Artistic Director
Mia Saunders is a second-generation dancer. She began training at her mother's Margery Carroll School of Ballet in New Jersey. When she was 8 years old she was accepted into the School of American Ballet in New York City. At age 12, she earned a scholarship with the Garden State Ballet in Newark, New Jersey.
Mia received her professional training in New York City at the American Ballet Theatre School under the direction of Madame Maria Swoboda, Leon Danielian, Jurgen Schneider, and Patricia Wilde. She has also trained under such notables as Finis Jhung, Edward Villella, and Margot Fonteyn. Her professional credits include the positions of soloist with the Denver Civic Ballet under the direction of Milenko Banovitch; Ballet Mistress of the Monmouth Civic Ballet in Red Bank, New Jersey, where she produced Harlequinade; and Teacher/Choreographer for the Children's Ballet Program at Hartnell College in Salinas, California. In addition to her ballet training, Mia holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education with a Specialty Area in dance.
Mia Saunders is a second-generation dancer. She began training at her mother's Margery Carroll School of Ballet in New Jersey. When she was 8 years old she was accepted into the School of American Ballet in New York City. At age 12, she earned a scholarship with the Garden State Ballet in Newark, New Jersey.
Mia received her professional training in New York City at the American Ballet Theatre School under the direction of Madame Maria Swoboda, Leon Danielian, Jurgen Schneider, and Patricia Wilde. She has also trained under such notables as Finis Jhung, Edward Villella, and Margot Fonteyn. Her professional credits include the positions of soloist with the Denver Civic Ballet under the direction of Milenko Banovitch; Ballet Mistress of the Monmouth Civic Ballet in Red Bank, New Jersey, where she produced Harlequinade; and Teacher/Choreographer for the Children's Ballet Program at Hartnell College in Salinas, California. In addition to her ballet training, Mia holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education with a Specialty Area in dance.
The School
Mia Saunders began teaching locally with the Fairfax County Department of Recreation. She established a school of ballet in the Centreville-Clifton area in 1987, teaching in the Little Rocky Run Rec Centers.The studio has suspended wood floors, ballet barres and mirrors. In 1992 she expanded her program to include classes in advanced classical ballet and pointe.
Performances
Each winter the Mia Saunders School of Ballet proudly continues its winter tradition of performing as a gift for others. The students perform in The Nutcracker and their parents contribute their talents towards the production of the performance, making this a family and community event. The proceeds from these events have gone to such worthy charities as The Ronald McDonald House of Greater Washington D.C., The National Cancer Research Foundation, and Fisher House, among many others.
In the spring, the Mia Saunders School of Ballet performs an all-student Spring Recital. These productions have included: Dvorak's Symphony No. 9, Swan Lake (excerpts), Tales of Fairies and Trolls, Pandora, and this spring, Paquita. Classes are taught in the Russian style. Students develop grace, good body carriage, and flexibility through an integrated program which includes classical technique, proper body alignment, and French terminology. Advanced students learn dance history, rhythmic analysis, and choreography. The dancers experience a range of styles including classical, character, and mime.
Contact:
Mia Saunders
mia@miasaundersballet.com 703-830-6548
Mailing Address: 6111 Union Village Drive, Clifton, VA 20124
Studio Address: 13775 Little Rocky Run Circle, Centreville, VA
Mia Saunders began teaching locally with the Fairfax County Department of Recreation. She established a school of ballet in the Centreville-Clifton area in 1987, teaching in the Little Rocky Run Rec Centers.The studio has suspended wood floors, ballet barres and mirrors. In 1992 she expanded her program to include classes in advanced classical ballet and pointe.
Performances
Each winter the Mia Saunders School of Ballet proudly continues its winter tradition of performing as a gift for others. The students perform in The Nutcracker and their parents contribute their talents towards the production of the performance, making this a family and community event. The proceeds from these events have gone to such worthy charities as The Ronald McDonald House of Greater Washington D.C., The National Cancer Research Foundation, and Fisher House, among many others.
In the spring, the Mia Saunders School of Ballet performs an all-student Spring Recital. These productions have included: Dvorak's Symphony No. 9, Swan Lake (excerpts), Tales of Fairies and Trolls, Pandora, and this spring, Paquita. Classes are taught in the Russian style. Students develop grace, good body carriage, and flexibility through an integrated program which includes classical technique, proper body alignment, and French terminology. Advanced students learn dance history, rhythmic analysis, and choreography. The dancers experience a range of styles including classical, character, and mime.
Contact:
Mia Saunders
mia@miasaundersballet.com 703-830-6548
Mailing Address: 6111 Union Village Drive, Clifton, VA 20124
Studio Address: 13775 Little Rocky Run Circle, Centreville, VA