Ballet 5:8 Essentials | September 13th, with Miranda Rubio Opsal
Ballet Class Focus | How to Become More Flexible
10:00AM – 11:30AM
Master Class | Musical Theater
11:30AM – 12:30PM
This Master Class will give dancers practical tools for improving flexibility safely and effectively, building range of motion while maintaining strength, alignment, and artistry. The session continues with a Musical Theater workshop, where dancers will explore storytelling through movement, expression, and performance technique.
Open to dancers ages 11+ from any studio
Suitable for B58S students in Ballet 2A or higher
Drop-in Fee: $28 for Technique Class
B58S Students: Complimentary technique class
Musical Theater Master Class: Additional $20
About the Instructor
Miranda Rubio Opsal is a Company Artist with Ballet 5:8 and serves as the Principal of the School of Ballet 5:8. A beloved faculty member since 2017, she brings exceptional artistry, pedagogical expertise, and compassionate leadership to both the studio and the stage.
Originally from Jackson, Michigan, Rubio Opsal began her early training at The Academy of the Arts under Lori Ladwig and Kate Price. She first encountered Ballet 5:8 through its Summer Intensive in 2012 and, inspired by the company’s distinct artistic vision, joined the School of Ballet 5:8’s Conservatory Program in 2015. She graduated in 2017 and, turning down offers to train elsewhere, remained at Ballet 5:8 to join the Trainee Program, from which she graduated with High Honors in 2020.
Rubio Opsal was promoted to Apprentice with Ballet 5:8’s professional company in 2020 and to Company Artist in 2021. Her performance credits include original roles in Julianna Rubio Slager’s Beyond the Nutcracker, The Toymaker, Love Is, and Pilgrim’s Progress. She has since danced featured roles such as Ansit in BareFace, soloist in The Lost Women of Juarez, and notable appearances in 4501, Butterfly, The Space in Between, and Compass. Her stagework is distinguished by expressive depth, strong musicality, and a refined classical foundation.
As School Principal, Rubio Opsal oversees the artistic and academic standards of Ballet 5:8’s training programs and leads a dedicated faculty committed to excellence in both technique and character development. Since 2020, she has also served as Co-Director of the Pre-Professional and Ensemble Programs, where she mentors advanced students preparing for professional careers. Her students have been accepted into prestigious institutions such as Pacific Northwest Ballet, School of American Ballet, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, and Orlando Ballet, many with merit-based scholarships. Several have also earned national recognition, including the Fox Valley Ballet 2024 Scholarship.
Rubio Opsal is certified in Progressing Ballet Technique and fully licensed to teach every level of Julianna Rubio Slager’s Vaganova and SAB based syllabus. She leads the School of Ballet 5:8’s Teacher Training Program, mentoring aspiring educators in pedagogy and classroom leadership. She has also taught masterclasses both in the Chicago area and across the country.
Deeply rooted in Ballet 5:8’s mission and community, Miranda Rubio Opsal continues to pour into the next generation of dancers, fostering an environment of artistic rigor, integrity, and care.
