News from Ballet Des Moines

To The Pointe

April 2015

Ballet Des Moines' 2014-15 Board and Staff

Board Members

Tom Smull, President

Tej Dhawan, Treasurer

Amy Davis, Secretary

Steve Blazek

Christine Branstad

Erin Hockman
Susan Judkins
Marc Molis

Shannen Naegel

Jerry Patterson
Bridget Penick

Ed Walker
Beth Webb

Artistic Staff

Serkan Usta, Artistic Director

Lori Grooters, Ballet Mistress

Felix Campbell, Stage & Production Manager

Ashley O'Keeffe, Costume Mistress

Mitch McCoy, Props Manager

Administrative Staff

Jody Gifford, Executive Director Kelly Ahr, Company & Finance Manager

Dance Without Limits Staff

Monika Peltz, Program Director

Ann Ungs, Physical Therapist

Julianna Hoffman, Instructor

Stephenie Tiedens, Volunteer Coordinator

Advisory Board

Margo Blumenthal

Rob Denson

MD Isley

Ric Jurgens

Liz Lidgett

Michael Sadler

Debra Salowitz

2015-16 Season Performance Dates

A Triple Bill

Hoyt Sherman Place

October 23-25, 2015

The Nutcracker

Hoyt Sherman Place

December 10-13, 2015

Peter Pan
Des Moines Civic Center
March 26, 2016

About Us

Ballet Des Moines

is a 501(c)(3) organization bringing professional ballet to Iowa 26 weeks each year with the purpose of inspiring young dancers to pursue their dreams of dance.

In September 2012, Ballet Des Moines' launched its inaugural season, a dream that we have had in place for the past 11 years.

Our dancers have come from around the world to live and work in the greater Des Moines community providing additional training opportunities for young dancers and an expanded performance season.

OUR VISION is to be an integral part of a culturally vibrant greater Des Moines area by delivering excellence in dance and providing world class performance opportunities.

OUR MISSION is to elevate Des Moines' professional resident ballet; attract and retain exceptional dancers and choreographers from around the world; and develop ballet enthusiasts.

To learn more about Ballet Des Moines, please visit our website.

Feedback

Questions or comments?

We would love to hear from you! E-mail us at: info@balletdesmoines.org

In This Issue

A Message from the Executive Director

2015-16 Season Tickets Available Now

Dance Without Limits Recital, May 3

Ballet Des Moines II Auditions, June 4

Birdies for Charity

Important Dates

Social Media links

A Message from the
Executive Director

Happy April, friends! With our 2014-15 season in the books, I wanted to take a minute to thank you ALL for your unending support of Ballet Des Moines. We had an amazing third season that included: three incredible ballets; multiple outreaches in the community; scores of dedicated volunteers, parents and staff; generous donors, sponsors and Board members; not to mention our talented dancers - both professional and student - who lent their time and efforts to making this season a successful one. Our appreciation is endless. Thank you!

Though this season has come to an end, it doesn't mean our jobs are done. In the next few months, you'll find us performing in the community, auditioning dancers for next season's shows, and talking about Ballet Des Moines wherever and whenever possible. Make sure to check our website and social media pages for updates on our whereabouts as we trek through the summer months in Des Moines.

One last thing - I hope you'll consider purchasing your season pass to the 2015-16 season on-sale now on our website. We have so many great things on the horizon. I would hate for you to miss a single step!

Thank you, as always, for your support of Ballet Des Moines. See you this summer!

Regards,

Jody Gifford

Executive Director, Ballet Des Moines

2015-16 Season Ticket Packages
On-sale Now

Ballet Des Moines is pleased to announce the 2015-16 season, its fourth as central Iowa's only resident professional ballet company. Our upcoming season includes three shows: A Triple Bill at Hoyt Sherman Place, Oct. 23-25; The Nutcracker at Hoyt Sherman Place, Dec. 10-13; and Peter Pan at the Des Moines Civic Center, March 26, 2016.

Season tickets start at $105 for the three-show package and can be purchased online, by mail or e-mail. Get all the details on our website at www.balletdesmoines.org. We hope to see you next season!

Dance Without Limits
Spring Recital, May 3

Join us on Sunday, May 3 at the Prairie Meadows Event & Convention Center for Dance Without Limits' 2015 spring recital. The fun begins at 2 p.m. in the Bishop Ballroom.

Dance Without Limits is a dance program designed for children with special needs who may not otherwise have the opportunity to experience the joy of dance. Classes meet once a week for 10-week sessions in the fall and spring. Lead by Monika Peltz and Ann Ungs, Dance Without Limits continues to grow and thrive with the help of volunteers and supporters from all over central Iowa.

We hope you'll join us on Sunday, May 3 to support this incredible program. See you there!

Ballet Des Moines II Auditions to be Held June 4

Auditions for Ballet Des Moines' pre-professional company, Ballet Des Moines II, will be held on Thursday, June 4 at the School of Classical Ballet and Dance (SCBD), 1721 25th St., West Des Moines. Registration is at 12 p.m. Auditions begin at 12:30 p.m.

The auditions include casting for A Triple Bill, Oct. 23-25 at Hoyt Sherman Place and for certain roles in Peter Pan, March 26, 2016 at the Des Moines Civic Center.

Dancers ages 13 and older are welcome to audition for Ballet Des Moines II. Please note: Tentative rehearsal times for Ballet Des Moines II are Tuesdays, 6:30-9 p.m. and Saturdays, 12:30-3 p.m.

Auditions for The Nutcracker will be held on Aug. 29 & 30. Additional details will be available at a later date.

If you have any questions about our professional or pre-professional company, contact company manager, Kelly Ahr.

The Principal Charity Classic - Birdies for Charity

Ballet Des Moines is among several charities receiving donations through the Birdies for Charity program at The Principal Charity Classic June 2-7 at the Wakonda Club, and we could use your help! How this works is that participating charities solicit pledges from supporters based on the number of birdies made by players in The Principal Charity Classic. You can pledge an amount per birdie or make a flat donation. Ballet Des Moines receives 100 percent of every donation collected.

To make a donation or pledge, please click here. For more information on the Birdies for Charity program, please click here.

Thank you, in advance, for your support of Ballet Des Moines.

Important dates

Mark your calendars! Here are a few important dates you need to know in the coming months:

May 3 - Dance Without Limits spring recital at the Prairie Meadows Events Center

June 4 - Ballet Des Moines II auditions

Aug. 29 & 30 - The Nutcracker auditions