Back in 2017 Nicolina Lawson founded Ballet North Texas “specifically for young dancers eyeing professional careers in dance.” Her vision was “to make the art form more accessible to audiences as well as dancers.” To accomplish this goal, she created the Ballet North Texas Conservatory to serve as the “official training division of BNT “specifically for “young dancers eyeing professional careers in dance.”
Still another program provided by BNT is its “Resources and Education through Art for Community Harmony (R.E.A.C.H.). In collaboration with local and national organizations, BNT’s goal is to offer music and dance education through scholarships to families in need, including refugees, veterans and children with special needs and disabilities.”
According to Nicolina, “We strive to create an environment that fosters peace and encourage the understanding of common human needs and community activities. By promoting sensitivity to and appreciation of differences among people, we help our employees, students and company members to learn important values and become thoughtful, responsible citizens of the world.”
Within two years, BNT settled into “its own space and set about designing a studio in East Dallas at the corner of Northwest Highway and Plano Road.” Within the 7,800-square-foot space are “two large studios, one small studio, a music room and a photography studio all equipped with custom-built sprung floors and state-of-the-art sound systems and equipment.”
To celebrate its sixth season, the company will hold fundraising events “Next and Gala” at Moody Performance Hall on two nights. The first one will take place on Friday, November 10, with a pre-performance cocktail party following a performance and supper.
The following night will be a performance of “Next,” choreographed by Nicolina, Mackenzie Jones and Gabriel Speiller.
Sponsorships and tickets are available here.
* Photo courtesy of Ballet North Texas