Background
A native of Allentown, Pennsylvania, Ms. Vegh moved to New York City upon graduation from high school to pursue vocal training with a scholarship to the Juilliard School of Music. It was here that she was initially introduced to ballet; she had not danced a step until age eighteen.
Immediately captivated by this art form, she began her intensive dance education followed by several years as a soloist at Ballet Repertory of New York and as a principal with the Royal Ponciana Theatre. Drawn to the training of serious dance students, Ms. Vegh began her teaching career at National Ballet of New York, then joined the faculty of Harkness House for Ballet Arts where, four years later, she was appointed co-director (with David Howard). During this remarkable period, the innovative program designed by Ms. Vegh, Mr. Howard, and their colleagues at Harkness produced literally hundreds of professional dancers whose influence continues to be seen throughout the ballet world. Ms. Vegh has former students currently dancing, or teaching for, major companies throughout the United States and Europe, including Ms. Joanna Berman, recently retired principal ballerina at San Francisco Ballet.
Significant highlights of Ms. Vegh’s illustrious career:
Immediately captivated by this art form, she began her intensive dance education followed by several years as a soloist at Ballet Repertory of New York and as a principal with the Royal Ponciana Theatre. Drawn to the training of serious dance students, Ms. Vegh began her teaching career at National Ballet of New York, then joined the faculty of Harkness House for Ballet Arts where, four years later, she was appointed co-
Significant highlights of Ms. Vegh’s illustrious career:
Formal Education
1950 - 1955
1991
1994
1991
1994
National Academy of Ballet Ballet Russe School
Juilliard School of Music Ballet Arts
School of Ballet Repertory Ballet Theatre School
Private studies with Pamela May, Mary Skeaping, Thalia Mara, Arthur Mahoney
B.A., World College West, degree in Meaning and Culture
Certified Massage Therapist, Alive and Well Institute
Juilliard School of Music Ballet Arts
School of Ballet Repertory Ballet Theatre School
Private studies with Pamela May, Mary Skeaping, Thalia Mara, Arthur Mahoney
B.A., World College West, degree in Meaning and Culture
Certified Massage Therapist, Alive and Well Institute
Performance and Administrative Experience
1953 - 1960
1960 - 1963
1964 - 1968
1968 - 1971
1971 - 1976
1971 - 1976
1976 - 1987
1987 - 1993
1993 -
Soloist, Ballet Repertory Company of New York
Principal Dancer, Royal Ponciana Theatre
Ballet Teacher, National Ballet of New York
Ballet Teacher, Harkness House for Ballet Arts
Co-Director (with David Howard) of Harkness House for Ballet Arts
Founder and Director, Ballet Repertory Company and School of Pennsylvania
Artistic Director, Marin Ballet
Director of Education and Outreach, Marin Ballet
Founder and Director, Maria Vegh Ballet Centre
Principal Dancer, Royal Ponciana Theatre
Ballet Teacher, National Ballet of New York
Ballet Teacher, Harkness House for Ballet Arts
Co-
Artistic Director, Marin Ballet
Director of Education and Outreach, Marin Ballet
Founder and Director, Maria Vegh Ballet Centre
Additional Teaching/Professional Activities
1974 - 1975
1975
1975
Produced and directed Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella for Pennsylvania Repertory Company (with Principal dancers from Joffrey Ballet), films now in archives of the Performing Arts Library, Lincoln Center, New York Dity.
Conducted, with David Howard, a program for Hunter College in Adult Participation in Ballet; also presented for Hunter a program in dance history.
Conducted, with David Howard, a program for Hunter College in Adult Participation in Ballet; also presented for Hunter a program in dance history.
Designed the technical aspects of, and taught in, Dominican College’s degree program in dance.
Feature article in Dance Magazine (November) describing Marin Ballet, and Ms. Vegh’s teaching approach.
Trained/coached students for, and accompanied them to, the following competitions:
Feature article in Dance Magazine (November) describing Marin Ballet, and Ms. Vegh’s teaching approach.
Trained/coached students for, and accompanied them to, the following competitions:
1981 International Ballet Competition in Moscow
1986 International Ballet Competition in Jackson
1987 International Ballet Competition in Lausanne
1994 Spotlight competition in Los Angeles (the winner in classical ballet)
1999 International competition in Lausanne
2007 International ballet competition in Shanghai
1976 - 1984
1981
1981-2007
1981
1981-
Designed and produced hour-long video tape, Stretch and Strength; intended as a guide to the conditioning of ballet dancers.
Designed and built the Maria Vegh Ballet Centre, for intensive work with selected advanced dancers and with dancers recovering from injuries.
Member of the Advisory Committee, Regional Dance America
Revised edition, TO DANCE
Completely revised Stretch and Strength into 3 hour-long video tapes.
Designed and produced hour-long video tape, Introducing Ballet to Children
Feature article in Dance Teacher magazine (February 2005 issue); a review
of the theory and equipment detailed in the video, Introducing Ballet
to Children.
Article in Dance Spirit magazine (October 2005 issue), on developing
Technique.
Artistic Director, Wells Fargo Center’s The Nutcracker
Designed and built the Maria Vegh Ballet Centre, for intensive work with selected advanced dancers and with dancers recovering from injuries.
Member of the Advisory Committee, Regional Dance America
Revised edition, TO DANCE
Completely revised Stretch and Strength into 3 hour-
Feature article in Dance Teacher magazine (February 2005 issue); a review
of the theory and equipment detailed in the video, Introducing Ballet
to Children.
Article in Dance Spirit magazine (October 2005 issue), on developing
Technique.
Artistic Director, Wells Fargo Center’s The Nutcracker
1993
1994
1995 -
2000
2001
2005
2005
2007 - 08
1994
1995 -
2000
2001
2005
2005
2007 -
1986
1987
Published TO DANCE, an 8 year instructional program and syllabus for the training of ballet dancers.
Member of the Advisory Council, Inland Pacific Ballet.