BALLET WEST EDUCATION PROGRAMS REACH MORE THAN 148,000 STUDENTS AND TEACHER

July 22, 2024

SALT LAKE CITY, UT – Ballet West’s education programs now serve more than 148,000 of Utah’s students and teachers, a nearly 35% increase from last season and the largest in company history. Ballet West is known for its artistic and professional excellence both locally and globally, but at the core of its mission is promoting the state’s diverse cultural heritage and advancing the art form.

During the 2023- 2024-year, Ballet West’s Student In-Theater Presentations for over 18,000 students in-person and nearly 43,000 students virtually included Dracula, The Firebird, The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and Beauty and the Beast. Taught by professional dancers, students learn unique concepts found in each piece relating to educational concepts.

The I CAN DO program gave over 5,000 students a year of hands-on dance education instruction and Ballet West for Children lecture demonstration was presented to nearly 50,000 students across the state, alongside over 20,000 students virtually. All combined, Ballet West spent over 1,300 hours of instructional time last season.

“Exposure to this high degree of professionalism and artistry enables students to further their artistic intelligence and sensitivity to the art form,” said Ballet West Director of Education & Community Outreach Peter Christie. “The programs allow teachers to expand on the ideas and enhance core standard concepts and life skills concepts while supporting the strategies from the Utah State Board of Education.”

Since its founding over 60 years ago, Ballet West’s educational programs have been nationally recognized for broadening student academic achievement. The increased outreach was seen across the spectrum, including the rising demand for its virtual offerings, educating students throughout various stages of learning.

“It was a concerted effort from across the company to take advantage of technology in reaching a broader scope of students and teachers. The response to our programming has coincided with the increasing popularity of company performances as well,” said Christie.

View the report HERE.

PRESS INQUIRIES Dana Rimington, Director of Communications and Publications drimington@balletwest.org | 801-869-6918