The American Ballet Theatre William J. Gillespie School at Segerstrom Center for the Arts has just announced the return of its Sunday Master Class Series, continuing on Sunday, May 4, 2025. The instructors will include ABT Principal dancer Gillian Murphy, internationally recognized artist, educator, and leader in the performing arts Ethan Steifel, and Susan Brooker, Artistic Director for the ABT William J. Gillespie School at Segerstrom Center. This series provides inspiring young dancers the opportunity to train with world renown ballet teachers that will aid in augmenting their artistic and technical skills. The classes are designed for intermediate and advanced dancers, ages 10 and above, who have a strong foundation in classical ballet.
Segerstrom Center for the Arts – Center for Dance & Innovation – RMA Photography, courtesy of SCFTA.
The decision to continue the Sunday, Master Class series was made following a successful turnout on Sunday, March 23. In order to assure that students receive a well-rounded and thorough training, classes will focus on Technique, Pointe, Variations/Repertoire, Character, Modern, and Body Conditioning. “These classes will allow students to refine their skills, discover new techniques, and deepen their understanding of the art form.” SCFTA Press release
Students at the The American Ballet Theatre William J. Gillespie School – Photo courtesy of SCFTA.
This unique partnership between ABT and William J. Gillespie School at Segerstrom Center began in September 2015 uniting the training and performance resources of ABT, America’s National Ballet Company®, and Segerstrom Center which, over the years, has become one of California’s leading presenters of dance. The school offers “unrivaled opportunities for training and nurturing future generations of dancers and dance audiences as well as furthering the development and evolution of dance. Following American Ballet Theatre’s National Training Curriculum, students are encouraged to reach their highest potential while building a safe and solid foundation in ballet technique.” SCFTA Press release
Studio at the The American Ballet Theatre William J. Gillespie School – Photo courtesy of SCFTA.
The school was named after Orange County philanthropist William J. Gillespie, who was a board member of ABT from 1999 until his death in 2020. Gillespie was an influential supporter of the school and a generous donor to the Center.
“Gillespie’s generosity wasn’t limited to dance. He gave $5 million to the Segerstrom Center for the Arts’ Building on the Vision campaign, which helped support the construction of the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.” Paul Hodgins, Voice of OC
About the Instructors.
Gillian Murphy – Photo by O’Connor, courtesy of SCFTA.
Gillian Murphy is widely considered one of the most iconic dancers in the ballet world. A Principal Dancer with American Ballet Theatre since 2002, and the Company’s longest-standing current dancer, Murphy will take her final bow as Odette/Odile in Swan Lake on 18 July 2025 at the Metropolitan Opera House.
Murphy joined American Ballet Theatre’s corps de ballet in August 1996 at the age of 17. She was promoted to soloist in 1998. In 2001, her debut as Odette/Odile in Swan Lake garnered rave reviews from The New York Times. The following year she was promoted to principal dancer
Murphy has performed as a guest artist with Mariinsky Ballet, Royal Swedish Ballet, Staatsballett Berlin, Kyiv Ballet, and The Australian Ballet. She spent 3 years as a Guest Principal with Royal New Zealand Ballet when her husband, former ABT Principal Dancer Ethan Stiefel, directed the company.
In 2000, she had a small part in the film Center Stage, which featured her ABT colleagues Ethan Stiefel, Julie Kent, and Sascha Radetsky in starring roles. She also appeared in the film’s sequel, Center Stage: Turn It Up. In 2005 she performed the dual role, Odette and Odile, in Kevin McKenzie’s version of Swan Lake with ABT. This performance was filmed and broadcast as a part of Great Performances: Dance in America on PBS. In 2010 she appeared as herself in season 4, episode 8 of Gossip Girl with Ethan Stiefel. She also appears as the eponymous character in Royal New Zealand Ballet’s documentary and filmed production of Giselle. Behind the scenes, she served as a ballet consultant on the movie Black Swan.
Ethan Steifel – Photo by Schrader, courtesy of SCFTA.
Ethan Stiefel is an internationally recognized artist, educator, and leader in the performing arts. After serving as American Repertory Ballet’s Artistic Director for over three years, he is currently The Nora C. Orphanides Artist in Residence. Stiefel was the Principal Guest Instructor at American Ballet Theatre (ABT) from 2016-2021 and the Artistic Director of the Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB) from 2011-2014. Just before being appointed the RNZB’s Artistic Director, he served as Dean of the School of Dance at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) from 2007-2011.
He starred in the feature film Center Stage and returned to play the role of Cooper Nielsen in Center Stage 2-Turn It Up and Center Stage: On Pointe. Stiefel’s television and video credits include The Dream, Le Corsaire, Die Fledermaus, Gossip Girl and the documentary, Born to be Wild.
Susan Brooker – Photo: Alexander Robert Jarus
Susan Brooker currently serves as the Artistic Director for the American Ballet Theatre William J. Gillespie School at Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Brooker is a member of the ABT’s National Training Curriculum Artistic Board of Examiners and Instructors for the American Ballet Theatre, National Training Curriculum, and guest teacher in the ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School. Students of Ms. Brooker have won prestigious international dance competitions including the Prix de Lausanne and are dancing with companies in Europe, South America and the United States. Ms. Brooker has taught in schools in the USA, Europe, Canada, and Japan and is a specialist in Ballet Pedagogy and curriculum development.
Brooker’s role at the Center has been pivotal in elevating the ABT Gillespie School curricula and practice by providing the young dancers of Orange County with opportunities to flourish and develop in their professional field of dance.
As the sister school to the prestigious ABT JKO School in New York City, Segerstrom Center is committed to providing West Coast students with the same high caliber of dance education. The Sunday Master Class Series is an exceptional opportunity for students to train with internationally renowned artists who are eager to share their experience and expertise, enriching the next generation of dancers.
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For more information about the American Ballet Theatre William J. Gillespie School, please visit their website.
To learn more about the Segerstrom Center for the Arts’ performance season, please visit their website.
Written and compiled by Jeff Slayton for LA Dance Chronicle from information provided by Jacqui Pash, SCFTA Public Relations Associate.
Featured image: The American Ballet Theatre William J. Gillespie School at Segerstrom Center for the Arts – Instructor: Doug Gifford – Photo courtesy of SCFTA.
