Danita Emma, artistic director of Syracuse University’s Summer Dance Intensive, has been invited to teach master classes to the company and school of the National Ballet of Bulgaria in November and December. Emma will also investigate a possible exchange of students and staff between the National Ballet and the Summer Dance Intensive.
The opportunity was initiated by Momchil Mladenov, Emma’s assistant director in the Summer Dance Intensive, who is a native of Bulgaria and was a principal dancer with the National Ballet. Emma was invited to participate because she is an expert in ballet pedagogy and a master teacher whose teaching has been compared to that of the legendary Russian masters. Her vision is to build cultural bridges between Bulgaria and Syracuse.
The National Ballet of Bulgaria Company, based in Sofia, was established in 1928. It is well known internationally for its superb training and high standards. Many Bulgarian dancers can be found in major companies all over the world.
The Syracuse University Summer Dance Intensive was established in 2006. In only five years of operation, it has become one of the premier ballet intensives in the United States and attracts students from all over the U.S. and internationally.
After training with the Pennsylvania Ballet and American Ballet Theatre, Emma attended the Boston Conservatory of Music before earning a B.F.A. in Dance from Brenau University. She was on the faculty at Atlanta Ballet and served as audition teacher and adjudicator for the Oakland Ballet. Her students have gone on to perform with major companies.
The Summer Dance Intensive is administered by University College. University College (UC) is the home of part-time and summer studies at Syracuse University, offering convenient formats and programs that are accessible, respected and affordable.
