Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
This is Chris Redgrave for Zions Bank Speaking on Business.
This talented group is celebrating their 50th anniversary. The company now includes 48 members, and you can see them in action at Capitol Theatre during their annual Nutcracker performance, from now through Dec. 28.
Over six years ago, Adam Sklute came to Utah to become the new artistic director for Ballet West, and he's been an essential part of their continued growth ever since...He appreciates the commitment Utah and Salt Lake City have for the arts. For example, Utah is proud to be one of only 18 states across the nation to have a full symphony orchestra.
Ballet West has become one of the major cultural ambassadors for Utah. With their educational outreach program, they're reaching over 100,000 people statewide.... Plus, their I Can Do Program is helping inspire children to not drop out... This successful program has the Ballet West dancers work with low-income students to teach them to dance. And then as they choreograph their own dances as a team before they present them.
The talented dancers in Ballet West come from Utah and from all over the world.... Many train right here at Ballet West Academy. Plus Adam scouts around the world and has dancers from Japan, Brazil and Italy who have come to learn, and excel...He's an international judge for student competitions so that gives him eye for talent and access to top-level dancers from around the world. Ballet West is also gaining national recognition as the featured company for a ballet reality show for two seasons and a possible third.
For more information or to purchase tickets for upcoming Ballet West performances, including the Nutcracker, visit, balletwest.org.
For Zions Bank, I'm Chris Redgrave, speaking on business.
Ballet West 50 W. 200 South Salt Lake City, UT 84101 801-323-6906 www.balletwest.org
