March 30, 2008

An Appetite for Ballet

The Georgia Ballet Announces Spring Fundraiser

Cobb County ’s professional ballet company, The Georgia Ballet announces its spring fundraiser An Appetite for Ballet, A collection of dinners in private homes to benefit The Georgia Ballet. Supporters of The Georgia Ballet will be pirouetting through their kitchens to cook up a special dining experience! Be whisked away to comfort as you leap out of your kitchen and into the homes of our gracious hosts to enjoy these tasty fundraising dinners. Six dinners will be hosted and all proceeds will benefit The Georgia Ballet. Individual donations support The Georgia Ballet’s efforts to bring exciting educational and artistic experiences to the community.

Dinner #1- SOLD OUT|
Chassé into Southern Charm
At the home of hosts Van and Patti Pearlberg
Saturday, April 12, 2008 at 6:30pm

Start your journey with mint juleps and hors d’oeuvres on the porch and enjoy the Southern Charm of a five course meal hosted in this historic Marietta home.
Minimum Donation $75.00
(8 guest maximum)

Dinner #2
Take Me Out to the Ballet
At the home of Steve and Dr. Aileen Szabo
hosted with Dr. Edwin Gordon
Saturday, April 26, 2008 at 6:30pm

Root, root, root for our home team as you enjoy a casual evening of ballpark favorites. Burgers and dogs are hot off the grill at this tailgate party where every hit is a homerun.
Minimum Donation $35.00
(75 guest maximum)

Dinner #3
Let’s Go to the Movies
At the home of host Sam Hensley, Jr.
Saturday, April 26, 2008 at 6:30pm

Quiet on the set! Test your knowledge and love of films in a fast paced and prize filled movie trivia game night. Visit the concession stand to enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres, a variety of foreign and domestic beers, wines, and cocktails.

* Award-winning actor/singer, SHULER HENSLEY, will be the guest of honor at Dinner #3. Raffle tickets will be issued and 15 attendees will be invited to stay after the dinner for a private viewing of the movie Van Helsing with live commentary from Frankenstein monster, Shuler Hensley.
Minimum Donation $50.00
(100 guest maximum)

Dinner #4
American Classics I
At the home of Lonnie and Cheryl Love hosted by Joan Harrell
Friday, May 2, 2008 at 7:00pm

Gourmet Chef Lonnie Love invites you into his home for a unique dining event.

He will amaze you with his interpretation of classic American cuisine as you enjoy the delights of this five course meal. Each course will be paired with an appropriate wine. Come enjoy this exciting and intimate dining experience.
Minimum Donation $50.00
(16 guest maximum)

Dinner #5
American Classics II
At the home of hosts Lonnie and Cheryl Love
Saturday, May 3, 2008 at 7:00pm

Enjoy a new spin on American classic tastes as Chef Lonnie Love creates yet another magical five course meal paired with an excellent selection of fine wines. This contemporary, artful cuisine is dining at its best.
Minimum Donation $50.00
(16 guest maximum)

Dinner #6- SOLD OUT
Dining Under the Stars At the home of hosts Warren and Patricia Chilton
Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 6:30pm Sip a cool cocktail under the gazebo as the sun sets on this elegant garden party.

Guests will dine by candlelight on the terrace at this stylish twilight dinner.
Minimum Donation $75.00
(20 guest maximum)

Space is limited for all of these events. To RSVP, call The Georgia Ballet at 770.528.0881 to verify that space is still available and to confirm your donation. The Georgia Ballet accepts donations in the form of cash, check, Visa, and MasterCard.

February 2, 2008 - Canadian Dance Legends Stage La Sylphide

David Scott and Joanne Nisbet, of Toronto, Canada, are currently visiting Marietta to stage The Georgia Ballet’s production of La Sylphide. The couple, who have a long and prestigious history with The National Ballet of Canada, are visiting for three weeks to set the Romantic classic, considered one of ballet’s oldest and well-known works.

The Scotts worked closely with former National Ballet of Canada Artistic Director Erik Bruhn when he originally staged La Sylphide for that company in 1964. At the time, the ballet, a prominent staple in European ballet repertoire, was virtually unknown to North American companies.

