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press releases
January 18, 2010
Spectrum: Mythos, An Evening of New Works
to Support New Fundraising Initiative for The Georgia Ballet
MARIETTA, GEORGIA –
Join The
Georgia Ballet for an incredible evening of extraordinary
performances that
showcases the professional company in contemporary and
inventive new choreography!
Spectrum: Mythos, An Evening of New
Works will be presented Friday,
February
5th and Saturday, February 6th
at 7 p.m.,
and takes place at The Georgia Ballet studios in
Marietta.
The evenings include a one hour dance
showcase performance, live music, food and drink, and a
silent auction.
Spectrum: Mythos, An Evening of New
Works will support a new
Georgia Ballet fundraiser
initiative called “Keep Us Dancing” to support The Georgia
Ballet professional dancers. The initiative’s goal includes
raising money to support the activities, compensation and
pointe shoe fund for the talented company dancers. Join
hands with The Georgia Ballet and the Cobb community to keep
our beautiful dancers "on their toes"!
The performance is a true arts collaboration
and includes new pieces from choreographers all over the
metro area. The evening includes showcase performances from
choreographer Min Kim, the Assistant Professor of Dance at
Kennesaw State University, Joanna Brooks of Brooks and
Company Dance in Atlanta, Lynne Brague, esteemed faculty
member at The Georgia Ballet, and The Georgia Ballet’s own
resident choreographer Janusz Mazon. The evening’s works
round out with pieces by local choreographers and The
Georgia Ballet professional company members, as well as a
performance by Kennesaw State University Dance Department
students.
Proceeds from ticket sales and the silent
auction benefit The Georgia Ballet, a non-profit
professional arts organization in Cobb County. The silent
auction will be held both evenings. Tickets are $15 each in
advance or $17 at the door. Tickets can be purchased online
for no extra fee at www.georgiaballet.org or by calling
770-528-0881. Spectrum:
Mythos, An Evening of New Works
will
be held at The Georgia Ballet studios at 1255 Field Parkway,
Marietta, GA. For more information please call 770-528-0881.
###
The Georgia Ballet, comprised of a
professional dance company and a dance school, was founded
in 1960. The Georgia Ballet’s mission is 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.
November 4, 2009
The Georgia Ballet Presents
the 50th Anniversary Season
MARIETTA, GEORGIA - The
Georgia Ballet will fill your heart with glee this holiday
season with their production of
The Nutcracker
December 4th-6th at the Jennie T.
Anderson Theatre at the Cobb Civic Center in Marietta, GA.
This colorful production will brighten your spirits and send
you on a memorable journey with Clara and her Nutcracker.
The
Nutcracker features original choreography by Iris
Hensley, the founder of The Georgia Ballet which is now
celebrating its 50th anniversary.
This delightful performance
will have you hypnotized with all of the dancing
snowflakes, angels and the energetic holiday music that we
all know and love. This holiday favorite is the perfect gift
for all ages, and remains a timeless tradition.
The Georgia Ballet will hold
performances of The
Nutcracker on Friday December 4th at 7:30,
Saturday, December 5th at 2 p.m. and an evening
performance at 7:30. Performances continue on Sunday with a
matinee at 1:30 p.m. All of these performances will be held
at the Jennie T. Anderson Theatre at the Cobb Civic Center
in Marietta. Join us on the stage after the Saturday matinee
for a dance class like no other:
Mrs. Claus Teaches
Ballet! Bring your little ones to spin like snowflakes
and march like toy soldiers with Mrs. Santa Claus. This
event is free with admission, but reservations are required.
In addition to
The Nutcracker,
The Georgia Ballet will help raise money for families in
need by hosting A
Dancing Duet: An Evening in Support of Dance and Families
with The Center for Family Resources. The event is a
momentous collaboration based around The Georgia Ballet’s
annual production of
The Nutcracker. The evening will begin with a special
performance of The
Nutcracker on Sunday, December 6th at 5:30
p.m., followed by a reception for select ticket holders. The
event co-chairs are Robin Moore, Board Member of The Georgia
Ballet and Naomi Smith, Board Member of The Center for
Family Resources.
