Manning's Story

  Alex Manning is a former professional dancer with the Miami City Ballet. He received his training at the world-renowned Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet (CPYB) under the direction of the late Marcia Dale Weary, who personally mentored him in her legendary pedagogical method.  While at CPYB, he also trained with Darla Hoover and privately with Laszlo Berdo. In 2012, Alex received the Jerome Robbins Scholarship at CPYB and in 2013, Alex was hired by Lourdes Lopez to join the Miami City Ballet.

  Throughout his career with Miami City Ballet, Alex performed works by renowned choreographers including George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, Paul Taylor, Twyla Tharp, Justin Peck, and Alexei Ratmansky. His performances have graced prestigious venues such as the Kennedy Center Opera House and the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center. During his off-seasons, Marcia frequently invited Alex to return to CPYB as a guest teacher, which began his journey as a teacher and coach.

  In 2022, Alex retired from Miami City Ballet to pursue his passion for educating the next generation of dancers. He has since served in roles across the United States as a ballet master, director of curriculum, and an instructor to all ages and levels. His teaching encompasses classical and Balanchine techniques, men’s and variations classes, pointe, pas de deux, and performance coaching. Alex continues to guest-teach at respected institutions nationwide, including CPYB’s Five-Week Summer Course. He received certification from CPYB’s Teacher’s Workshop in 2023.

  In 2025, he founded Ballet Manning; a new ballet school in Wilmington, North Carolina with a mission to provide exceptional, individualized training for dancers of all levels who aspire to reach their highest potential in ballet.