Joy Squire is the founder of Ballet Americana and the company's affiliate, the Taylor Dance Program. Ms. Squire has been teaching dance for over 50 years with an unwavering commitment to provide quality dance training for local residents and promote the art of dance in the metropolitan Detroit area. She currently serves as the Ballet Americana's Director and has been instrumental in guiding the company to its present status. She is a recipient of numerous civic and artistic awards, including the Downriver Council for the Arts Salute to Excellence award and recognition as a member of the City of Taylor's Sports and Recreation Hall of Fame.
Patricia Squire Lorenz began her studies with the Taylor Dance Program and Dance Detroit, where she met Leif Lorenz, before receiving a scholarship to the New York School of Ballet. While in New York City, she danced with Richard Thomas' U.S. Terpsichore and the Light Opera and studied with Daniel Levens and world-renowned master coach David Howard. She instructed classes at the New York School of Ballet and appears in several of David Howard's ballet training videos. Ms. Squire Lorenz was invited to join the internationally-recognized Universal Ballet of Korea before accepting a position with Roman Jasinski's Tulsa Ballet Theatre. She and Mr. Lorenz toured throughout the United States while dancing for the Tulsa Ballet and later the Montgomery Ballet. Special memories include dancing in a ballet set by Ballet Russes' Sir Frederick Franklin and performances at Lincoln Center. Ms. Squire Lorenz accepted the position of Artistic Director at Ballet Americana in 1993 after performing professionally for 11 years and now shares Artistic Director responsibilities with her husband, Leif.
Leif Lorenz began his studies with Dance Detroit before moving to New York to study at the New York School of Ballet. Mr. Lorenz danced with Richard Thomas' U.S. Terpsichore and the Light Opera and studied with Daniel Levens while residing in New York. He and Ms. Squire Lorenz toured professionally throughout the United States for Roman Jasinski's Tulsa Ballet Theatre and the Montgomery Ballet. Mr. Lorenz later performed in ballet pieces set by Ruth Page's Larry Long. He has served with Ballet Americana in various roles, including Technical Director and Choreographer, since returning to the Detroit area after performing professionally for 11 years. He currently shares Artistic Director responsibilities with his wife, Patricia.