For this one special performance only,
The Georgia Ballet will have guest appearances by several
local celebrities making their dancing debut. They include:
CNN Newsroom Anchor Tony Harris, President of Southern
Polytechnic State University Dr. Lisa Rossbacher, Cobb
County Commissioner Tim Lee, renowned chef and author Johnnie Gabriel.
All proceeds from the event go to benefit The Georgia Ballet
and The Center for Family Resources.
Limited quantity tickets for
A Dancing Duet: An
Evening in Support of Dance and Families will be
available for $50 and $75. Included in the
$75 Angel Section
ticket is an invitation to the Crepes & Champagne
post-performance reception at The Mansour Center immediately
following the performance.
To find out about tickets and prices
for The Nutcracker
as well as information about
A Dancing Duet: An
Evening in Support of Dance and Families call The
Georgia Ballet office at 770-528-0881 or visit
www.georgiaballet.org.
###
The
Georgia Ballet, comprised of a professional dance company
and a dance school, was founded in 1960.
The Georgia Ballet’s mission is 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.
Founded
in 1960, CFR has helped thousands of low-income families
with employment, education, and housing services; leadership
development programs; mentoring opportunities; and temporary
financial and food assistance.
Guided by organizational values of Family, Integrity,
Results, Service and Teamwork,
the staff at CFR is committed to breaking the cycle of
poverty by helping families acquire the resources they need
to become independent and self-sufficient.
October 23,
2009
The
Georgia Ballet to begin 50th Season
Marietta Daily Journal
MARIETTA - The
Georgia Ballet kicks off its 50th anniversary season on
Saturday and Sunday with the production of "A Sleepy Hollow
Story," based on the classic American tale, in the Jennie T.
Anderson Theatre at Marietta's Cobb Civic Center.
Originally premiering in 2006, "A Sleepy Hollow Story" has
been one of the Marietta-based ballet company's most popular
productions. Based on Washington Irving's folktale, it
features choreography by resident choreographer Janusz Mazon.
"Enigmatic Tangos," a new work by Mazon, as well as the
Spanish-themed classic, "Paquita," will be on the same bill
as "A Sleepy Hollow Story" at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m.
Sunday.
The Georgia Ballet, composed of a professional dance company
and a dance school, was founded in 1960 as the Cobb/Marietta
Ballet. Inspired by her love of dance, Marietta native Iris
Hensley was its founder.
Hensley served as its artistic director until she died in
August 2003. She received her training in Atlanta, New York,
Washington, D.C., and with the National Ballet of Canada.
She had a noted and varied background as a dancer, teacher
and choreographer.
Hensley was a visionary, said her friend, Joan Harrell of
Marietta, a ballet board member for 24 years. Hensley saw a
need for the Marietta area to have its own ballet company,
Harrell said.
"I've seen it go from practically no board members and no
money, to a thriving company and school today," Harrell
said. "I'm so proud of how the ballet has come this far."
Michele Ziemann-Devos, the company's executive director,
said the ballet has survived for 50 years because of the
sheer passion and commitment of its artistic leadership,
staff, faculty and artists.
Ziemann-Devos, Janusz Mazon and current Artistic Director
Gina Hyatt-Mazon, all worked with Hensley.
"Founder Iris Hensley's devotion to and belief in the
empowerment that great art - and great art education - can
endow to an individual, as well as a community, is alive and
well here at the ballet," said Ziemann-Devos, who's been
with the company for 13 years.
Patti Pearlberg, wife of Marietta City Councilman Van
Pearlberg, is a ballet board member. The Atlanta native said
she took ballet classes until high school and considers
herself a "longtime ballet aficionado."
"It's grown out of a sense of how important I think it is to
expose our children to the arts," she said of her interest.
The nonprofit Georgia Ballet is made up of a regional
professional ballet company of 15 dancers from around the
country and a school. It also boasts arts in education
outreach programs that serve 17,000 Cobb and metro Atlanta
students each year, said Ziemann-Devos. It operates with an
annual budget of $750,000. It was honored as one of four
metro Atlanta arts organizations to receive a $75,000 grant
from the Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund this year.
Mark and Cindy Jamerson of Dallas are season ticket holders
who have sent their 11-year-old daughter, Jody, to Georgia
Ballet classes since she was 6.
