The consensus is that Nancy gives the most challenging professional class in town, and you'll find yourself surrounded by members of the New York City Ballet, the American Ballet Theatre and other major companies. Be prepared to do lots of beats and to work at lightning speed. However, Nancy's barre is excellent, so you'll be plenty warm enough to accomplish all that she asks. And don't be afraid to give her class a try. Even very young students from SAB show up, as do a fair number of avocational adults. Just be sure you follow ballet class etiquette and stay out of the way if you're not up to tackling any given combination. In any case, even if you're standing by the barre watching every now and then, you won't be wasting your time. Where else can you get a close up view of such dancers as Helene Alexopoulos, Jenifer Ringer, Parrish Maynard -- and even, fairly often, Baryshnikov himself?

Nancy teaches from 11:30-1, Monday through Friday in Studio II at STEPS.