To All Academy Parents and Students,
As we look forward to 2024-25 which is BalletMet’s 47th season, there is so much to reflect back upon as well as the excitement of what lies ahead. This has been an extra special year! BalletMet’s Professional Company continued to amaze us and inspire our students, parents and audiences alike. Our talented and highly skilled faculty ensured that students received the best guidance and training available and the Academy Staff dedicated themselves to be certain that everyone was cared for and in good hands.
Many of our dancers could be seen this season performing along with the Professional Company in The Nutcracker, Alice, and Romeo and Juliet. The opportunity for students to be in such close proximity to professional dancers: observing them from the hallway, in a rehearsal or on stage is a very special experience.
We hope this performance shows the progress your students have made this year. Together, we eagerly anticipate a wonderful year ahead – respect for what has come before and great enthusiasm for new and exciting goals and opportunities for the future. We reach out to all of you to join us again next year and experience the joys of dancing at BalletMet.
Maria Torija
BalletMet Dance Academy Director
Thank You BALLETMET Parent Association!
Every BalletMet Academy parent is a member of the Parent Association. This talented and dedicated group supports the Academy, along with the Company, in a shared mission to provide quality performances, instruction and new work. The Association is led by a Steering Committee that oversees the many valuable contributions made by this group. Activities include: Company merchandising; Academy merchandising; chaperoning; and endless opportunities to raise money to support the Academy and its students.
Our sincere thanks to all our hard-working parent volunteers and cheers to another successful year!
A special thanks to our PA Steering Committee Members who are stepping down after this Spring Performance: Doris Ing, Flora Cabanes, and Krista Calfee. We are forever grateful for your dedication and passion for the BalletMet Dance Academy. 🤍
Academy Director Maria Torija
Academy Manager Kathleen Wilson
Academy Assistants Lily Sayre, Gina Smeragliuolo
Academy Coordinator Juliann Ferguson
Academy Rehearsal Directors Darielle Eberhard, Ben Kubie, Traci Gilchrest Kubie, Dmitri Suslov, Zoica Tovar, Carrie West-Suslov
Academy Co-Founder & Children's Division Coordinator Daryl Kamer
Associate Director, Performance Ensemble Dmitri Suslov
Associate Director, Trainee Program Carrie West-Suslov
Receptionists Patti Ardit, Ardyth Gregory, Charelle Jones
Faculty Kelly Skidmore Black, Jessica Brown, Scott Brown, Maddie Denman, Sarah Dove, Laura Dustman, Darielle Eberhard, Lindsey Evans, Sara Flannery, Jessica Gould, Daryl Kamer, Ben Kubie, Traci Gilchrest Kubie, Brooke Moore, Angel Oliver, Laura Patterson, Alex Phillips, Annika Russo, Jlinn Sanford, Dmitri Suslov, Zoica Tovar, Olivia Ward, Victoria Watford, Carrie West-Suslov, Dionysia Williams
Accompanists Cathi Aldrich, Susan Dowdy, Phil Dupont, Doug Hare, Benjamin Harris, Chris Hokanson, Jae Hui Kim, Irina Keller, Joowon Kim, Helen Kushnir, April Myrin, Amanda O'Neil, Nyla Phillips, Kathy Thomsen, Ruby Ti
Find answers to all of your questions and get a first look at upcoming classes and programs when you visit our BalletMet Academy webpage!
Big Lots Foundation
Cardinal Health
Greater Columbus Community
Helping Hands, Inc.
Huntington Bank
Ingram-White Castle Foundation
Martha Holden Jennings Foundation
The Harry C. Moores Foundation
Ohio Children’s Foundation
Park National Bank
State Auto Insurance Companies
We would like to say a special thank you to the BalletMet Production team for their invaluable support and assistance on the Spring Performance. We are absolutely better because of you!