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Linda Kintz and Mark Mejia are among the rare couples who have spent the greater part of their artistic lives together. Their repertoire spanned the complete spectrum of classical ballet and left lasting impressions. A recent request for a recording of their Black Swan pas de deux noted, “I had the joy of seeing it once (probably 35 years ago) and, although I've seen many, many versions before and since, I've never seen anything sexier or that better captured the character of Odile.”

Thousands of performances as renowned resident guest artists across the US, Asia, and Central America have given them a unique background that continues to serve as an example and motivation for their students. For those accepted, The KMAB offers training in the uncommon tutelage of pure classical ballet.

Linda Kintz was born in St. Louis and trained under Stanley Herbert, a former principal dancer of (American) Ballet Theatre. After moving to New York with a scholarship to the Joffrey Ballet School at 15 years of age, she joined Harkness Ballet Company and was part of its European tour. Upon return, Ms. Kintz received an invitation to join as Soloist with National Ballet of Washington (DC), directed by Ben Stevenson and Frederic Franklin. When it disbanded, she became Prima Ballerina of the Maryland Ballet in Baltimore, its youngest ever. As an accomplished professional dancer, prize winner of major international competitions in Varna (Bulgaria), Moscow, and Osaka, and as the founder of The Kintz-Mejia Academy of Ballet, Ms. Kintz offers her extensive experience to young students interested in learning classical ballet in the Russian method. The KMAB also incorporates her own system of teaching for pre-ballet levels, a unique approach that has rendered astonishing results.

Mark Mejia, principal dancer, teacher, choreographer, and co-director of The Kintz-Mejia Academy of Ballet, brings a wealth of experience and professional knowledge. In addition to upper-level student training, which includes all aspects of ballet technique, pas de deux, and character dance, he has staged and choreographed a long list of productions for the Academy as well as other schools and professional companies. He was born in Los Angeles and studied under Stefan Wenta, former premier danseur and choreographer of Warsaw’s National Opera-Ballet. At age 18, he joined Pittsburgh Ballet Theater and was promoted to the rank of Soloist after one year. From Pittsburgh, he joined National Ballet of Canada, touring with Rudolf Nureyev and Erik Bruhn. After making his debut in Le Corsaire with Boston Ballet, he was invited to perform with numerous companies and organizations. During his entire career as a dancer and choreographer, Mr. Mejia has dedicated himself to the pursuit of learning, understanding, and applying the Russian ballet pedagogy.