By Mary Jennings, Executive Director
November is the month when gratitude seems to naturally rise to the surface: cozy sweaters, warm drinks and the first dustings of frost accompany the quiet turning of the season. It’s a time to pause, reflect, and take stock of the abundance around us. For me, and for all of us at Grand Rapids Ballet, that abundance is found in our people… our dancers, our staff, our community, and the art form that connects us.
First and foremost, I am filled with gratitude for our extraordinary company dancers. They bring both precision and poetry into our studios and onto the stage. Their strength and artistry transforming discipline into inspiration.
This season, we are especially grateful to welcome three new dancers into our Grand Rapids Ballet family. Watching them find their place within the company reminds me that ballet, while built on centuries of tradition, is always renewed by fresh energy and fresh voices. Their presence reminds us that innovation and expansion are not opposites of tradition, they are its lifeblood. Our community of patrons, donors, and sponsors make this possible. Your belief in our mission and your willingness to invest in this centuries-old art form propels us forward. It allows us to continue to create, to take artistic risks, and to offer beauty and meaning to a world deeply in need of both.
Your enthusiasm isn’t just appreciated; it is essential. Each ticket purchased, each gift given, and each word of encouragement form the foundation that allows our company to thrive. For that, we are profoundly grateful. On a personal note, ballet has been one of the great constants in my life. It has offered me not only a lifelong connection to movement, athleticism, and health, but also a way of seeing… of finding beauty in precision, in effort, and in stillness.
Ballet has shaped how I experience the world. It has taught me empathy, to recognize humanity in both vulnerability and strength. It has attuned me to the subtleties of emotion, rhythm, and breath, helping me to process life through all of my senses. As we move deeper into the season toward performances that celebrate tradition, family, and wonder, I am reminded daily that gratitude itself is an art form. Like dance, it requires attention, practice, and a willingness to be fully present. Thank you to our dancers, our supporters, and our audiences for being part of this living, breathing expression of beauty and humanity. You are the reason we dance.
With deep appreciation,
Mary
September always feels like a fresh start. New routines. New goals. New energy.
At Grand Rapids Ballet, our professional dancers are back in the studios, rehearsing for an exciting season ahead. At the same time, our Ballet School is buzzing with families returning for classes or stepping into the studio for the very first time.
Gratitude first
To everyone who joined us for the Summer Dance Festival and Frederik Meijer Gardens: thank you. Your enthusiasm turned three late-summer nights into a true celebration of dance and community. We are carrying that energy into the season ahead.
Why this month matters
For our company, September is about laying the foundation: training, rehearsals, and artistic planning. For our Ballet School, it is about inspiring young dancers. From creative movement for preschoolers to pre-professional training for teens, the start of the school year is where artistry and discipline take root.
The bigger picture
Ballet is more than what you see on stage. It is a lifelong practice of creativity, drive, and joy. Families who enroll in the Ballet School are not just learning steps; they are building a foundation for life.
Strength + athleticism
Ballet builds a body that is strong, agile, and adaptable. The training shapes athletes who can move into any sport by honing their ability to sense their body’s movement, actions, and location (“proprioception”). The muscle memory and enhanced proprioception developed through ballet stay with them long after they leave the studio.
Friendship + community
From the youngest creative movement classes to our pre-professional division, ballet connects people. The friendships formed in the studio often last a lifetime. (Need proof? Find an adult who danced in their youth. Ask them about their dance best friend.)
Focus + motivation
Ballet teaches patience, goal-setting, and persistence. It is not just about mastering steps. It is about building the mindset to grow, adapt, and thrive. Corrections and coaching in ballet are often generalized, meaning that students learn from corrections given to others. This develops their ability to listen critically and apply those corrections to themselves.
Confidence + artistry
On stage, dancers discover their confidence. Ballet empowers students to express themselves, connect with audiences, and see themselves as artists. Think about the courage it takes to stand on stage in front of an audience. Whether alone in a solo or with a group, repeated opportunities to flex that confidence muscle make it stronger over time.
Why it matters now
As families settle into the school year, the Grand Rapids Ballet School is where students of all ages discover these benefits. Whether you are four years old or preparing for a professional career, ballet offers tools you will carry into everything you do.
Looking ahead
We are grateful for the energy everyone brought to our Summer Dance Series performances, and we look forward to seeing that spirit continue as our company and school move into a new season of performances, training, and growth.
Join us
Enroll your child in the Ballet School or drop in to an Adult Ballet class. Subscribe to the new season. Be part of the art that makes Grand Rapids an incredible place to live.
– Mary Jennings, Executive Director
DANCE EDUCATION
