"Anyone can be a ballerina," believes Mark Simbiling, founder of Hope Academy of Dance. "But it is only through passion, hard work, and guidance that one can elevate mere movements to the sublime beauty of dance," he stressed.
Ballet holds a significant place in Filipino culture, intertwining traditional heritage with artistic expression. Over the last few years, the ballet scene in the Philippines has flourished, thanks to prima ballerinas like Lisa Macuja-Elizalde and Maniya Barredo who have gained worldwide recognition, and have inspired the next generation of aspiring dancers.
The art of mentorship
Hope Academy of Dance was founded just a year ago by Mark, along with co-teachers Rose Panuelos and Minnie Ann Sarmiento. Their shared goal is to discover, nurture and train the ballerinas of tomorrow.
Mark boasts a distinguished career as both a ballet performer and dedicated teacher, spanning over a decade of commitment since 2013. As a performer, he was a former member of Teatro Baile de Cavite and has graced the stage in esteemed productions like the Philippine Ballet Theater's rendition of "Romeo & Juliet," under the direction of the renowned Ms. Maniya Barredo. Notably, Simbiling garnered recognition from prestigious institutions like the Australian Conservatoire of Ballet, now known as the Ballet Conservatoire, earning multiple distinction awards. Transitioning to his role as a classical teacher at Dance Theater Arts nine years ago, Simbiling has not only mentored but also inspired his students to clinch victories in various dance competitions.
Teacher Rose is a multifaceted artist, serving as a ballet and contemporary dance teacher, choreographer, and performer. Her journey in dance began at the Ana Emata School of Classical Ballet and later at the Zárate Dance School and Performing Arts. As a member of the UP-Dance Company, she honed her skills and showcased her talent locally and internationally. Currently, Rose plays an active role in the contemporary ballet program at Hope Academy of Dance, contributing her expertise since the school's inception. Her choreographed pieces have garnered acclaim, earning multiple awards in both local and international competitions.
Meanwhile, Anne began her pursuit of ballet training at Teatro Baile De Cavite, under the guidance of Brezhnev Larlar. During her tenure, she amassed a diverse repertoire encompassing classical ballet, contemporary ballet, folk dances, and musical theatre performances. In addition to her training, Anne shares her expertise with aspiring dancers at various ballet schools. Currently, Anne is an integral part of Hope Academy of Dance, taking on the role of teaching beginner and pre-ballet classes, channeling her passion for dance into nurturing young talents.
After years of performing and teaching at various ballet schools, Simbiling said he decided to put up his own ballet school that would align with all of his principles and methods. “The pandemic was an eye-opener for me, after 10 years of teaching, I felt it was time to put up my own,” he pointed out.
From basics to brilliance
Hope Academy of Dance offers various programs catering to students of all ages and skill levels. Courses include Classical Ballet, Contemporary Ballet Stretching, Strengthening Classes and Solo Coaching.
Classical ballet embodies the essence of fluidity and grace, emphasizing long lines and precise technique, particularly the turnout of the legs. It intricately weaves narrative and storytelling into its choreography, creating dramatic visuals and intricate movements that captivate audiences.
Contemporary dance is a fusion of various dance styles, allowing dancers to express emotions through fluid movements and breath. Physically and emotionally demanding, contemporary dance pushes the boundaries of traditional forms and encourages both dancers and audiences to explore new perspectives and take creative risks.
Ballet dancers rely on the use of red muscles, which undergo aerobic processes, enabling them to endure prolonged periods of physical exertion with minimal fatigue. Proper stretching and strengthening routines target specific muscle groups, ensuring the execution of precise movements and contributing to overall body toning when performed with the appropriate intensity and duration.
"As teachers, we not only recognize talent but also take pride in guiding students to realize their dreams," Simbiling says.
“I think what makes HOPE Dance Academy different, is that we try to make the school feel like a home for our students. A safe place where they can learn and nurture their skills. We also make sure to communicate with the parents of these young kids who show a lot of potential. I explain to them that their child has the talent, but that they would need to be very supportive because of the rigid training he/she will need to undergo.”
The school also offers individualized training sessions that are tailored to the unique physique and capabilities of each dancer, recognizing differences such as limb length, flexibility, and muscle activation. These focused sessions aim to address personal weaknesses and maximize individual potential through deliberate practice and concentrated effort towards specific goals.
“This is what I meant when I said anyone can be a ballerina, because we now have the science and the methods to train anyone. Talent is just a bonus, but if you train hard and you are really passionate, you can develop the skills you need to be an excellent dancer.”
Competing in the international stage
When the school first opened, they only had 12 students, but it quickly increased to 60 students in the summer because of its popularity. They currently have 50 enrollees, which Simbiling says still gives them enough time to oversee the development of every student.
Throughout his career Simbiling students have participated and consistently excelled in competitions such as Youth America Grand Prix, Ballet Beyond Borders, Taiwan Grand Prix, World Ballet Grand Prix Singapore, The Hong Kong Challenge Cup Dance Competition, Canaan Dance Competition , International Youth Dance Competition, Asia Open Dance Competition, Dance Star, Get The Beat, International Dance Talent Competition Italy, Elegance Dance Competition, Asian Elite Dance Competition, Global Dance Open International Dance Competition, International Ballet Competition Spera, Youth Arts Festival, World Ballet Arts Competition, International Ballet Grand Prix Singapore, Asian Ballet Competition, and Bandung International Dance Competition.
In its first year, Hope Dance Academy students such as Tiffany Jocelyn Ong, Josephine Manzano, Ziqian Chen, and many others have already brought home numerous accolades and medals from both local and international competitions, helping the school establish a name for itself as one of the best new ballet schools in the country.
Last April, Tiffany Ong and Chloe ZiQian Chen stood out at the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) landing in the Top 12. Ong also emerged among the Top 24 in the Contemporary Dance Category, making her one of the top performers among the 1,700 young dance students from 35 countries at the world’s largest dance gathering. Chen, meanwhile, won second place during the YAGP regional competitions (semi-finals) conducted in the Philippines in September 2022.
YAGP is the world’s largest non-profit international student ballet competition and scholarship program that supports and develops world-class dancers. It annually conducts regional auditions around the world and is open to dance students of all nationalities, aged nine to 19 years old.
The final round of the competition is held every April in the US. It reaches over 12,000 dance students annually through its workshops, scholarship auditions, master classes and auditions in 25 US cities and eight international locations. Simbiling revealed that their students, Nikola Star Academia, Claudia Therese Irigo, Tiffany Jocelyn Ong and Josephine Manzano will be competing this year.
The dance school hopes that, someday, its students would join the ranks of over 450 YAGP alumni who grace the stage of prestigious dance companies, such as Paris Opera Ballet, New York City Ballet and American Ballet Theatre.