Ballet Arizona

“From the time Colleen auditioned [at Ballet Arizona], I saw her total love for dancing and her intense desire to succeed as a dancer that never left her,” said Artistic Director, Ib Andersen. “She was a kind, considerate person who set an example of how to be. She wanted so much. Colleen will be greatly missed and remembered.”

In lieu of flowers, Colleen Buckley Hoopes' family are establishing a scholarship fund at Draper Center for Dance Education in Colleen’s name. The scholarship is for young dancers who have the same passion for dance, work ethic, drive and kindness that Colleen had, to spread her light.

People wishing to donate can send a check made out to “Draper Center for Dance Education” with “Colleen Buckley Scholarship” in the memo line. The address is:
Draper Center for Dance Education
1326 University Avenue
Rochester, NY 14607

📸: Rosalie O'Connor

Tonight is our last performance of Round: Reimagined For A New Stage - don't miss this unforgettable experience! Get your tickets here:

We would also like to take a moment to thank our sponsors: Mayo Clinic Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, National Bank of Arizona, and Plexus Worldwide. Thank you for your support! We couldn't do this without you!

📸: All photos by David Knox

Happy 🏳️‍🌈

Ballet Arizona celebrates individuals from the LGBTQ+ community this month and every day of the year! The world and our dance community are better with you in it!

📸: Photos by Rosalie O'Connor and Alexander Iziliaev

Today is the last day of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and we want to take a moment to celebrate the hard work that our Asian dancers and staff do this month and every month!

We would specifically like to highlight two of our Asian dancers: Isabella Seo and Atsunari Matsuyama. Learn a little about them below:

Isabella Seo joined the company this season and debuted as Juliet in Ib Andersen's production of "Romeo & Juliet." In addition, she has performed a number of iconic roles such as the Snow Queen in "The Nutcracker," Waltz Girl in George Balanchine's "Serenade," and so many more.

Watch her Get To Know You video here: https://youtu.be/glBmJStVBMo

Read her full bio here: https://balletaz.org/people/isabella-seo

Atsunari Matsuyama joined the studio company in 2019, performing principal roles, such as the Prince in "Cinderella" and Franz in "Coppélia." He then joined the company in 2020, debuting as Mercutio in "Romeo & Juliet" this season. He has also performed a number of iconic roles such as Spanish Chocolate and Russian Trepak in "The Nutcracker."

Watch his Get To Know You video here: https://youtu.be/kYxxaksxT5M

Read his full bio here: https://balletaz.org/people/atsunari-matsuyama/

The Box Office will be closed Friday, May 27 through Monday, May 30 for Memorial Day weekend. The Box Office will not be available during regular hours to answer calls. Tickets for upcoming performances may still be purchased on our website at balletaz.org.

Will Call will still be available at Desert Botanical Garden for the performances of Round: Reimagined For A New Stage.

On Tuesday, May 31, the Box Office will reopen and will return any voicemails in the order they were received by end of business day on Friday, June 3.

We appreciate your support and understanding!

We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Company Dancer, Colleen Buckley Hoopes. We dedicate our performances of Round: Reimagined For A New Stage to Colleen and the passion she brought to the stage. Her kindness and talent always shone through whether she was serving as a dancer, teacher, or friend.

Colleen was an integral part of the Ballet Arizona family and will be missed deeply. She was passionate and dedicated to her artform and a bright light to us all. Our hearts go out to her loved ones.

📷: Alexander Iziliaev

We are excited to announce Ballet Arizona’s new Executive Director: Jami Kozemczak!

“During her tenure with Ballet Arizona, Jami’s work has directly contributed to the growth of Ballet Arizona through her relationship building and fundraising,” said Ib Andersen, artistic director. “I look forward to seeing the impact her dedication will have on the organization’s current and future efforts as our new executive director.”

She will assume the appointment beginning July 1, 2022, following a nationwide search. She replaces Samantha Turner who announced her departure in January and will conclude her tenure June 30, 2022.

📸: Karianne Munstedt Portraits

Congratulations to the winners of our Juan Gabriel-inspired Art Auction!

Stephen Hardy & Addison Crawford took home “Peace Within Juan Gabriel,” by Camilla Ibarra, and “Espiritu Amarillo,” by Liliana Mora. Adriana Perez takes home “JuanGa,” by Volar.

Thank you to everyone who bid on these incredible works of art!

We also want to thank Camila Ibarra, Liliana Mora, and Volar for all of their hard work to create these pieces!

Debido a un brote de COVID-19 entre nuestros bailarines, se cancelan las presentaciones del 19-21 de mayo de Round: Reimagined for a New Stage.

Para intercambiar tus boletos o para un reembolso, por favor llena nuestro formulario de reembolso: http://ow.ly/qBJQ50JbFEy

Nos disculpamos por cualquier inconveniente y agradecemos tu paciencia durante este tiempo.