"She absolutely loves it," Cindy Jamerson said.
She said Jody, an upper school student, will be performing
as a schoolgirl and village child in "A Sleepy Hollow
Story."
The company is also bringing back "The Nutcracker," for the
holidays (Dec. 4 through Dec. 6). The Dec. 6 performance
will be a joint fundraiser with the Center for Family
Resources. Cobb Commissioner Tim Lee, Southern Polytechnic
State University President Dr. Lisa Rossbacher, celebrated
chef Johnnie Gabriel and CNN anchor Tony Harris will take
the stage to raise funds for the CFR and ballet. A season
bonus in February is "Spectrum," an annual fundraiser run by
the professional dancers of the Georgia Ballet.
Show tickets can be purchased on the Georgia Ballet's Web
site at www.georgiaballet.org or calling the office at (770)
528-0881.
October 8,
2009
The
Georgia Ballet and The Center for Family Resources Announce
A Dancing Duet:
A Collaboration to Benefit Families and the Arts
Featuring Atlanta
Celebrities
MARIETTA, GEORGIA - The
Georgia Ballet and The Center for Family Resources announce
a special fundraising event in celebration of each
organization’s 50th anniversary. A Dancing Duet: An
Evening in Support of Dance and Families will be held on
December 6th at 5:30 pm at the Jennie T. Anderson
Theatre at the Cobb Civic Center, and will feature Atlanta
area
celebrities dancing and twirling on stage with members of
The Georgia Ballet.
The event, A Dancing
Duet: An Evening in Support of Dance and Families, is a
momentous collaboration based around The Georgia Ballet’s
annual production of The Nutcracker. The evening will
begin with a special performance of The Nutcracker on
Sunday, December 6th at 5:30 p.m., followed by a reception
for select ticket holders.
For this one special
performance only, The Georgia Ballet will have guest
appearances by several local celebrities making their
dancing debut. They include: CNN Newsroom Anchor Tony
Harris, President of Southern Polytechnic State University
Dr. Lisa Rossbacher, Cobb County Commissioner Tim Lee,
renowned chef and author Johnnie Gabriel, and others soon to
be announced! All proceeds from the event go to benefit The
Georgia Ballet and The Center for Family Resources.
“I am honored to be invited
to be part of this special event. My last ballet performance
was in fourth grade, and I never imagined I'd have a chance
to dance with such a prestigious company as The Georgia
Ballet”, said Dr. Lisa Rossbacher, celebrity participant
with A Dancing Duet. “The Nutcracker is a wonderful
tradition, and being able to help support both The Georgia
Ballet and The Center for Family Resources is particularly
special. This event fits especially well with a time of year
that is associated with giving and with family”.
Both non-profit
organizations are very excited about the new collaboration.
Most importantly, they hope to provide the community and
patrons with a marvelous holiday experience, filled with toy
soldiers, dancing candies, waltzing snowflakes, and magical
dreams, all while sharing their vision of important
community, family, and arts activism.
“It is so momentous that The
Georgia Ballet and The Center for Family Resources are both
celebrating our fiftieth anniversaries! The significance of
each of our milestones cannot be overstated, “said Michele
Ziemann-DeVos, the Executive Director of The Georgia Ballet.
“We have each been joyfully and passionately serving our
communities for a long, long time. We look forward to
dancing with our stars and celebrating together with CFR to
support the important work in which we both engage!”
“We are excited about this
unique opportunity to collaborate with The Georgia Ballet
and celebrate five decades of work in this community”, said
Jeri Barr, CEO of The Center for Family Resources. “Our
services have become ever critical in this economy and this
collaboration will serve to support the efforts of CFR and
the wonderful arts programs offered by The Georgia Ballet.”
Limited quantity tickets for
A Dancing Duet: An Evening in Support of Dance and
Families will be available for $50 and $75. Included in
the $75 Angel Section ticket is an invitation to the
Crepes & Champagne post-performance reception at The
Mansour Center immediately following the performance. The
performance will take place at the Jennie T. Anderson
Theatre at the Cobb County Civic Center.
