NASHVILLE BALLET ANNOUNCES DATE FOR ANNUAL NUTCRACKER TEA

Celebrate the Holidays with Nashville’s Nutcracker Tea on Sunday, November 24, 2024, at the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts at Belmont University.

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Photo by Warner Tidwell

Nashville Ballet has announced the date for their annual Nutcracker Tea to be held on November 24 from 3 - 5 p.m. at the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts at Belmont University. The highly-anticipated event serves as the official kickoff party of Nashville Ballet’s favorite holiday tradition, and raises much needed funds to support the School of Nashville Ballet’s Scholarship Fund. The funds raised from this event allow Nashville Ballet to award over $250,000 annually in merit and need-based scholarships, providing high-quality dance training to students of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. 

This enchanting, family-friendly event, co-chaired by Leigh Adams, Crystal Churchwell Evans and Julie Galbierz, gives attendees the opportunity to experience the Sugar Plum Fairy's kingdom, the Mouse King, Clara and her Nutcracker Prince, up close and personal. The festive, Nashville’s Nutcracker-themed party brings the joy of the season by offering a shortened, interactive version of Nashville Ballet’s holiday classic, Nashville’s Nutcracker for little ones. The event is geared towards preschool to elementary ages, but all ages are welcome to join in what is sure to be the perfect way to celebrate this beloved ballet. 

“I am so thrilled to be co-chairing the Nutcracker Tea for its second year,” said Julie Galbierz. “Last year was such a magical experience for young families, helping kick off the festive Nutcracker season and establishing a new, beloved holiday tradition. This year, we’re planning to make the event even bigger and brighter, with more activities, special surprises and plenty of space for extra ballet magic. Leigh, Crystal, and I are also proud to be raising money for Nashville Ballet's scholarship fund, helping give the gift of dance education to deserving children regardless of age, background or ability.” 

Attendees will enjoy hot chocolate, treats, arts and crafts, and other whimsical activities. Featuring appearances by beloved Nashville’s Nutcracker characters, festive adult beverages and a professional photo opportunity, this event is a perfect way to spend the afternoon with the entire family.  

Nashville’s Nutcracker Tea tickets are on sale now and expected to sell out quickly. Visit www.NashvilleBallet.com/Nutcracker-Tea for more information or email Jack French, Events Manager, at jfrench@nashvilleballet.com. 

Tickets are also on sale to experience Paul Vasterling’s Nashville’s Nutcracker at Tennessee Performing Arts Center’s Jackson Hall from Dec. 6 - Dec. 26. Performances will include Nashville Ballet company dancers, Nashville Ballet’s Second Company NB2, a cast of youth students from School of Nashville Ballet and select community partners.

NASHVILLE BALLET CELEBRATES NATIONAL DANCE DAY WITH VARIOUS ACTIVITIES AT THE MARTIN CENTER

Celebrate Dance with Free Dance Classes of All Genres & 50% Off Adult Class Passes this Saturday, September 21 from 1  – 4 p.m.

Nashville Ballet has announced that they will celebrate National Dance Day with classes for all ages this Saturday, September 21, from 1 - 4 p.m. Attendees will have the opportunity to attend free classes with various offerings by the School of Nashville Ballet (SNB) during this one-day celebration.

The National Dance Day event will offer classes catering to all ages and interests. The day will feature a sample of Nashville Ballet's regularly programmed Community Adult, Children’s Division, and Community Youth Classes as well as some National Dance Day exclusives. 

To help families experience the joy and benefits of ballet firsthand, School of Nashville Ballet invites young children to participate in a complimentary ballet class providing an excellent introduction to the world of dance. Throughout the year, SNB offers a  FREE trial class  for all first-time students, providing the perfect opportunity to explore the world of dance and the multitude of developmental benefits for young children. Structured ballet classes enhance concentration, discipline, and memory skills, while also teaching children to express themselves creatively through movement. 

“There are many benefits of a dance education,” says Jennifer Kulev, Co-Director of School of Nashville Ballet. “In dance class, children can improve posture, self-expression, coordination, and balance, all while boosting mental focus in a fun and supportive environment.” 

This year, SNB students will have new performance opportunities. Students in the Children's Division, Community Youth, and Optional Disciplines programs can now experience the thrill of performance in a professional theater setting, culminating in a spectacular recital. 