La Sylphide is a beautiful but tragic love story set in the Scottish Highlands. Lively character dances performed in kilts and ethereal winged sylphs highlight this springtime legend, which typifies the Romantic period with its juxtaposition of the mortal and supernatural. The story follows a mythical sylph who lures a Scotsman, James, into an enchanted forest on his wedding day where he quickly falls for her elusive charm. Elsewhere, the slighted witch Madge is plotting revenge on James, who earlier dismissed her visions. She conjures a plan to wreak havoc on them all. This vividly theatrical work, with choreography after August Bournonville and music by Herman Løvenskiold, is the cornerstone of Romantic ballet.

Mr. Scott trained in England and France and danced with original Ballet Russe, English National Ballet, and The National Ballet of Canada. He was appointed Ballet Master there in 1963. Mr. Scott has staged ballets for major companies throughout the world.

Ms. Nisbet’s background is equally impressive, having danced with such major British companies as Sadler Wells Ballet, English National Ballet, and Ballet Rambert. Ms. Nisbet joined The National Ballet of Canada in 1959, became Ballet Mistress in 1961 and in 1983 became their Principal Ballet Mistress.

La Sylphide opens Saturday, March 8, 2008 at 2:00 pm at the Cobb County Civic Center. Additional performances will be Saturday, March 8, at 7:00 pm and Sunday, March 9 at 2:00 pm. To purchase tickets, call the box office at 770-528-0881.   Tickets can also be purchased online at The Georgia Ballet website, www.georgiaballet.org . Tickets start at $24.50 for students/seniors and $26.50 for adults. A discount is available for groups of 10 or more when purchased in advance by phone.

February 2, 2008 - Harwood to teach at Summer Dance         

We are pleased to announce that Vanessa Harwood will serve  as guest faculty for The Georgia Ballet’s Summer Dance 2008. Miss Harwood danced with the National Ballet of Canada from 1965-1987. She became a soloist dancer in 1967 and a principal dancer in 1970. She partnered with such dancers as Rudolph Nureyev, Alexander Godunov, Patrick Bissel, and Frank Augustyn. Known for her virtuosity and stage presence, she has danced as a guest artist with companies in the US, Australia and Europe, including the Australian Ballet, the Dutch National Ballet, the Chicago Ballet, and Ballet Orlando. Since leaving the National Ballet, Harwood has choreographed for ballet, opera, and figure skating.

While at The Georgia Ballet, Miss Harwood  will teach select upper level classes during the first week of the five-week summer program, scheduled for June 16th – July 19^th. Auditions for the Intermediate and Advanced summer programs will take place on May 17, 2008 at The Georgia Ballet studios. For more information, visit our website or call 770-528-0881.

City Councilman Pearlberg to make ballet debut in The Nutcracker

MARIETTA, GA – Marietta City Councilman Van Pearlberg will trade legislature for legwarmers when he makes his ballet debut in The Georgia Ballet’s upcoming production of The Nutcracker. Pearlberg, who won the opportunity at an event held by the dance company last summer, will appear onstage in the ballet’s first act.

And while some initial apprehension may have crossed his mind, Pearlberg seems to be relishing at the opportunity to make his ballet debut. “When do you need me to try on my tutu?” Pearlberg recently asked the company’s Executive Director, Michele Ziemann-DeVos when discussing his upcoming role. “Perhaps we should consider something a bit more demure for you”, she responded. Pearlberg will appear as Clara’s grandfather for one special Saturday evening performance only. No tutu fitting had been scheduled for Pearlberg at press time.

The Georgia Ballet presents their perennial holiday fantasy, The Nutcracker, November 30th - December 2nd at the Cobb County Civic Center. The Georgia Ballet company dancers are joined by more than 120 students from The Georgia Ballet School in this colorful and confectionary spectacle set to the well-known Tchaikovsky score. The company will also welcome guest dancer Noël Dupuis, of South Florida, to dance the role of the Cavalier. This is Dupuis’ first appearance with The Georgia Ballet. He has previously danced with Southern Ballet Theatre, Memphis Concert Ballet, Nashville Ballet, Ballet West, Louisville Ballet, and with productions in Haiti and China.

Performances times are:

·        Friday, November 30^th at 7 p.m.

·        Saturday, December 1^st at 2 p.m., and 7 p.m. (with Van Pearlberg)

·     Sunday, December 2^nd at 1:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Tickets are now on sale and available online at www.georgiaballet.org or by phone at 770-528-0881. Ticket prices range from $25-$32 with discounts available for students, seniors, and groups. All performances will be held at the Cobb County Civic Center’s Anderson Theatre located at 548 South Marietta Parkway, Marietta, GA 30060.

