A little about me....
Since 1976 I have had the privilege of teaching and creating works for many talented students. With every year came more challenges and more learning. I started my dance education like many of my students have.... at the age of 6 and full of excitement and enthusiasm. My serious Ballet training began at The Crafton Playhouse and The Pittsburgh Playhouse as a Scholarship recipient and with Professor Van Ipe. I continued training at Point Park College, studying with Nicolas and Marian Petrov, Kenneth Johnson, Jayne Hillyer and Mr. Folkine and joined Pittsburgh Ballet’s Junior Company in 1972. Performances included The Nutcracker and Swan Lake. Continuing education included The Chautauqua Institution's Dance Program as The Woman’s Club Scholarship recipient. While there I performed in several benefit performances as well as representing the Dance Department in a documentary film, “The Chautauqua Experience”. For the following two seasons, I was invited to return to the Institution as a Faculty Member in the Ballet Department. Upon completion, I attended California College of Pa. as a Theater Student. There I performed in the School’s productions including Hot’l Baltimore as The Girl and a Cole Porter Review as a Principle Dancer. I was also the Theater Departments Choreographer working on shows including Pippin’. During that time I owned and operated my first School of Performing Arts. In 1981 I relocated to New Jersey where my dance training continued in New York at several Schools including Steps, Broadway Dance Center and David Howard. During the eleven years on the east coast I taught and performed with The New Jersey Ballet,The Red Bank Ballet and The NJ Center for Performing Arts. For six years I worked for The Department of the Army at Fort Monmouth where I developed a Dance Program for the children and adults within the military community.I am proud to say that the program evolved into a long term success and provided a much needed activity for the families. I received many commendations for my development and directorship of the program. My love for the stage continued with The NJ Theater Company and Theater in the Park including The Mute in the Fantastiks and Annie which I choreographed. There is where my love for expression through dance and the indescribable feeling of wonder watching my heart and mind's visions come to life through my dancers evolved. I developed a Body Sculpting and Stretch program for dancers that was launched in a Fitness and Health Center. Before it's closing, I was on Faculty at an area Ballet School as a Teacher, the Director and Producer of the Musical Theater Department and a resident choreographer for the Ballet School as well as it's Company. In 2008 Mansfield Conservatory was born and as I introduce myself and The Conservatory that we all lovingly call "Tutuland", I still strive, even more determined than the early years, to share my joy and enthusiasm and yes the love of dance to all of my students. I continue to further my education to help make the dancer's education complete. In January 2023 I completed a year long course, The Performing Arts Experience, through NYU/Tisch and received my certification on January 5, 2023 (3 months early!) To all of my current students I thank you for allowing me to be part of your dance lives and to new and future dancers, I look forward to introducing you to all of the opportunities that Mansfield Conservatory West offers and to develop the love of dance.......
Miss Kim
A little about those who enhance The Conservatory's Programs.....
Jena Oberg:
Jena has danced with MCW for 3 years, appearing as the Toyshop Mistress in the Christmas Production, as the Queen in "Sisters" and as the lovable but eccentric Aunt Faye in The MCW Ensemble's Production of "'Til Death Do Us Part.... A Murder Mystery". A Northwestern University graduate, she currently teaches acting for Act One Theater School, the Pittsburgh Public Theater & Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera. Jena also works with Little Lake Theater where she teaches, directs & performs. The Farnsworth Invention, the play Jena directed last fall, was named 9th best play in Pittsburgh for 2010 by the Trib. "MCW is an exceptional school for dancers of all ages & abilities. Kim Rausch offers individual & detailed instruction that nurtures her dancers & allows each individual to reach his & her full ability. Having worked with students from many area schools, I can honestly say that the Mansfield dancer far excels in technique & aesthetic over other dancers their age."
Master Classes taught by guest artists are offered to the upper level Ballet Program students throughout the Season. Erin Halloran, former Principle Dancer with Pittsburgh Ballet Theater, now sharing her knowledge and experiences by teaching, was our Guest Teacher throughout this school year. We look forward to her return during our Summer Intensive Program and the 2012-2013 Season.
