Biography of Jean Gedeon
Master teacher Jean Gedeon, Artistic Director of the internationally recognized Pittsburgh Youth Ballet Company, with her uncompromised standards for excellence is one of Pittsburgh's most respected and sought-after dance teachers.
Combining all aspects of the dance profession with her active participation in organizations such as Regional Dance America and contacts within the international professional community, including New York City Ballet and San Francisco Ballet, have enabled her to develop a complete curriculum that stresses versatility, emphasizes stage experience, and prepares her dancers for the audition process and beyond.
Jean Gedeon, Artistic DirectorAugmenting the clean, precise Vaganova derived technical foundation that she instills,
with training offered by outstanding faculty and carefully selected guests (often with School of American Ballet affiliations),
plus numerous performing opportunities through PYB Company, she has consistently nurtured professionals for major US dance companies including:
- New York City Ballet
- San Francisco Ballet
- Boston Ballet and Louisville Ballet
- White Oak Dance Project
- Dance Alloy
- Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre
As director of PYB Company, a non-profit organization, she insists on professional production values and encourages emerging choreographers, while showcasing and challenging her dancers via a repertory of unique contemporary ballets, neo-classical works and classical standards, including The Nutcracker, produced annually since 1990. Augmenting local performing opportunities with domestic and international tours, including to Austria 's Tanzsommer Festival, further broadens the performing experience, which she believes is the key to a successful career. Through her inexhaustible efforts, Mrs. Gedeon has built one of Pittsburgh 's most vital and viable dance organizations, committed to providing a world-class dance education.
Accomplishments
- Founder of the Pittsburgh Youth Ballet
- Soloist with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre
- Dance Teacher at Carnegie Institute
- Dance Teacher at Carlow College
- Dance Teacher at Point Park College
- Ballet Mistress during the Pittsburgh Opera Theatre's tour of Germany and Switzerland
- Ballet Mistress during Pittsburgh Youth Ballet's two European tours
Awards
- Dance Teacher Magazine Awarded "Best Dance Teacher Award" from Dance Teacher Magazine September Issue, 2003
- Awarded "Best Artist/Teacher of the Year" 2003 award from the Chautauqua Institute
- Recognized in Pittsburgh Magazine as Artist to Watch receiving the Harry Schwalb Excellence in the Arts Award
Recognition
- Featured on the Pittsburgh Post Gazette web site
- Featured in PBS weekly television series
- Elected Lifetime Member of the National Registry of Who's Who