October 22, 2007 - CityDance, Inc., is presenting MOVING FORWARD, a Dance Festival benefiting the Atlanta Food Bank on Saturday, November 3rd at 8:00pm at the Rialto Center for the Performing Arts.

The MOVING FORWARD inaugural festival in 2005 was a dynamic and exciting evening of dance noted as a Critic’s Pick for being “a great show and a great cause.”

For one performance only the The Georgia Ballet,  Atlanta Ballet, CityDance Ensemble, Core Performance Company, Giwayen Mata, Ruth Mitchell Dance Theatre, Moving in the Spirit, Northeast Atlanta Ballet and a presentation by the Atlanta Philharmonic Orchestra will come together on the same stage to raise funds for the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Reserved seating tickets are $25, $35 and $45 for this rare opportunity to see so many prestigious companies on the same stage at the same time. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the Atlanta Community Food Bank.

Audience members are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item for collection at the performance. For more about the Atlanta Community Food Bank go to: www.acfb.org .

The Rialto Center is located at 80 Forsyth Street, NW at the corner of Forsyth and Luckie Streets in the historic Fairlie-Poplar district in downtown Atlanta. For exact theatre location, tickets, directions and parking information please visit www.rialtocenter.org or call 404/413-9849. You may also call CityDance at 404/877-0005 or visit www.citydance.us for tickets and information.

August 30, 2007 - Butch Cassidy goes to the Ballet

He may have played a bank robber in the classic 1969 film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, but now Paul Newman is all about giving money. The Georgia Ballet recently announced a $25,000 gift from the Newman’s Own Foundation, which will help sponsor the company’s Arts in Education program.

Newman and wife Joanne Woodward founded the all-natural food product line, Newman’s Own, in 1982 with the introduction of a salad dressing. The Newman’s Own Foundation today donates 100% of their after-taxes profit to charities in countries where the products are sold, providing assistance to a wide variety of non-profit organizations including the arts. Since the inception of the company, Newman’s Own has donated over $200 million to charity.

Ms. Woodward, a lifelong friend of The Georgia Ballet’s founder Iris Hensley, personally recommended this most recent contribution to The Georgia Ballet. Since 1996, the Newman’s Own Foundation has made numerous gifts in support of The Georgia Ballet. With this latest grant, the Foundation has awarded more than $215,000 to the company in the past decade.

This grant will help sponsor three distinct programs: a Field Trip Program which annually introduces 14,000 metro Atlanta school children to the artistry and athleticism of live dance performance; On-Site Lecture Demonstrations to schools at deeply subsidized costs; and Momentum, The Georgia Ballet’s outreach program, giving underprivileged Title I children the opportunity to learn the basics of dance training.

August 20, 2007 - Ballet scores big points with fundraiser

An enthusiastic crowd turned out on August 18 to support The Georgia Ballet at their fundraiser, Dancers are Athletes. The sports-themed event, appropriately held at ESPN Zone in Buckhead, raised funds to support the company.

CBS sportscaster Gil Tyree emceed the event. Attendees included Former NBA pro Dale Ellis, his fiancée Daphne, and his brother Darryl, Georgia Ballet Executive Director Michele Ziemann-DeVos, Artistic Director Gina-Hyatt Mazon, Ballet Master Janusz Mazon, and Board Chairman Sam Hensley Jr.. Brad Bowers and wife Alison mingled with company dancers from the professional dance company.

Throughout the evening, there were several drawings held. Cecil McLendon won two roundtrip tickets from Air Tran airlines. Susan Miller was the high bidder for a diamond and black pearl necklace. Marietta City Councilman Van Pearlberg won an opportunity for a walk-on role in The Nutcracker this coming December (you won’t want to miss that!) He and his wife Patti brought Judge Stephen Schuster and his wife Reva, Scott Pearson, Kelly Ellis, and Jennifer Paugh.

The event, which compared dancers to athletes, featured an impressive spread of silent and voice auction items, ESPN Zone gaming, sports and dance demonstrations, and ballroom lessons. The Georgia Ballet opens their 2007-2008 performance season with Firebird this October at The Cobb County Civic Center.

