Marjorie Dougherty, Ballet Director, is the Ballet Director for Encore Dance Center. She joined Encore in 1988 and since that time has developed a strong classical ballet program, which includes the performance of a complete ballet at our yearly show in June. Some of her students have gone on to dance at A.B.T., Boston Ballet Co., Ballet Theatre of Boston, Broadway and numerous colleges for dance. She was born in Boston, MA and studied with Mae Block (American Ballet Theatre), Jan Veen (Modern), Bob Gilman (Jazz) and Ruth Sandholm Ambrose (Ballet) at Boston conservatory, also Harriet Hoctor, and E. Virginia Williams, founder of Boston Ballet Company. In New York City she studied with Leon Danielian, Mrs. Vilzak, and Maria Swaboda from the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo.

She danced with the Royal Ballet of England; Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, New York City; Miami Ballet and Dade Civic Ballet Co. in Florida. She was in the original cast of the Broadway productions “West Side Story” and “Flower Drum Song” and Cohasset Music Theatre’s productions of “Brigadoon” “Gypsy”, “South Pacific”, “Kiss Me Kate” and “Carousel”. Marjorie and her dance partner performed ballroom and Latin dance at many famous hotels on Miami Beach, and then on Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines ships for three years.

Marjorie has taught ballet at Boston Ballet Co., Dade Civic Ballet Co., R. Landers School of Ballet and developed her own dance program in the Pembroke Pines, Fl. Community, teaching Ballet and Liturgical dance. She has also taught character, ballroom and Latin dance at the Fountainbleau, Deauville and Versailles Hotels on Miami Beach.

Teaching dancers who have made the commitment, and decision to be professionals is quite different from teaching young people in the process of deciding what they want to become, not only for a career, but as a person. Everyday, in every class there is a challenge. Along with strong ballet technique, I try to teach and give my students, the passion and love of dance, the discipline, and the knowledge that they are all gifted in many different ways. Whether or not my students become dancers, I hope each one of them will develop a sense of beauty and culture through the art of dance. A passion to take with them throughout their lives.