About

• Inspiring students of all ages and abilities to attain the highest standards of each student’s individual potential, primarily through training in the art of classical ballet, and also in other genres of dance;
• Performance of ballet of the highest artistic standards as a component of student education;
• Enriching the entire diverse Carlisle community and surrounding communities in central Pennsylvania through the instruction and performance of ballet and other genres of dance.

Since 1955, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet (CPYB), with studios in Carlisle and Lemoyne, has grown from a small, local dance studio to an internationally renowned school of classical ballet. Under the guidance of Founding Artistic Director Marcia Dale Weary, CPYB provides exceptional dance training for beginning to pre-professional dancers and enhances the cultural climate of the central Pennsylvania region through ballet performances.

In addition to the Primary and Pre-Professional ballet programs, CPYB’s Preschool Division offers Mommy & Me, Creative Movement, pre-ballet, and pre-tap for children ages 2 to 6. The Open Program offers the community quality dance training for adult students age 13 and up in various dance disciplines such as hip hop, Pilates, ballet, Zumba and tap.

As the Resident Ballet Company of Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts in Harrisburg, CPYB performing company’s season includes performances in the fall, winter, spring, and in June. CPYB, honored as the only pre-professional school in the country licensed to perform George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker,™ performs the holiday classic at Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts and the historic Hershey Theatre with a live symphony orchestra. CPYB performs other classical and contemporary ballets, and many nationally-recognized choreographers have also premiered works on the Company. In 1998, CPYB initiated ChoreoPlan, a program for the development of new works, that has now attracted talented choreographers from a national pool of artists.

As a school, CPYB has produced an incredible number of professional dancers who have worked with or are currently performing with top companies in the world. Currently more than 65 alumni occupy positions in highly regarded ballet companies such as New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, San Francisco Ballet, Boston Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Miami City Ballet, and Pennsylvania Ballet. Others have continued on in dance-related fields such as ballet teaching, arts administration, and entertainment law. CPYB alumni, no matter what their vocation, are enthusiastic audience members and arts advocates in our communities.

The New York Times dance critic Joseph Carman said, “London, Paris, St. Petersburg, and New York are well known for their first-rate ballet academies, training many of the best dancers in the classical form. Add to that list Carlisle, PA, a town with fewer than 20,000 people and a modest economy driven by state government jobs and the defense industry….Marcia Dale Weary and her Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet have produced dancers well known in the ballet world.”

CPYB was featured on the cover of Dance Teacher Magazine. In an article entitled “Marcia’s Magic,” Kristin Lewis wrote, “She produces students who have the whole package—attention to detail, early technical development and a broad socialization into the arts. It seems a given that companies nationwide will continue to be stocked with her dancers for many years to come.”

In tribute

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We remember with fondness CPYB’s former Artistic Director and permanent guest faculty member Richard Cook. Richard received his early training in California and at the Royal Conservatory of Music and Dance in the Netherlands. After performing with the San Francisco Opera and the Pennsylvania Ballet, Richard began his career as a teacher and choreographer.

Richard served as former Associate Artistic Director of CPYB. He premiered his first ballet, Classical Symphony, at CPYB in 1982. Since then he has choreographed many other ballets, including Offenbach Waltz, A Midsummer Night’s Dream,  Souvenirs, Dance of the Hours and Light of Day, as well as assisted in the rehearsals of many CPYB repertoires.  In addition to choreographing and rehearsals, Richard continued to teach partnering at CPYB and was a permanent guest faculty member.

A frequent guest teacher for professional and pre-professional ballet companies throughout the United States, Richard’s works have been performed by the Atlanta Ballet and the Dayton Ballet as well as being featured in three of the Carlisle Projects annual summer showcases. A three time recipient of Choreographic Fellowships from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, Richard also served on peer review panels for the P.C.A. and other organizations.

Richard passed away the summer of 2009.

In tribute

It is with heartfelt joy we remember Maurinda Wingard, CPYB’s former Executive Director.

Maurinda found her passion for the arts at the young age of six, when she began her dance training with Marcia Dale Weary at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet.

With her strong background as a dancer and as an arts and education administrator, Maurinda was appointed Executive Director of CPYB in May 1997. During her tenure, CPYB’s physical plant with new state-of-the-art studios has more than tripled, along with its annual operating budget. In addition CPYB was appointed Resident Ballet Company at Whitaker Center for Science and Arts, Harrisburg; state and federal funding great increased; and educational outreach efforts in the community more than doubled.

Maurinda’s dedication to CPYB, the students, and the art form itself is dearly missed.  The impact she made on the lives of all who knew her was tremendous and will continue to play a role in our lives for many years to come. Maurinda passed away March 29, 2009.

The Maurinda C. Wingard New Hope Scholarship Fundis established to honor Maurinda’s life and to help keep her vision of CPYB moving forward. To donate to this scholarship fund, please send your contribution to Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, 5 N. Orange Street, Suite 3, Carlisle PA 17013-2727. Please note on your donation Maurinda C. Wingard New Hope Scholarship Fund.