My Nonprofit Reviews

I came to Houston Ballet Academy 38 years ago, a 16 year old ballerina wannabe, looking for someone who would give me a chance. I had been told by other organizations that I wasn’t well suited for ballet. Houston Ballet saw that I was willing to work hard and they gave me that chance. Under the direction of Ben Stevenson, over the company, Clare Duncan, Clara Cravey, and Steve Brule, over the Academy, they gave me that chance. With excellent training, and the amazing opportunity to be one of the first females to be placed on scholarship. I made it into the Houston Ballet company in 1984. It changed my life forever. I have gone on to share my knowledge with students at HBA after I retired, as well as Gymnasts from the 1996 Olympics, and now with adult students in my own Pilates and dance studio. This also shaped my daughter’s life, who became a ballroom dancer and now teacher. Thank you to Houston Ballet and Houston Ballet Academy for believing in me and most importantly, in the system they created to bring out talent in people like me. Not just the most likely to succeed. Houston Ballet knows how to create and nurture talent.
Photo attached -I’m pictured with Clare Duncan and level 5 class; HB Giselle 1985; HBA w Ben Stevenson 1983
Caren Flanagan