Dance Studio History
Études de Ballet (ÉdB) was founded in 2000 by the talented Sybil Burt. Today ÉdB is directed by Ruth Hoagboon, who is honored to continue Sybil’s legacy of outstanding dance instruction.
Top quality ballet instruction has always been at the heart of ÉdB and it is this that enables students to excel and achieve versatility in all forms of dance such as tap, jazz, lyrical, musical theater, hip hop and acrobatics.
OUR TEAM MEMBERS
ÉdB is proud to boast teachers with international credentials and certifications from the Royal Academy of Dance, the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance and Acrobatic Arts. You can rest assured, whether you are a once class a week dancer or on our unlimited dance class program, your instructor is a highly trained professional just bursting to share their passion and expertise with you.
Recipient of the Phillip Nind Award for modern dance and the award for excellence in the Karsarvina Syllabus, Ruth has been an instructor, choreographer, artistic director and associate director, while successfully entering students for examinations. She has staged many productions including Cinderella, Coppélia and The Nutcracker as well as choreographing for and directing dozens of Recitals. Versed in all forms of dance, Ruth is a sought-after teacher and speaker, and has lectured at universities on the subject of teaching children with difficult physiques and how to break down and teach steps to students of all ages and levels. Miss Ruth is a full time instructor in all levels of ballet here at Études de Ballet and a CBTS tutor for the RAD, training teachers who wish to become registered RAD instructors.
She performed in world-renowned productions such as BALLET LES SYLPHIDES, PAS DE QUATRE SWAN LAKE, GISELLE and COPPELIA.
At the age of 22 she relocated to Curacao Netherlands Antilles where she taught classical ballet and was a choreographer at Fina Dance Art School. Alongside teaching, she improved in her dance techniques by participating in Martha Graham workshops in NYC for 5 years, where she focused in modern dance
This allowed her to expand her teaching to modern dance classes as well as choreographing for Fina Dance Art School and theatre group, named Tonelgroup Theatre from Curacao, Netherlands Antilles.
In the late 90’s, Isabel relocated to Miami, FL where she continued her dance training at the University of Miami under the direction of well-known classical teacher, Professor Gilberto Almaguer and collaborated participating at Baletique School of Ballet in Coral Gables.
In the year 2000, she performed Swan Lake and Coppelia at the James L. Night Center in Miami.
Her ballet formation and her enthusiasm for Yoga, lead Isabel to expand her studies and become a certified Hatha yoga instructor.
By combining dancing techniques, yoga, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, she created Meditation in Motion, a meditation technique that combines breathing and delicate soft movement to achieve a meditative state.
Isabel has lead workshops in several countries and prides herself in using her methods to aid trauma and cancer patients at the Aventura Hospital in Miami.
Isabel is fluent in four languages, English, Spanish, French, and Papiamento
Helen was on the classical course and danced in productions of Giselle, La Bayadere and The Fairytale Nutcracker. While at NBS she also trained in Jazz, Tap, Modern, Contemporary and National Dance. Helen danced with the Manchester City Ballet at the opening of the Dancehouse Theatre in the presence of HRH Princess Margaret and also at Manchester Airport for Air 2000 in the presence of HRH Prince Philip.
After graduating from NBS she went on the dance all around the world on cruise ships in Vegas style shows, which is where she met her husband. Helen instructs Adults and our Advanced Level Ballet students at Études de Ballet & Co.
By the age of 18, along with my partner, we placed first in the Hip Hop World Dance Championship, which we won 2 years in a row. After winning the first world competition, my focus shifted to Hip Hop, where I performed in various events, competed in many different competitions, and became an instructor in the various Hip Hop styles in our studio in Moldova.
I have competed in the following Hip Hop Categories: Hip Hop Solo, Hip Hop Suo, Popping Duo, House, Techno, Electric Boogie, Hip Hop Small Group, and Hip Hop Formation.
I have competed in many international Hip Hop competitions in various countries like Moldova, Ukraine, Russia, Poland, Denmark, Slovenia, Germany, and the USA.
Sean has traveled across the globe performing at various events, shows and venues and also appeared as part of the original West End musical cast as Michael Jackson in the world renowned show Thriller Live.
Other credits include: Mamma Mia (The Movie), Kelly Rowland, Lana Del Ray, Rita Ora, The Pet Shop Boys – WORLD tour, Diversity, Disney, Robbie Williams, So You Think You Can Dance, Adidas, X – Factor, Brit Awards and many more.