Maine State Ballet welcomes back Larry Lee Van Horne

After many years of teaching and living in Minneapolis, former Maine State Ballet principal dancer, Larry Lee Van Horne, has returned to Maine. Mr. Van Horne was one of the original members of Portland's Ram Island modern dance community and, in recent summers, has taught dance locally at the Maine State School for the Performing Arts and Casco Bay Movers.

Larry Van Horne was lured back to Maine permanently because, "I see more opportunities for future growth with Maine State Ballet than dance companies in Minnesota." Van Horne now teaches ballet to youth and adult dancers, in addition to jazz. This fall he will return to the stage in Maine State Ballet's Nutcracker as the Arabian Prince.

Maine State Ballet's Nutcracker will be performed on two weekends, November 29 & 30 and December 5, 6 & 7, for a total of seven performances at Merrill Auditorium. Tickets are on sale through Porttix, (207) 842-0800 or www.porttix.com. For more information, call (207) 856-1662 or visit www.mainestateballet.org.

Maine State Ballet, established in 1986, has become the leading professional dance company in the State of Maine. Working together, Maine State Ballet and the Maine State School for the Performing Arts encourage students to become active, intelligent young artists who will emerge as artistic leaders in their communities. Maine State Ballet embraces the highest artistic standards in the challenge to create a home for talented artists from the State of Maine.

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