“I have had the pleasure of working with Jacquie at Nunnbetter Dance Theatre for over ten years. I have watched her teach children of all ages, and have marveled at her ability to find just the right words to bring out the best in each and every student. Her students have always admired her encouraging tone, yet high expectations toward their training. Her eye for detail along with her incredible knowledge of ballet technique, produces dancers who are trained through a very healthy, safe and caring class experience. I have enjoyed watching many of her students enter the professional world of dance with grace and confidence!”
Kerri Mather, Modern Dance Teacher
Nunnbetter Dance Theater
"I had the honor of training with Ms. Jacquie in preparation for my first professional dance audition. With ballet being the foundation of all movement, I knew I needed someone who would provide me with constructive advice and had the ability to better my technique. Ms. Jacquie was an incredible teacher. She encouraged her students while also ensuring they continued to strive for excellence. If I had an issue with a particular step, she could figure out exactly what I was doing incorrectly to help me. In addition, she new a great deal about the human body and how to take care of it. I suffered from a knee injury in 2010 that has put a strain on my dancing ever since. Ms. Jacquie was able to look at my physique and stance to discover nuances about my body that I wasn't aware of. She brought to my attention the imbalance due to overcompensation from my injury and guide me in to how to redirect my energy and focus. If you are looking for a dance teacher that knows her field and achieves results, Ms. Jacquie is the one for you."
Anesia Sandifer, Performer with Step Afrika!
“I started taking class with Jacquie when I was in high school, 10 years into my ballet training. After many years of seasoned professionals as my teachers, Jacquie’s experienced, but young and fresh voice was a great addition to my training. Her attitude inspired me to slow things down and to really pay attention to what I was doing with my body and why. Jacquie will inspire her students to work toward professional goals and personal goals alike and takes the time to get to know each student on an individual level. Her sense of humor is infectious, as is her work ethic. Over time, Jacquie became a close mentor who helped me through some difficult times as I transitioned out of high school and into my chosen career path, Musical Theatre. She is continually educating herself, whether it be of current performances and teaching methods, or the legends and performances of times passed. She is patient and clear, with a sharp mind. Any student would be lucky to have her.”
Hallie Brevetti, former Nunnbetter student
“I had the great privilege of training with Ms. Lorenzi for five years, and can honestly say that it was one of the most enriching experiences I have had over the course of my ballet training. Centered on classical ballet technique, Ms. Lorenzi’s ballet classes also incorporate the study of various styles, a very useful tool for aspiring performers in all dance genres. Ms. Lorenzi explores the idea of technical nuances in her classes as well. She pushes her students to continually search for what their personal, inner light is as a dancer. Always creating a healthy and encouraging atmosphere in her classes, Ms. Lorenzi has a unique gift for teaching ballet, for she combines practicing meticulous ballet technique and finding the blissfulness in movement. “
Emily Relyea-Spivack, Graduate UMass Amherst
“Never have I encountered someone so unconditionally immersed in the essence of ballet in every moment of her life as Jacquie, and never have I discovered anyone with the ability to emanate it in such a way that students can breathe it in and revitalize themselves. She embodies the aspects of dance which are vital to the art: the energy and artistry. It is unparalleled how she presents life changing (and career changing) advice on ordinary days and teaches that beauty is not something that should be reserved only for deserving times, but part of every moment - for we, as dancers and as humans, have the power to make everything extraordinary. She teaches the class that every step should have a purpose and dispels any feelings of normalcy or unremarkability out of every combination by advising us to channel a character or feeling for each one. Become Giselle during plies and Kitri during degages - nothing is merely a combination of movements. Create your own character and develop yourself. Her eloquence allows for her to communicate with each student, and the effort she puts in to personally connecting with each person guides and supports a comfortable and productive learning environment. Along with being able to reach every person when talking to a group, she has a way of tailoring advice to each individual student so everyone who works with her improves. Her unique way of helping students visualize technique should be a part of every student’s education. Jacquie is the utter personification of dance, and every person should strive to integrate her teachings into his or her dancing, as well as way of life.”
Erin Aslami, student NBDT, Oklahoma City Ballet Trainee
“Ms. Jacqueline Lorenzi is a consummate professional. She was such a positive influence for my daughter when she taught ballet and variations at NDT. Not only was her instruction helpful and insightful, with just the right amount of technical detail and nuance, she was also patient and acutely aware of the challenges faced by all young ballet dancers. She created an environment in which my daughter’s skill levels continued to improve and thrive while still retaining elements of fun and frivolity. Ms. Lorenzi is an exemplary instructor.”
Ng Family, Nunnbetter Dance Theater
“I’ve studied under Jacqueline Lorenzi for a number of years, and each year I have felt like I improved. She allows her students to be hands on with each other and develop their eye by learning to give constructive criticism. Jacquie made it clear that she wanted her students to become more aware of their bodies and to learn how to make adjustments on their own. She also made sure that we worked on variations from a variety of ballets. The most recent variations we learned were the fairy variations from Sleeping Beauty and Shades from La Bayadare. I didn’t realize it at the time, but now I see how important it is to learn variations before entering the pre-professional world. My first year at the University of Oklahoma as well as my past two summers at ABT have focused on variations that Jacquie had taught me, which was invaluable and made me stand out from my experience. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with such a wonderful teacher.”
Ruby Mather, University of Oklahoma
“Jacquie has a rare combination of warmth and high expectations that encourages her students to continually improve themselves. Thanks to Jacquie my daughter has grown in spirit and confidence and her technique has improved tremendously. She has learned what it means to focus and work hard, to perform at her best. Jacquie is passionate about ballet and that is reflected in her method of teaching. She takes extra time to ensure each dancer learns proper technique, not only showing proper placement but explaining the reasons why those placements are important. She has been a gracious and enthusiastic teacher and a wonderful mentor for my daughter. As a family we have been impressed with her artistry in choreography, her discipline and her attention to detail in preparing her dancers. She understands the physical and psychological factors that affect growing adolescents and accepts and encourages all body types. In addition to teaching ballet and developing choreography for performances, Jacquie teaches healthy nutrition, makeup application and hair preparation. A chance to work with Jacquie and experience her training is invaluable! “
Monica Darcy, parent Dance Connection