Donna Pidel founded the Ballet Royale Institute of Maryland in 1994. Ms. Pidel has won numerous awards for both her teaching and her choreography. She received the Outstanding Teacher Award from YAGP, the prestigious international competition in Philadelphia, as well as the Outstanding Choreography Award. She was awarded second palce in the North American Ballet Competition where she was presented with the Capezio Award.

Ms. Pidel's choreograhpy has been danced in the U.S. and abroad. Her piece, Nightbird, was danced at the world famous Maryinski Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia, before dignataries including former Vice President Al Gore.

Ms. Pidel has a roster of successful students, including Katherine Williams of American Ballet Theatre, Alicia Graf, a celebrated dancer throughout the world, and many more.

Ms. Pidel's most recent honor was teaching the daughter of the Crown Prince of Dubai, UAE. Ms. Pidel currently serves on the Community Relations Council of Howard County General Hospital and has been requested to serve on the local childrens board of the Howard County Autism Society.

Ms. Pidel resides in Clarksville with her husband and three children, Adam, Alex, and Ashton.

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