Venetia Stifler - Executive and Artistic Director

Ms. Stifler, Emmy-nominated choreographer and director, is the Artistic and Executive Director of The Ruth Page Foundation, guiding the vision of the organization left to Chicago by the dance icon and pioneer Ruth Page. Ms. Stifler is also the Artistic Director of CDI/Concert Dance Inc., the official contemporary dance company of the Foundation, which performs choreography by Ms. Stifler and other leading contemporary artists while also exploring and re-envisioning Ms. Page’s work.

Upon her death in 1991, Ruth Page left behind a rich artistic legacy that included a school of dance, archival library, theater, offices for arts groups, groundbreaking choreography, and The Ruth Page Foundation. A commitment to meeting the needs of the Chicago dance community led to a re-focus and re-organization of The Foundation in 1999, resulting in the Executive Director position and renewed life for the organization. Since becoming the Artistic and Executive Director in 2000, Ms. Stifler has helped to bring into greater focus the Foundation’s mission of promoting, protecting and continuing Ms. Page’s visionary work.

Ms. Stifler’s re-envisioned production of Ruth Page’s groundbreaking 1947 “ballet carton” Billy Sunday came alive again in 2007 with several stage productions and in the PBS documentary special produced by HMS Media. A two-year project, Billy Sunday not only brought this masterpiece work to new audiences, but also garnered several Emmy nominations from The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

Before her official role with the Ruth Page Foundation, Ms. Stifler served, and continues to serve, as Artistic Director for the Ruth Page Dance Series (RPDS), a festival of dance she created in honor of Ms. Page to showcase the rich variety of dance styles and artists in Chicago and which is produced in conjunction with Northeastern Illinois University. The RPDS has produced over 40 Chicago area dance companies in the last 17 years in venues throughout the Chicagoland area. In 1999 Ms. Stifler took the RPDS to Scotland to be part of the prestigious Edinburgh Fringe Festival, garnering a “Best of the Fest” by the Sunday Times of Scotland. The Series’ eclectic programming of live music, classical song, opera, visual arts – all combined with dance -- was also described by The Times of Scotland as “a witty interaction between the art forms.”

In 1981 she formed Venetia Stifler & Concert Dance, Inc., a company on which she could explore choreography as a collaborative art. Described by the Chicago Sun-Times as “wonderfully dramatic,” Concert Dance, Inc. has performed throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. Trained as a dancer, Ms. Stifler worked in both Chicago and New York with such legendary artists as Jennifer Mueller, Alwin Nikolais, and Merce Cunningham. Ms. Stifler went on to a national and international performing career that spanned over a decade. Ms. Stifler holds a Ph.D. in Dance and Choreography, and serves as Coordinator of Dance at Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago, where she is a tenured faculty member.

Larry Long (1936-2009) - Founder of The Ruth Page School of Dance

Larry Long was born October 30, 1936 in Des Moines, Iowa, but spent his formative years in Los Angeles, California. Mr. Long was recognized as one of the preeminent ballet teachers in America. Mikhail Baryshnikov in an article in the New York Times named Mr. Long as one of six ballet teachers in America who have distinguished themselves as the best in developing students into professional dancers.

Mr. Long began his training with Alexandra Baldina, an illustrious Leningrad ballerina. His first professional performance was with Alicia Alonso in a production of Coppelia. He came to Chicago in 1958 beginning his long association with Ruth Page’s Chicago Opera Ballet at the Lyric Opera, and later Ms. Page’s International Ballet Company. After becoming a principal dancer with Ms. Page's International Ballet Company, he was appointed Ballet Master, a position he later held with the National Ballet of Washington, D.C. and the Harkness Ballet of New York. In 1973, he was co-founder and director with Ruth Page of the Chicago Ballet. Three years later, Mr. Long became Artistic Director of the Ballet International in London. Mr. Long was the long time (1965-1997) director of the Chicago Tribune Charities’ production of The Nutcracker ballet which ran in Chicago for 31 years. Mr. Long and his wife, Dolores, co-founded the Civic Ballet of Chicago, the youth training company of the Ruth Page School of Dance, in 1998 in order to continue to develop serious young dancers with advanced training and performance experience as a prelude to a professional career in ballet. In 1989, he received the Ruth Page Award for "lifetime service to the field of dance." In 2006, the city of Chicago honored Larry and Dolores Long with a commendation for their contributions to the Arts in Chicago.

