About Metropolitan Ballet Theatre

OUR MISSION

The mission of Metropolitan Ballet Theatre (MBT) is to train young dancers in the art of classical ballet and promote excellence based on the highest standards of integrity and professionalism. Each dancer will be taught with respect, love, and responsibility.

The goals of Metropolitan Ballet Theatre are

To create performance opportunities
To introduce and expose dancers to different dance styles, choreography, and choreographers
To nurture dancers into the artists of the future

The purpose of MBT is to create an atmosphere of self-competition and inner growth, nurtured with love and mutual respect. Through this process, students learn the values of discipline, commitment, hard work, passion, integrity, respect, trust and excellence.

THE ADMISSIONS PROCESS

Metropolitan Ballet Theatre focuses on the individual needs of each dancer as it conducts pre-professional classes for students ages 10 through 21 in ballet, pointe, jazz, and modern dance.

Students 10 years and older must call to schedule an audition.
Training is offered for children ages 5 through 9 without audition.
Private coaching is available for currently enrolled students.
Professional dancers, former dancers, and instructors are welcome on a drop-in basis.

SCHOLARSHIPS

THE MANIYA BARREDO SCHOLARSHIP

Metropolitan Ballet Theatre is a 501(c)3 non-profit charitable tax-exempt organization. The leadership of the school is of minority background and a serious commitment exists to offer ballet and dance education to all interested students, regardless of their ability to pay for the world-class instruction they can receive at MBT.

If you would like to make a tax deductible donation in support of MBT’s scholarship program, please contact us!

Awarded to a female dancer who has a passion for the Art of Dance and the following:

Is committed to excellence
Shows dedication to professional ethics in class, rehearsals and performances
Possesses leadership skills in motivating others to strive for their personal best
Strives for educational achievement
Is goal oriented
Realizes her dream

THE MANNIE ROWE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FOR BOYS

While in High School in the 60′s, Mannie Rowe discovered his love and innate talent for dance while performing in the school’s production of “Pajama Games.” He studied on scholarship with Bubba Gross in Charlotte, N.C. When he graduated from high school, Mannie auditioned and was accepted into the first class of the North Carolina School of the Arts. While there, he studied with Pauline Koner, Duncan Noble and Robert Lingren. During his summers he performed summer stock: Cross and Swords in St. Augustine, Finian's Rainbow and My Fair Lady in Atlanta and with Jose Limon in New York City.

Mannie’s big dancing break came while in Montreal, Canada, dancing the roles of Tommy and Pinball Wizard for Les Grande Ballet Canadiens’ Rock Opera “Tommy” by The Who. He left Les Grande to dance for Maurice Bejart in Brussels. He returned to Les Grande where he met, danced with, and married Maniya Barredo. They left Les Grande to dance and teach for Robert Barnett and the Atlanta Ballet. His credits include dancing Cavalier to her Sugar Plum in “Nutcracker,” Romeo to her Juliet in “Romeo and Juliet;” and the staging of several of his original works of choreography, including rock music videos, numerous award-winning commercials, and “Just Me,” a solo for Maniya Barredo.

Several students Mannie worked with at the Atlanta Ballet were finalists in international competitions. He served as Principal Teacher for the Hartford Ballet during their summer residence. Mannie died in 1991, shortly after being named Assistant Artistic Director of the Atlanta Ballet.

The Scholarship is offered to a male dancer who exemplifies the talent, passion, dedication, and perseverance for dance and choreography that was Mannie.

Mannie and Maniya