Diana Byer continues ‘Teaching Cecchetti’ series with advanced online classes

Master teacher Diana Byer is continuing her “Teaching Cecchetti” initiative with a schedule of morning advanced and professional classes offered via Zoom through June 5, 2026.

The program, which also utilizes social media to educate today’s dancers, focuses on preserving the fundamentals and forgotten steps of the Cecchetti method. The technique was passed down to Byer from her mentor, Margaret Craske, who was a direct pupil of Enrico Cecchetti.

“We aim to make it relevant and valuable for today’s dancers, educators, and artists as they navigate the ever-changing world of dance,” Byer said. “The mission goes beyond preserving the Cecchetti method; we are committed to sharing insights into how and why we teach dance—highlighting the importance of individualized instruction, safe training practices, and the integration of artistry into daily classroom work.”

The ongoing morning sessions for advanced and professional dancers are held Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. A dedicated pointe class is held on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.

Byer, who founded New York Theatre Ballet and the LIFT program for underserved youth, has over 45 years of teaching experience. Her “Teaching Cecchetti” digital presence on Instagram and Facebook serves as a modern lens for the lineage, offering content rooted in the traditions of Craske and Cecchetti.

Classes are available for $15, with a discounted rate of $13 for IDNYC members. While the Zoom sessions provide global access, in-person classes continue at the NYTB Studios, located at 131 East 10th St.

Byer’s work is also preserved through “The Diana Byer Legacy Project,” a collaboration with Jacob’s Pillow that aims to keep the Cecchetti tradition accessible to all bodies and ages. Alex Angrist, a longtime pupil of Byer and former performer with New York Theatre Ballet and The New York Pops, continues to support the project’s goal of uplifting the technique within modern dance pedagogy.

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Lily Vakili is set to release her intimate six-song Live Wire EP May 8 (pre-save here). Recorded with her collaborator, the Grammy-Award winning, Emmy-nominated producer/engineer Reed Turchi, Live Wire an old-school, live in-studio, audio and video recording of songs named for what fans and critics alike say is a perfect description of her charismatic performance style. She will be playing a special EP release show in NYC on May 6 at Francis Kite Club – get tickets here and in Philadelphia May 20 at Nikki Lopez – get tickets here.

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