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BOSTON BALLET SCHOOL ARTISTIC LIAISON, DIRECTOR OF GRADUATE PROGRAM & COMPANY SHOE MANAGER

Kathleen Mitchell

Seattle, WA

Joined Boston Ballet School in 2003

Biography

Kathleen Mitchell brings her love of the art form to generations of students. Her extensive teaching and coaching experience allow students to succeed professionally in numerous companies both nationally and internationally. Since joining Boston Ballet School in 2003, she has worked extensively to elevate and support the student experience, defining student expectations and focusing on skills needed to allow each student to reach their full potential.

Mitchell began her dance training in Seattle, Washington with Karen Irvin at Cornish Dance School. She furthered her training under a Ford Foundation Scholarship to School of American Ballet and through additional summer intensives at Pennsylvania Ballet School and San Francisco Ballet School, where she completed her training. Her 20-year career with San Francisco Ballet included student, apprentice, Soloist Artist, Children’s Rehearsal Director and Faculty Member, serving under three Artistic Directors, Lew Christensen, Michael Smuin and Helgi Tomasson. Her repertoire spanned classical to contemporary, and she was featured in works by such luminaries as Ashton, Balanchine, Bintley, Lew Christensen, Forsythe, Kudelka, Mark Morris, Jerome Robbins, Michael Smuin, and Helgi Tomasson. She was also a guest artist with Alonso King’s Lines Contemporary Ballet, San Francisco Opera, and danced for the Lawrence Pech Dance Company. While at SFB, she completed her BA degree from the LEAP program at Saint Mary’s College.

Mitchell has been instrumental in building Boston Ballet School’s Next Generation performances since its inception in 2009. She choreographs original works and stages repertoire for this annual performance. Past repertoire has included Bournonville’s Napoli, Tarantella, and Konservatoire, and classical excerpts from Sleeping Beauty Prologue and Act 3, Paquita Pas de Trois, Raymonda Act 3 and Giselle Peasant Pas de Six.

In 2022 she was appointed Rehearsal Director for the Graduate Program where she teaches, sets repertoire, assists choreographers, oversees daily operations and continues to mentor and shape the vision of young artists. She implemented Rising Stars, a joint performance of BBII and Graduates. Under her direction, Graduates have been promoted into BBII and subsequently into Boston Ballet’s main Company. They are also employed in companies nationally and internationally.

In addition to teaching Company Class, Mitchell as serves as Boston Ballet’s Company Shoe Manager and expert pointe shoe fitter.