Ms. Marlene Hall has been a dance teacher at Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA) for 21 years, but has a total of more than 30 years of experience in dance education. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Irvine and has trained extensively in dance and pilates.
I can personally attest to the fact that Ms. Hall is an excellent dance instructor because she was my ballet teacher for many years when I was a student in the Commercial Dance Conservatory (CMD). At the time, she introduced dancers to Therabarre, which is similar to a classic ballet barre class but incorporates a theraband for added resistance and control. Her class truly helped us to condition our bodies for the demanding work required of being a dancer. It may have felt like every muscle in my entire body was sore each week, but it was worth it.
Therabarre is now just one part of The Hall Method, a fully-patented, unique muscle conditioning program that supports aspiring and professional dancers in staying strong, injury free, and ready for the demands of any dance style. Using this method, Ms. Hall developed a Dance & Movement Conditioning Clinic for the Dance Elective Program at OCSA. She currently serves the student body with the mission to provide dancers of all levels with the supportive skill set to their existing technical training in a positive and constructive manner. Ms. Hall remains consistent in her pursuit of more research and refinement of her personal skills, so that she can empower dancers on the OCSA campus and around the world.
How did you first hear about OCSA?
“I first heard about OCSA from my college roommate in New York City. She was one of Dr. Opacic’s students at Los Alamitos High School, Heather Hoppus.”
What do you teach?
“I started teaching at OCSA as a Commercial Dance ballet instructor and then started developing a ballet program for the Dance Elective Program soon after. I spent nine years in CMD, which overlapped with my 15 years in the Academic Elective program for a total of 21 years as an OCSA instructor.”
Why did you join the OCSA team?
“I joined as I had many students of my own who were a part of OCSA and were very accomplished within the school curriculum, both artistically and academically. I was most impressed by the college acceptances and I view college as a very important factor for my two children especially.”
What is your favorite part about working with the students here?
“Artists, artists, artists! I am extremely motivated by the artistry and collaboration with the most talented of students I have ever been around!”
How have your students impacted or inspired you?
“They inspire me to create! Every day contains a new vision, goal, and opportunity for a collaboration of artists within my classroom.”
Why do you think that the school has not only survived, but continued to grow over the last 35 years?
“The dream is real. Dr. [Ralph] Opacic created a safe space for artists to exist. For students to grow. For all to be collaborative as a like mind.”
Has OCSA been a part of your dreams coming true?
“Yes! I feel fulfilled and blessed by association with our talented students. I feel supported by my supervisors to continue to do my best work. As an educator, I’ve found complete satisfaction that the joy of learning has been encouraged and supported here. I feel the culture of OCSA is a special formula that has been created by Dr. Opacic from within, and for that I am incredibly proud to still be here!”
Not only is Ms. Hall a part of OCSA’s legacy through her tenure at the school, but her two children are also alumni. Both Dr. Arianna Hall (MT, ‘12) and Eddie Campbell (IM, ‘08) attended OCSA and are successful in their respective fields.
For more information on Ms. Hall’s work, visit The Hall Method website and read this article from Dance Teacher Magazine.