Georgia Ballet student accepted at prestigious ballet school in Hamburg, Germany

[Marietta, GA] (June 18, 2007) - Zachary Clark, a graduate of The Georgia Ballet upper school, was recently accepted to The School of The Hamburg Ballet in Hamburg, Germany. Clark, son of Richard and Susan Clark of Powder Springs, traveled to Germany last April where he auditioned in front of Deputy Director Marianne Kruuse. He was chosen from students all over the world to participate in a program that trains apt individuals for a professional dancing career.

“The Hamburg Ballet is a company with unmistakable artistic identity” explains Gina Hyatt-Mazon, The Georgia Ballet’s Artistic Director. “ The school enjoys the strengths which are naturally an extension of this vision. Zachary will benefit greatly from his time in Hamburg as the school provides strong classical training while preparing the student for the universal dance world.”

Zachary, seventeen years old, will study for two years with a full-time syllabus through which he will achieve the qualifications necessary for a professional dancer. His studies will end with a final examination and diploma.

As part of the program, Clark will frequently take part in the rehearsals and performances of Hamburg Ballet. John Neumeier, the company’s Director and Chief Choreographer since 1973, has built the company to be one of the leading ballet companies on the international scene. Hyatt-Mazon, and husband Janusz Mazon, Resident Choreographer of The Georgia Ballet, are both former principal artists with Hamburg Ballet.

“We are thrilled to send Zachary to Hamburg to further his career.” added Hyatt-Mazon. “I am proud of Zachary’s accomplishments so far, and am content that his next step is precisely what I had envisioned.”

Before Clark begins classes in Hamburg in August, he will attend The School of American Ballet’s summer program. SAB is the official school of New York City Ballet and selects just 200 students world wide for summer study. Zachary is one of two Georgia Ballet students chosen for the SAB program this year.

May 15, 2007 - Pirouette In The Park raises $20,000

On the morning of April 28th, Georgia Ballet family and friends gathered at Laurel Park in Marietta to raise money for the third annual Pirouette In The Park. Eighty-one people collected donations and raised more than $20,322 to support The Georgia Ballet.  A special thank you was given to Georgia Ballet's Prep Division II for their outstanding fundraising.  Leading by example, these committed students worked together to raise a total of $2000!

In order to provide quality instruction, public performances, and important outreach programs to children in the Atlanta metro area, The Georgia Ballet actively fundraises throughout the year. The company has provided the community with high quality performances for nearly 50 years and presents more than 30 performances each year at the Cobb County Civic Center.  The
Georgia Ballet School trains more than 350 students each week in a variety of dance forms and our Arts In Education program annually introduces 14,000 Cobb County and metro Atlanta school children to the power and beauty of dance.

Thank you to everyone who helped make Pirouette In The Park 2007 a success. We greatly appreciate the corporate sponsorship of Riley Lewis & McClendon and the in-kind support of Radio Disney, Springer Mountain Farms, and Caribou Coffee.

May 3, 2007 - Fourteen students from The Georgia Ballet School were invited to study ballet this summer at some of the most prestigious ballet schools in the nation. This handful of young students, some of whom received full or partial scholarships to summer programs, all study at The Georgia Ballet under Artistic Director Gina Hyatt-Mazon, Ballet Master Janusz Mazon and School Director Michele Ziemann-DeVos.

Of particular note, two Georgia Ballet students – Lauren Parrott and Zachary Clark, are among just 200 students chosen world wide for School of American Ballet’s summer program. SAB is the official school of New York City Ballet and considered to be one of the most competitive and exclusive ballet schools in the world.

“Our students’ numerous appointments to the best classical ballet schools in the United States clearly speaks to The Georgia Ballet’s ability to train the professional dancers of tomorrow;” says School Director Michele Ziemann-DeVos. “One need not travel further than Cobb County to find training that allows ballet students these exciting advantages in their young careers.”

The Georgia Ballet School’s primary focus is on classical ballet, and while the school aims to serve both recreational as well as applied students, the serious ones train five to six days per week. Each summer, intermediate and advanced students are encouraged to use their time off from school to focus even more intensively on their dancing. Many supplement their regular training with summer programs at nationally renowned ballet schools.  These intensive programs range in length from three to six weeks, during which the serious young dancer often trains eight hours a day.

Students of The Georgia Ballet have been accepted into the following national summer ballet programs: School of American Ballet, Boston Ballet School, Houston Ballet’s Ben Stevenson Academy, Pacific Northwest Ballet School, San Francisco Ballet School, Joffrey Ballet Intensive, American Ballet Theatre Summer Intensive, South Carolina Dance Conservatory, B allet Austin Academy, Milwaukee Ballet, Orlando Ballet, and Pittsburgh Youth Ballet

Georgia Ballet Students accepted to these programs include: Hayley Adamson, Elizabeth Almon, Memorie Bailey, Meghan Camacho, Zachary Clark, Ashton Duncan, Brandon Funk, Jenny Hawk, Chad Jones, Courtney McCowen, Murphy Monaghan, Jennifer Parrish, Lauren Parrott, and Lauren Tango.

SummerDance, The Georgia Ballet’s own summer program runs from June 18 - July 21, and is held at their studios on Cobb Parkway in Marietta.  SummerDance features its own daily intermediate and advanced programs for ages 10 and older, as well as “Young Dancer” programs and open adult classes.

February 13, 2007 - The Georgia Ballet announces Pirouette in the Park 2007

The third annual Georgia Ballet Pirouette in the Park fundraiser is set for Saturday, April 28 at Laurel Park in Marietta. Check-in will start at 8:30am with the walk beginning at 9am. Lunch and awards will follow.

Pirouette in the Park is The Georgia Ballet’s annual walkathon fundraiser and a fun-filled outing got the entire family. The money raised during the event allows The Georgia Ballet to continue artistic excellence and community outreach. In 2005, almost $30,000 was raised with the help of people just like you. Those funds enabled the company to purchase new costumes for The Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty, as well as assisted with the start of Momentum, our outreach residency program. We are excited to give back to the community and your participation in fundraising helps us continue the work that we do.

If you are interested in participating, volunteering, or donating please contact Pamela Hennes at 770-528-0881.

February 7, 2007 Guest Artist to perform with professional company

Joining the twenty-four professional dancers of The Georgia Ballet onstage during Coppélia will be guest artist Norbert Nirewicz, dancing the role of Franz. A native of Poland, Mr. Nirewicz has danced leading roles with Polish National Theater, Ballet Classico de Camara in Venezuela, Cleveland/San Jose Ballet, and Columbia City Ballet, among others. He has competed in and received medals at Poland’s National Ballet Competition, the US International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Mississippi, and the New York International Ballet Competition.

February 1, 2007 - The Georgia Ballet announces INMOTION 2007

Join The Georgia Ballet company dancers on Sunday, March 25 th as they present INMOTION, a collection of new choreographic works. This workshop performance, now in its third year, features dynamic and original contemporary works created exclusively for The Georgia Ballet by some of the Southeast’s emerging young choreographers. Proceeds from the event help support a need selected by the company dancers. Last year, INMOTION helped raise funds to purchase a new performance floor. “I have high hopes that this year will exceed our expectations,” says Micki Weiner, company dancer and INMOTION organizer, “The dancing and choreography gets stronger and more exciting each year.” This year’s performance will feature works sets by Georgia Ballet company dancers as well as outside choreographers.

Performances on INMOTION are at 3pm and 6pm on March 25 th at The Georgia Ballet studios, 1255 Field Parkway, Marietta, GA 30066. General admission tickets are $10 and may be purchased online at www.georgiaballet.org or by calling 770-528-0881. Due to limited seating, early purchase is recommended.

January 22, 2007 – Catch The Georgia Ballet on WSB-TV’s People 2 People on February 25th!

January 22, 2007 – Georgia Ballet Student Ensemble dancer Zachary Clarke has been chosen by Cobb Living magazine as one of their five "young people with big dreams." Zachary will be profiled in an upcoming issue of the monthly publication with four other local outstanding young individuals, all of whom have committed to their dreams, shown initiative and drive, with early successes under their belts. The Georgia Ballet is proud of Zachary and all of his accomplishments.

January 19, 2007 - The Georgia Ballet announces Summer Dance 2007

Preparations are underway for another outstanding summer of dance and fun June 18-July 20 at The Georgia Ballet’s Summer Dance 2007. This year’s schedule features a variety of offerings:

Day Camps , a week-long camp of exciting dance acitivities and projects for children ages 4-10
Stage 1 Drama Camps , presented by two-time Golden Globe nominee Barbara Hancock-Elrod for students ages 8-11. Campers will explore theatre games, stage make-up, and even an in-studio performance.
Young Dancer Program
Intermediate & Advanced Programs
Special Boy’s Classes
Jazz & Tap
Irish Step, taught by Riverdance alum Nicole Schwabe.