Since 1976 I have had the privilege of teaching and creating works for many talented students. With every year came more challenges and more learning. I started my dance education like many of my students have.... at the age of 6 and full of excitement and enthusiasm. My serious Ballet training began at The Crafton Playhouse and The Pittsburgh Playhouse as a Scholarship recipient and with Professor Van Ipe. I continued training at Point Park College, studying with Nicolas and Marian Petrov, Kenneth Johnson, Jayne Hillyer and Mr. Folkine and joined Pittsburgh Ballet’s Junior Company in 1972. Performances included The Nutcracker and Swan Lake. Continuing education included The Chautauqua Institution's Dance Program as The Woman’s Club Scholarship recipient. While there I performed in several benefit performances as well as representing the Dance Department in a documentary film, “The Chautauqua Experience”. For the following two seasons, I was invited to return to the Institution as a Faculty Member in the Ballet Department. Upon completion, I attended California College of Pa. as a Theater Student. There I performed in the School’s productions including Hot’l Baltimore as The Girl and a Cole Porter Review as a Principle Dancer. I was also the Theater Departments Choreographer working on shows including Pippin’. During that time I owned and operated my first School of Performing Arts. In 1981 I relocated to New Jersey where my dance training continued in New York at several Schools including Steps, Broadway Dance Center and David Howard. During the eleven years on the east coast I taught and performed with The New Jersey Ballet,The Red Bank Ballet and The NJ Center for Performing Arts. For six years I worked for The Department of the Army at Fort Monmouth where I developed a Dance Program for the children and adults within the military community.I am proud to say that the program evolved into a long term success and provided a much needed activity for the families. I received many commendations for my development and directorship of the program. My love for the stage continued with The NJ Theater Company and Theater in the Park including The Mute in the Fantastiks and Annie which I choreographed. There is where my love for expression through dance and the indescribable feeling of wonder watching my heart and mind's visions come to life through my dancers evolved. I developed a Body Sculpting and Stretch program for dancers that was launched in a Fitness and Health Center. Before it's closing, I was on Faculty at an area Ballet School as a Teacher, the Director and Producer of the Musical Theater Department and a resident choreographer for the Ballet School as well as it's Company. In 2008 Mansfield Conservatory was born and as I introduce myself and The Conservatory that we all lovingly call "Tutuland", I still strive, even more determined than the early years, to share my joy and enthusiasm and yes the love of dance to all of my students. I continue to further my education to help make the dancer's education complete. In January 2023 I completed a year long course, The Performing Arts Experience, through NYU/Tisch and received my certification on January 5, 2023 (3 months early!) To all of my current students I thank you for allowing me to be part of your dance lives and to new and future dancers, I look forward to introducing you to all of the opportunities that Mansfield Conservatory West offers and to develop the love of dance.......
Miss Kim
A little about those who enhance The Conservatory's Programs.....
Jena Oberg:
Jena has danced with MCW for 3 years, appearing as the Toyshop Mistress in the Christmas Production, as the Queen in "Sisters" and as the lovable but eccentric Aunt Faye in The MCW Ensemble's Production of "'Til Death Do Us Part.... A Murder Mystery". A Northwestern University graduate, she currently teaches acting for Act One Theater School, the Pittsburgh Public Theater & Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera. Jena also works with Little Lake Theater where she teaches, directs & performs. The Farnsworth Invention, the play Jena directed last fall, was named 9th best play in Pittsburgh for 2010 by the Trib. "MCW is an exceptional school for dancers of all ages & abilities. Kim Rausch offers individual & detailed instruction that nurtures her dancers & allows each individual to reach his & her full ability. Having worked with students from many area schools, I can honestly say that the Mansfield dancer far excels in technique & aesthetic over other dancers their age."
Master Classes taught by guest artists are offered to the upper level Ballet Program students throughout the Season. Erin Halloran, former Principle Dancer with Pittsburgh Ballet Theater, now sharing her knowledge and experiences by teaching, was our Guest Teacher throughout this school year. We look forward to her return during our Summer Intensive Program and the 2012-2013 Season.
"You know you're dancing when tears of pain and happiness blend in with your sweat..." Anonymous
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