History
Changing lives through dance since 1955.
The Barn Studios, where it all began. It is still being used for classes today.
Celebrating a 65+ Year History
Explore Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet’s rich history below.
1955
Marcia Dale Weary opened the Marcia Dale School of Dance at the Band Hall in Carlisle, PA.
1965
The Marcia Dale School of Dance presented its first full-length performance of The Nutcracker.
1974
The former Marcia Dale School of Dance was incorporated into the non-profit school and performing company now known as Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet.
1992
Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet became the only school in the world licensed to perform George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker® by the George Balanchine Trust.
1999
In collaboration with Dickinson College, the Warehouse Studios were constructed.
2002
The first Teachers Workshop, focused on the syllabus of Marcia Dale Weary, was led by Associate Artistic Director, Darla Hoover.
2016
CPYB expanded their Warehouse Studio space to include four additional studios.
1957
Inspired by the book The Enchanted Barn, Marcia and her sister purchased a home on Meeting House Road with a red barn in her backyard. After getting the sheep out, her father and other parents began renovations and The Barn studios quickly became known as an iconic center for dance education.
1976
CPYB initiated its summer intensive program in association with Dickinson College.
1997
Darla Hoover was named Associate Artistic Director and Alan Hineline was named resident Choreographer.
1999
Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet became the Resident Ballet Company of The Whitaker Center for the Science and the Arts.
2003
The DiscoverDance program was initiated. DiscoverDance is an outreach program furthering the school’s mission to inspire, educate, and enrich the lives of community members; specifically young students and their families. It provides local children of various socioeconomic backgrounds an opportunity to see and experience ballet and then train as a dancer.
2019
Darla Hoover was named Artistic Director after the passing of Marcia Dale Weary, ensuring the legacy and vision of Marcia lives on for decades to come.
1955
Marcia Dale Weary opened the Marcia Dale School of Dance at the Band Hall in Carlisle, PA.
1957
Inspired by the book The Enchanted Barn, Marcia and her sister purchased a home on Meeting House Road with a red barn in her backyard. After getting the sheep out, her father and other parents began renovations and The Barn studios quickly became known as an iconic center for dance education.
1965
The Marcia Dale School of Dance presented its first full-length performance of The Nutcracker.
1974
The former Marcia Dale School of Dance was incorporated into the non-profit school and performing company now known as Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet.
1976
CPYB initiated its summer intensive program in association with Dickinson College.
1992
Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet became the only school in the world licensed to perform George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker® by the George Balanchine Trust.
1997
Darla Hoover was named Associate Artistic Director and Alan Hineline was named resident Choreographer.
1999
In collaboration with Dickinson College, the Warehouse Studios were constructed.
1999
Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet became the Resident Ballet Company of The Whitaker Center for the Science and the Arts.
2002
The first Teachers Workshop, focused on the syllabus of Marcia Dale Weary, was led by Associate Artistic Director, Darla Hoover.
2003
The DiscoverDance program was initiated. DiscoverDance is an outreach program furthering the school’s mission to inspire, educate, and enrich the lives of community members; specifically young students and their families. It provides local children of various socioeconomic backgrounds an opportunity to see and experience ballet and then train as a dancer.
2016
CPYB expanded their Warehouse Studio space to include four additional studios.
2019
Darla Hoover was named Artistic Director after the passing of Marcia Dale Weary, ensuring the legacy and vision of Marcia lives on for decades to come.
Discover the CPYB Mission
Our mission is to inspire, educate and enrich lives through the training in and performance of classical ballet.