06/03/2017
Weekend in the Wings (WW): Welcome Guest Teaching Artists Phillip Otto (PO) and Rachel Butler, husband adn wife Directors of The Huntsville Ballet. We caught up with Phil and got to hear some fun facts about him, his family and his tips for summer intensive classes.
WW: Where did you and Rachel meet?
PO: We met at the Rock School (Phil was in PA Ballet and Rachel a student at the school). Needless to say, the school has a special place in our hearts.
WW: How long have you been guest teaching at the Rock School?
PO: 10 years
WW: Do your children dance?
PO: Yes. Both our son and daughter train at Huntsville Ballet School. Nathaniel, who has been on scholarship at Pacific Northwest Ballet Summer Intensive for two years, will be attending Rock Summer Intensive with my daughter.
WW: Tell us a little about the Huntsville Ballet
PO: We are a non-profit located in vibrant Huntsville, Alabama. We are a pre-professional and student company who just added two beautiful and experienced professional company members. We bringt he finest quality of dance to the region performing ballets like Firebird, Romeo and Juliet, Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty and others. We also perform with the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra for Nutcracker.
WW: Do you have any tips for our Summer Intensive Students?
PO: 1. Keep in shape. Don't arrive after having taken two weeks off. 2. Don't worry about what other dancers think, realize why you are there, put blinders on and work hard. 3. It's also important to know that most of the friends you will make at the Rock School are attending for the same reason. BE SUPPORTIVE OF ONE ANOTHER!
We can't wait for Phil and Rachel (and their kids) to join us for the summer.