Nashville Ballet has announced the Youth Cast for its beloved holiday classic, Paul Vasterling’s Nashville’s Nutcracker, returning to the Tennessee Performing Arts Center’s Jackson Hall opening Friday, December 6 through Thursday, December 26.
Nashville Ballet has announced the chairs for the 36th Annual Ballet Ball set for March 1, 2025, at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center are Ana Cristina Cash and Angela Bostelman-Kaczmarek with Vicki Horne serving as honorary chair. These chairs are dedicated arts advocates who are stepping into this leadership role for the highly-anticipated gala next spring.
Global Talent Education Network has announced its upcoming College and Professional Dance Fair will be held at Nashville Ballet on Sunday, November 10. This inaugural event is designed to connect talented young dancers with top-tier dance programs and institutions.
Delve into the Vibrant Journey of this Soul-Stirring Production at The Martin Center for Nashville Ballet this Weekend on October 17 - 20.
Nashville-based, Aussie artist Wesley Dean releases the official music video for “Crazy Hearts” from his critically-acclaimed album Music From Crazy Hearts. The captivating video, made in collaboration with the Nashville Ballet, was choreographed by Nashville Ballet’s Artistic Director and CEO Nick Mullikin and features company dancers James Lankford and Lily Saito.
The Highly-Anticipated Double Feature of Paul Vasterling’s Dracula and George Balanchine’s Serenade Returns to TPAC October 3 - 6
Nashville Ballet’s highly-anticipated production of Paul Vasterling’s Dracula with George Balanchine’s Serenade will return to Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) Polk Theater this weekend, October 3 - 6, under the artistic direction of Nick Mullikin.
For the first time in nine years, Nashville Ballet will once again present the spellbinding allure of Dracula with the elegance of George Balanchine's Serenade for a double bill that transcends the ordinary. The audience will be swept into the dark, passionate world of Dracula, a tale of immortal yearning, rich in love, lust, and eternal desire, set against a backdrop of Gothic mystery. In contrast, Serenade is a serene masterpiece, a testament to the beauty of classical ballet, danced to Tchaikovsky's haunting Serenade for Strings in C, all performed live by The Nashville Symphony. This double feature promises an unforgettable blend of a thrilling narrative and exquisite dance.
Nashville Ballet has announced that Owen Thorne will play the role of Dracula, while Brett Sjoblom and James Lankford will play the role of Jonathan, and Michael Burfield and Garritt McCabe will play Renfield. Sarah Pierce and Jamie Kopit will play the role of Mina, while Claudia Monja and Marissa Stark will play the role of Lucy.
"We are thrilled to kick off our season productions with the illustrious Dracula, rich with mystery and intrigue, alongside the beauty of Serenade," says Nick Mullikin, Artistic Director & CEO. “As we present these two performances, weaving together beautifully contrasting storylines, we also celebrate the depth and growth of Nashville Ballet, inviting audiences to experience the vibrant future of dance in our community."
Tickets are still available to enter the haunting world of Dracula in this riveting interpretation of a classic tale during this limited production. Tickets are on sale now and start at $58 at NashvilleBallet.com, TPAC box office, or by phone at 615-297-2966 x 710. NOTE: This production contains mature content and is intended for adult audiences (recommended 13 years old and older).
A complete schedule of performances and more information about Nashville Ballet can be found at NashvilleBallet.com.
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)
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.”