Summer registration begins May 1st!

January 16, 2007 - The Georgia Ballet’s Coppélia to bring dolls to life

MARIETTA , GEORGIA - The Georgia Ballet professional company is back in the studio and hard at work rehearsing for their upcoming production of Coppélia March 10-11 th, 2007. When the company unveiled their current production of Coppélia during the 2004-2005 season, both dance critics and audiences alike were mesmerized by the production. Now back in an encore performance, Coppélia will once again delight audiences of all ages. “ Coppélia is a light-hearted and fast-paced classical ballet,” says Gina Hyatt-Mazon, Artistic Director, “the perfect performance to usher in the spring.”

Created in 1870, Coppélia is likely the most often performed and best-known comedy ballet. A breakaway from the tragic Romantic ballets of the day, Coppélia was an immediate success with its humor, vigorous national dances and brightness. It has since continued tremendous popularity throughout the world. The full-length work, set to a danceable score by Léo Delibes, blends classical dance with folk dances such as the czardas, a complicated Hungarian folk dance. French choreographer Arthur Saint-Léon created Coppélia, his most successful work, for the Paris Opera.  Some consider it to be a precursor of classic ballet.

The perfect introduction for children as well as adults to the beauty of ballet, the playful story follows a clever young girl, Swanhilda, who is surprised to discover her fiancé Franz flirting with a beautiful “girl” on a balcony. Swanhilda’s jealousy grows until she discovers that the girl, Coppélia, is really a life-sized doll created by the eccentric inventor Dr. Coppelius. Swanhilda conjures a mischievous plan to teach Franz a lesson that ultimately leads to their touching reconciliation.

Joining the twenty-four professional dancers of The Georgia Ballet will be guest artist Norbert Nirewicz, dancing the role of Franz. A native of Poland, Mr. Nirewicz has danced leading roles with Polish National Theater, Ballet Classico de Camara in Venezuela, Cleveland/San Jose Ballet, and Columbia City Ballet. He has competed in and received medals at Poland’s National Ballet Competition, the US International Ballet Competition, and the New York International Ballet Competition.

Performances of Coppélia are Saturday, March 10 th at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm and Sunday, March 11 th at 2:00 pm. Tickets are now available online at www.georgiaballet.org and by phone at 770-528-0881. Ticket prices range from $23-$32 with discounts available for students and seniors. Rush tickets are available for college students with valid ID one hour prior to shows, when available. All performances will be held at the Cobb County Civic Center’s Anderson Theatre located at 548 South Marietta Parkway, Marietta, GA 30060.

October 12, 2006 - The Hensley Family Donates $100,000 to The Georgia Ballet capital campaign

On September 29 th, the Hensley family presented The Georgia Ballet with a gift of $100,000 for the organization’s capital campaign. The $1.4 million dollar campaign has allowed the ballet to grow in visibility and in the resources it currently provides the community.

“To say we are deeply moved by the Hensley family’s continued commitment to Iris’ lifelong passion – this organization – would be an understatement!” said Michele Ziemann DeVos, Executive Director of the Georgia Ballet. “We are grateful beyond words and profoundly appreciative not only of this donation, but to the ongoing help and presence the Hensley family provides to our company.”

Sam Hensley Jr., Chairman of the Board of Trustees presented the gift alongside his father, Sam Hensley Sr. on behalf of the family and in honor of Iris Hensley. In 1960, Mrs. Hensley founded the Cobb/Marietta Ballet, which later became The Georgia Ballet, and where she served as Artistic Director until August 2003. She had a noted and varied background as a dancer, teacher, and choreographer and received the first Lillian Bennet Sullivan Award, Cobb County’s highest recognition in the Arts, for her work in inaugurating the Arts in Education program for thousands of Cobb County school children. Because of her efforts, the The Georgia Ballet has been a vital community resource for more than forty-seven years. Other members of the Hensley family include Tony-award winning actor and singer Shuler Hensley, and actress/playwright Nevanne Hensley-Thomas.

Many arts organizations and ballet companies have recently been suffering with financial strains. The Georgia Ballet however has been an exception, thriving on recent funding and support over the past few years. In 2004, The Georgia Ballet took ownership of a new building and home. The 13,000 square foot building, located at the intersection of Cobb Parkway and Field Parkway in Marietta, not only houses both the professional company and resident school, but serves as a venue for auditions, workshops, master classes, meetings, and performances. Ownership and financial security of the building will ultimately play a significant role in the established and growing success of the organization.

