SUPPORT THE VAIL DANCE FESTIVAL

Throughout its 35-year history, the Vail Dance Festival has provided an inspiring environment in which diverse dancers, choreographers, and musicians share creative time & space, fuel each other artistically, and present work that challenges & showcases their talent. None of this would be possible without the support of our dedicated donors.

Ticket sales only cover 28% of our operating expenses and 51% of funding comes from individual donations. There are many ways to support the Festival. Whether you are a current donor or are interested in becoming a donor, our philanthropy team is here to help.

Sierra Adams Vice President, Philanthropy sadams@vvf.org

Martha Brassel Senior Director, Philanthropy mbrassel@vvf.org

Whitney Harper Director, Philanthropy wharper@vvf.org

Kendra Powell Senior Manager, Donor Engagement kpowell@vvf.org

Euginnia Seyferth Director, Philanthropy eseyferth@vvf.org

Lee Steele Associate Director, Annual Support lsteele@vvf.org

Kathryn Weller Senior Director, Annual Support kweller@vvf.org

All gifts, large and small, contribute to our success! Donor benefits listed below for the 2023 Festival are available to donors who make a gift from September 2022 through the 2023 Festival.

Parking Pass (Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater)

*Bronze Dress Circle receives 2 complimentary tickets to Dance for $20.23.

How to Give:

Check or Online // Make a donation by mailing a check to the Vail Dance Festival at P.O. Box 6550, Avon, CO, 81620 or online at vaildance.org/support

Money Wire or Stock Transfer // To make a donation via wire transfer, please contact the Vail Dance Festival at 970.777.2015

More Ways to Give // Employer Matches, Donor Advised Funds (DAF), IRA Charitable Rollover, and Estate Gifts*

*Gifts made through a donor advised fund, qualified charitable distributions, private foundations, charitable trusts or matching gifts may be restricted from receiving benefits. Please contact your tax advisor with questions.

Plancher Family Match for YouthPower365’s Celebrate the Beat

Celebrate the Beat has been operating as a summer camp and year-round program in the Eagle County School District for over 15 years, serving over 700 students annually. This program, which uses dance, music, movement, and art to help youth learn about themselves, improves physical health and well-being, inspires youth to believe in themselves, and establishes a standard of excellence that impacts their lives. Thanks to a generous donation by Jill & Kevin Plancher, all gifts made to Celebrate the Beat by August 7, 2023 will be matched up to $25,000.

Carol F. Storr Endowment for Classical Ballet

The Carol F. Storr Endowment for Classical Ballet, Vail Dance Festival’s first named endowment, was established in 2021 by the Wilson Family to ensure the presentation of classical ballet repertoire be enshrined in Festival programming for future generations. If you are interested in making a gift to support this endowment, please contact a member of the Vail Valley Foundation philanthropy team.

Conversations on Dance // ���

Friday, July 29–Monday, August 7 9:30am–10:20am | Manor Vail Piney Ballroom

Join Michael Sean Breeden and Rebecca King Ferraro as they interview a range of Festival artists in an intimate setting, as part of their popular podcast series Conversations on Dance.

Generously Underwritten by the Town of Vail.

Dancing in the Park // Free

Thursday, August 3 | 5:30pm Avon Performance Pavilion at Nottingham Park

Free and fun for the whole family, Dancing in the Park returns to Nottingham Park in Avon with a special evening featuring BalletX, DanceAspen, ballroom duo Denys Drozdyuk and Antonina Skobina among other Festival stars, along with an energetic performance by YouthPower365’s Celebrate the Beat Celebration Team.

Generously Underwritten by the Town of Avon with additional support from Slifer, Smith and Frampton Real Estate.

