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 under Keith Lester. She graduated from the                                                         Royal Academy of Dance (TTC) with honors and credentials                                                           including a Licentiate Diploma and Advanced Teaching                                                                   Certificate.  Often described as a teachers’ teacher, Marion                                                              enjoys analyzing body mechanics, developing fine                                                                            coordination, and designing ballet classes to promote artistry                                                          and prevent injury. ⁠

​

                                                     Tonner danced professionally in the US with the Maryland Ballet, where she also served as Ballet Mistress. Her professional performing career spanned 12 years and included guest appearances with the Philadelphia Opera.  In Britain she performed at the Scala Theatre, Collegiate Theatre, and many regional theatres before immigrating to the United States.⁠

 

Marion has been a guest teacher/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 was formerly a full-time faculty member of the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, the Miami City Ballet, and the Boston Ballet. Tonner also directed her own ballet school in Philadelphia for ten years - the ‘Marion Tonner Ballet Center’.  In 2004 she was invited to develop the first dance program for Lake Wales Charter Schools, and over a period of ten years introduced classical ballet to hundreds of new K-12 dance students in Central Florida. ⁠

 

Ms. Tonner has been the Principal of the Orlando Ballet School South, under the artistic direction of Robert Hill, and most recently, the School Director of Oregon Ballet Theatre School under artistic director, Kevin Irving.  Now back in her home in Florida, she is taking on freelance projects as a guest teacher offering master classes, workshops and intensives for students and teachers.