We are thrilled to be introducing Karen Kroninger Knerr, Artistic Director of the Pennsylvania Youth Ballet- Ballet Guild of the Lehigh Valley since 2007!
Karen (or “Miss Karen” as she is referred to by her students) holds a BFA in Dance from The Juilliard School where she trained in Graham, Taylor, and Limon techniques. She was a principal dancer with the Albany Berkshire Ballet, where she performed lead roles in Cinderella and Coppélia, as well as performing Girl At Mirror for the opening of the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, MA. In addition, Karen was a member of the Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company. She has worked with and performed works by Dennis Nahat, Laura Dean, Frances Patrelli and Bill T. Jones. Karen holds an Intermediate Certification in Labanotation and is an ABT Certified Teacher, having completed intensive training in the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum, a high-quality artistic training that is combined with the basics of dancer health and child development. Recently, Karen received her certification to teach Progressing Ballet Technique.
She has developed the outreach program, “Discover Dance”, for the Ballet Guild of the Lehigh Valley. Karen teaches students from beginner level to advanced level for BGLV and has choreographed various works including Youth programs for the Allentown Symphony.
*UPCOMING PERFORMANCES*
On May 24th and 25th, PYB-BGLV is performing The Wizard of Oz for the first time! Make sure to get your tickets here or enter our contest to win a family four pack. A FREE fun, meet-and-greet the cast event for children takes place immediately after both performances! Children may join the dancers on stage for photographs and a behind-the-scenes view of the production.
Tell us a little about yourself and what brought you to the Lehigh Valley.
I was born and raised in Allentown and took my first ballet class at the age of five—I never stopped dancing. College and my professional dance career took me away from the Lehigh Valley for 11 years, but after having my first child, I knew I wanted to return to be closer to family.
Being the Artistic Director of PYB is a demanding job! How do you balance it all at work and at home?
When you love what you do, it never feels like “a job,” and somehow, it all balances out. I hope my children have learned from my example. They’ve seen firsthand the dedication I have to ballet and the strong work ethic it has instilled in me.
What makes PYB different from other dance schools?
PYB is the only nonprofit school and performing company in the Lehigh Valley. It was established as a nonprofit in 1958, with studios on Main Street in historic downtown Bethlehem, PA. Our primary focus is classical ballet, and we offer classes for students ages 3 through adult. Our Pre-Professional Division provides rigorous training for advanced students.
Unlike many schools, our students are not required to perform and can only begin performing at age six. We want to foster a lifelong love of dance, and if a child is afraid to go on stage or has a bad experience too early, they may never return to the studio. Our goal is to nurture confidence and passion in every student.
What advice would you give a mom considering enrolling her child in ballet?
Do it! Ballet teaches valuable life lessons and creates an inclusive environment in the studio. However, it’s important to ask questions before choosing a program. Do the instructors hold certifications, degrees, or professional performance experience? Do they have the necessary clearances? Does the curriculum follow a structured syllabus? Is instructional time separate from learning choreography for productions? Ask to observe a class so you can get a feel for the teaching approach.
PYB is performing The Wizard of Oz on May 24–25. What excites you most about this production?
This is a brand-new production for PYB, which means new choreography, costumes, sets, props, and lighting! There’s been a lot of excitement among our dancers, and I can’t wait to see our vision come to life on stage. I’ve been wearing a t-shirt during rehearsals “Brians, Heart, Courage” I hope all the dancers feel this when the curtain goes down that last performance.
The saying goes, “It takes a village”—who is yours, and how do you rely on them?
I have many people in my village. My family is incredibly supportive, and I often bounce ideas off them. I also have a tight-knit group of five friends from elementary school who are my rock. At the studio, I’m surrounded by a team of dedicated individuals who are always ready to step in and help. Their support means everything.
What is your favorite thing about the Lehigh Valley community?
The Lehigh Valley truly understands the value of the arts. We have an active arts community that continues to promote arts education. Every year, over 3,000 local schoolchildren attend PYB’s Nutcracker at Zoellner Arts Center, which is an amazing testament to our community’s commitment to the arts.
