Suzanne Laliberté Thomas - director
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Suzanne founded the Cary Ballet Conservatory and the Cary Ballet Company in August of 1995, when she relocated from New York with her family. Originally from Miami, Florida, she studied ballet daily, from an early age, at some of the finest schools and attended intensive summer programs with company affiliated schools, throughout the country, annually. As a teenager, she toured as a member of Ballet Florida and South Florida Ballet companies. She graduated from New World School of the Arts and was the 1985 national recipient of the prestigious ARTS Honors scholarship award. She chose to continue at New World School of the Art's College/Professional Division, as the only scholarship recipient. The choice enabled her to continue performing professionally with Miami Ballet and Momentum Dance Company, and pursue her love of teaching at several respected ballet schools. Suzanne enjoyed taking part in Miami’s booming arts culture which included many collaborative events and opportunities such as performing Balanchine’s Serenade, staged by Allegra Kent in Miami City Ballet’s inaugural season. In December of 1989 she moved to New York where she continued teaching, performing and training with world-renowned teachers in Manhattan. In 1990 she became the artistic director/owner of the New Paltz School of Ballet, NY, where she trained ballet students of all levels, through professional, and founded the semi-professional Hudson Valley Regional Ballet Company. For five years she directed the school, providing her students with the skills to be accepted into major professional companies and/or be awarded scholarships from universities with prestigious dance programs. Although Suzanne loved her students and was very proud of the wonderful school she had developed, the “southern girl” never felt at home in New York. After extensive searching for a wonderful place to live and raise her two boys, Dustin and Brennan, she realized the need for a higher level of training in North Carolina’s Capital region. Eager to fill that need and become part of the beautiful, friendly community she fell in love with, Suzanne and her family relocated to Cary in August of 1995 and opened Cary Ballet just 5 months later. Through her years of experience, she developed a unique curriculum where students truly enjoy being pushed to their highest potential. Because serious ballet training is demanding and those students become passionate about their art, she believes in establishing nurturing relationships- offering sound advice, positive correction and gentle guidance. Following her lifelong dream, Suzanne has put her heart into bringing together a beautiful loving environment with the finest possible training. Through the Cary Ballet Conservatory, she has assembled an outstanding faculty of dance professionals with extensive performing and teaching experience as well as a thorough knowledge of anatomy in relation to dance. They meet often to share ideas and discuss students' individual progress. Her goal is to make each student an important member of the school, building their confidence and self-esteem so that they may dance and achieve their goals freely and without inhibitions. Over the past 18 years Cary Ballet has made a positive difference in so many lives. This remarkable success has already earned a national reputation and the conservatory has become one of Cary’s most treasured assets.