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September
15, 2009
The Georgia Ballet and The Dozier School of the
Performing Arts at Mount Paran Christian School
Announce Partnership
MARIETTA, GEORGIA –
The
Georgia Ballet and Mount Paran Christian School are
excited to announce their new partnership to promote
ballet and dance education! The program will offer
after school private ballet instruction to MPCS
students and is also open to members of the
community.
Beginning
this September, select staff from The Georgia Ballet
School will teach ballet to the dance arts students
at The Dozier School of the Performing Arts (DSPA).
The DSPA is an arts magnet program at Mount Paran
Christian School. Students focus on one area of
study: dance, drama, vocal music, or instrumental
music, but they are encouraged to broaden their
horizons by experiencing multiple art forms during
their study at DSPA.
Hosted
by The Dozier School of Performing Arts and The
Murray Arts Center onsite at Mount Paran Christian
School, students will benefit from the high-caliber
level of training and excellence for which The
Georgia Ballet is renowned.
“We
are extremely excited about this partnership”, said
Michele Ziemann-DeVos, Executive and School Director
of The Georgia Ballet. “This is a marvelous
opportunity to spread the reach of our valuable arts
instruction and partner with a wonderful school
right here in our community.”
"Our
desire is to offer quality instruction to the
community as well as our students," states Kathleen
McCook, director of The Murray Arts Center of Mount
Paran Christian School. "The addition of The Georgia
Ballet to the partnership of the Cobb Symphony
Orchestra is helping us attain that goal."
This
collaborative effort will run in two sessions this
school year. The first session begins September 15th.
The second session will start in January 2010. For
more information please contact The Dozier School of
the Performing Arts or The Georgia Ballet.
###
The Georgia Ballet, comprised
of a professional dance company and a dance school,
was founded in 1960.
The Georgia Ballet’s mission is 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.
Founded in
1976 as a preschool/kindergarten program, MPCS
currently has 1165 students enrolled in preschool
through grade 12. Providing academic
excellence in a Christ-centered environment, Mount
Paran Christian School unites with home and church
to prepare servant-leaders to honor God, love
others, and walk in truth. The result is an
interdenominational community with a passion for
serving and learning. The school is located at 1275
Stanley Road in Kennesaw.
July 22,
2009
Encore, Encore, Inc. Announces Partnership with The
Georgia Ballet
MARIETTA, GEORGIA – The Georgia
Ballet and encore, encore, are pleased and
excited to announce their new
partnership for the 2009-2010 season. These
award-winning non-profit arts
organizations continue to break new ground in arts
programming in the metro Atlanta area.
Starting in August,
The Georgia Ballet will host the encore, encore
Children’s Drama Performing
Group at The Georgia Ballet studios.
encore, encore was founded in 1983 by Atlanta
resident Barbara Hancock to
instruct children in the art of theater from the
production of a play, to the final curtain. At the
end of the academic year, the
performing group will tour the metro area in a
mini-musical that they
produce throughout the course of the academic year.
Encore’s
director, Barbara Hancock, won two Golden Globe
nominations for Best Supporting Actress and
Most Promising Newcomer for her work in
Finian’s Rainbow with Fred Astaire. She has been
on staff at the Alliance Theater School since 1979,
and taught has theater and dance workshops in
California and Georgia.
“We are honored to know Ms. Hancock
very well, and so excited for the new arts
programming venture with
encore, encore,
said Michele Ziemann-DeVos, Executive Director of
The Georgia Ballet. “This is a
truly wonderful and well-known drama program in the
metro area. This marks the beginning of a
wonderful relationship between two quality
organizations that focus on arts education in the
community.”
The
encore, encore program
will meet twice a month on Saturday afternoons at
The Georgia Ballet studios
from 2-4 pm. Registration for this program is now
open. For more information on registration for
encore, encore or other programs at The Georgia
Ballet, please call 770-528-0881 or visit
www.georgiaballet.org.
June 12,
2009
Antique 1920’s Baby Grand Piano Donated to The
Georgia Ballet
MARIETTA, GEORGIA –
The Georgia Ballet received a wonderful surprise in
June when an antique baby grand piano arrived at the
ballet studios. The piano will be used in the
largest studio during classes for students and
professional dancers. The stunning antique piano was
donated in May by Mr. Gerald and Callie Lynch of
Atlanta, Georgia.
