Marian Tonner

Marion Tonner, L.R.A.D., A.R.A.D. is a native of London, England. Tonner received her education and dance training on full scholarship at the Royal Academy of Dance in Battersea, London. She graduated from the Royal Academy of Dance with honors and credentials including a Licentiate Diploma and Advanced Teaching Degree. She enjoys analyzing body mechanics and designing classes to promote artistry and prevent injury. 

Tonner danced professionally with the Maryland Ballet, where she later served as Ballet Mistress. Her professional performing career spans 12 years, and includes guest appearances with the Philadelphia Opera, and also performing classical and contemporary repertoire in Great Britain and the USA. 

She has been a guest teacher and choreographer for the Sarasota Ballet School, the Orlando Ballet School, Pittsburgh Youth Ballet, the Nashville Ballet, and many dance teacher organizations. She enjoys working with dance teachers and sharing her years of teaching experience. As a summer guest teacher, she taught at the world renowned Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet for 23 years. 

Ms. Tonner is a former faculty member of the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, the Miami City Ballet, and the Boston Ballet. Tonner also directed her own school in Philadelphia for ten years, the Marion Tonner Ballet Center. She developed the dance program for Lake Wales Charter Schools over ten years, and introduced classical ballet to hundreds of new K-12 dance students in Central Florida. 

Her most recent post is as Principal of the South School of the Orlando Ballet, under the artistic direction of Robert Hill.