Wendy Johnson

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     Wendy received her classical training in New York City from the Joffrey School of Ballet and the David Howard School of Ballet. She began teaching ballet over twenty years ago in Santa Monica, California under the direction of Yvonne Mounsey, a former Balanchine ballerina, at the Westside Academy of Dance. Subsequently, a move to Virginia enabled her to instruct young children as well as adult and professional students in the art of ballet at the School of Richmond Ballet. 

 

     Later, and after gaining experience there, she was welcomed by the Sarasota Ballet School and joined the faculty. Wendy spent twelve years sharpening her skills as a teacher and children’s advocate. During her last three years at the ballet, she was the Director of the Children’s Division.

 

     In 2017, Wendy opened her own studio, OnyxStudio2, and The Rosemary Youth Ballet, in the Rosemary District of Sarasota. Here, students of all levels, from pre-ballet to pre-professional, are given the opportunity to train in classical ballet, the latter having the opportunity to receive training in pointe work, variations, and pas de deux, helping to prepare them for rigorous ballet competitions like the Youth America Grand Prix, as well as establishing the training needed for a career in ballet. Furthermore, dedicated students of all ages, including adults, are given the opportunity to regularly perform at the studio in Showcases as well as in the theatre in large productions if they choose to do so. Besides annual performances of classical ballets such as ‘The Nutcracker’, the studio performs original ballets created and choreographed by its master teachers.

 

     Wendy obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree from UCLA with an emphasis in Child Psychology.