Spirit of Giving: THE SARASOTA BALLET

THE SARASOTA BALLET

5555 N. TAMIAMI TRAIL, SARASOTA, FL 34243 | 941-359-0099 | SARASOTABALLET.ORG

This year, The Sarasota Ballet celebrates its 31st Season of infusing our community with the highest quality and diversity of dance in America. Since Director Iain Webb’s appointment as Director in 2007, the Company has received national and international attention, especially through preserving ballet history and bringing attention to the works of renowned British choreographer, Sir Frederick Ashton. In addition, The Sarasota Ballet School provides professional instruction for students of all ages, and The Margaret Barbieri Conservatory prepares pre-professional level students for a performing career in classical ballet. We invite you to join us this Season as we mark Director Iain Webb’s 15th Anniversary of Company leadership, along with our exciting return to live ballet performance in pursuit of our mission to enrich lives, captivate emotions, and strengthen our community through the art of dance.

SHARING THE ARTISTRY OF BALLET WITH THE SARASOTA COMMUNITY has been integral to The Sarasota Ballet since our very beginning. In 1991, Dance–The Next Generation (DNG) was founded by Jean Weidner Goldstein and was designed as a dance program to directly impact underserved children in the local community. Each year DNG averages an enrollment of around 165 students, from third to twelfth grade, regardless of background, ability, or financial status. The Sarasota Ballet provides tuition free of charge to the families of children in Title 1 schools who are considered at risk of dropping out. Initially the focus was on classical ballet instruction, but the program has since expanded to include jazz, dance composition, and elements of dance. But DNG is more than a dance program. The goal was and remains to nurture the development of the entire individual with emphasis on discipline, self-esteem, and the desire for higher education. In recent years, The Sarasota Ballet has focused on expanding its Community Engagement programs, providing access and opportunity at little or no cost. These programs enable thousands of students, families, and people of all ages to explore the world of dance. The Sarasota Ballet partners with public schools in the Sarasota community to bring dance into schools and provide opportunities for students to attend ballet performances, allowing thousands of students to experience dance, often for the first time. Also included among The Sarasota Ballet’s Community Engagement initiatives is Joyful Movement Through Parkinson’s, in partnership with the Neuro Challenge Foundation for Parkinson’s; courses are designed for people living with Parkinson’s disease to help with range of motion, coordination, and mobility. The Sarasota Ballet believes that the gift of dance is for everyone to enjoy.