Dancing in the Streets // Free

Interactive pop-up performances with Festival Artists throughout Vail Village

Thursday, July 27 | 6:00pm

Solaris Plaza, located at 141 East Meadow Drive in Vail Village

Sunday, July 30 | 12:00pm

Intersection of Bridge Street & Gore Creek Drive in Vail Village

Sunday, August 6 | 12:00pm

Intersection of Bridge Street & Gore Creek Drive in Vail Village

Master Classes // ���

Thursday, July 27–Monday, August 7 Vail Mountain School

Advanced-level dance students may take advantage of up to two classes per day at Vail Mountain School. This summer’s Master Class series offers an array of classes taught by Festival artists in ballet, tap, jazz, repertory, and more. Parents, guardians, or dance instructors may observe for $15 per class.

Open House with Adji Cissoko // ���

Sunday, August 6 | 1:00pm–2:30pm

Golden Peak Studio Tent

Join Artist-In-Residence Adji Cissoko and other Festival artists as Adji curates a look at elements of the 2023 Festival, including her own new work and role debuts taking place in Vail this season.

Tiny Dancer Tea Party // ���

Saturday, July 29 | 10:00am–11:15am

Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater Social Courtyard

Crown and tiara decorating, a dance session, snacks and fun for children ages 4–7. Fee includes one children’s size Festival t-shirt. Admission is for one child and one adult.

Hosted by Laura & Charlotte Parker. Sponsored by Skipper & Scout.

Watching Dance with Heather Watts // ���

Wednesday, August 2 | 11:00am–12:00pm Vail Mountain School

Legendary Balanchine Ballerina, Heather Watts, shares an interactive exploration of dance repertory through live demonstrations with Festival Artists. Proceeds benefit YouthPower365’s Celebrate the Beat Eagle County.

Generously Underwritten by Judy & Howard Berkowitz.

Scholar-In-Residence Program

The Scholar-In-Residence designation awards advanced pre-professional dancers representing alternating techniques the opportunity to take part in the Vail Dance Festival. At the Festival, the young dancer-scholars receive mentorship and hone their artistic practice over an immersive two weeks where they participate in company class side-by-side with Festival artists from around the world, attend rehearsals and events, and have opportunities to perform in classic repertory as well as new works. Young artists in this position have represented genres of dance including ballet, flamenco, street dance, and tap.

This year, we are thrilled to welcome Spencer Lenain and Kyle Ikuma as our 2023 Scholars-In-Residence! They are graciously underwritten by Martin Atkin & Reid Balthaser and Allison Krausen & Kyle Webb.

Intern & Ambassador Programs

Engaging the next generation of arts leaders Ambassador Program

The Ambassador Program provides a unique, handson opportunity for current 8th through 12th graders. Ambassadors work closely with the Festival staff and are able to contribute to many different areas of the Festival’s onsite operations. The program includes a community service component as well as numerous educational offerings.

Intern Program

Every year, the Festival engages ambitious graduate and undergraduate students and young professionals from around the country who serve as members of the Festival intern team. Interns support a variety of areas including artist hospitality, media/communications, education/outreach, venue/rehearsal management, transportation/logistics, food/beverage, and development. This is a unique opportunity for interns to work behind-the-scenes alongside some of the world’s greatest dancers, choreographers, and artistic leaders, and has launched numerous professional careers in the arts.

YouthPower���’s Celebrate the Beat Pop Hop Camp

A free dance camp culminating in a performance on International Evenings of Dance I

July 3 1 – August 4, 2023

Eagle County youth ages 9-14 have the opportunity to participate in the free, week-long Pop Hop Camp designed to foster teamwork, creativity, and joy of accomplishment through dance. Directed by Tracy Straus, the program was introduced to Eagle County in 2007 by Heather Watts and Damian Woetzel.

Alpine Bank is a proud supporter of YouthPower365’s Celebrate the Beat Eagle County. Visit youthpower365.org/program/pop-hop to learn more.

Community Arts Access

Removing socio-economic barriers to the arts to make access for all.

• We partner with local nonprofits and charities to provide free tickets to Festival performances to the communities they serve.

• Children 12 and under receive free access to the lawn with the purchase of an adult ticket.*

• Students and faculty may purchase discounted lawn tickets for $10.*

• Dance for $20.23 is a specially-priced evening devoted to arts access. Reserved pavilion seats are $20.23 each and lawn tickets are $10.23 each.

* For performances at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater