Nevada Ballet Theatre is pleased to announce the appointment of Anna Kristina Lantz as principal of its affiliated school, the Academy of Nevada Ballet Theatre. Under the direction of Artistic Director James Canfield, Lantz will oversee the Las Vegas-based ballet Academy’s student body and faculty. Other duties include teaching, developing class and course schedules, establishing policies and procedures, producing the annual spring concert and interfacing with parents, students and administrative staff. Lantz’s appointment will officially begin on Monday, August 3, 2009.

Since 2004, Lantz has served as a full-time faculty member of the Boston Ballet Center for Dance Education, hailed as one of the most recognized institutions for dance and the largest school of its kind in North America with four studio locations. As Head of Elementary Programs, Lantz was part of the school’s curriculum development team and has been lauded for her unique ability to instruct students of all ages and levels while at the same time rehearsing students for major company productions in her position as the Children’s Ballet Mistress.

"We are thrilled that Anna Lantz will be joining our artistic staff as the new principal of our academy,” says Artistic Director James Canfield. “Her vast education from around the globe coupled with her sincere concern for the welfare of our youth will be an asset to our students. Her work and knowledge will no doubt become an integral part of the “Next Stage” of Nevada Ballet Theatre and the Academy of Nevada Ballet Theatre."

With a broad repertoire of teacher training and education in Ballet Pedagogy, Lantz is proficient in the Vaganova, Cecchetti, Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) and the Royal Ballet methods of dance. She earned a three year teaching diploma from the prestigious Royal Ballet School’s teacher training course, making her only one of five in the nation to receive such an extensive education. In addition, she has earned diplomas from the Imperial Society for Teachers of Dance and the Royal Academy of Dance.  

Her professional teaching experience includes the Academy of Nevada Ballet Theatre where she taught ballet and coordinated The Nutcracker youth company, the Marin Ballet in San Rafael, California, where she taught Ballet, Character and Spanish Flamenco and the John Cranko School (Stuttgart Ballet) in Germany where she was a full-time faculty member. Lantz has experience teaching at the University level as well, including Emerson College, Harvard University at Cambridge and Dean College.

"I have always thought of Nevada Ballet Theatre as a gem in the desert,” says Lantz. “I am so very excited to return to Las Vegas and be a part of the family again!"

Lantz has choreographed two full-length children’s ballets, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty and rehearsed children’s roles in full-length classical ballets including A Midsummer Night’s Dream, La Sylphide and Boston Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker. In 2007, she was appointed Assistant Choreographer for Disney’s 2007 number one box office hit, the movie The Game Plan featuring “The Rock.” 

Upcoming Academy of Nevada Ballet Theatre programs include Creative Dance Camp, July 6 – July 24, Summer Intensive, July 27 – August 14 and Fall Session which begins on Monday, August 31. To register, call the Academy at (702) 243-2623.