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Performances

About

YOU’RE IN GRAND
COMPANY.

36 Company dancers, apprentices, and trainees from 5 countries and 22 U.S. states.



Thousands of students trained by professional faculty and Company dancers.

Thousands more audience members engaged, enthralled, and entertained since 1971.

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Leadership Team

Leadership Team

Board Of Directors

OFFICERS

Ashleigh Draft, President

Kimberly Burke, Vice President

Paul Skentzos, Treasurer


Amanda Avila, R.N., Secretary

Leah Voigt, Chief Executive Officer

BOARD MEMBERS

Leslie Abdoo

Helle Haw

Michael Lojek, MD

Kelly May

Jennifer Meeks

Andrea Nemes

Dale Schriemer

Jamie Slotsema

Brandon Tomash

Mary A. Yurko, MD, PhD

HONORARY BOARD

Jeff & Margaret Beusse

Edith I. Blodgett †

Mrs. Betty Ford †

Suzanne Geha


Mary Goodwillie Nelson

Charles† & Stella Royce †

Ellen Satterlee

Marilyn Titche †

Peter M. Wege †

† (Deceased)

HISTORY

Over fifty-five years, Grand Rapids Ballet has been committed to uplifting and engaging the human spirit through the art of dance. GRB celebrated its 50th in 2022 (technically its 51st year; adjusted for COVID). A proud recipient of the ArtServe Michigan Governor’s Awards for Arts & Culture, Michigan’s professional ballet company has a rich history marked by steady growth, a commitment to excellence, and strong community support.

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    1971

    In 1971, the Grand Rapids Civic Ballet began
under founding Artistic Director Sally Seven. Summerfest School of Grand Rapids, a conservatory school for the development of professional dancers, began in 1983 and later merged with the Grand Rapids Civic Ballet.

    Subsequently, the two reorganized to form the Grand Rapids Ballet Company along with the School of the Grand Rapids Ballet Company (GRBC). Under the artistic direction of Charthel Arthur, GRBC moved into the regional status and joined the Midwest Regional Ballet Assoc./Regional Dance America. During the early 1990s, professional dancers were placed under contract for the first time.

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    2000

    Through the generosity of an arts-conscious community, The Next Step Campaign allowed the Company to transform an old abandoned bus garage into a well-designed dance rehearsal space and school facility. 

    Since its opening in 2000, this permanent home has allowed the Ballet to add new opportunities for the community such as the popular Dancers’ Theatre Series (now retired), an expanded school schedule, and a popular field trip for students, “Escape to the Ballet,” where children learn what it takes to run a professional ballet company.

  • GRballet exterior

    2006

    Responding to the demand of the Dancers’ Theatre Series and tremendous growth of the Company and School, GRB announced another exciting $7.5 million expansion in September 2006. Stage 2: A Campaign for Ballet included the addition of the 300-seat Peter Martin Wege Theatre adjacent to the current facility, creating the Meijer-Royce Center for Dance. 

    The LEED-Certified theatre opened in September 2007 and housed the Company’s Dancers’ Theatre Series, as well as performances by the students of the School of the Grand Rapids Ballet Company. The 300-seat design kept the intimate feel of the Dancers’ Theatre Series that audiences came to love, while also allowing access to the Series for more patrons.

TODAY

Under the artistic leadership of James Sofranko since 2018, the company has made an exciting transformation that has attracted world-class dancers and choreographers, generating local, national, and international attention. The company consists of 20 professional dancers and an additional apprentice and trainee program.

GRB presents numerous styles of dance from some of the finest choreographers of the 20th and 21st centuries, including works by George Balanchine, Twyla Tharp, Paul Taylor, Ben Stevensen, Andy Blankenbuehler, Alejandro Cerrudo, Trey McIntyre, Jose Limon, Gerald Arpino, Ulysses Dove, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Dani Rowe, Yuri Possokhov, Lar Lubovitch and resident choreographer Penny Saunders. Rehearsals, GRBS classes, and performances are held at GRB’s own Meijer-Royce Center for Dance and Peter Martin Wege Theater, as well as DeVos Performance Hall, downtown Grand Rapids. Frequent collaborative partners include the Grand Rapids Symphony, Frederick Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park, and the Grand Rapids Art Museum.



GRB’s vision to engage and uplift the human spirit through dance is brought to life through inspiring performances, enriching community engagement, and inclusive programming for all ages and abilities. As Michigan’s home for world-class ballet, GRB is dedicated to advancing the art form and enriching the region’s cultural life through more than 50 classical and contemporary performances across the state — and beyond — each season. Investing in the future of ballet also means training the next generation.

With two locations — the Meijer Royce Center for Dance and Ada Campus—GRB’s School has extended its reach, furthering its reputation as Michigan’s premier destination for ballet education. Looking ahead to the next 50 years, Grand Rapids Ballet is guided by its core values of excellence, innovation, and gratitude, under the leadership of Artistic Director James Sofranko, School and Junior Company Artistic Director Attila Mosolygo, CEO Leah Voigt, and a dedicated administrative staff and board of directors.