Betty Mitchell

School Director and Ballet Instructor

Betty Mitchell began her early ballet training with Jean Nuccilli, Southfield, MI, continuing her studies with Leslie O’Day (O’Day School Of Dance – Detroit, MI) and Rosemarie Floyd (Royal Oak, MI).  Her mentor and current coach is Rosemarie Floyd (Royal Oak, MI).  In 1986, Betty was asked to assume the position of Director of Dance at Bethesda Christian Church, where she directed and also taught classes; specifically ballet.  Classes were offered in ballet and modern to students through intermediate levels.  Performances at various large church and school events contributed to a rapid increase in student enrollment and brought a significant awareness of Jesus Christ to the performing arts in the greater metropolitan area.  In December 1994, Betty was asked to assume the Director of Dance position at Kensington Community Church (Troy, MI), where a Fine Arts School was implemented.  The School offered classes in ballet, modern, jazz, tap and ballroom.  Other disciplines – voice, drama and music – were also offered. The Ballet program quickly grew to over 250 students. During her tenure at Kensington, Ms. Mitchell coordinated many local and regional events with notable local and regional ballet and modern companies, such as Ballet Magnificat (Jackson, MS), Eisenhower Dance Ensemble (Oakland County), Rosemarie Floyd Civic Contemporary Ballet (Royal Oak,MI) and  Houston Ballet Dancers (Southfield Millenium Center, Southfield, MI)

Currently, Betty is the Director of The Link School of The Arts and artistic director of The Link Ballet.  As a non-profit 501 C3 arts organization, Kensington Church launched and provided the initial funds to establish the School. The mission of The Link is to provide education, training and community outreach performances that draw people to Christ and bring Glory to God!  High quality instruction in ballet is offered as well as jazz, tap and modern dance. The Link operates as a separate entity with its own mission and infrastructure.

Ms. Mitchell is a certified teacher and member of the Cecchetti Council of America and is currently working on her FCCA certification. She has also studied the RAD and Vaganova methods of ballet and has participated in many teacher’s workshops, master teacher classes and collaboratives with notable instructors from Houston Ballet – Pricilla Nathan Murphy, Victoria Vittum, Clara Cravey, Lauren Anderson, Andrew Murphy, Shawn Stevens (New York City Ballet and Twyla Tharp), and the IBCTeacher’s workshop (David Howard).

Most recently (Saturday, 3/24/2012) under the artistic direction of Ms. Mitchell, The Link Ballet produced their very first classical ballet ever, “Giselle”. Many thanks and appreciation goes to Mr. Ben Stevenson, O.B.E. for his generosity in Choreography and Lauren Anderson (former principal dancer with Houston Ballet) for her flawless staging. This opportunity really showcased the Company’s versatility and strength and ballet as a true art form.

Ms. Mitchell is a member of Living the Word Christian Ministries, Hazel Park, MI (Pastors Taylor and Cynthia Cox).