French Academie of Ballet

Francois Perron, Artistic Director

François Perron is a graduate of the Paris Opera  Ballet School where he studied under the direction of Claude Bessy.  Before moving to the United States, François danced with La Scala in Milan, where Maurice Béjart invited him to Brussels as part of Les Ballets Du XXe Siecle.  François has had principal contracts with the Northern Ballet Theatre of England and Ballet Du Nord as well as principal roles with the Joffrey Ballet in New York City.  François danced with the New York City Ballet for six years and briefly with American Ballet Theatre. He has appeared with numerous companies worldwide as a guest artist and served as Ballet Master for New York Theatre Ballet as well as for Florence, Italy’s Maggio Danza.

In 1997, François accepted a full faculty position at Studio Maestro (now Manhattan Youth Ballet) and from 2001- 2011 was Managing Artistic Director of the school and youth company. François is regularly invited to guest teach at major dance schools including Miami City Ballet, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and American Ballet Theatre Young Dancer Summer Workshop.  François’ students have been accepted at the Paris Opera Ballet School and as company members at American Ballet Theatre, San Francisco Ballet and North Carolina Dance Theatre. François is part of the Juilliard faculty and is currently coaching the boys for the Tony Award Winner Broadway show Billy Elliott.

Recently, François was the invited guest at the Titas Gala in Dallas, Texas.  While in Dallas, François guest taught at The Dallas Conservatory.   François will be teaching a master class via satellite for the Barcelona Competition.  François was on the faculty this summer at American Ballet Theatre's Young Dancer Summer Workshop and will be guest teaching for the Studio Company and the top levels in 2011. 



 Nadege Hottier, Ballet Mistress

Nadege graduated from the National Conservatory in France with a gold medal.  She then studied at Rosella Hightower in Cannes and Maurice Bejart in Brussels.  Nadège was 17 when she met Valery Panov and Galina Panova in Luzern, Switzerland, where she was working with Ben Van Cauwenberg.  She was invited to join the Bonn Opera in Germany.  After leaving Bonn Nadège remained in Germany to dance at Leipzig Opera with Uwe Scholz and the Berlin Opera under Richard Cragun. Ms. Hottier’s repertoire includes all styles from classical to contemporary.  She has also appeared in ballet galas, musical theatre and a made for television in Germany and abroad.  From 2006 - 2011 Nadège was a part of the Studio Maestro/Manhattan Youth Ballet faculty where she choreographed for both the school and youth company.

Nadège is appearing in a DVD produced by Dancetime Publications dancing the iconic dance "La Cachucha" from 1832, originally performed by the famous Romantic ballerina, Fanny Essler.  Nadege will also be performing in a duet called Vestris Gavotte.  These performances are being filmed for a DVD which shows famous dances of the Romantic Era, under the influence of character dance.  Nadège is working in conjuction with Brooklyn Ballet, Robert Atwood, Claudia Jeschke and Carol Tetan.  Nadège’s students have danced professionally with Santa Fe Ballet, Nashville Ballet and Tulsa Ballet.

Brice Mousset, Contemporary

Brice Mousset, was born in Paris, France.  With very versatile tastes, he studied ballet, contemporary, jazz, and Hip Hop.  Exploring these different styles of dance, he grew to become a complete artist.  Following his career with an eclectic personality, Brice danced in well-known musicals, operas, concerts and television shows, as well as, fashion shows and dance companies throughout the world.  These rich experiences have made him a curious artist with an open mind, which has enabled him to uniquely express himself through movement and choreography.

Brice’s original and unusual way to create movement gives him numerous choreographic opportunities.  Some of his credits as a choreographer include, fashion event for the designers Marithé & François Girbuad, the enticing cabaret show at the “Casinos de Deauville” (France), the French television reality show “La Musicale”, and the musical, “Attention Mesdames et Messieurs” (Paris).  Brice also worked on the European MTV Music Awards, as well as the private coach for the French NRJ Music Awards.  Brice received much acclaim for his unexpected choreography for the Opera “AIDA” by Verdi, which opened the French “Festival d’Avignon”.  On television, you can see Brice’s choreography in the French series on channel FR 2: “le reveillon des bobonnes”. Teaching in New York at Broadway Dance Center, he is also in high demand as a teacher internationally.  Recently Brice has worked on the British Music Awards in London, co-choreographing for Leona Lewis’ performance, has completed his instructional DVD “Contemporary Jazz with Brice Mousset” and started his own dance company in New York City.