Nonprofit Spotlight: Ballet Excel Ohio
Cuyahoga Valley Youth Ballet, more popularly known as Ballet Excel Ohio, is the fourth-oldest youth ballet in the country. And the dance company is amid its 50th anniversary celebration, which will be capped with a March 14 event at the Akron Civic Theatre, including an alumni party and an exclusive performance of "Aladdin," Ballet Excel Ohio's newest full-length ballet, along with featuring several returning alumni dancers and a full roster of past choreographers, many of whom are now internationally renowned leaders in the dance world.
Along with performance, Ballet Excel Ohio's programs also have a strong focus on education. According to the organization, it's the only nonprofit in Ohio that offers full, multi-year scholarships for up to eight consecutive years for dancers at the pre-professional level, helping to eliminate financial barriers. "Many of our students begin through outreach and scholarship programs and go on to professional dance careers, while all gain confidence, discipline, and a lasting sense of belonging through the arts," said Mia Klinger, artistic director of Ballet Excel Ohio.
Klinger said she is motivated each day by seeing the transformative power of dance in the students' lives. "Watching a child discover confidence, discipline, and joy reminds me daily why this work matters" she added. "Knowing that Ballet Excel Ohio can open doors through our community outreach program Reach Out And Dance® (ROAD®) that might otherwise remain closed is incredibly motivating."
You can support Ballet Excel Ohio by attending performances, making charitable contributions, sponsoring students, and spreading the word about programs. For more information, visit balletexcelohio.org.