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, hip hop and acrobatics.
OUR TEAM MEMBERS
ÉdB is proud to boast teachers with international credentials and certifications from the Royal Academy of Dance. 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.
After being involved in a bad car accident while visiting her parents in Rhodesia, she started teaching at an RAD studio, which she eventually took over, having taken the appropriate examinations to so, and has been an RAD Examiner for forty seven years.
She has been teaching in the USA for thirty five years, starting as head teacher at the school and deputy Ballet Mistress at Ballet Mississippi before running her own studio in Florida and Junior Company for over 20 years. After spending time in Hawaii is now happy to be teaching at Études de Ballet
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.
Andrea has expanded her ballet, contemporary, and modern training by attending programs at American Dance Festival and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, both under merit scholarship. Andrea has also received awards and accolades for her choreographic works from leading ballet competitions such as Youth American Grand Prix and American Dance Competition. Andrea has performed lead roles, such as Snow Queen pas de deux and Sugar Plum Fairy. In addition, she has performed classical works such as Napoli, Le Corsaire Pas de Deux, and Paquita and Don Quixote variations. Her performance repertoire also includes modern and contemporary works by Robert Battle, Bill T Jones, Eduardo Vilaro, Kyle Abraham, Darshan Bhuller, and Margo Sappington.
Andrea graduated, earning her BFA from New World School of the Arts/ University of Florida. Her choreography “A-Z” was featured at their annual Rising Stars performance. She was also invited to choreograph for the New World School of the Arts 2017 High School Spring concert. Andrea had the privilege of directing the Performing Arts program for dance at Doral Academy Preparatory School leading their middle and high school dance team as Head Coach. She also became studio director for Maria Verdeja School of Arts Coral Gables location and coached dancers for prestigious competitions.
Andrea is currently teaching at Etudes de Ballet dance studio in Naples, Fl and is excited to be part of the EDB dance family and Naples community.
She recently co-choreographed the national high-school premieres of Billy Elliot in 2015, Sister Act 2016, Hunchback of Notre Dame 2017, Newsies 2017, Ragtime 2018, A Bronx Tale 2019 (USA HS premier) Pippin 2021, and How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying 2022 for Archbishop Stepinac HS in New York. In addition to choreographing Dam Yankees 2018, Grease, 2019 The Little Mermaid 2020, Oklahoma 2021 and Les Miserable 2022 for Rye Neck HS.
She is nominated consistently for outstanding choreography and won the Metropolitan HS Theatre Award for Outstanding Choreography in 2016 for Sister Act. She has choreographed over 35 musicals for KJK Productions Main Stage and Children’s Theatre, New York Dance Summer Theatre, Creative Summer Theatre/Dance program and several Broadway Star Benefits presented in the New York area.
Her students have performed at world-class venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, The Kennedy Center, and the London 2012 Invitational during the Olympics! Francesca also lends her expertise as choreographer to The New York Vagabonds—a male quartet-singing group that entertains audiences worldwide. As a teaching artist, she has taught alongside members of the Paul Taylor Dance Company in NYC schools and at several Westchester County Public Schools.
As a dancer, Danielle trained in Ballet, Tap and Jazz, under former Radio City Rockette Carolyn Dutra and had the privilege of performing at Carnegie Hall, the Metropolitan Opera House and in the Moscow State Ballet’s full-length performance of the “Nutcracker” as part of the Carolyn Dutra Dance Company. At Salve Regina University, Danielle continued her dance education and was honored to be one of 14 dancers chosen to be a part of Salve Regina’s pre-professional concert Dance Ensemble, Extensions Dance Company, under the direction of Dr. Lindsey Guarino. Danielle excelled in Modern, Contemporary and Jazz and performed guest choreography at the New England College Dance Festival as well as at several on and off campus productions and events. In addition to her dance experience, Danielle is a RYT-200 Yoga instructor and is certified in Progressive Ballet Technique. Danielle is so excited to share her passion for dance and strength training with EDB students and their families.
GUEST INSTRUCTORS
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.