Master Class with American Ballet Theatre

On Tuesday, January 14, dancers from the YDE and Ballet 3 classes were invited to attend a master class with members of American Ballet Theatre, one of the top ballet companies in the world! The mixed-level hour and a half class was a rare and exciting opportunity for Living Arts’ dancers to experience.

Held at the FREC, the master class was led by dancers Lauren Bonfiglio and Melvin Lawovi. “Seeing them and how they grew up has shown me that if I really work hard, I can get to where they are at their point in their lives,” said student Samantha Augilar. Ingrid Hernandez added, “My favorite part was when we got to do exercises because I saw what I wanted to be. I saw a role model, a reflection of what I could be, and ways to better myself.” Nina Contreras added, “I liked seeing a guy, because here in Detroit you hardly ever see that” referring to Lawovi.

Bonfiglio has been with ABT since 2013 and started her career with the company in a summer Young Dancer Workshop in 2007. In 2013 she became a member of the ABT Studio Company. Lawovi, a native of Toulouse, France, has been dancing since age 10 and competed in many international competitions before joining the ABT Studio Company in 2018 and apprenticing with the main Company in 2019.

Many thanks to these talented instructors, the American Ballet Theatre, and the Michigan Opera Theater for making this opportunity possible for our students.