Cosmin Marculetiu
Mr. Cosmin Marculetiu is a native Transylvanian from Sibiu, Romania. At age 9, Cosmin was discovered in a nation-wide search for artistic talents and accepted into the Academy of Arts and Choreography in Cluj-Napoca, RO. He completed the Academy with honors, and also received certification in pedagogy and choreography. After graduating, Cosmin was engaged as a soloist with the Romanian National Ballet in Cluj-Napoca, RO and the touring company Europe Ballet. He continued his professional dance career with the Croatian National Ballet in Croatia’s capital, Zagreb. Cosmin danced in various productions and commercials produced by Zagrebacka Televizija, which was the leading television network in Croatia. In 1992 he was engaged as a soloist with the Landesbühnen Sachsen in Radebeul (Dresden), Germany where he danced for 10 years. The Sachische Zeitung and The Morgen Post followed his dance career and published many excellent reviews and articles about his life and performances. Cosmin has established himself as a master ballet instructor in New England and the East Coast since his arrival to the USA in 2002. He was on the dance faculty of the Boston Arts Academy, and was an artistic
associate at Jose Mateo’s Ballet Theatre, where he coached, taught, and rehearsed students and company members.
Cosmin has also received excellent reviews for his performances in various productions from the Boston Globe, the Boston Herald, and the Metro.
In August of 2010 Cosmin founded the International Ballet Academy of Norwell which is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to serve the South Shore of Massachusetts, New England and artistic communities abroad.
Melinda Marculetiu
Ms. Melinda Marculetiu began her training at age 6 with The Virginia Beach Conservatory of Arts, where she was enthusiastically instructed by Betty Jean Walker, Virginia Biggs, Teresa Martinez, Silvia and Colin Worth, Richard Hicks, and others. Starting at the age of 12, Ms. Marculetiu was awarded a full merit scholarship from the Conservatory, which she diligently earned each consecutive year. Ms. Marculetiu was invited to join the Virginia Beach Community Ballet Company as one of the founding members. As a company member, Ms. Marculetiu performed annually in the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival, local events and functions, as well as in exclusive performances at the Virginia Beach Pavilion (current site of the Virginia Beach Convention Center). Ms. Marculetiu is also very proud to have had the opportunity to perform several times each year for the U.S. Military Services at military bases in Eastern Virginia and North Carolina.
Ms. Marculetiu attended Radford University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Fine Arts. She was mentored by Frano Jelencic; emeritus, Dagmar Kessler, Dr. Pegeen Albig, and Dr. Mary Pat Balkus. Ms. Marculetiu performed during her undergraduate years with the Radford University Dance Theatre and the Roanoke Ballet. Upon graduation from Radford University, Ms. Marculetiu was engaged as a professional ballet dancer with the Croation National Ballet in the capital city of Zagreb, where she performed for many years. While in Croatia, Ms. Marculetiu filmed commercials, cultural programs, and movies for Zagrebacka Televizija and the Croation National Filming Company, Jadran Film, and performed each summer in the Dubrovnik Summer Festival. In 1992, after seven seasons with the National Ballet, Ms. Marculetiu accepted a position with the Landesbuhnen Sachsen as a professional dancer. Following her move to Dresden, Germany, Ms. Marculetiu was, in addition to being a dancer, a ballet instructor, teaching all levels of ballet and choreographing many children’s performances. In 2002, Ms. Marculetiu returned with her family to the United States, eager to serve the community and enthusiastically educate the next generations of dancers with the knowledge and experiences she gained during her career as a professional dancer and pedagogue. Ms. Marculetiu has instructed at several non-profit and private dance schools in Massachusetts and other New England states, as well as provided Master Classes and worked with Summer Intensive Ballet Programs on the East Coast as far south as Florida. Ms. Marculetiu wishes to thank all of her teachers, and she is extremely grateful for their guidance, encouragement, and the knowledge that she has gained personally because of all of their efforts; she is striving with passion to continue the cycle of quality training.
pre-ballet i
Ages 5 to 6 | one class per week
An early introduction to classical ballet, this class focuses on exercises to strengthen and improve coordination, flexibility, musical rhythm and counting, direction, and space use. Very basic ballet hand and foot positions are learned in conjunction with short improvisation and set dances.
pre-ballet ii
Ages 6 to 7 | one class per week
This class further develops the beginning ballet movement skills with the addition of the basic ballet positions, primary steps, and movement combinations.
level i
Ages 7 to 8 | one class per week. all material from previous levels.
Students move to the barre, working with two hands on the barre, facing the barre. They continue to build on previously acquired skills, flexibility, and learn additional steps.
level ii
Ages 8 to 10 | Two ballet classes plus one modern/jazz per week recommended. ALL students will attend this level for 2 years or longer if necessary. All materials from the previous levels.
Students accelerate in their vocabulary, and move on to one hand on the barre during the second part of the year. Close attention is paid to the positions of the arms and feet.
level iii
Ages 10 to 12 | Three ballet classes, one modern/jazz per week and Student Company recommended. ALL students will attend this level for 2 years or longer if necessary.
All materials from the previous levels.
Students will emphasize the practice and understanding of etiquette necessary for a productive dance student. Students will try to achieve 90 degree leg extension, with proper body placement and alignment, at the barre and in the center. Various pirouettes, small and big jumps will be introduced.
pointe work
Ages 11+
Students ages 11 and older are evaluated regularly to determine their readiness for pointe class at the Academy. Other variables that weigh in the decision are experience, basic alignment, and strength of ankles and back. To be considered for pointe, students must have been taking classes for at least two years and be currently enrolled for a minimum of three classes per week. Students are notified by the teacher if they are eligible to begin studying on pointe. Please contact Mrs. Marculetiu before their first pointe-shoe fitting.
level iv
Ages 12 to 14 | Four ballet classes, one modern/jazz per week and Student Company recommended. ALL students will attend this level for 2 years or longer if necessary. All materials from the previous levels.
Students will include longer, more complicated combinations of ballet movements at the barre and in the center, with an emphasis on clear understanding of musicality. Students will become familiar with different time signatures, and will learn how to count music accordingly. Students will be encouraged to improve leg extension (above 90 degree) and turn out, placement, and alignment. Various multiple pirouettes will be taught and practiced in combination form.
level v
Five ballet classes, one modern/jazz per week and Student Company recommended.
ALL students will attend this level for 2 years or longer if necessary. All materials from the previous levels.
Students will have combinations with varying rhythms and tempos. Students will learn vocabulary/ballet terminology to such an extent that they can execute a combination without teacher demonstration.
level vi & vii
Six ballet classes, one modern/jazz per week and Student Company recommended. ALL students will attend this level 2 years or longer if necessary. All materials from the previous levels.
Students will learn elements from classical variations which will increase stamina, virtuosity, and technical ability.
