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Ballet Des Moines
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Board of Directors
Katherine Harrington, President
Anne Jackson Metzger,
1st Vice President
Anita Norian,
2nd Vice President
Tej Dhawan, Treasurer
Abby Miller, Secretary
Pam Brocker
Christine Branstad
Tej Dhawan
Krista Gorsche
Nancy Hopkins
Natasha Kucherenko
Liz Lidgett
Doug Pfeil
Tom Smull
Mark Weinhardt
Kevin Wilhelm
Artistic Staff
Serkan Usta, Artistic Director
Lori Grooters, Ballet Mistress
Ashley O Keeffe, Costume Mistress
Administrative Staff
Rachel Gross,
Executive Director
Kelly Ahr,
Bookkeeper
DANCE WITHOUT LIMITS STAFF
Monika Peltz,
Program Coordinator
Ann Ungs,
Physical Therapist
NUTCRACKER STAFF
Christin Karkiainen,
Production Assistant
Wendy Liskey,
Parent Volunteer Coordinator
Community Advisory Board
Margo Blumenthal
Rob Denson
Nolden and Barbara Gentry
Michele Griswell
Christine Hensley
MD Isley
Ric Jurgens
Michael Sadler
Debra Storey Salowitz
Wicker Van Orsdel
Connie Wimer
and Frank Fogarty
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Shining Stars
Thank you to everyone who came out to audition for Ballet Des Moines' 2011-2012 productions of The Nutcracker and The Wizard of Oz. This year we are excited to announce that over 300 local youth dancers will be dancing onstage to our performances choreographed by Artistic Director Serkan Usta
and Ballet Mistress Lori Grooters.
Casting has now been posted online and all information for dancers can be located by following the "Castmembers" link at www.balletdesmoines.org. Don't forget- the first day of rehearsals for The Nutcracker will begin this Saturday!
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Nutcracker Ticket Information
 This December, Ballet Des Moines will present The Nutcracker at the historic Hoyt Sherman Place Theater in Des Moines. Show times are as follows: December 9th, 7P.M. December 10th, 1P.M. and 7P.M. December 11th, 1P.M. Tickets will be available to the general public on November 1st and can be purchased by visiting the Hoyt Sherman Box office or via Ticketmaster. Want to beat the crowd? By making a donation to Ballet Des Moines before October, you are eligible for early ticket sales! Donors of $100 or more can purchase tickets for The Nutcracker beginning October 3rd! Donations can be made by visiting www.balletdesmoines.org and clicking on "Donate Now" You can also call 515-440-1177 for more information on how to make a contribution. |
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Where to see us next!
Ballet Des Moines will be at Jasper Winery on Thursday September 22nd as part of the Young Professionals Connection 2011 Non-Profit Forum. Stop by to visit with Ballet Des Moines' Board and staff members to learn about upcoming performances and how to get involved with the organization!
Ballet Des Moines Outreach
Each year Ballet Des Moines participates in multiple outreach events around the greater Des Moines area. This year we will be presenting small vignettes of our Nutcracker performance, reading the classic tale, and handing out information at the following locations:
Blank Children's Hospital
East Village Promenade
Valley West Mall
Festival of Trees and Lights
The Urbandale Library
Dates and times for these appearances can be found at www.balletdesmoines.org.
We will be adding more appearances so stop back often! |
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Meet Ballet Des Moines'
Artistic Director!
Serkan Usta has held the position of Artistic Director for Ballet Des Moines since July of 2005. Since then, he has helped elevate Ballet Des Moines to a new level through his high caliber ballet performances, meticulous attention to detail, and his demand for the highest standards in dance training.
As a choreographer, teacher, and visionary, Usta has set the standard for a professional company in Des Moines through his uncompromised energy and rigorous training.
Born in Istanbul, Turkey, Usta received his early classical training at the Ballet Conservatory in Istanbul. Upon moving to the United States in 1991, he furthered his dance education at the Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington, D.C. and School of San Francisco Ballet. Mr. Usta is a recipient of the Hellman's Scholarship Award and was featured on the cover of the September 2002 issue of Dance Magazine.
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