We believe that dance is an integral and enriching part of life, and that every child and adult can benefit from dance experiences. Through community programs and partnerships, we share the beauty, artistry, and expression of dance to change lives across the South Plains.
Ballet Lubbock’s Community Engagement Programming is made possible in part through funding from The Helen Jones Foundation, The CH Foundation, The REA Charitable Trust, The Texas Commission on the Arts, and donations from individuals like you.
IN THE SCHOOLS
Through our Dance Connect program, we partner with Communities in Schools (CIS) to bring free, weekly dance instruction to elementary schools across the South Plains. Today we have a presence in 22 (and counting) elementary schools, donate over 400 pairs of dance shoes, and impact more than 600 students every week!
Students are selected for a semester’s term of dance classes and must maintain certain attendance, behavior, and academic benchmarks to continue their participation. Ballet Lubbock and the school districts see this model as overwhelmingly positive, and something to replicate and expand upon with additional campuses.
If your school is interested in getting involved with Dance Connect, read on about Dance Connect’s curriculum, benefits, and frequently asked questions. We offer interactive dance lecture demonstrations to schools across Lubbock exploring the elements of movement and special performances including The Nutcracker.
Sponsored By:
COMMUNITY YOUTH BALLET
Community Youth Ballet is a free class offered at Ballet Lubbock twice a week to our Dance Connect dancers. Interested students audition for a spot in these classes. Community Youth Ballet builds on the in-school ballet curriculum and provides eager dancers with additional training and performance opportunities.
For more information about Dance Connect or Community Youth Ballet, please contact Katrina Soricelli, Director of Community Engagement at katrina@balletlubbock.org.
Specifically designed for those on the autism spectrum or with Down Syndrome, and other specialized needs, Dance Abilities blends classical ballet technique and music activities within a fun, positive, and empowering atmosphere.
All curriculum is approved and all instructors are trained by a board-certified Behavior Analyst. Currently, Ballet Lubbock’s Dance Abilities classes are available at Wheelock and Ervin Elementary Schools.
Sponsored By:
IN THE HOSPITALS
Arts In Medicine
Arts in Medicine began as a once-a-week visit to Covenant Children’s and has expanded to include UMC Children’s Hospital, an in-house Arts in Medicine coordinator, and a presence with pediatric patients four days a week. Over 1,000 pediatric patients dance with us each year!
Ballet Lubbock partners with Covenant Children’s Hospital and the University Medical Center Children’s Hospital to bring one-on-one ballet to the patients and their families, as they are interested and able. Each ballet lesson is adapted to the particular patient – some patients take a class in the hospital theatre, some patients take a ballet lesson bedside, and other times a sibling and/or parent puts on a bedside ballet performance for their family member.
At Covenant Children’s Hospital, Ballet Lubbock provides one-on-one ballet Tuesday and Thursday through the Arts in Medicine Programs headed by Christine Neugebauer, MS, MT-BC, LPC. At UMC, Ballet Lubbock visits and dances with patients every week on Wednesday, rotating between the Pediatric and Oncology floors as recommended by the hospital staff through UMC’s partnership with the Children’s Miracle Network.
The Ballet Lubbock Company also performs a modified version of The Nutcracker (in November) and the Spring Performance (in April) for the patients, families, and hospital staff. This program provides a smile and moment of joy for 400 patients annually and their families in an otherwise difficult time.
Sponsored By:
COMMUNITY CLASSES
To make dance accessible to all members of our community, we host pop-up events and dance classes in non-traditional spaces. Each summer we host a series of Ballet in the Park classes outside that are open to everyone regardless of dance experience. Throughout the year we host Community Dance Days, alongside other dance organizations in the Lubbock community.
PERFORMANCES FOR ALL
Over 4,000 tickets donated annually
Thanks to the support of our generous sponsors and donors, we’re able to provide free outreach performances to the Lubbock community and to provide accessible dance education and performances of the highest artistic caliber.
Each year we offer special performances of The Nutcracker and our Spring Performance for children and special needs adults who would normally not be able to attend a ballet with a live orchestra. It is a truly priceless experience—in every sense of the word—for all those involved.
Further, an annual partnership with a local area school district brings more than 2,400 fourth graders to a free performance of The Nutcracker. In advance of each show, Ballet Lubbock provides a Nutcracker Study Guide which includes a plot outline with discussion points, tie-ins between dance and traditional classroom subject areas, and fun facts about the performance ahead.
SCHOLARSHIPS
A significant component of the Ballet’s mission is to ensure that dance education opportunities are accessible to as many interested students as possible, and thus offers over $55,000 worth of tuition assistance each year.
20% of Ballet Lubbock students receive financial aid, with an average award covering 40% of tuition cost and at least two full scholarships are awarded to students from the Ballet Lubbock Community Youth Ballet program.
Please visit the scholarship page for more information or to apply.