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The Stapleton School of the Performing Arts

History of the Stapleton School

1980 Virginia Stapleton starts a ballet program for the San Anselmo Parks and Recreation Department. Over the next 9 years Virginia works at building curriculum, a syllabus, and enrollment.
1988 40 students and parents travel to the USSR for two weeks in the spring to participate in Russian ballet training programs in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
1989 Enrollment increases to 300 students, making it necessary to relocate to a facility that could accommodate the student body. Along with Leslie Murphy, Virginia forms a non-profit incorporated business and Stapleton School of the Performing Arts is born. For the next 6 years the school is housed on the campus of Sir Francis Drake High School in San Anselmo.
1990
 David McNaughton joins the faculty. He choreographs the school's first annual, full production of the Nutcracker in the fall. The following spring he choreographs, composes, and designs an original ballet of Tom Sawyer for the school.
1992
The cast of Tom Sawyer travels to Edinburgh, Scotland in the summer to perform the ballet at the world renowned “Festival Fringe.� The performances earn the distinction of best show of the week. In the fall, Vassilii Mountian joins the faculty. He adds a rich component of character dancing to our class offerings, having been a star soloist with the Moysev Dancers.
1993
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1994		 Students perform throughout the Bay Area in the Festival of Dance in San Francisco at the Herbst Theater & Yerba Buena Theatre of Performing Arts with such pieces as Saber Dance, Tarantella, Gossip, and Over the Leg Polka.
1995
 Virginia creates a full production of La Fille Mal Gardee. Virginia Stapleton and Vassilii Mountian as contributing choreographer, choreograph the production.
1996
Janelle Baumsteiger joins the faculty. The school again outgrows its home, and with Mark Brougham's design we move into the current location at 118 Greenfield Ave. – Two studios, office space, costume closet and set storage.
1997
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1998		 The school branches out its performance schedule by hosting and performing at school fundraising teas and performances at Campodonico's. The school also performs Peace in the Marin Dance Festival.
1998
 Sara Whittles joins the Faculty. A new full-length production of Coppelia, choreography by Virginia and Vassilii is staged.
2000
New choreography and costumes are developed for the 10th Annual performance of the school's Nutcracker. The school receives a large grant to underwrite school DanceReach school outreach programs.
2001
 Lani Sexton joins Stapleton School in the new position of School Administrator. Instituted student teacher training program in the fall for upper level students to assist in the larger lower level classes.
2002 Virginia creates first Audition Workshop to help prepare dancers for auditions for professional companies' summer programs. Expanding enrollment and new programs necessitate the opening of a satellite studio. New offerings include Hip Hop for all ages, pas dedeux class, Dancing with your Toddler, and a Pilates mat class for adults. Darnell Carroll, Jorge Esquivel, Yoira Esquivel-Brito, Jamaica Janowicz and Lauren Brydon join the faculty. Guest choreographers include Christine Walton and Jennifer Jaffee. Additionally, the School kicks off the direct appeal campaign with Art for the Arts, an art exhibit and sale.
© 2006 Stapleton School A non-profit performing arts organization ID# 68-0202381 Office: 415-454-5759
info@stapletonschool.org P.O.Box 331 San Anselmo, CA. 94979 Fax: 415-454-5769