..."I was particularly impressed by Daniel Catanach's energy and sensitivity in working with the young people in this program, many of whom have severe problems. It takes a rare combination of abilities to do this sort of work really well, and Mr. Catanach has them"... Steven Daly, Youth Coordinator, Community Board 6, NYC RSS/Pages/photos_disillusioned.html

Dance Master Classes and Workshops

Ages 5 - Professional


Urban Ballet Theater is dedicated to making the performing arts available to as broad a range of students and audiences as possible. Arts in Education programming are available for both private and public school systems as well as inner city and after school programs. Artistic Director Daniel Catanach’s work in this field has embraced professional dancers and students in advanced training programs to children from diverse populations, including victims of abuse and neglect, the economically deprived, the developmentally and physically disabled, the homeless and the terminally ill.


Master classes and workshops are specifically designed for the needs of the participants and offered for beginning to professional levels in:


Ballet:

Technique classes, pointe, variations, men’s and partnering.

Jazz:

Technique, lyrical, hip-hop, theater dance and beginning jazz/movement.

Other:

Choreography, Creative Movements, Modern and Tap.

Urban Ballet Theater strives to appeal to the existing dance audiences as well as new audiences, including African-American, Asian-American, Native Indian, Latino and young people who are not generally exposed to or educated in performing arts. With relatable artists and works as well as location specific programming, Urban Ballet Theater is able to appeal to a wide range of communities, draw in new audiences, provide great press coverage, reach new territories and create an ongoing relationship with visited cities.


Affordable fees, extensive outreach activities including school performances and workshops, excellent media opportunities and new audience developments makes Urban Ballet Theater able to achieve sold out performances as well as an almost  100% return rate for repeat engagements.

..."My ballet teacher takes kids out of gangs. He takes them and puts them into dance. He is funny and nice. People say there are so many bad people in the world. You know one thing I haven't heard? That there are a lot of good, kind people out there. You know what? I think he is considered one of them"... Ashley Torres, Student at P.S. 213, NYC RSS/Pages/photos_disillusioned.html
Position: Director of Dance Since: 2002 RSS/Pages/photos_disillusioned.html

Ballet Master Class with the Artistic DIrector

Daniel Catanach offers a thorough class in classical technique by utilizing his Balanchine training and company experience doing the work of great choreographers of our time while they were still with us. As an accomplished choreographer Mr. Catanach is able to offer creative combinations, which challenge the dancer’s technique and musicality. His combinations are created for the professional dancer and pre-professional students preparing for a stage career.


Remembering what it was like to be a dancer, Mr. Catanach creates an environment where the dancer is able to hone their technique but allows the dancer to find and experiment with their artistry. Most importantly he knows how to share his gifts, making for a very informed and important dance educator.

Jazz and Movement Class with the Artistic Director


Daniel Catanach offers a thorough class utilizing a combination of jazz and modern techniques. Catanach makes use of his studies as a scholarship student at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center and at the Dupree Dance Academy in Los Angeles to create an engaging class infused with Horton and contemporary jazz, ballet and musical theater techniques. Mr. Catanach is able to offer creative combinations, which challenge the dancer’s musicality as well as develop the student’s artistic interpretation.


In the fall of 2002 Mr. Catanach was appointed to the position of Director of Dance at the Abrons Arts Center Henry Street Settlement. Utilizing this position he is able to bring his classes and company under one roof. In its early days the Settlement had drawn audiences, students and performers to the underprivileged neighborhoods of lower Manhattan - a tradition Mr. Catanach is in the process of reinstating.