Avid arts enthusiast Tracy Olson talks about Ballet Arizona’s Ballet Barre and how young professionals in Phoenix can get involved and support dance in their community!
As an Arizona native, Ballet Arizona was an important part of my childhood. My family would cherish our annual trip to the Ballet to see the holiday classic, The Nutcracker. I even had the opportunity to dance alongside the professionals as a child in that same show.
Although many years have passed, my awe and respect for the dancers of Ballet Arizona remains unchanged. This was evident in the company’s most recent program, Ballet Under the Stars. Each year Ballet Arizona offers the community this free show in parks around the valley. This production featured three pieces including a variety of styles, music, and choreography.
However, the most special part of Ballet Under the Stars is that it offers people of all ages an informal way to experience all the artistry and athleticism that spending a night at the ballet has to offer. Among this diverse crowd was a group called the Ballet Barre.
Like many, I appreciate the opportunity to become more invested in my interests and meet others who share them. Ballet Barre is a group of young professionals, bonded by their love for dance, who support Ballet Arizona in a variety of ways. After joining this group earlier this year, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed meeting other men and women who share an appreciation for dance that I would not have had the opportunity to meet otherwise. But, I am most inspired by the common goal Ballet Barre members share of growing the young viewership at the Ballet and other arts.
This group met after Ballet Under the Stars at Hula’s Modern Tiki for happy hour. There, I had the pleasure of not only meeting and conversing with other young professionals, but I also had the opportunity to speak with the dancers I had watched earlier in the evening. The conversations we shared were entertaining and informative and really energized me and other Ballet Barre members for upcoming shows.
A membership to Ballet Barre has many benefits: special invitations to behind the scenes events with dancers, networking events, special rates on single tickets and subscriptions, $20 seat upgrades at shows, and volunteer opportunities. Starting at only $30, members can enjoy a greater engagement in the Phoenix arts community. Ballet Barre’s next event is the first in a series of “Brews & Ballet” happy hours. The event will be hosted at Rose & Crown Pub on October 16th at 6 pm. There are lots of ways to get involved and Brews & Ballet is a great way to get more information about why joining the Ballet Barre is worthwhile endeavor. I hope you’ll join us!
Click here to learn more about Ballet Barre and how to get involved throughout the 2018-2019 season!
Tracy Olson is an associate at Snell & Wilmer, LLP. Founded in 1938, Snell & Wilmer is a full-service business law firm with more than 400 attorneys practicing in 11 locations throughout the United States and in Mexico, including Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona; Los Angeles and Orange County, California; Denver, Colorado; Washington, D.C.; Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Salt Lake City, Utah; and Los Cabos, Mexico.
