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Mignon Furman: The Visionary Behind the American Academy of Ballet

20 September 2024

The Woman Who Started it All

The American Academy of Ballet has long been recognized as one of the premier ballet training institutions in the United States, particularly renowned for its Summer School of Excellence. This prestigious program offers aspiring dancers from around the world the opportunity to refine their skills in a focused, supportive environment. With a comprehensive curriculum that includes classical ballet, pas de deux, pointe, contemporary, and musical theater, the academy attracts talented students seeking professional careers in ballet. What many don’t realize is that this esteemed institution owes its success to the vision, dedication, and talent of its founder, Mignon Furman.


Mignon Furman: The Woman Behind the Vision
Mignon Furman was much more than a founder—she was a trailblazer in the world of ballet education. With nothing but her talent, courage, and determination, she set out to redefine ballet training, and in doing so, established the American Academy of Ballet as a leading summer program in the country. Her approach to ballet education was deeply rooted in the technical and artistic aspects of the craft, thanks in part to the invaluable advice she received from her friend and world-famous ballerina, Margot Fonteyn.


Margot Fonteyn’s insights helped shape Mignon’s philosophy on ballet education, blending discipline with artistry in a way that both challenged and inspired her students. This foundation is what continues to make the academy’s curriculum so impactful today

cape town, south africa

Early Years: A Rising Star in South Africa
Mignon Furman’s love for ballet began in South Africa, where she danced with the University of Cape Town Ballet Company in ballets such as Les Sylphides, Swan Lake, and Sleeping Beauty. Her training took her to London, England, where she studied under the tutelage of Anna Northcote (Severskaya) and Sigurd Leeder. Upon returning to South Africa, she opened her own ballet school with just one student. That small start soon blossomed into one of the largest ballet schools in South Africa, with over 600 students and a staff of 10.


Mignon didn’t stop at teaching. She also founded both the Cape Town Ballet and the Port Elizabeth Youth Ballet, further establishing herself as a force in the world of ballet. Her contributions to dance extended beyond performance and into education, where she played a pivotal role as a senior lecturer and acting director at the University of Cape Town Ballet School. Here, she formulated a ballet program for 80 trainee teachers and 400 students, earning a nomination for the Distinguished Teacher Award—a remarkable achievement among a university faculty of over 1,200 professors and lecturers.

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Performance Awards: A Lasting Legacy
One of Mignon Furman’s greatest contributions to the world of ballet education was the creation of the Performance Awards. This innovative program, now taught internationally in over 10 countries, is a testament to her skills as a choreographer and educator. The Performance Awards recognize students’ achievements in ballet and provide a structured, performance-based method for assessing their progress.


Mignon’s choreography, which forms the backbone of the Performance Awards, is celebrated for its logic, harmony, and beauty. Each composition is carefully crafted to challenge dancers while showcasing their individual talents. This program has since become a staple in ballet schools around the world, praised for its ability to motivate students and encourage them to reach new levels of excellence.

A group of young ballerinas are dancing on a stage.

An International Career and Influence
Mignon Furman’s influence was not limited to South Africa. Her career took her to London, Tel Aviv, Paris, and Cannes, where she taught and choreographed extensively. In the 1990s, she served as an administrator for the Royal Academy of Dance USA, where she further cemented her reputation as a leader in ballet education. She was a sought-after teacher and mentor, guiding students and instructors alike with her vast knowledge and experience.


Her passion for ballet and education eventually led her to New York, where she founded the American Academy of Ballet. There, she created a summer intensive program that became a beacon for pre-professional dancers looking to refine their craft and prepare for careers in the ballet world. The program, still highly respected today, offers students not only rigorous technical training but also performance opportunities—a highlight of the summer intensive that allows dancers to showcase their progress in front of families and industry professionals.

A group of ballet dancers are performing on a stage.

A Legacy That Endures
Mignon Furman passed away on December 4, 2012, but her legacy lives on through the American Academy of Ballet and the countless students whose lives she touched. Her commitment to ballet education and her innovative approach to teaching have left an indelible mark on the world of dance. Today, the academy continues to uphold the high standards she set, offering aspiring dancers the opportunity to learn, grow, and excel under the guidance of an international faculty.


