allow each class ONE snow day/cancellation per semester. If class is cancelled by Verb Ballets or the instructor for any reason (beyond the one allowed snow day/cancellation mentioned above), a make-up class will be scheduled.

YES! Having water on hand is encouraged during every class you take with us. Feel free to keep your water bottle next to you in the studio for a quick sip whenever you need it!

Still have a question? Shoot us an email and we’ll get back to you!

    Jan 10
    Love2

    Levi Marsman Contemporary Class

    By Dance Classes, News

    Contemporary Masterclass with Levi Marsman

    February 16, 2023 6:45pm

    Due to popular demand Levi Marsman will return to offer a contemporary class. Cleveland Dance Movement and Verb “Ohio Contemporary Ballet” present an open community masterclass with choreographer and former Ailey II dancer, Levi Marsman on Thursday, February 16, 2023, at 6:45pm. Together the two organizations seek to bring the community a deeper appreciation and understanding of cultures while finding community in dance. The evening will encompass a 90-minute contemporary masterclass followed by a meet-and-greet. This class is a fusion of modern, ballet and jazz, and this unique style explores a wide range of expressive movements and syncopated rhythms. Class is designed to work on finding freedom in the use of movement while developing your technique and building a strong foundation. Each class involves learning original choreography while focusing on theatrical elements and mastering musicality. Participants of all ages (14-adult) and ability levels are welcome. Cost is $18 or classcards apply. Register through Mindbody below.

    For each student that registers receive a code to purchase a $10 ticket to see the premiere of his newest commission at The Breen Center on February 18, 2023! Act fast this contemporary class has limited spots and sold out last time.

    The Verb Center for Dance studios are located at 3558 Lee Road in Shaker Heights behind The Dealership. Click here for directions. Free parking available use lot closest to Chagrin Rd.

    Register Now

    Registrations are prepaid online through Mindbody. You will need to create a profile through Mindbody. Questions call 216-397-3757 ext 2.
    Choreographer

    Levi Marsman

    Levi Philip Marsman was born and raised in Boston, MA and he began his training at the Boston Arts Academy, OrigiNation Cultural Arts Center, and Jeanette Neill Dance Studio as a scholarship recipient in their Boston Youth Moves Program.  After graduating from the from the Walnut Hill School for the Arts, Levi was awarded a place in the Scholarship Program at The Ailey School.  He later enrolled in the Ailey/Fordham BFA Program, which lead to an invitation to join Ailey II by former director, Sylvia Waters before graduation.  Levi’s performance credits include the Radio City Christmas Spectacular (New York), Movements Dance Company (Jamaica), OrigiNation (Boston), Lula Washington Dance Theatre (Los Angeles), Reed Dance (Pittsburgh) and PHILADANCO! (Philadelphia).

    Levi is currently an instructor at Urbanity Dance and in the Ailey Extension program at the Ailey School and has been Artist in Residence at the Boston Arts Academy, the Boston Conservatory at Berklee and Teacher In Residence for Urbanity Dance. The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum commissioned him to create a new work entitled ‘Colorful’ in conjunction with the opening of their exhibit, “Boston’s Apollo” in 2020 and he created, “some kind of peace”, to close out Richmond Ballet’s 2021 season. He was choreographer for Boston Lyric Opera’s 2021 production of “Cavalleria Rusticana,” Urbanity Dance premiered a trio of his in Boston as part of their 10th anniversary season and, most recently, Dallas Black Dance Theatre: Encore! commissioned a second work of his this spring. He has also created works for institutions such as Dallas Black Dance Theatre: Encore!, the Walnut Hill School for the Arts, Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, LaVilla School for the Arts, Sharron Miller Academy for the Performing Arts, Alexander W. Dreyfoos School for the Arts, Marygrove College, Renaissance High School, Boston Youth Moves, Dean College, Endicott College, Eastern Michigan University, Wheaton College, Georgetown University’s Black Movements Dance Theatre, the Joffrey School, Boston Conservatory at Berklee, The Ailey School, Reed Dance, the Chamber Music Society of Palm Beach, Ballet Ecclectica at Center of Creative Arts, OrigiNation and MOVE(NYC).

    Levi’s awards include Contemporary Dance Silver Medalist of the 4th Seoul International Dance Competition, 2007 Young Professionals Awardee—Martha Hill Dance Fund, Best Performance at the 10th Annual Oakland Dance Festival in Michigan and first recipient of the 2016 Ballet Inc. Emerging Choreographer Award.  He was asked to perform an original solo in the 2018 Boston Contemporary Dance Festival and was one of two guest choreographers to create a new work for Urbanity Dance in Boston in their “Urbanity NeXt” Project in 2017.

    He returns this year to Boston Ballet School’s Summer Intensive after creating new works for The Ailey School and the Boston Conservatory at Berklee. He is excited to have been movement choreographer for his second project with Commonwealth Shakespeare Company as they present ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ for “Shakespeare in the Common” after being nominated for Outstanding Choreography by the Boston Theater Critic’s Association for his work on the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company’s 2021 production of “The Tempest.”

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Masks are optional for all individuals including guests and teachers who are vaccinated. Please read our Health and Safety Policy here.

    Whatever you want! Athletic wear, sweats, or a leotard and tights-whatever makes you feel comfortable and ready to dance! Certain more advanced ballet classes do require ballet slippers, but for Beginning and New to Ballet classes socks are just fine! For yoga, please use bare feet.

    In The Dealership at 3558 Lee Road in Shaker Heights.

    Yes, everyone must register for class online 24 hours prior to the start of class. Cash and checks will not be accepted at this time.

    Yes! We have a free parking lot on the north side of The Dealership Building, connecting directly to the Verb Ballets studio door.

    YES! Having water on hand is encouraged during every class you take with us. Feel free to keep your water bottle next to you in the studio for a quick sip whenever you need it!

    Daily Adult Ballet Class Schedule

    Class are drop-in and just require pre-registration online to secure your spot. All class registrations are online through Mindbody. You will need to set up a create a profile through Mindbody. Normal class rates are $18/ class or $160 for a 10 pack class card.

    Still have a question? Shoot us an email and we’ll get back to you!