On National Dance Day, SNB is offering a one-day-only offer, valid in-person or online, for 50% OFF all Adult Class Passes for School of Nashville Ballet. This offer includes a 48 Class Pass that is good for one year.  Use the code DANCEDAY50 only on September 21 to take advantage of this exclusive offer. To register for a free trial class, visit www.nashvilleballet.com, call 615-297-2966 or email:  school@nashvilleballet.com to reserve a spot.  Spaces are limited, so be sure to sign up soon.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1 - 4 p.m. 

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

STUDIO A – Dance Classes

School of Nashville Ballet offers exemplary dance instruction for ages two and up and of every experience level. Students can stretch their imaginations, learn self-expression, nurture their skill and artistry and reach their fitness goals through our varied programs. If you or your child have ever been interested in taking a dance class, here’s your chance to try a class for FREE!

1 p.m. Youth DanceFix (Youth)

2 p.m. Country Line Dancing (All Ages – No Boots Allowed)

3 p.m. NDD Choreography (All Ages)

STUDIO B – Dance Classes 

1 p.m. Character Class (All Ages)

2 p.m. Africa Nashville with Special Guest Artists (All Ages)

3 p.m. NDD Choreography (All Ages)

STUDIO C – Dance Classes 

1 p.m. Contemporary (All Ages)

2 p.m. Hip Hop (Youth)

STUDIO D – Dance Classes 

1 p.m. Tap (Youth)

2 p.m. Jazz & Musical Theatre (Youth)

STUDIO E – Dance Classes 

1 p.m. Beginner/Intermediate Ballet (Youth)

2:15 p.m. Creative Movements (Youth)

STUDIO F – Dance Classes 

1 p.m. Introductory/Beginner Ballet (Adult)

2:15 p.m. Intermediate/Advanced Ballet (Adult)

STUDIO G – Dance Classes 

1 p.m. Jazz (Adult)

2 p.m. Musical Theatre (Adult)

NASHVILLE BALLET PREMIERES SPECIAL PERFORMANCE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

Ballet Nights at Cadogan Hall in London, England Featured Nashville Ballet’s Finest

Photo credit: Deborah Jaffe

Nashville Ballet, the largest professional dance company in the state of Tennessee, recently made its highly-anticipated UK debut at Ballet Nights in London, England. Ballet Nights featured world-class dancers, emerging artists, modern masterpieces, new creations, legacy works, live music and spoken word at a brand new location for the series, Cadogan Hall.   

As part of the special evening, a brand new duet, LETO, created and choreographed by Nashville Ballet’s own Artistic Director and CEO Nick Mullikin, was premiered and performed by two of Nashville Ballet’s most prestigious dancers, Sarah Pierce and James Lankford.  The work was scored by Maurice Ravel and was performed live by Ballet Nights’ in-house pianist, Viktor Erik Emanuel.

LETO was inspired by the poem of Henri de Régnier that Maurice Ravel gave homage to when he wrote this magical piece.

Photo credit: MA2LA

"Nashville Ballet was thrilled to partner with Ballet Nights for our London debut and our first return overseas in over 20 years," said Nashville Ballet Artistic Director and CEO Nick Mullikin. "Seeing our dancers share a stage with some of the biggest names in ballet was an honor. It solidified that we are on the right path as a company. We truly are building something special here in Nashville. Something that can resonate around the world. I hope this helps our audiences locally realize the value of this organization and appreciate just how amazing the Nashville Ballet artists are.”

The Ballet Nights event was designed to celebrate live music and dance, featuring classical ballet, neoclassical and contemporary dance. 

“It was a huge honor to be entrusted with the very first London staging of a performance by Nashville Ballet,” said Ballet Nights Founder & Artistic Director Jamiel Devernay-Laurence. “Cadogan Hall audiences loved Nick Mullikin’s duet LETO which was performed by two of Nashville Ballet’s amazing dancers. Our virtuoso Ballet Nights pianist, Viktor Erik Emanuel, accompanied the dancers on Cadogan Hall’s Steinway with the lyrical piece, ‘Jeux d’eau’ by French composer Maurice Ravel. This exciting new development in partnering with Nashville Ballet at Cadogan Hall is also a statement of intent for Ballet Nights’ vision to create a free-flowing exchange of essential international voices for our audiences here in the UK, and for our developing audiences globally.”

