Dr. Milton L. Rock

Dr. Milton L. Rock devoted much of his philanthropy and vision to The Rock School for Dance Education. He helped transform it from its origins as the School of Pennsylvania Ballet into an internationally recognized institution, renamed in honor of his late wife, Shirley, and later guided with the support of his second wife, Constance Benoliel Rock, who served as the School’s first Board Chair. Under his leadership, the school expanded with new campuses, an accredited online high school, a boarding program, and one of the most successful summer intensives in the country. He also fostered a unique collaboration with the Curtis Institute of Music, uniting young dancers and musicians in annual performances. Today, Rock School alumni perform with leading dance companies worldwide, a testament to his enduring legacy.

 
 

Constance W. Benoliel Rock

Constance W. Benoliel Rock devoted more than 50 years to advancing excellence in dance and education. In 1992, when The Rock School became an independent non-profit, she was elected its first Chairman of the Board and served until 2000, helping the school grow from a $300,000 budget to nearly $3 million with two facilities and nearly 1,000 students. Under her leadership, The Rock School launched international exchange programs with the Paris Opera Ballet School and London’s Royal Ballet School, and she also created the Career Development Series to mentor young dancers. After stepping down as Chair, she continued her impact through the Education Committee, ensuring academic support for young artists. Today, The Rock School remembers her as a visionary leader, mentor, and advocate whose dedication and passion shaped the institution’s growth and legacy.

 
 

Bojan Spassoff & Stephanie Spassoff | Founding Artistic Directors

Bojan and Stephanie Spassoff, both alumni of the School of American Ballet, have enjoyed distinguished careers as dancers, teachers, and artistic leaders. Bojan performed with major companies including the Dutch National Ballet, Royal Danish Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, and San Francisco Ballet, before serving as Artistic Director of Ballet Oklahoma and Savannah Ballet and as ballet master for Pennsylvania Ballet. Stephanie was a soloist with Pennsylvania Ballet, a member of American Ballet Theatre and San Francisco Ballet, and later a principal dancer and Associate Director with Ballet Oklahoma and Savannah Ballet. Together, they became the founding Artistic Directors of The Rock School for Dance Education, where they built one of the nation’s premier training programs, coached international competition gold medalists, served on the faculty of the New York State Summer School of the Arts, and judged for Youth America Grand Prix.