After sharing her knowledge and skills with young dancers for over 40 years, Rebecca Van Briggle, Owner and Artistic Director of Ballerinas Academy of Dance, will retire next month to focus on family and pursue other career endeavors.
Van Briggle, affectionately known as Miss Becky, formed the multi-discipline dance studio, currently located at 15262 Herriman Blvd., Noblesville, 19 years ago and shares the daily operational duties with her husband, David, son, and daughter-in-law, Caroline, who serves as the academy’s assistant artistic director.
Following the academy’s spring performance on June 11, Miss Becky will temporarily hang up her dance shoes while she spends time with family and considers other ways to positively impact the dance community. Though no formal announcement has been made about the future of the studio, Caroline has indicated a desire to “explore other opportunities.” But as a former student of Miss Becky and a part of the family, Caroline recognizes the significant impact Miss Becky has made on the lives of her students.
“[Miss Becky] has shown the same energy to help kids go to colleges or get submitted to go to ballet companies as recreational students like me,” Caroline said. “I did not feel like I was overlooked. Whatever goal you had, she was there to help you with it.”
Miss Becky began training at four years old at Butler University’s Jordan College of Dance, non-collegiate division under the instruction of Jack Copeland and Peggy Dorsey. Two years later, the young ballerina was chosen alongside Copeland and another student, by the Bolshoi Ballet to perform with them in their U.S. tour where she received her first paycheck as a dancer.
“I got paid $10,” Miss Becky recalled, laughing. “And my parents opened a savings account for me so I could deposit my $10. I’ve still got that savings book.”
During her youth, Miss Becky also performed with the Butler Ballet under George Verdak and received instruction from notable teachers such as Rebecca Rutt and Linda Kelso where she was formally trained in multiple disciplines of dance.
(From left) Students Avery Walker, Ava Stiefel, and Mya Adams with Instructor Becky Van Briggle. (Photo provided)
Prior to the formation of Ballerinas, Miss Becky opened her first studio, Rebecca’s School of Dance, on the west side of Indianapolis. A former instructor at Tippy Toes School of Dance, Miss Becky was “instrumental in helping to establish the Indiana Youth Ballet Company.”
Primarily a ballet instructor, Miss Becky has also taught tap classes. While ballet and tap are her specialization, the longtime instructor supports children dancing in any capacity.
“Dance training offers kids an artistic outlet which they need today,” Miss Becky said. “You can’t find a better way for a child to develop an artistic and creative [identity] and while they’re doing that to learn life lessons such as discipline, forbearance, endurance, and how to work on a team. Those are the things that are going to enhance their lives whether they continue dancing into their later years or not.”
Though Miss Becky’s resume is impressive, she is quick to mention that her staff, which consists of immediate family and former students, has been pivotal in the success of Ballerinas.
“What I am so proud of is what we have built in the years that Ballerinas has operated,” said Miss Becky. “So many students have been able to realize their dance goals. And so many of those dance goals have been within the studio. Whether it was to master a difficult combination or some difficult piece of choreography that they are going to perform, the main satisfaction that I receive as a dance teacher is seeing their sense of accomplishment.”
Although Miss Becky is unsure where the road will lead her on her future dance journey, she does not plan on letting too much dust accumulate on her dance shoes. After taking a “gap year,” Miss Becky plans on instructing without the burden of administrative duties. In the meantime, she is looking forward to taking some much needed time to share with her loved ones and reflecting upon many years of happy memories.
“I’m grateful to have been a part of all of these people’s lives in Noblesville,” Miss Becky said. ”I have great memories of all of these talented kids that have come through that I’ll have with me forever. I’m grateful to all of the Hamilton County families that have supported me all of these years.”