TULSA, Okla. – Tulsa Ballet is pleased to announce the appointment of Lauren Richter Henry as the next Tulsa Ballet Center for Dance Education School Principal. A distinguished performer and dance educator, Lauren Richter joins Tulsa Ballet Center for Dance Education following her tenure on faculty with San Francisco Ballet School. She will begin in this new role on August 12, 2023.
“We are thrilled to welcome Lauren Richter to Tulsa Ballet,” said Marcello Angelini, Tulsa Ballet Artistic Director and CEO. “Lauren comes to Tulsa Ballet from the position of Faculty Member of the San Francisco Ballet School, a school that under the artistic direction of their latest director, Mr. Patrick Armand, has flourished as one of the top American ballet academies. Lauren is also a ballet studio owner, which gives her a great understanding of how to interact with parents and students of all ages and backgrounds, as well as the leadership tools to manage and achieve the academy’s artistic goals.”
Ms. Richter is certified in Levels 1-8 through the Bolshoi Ballet Academy Teacher Training Program, and has judged internationally for the Concurso Internacional Latinamerica Danza Argentina and staged her version of the Nutcracker for the Ballet Parque del Conocimiento Argentina. In addition to a decade of experience as a distinguished dance educator, she also received YAGP’s Outstanding Teacher Award in 2021
“I am excited to be joining the Tulsa Ballet Center for Dance Education as School Principal,” said Lauren Richter. “As both a teacher and director, my aim has always been to offer the highest quality training to my students, while taking great care to foster a healthy learning environment in which the student’s physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing can flourish. Discipline is an essential aspect of classical ballet training and is a valuable trait to have in all areas of life. I aim to instill the discipline required for growth and success, not out of fear, but rather by nurturing a deep appreciation and respect for this beautiful art form in the hearts and minds of our students.”
Tulsa Ballet is grateful to Arlene Minkhorst for her leadership over the past 5 years; following a 45 plus year career teaching and directing international ballet schools, Ms. Minkhorst will retire in October. Under her leadership Tulsa Ballet Center for Dance Education expanded its scope and reach in the community with the introduction of a daytime program for intensive level students, the creation of a Trainee program for post-secondary dancers that has received vocational status and is certified by SEVIS, and the addition of several outreach programs including Project Create and Sharing Dance. “Her experience, poise, ability to further train and support our artistic faculty, her uncompromising artistic vision and the respect she commands from every corner of the globe, will be greatly missed,” says Marcello Angelini.
Ms. Richter will be available to meet with guests of Tulsa Ballet Center for Dance Education’s Free Immersive Ballet Experience – August 12th 10am-1pm at the Tulsa Brookside Campus, and August 19th at 1-4pm at the Broken Arrow Campus. Families will have the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of ballet at our Open House! This free event is designed for families of all ages. A detailed schedule of events is available on our website.
ABOUT TULSA BALLET CENTER FOR DANCE EDUCATION Tulsa Ballet Center for Dance Education’s acclaimed faculty focus on individual instruction for each student at our Broken Arrow and Tulsa Brookside campuses. Our teachers produce versatile 21st century dancers who have the technique, physical strength, and artistry to perform across classical and contemporary styles. Our students share a space with Tulsa Ballet Company dancers and experience unique opportunities to dance alongside, take class from, and begin their professional dance career with the Company.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: tulsaballet.org or @TulsaBalletCDE or 918-712-5327
CONTACT: Aleksa Hacker, M.A. | Outreach & Community Relations Manager 918-392-5934 | Aleksa.Hacker@TulsaBallet.org