Former Augusta Ballet Principal Dancer Julia Morgan has found a new home as a ballet and movement instructor at Augusta Prep. Her talent and gentle manner with her young charges has been a definite asset to Prep's Conservatory program. She teaches creative movement to Pre-K and Pre-school students, and classical ballet to Kindergarten through fourth grade. Ms. Morgan also is a first-grade aid, assisting Mrs. Reynolds in the classroom. As if that were not enough, she teaches creative movement at Warren Road Elementary in their Arts Infusion Program and is a Pilates instructor at the Marshall Family Y. Previously, Ms. Morgan taught at the Augusta Ballet School for twenty years and at Davidson Fine Arts school for eight years.
Starting ballet classes at the age of four, Julia Morgan rose to the rank of company dancer by the age of 13 at the Augusta Ballet. As an adult professional dancer with the company, she kept a rigorous schedule, training up to eight hours a day, six days a week. An elegant and precise ballerina, Ms. Morgan received rave reviews for her performances in such leading roles as the Sugar Plum Fairy (which she danced for ten years) in The Nutcracker, Odette in Swan Lake, and Juliet in Romeo and Juliet. Ms. Morgan fondly remembered the role of Juliet as being one that Prep's own Peter Powlus choreographed especially for her. "Peter Powlus is a brilliant choreographer, and we are so lucky to have him here at Prep," she said.
Ms. Morgan danced with the Augusta Ballet and later Dance Augusta (pausing to have two children!) until she retired at the end of the 2008 season. Her twelve-year-old daughter is following in mom's footsteps as a dancer, while her nine-year-old son enjoys playing soccer.
This talented and busy mom enjoys being part of Prep's Conservatory program. The program currently offers voice, piano, dance, musical instruments, and music theory. It is open to the community. "We've ordered barres and mirrors, which will be a tremendous asset to our dance program," Ms. Morgan stated. "Hopes are for the ballet program at Prep to one day include middle school and high school levels and even a performing dance troupe." Classes at the Conservatory are still open for enrollment, and students are encouraged to enroll at any time.
Just as her grace and delicate movements are perfect for a career in ballet, her patience and tender manner with young children are well-suited in Prep's Lower School. "Our Lower School children are very well-disciplined," she mused. "The parental involvement and the teachers' guidance are reflected in the children's attitudes. They are eager to learn, and take pride in their accomplishments."
