Dieter Riesle

Ballet

Biography:

Dieter Riesle was born in Wiesbaden, Germany. He graduated from the John Cranko Ballet Academy in Stuttgart, Germany. He later danced principal roles in Nutcracker, Cinderella, Swan Lake, A Midsummer Night's Dream as well as other ballets. Mr. Riesle performed with the Frankfurt Ballet, Hamburg Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, Nashville Ballet, Garden State Ballet, NJ, and as a guest dancer in Japan.

For the last twenty years, he has been teaching children, pre- professional teens and adults at Tri-State Area schools, such as the JCC in Scarsdale, NY, and the Ballet School of Stamford (formerly Stamford City Ballet) in Connecticut, which is currently directed by Michael Vernon. Allegra Kent originally invited Mr. Riesle to teach for the Stamford City Ballet and he continued teaching for SCB under the direction of ABT's David Richardson. He has also guest taught at numerous schools in Japan, Germany, and Denmark. In addition, he has substituted for Evee Lynn at Broadway Dance Center and Lowell Smith at Ballet Arts in NYC.

Mr. Riesle's classes have a creative approach to traditional technique. While the application of turnout creates balletic movement, circular motion results from stretch that can be acquired by the usage of opposition. With that in mind, classes focus on maximizing flow of movement, stretch and balance while exploring movement in circles. Additionally, proper body alignment and attention to music are strongly emphasized.