In 2022, the Ballet Arts Ensemble expanded to add a third company focused on genres of tap and jazz dance, the Ballet Arts Tap and Jazz Ensemble (BATJE) under the direction of Caitlin Murray and Annah Gibson. Continuing the BAE's goal of civic engagement, in its first year, BATJE hosted an in-studio performance for Insight Memory Care Center community members and volunteers as well as danced in the 2023 City of Fairfax Independence Day parade, winning first place in the judged Dance category.
The Tap and Jazz Ensemble gives students the opportunities to explore genres of tap and jazz outside of their regular class curriculum, with a focus on musical theatre. BATJE members are invited to participate in at least one number in the BAE Fall Concert and at least one additional number of either tap or jazz in the Center's Spring Recital.
Students in Grade 6 and higher in Jazz IIA or above are eligible for BATJE and can participate in addition to or instead of the Ballet Arts Ensemble (BATJE I) or Junior Ensemble (BATJE II). Members of of BATJE are required to take a minimum of three weekly classes including at least one jazz and one ballet class.
TAP AND JAZZ ENSEMBLE I 2023-2022
Evelyn Chen, Bridget Kerr, Riya Kumaran, Asha Maquire, Sarah Payne, Bellatrix Tamari, Anvika Vemana