The mission of Ballet Arts Ensemble, a youth ballet company, is to provide educational and performing opportunities for its members while perpetuating the art of dance, with an emphasis in ballet.

Established in 1982 by Jerre James and Bette Joachimi, BAE is a nonprofit organization created to promote and perpetuate the art of dance. With the retirement of Jerre James in 2001, ballet mistress Cathleen Huling became BAE’s artistic director. And in the fall of 2014, former BAE member Erin Rafferty was selected as ballet mistress.

Chosen in open auditions each May, a group of 14-20 dancers of middle through high school age is selected for membership in this exceptional dance group. Ensemble members must take two classical ballet classes a week in addition to the weekly 4-hour Ensemble class (with live accompaniment) and rehearsal block. They also benefit from outstanding instruction by a variety of guest artists and visiting teachers from such organizations as American Ballet Theatre, American Repertory Ballet, Ballet Quad Cities, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, Boston Ballet, DanceWorks Chicago, Education for the Arts, Grand Rapids Ballet, Hubbard Street 2, Royal Ballet (London), Rutgers University, Tokyo Ballet, Wellspring/Cori Terry & Dancers, and Western Michigan University. Frequently, guest choreographers set new works for mixed repertory concerts on BAE members.

The BAE Board of Directors plans and implements the season’s program, which is designed to include full-length ba ... view more »

Contact information

    Email
/
    Website
/

   

  

 

The Community Box Office Hours:

Box office hours are Monday through Friday, 11 am - 6 pm, with closing for lunch from 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm. You may contact the box office at: 269.250.6984.

ACGK Office Hours:

ACGK offices are open to the public Tuesday through Friday, 8 am to 6 pm. 

You may also contact us at: 269.342.5059 or email us at: info@kalamazooarts.org.