Colleen Blair, Director of ballet at NewDance, began her training at Rozann-Zimmerman in Southern California and continued her studies at Walnut Hill School of the Performing Arts outside of Boston. She spent summers studying at Briansky Ballet, Joffrey Ballet and Cedar Island where she developed her skills under the guidance of Suzanne Farrell, Paul Mejia and Muriel Stuart. At the age of 15 she was accepted into The School of American Ballet.

Colleen received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Bennington College in Dance, choreography and performance with a minor in early childhood studies. After graduating she went on to perform with numerous modern dance companies and choreographers. For over 10 years she was a member of The Wendy Perron Dance Company with whom she performed, and taught throughout Europe & the US. She was Ms. Perron’s assistant choreographer on many projects including a solo for Peter Boal.

Colleen began teaching at NewDance in 1992 where she was instrumental in developing the ballet syllabus. Colleen choreographed and staged the NewDance ballets as well as numerous pieces for The NewDance Company. In 2000 Colleen had her first of two sons Dylan & Miles and in order to be closer to home she joined the faculty of The Ailey School where she taught for 5 years.

Colleen has also taught classes at Bennington College, University of the Arts (Philadelphia), Tanz Tangente (Berlin), New School for Dance Development (Amsterdam), Ballet Academy East, and Harkness Dance Center at the 92nd St. Y.

Colleen continues to study dance and dance education by taking classes and workshops with teachers such as David Howard, Zena Rommett, Robert Atwood, and
Peff Modelsky.