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Marcella Ducsay
Ballet
About Marcella
Marcella is a distinguished ballet professional with a rich and diverse career. She began her training at the prestigious Hungarian Dance Academy and further honed her skills through an exchange program at the Vaganova School in St. Petersburg. Ms. Ducsay earned a full scholarship to NCSA and graduated with a B.A. in Fine Arts, specializing in kinesiology and the understanding of the dancer’s body.
Background
Education
Ms. Ducsay was accepted into the prestigious Hungarian dance Academy. During her school years, she was chosen to participate in an exchange to the Vaganova school in St. Petersburg, received full scholarship to NCSA and financial award for advancement. She won 1st place among the girls in the competition organized by the school. She toured in Germany and Israel and finished with a B.A. in Fine Arts. Her diploma work was based on kinesiology and understanding of the dancer’s body.
Performing Experience
Her first job was with the Hungarian National ballet, where in her first year she performed demi soloist and soloist roles. She then joined the Texas Ballet Theater for 7 years, under the directorship of Paul Mejia and Ben Stevenson. During her time there, she performed principal roles in Romeo and Juliet, Nutcracker, Giselle, Cinderella, Serenade, Who Cares, Violin Concerto, Slaughter on 10th Ave, and Midsummer Night's Dream. Trey McIntyre choreographed Alice in Wonderland for her while they were working together.
Teaching Experience
Ms. Ducsay has toured internationally to Korea, Japan, and Australia. A documentary based on Ms. Ducsay's career was aired on Hungarian National television and was entered into the Australian film festival.
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From 2009-2014, Ms. Ducsay taught in the pre-professional and Trainee division of the Joffrey Academy in Chicago. Students she trained then were accepted into professional schools such as : ABtT, SAB, PNB and were also invited to join prestigious companies such as ABT, Joffrey, Ballet Met, and the Polish National Ballet.
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Since 2014, Ms. Ducsay has been the director of Illinois Ballet Academy, where some of her highest level students have gone on to attend prestigious colleges with top tier ballet programs such as Indiana University and the University of Utah.
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​Ms. Ducsay is approved by Balanchine trust to teach certain ballet variations in the classroom setting.