When Ballet Austin was founded in 1956 as the Austin Ballet Society, it was a civic, volunteer organization with a very different vision than that of the current company. The Society, which was led by a community-based Board of Directors, only offered ballet classes and performance opportunities for senior-level students. It was not until 1982, when the Company was incorporated and renamed Ballet Austin that it achieved professional status, under the leadership of Eugene Slavin and Alexandra Nadal. In 1989, Lambros Lambrou was appointed Artistic Director bringing with him new resources, broader expertise and an expanded artistic vision. Under Mr. Lambrou, the Company grew from 14 dancers to 24 professional dancers recruited from across North America and Europe .

The year 2000 marked a turning point for Ballet Austin. Under the artistic direction of international award-winning choreographer Stephen Mills, Ballet Austin emerged as one of the nation’s premiere ballet organizations and is now well equipped to pursue the level of excellence and recognition described in the Ballet Austin vision statement. The work of Stephen Mills is produced in cities across the United States and continues to capture national attention and recognition. Most recently, Stephen Mills was commissioned by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Youth and Family Public Performance Series to create The Taming of the Shrew which made its world premiere in Washington , D.C. in January 2004. In January 2002, Mills led the Company to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to perform to sold-out houses A Midsummer Night’s Dream as part of the Center’s Youth and Family Public Performance Series. In addition to the trips to Washington , D.C. , Ballet Austin tours nationally and has presented works at the Joyce Theater and in choreographic festivals in Montreal , New York , Miami and Paris .

Ballet Austin is a financially stable $4 million organization. Due to strong fiscal management and a consistently balanced budget, Ballet Austin has earned a place among the top 25 non-profits in the area by the Austin Business Journal. Professional dancers are recruited from around the country and the world, but as Executive Director Cookie Ruiz points out, not all of the best talent requires a global search. Several of the dancers have trained at the Ballet Austin Academy . Founded in 1956, the Academy continues to be a cornerstone of the organization, almost tripling its student enrollment in the last eight years. The primary focus of the academy is to provide instruction for pre-professional and professional track students. However, there are additional class options for students who choose to pursue dance as a recreational activity.

Ballet Austin ’s apprentice company, Ballet Austin II, offers an opportunity for dancers to hone their skills in a professional environment. Established in 1999 by Associate Artistic Director Michelle Martin, Ballet Austin II is made up of 10 emerging artists selected through a nationwide audition process. While the dancers complete their training, they also serve as representatives for the company by providing arts education to schools and communities across Texas .

Ballet Austin is also committed to bringing the art of dance to thousands of Central Texans who might not otherwise have the opportunity to learn about ballet. Through the C.O.R.E. (Community OutReach & Education) Program, the company has developed educational initiatives that inspire students artistically and intellectually and reach 31 Central Texas school districts.

Soon, Ballet Austin will move from its longtime home of U.T. Bass Concert Hall to a new world-class performance space at the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long Center . Wherever the Company performs, Ballet Austin never fails to engage an audience. Ballet Austin has established itself as a world-class company that makes ballet accessible to all and enhances Austin ’s reputation as a city that thrives in the arts.

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