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Irina Makkai Classical Ballet School Benefit & Open House November 9, 2006
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Press Release
Highland Park, IL- The Irina Makkai Classical Ballet School will host a grand opening for its new studio, on Thursday November 9th, 2006. The event will be held from 5:00-8:00 at the new studio located at, 2126 First St. in Highland Park. Visitors will have the chance to explore the 12,000 square foot building, including 4 separate studios (each designed for a specific purpose) a room with computers so students can do their homework between classes, a kitchen and a large lobby for parents. Performances will be at 5:30; 6:30 and 7:30, done by the Ballet Makkai Youth Co., made up by the most advanced students at the school and this will be showcased at the opening.

The Irina Makkai classical ballet school has been a successful, growing part of Highland Park's dance community. The studio has had countless moves due to the increase of students, and finally now Irina can give her students the space she feels they deserve. Its founder, Irina Makkai has been teaching ballet in the Highland Park area for over 20 years, and has been dancing since she was a young girl. Her move to Highland Park from Romania was not easy, but her determination to learn English and establish her family into the community and school system would decidedly come.

Irina established her presence to the Highland Park area by opening her own dance studio in 1984. It was at this first studio Irina introduced Vaganova-Tarasov, a new technique to the North Shore area. Her commitment showed in the number of students that enrolled in her classes, causing her to move to bigger studios a number of times.

Irina's daughter and student, Lilla expressed that her mother is the "most knowledgeable and caring teacher she has ever danced for." Though maybe said with some bias, Irina's personal interest in each student is undeniable.

Unique paths for each student are found and created by finding matchless ways to inspire and support each child. Her student's success has been marked by auditions and acceptance into some of the country's leading ballet schools, such as, Houston Ballet Academy, Joffrey Ballet School, Boston Ballet School, and the School of American Ballet, to name a few.

Next on Irina's list is establishing a foundation for low income families to attend ballet school. The foundation will be appropriately called the Irina Makkai Classical Ballet Foundation, just another mark of Irina's dedication to Highland Park and her students. (continued below)

For additional information, call event coordinator Candice Kuhnen of ABC Communications at 847/835-0121.

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