Mr. Lynch works for
UBS Financial Services in Atlanta. The couple was
introduced to The Georgia Ballet through The Georgia
Ballet Guild President Keith Miller, and after
witnessing the uncommon grace and discipline of the
school’s students in their annual recital, decided
that The Georgia Ballet would be the perfect home
for their beloved piano.
“This is an
incredible gift to The Georgia Ballet”, said Michele
Ziemann-DeVos, the Executive Director of the
organization. “To dance to the music made possible
by this wonderful instrument is an opportunity that
most ballet students never have the chance to
experience. Live music in the ballet classroom is
part of an elite dance education, and will add to
the value of the exceptional training they receive
here.”
The piano was made
by J.C. Fischer of New York. J.C. Fischer is one of
the oldest and most respected piano makers in the
United States. The maker is noted for their
qualities of simplicity and grace in the case
design. The piano now residing at The Georgia Ballet
is a circa 1920’s art case piano, which was the J.C
Fischer company’s special product.
The Georgia Ballet
staff accompanist, Tara Briner, particularly enjoys
the new piano. The day after it arrived, she was
ushered into the studio to view the piano as a
complete surprise. “The joy on her face was evident
when she saw the new addition to our studios”, said
Gina Hyatt-Mazon, the Artistic Director of The
Georgia Ballet. “We cannot thank Mr. Lynch and his
family enough for such a thoughtful donation”.
Georgia Ballet
students are now enjoying the full benefits of the
beautiful piano. Students and professional dancers
alike are turning and leaping to the accompaniment
of the harmonious instrument during the summer
programs at the school which
run until August 14.
June 9, 2009
The Georgia Ballet Announces 50th Anniversary Season
MARIETTA,
GEORGIA
–
The Georgia Ballet is pleased and excited to
announce its 50th Anniversary Season. In
celebration of the 50th Anniversary, the
company is bringing back one of its most popular
ballets, A Sleepy Hollow Story, as well as the timeless classic,
The Nutcracker.
Kicking
off the season in October is the return of the
highly successful
A Sleepy Hollow Story, with choreography by Janusz Mazon. Originally
premiered in the 2006-2007 season,
A Sleepy Hollow Story is based on the American folktale by
Washington Irving.
When schoolmaster Ichabod Crane
arrives in town, strange things begin to happen in
the quiet
village
of Sleepy Hollow.
Mr. Mazon’s choreography comes to life in this
bewitching adaptation that children, parents, and
arts aficionados will all enjoy.
A Sleepy Hollow Story will be performed on the same bill as the
fiery, Spanish themed classic,
Paquita,
as well as a new work by Janusz Mazon. Performances
are October 24th at 7:30pm and October 25th
at 2pm.
The Georgia Ballet will ring in
the holidays with their adaptation of
The Nutcracker.
The Georgia Ballet’s version of
The Nutcracker features dancing snowflakes, giant toy soldiers, a
growing Christmas tree, and a delectable Land of the
Sweets. The
Nutcracker features choreography by Iris
Hensley, the founder of The Georgia Ballet.
“This
is a very special year for us to be performing Iris’
timeless version of such a beloved story and
tradition”, said Gina Hyatt-Mazon, the Artistic
Director of The Georgia Ballet. “We are so honored
to be celebrating 50 years of quality arts education
and performances. Performing for our audiences on
stage presents the perfect opportunity for us to
share our love of what Iris brought to life so many
years ago.”
The Nutcracker will be performed December 4th-6th
at the Jennie T. Anderson theatre at the Cobb
Civic
Center.
A
special season bonus in February is
Spectrum,
an annual fundraiser run by the professional dancers
of The Georgia Ballet. Original works are premiered
every year, and the performances conclude with a
silent auction and refreshments. More information
about Spectrum
will be available on the website in the coming
months.
Tickets for
all performances go on sale August 17th,
2009. Tickets can be purchased by visiting The
Georgia Ballet website at www.georgiaballet.org, or
by calling the office at 770-528-0881. The first two
performances in the series take place at Cobb
County
Civic Center’s
Jennie T. Anderson Theatre located at
548 South Marietta Parkway,
Marietta,
GA 30060.
$15.00 Rush tickets will be available at the door
the day of the show to all college students who
present their ID.
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