Nashville Ballet has been awarded a Fellowship Initiative grant from the New York Choreographic Institute, an affiliate of New York City Ballet, to support the development of new choreography in a studio setting. The choreographer will be Christopher Stuart.

Peter Martins, Founder and Artistic Director of the Institute, states: “The Fellowship is meant to help ballet companies to create an environment in which a choreographer can develop ideas without the pressure of stage production. The Institute is committed to classical choreographers who will be creating works for the future.”

Upcoming Performances Include Tour to the Kennedy Center with Ben Folds

Nashville Ballet will uncover the untold during its 2016-2017 performance season that includes fresh takes on familiar stories, returning favorites and brand-new works. Upcoming Music City collaborations include Sugar + The Hi-Lows and Ten out of Tenn, as well as a tour to the Kennedy Center with Ben Folds.

“Someone once told me that our ballet company is ‘very human,’ and that particularly struck me because that’s exactly our goal at Nashville Ballet,” Paul Vasterling, Nashville Ballet Artistic Director & CEO, said. “We want to connect with audiences on a very human level to allow them to feel something authentic and real. It’s when we open our worlds a little and allow ourselves to see things from a different perspective that we’re able to grow, and that’s the inspiration behind this season.”

Season tickets and tickets for groups of 10 or more are on sale now and can be purchased through www.nashvilleballet.com/ticket-packages or (615) 297-2966 x710. Tickets to individual performances go on sale July 1.

Season Finale Includes World Premiere of Layla & The Majnun

Nashville Ballet will conclude its 30th anniversary season on the main stage with a local collaboration of epic proportions during Carmina Burana April 22-24, 2016, at TPAC’s Jackson Hall. The season finale will also include the world premiere of Nashville Ballet Artistic Director & CEO Paul Vasterling’s Layla & The Majnun.

Carmina Burana will feature 148 singers from The Nashville Symphony Chorus, 61 musicians from The Nashville Symphony, 25 choristers from the Nashville’s Children’s Choir and three guest vocalists, alongside 24 dancers from Nashville Ballet. Based on a collection of poems written by clergy and theology students in the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries, Carmina Burana examines love, fortune and the cycle of life.

Ballet’s Largest Annual Fundraiser to Feature Inaugural Synergy Award and Televised Special

Country music star Jana Kramer is among a diverse group of artists to perform at Nashville Ballet’s largest annual fundraiser, Ballet Ball, at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center on Saturday, March 12. In the midst of the company’s 30th anniversary season, this year’s Ballet Ball entertainment will celebrate the richness and diversity of dance as well as Music City artists.

Kramer will perform her hit single I Got The Boy from her latest studio album, Thirty One. Nashville Ballet company dancer Christopher Stuart will choreograph an original piece to be presented alongside Kramer’s live performance featuring Nashville Ballet dancers.

Fourth Valentine’s Day Evening Performance Added by Popular Demand

Nashville Ballet’s acclaimed Attitude series shakes up its annual performance by collaborating with the world-famous Bluebird Cafe. A Valentine’s Day evening performance has been added to the original schedule due to popular demand, with a total of four performances February 12-14, 2016, at TPAC’s Polk Theater.

Nashville Ballet’s first collaboration with The Bluebird Cafe since 2007, the ballet will convey the look and feel of one of the world’s preeminent listening rooms. Songwriters Victoria Banks, J.T. Harding and Georgia Middleman will perform a selection of their biggest hits in typical Bluebird fashion, a writers’ round featuring a stripped down sound, the stories behind their songs and spontaneous collaboration.

Holiday Classic Pays Tribute to Nashville’s Rich, Vibrant History

Nashville Ballet returns with one of the city’s most beloved holiday traditions, Nashville’s Nutcracker, for the eighth consecutive year December 5-23, 2015, at TPAC’s Jackson Hall. Due to popular demand, this year’s production will feature a record-setting amount of performances, with a grand total of 13.

Beginning at the 1897 Centennial Exposition in Nashville, the tale weaves together the city’s historic landmarks and characters with the world’s most popular ballet to deliver a unique Nashville holiday tradition. Nashville Ballet Artistic Director & CEO Paul Vasterling’s original concept and choreography incorporates local landmarks like the Parthenon, Shelby Bottoms and Belle Meade Mansion as Clara journeys into her holiday dream, complete with all of the magical characters you know and love.

Nashville Ballet is delivering an evening of all things sensual and forbidden with the return of the bloodsucking Dracula October 22-24, 2015, at TPAC’s Polk Theater. Last presented in 2007, this classic tale explores the conflict between carnal desire and rational thought.

Loosely based on Bram Stoker’s gothic novel, the ballet explores the root of Dracula’s torturedness. Nashville Ballet Artistic Director & CEO Paul Vasterling’s ballet adaptation digs deeper into the character’s complexity, which begs the ultimate question: Is Dracula a man or a monster?

Peter Pan Offers Magical Experience for Adults, Children Alike

Nashville Ballet is kicking off its 30th anniversary season with a trip back to Neverland September 18-20, 2015, at TPAC’s Jackson Hall. This family-friendly production tells the classic story of a boy who doesn’t want to grow up—complete with storybook sets, enchanting costumes and on-stage flying.

Studio Division Provides Same Level of Training, More Flexible Schedule

School of Nashville Ballet is debuting a brand new Studio Division this fall, offering ages 8-18 of any experience level an opportunity to train with professional instructors on a flexible schedule. Studio Division joins School of Nashville Ballet’s diverse array of dance offerings for children, teens and adults.

For the fifth consecutive year, Nashville Ballet will host National Dance Day by offering free sample classes and choreography provided by the Fox hit reality show So You Think You Can Dance. Free classes include a children's sampler class for ages 3-5, adult beginner ballet, hip hop, adult contemporary and musical theater. Plus, great discounts on select School of Nashville Ballet classes for National Dance Day participants who register at the event.

Nashville’s Nutcracker Characters Stage Surprise Performances Across City

Nashville Ballet is cooling things off this summer with the return of its largest single ticket discount of the year, Christmas in July. Beginning Wednesday, July 1 and continuing for the entire month, take $12 off tickets to Nashville’s Nutcracker with code XMASJULY.

Nashville’s version of the timeless holiday classic returns to TPAC’s Jackson Hall for 13 performances December 5-23, 2015. Almost 200 dancers will take audiences on a fantastic journey through a dreamland filled with beloved characters, including the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Mouse King, the Nutcracker, the Dancing Bear and many historic characters from Nashville’s past. Since its debut in 2008, more than 20,000 people have attended Nashville’s Nutcracker each year.

Festive Event Officially Unveils Facility’s Expansion and Renovation

Nashville Ballet will unveil its newly expanded and renovated facility to the public at its free Family Grand Opening Celebration Saturday, May 30 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at The Martin Center for Nashville Ballet in the Sylvan Heights neighborhood.

The free family-friendly event will include interactive children’s activities, storytimes with Nashville Ballet dancers, free food, Peter Pan-themed arts and crafts, giveaways, face painting, balloon artists and more.