Mr. Long died August 22, 2009. He will be remembered for his enthusiasm and tremendous energy; a motivational force in the lives of his family friends and dancers everywhere.

Upon his death, the Larry Long Master Teachers Fund was established to continue his legacy of excellence in dance training by bringing master teachers from around the country to the Ruth Page School of Dance for special workshops. Contributions can be made to the Master Teachers Fund by using the DONATE button on the home page, or by sending a check made payable to The Ruth Page Foundation to 1016 N. Dearborn, Chicago, IL 60610.

Dolores Lipinski Long – Associate Director, the Ruth Page Foundation School of Dance

Dolores Lipinski Long began her dance studies as a scholarship student with Bentley Stone and Walter Camryn. Her continuing studies over the years included classes with many well-known teachers including Valentina Pereyaslavec, Felia Doubrovska, Bill Griffith, Leon Danielian, Patricia Wilde, Melissa Hayden and Richard Thomas. Because of her lifetime connection to Ruth Page, Ms. Lipinski has been associated with the world's greatest dancers, choreographers, producers, and designers.

In addition to her role with the Ruth Page Foundation School of Dance, Ms. Lipinski is also the Artistic Director of the Civic Ballet of Chicago, the official youth training program of the Ruth Page Foundation School of Dance. More information about the Civic Ballet of Chicago can be found at www.civic-ballet.com.

Ms. Lipinski's professional career began as a teen with the Lyric Opera of Chicago. She started in the Corps de Ballet and left as a Principal Dancer. She appeared in the Lyric's production of "Prince Igor" with Rudolph Nureyev as the Polevetsian Maiden and has danced principal roles with every Ruth Page company from 1954 to 1973, including all principal roles in The Merry Widow, Carmen, Die Fledermaus, Carmina Burana and Bolero. Ms. Lipinski met her future husband, Larry Long, while a member of the Ruth Page Company.

Ms. Lipinski joined the National Ballet of Washington, D.C. where Frederic Franklin was Artistic Director. She had the opportunity to dance many Balanchine ballets and performed such classics as Giselle, Coppelia, Pas de Quatre, Les Sylphides and the Nutcracker. She also danced in the unique and magnificent Chicago Tribune production of The Nutcracker as the American Beauty Rose and Sugar Plum Fairy for many years. Upon her retirement, Ms. Lipinski became ballet mistress for the company and was instrumental in the choice of the new design for the production in 1990 by Jose Varona.

Additionally, Ms. Lipinski danced in summer stock theatres, including the Starlight Theater in Kansas City and the St. Louis Muni Opera Company. She appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show, CBS Repertory Workshop, Great Music from Chicago, at the Chez Paree Night Club and at Harrah's Club in Lake Tahoe with Liberace.

Ms. Lipinski taught at the Interlochen Music Camp, the University of Kansas, The University of Tulsa and the International Ballet of London. With her celebrated husband of 47 years, Ms. Lipinski co-founded the Ruth Page Foundation School of Dance, where she and Mr. Long taught for over 38 years and where together, they created the Civic Ballet of Chicago.