NASHVILLE BALLET AND BLOOD ASSURANCE PARTNER TO SAVE LIVES ACROSS MIDDLE TENNESSEE IN SEPTEMBER

Blood Assurance to Host Over 120 Blood Drives Next Month

Blood Donors Receive a 20% Discount on Tickets for

Nashville Ballet’s Dracula at TPAC

Nashville Ballet and Blood Assurance will team up to help save lives with a special promotion in September. Blood Assurance will host over 120 blood drives across Middle Tennessee next month and, as an incentive to drive more blood donations, donors will receive a 20% discount on tickets for Nashville Ballet’s season opener – Paul Vasterling’s Dracula with George Balanchine’s Serenade at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center from October 3 - 6.

Statistics show that every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood. Blood donation saves the lives of patients of all ages – from accident or burn victims, surgery and organ transplant patients, to those battling disease. 

Blood Assurance’s mission is to provide a safe and adequate supply of blood and blood components, in a cost-effective manner, to every area patient in need. Donating blood is a safe, simple and rewarding experience, usually taking less than an hour, that makes a huge difference in the lives of others.

Nashville Ballet encourages Middle Tennesseans to donate blood and hopes donors will take advantage of their 20% off ticket offer to see the spellbinding production of Dracula.   Under the artistic direction of Nick Mullikin, audiences will delve into the dark, passionate world of Paul Vasterling’s Dracula, a ballet rich in love, lust, and eternal desire, set against a backdrop of Gothic mystery. Dracula is sure to captivate patrons with its tale of immortal yearning. In contrast, George Balanchine’s Serenade is a serene masterpiece, a testament to the beauty of classical ballet, danced to Tchaikovsky's haunting Serenade for Strings in C3 played live by The Nashville Symphony.  This double feature promises an unforgettable blend of a thrilling narrative and exquisite dance.  *This production contains mature content and is intended for adult audiences (recommend 13 years old and older).

The top mobile blood drive donation locations next month include:

Vanderbilt University Medical Center at 1211 Medical Center Dr, Nashville, TN 37232 will host several blood drives during these dates below from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day:

9/2/2024

9/5/2024

9/12/2024

9/13/2024

9/23/2024
9/27/2024

Other locations include:

9/2/2024 - 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Sumner County YMCA at 102 Bluegrass Commons Hendersonville, TN 37075

9/3/2024 - 11 a.m. 4 p.m. 

Lexus of Nashville at 2010 Rosa L Parks Blvd, Nashville, TN 37228

9/4/2024 - 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Lexus Cool Springs at 1636 Westgate Circle, Brentwood, TN 37027

9/5/2024 - 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Tristar Northcrest at 100 Northcrest Dr, Springfield, TN 37172

9/6/2024 - 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Tristar Southern Hills Medical Center at 391 Wallace Road, Nashville, TN 37211

9/6/2024 - 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Tristar Summit Medical Center at 5655 Frist Blvd., Hermitage, TN 37076

9/6/2024 - 6 a.m. - 10 a.m.

YMCA Brentwood at 8207 Concord Rd. Brentwood, TN 37027

9/7/2024 - 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Nashville Zoo at 3777 Nolensville Pike, Nashville, TN 37211

9/9/2024 - 2 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Robertson County YMCA at 3332 Tom Austin Hwy Springfield, TN 37172

9/10/2024 - 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Tristar StoneCrest Medical Center at 200 Stonecrest Blvd, Smyrna, TN 37167

9/13/2024 - 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Mainstead at Century Farms at 2141 Century Farms Pkwy, Antioch, TN 37013

9/24/2024 - 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Bone & Joint Institute at 3000 Edward Curd Lane, Franklin, TN 37067

9/27/2024 - 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Costco Hendersonville at 1101 Forest Retreat Road, Hendersonville, TN 37075

9/26/2024 - 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Stokes Brown Public Library at 405 White Street, Springfield, TN 37172

For more information about these and other blood drive events, visit www.bloodassurance.org.

NASHVILLE BALLET ANNOUNCES KEY AUDITION SCHEDULE AND EVENTS FOR YOUTH AND ACADEMY PARTICIPANTS

Community Youth Auditions for Nashville’s Nutcracker, Academy Auditions for Pre-professional and Professional Division Level Dancers 

Nashville Ballet has announced upcoming youth and Academy auditions along with special event dates. In addition, as announced earlier this year, renowned ballet instructors Dmitri and Jennifer Kulev will join Nashville Ballet’s leadership team in August as the new School Directors.  