Due to a COVID-19 outbreak among our dancers, all performances of Round: Reimagined For A New Stage May 18-21 are canceled.

To exchange or refund your tickets, please fill out this refund form: https://balletaz.org/patron-health-and-safety-policy/-from

We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience during this time.

Please join us in wishing company dancer Katelyn May a Happy Birthday! 🌹🎂

Katelyn has been dancing since the age of 7 at June Taylor’s School of Dance. Katelyn's ballet company journey began with Houston's main company in 2008. While with Houston Ballet she originated many soloist roles in ballets by Artistic Director Stanton Welch, including roles in "Maninyas", "Marie", "Romeo and Juliet", and "Tapestry". In 2017, Katelyn joined The Sarasota Ballet There, she danced in principal roles for Sir Fredrick Ashton’s works, such as "Meditation from Thaïs", “Titania” in "The Dream", and "Rhapsody". Katelyn has danced in a number of other notable experiences under other artist directors.

Katelyn joined Ballet Arizona in 2021, and we are thrilled to have her! She is a principle dancer and can be seen in Ballet Arizona under the eye of Artist Director Ib Anderson in "The Nutcracker", "All Balanchine", "Romeo and Juliet", and most recently in "Juan Gabriel".

From all of us here at Ballet Arizona, Happy Birthday Katelyn!

📸: All Photos by Rosalie O'Connor
1 - Katelyn in "Juan Gabriel".
2 - Katelyn in "All Balanchine: Serenade" Choreography by George Balanchine. © The Balanchine Trust.
3 - Katelyn in "The Four Seasons". Desert Botanical Garden (edited)

Please join us in wishing company dancers Sarah Diniz a Happy Birthday! 🎂🎉

Sarah has been dancing from a young age, when she began to seriously train for ballet at 11. Sarah joined the The School of Ballet Arizona in 2017 and joined the Ballet Arizona Studio Company in 2018. Then, in 2020, she was promoted to the company.

Sarah has performed a number of roles both with the studio company and the company, including "Swan Lake" and "Don Quixote" and George Balanchine’s "Symphony in 3 Movements." She was also in Ib Andersen’s "The Firebird," "The Nutcracker," "A Midsummer’s Night Dream", and most recently, "Juan Gabriel".

📸 All photos by Rosalie O'Connor

Throwback to our world premiere last weekend!

We're still reeling from all of the excitement and support we received for Juan Gabriel! Thank you for an incredible weekend of shows!

We also wanted to take a moment to thank our sponsors: Arizona Office of Tourism, Salt River Project Molina Fine Jewelers and Friends of Mexican Art. We couldn't have done this without you!

📸: by Rosalie O'Connor

Round: Reimagined For A New Stage will be an evening of old favorites revisited and reimagined for a new stage ✨

Inspired by his 2015 world premiere Round, Ib will be revisiting this incredible work with new, reimagined choreography.

In addition to Round, select pieces from Ib's full-length abstract ballet Mosaik will return to the desert as well!

Join us for an unforgettable evening of dance in the desert at Desert Botanical Garden! Get your tickets today: https://bit.ly/DBG22D

📸: Ballet Arizona dancers in Mosaik. Photos by Rosalie O'Connor.

Ballet Arizona presents Round: Reimagined For a New Stage

Join us May 17-June 2 in our return to the Desert Botanical Garden for Round: Reimagined For A New Stage 🌵

Based on Ib Andersen's 2016 world premiere, Ib plans to revisit this unparalleled work with re-imagined choreography that showcases the natural backdrop of the Garden.

Get your tickets today: https://bit.ly/DBG22D

Ballet Arizona presents Round: Reimagined For a New Stage Ballet Arizona presents Round: Reimagined For a New StageMay 17 – June 2, 2022 Tuesdays through Saturdays, 8 p.m. nightly at Desert Botanical GardenSurrounde...

Juan Gabriel is now over, but we want to take a moment to thank everyone who helped make this world premiere a success!

We want to thank our company dancers and Studio Company for an amazing weekend of shows. We also want to thank Jake Pinholster and Daniel Cariño for their work this weekend to create such mesmerizing projections. To Carla Fernández, her artisans, and our incredible Costume Shop, thank you for creating such gorgeous costumes that dazzled on stage.

To our staff, crew and volunteers, thank you for all you do! And of course, thanks to Symphony Hall - Phoenix for having us!

Last, but certainly not least, thank you to everyone who attended the show: your energy, your excitement, and your support for this show means the world to us!

Our last performance of the season is Round: Reimagined For A New Stage at Desert Botanical Garden. For more info and to get your tickets, head to our website here: https://bit.ly/DBG22D

We hope to see you there!