Ballet Tennessee

Programs: Performances in a variety of settings are important for the artistic development of dancers and for the cultural value to the community. Up to 4 productions take place at downtown theaters (nutcracker, spring festival of dance, dance alive/btsi performance, and in alternating years guest artist performance and master classes). Ballet tn showcases award-winning choreography and highly trained dancers. The newly-emerging professional ensemble provides literacy-based school performances. Presentations in partnership with chattanooga boy's choir, chattanooga african american museum, center for creative arts high school, and other organizations highlight the performance companies, enrich the community, and meet educational and artistic goals of ballet tennessee. Ballet tennessee and its partners' performance attendance reached 10,395 in fiscal year 2017.

education programs (professional training and outreach) reached 3,500 and targeted diverse groups who share in the joy and discipline of dance. High caliber guest artists bring the national and international world of dance to chattanooga through master classes and a national level summer intensive program. Guest artists are strategically chosen to provide professional training for young dancers, professional development for faculty and staff, and enrichment for the community. Outreach classes serve communities that are limited by geography or other circumstances. Outreach classes on lookout and signal mountains reach children ages 3-8. Outreach classes at siskin children's institute serve children with disabilities and their typically-developing peers. Outreach for senior citizens takes place at life care of chattanooga assisted living. Outreach classes classes are provided at chattanooga christian school.

scholorship programs; dance alive and talent identification program (tip). A model summer program for low-income youth, dance alive is the feeder program for the tip. It has received numerous awards and recognitions in partnership with chattanooga youth and family development. Since 1997, this program is the first introduction that many inner city youth have to the world of dance. Many youth participants attend each summer for up to 5 years (ages 8-12). The program directly impacts dance in the community, raising attendence at local public arts magnet schools integrating high-quality dance education with mentoring, coaching, and job training. Tip was established to 1)reflect diversity in cultural programming, 2)provide positive alternatives for at-risk youth, and 3)provide mentorship and personal empowerment so that youth may envision their unique gifts and achieve their fullest potential. Geared toward economically disadvantaged youth, tip is a model leadership program. Tip fosters personal empowerment, developing life skills, promoting self-awareness, self-discipline, and mind-body connections. Current and former tip students are pursuing a variety of productive careers, including those as professional dancers, both locally and in new york city. In the fiscal year 2016, 17 youth benefited from tip scholarships and fee waivers valued at $16,035. This represents tuition and fees not collected by ballet tennessee.