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The School
Alumni Spotlight
We are honored to feature HPSD Alum and new Memphis Ballet Dancer Elizabeth Mensah.
How long did you attend the Hyde Park School of Dance?
I studied at HPSD from 1993-2007 and took classes in Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Pointe, Partnering, Professional Track (now Tyego Next Generation), and studied with the professional company Tyego Dance Project.
Where did you continue your dance training after HPSD?
I went to the Joffrey Ballet School in NYC for two years, and then continued to the Joffrey Trainee Program in Chicago. Over those four years, I performed in John Magnus's Nutcracker with the JBS in New York, as well as Joffrey repertoire such as Peter Pucci's "Billboards" and Gerald Arpino's "Kettentanz". In Chicago as a Joffrey Trainee, I performed in Paquita and Sleeping Beauty, where I was featured as Carabosse, as well as in contemporary repertoire choreographed by Alexei Kremnev. I will be starting my career as a professional ballet dancer this August with Ballet Memphis!
How did HPSD faculty and or students positively impact your life?
August, Aimee, and Sarah taught me discipline, work ethic, dedication, and how to perform and be passionate about what you are doing. The students, especially the ones that I went through all of the years with, helped me grow up and become the person I am now. The teachers did this too! Suffice it to say that my years at HPSD were the most formative of my life so far!
What important values about dance did you learn while at HPSD?
I learned how to be dedicated and passionate about doing what you love, the importance of humility and of always knowing that you have more to learn, the value of hard work and perseverance, and the importance of performance and personal artistic expression.
How did you feel about dancing with other peers in your class?
I met my very best friends, Anna and Jane Sawyer, while dancing at HPSD. We ended up in the same level when I was nine years old and we became friends, and have been ever since (and I'm sure we will be for years to come)!
What advice would you give to other students currently enrolled at HPSD?
To be dedicated to your work, to have a humble attitude and an open mind, and to always show your teachers respect. Also, be supportive of your fellow students and your friends! Dancing is hard enough work without getting each other down. Be happy if your friend gets a good part, not jealous. Positive energy will get you so much further in this art form than negativity will.
How did your experience at HPSD impact other areas of your life after you left the studio? Since I continued dancing after I left HPSD, I was thankful for the training I had here, especially the performance experience. I was also very glad that the environment of HPSD was so nurturing and encouraging, because it helped me to stay confident and positive when I encountered setbacks or had bad experiences.
HPSD wishes Elizabeth the best as she begins her career with Ballet Memphis!
Photo credits Myles Alexander and Heather Thomas
School Alumni
So many wonderful families and individuals have been a part of the Hyde Park School of Dance that it is hard to keep track of them all. We are constantly amazed by the extraordinary talents that our students develop and go on to explore. Some continue to pursue dance as a profession, some have followed more academic pursuits, and some have committed to serving their communities. We are proud of them all.
If you are an alumnus of HPSD, we’d love to hear from you. Drop by the studio when you are in town, or send us an email at with an update on where you are now.
