Private Ballet Training with Christina Fagundes Turner
For beginner dancers through seasoned professionals.
Pictured: Abigail Merlis (Boston Ballet) & Gianna Forte (Boulder Ballet)
About Christina
Experience
Over her stellar 25-year career, Christina Fagundes—who joined American Ballet Theatre in 1985 at the invitation of Mikhail Baryshnikov—has won rave reviews. Her dancing has been called "exhilarating" and "sumptuous," her performances praised for their "verve" and "stylishness." She transfers these qualities to her students in the private ballet training she offers at her dance studio in New Canaan.
Passion
Christina's passion for ballet is only matched by her passion for her students. Whether guiding them at the barre, through choreography, in college auditions, or along their professional path through private ballet coaching, Christina's approach in at her New Canaan dance studio is engaging, inspirational, meticulous, and joyful. Her mentorship goes beyond training to the personal and social side of the ballet journey, with caring and wise advice that is invaluable to the overall well-being of her dancers.
Artistry
At her dance studio, Christina creates a positive learning environment in which she inspires her students to not only master technique but to find their voice through movement and self-expression. With clear constructive feedback in her ballet classes and an individualized approach during private ballet sessions, Christina helps each dancer's unique gifts come to life in this breathtaking art form.
Christina's Bio
Christina Fagundes Turner, a native of California, received her training at the San Francisco Ballet School and represented the school at the 1982 International Ballet Competition as a top finalist. She was then invited to join San Francisco Ballet and immediately began dancing leading roles. In 1985, Mikhail Baryshnikov invited Ms. Fagundes to join American Ballet Theater, where she was appointed Soloist in 1989 and danced numerous principal roles in both classical and contemporary repertoire. During her career, she danced in over 100 ballets, toured in over 25 countries, and worked with the geniuses of the dance world: Tudor, Macmillan, Makarova, Lubovitch, Kolpakova, Farrell, and Baryshnikov.
While dancing professionally, she also furthered her education, graduating magna cum laude from Fordham University. After choreographing, teaching, and directing for Fairfield County’s esteemed Ballet Etudes dance studio for 16 years, Christina has continued to embrace the honor of teaching in her personal studio, Ballet Studio 229 in New Canaan, where she coaches students and professionals to achieve their potential and meet their goals.
Seeing her dancers performing with ABT Studio Company, New York City Ballet, Boston Ballet, Arizona Ballet, Boulder Ballet, Smuin Ballet, Washington Ballet, as well as celebrating her students' acceptances at top colleges—Harvard, Duke, Wake Forest, Georgetown, USC, University of Michigan, Pace, Elon, Fordham, Syracuse University, Columbia, and many more—brings Christina profound joy.
Review – Washington Post – "Meditation"
"It's a rare and sacred moment when a treasure is lovingly dusted off, kissed by the bearer and handed over to a worthy successor. And it happened last night. George Balanchine choreographed 'Meditation' for Suzanne Farrell more than 30 years ago as an expression of his feelings for her, his last and most important muse. It has remained for Farrell a talisman of their relationship, and no other dancer has ever performed her role. Until now. Christina Fagundes danced it with tender understanding.... How rewarding it must have been for her to have seen the ballet exquisitely danced by Fagundes and Ben Huys, in the role originally danced by Jacques d'Amboise...." —Suzanne Farrell Stages the Masters of 20th Century Ballet, Kennedy Center
About Ballet Studio 229
Serene Setting
Serene Setting
Serene Setting
Nestled in nature in beautiful New Canaan, Connecticut, Ballet Studio 229 is a private dancers' sanctuary with
a state-of-the-art dance floor, floor to ceiling mirrors, and elegant barres—in a welcoming, spacious, safe environment. The dance studio is equipped with medicine balls, weights, and mats for strength, flexibility, and therapeutic needs.
Offerings
Serene Setting
Serene Setting
Learn the fundamentals of ballet; refine classical and contemporary technique; hone artistry and musical phrasing; work on ballet, musical theater, or tap choreography; prepare for performance (stage, competition, college auditions); rehabilitate from an injury; or just discover the joy and benefits that this art form can offer your body and mind at any age or any stage of life.
Press Links
Serene Setting
Press Links
A Special Nutcracker for the Special Needs Community —ilovefc.com
Ballet Company Performs for Children With Autism —News 12 CT
Leaping Back to Top Level Dancing After Having a Baby —Madison.com
Farrell Moves Nicely from Muse to Master of Her Troupe —LA Times
A Star Is Born in Baryshnikov's "Swan Lake" —Sun Sentinel
Photo Gallery
Abigail Merlis duet, Boston Ballet
Testimonials
Abigail Merlis, Boston Ballet
Abigail Merlis, Boston Ballet
Abigail Merlis, Boston Ballet
"In the 11 years I have known and worked with Christina through private ballet coaching, she has been a constant source of knowledge, guidance, and inspiration. With her expert eye, she has pushed me to execute technical feats and develop an artistic expression that I didn’t know I was capable of. Her ability to identify exactly how to improve a step or movement quality is unparalleled. She has taught me what it means to be a professional and how to maintain perspective while navigating the ballet world and its many challenges. She has instilled in me a drive and work ethic but also inspired me to think beyond my personal pursuits and strive to make a positive impact through art. Christina’s investment in each of her students and her personalized approach creates an environment at her dance studio in New Canaan where dancers of every level grow and flourish."
