New Ballet Ensemble and School

Since the founding of New Ballet Ensemble and School (NBES) in 2001, its mission has been to bring together children from diverse backgrounds by providing a professional standard of training, regardless of the ability to pay. Using the arts to bridge racial, cultural, and economic divides, NBES provides free programming through its Pathways Program to underserved students in Title I schools and other community venues with performances, in-school residencies, and after-school training. In its home studio, the NBES PreK-12 enrollment model is 50/50, with students who pay tuition (50%) and students receiving need-based scholarships (50%). Socioeconomic diversity positions NBES to recognize uniq... read more Since the founding of New Ballet Ensemble and School (NBES) in 2001, its mission has been to bring together children from diverse backgrounds by providing a professional standard of training, regardless of the ability to pay. Using the arts to bridge racial, cultural, and economic divides, NBES provides free programming through its Pathways Program to underserved students in Title I schools and other community venues with performances, in-school residencies, and after-school training. In its home studio, the NBES PreK-12 enrollment model is 50/50, with students who pay tuition (50%) and students receiving need-based scholarships (50%). Socioeconomic diversity positions NBES to recognize unique student needs and respond with activities and interventions that ensure equity and access, including mentoring, academic tutoring, leadership development, and other creative youth development supports. A youth support system is vital for emerging professionals apprenticing as NBES teaching and performing artists in the customized three-year, post-high school training program. Most apprentices are opportunity youth who grew up as NBES scholarship students and must work as soon as possible, with or without simultaneous college enrollment. Currently, 78% of NBES teaching and performing artists are people of color, and the annual guest artist roster is more than 90% people of color. "RAISING THE CAPACITY OF ALL SO THAT WE NO LONGER RECOGNIZE OUR DIFFERENCES"