Birute Barodicaite – Ballet Instructor

Ms. Barodicaite trained in Chicago with Richard Ellis, Christine DuBoulay, and Larry Long. Ms. Barodicaite danced with the Chicago Ballet and the Lyric Opera Ballet. Additionally, she toured throughout France, Austria, and Germany. Ms. Barodicaite has staged Ruth Page's Nutcracker, Con Spirito by Jim Clouser, and works for Chicago Ballet. For many years, Ms. Barodicaite has taught for the Ruth Page School of Dance as well as teaching for Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. She has taught as guest artist in Lithuania for the Lithuanian National Ballet, Ballet Moscow in Idaho, and Chattanooga Ballet. She is the ballet mistress for Civic Ballet of Chicago, the official youth training company of the Ruth Page Foundation School of Dance, and has been a guest teacher for the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, Grand Rapids Ballet and Luna Negra Dance Theater.

Patricia Klekovic – Ballet Training Program Instructor

Patricia Klekovic is a native Chicagoan. She began her training with the esteemed Edna McRae, one of several teachers and choreographers in Chicago who from the 1920's to the early 1960's helped make Chicago a major ballet center. Ms.

Klekovic has been prima ballerina of the Ruth Page International Ballet, Chicago Lyric Opera and Pittsburgh Ballet Theater, where she was also Ballet Mistress. As a guest artist, she has appeared with the Ballet Municipal de Santiago in Chile, and many summer festivals including Jacob’s Pillow and the 25th Anniversary production of “Song of Norway” with the Civic Light Opera in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Additionally, she has made several television appearances and danced in numerous musicals in the summer theaters around the country.

During her time with the Pittsburgh Ballet, Ms. Klekovic was asked to take charge of the High School Dance Program, which started her teaching career. For two summers she was one of the guest teachers for a dance workshop in San Juan, Puerto Rico. In 1974 she returned to Chicago to join the faculty of the Ruth Page Foundation School of Dance.

Katerina Levental – Children's Ballet/Character Instructor

Katrina Levental was born in Saint Petersburg, Russia and received her ballet training at the world renowned Vaganova Ballet School in Saint Petersburg. After graduation, she performed with several prominent ballet companies in Russia, including Lenigrad Musical Theater, before coming to the United States. She was also a principal dancer at Troika Dance Folk Dance company in Saint Petersburg. Since her arrival in the United States, she had worked as a lead choreographer for the Illinois Rhythmic Gymnastics center, where she trained members of the United States Olympic Team.

Ms. Levental has been a faculty member at Barat College, Columbia College and the Chicago Academy for the Arts. Katrina has choreographed many musical numbers in various theater productions for European Repertoire Company and TUTA company in Chicago. She has been a guest choreographer at the Chicago National Association of Dance Masters on many occasions.

Katrina became a Ruth Page School of Dance faculty member in 1993 after being selected for a teaching position by Mr. Larry Long himself. She has been taught Intermediate Ballet, Advance Ballet, Pointe and Character dance at Ruth Page ever since.

Stephanie Martinez – Coordinator, Jazz Program

Ms. Martinez has performed with numerous Chicago-based ensembles, including Luna Negra Dance Theater, Same Planet Different World, River North Chicago Dance Company, James Kelly Choreography Project, and CDI/Concert Dance Inc. She was a featured dancer for Diana Ross’s appearance in the 2006 World Cup Opening Ceremonies. She has extensive experience in major industrial and trade shows, and she has made several appearances on PBS and MTV. She is a former Ruth Page Award winner. She has also been a principle dancer with the Lyric Opera Chicago. Currently, Ms. Martinez choreographs works for dance companies locally and around the country.

Randall Newsom – Advanced/Professional Ballet Instructor

Mr. Newsom has spent 30 years training dancers, many of whom have gone on to the professional stage. He is frequently in demand as a guest teacher at Summer Ballet Intensives. His guest teaching has included Ballet Nouveau Colorado, Richmond Ballet, MacAllen, South Texas Dance Theater, Rockford Dance Company, Ballet Iowa, etc. In 2009 Mr. Newson retired as Head of the Dance Program at Northern Illinois University, a position he held for 30 years. Mr. Newsom received his professional training at the Rotterdam Conservatorium in Holland and at the London School of Contemporary Dance. He studied with a long list of great artists including Anton Dolin, Hans Breena , Svetlana Berlosova, Mary Hinkson and many others. In Europe, Mr. Newsom was a principal dancer with the Irish National Ballet from 1979 to 1985. In America, he performed with the Louisville Ballet and the Repertory Dance Company of the Southwest, among other companies.