Lucy Nevin, Washington Ballet
Abigail Merlis, Boston Ballet
Abigail Merlis, Boston Ballet
"Christina Fagundes was one of my first ballet teachers. She has watched me grow up and has helped me become the dancer I am today. When I started en pointe at age 12, I began taking private ballet lessons with Christina to gain more strength. I was very timid when it came to dancing en pointe at first, and Christina always told me I could do it. “Why can’t you do it? There’s no reason you can’t do it,” she would say. And that belief in me was the boost of confidence I needed to help me believe in myself. Now whenever I am hesitant in approaching a new step or variation, I always think of how Christina believed in me and I just go for it.. As I continued to grow up and take lessons from her throughout my career, Christina helped me blossom. The smallest corrections would change the way my turns worked or make a step easier. She was able to break steps down for me in ways that other teachers could not so that I became more consistent. Christina is much more than an incredible teacher, I call her whenever I feel like talking or am learning a new role or just need some mental support. To have a teacher who believes in you and who has watched you grow up through all the awkward phases and auditions makes all the difference in becoming not just a better dancer but a better person."
Jamie Mann, Actor/Performer
Abigail Merlis, Boston Ballet
Jamie Mann, Actor/Performer
"Christina is one of the greatest ballet mentors I have had since I started training at age 7. She exudes more passion for ballet than any teacher I’ve worked with. Through middle school, I commuted to New York to train at School of American Ballet, and Christina was a steady support system who understood the challenges I faced navigating that world. Having danced in her productions for three years, I was well prepared when cast in three productions with New York City Ballet. In high school, after finding success professionally in musical theater, I chose to leave SAB but continued dancing with Christina locally in ballet classes and at her New Canaan dance studio. Her private ballet coaching has enabled me to straddle the ballet and acting worlds and her advice has given me clarity and peace of mind every step of the way. When I landed a Netflix series in 11th grade ("Country Comfort"), the creative team noticed my dance skills and incorporated dance into my role. With Christina's training helping me shine, I was accepted into the University of Michigan's esteemed musical theatre program. I am training with her in preparation for college and will eagerly continue seeking her ballet and life coaching anytime I am in Connecticut."
Marc LaPierre, Smuin Ballet
Sandy Ross, Dance/Movement Therapist
Jamie Mann, Actor/Performer
"I have had the pleasure of working closely with Christina in ballet classes from the time I was 12 years old. Her knowledge and wisdom about this beautiful art form has stayed with me throughout my whole career. Christina has been an extremely instrumental figure in my professional career. Giving me the tools to be not only a stronger dancer, but person as well. It’s really easy to get stuck only on technique, when artistry is so important. She will help you showcase both your technique but also your individualism. Despite my new job opportunity in San Francisco with Smuin Ballet Company, I will continue private ballet coaching with Christina in her dance studio in New Canaan whenever I revisit the East Coast."
Gianna Forte, Boulder Ballet
Sandy Ross, Dance/Movement Therapist
Sandy Ross, Dance/Movement Therapist
"I first started studying privately with Christina at age 15 to further my ballet training. At that time, I didn’t know the lifelong impact she would have on me. I am now 22 and have begun my professional career, but I always make time to take private ballet classes with Christina when I’m in Connecticut. We always keep in touch throughout the year. She has become such an important mentor and inspiration to me. I always find myself leaving her New Canaan dance studio feeling positive, strong, and motivated. I don’t think I would be where I am today without Christina’s coaching and guidance."
Sandy Ross, Dance/Movement Therapist
Sandy Ross, Dance/Movement Therapist
Sandy Ross, Dance/Movement Therapist
"I first met Christina as a young dancer and was awe-inspired by her impeccable dancing and exciting performance quality. From the Metropolitan Opera House to guest appearances in local productions, she is generous with her gifts in every setting. Christina brings this dedication and professionalism into the dance studio, where she offers her artistic talents catered to the strengths of the individual students before her. Her technical expertise changed my dancing in a way that allowed me to pursue a professional career in dance. She takes on the challenge of different learning styles as yet another creative endeavor leading to her student’s success. Christina has continued to be a supportive figure in my life and path to becoming a dance therapist at Children's Hospital. I am lucky to call her a mentor, colleague, and friend."
Video
Christina Fagundes in "Cinderella Faires," San Francisco Ballet
Christina as Fall Fairy (2:38 to 4:12)
"Carnival of Animals," Choreographed by Christina Fagundes
With the Chappaqua Orchestra and Christina's students: Marc LaPierre, Gianna Forte, and Annie Wilson
Kaili Chan, Duke University Dance Supplement
Montage of dance numbers choreographed by Christina Fagundes (submitted by Kaili in her Duke application).
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If you are interested in setting up a private ballet or rehabilitation session with Christina or just want to learn more about our dance studio in New Canaan, please email Studio229@optonline.net
Ballet Studio 229
229 Valley Road, New Canaan, Connecticut 06840, United States
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