Other recent donors to The Georgia Ballet’s capital campaign include Mr. Roy Barnes ($101,410), noted actor Mr. Paul Newman ($50,000), SunTrust Bank Atlanta Foundation ($15,000), and Lockheed Martin Aeronautical ($15,000). These donations, along with the Hensley family gift, bring the capital campaign total to nearly $620,000.

AUGUST 9, 2006 - THE GEORGIA BALLET RECEIVES GRANT FROM TARGET FOR ARTS IN EDUCATION

[Marietta, GA] (August 9, 2006)—The Georgia Ballet today announced a partnership with Target in recognition of its efforts in the Arts in Education program. This grant will help sponsor three distinct programs: a Field Trip Program which annually introduces 14,000 metro Atlanta school children to the artistry and athleticism of live dance performance; On-Site Lecture Demonstrations to schools at deeply subsidized costs; and Momentum, The Georgia Ballet’s newly initiated outreach program, giving underprivileged children the opportunity to learn the basics of dance training.

 “This award comes at a time when we are expanding our Arts in Education program, and we are most grateful to Target for sharing our vision!” states Michele Ziemann-DeVos, Executive Director of The Georgia Ballet, “This support will help make a difference in our community. We want children to experience Arts as an integral part of their education”

Initiated in spring, 2006, Momentum involves partnerships with Title I schools and features ten weeks of dance classes for an entire grade during the school day. Students focus on musicality, rhythm, quality of movement and basic dance terminology.

This grant is part of the ongoing support Target provides to local communities throughout the country. Every week Target gives more than $2 million towards education, the arts, social services and other vital community partnerships.

MAY 11, 2006 - THE GEORGIA BALLET RECEIVES $60,000 GRANT FROM METROPOLITAN ATLANTA ARTS FUND

On Thursday, MAY 11th, The Georgia Ballet received $60,000 to fund a full-time Development Director position over two years.  The grant was awarded by the Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund at its annual luncheon. The Arts Fund awarded a total of $500,000 to ten small and medium-sized arts organizations in the metro area.

“The competition for grants is extremely competitive. This year we were able to fund only 26% of the dollars requested. We encourage all Atlantans to support the Arts Fund’s growth,” says Lisa Cremin, director of the Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund, noting that this year she received more than $1.8 million in requests from organizations. 

The Georgia Ballet is not only a professional company with a diverse annual audience, but also an active dance school for students of all ages. In 2004, The Georgia Ballet, Inc. embarked on a challenging three-year capital campaign to fund the purchase of a new permanent facility for the organization. The Georgia Ballet sustains itself through individual donations and corporate support, as well as through funding from foundations and organizations such as the Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund. With the assistance of this grant award, The Georgia Ballet will be able to hire a full-time Development Director to oversee all of the fundraising efforts.

“This award comes at a critical time for the Ballet, and we are most grateful to Lisa Cremin and the board of the Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund. It would be an understatement to say that The Georgia Ballet is honored to be recognized with this award!” states Michele Ziemann-DeVos, Executive Director of The Georgia Ballet. “Small and medium-sized arts organizations [such as The Georgia Ballet] may often be fiscally fragile, yet our work is more powerful and far-reaching than most of the public imagines.”

The Georgia Ballet was founded in 1960 with a mission to promote excellence in ballet performance and training, foster an increased public awareness and appreciation for dance, and provide dedicated and talented dancers with the opportunity for advanced level training and professional performance venues. The Georgia Ballet continues to show its commitment to the community through outreach initiatives, charitable ticket giveaways, benefit concerts, and scholarship programs. The Georgia Ballet provides exciting cultural and educational experiences to the community, and annually introduces over 14,000 Cobb County and metro Atlanta school hildren to the ballet through the Arts-In-Education (AIE) program.

A partnership of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, the Arts Fund is the foundation of Atlanta’s arts community. It provides stabilization grants to arts organizations in 23 counties with operating budgets under $1.5 million. It is the only general arts endowment that focuses exclusively on the hundreds of arts organizations in the region. Each spring the Arts Fund awards sizeable grants to organizations that demonstrate community support and a commitment to organizational planning and development. Over the last 13 years the Arts Fund has given away $4.6 million to 68 different organizations.