Artistic director and co-founder, The State Ballet of Rhode Island; artistic director and owner, The Brae Crest School of Classical Ballet, Lincoln, RI

NOMINATED BY: Gloria Silva, parent: “Mrs. Marsden is the best dance teacher there is. At 73, she still teaches all her ballet classes. She allows every student to perform; she encourages even those who think picking dance wasn’t a great choice. They stay—why? Because of her. Students get an experience there that they would not get anywhere else. My daughter, who has many disabilities, feels good about herself because of Mrs. Marsden.”

YEARS TEACHING: 53 years

GENRES TAUGHT: Classical ballet: technique and pointe, including pas de deux, classical variations, and character dancing

AGES TAUGHT: 8 to adult

WHY SHE CHOSE TEACHING AS A CAREER: I have always been appreciative of others who helped me throughout my dancing career as well as during my childhood in a war-torn country, Croatia (formerly part of Yugoslavia). Inspired by teachers who gave me opportunities that changed my life for the better, I knew that sharing my love for ballet as a performer and teacher would continue the legacy of classical ballet, my inspirational teachers, and my passion and belief in the power of the arts. When my family and I moved to the United States, it was an opportunity for me to share my talents as a dancer by teaching others. There was no question about my decision to teach, because it was a living tribute to give back what I had been blessed with. By teaching, all were alive: ballet, my teachers, myself, and the future of my students.

GREATEST INSPIRATION: I have a great love and appreciation for classical ballet, and I share that with the teachers who inspired me: Ana Roje, Oskar Harmos, Mila Katic, and Mia Slavenska. I also value the Slavic heritage I share with many of my teachers.

TEACHING PHILOSOPHY: Dance all you can today because you never know what tomorrow brings.

WHAT MAKES HER A GOOD TEACHER: I have always shared with my students the love and respect I have for ballet. Ballet is my way of life, and my students are part of my everyday world. My teaching, disciplined yet open to artistic expression, is conveyed with love so they too can appreciate ballet.

FONDEST TEACHING MOMENT: I take great pride in watching my students progress as dancers and as individuals. So many of them, from my ballet school as well as from the University of Rhode Island, have chosen paths in life in which they have been so successful: dancers, doctors, teachers, business leaders, and artists in other genres.

ADVICE TO STUDENTS: Continue to love the art of ballet. It is a way to live, grow, inspire, create, cope, express, and feel free. Always do your ballet class because it exercises your mind, body, and soul. It is OK to take risks and be afraid of the challenges along the way of reaching your dreams and achieving your goals. Believe in yourself and the discipline you’ve learned in ballet class and you will attain wonderful achievements and strength as a dancer and quality human being.

IF SHE WASN’T A DANCE TEACHER: It is not a matter of what I would do if I were not a ballet teacher, but rather who I would be. Ballet is who I am, and teaching is how I share myself with my students.

DO YOU KNOW A DANCE TEACHER WHO DESERVES TO BE IN THE SPOTLIGHT? Email your nominations to Arisa@rheegold.com or mail them to Arisa White, Dance Studio Life, P.O. Box 2150, Norton, MA 02766. Please include why you think this teacher should be featured, along with his or her contact information.