Jean Gedeon

Jean Gedeon is the current Artistic Director of the Pittsburgh Youth Ballet. She founded the Pittsburgh Youth Ballet School in 1983, and established The PYB Company in 1990. A former soloist with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre during its nascent years, she studied with Frano Jelencic, Duncan Noble, Frederick Franklin, Nicolas Petrov, Leonide Massine, and Edward Caton. She taught for twenty-five years at Carnegie Institute, Carlow College, and Point Park College after a severe foot injury halted her career with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. She was also featured in a two year weekly television series on PBS. She served as the children's ballet mistress during the Pittsburgh Opera Theatre's month-long tour of Germany and Switzerland as well as Pittsburgh Youth Ballet's two European tours. She appeared in and directed students in an award winning commercial for PNC Bank. In 1999 she was elected as a lifetime member to the National Registry of Who's Who. Since then, Mrs. Gedeon has been recognized in Pittsburgh Magazine as an "Artist to Watch" receiving the Harry Schwalb Excellence in the Arts Award. She has been featured in the September 2000 Edition of Dance Magazine and the January and February 2001 Issues of Dance Teacher Magazine. The local NBC affiliate, WPXI, featured Mrs. Gedeon describing her teaching philosophy and the success of the school and the company on their "Talking Pittsburgh" radio show. Mrs. Gedeon has been awarded the "Best Artist / Teacher of the Year" 2003 award from the Chautauqua Institute and "Best Dance Teacher Award" from Dance Teacher Magazine September Issue, 2003. Is listed in the National Registry of Who's Who, Washington, DC.

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.
*Founded The Pittsburgh Youth Ballet Company
* Brought the Company into National Prominence as an Honor Company at Regional Dance America.
*Directed the Pittsburgh Youth Ballet Company in two European Tours of Austria, Italy and Germany, performing in the Tanzsommer Festivals.

Awards

*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.
*Was awarded in Pittsburgh Magazine as an "Artist to Watch" receiving the Harry Schwalb Excellence in the Arts Award.
*Is published in the 1998 National Registry of Who Who's.

Recognition

*Featured in a two year PBS weekly television series.
*Elected Lifetime Member of the National Registry of Who's Who.
*Recognized in Pittsburgh Magazine as Artist to Watch receiving the Harry Schwalb Excellence in the Arts Award.

References

*http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04147/321798.stm
*http://www.pybco.com/