Through her work, Mignon Furman has ensured that her influence on ballet will be felt for generations to come. As both a teacher and a visionary, she has left a lasting imprint on the world of ballet, one that continues to inspire students and educators alike.

male ballerina jumping
cape town, south africa
A man is holding a woman in his arms on a stage
big ben in london
A woman is jumping in the air on a stage.

Preparing for a Career in Ballet: How the American Academy of Ballet Supports Students’ Ambitions

15 November 2024
Sum  mer School of Excellence For aspiring ballet professionals, the journey to a successful career demands rigorous training, discipline, and the right opportunities. The American Academy of Ballet’s prestigious Summer School of Excellence offers an environment where students can focus on honing their craft, guided by world-class instructors and supported by a comprehensive curriculum. Located in New York at the State University of New York at Purchase (SUNY Purchase), this program is designed to be a stepping stone for students ready to advance their skills and pursue their dreams in the ballet world. Here’s how the academy supports students’ ambitions and prepares them for a future in professional ballet.

Mastering Pointe: How the Academy Prepares Young Dancers for Pointe Work

7 November 2024
A Milestone in Ballet Training at the American Academy Pointe work is a milestone in every ballet dancer’s journey, signifying both dedication and readiness for one of the most challenging aspects of classical ballet. At the American Academy of Ballet, pointe training is approached with care and expertise, ensuring that students are not only physically prepared but also equipped with the technical skills required for safe and successful pointe work.

How to Prepare for Your First Ballet Intensive

1 November 2024
Enhance Your Experience Through Preparation Starting a ballet intensive program can be both thrilling and a bit overwhelming, especially for those entering their first one. With the right preparation, young dancers can feel confident and ready to make the most out of this invaluable experience. Here’s a guide on how to prepare for your first ballet intensive: 1. Understand What to Expect Ballet intensives are designed to accelerate your training over a short period of time, often with daily classes covering everything from classical ballet to other essential styles like contemporary or neo-classica l. The American Academy of Ballet’s Summer School of Excellence , for instance, is known for its challenging, comprehensive curriculum aimed at boosting each dancer’s skills in a condensed time frame. This means days will be long and require both physical and mental endurance.

Exploring the Diversity of Dance Styles Taught at the American Academy of Ballet

24 October 2024
Various Avenues to Broadening Your Artistic Horizons The American Academy of Ballet is renowned not only for its focus on classical ballet but also for the diversity of dance styles it incorporates into its comprehensive curriculum. Aspiring dancers who train at the academy are given the opportunity to explore various dance forms, broadening their artistic horizons and helping them develop into versatile performers. Whether you’re passionate about ballet or eager to expand your dance repertoire, the American Academy of Ballet ensures that its students gain exposure to multiple genres of dance. Here’s a closer look at the range of styles that are taught at the academy. Classical Ballet: The Foundation of All Dance At the core of the American Academy of Ballet’s curriculum is classical ballet . It provides the foundational technique that every dancer needs, no matter what style they ultimately specialize in. With a focus on precision, control, and grace, classical ballet helps dancers build strength, flexibility, and discipline. The academy’s classical ballet instruction follows a rigorous program designed to shape students into technically proficient and artistically expressive dancers. With expert instructors guiding each dancer, students can master fundamental techniques such as pointe work, pirouettes, and grand jetés.

The Benefits of Starting Ballet at a Young Age

17 October 2024
Instilling Excellent Qualities at an Early Age For aspiring dancers, beginning ballet training at a young age provides a solid foundation that can foster both physical and mental development. The American Academy of Ballet understands the significance of early ballet instruction, which is why we are committed to nurturing young dancers and setting them on the path to excellence. Ballet requires precision, discipline, and creativity—qualities that are best instilled from an early age. At the American Academy of Ballet, our Summer School of Excellence offers young students the opportunity to immerse themselves in a structured yet supportive environment, where they can cultivate not only their dancing skills but also key life lessons.

Why Aspiring Ballet Dancers Should Choose the American Academy of Ballet’s Summer School of Excellence

12 September 2024
Enter a World of Grace and Talent The world of ballet is one of grace, precision, and dedication. Aspiring dancers know that in order to succeed, they need top-tier training in a supportive yet challenging environment. For those looking to elevate their skills and prepare for a professional career in ballet, the American Academy of Ballet’s Summer School of Excellence offers the perfect opportunity. Based in New York, this highly respected program is known for its rigorous curriculum, exceptional faculty, and a commitment to helping dancers achieve their full potential.
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