Hathaway Academy of Ballet opens new Plano studio
August 16, 2007
For information contact: HathawayBallet.com

An established ballet academy is relocating to a new state-of-the-art dance studio to open in September. Kirt and Linda Hathaway, directors and owners of the Hathaway Academy of Ballet, are relocating their academy of ballet to the heart of Collin County.

The brand new studio will be located in the newly developed McDermott Square shopping center at the northeast corner McDermott Road and Independence Parkway, conveniently located just one mile south of Highway 121. During this past year the academy was located in the Shops at Legacy for a one year trial period. "While the Shops at Legacy is an elegant surrounding and had many wonderful amenities, we felt that it was appropriate to seek a more family-oriented neighborhood," acknowledged Kirt Hathaway. The Hathaways previously operated their academy for five years in Central Plano's Legacy Village Shopping Center.

"We are thrilled with the space in our new studio as well as the proximity to the new Arts of Collin County performance hall to be constructed at Custer and Highway 121. This location positions the Collin County Ballet Theatre, a non-profit ballet company, well, given the growth of the arts community," stated Linda Hathaway. The facility will offer 5,300 square feet of space, including three studios with sprung floors over-laid with a ballet Marley surface – the industry standard for safe flooring.

The Hathaway Academy of Ballet students attend Summer Intensive Workshops at some of the most prestigious ballet programs in the nation, including the American Ballet Theatre and Joffrey Ballet. Past students have attended university dance programs at Southern Methodist University, The University of Oklahoma, and University of Utah.

The academy has superior technique training for dancers from the age of three through pre-professional students and adults in the art of classical ballet. The academy also offers quality instruction in modern contemporary dance, jazz, and hip-hop techniques.

Hathaway Academy of Ballet, one of the premier ballet schools in the North Dallas area, is the official school for Collin County Ballet Theatre, a non-profit arts organization, and is an intern member of the Regional Dance America, Southwest, a national organization that fosters the development of serious dancers. The students in the pre-professional division of the academy are also members of the Collin County Ballet Theatre Youth Ensemble and perform annually in productions such as the Nutcracker.

"Collin County Ballet Theatre is thrilled with the new location," confirmed Bob Kenyon, director of public relations for CCBT. "We have our plans in motion to present our Nutcracker with the Plano Symphony when the Collin County Arts Hall doors open in 2010. The proximity is a huge benefit," he stated.

Kirt and Linda have been in the ballet business for over thirty years of combined experience. They met at Dallas Ballet decades ago where Kirt was a principal dancer. Together, they have been dancing and teaching ballet in several states, including Kentucky and Arkansas . Back to their roots in Plano, the Hathaways offer classical ballet in a nurturing, non-competitive environment. While most of their students dance for the joy of dance itself, many have become professional dancers or are aspiring to follow ballet as a career path. Classes are also offered in Jazz and Modern. Class schedules are posted on their website.