Victor Alexander – Contemporary Instructor

Victor Alexander is a native of Pinar del Rio, Cuba. He trained at the National Dance School in Havana and was a principal dancer for the National Contemporary Dance Company of Cuba for ten years. He has studied with distinguished teachers such as Donald McKayle, Chuck Davis and Jeffrey Bullock from the United States. Victor has toured and danced throughout Europe, the United States and the Caribbean and has participated in dance festivals such as the American Dance Festival at Duke University, the Holland Dance Festival in Amsterdam and the International Dance Festival in Germany. He was the first prize-winner of the Fourth National Union of Writers and Artists Contest in Cuba in 1992. Mr. Alexander has danced with Luna Negra Dance Theater, CDI/Concert Dance Inc., Hedwig Dances, the Lyric Opera of Chicago and as a guest artist with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago in 2008. He has also danced with the Houston Grand Opera and was nominated for an Emmy Award as a Dancer (2008) with the Ruth Page Foundation's production of Billy Sunday. In 2009 he toured to China with CDI/Concert Dance Inc. and taught at the Nanjing Normal University as part of The International Dance Learning Project supported by The MacArthur Foundation’s International Connections Fund.

Lauren Robin Bladin – Pre-Dance Instructor

Born and raised in Chicago, Lauren Bladin received her training at the Chicago Ballet Arts, the Ruth Page Foundation School of Dance, and the North Carolina School for the Arts. In 2002 she graduated from DePaul University and worked under Laura Retzlaff in her pre-dance program at the Ruth Page Foundation. "Miss Lauren" brings her love of dance and her ability to connect with children into the classroom, creating a nurturing and rewarding environment.

Julie Burman – Jazz Instructor

Julie Burman is a native Chicagoan, graduated from the University if Colorado with a degree in dance. She performed professionally for many years with the renowned Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, and was a founding member of River North Chicago Dance Company. In addition to her popular adult jazz classes, Ms. Burman choreographs industrial shows, commercials and feature films.

Jennifer K. Edgcomb – Jazz Instructor

Jennifer Edgcomb’s professional dance experience spans the areas of both performing and teaching. She has worked locally and nationally as a dancer, actress, and choreographer. Ms. Edgcomb graduated with a B.F.A. in Dance from the University of Illinois. She is a very popular jazz teacher at the Ruth Page Foundation School of Dance.

Julie Schiller – Pilates Instructor

Ms. Schiller is a certified instructor in the Pilates Method of Body Conditioning and teaches mat classes at the Ruth Page Foundation School of Dance. In addition to her career as a professional dancer, Julie holds a B.F.A. from the University of Illinois. She has worked with Romana Kryzanowska, assistant to Joseph Pilates authorized master teacher. Her Pilates’ classes add an essential element to a dancer's training.

Mari Jo Irbe – BeMoved® Instructor

Mari Jo, an accomplished performer, choreographer, and teacher, is originally from La Grange, Illinois, and has called Chicago "home" during much of her career. She has been a featured performer with River North Dance Chicago (RNDC), under the direction of both Sherry Zunker and Frank Chaves, for 15 years and has toured extensively, performing works by internationally acclaimed choreographers. Mari Jo also danced with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, and toured the United States and Mexico with Joseph Holmes Chicago Dance Theatre, under the direction of Randy Duncan. Mari Jo continues to choreograph, teach, and perform extensively throughout the metropolitan area, as well as the U.S. She is currently on faculty at Loyola University of Chicago's new dance department and dances with the Mature Dance Project under the direction of Sherry Zunker.