A gifted ballet teacher, creative artist and choreographer, Ms. Bluege's performance career was characterized by a versatile repertoire of classical and contemporary ballet and character dance. Committed to the art of the classical ballet, Ms. Bluege has inspired, educated, coached, mentored, and empowered students for many years. She is recognized for an ability to combine technical expertise and artistry in the teaching of ballet and for her ability to instill passion for the art in the next generation of artists, audiences, and supporters.

• Advanced the systematic training of students based on the Russian model, but adapted to the American educational and cultural situation for St. Paul City Ballet (SPCB).
• Established SPCB performing arts program, expanding opportunities for students of all ages and competencies to participate in quality dance theater experiences.
• Annotated and staged large portions of the works of Marius Petipa for SPCB.
• Choreographed over 30 original works, including 2 full-length ballets.
• Extensive experience teaching and choreographing in the genre of character dance (dances of diverse ethnic and cultural origins).
• Experienced in design and construction of theatrical sets, props, and costumes.
• Planned and coordinated major productions for SPCB.

Teachers: Lorant and Anna Andahazy (Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo); Sylvia Bolton (Minnesota Dance Theater; Children's Theater); Lirena Branitski (Kiev State Opera Ballet; Bolshoi Ballet); Marius Andahazy (Andahazy Ballet; Royal Swedish Ballet). Eight summer intensive workshops with Gabriela Komleva, prima ballerina and head coach of the Kirov Ballet; several more with Luba Gulyaeva, Marina Stavitskaya, and Alla Sizova (all from the Kirov Ballet).

• Promoted from the corps de ballet to soloist, then, to principal roles. Performed in: Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Les Sylphides, Scheherazade, Pas de Quarte, Giselle, Legend of Love, The Nutcracker, and Don Quixote, and in many contemporary works by a variety of choreographers.
• Andahazy Ballet (1967-1975) - Toured the United States and Portugal with a full repertoire of classical ballets. Ballet instructor at the Andahazy Choreographic Schools (1969-1975 and 1987-1995). Administrative assistant to the Directors/Choreographers, Lorant and Anna Andahazy.
• Children's Theatre Co. - ballet instructor (1975-1981); performer with choreographers Myron Johnson and Goel Wiers.
• Branitski Ballet - principal dancer (1981-1987), working with Director/Choreographer, Lirena Branitski.

• Employed at St. Paul City Ballet 1995 to 2007. Duties: responsibility for curriculum development and the teaching of classical ballet and character dance to students, beginning through advanced proficiency levels; consulting on student class placement and advancement, on program needs and scheduling; creating original work; staging the work of Petipa and other choreographers of the classical period.
• Artistic Director at St. Paul City Ballet (1995-2002). Duties: determined repertoire for performances; directed rehearsals; choreographed new works; annotated and staged traditional classical ballet repertoire, including large sections of Sleeping Beauty, La Bayadere, Don Quixote, Raymonda, and small ensemble work from La Esmeralda, Swan Lake, and Flower Festival at Genzano.
• Created a large body of work (1978-present) for the stage using classical, character, and contemporary ballet genres. (Particulars available upon request). Including: in 1997, an original full-length 1½ hour ballet, "The Golden Bough, A Fairytale Ballet for Children." (The book, published in hardback edition in 2000, is available on this website.) Commissioned (1979) by the Cathedral Church of St. Mark, Minneapolis, MN to write and produce the 30-minute original ballet "Totentanz," for their annual Sacred Arts Festival. Compiled and edited the music for both ballets. Choreographed 100+ dancers who performed in the productions. Managed costume assistants and backstage helpers. Designed and constructed the sets, props, and costumes.

• Authored and illustrated two original children's books: "The Golden Bough, A Fairytale Ballet for Children" (1996/2000), and new in 2007, "There's a Rabbit on the Roof!" (Available at Booksurge.com).
• Producer of an environmental video, several lectures and slide shows. Topics covered: art and the creative process, symbolism, and the connection between dance, spirituality and the environment. Presented with the Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center (MN); Great Smoky Mountain Institute at Tremont (TN); American Association of University Women (AAUW); Benedictine Abbey, Woodbury, MN; Mary Hall, St. Paul, MN, and various elementary schools in the St. Paul Public Schools.
• Produced (2002) and narrated the CD version and a DVD of "The Golden Bough, A Fairytale Ballet for Children."
• Independent Visual Artist: painter of landscapes, portraits, animals; mixed media.

Bachelor of Arts, St. Olaf College with majors in biology and psychology.