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L. Hassan Blandford

L. Hassan Blandford is a native of Brooklyn, NY and began his dance training at the age of 13 at the NYC’s High School for Music & Art and Performing Arts (The Fame School). As a sophomore, he began studying at the School of American Ballet for two years. While at S.A.B., he assisted the children’s Ballet mistress for the New York City Ballet in George Balanchine’s production of The Nutcracker. Where he was given a rare opportunity to experience how the company worked. Upon graduation he attended the Juilliard School, under the direction of the late Benjamin Harkarvy. Mr. Blandford has danced professionally with the Atlanta Ballet, Donald Byrd the Group, and has appeared in George Balanchine’s A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream, and The Nutcracker with the Pennsylvania Ballet. In 2002, Mr. Blandford began teaching as an independent contractor for the NYC’s Dept of Education, providing ballet instruction at the Bronx Dance Academy, and many other public and private schools throughout New York City and New Jersey. In 2005 Mr. Blandford joined the faculty of Kansas City’s Friend’s of Alvin Ailey (KCFAA) Ailey Camp also providing ballet instruction during the summer months. Mr. Blandford is currently the ballet master and rehearsal director for the Company of Dance Arts (CODA) in Red Bank, New Jersey. He teaches ballet in The Ailey School Junior Division and is currently the Ailey/PPAS Program Coordinator and Junior Division Administrator.