Proceeds Directly Support Nashville Ballet’s Community Engagement Programming
Nashville Ballet’s largest annual fundraiser, Ballet Ball, experienced a record-breaking year in both fundraising and attendance. Ballet Ball 2016, which was held at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center on March 12, 2016, generated $421,349.97 in net revenue and included 782 guests.
The previous Ballet Ball fundraising record was set at $400,111 during 2011, and the highest recorded attendance was 662 people in 2012. This year’s black-tie affair, which coincided with Nashville Ballet’s 30th anniversary season, was co-chaired by Mary Morgan Ketchel and Sharon Sandahl.
“Our 30th anniversary season had this incredible energy surrounding it, and Ballet Ball was no different,” Nashville Ballet Artistic Director & CEO Paul Vasterling said. “Mary Morgan and Sharon channeled this energy into drumming up new and increased community support for the work that we’re doing at Nashville Ballet every day, particularly with our Community Engagement Program, and that’s the real win for us.”
Ballet Ball provides the necessary funding for Nashville Ballet’s Community Engagement programming, which annually delivers more than 300 arts experiences to 40,000 youth and families throughout 16 Tennessee counties through performances at schools, libraries and community centers.
Ballet Ball 2016 featured live music by Jana Kramer, Karla Davis, Victoria Banks and Tia Sillers. Sillers was also the inaugural recipient of the Nashville Ballet Synergy Award that recognizes individuals who have made outstanding creative contributions to inspire dance. The musical performances featured original choreography by Nashville Ballet company dancer Christopher Stuart, New Dialect’s Banning Bouldin and Brian Enos.
Ballet Ball 2017 will take place Saturday, March 4 at Schermerhorn Symphony Center, co-chaired by Laura Currie and Martha Ivester. Tickets for Ballet Ball are by invitation only. Younger patrons can purchase tickets to the Ballet Ball’s Late Party, which features cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a seat at the performance. To learn about giving opportunities to support Ballet Ball or to sign up to receive an invitation to Late Party, click here.
About Nashville Ballet
Nashville Ballet is the largest professional ballet company in Tennessee. Nashville Ballet presents a varied repertoire of classical ballet and contemporary works by noted choreographers, including original works by Artistic Director & CEO Paul Vasterling. Nashville Ballet and the second company, NB2 (a pre-professional training company), provide more than 75,000 arts experiences to adults and children annually through season performances and its Outreach & Education programming. Curriculum-based outreach programs bring dance education to community centers, colleges, public libraries and public elementary, middle and high schools across the state. School of Nashville Ballet brings world-class dance instruction to students age 2 to 70.
Nashville Ballet receives public funding from Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission, Tennessee Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional private support provided by Ingram Charitable Trust, The Shubert Foundation, Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund, Caterpillar Financial, The HCA Foundation, The Memorial Foundation, Publix Super Market Charities, Dollar General, Nashville Predators Foundation, SunTrust Bank and hundreds of generous individuals who contribute to the Annual Fund.
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