Missoula's Ballet Arts Academy
Former Students
Many former Ballet Arts Academy students have pursued professional careers in dance. BAA is proud of what they have accomplished and honor the commitment and dedication it takes to achieve this level. These are just a few of our dancers who have reached professional status:
Matthew Murphy began his training with Pam Copley and Michele Antonioli, and went on to graduate from the North Carolina School of the Arts, where he studied under Warren Conover and Melissa Hayden. Matthew joined American Ballet Theatre’s Studio Company in September 2003 and the main Company in April 2004. He has originated roles in ballets by Trey McIntyre and Peter Quanz, and dances in many of American Ballet Theatre’s full length ballets, including The Green Table, Othello, Cinderella, Romeo and Juliet, Swan Lake and Le Corsaire.
Carson Murphy received her tap training from Bruce Stegman, Steve Zee, Ted Levy and Diane Walker. She toured in the first national equity tour of 42nd Streetand has performed with several tap companies around the US and Canada. In NYC she has danced at the Tap Extravaganza and for Tap City at both the Joyce Theater and the Duke on 42nd Street, appearing with Mabel Lee, Sara Savelli and Barbara Duffy & Company. Carson teaches master classes and workshops around the country and is also a Pilates and Gyrotonic instructor.
Other BAA students who have chosen the path to a professional career include Laura Jones (Green River Ballet Company) and Christine Stewart, who graduated from the professional program at the Pittsburg Ballet Theatre this May and was invited to enter their one-year graduate apprentice program.