Why do we continue to believe in the power of the arts during the most uncertain times? Because they unite and inspire us, spark joy, and foster deep pride in ourselves. For me, the arts embody a lasting optimism as the foundation of a healthy, vibrant, and thriving community.
At Ballet Arizona, it has been a privilege to work alongside such creative people, including our generous supporters. We are constantly reminded of how lucky we are to benefit from that creativity as you invent new ways to broaden our reach and awareness. Thank you for increasing our impact.
Here are some of my favorite mission moments…
David C., one of our most loyal volunteers, single-handedly arranges groups of 20+ people from his retirement community to attend Ballet Arizona performances. He started this initiative in 2022 and has since brought 250 attendees to experience numerous performances.
Our board championed a live music initiative at the invitation of Artistic Director, Daniela Cardim, as the first step in bringing her artistic vision to life. Led by former board member, Jim Smith, they raised the funds needed to create an original score by local composer Dr. Thomas Breadon Jr. for the world premiere of Resident Choreographer, Nayon Iovino’s Akelarre.
Our Contemporary Council, the most dynamic group of young professionals you will encounter, created the wildly successful En Pointe: High Tea & Couture Reimagined fundraiser in partnership with fashion incubator, FABRIC. A sold out celebration of creativity that blended the worlds of ballet and sustainable fashion.
Our Community Engagement team launched two new initiatives: Driven to Dance and The School Bus Initiative increasing access to dance education and programs. The School of Ballet Arizona celebrated our Studio Company members with their 2nd annual dedicated showcase and launched a satellite campus at the new Child Crisis Center for Child & Family Wellness in Mesa.
Dare I even try to close with what we experienced together during the U.S. premiere of Frida? What we witnessed was pure magic and the power of great art. Our community is still reverberating from Frida’s success to this day. I have never seen our staff work so hard, with such tenacity to create an exquisite masterpiece. It was a pivotal moment in time for Ballet Arizona.
This community brings joy and enthusiasm into our halls and we are humbled by that shared experience. Art is a celebration of humanity; together, we are the champions of inspiration and magic.
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