MARY TARPLEY

Teaches: BALLET, POINTE, CONTEMPORARY, IMPROVISATION, CHOREOGRAPHY

Mary Tarpley began dancing under the tutelage of Frances Taylor in Durango, CO. She continued her training at Interlochen Arts Academy and at The Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance in London. After graduating, Mary danced with companies all over the world, including State Street Ballet, as a Principal for City Ballet of L.A., and for Invertigo Dance Theatre LA. In Chicago, Mary has been a First Company member of Chicago Dance Crash, danced for Civic Ballet of Chicago, Chicago Repertory Ballet, and Dance For Life, to name a few. Mary has done extensive print and video work, including Jordan Matter’s Dancers Among Us and Dancers After Dark. 

Mrs. Tarpley has taught in Chicago at Hubbard Street Youth Dance Program, as a Dance Director for Lake Forest Dance Academy, and as a Ballet Mistress at OYT. She is on summer faculty for Ballet Durango in Colorado, coaches for Youth American Grand Prix, teaches master classes around the country and abroad, and tours the country as a competition judge. Mary also graduated Magna Cum Laude from DePaul University where she received dual degrees in Mathematics and Physics. Based in L.A, Mary continues to teach, choreograph and perform throughout the country.