Under the guidance of Jennifer and Dmitri Kulev, Nashville Ballet School will significantly enhance its performance opportunities, offering more comprehensive stage experiences for both the Academy and Pre-Professional divisions to showcase their skills and development in professional settings. School of Nashville Ballet is dedicated to providing an environment where students can thrive artistically and personally, promoting dance as a vital and inspiring part of the Nashville community. 

“We are thrilled to have the Kulevs join us next month as we continue our mission to foster a rich dance culture in Nashville,” said Nick Mullikin, Nashville Ballet’s Artistic Director and CEO. “The audition season is always an exciting time for us as we see fresh new talent through our training programs, community outreach, and educational efforts.”

August 1 - Sign up for Youth Cast Auditions for Nashville's Nutcracker

Nashville’s Nutcracker will again feature School of Nashville Ballet students and, for the first time since 2019, the community at large. Those interested can audition on Sunday, Aug. 25 or on Sunday, Sept. 8 at The Martin Center for Nashville Ballet.  Auditions are held in a light and fun environment, and no prior dance experience is required. Pre-registration link now available from August 1 - September 7, 2024.  For questions regarding the audition process, please email youthcast@nashvilleballet.com for more information.

August 3 - Academy Auditions (Ages 8 - 18)

Registration: 11 - 11:30 a.m. | Audition Class: 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

School of Nashville Ballet's Academy Division students are instructed by our world-class faculty to help excel in their technical execution, artistic expression, and maturity. Through careful development and attention to the syllabus, our instructors implement a curriculum designed to produce dancers with expressiveness and clear classical lines. This guidance enables students to develop their own artistry, while pure classical technique provides the vehicle for their artistic expression.

School of Nashville Ballet will have expanded curriculum and increase the total class offerings to 240, accommodating a wider range of disciplines and skill levels. This expansion aims to nurture a larger student body, now capable of supporting up to 2,156 students, with enhanced opportunities for both beginner and advanced dancers. In addition, the school plans to grow their Young Men’s Scholarship Program, spearheaded by Dmitri Kulev, who is dedicated to transforming the skills and performance of male-identifying dancers of all ages. Working together, these men are able to push themselves and each other in a supportive environment that centers on athleticism, strength, camaraderie, and discipline. The curriculum mirrors elements of the Academy Division but with a special emphasis on developing specific male technique and addressing the unique challenges that face young men.

The new school year will also see the introduction of new optional disciplines including tap, jazz, hip hop, musical theater and contemporary. Additionally, the school will offer more comprehensive training programs and an increase in performance opportunities to include showcases for children and community youth, as well as a prestigious spring production for all academy levels.

For more information about these auditions visit the pre-registration link.    

August 10 - 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. - Children’s Open House

Join us for our Children's Division Open House at The Martin Center with FREE classes, crafts, and other fun activities for your children to enjoy! If you are enrolled for class, this is also a great way to see the studio space and possibly meet your teacher. Watch your child develop a love for movement while practicing cognitive skills, gross motor skills, creative problem-solving, balance, rhythm, coordination, social skills and more! Enrollment is not necessary to attend the Open House. For more information, email school@nashvilleballet.com. 

September 21 - National Dance Day - 4 - 7 p.m.

Nashville Ballet will celebrate National Dance Day in the community by offering free classes for all ages, and a performance! The day will feature a sample of Nashville Ballet's regularly-programmed Community Adult, Children’s Division, and Community Youth Classes. Capacity is limited, so we highly recommend signing up for classes prior to the event. For more information visit www.NashvilleBallet.com or email school@nashvilleballet.com. 

Nashville Ballet is committed to remaining accessible to the community while expanding their class offerings. The majority of these new classes will enhance the Children’s, Community Youth and Adult Programs, ensuring that foundational and recreational segments receive focused development and support. This strategic expansion is designed to make ballet more inclusive and available to everyone in the community, nurturing a passion for dance across all age groups and skill levels.

To inquire about placement or to schedule one-on-one sessions with the new School Directors at School of Nashville Ballet, email school@nashvilleballet.com. For more information about Nashville Ballet, visit their website at www.NashvilleBallet.com.