Diane Naylor

• Founders and Artistic Directors of Festival Ballet were Christine Hennessey and Winthrop Corey. Christine performed with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, Prima Ballerina with American Ballet Theater and principal dancer with Royal Winnepeg Ballet. She returned to her home state of Rhode Island and with Winthrop Corey founded the Festival Ballet (Ballet RI). Winthrop Corey danced as principal dancer in The National Ballet of Canada and Royal Winnipeg Ballet. He later became artistic director of Mobile Ballet in Alabama.
• Company artistic advisor was a friend and collegue of Christine and Winthrop: Rudolph Nureyev
• Guest choreographers included Agnes De Mille and Arthur Mitchell.
• Performed leading roles in ballet, modern and jazz performances.
• Learned choreography quickly and adapted to changes in choreography seamlessly by maintaining physical and mental flexibility.
• Attended weekly ballet, character and jazz classes to further technical skills and artistry in classical ballet technique.
• Studied, practiced and rehearsed dances required in roles.
• Maintained an appropriate attitude towards instructors at all times while following their direction without question.
• Attended regular classes in order to maintain physical fitness levels necessary for professional dancing standards.
• Demonstrated technical proficiency in all major dance styles, including classical ballet, contemporary and jazz.
• Studied musicality and phrasing while dancing various combinations across the floor.
• Coached dancers in technique, style, and performance skills.
• Instructed other dancers on how to properly execute complex combinations of steps during practice sessions.
• Attended performance costume fittings, makeup calls and publicity photography sessions.

• The experience with dance, as stated above is mirrored with SBRI
• Founders of SBRI were Myles and Herci Marsden. Myles was chosen by Sir Anton Dolan to study at the well known Legat Residential School of the Arts in England. From there, under the guardianship of Oskar Harmos and Ana Roje, he attended the Yuogosalv National Ballet. He rose from the corps de ballet to premier danseur of the Yugoslav National Ballet. He met his future wife, Herci Munitic (soloist with the company) and eventually traveled back to his home state of Rhode Island to open Brae Crest School of Dance and State Ballet of Rhode Island.
• I traveled with the company to Yugoslavia (Croatia) in 1970 to perform in Split and Dubrovnik. Performed Oskar Harmos' famous ballet "Stranc" while, as well as several other dances, choreographed by Marsden.
• Had the privalage to perform in Sir Anton Dolan's world renowned choreography of the ballet....Giselle.

Repertoire of Ballets

Nutcracker, Giselle, Coppelia, Stranac, Pas De Quatre, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Hamlet, Aida, Pictures at an Exhibition, Carmen, Prince Igor, LeBal, Bacchanale, Russian Folk, Romeo & Juliet, Dance of the Hours, Tempo I, Faust, Impressions, Concerto, Classical Variations, L'Arlesienne Suite, Tarantella, Classical Concerto, Adagio, Les Sylphides, Italian Symphony, Destiny, Quiet City, Aquarius, Weather in the Street, Ballet of the Clowns, Western, Beach, New England Settlers, Little Red Riding Hood, Divertimento 71, Slavic Melody, Impressions.