Photo by Amanda Kay
ABOUT ECB
Evergreen City Ballet (ECB) was established in 1994 and received its non-profit status in 1995. It was established in downtown Auburn, Washington as both a pre-professional ballet school and as a performing company.
From its humble but
visionary beginnings, Evergreen City Ballet continues to provide high quality dance education, professional-level performances, and a nurturing place for students, families, and community members to flourish. ECB’s mission is to provide high quality dance
education and performance opportunities to students of all ages and to enrich the diverse communities in the Puget Sound region through performances, outreach, and community engagement initiatives. Our long-term vision is to be a nationally recognized, premier,
pre-professional ballet school with a studio company that cultivates excellence, diversity, inclusiveness, and innovation.
ECB offers a rigorous, well-rounded, and holistic approach to learning and development. Our diverse program hosts classes for all
ages. Our students take a wide variety of classes from ballet, pointe, variations, partnering, contemporary, modern, jazz, and more.
Our graduates have gone on to study at The Juilliard School, University of Washington, and University
of Oregon to name a few. Members of our alumni body have also had successful professional careers dancing with San Francisco Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Oregon Ballet Theatre, The Metropolitan Opera Ballet, and on Broadway, just to name a few.
Photo courtesy of Naomi Smith
WADE WALTHALL
Evergreen City Ballet’s Founding Artistic Director
Mr. Walthall received his formal dance training with a Ford Foundation Scholarship at the School of American Ballet, the official school of the New York City Ballet. Following SAB, he became a Soloist Dancer with the Dutch National Ballet under Artistic Director Rudi Van Dantzig. He lived in Amsterdam for several years and went on to dance extremely varied and eclectic repertory.
After a season as the Principal Resident Guest Artist with the National Ballet of Spain, Mr. Walthall returned to Seattle, Washington and danced as a Principal Dancer
for the Pacific Northwest Ballet under the direction of Kent Stowell and Francia Russell.
After his performing career with PNB, Mr. Walthall performed throughout the United States as a guest artist and spent one season as a Principal Guest Artist with Ballet Austin under the direction of Lambros Lambrou.
Throughout his career, Mr. Walthall has studied, worked, and performed with some of the most prestigious figures in the dance world.
In 1994, he became the Artistic Director of The Evergreen City Ballet where
he designed, choreographed, directed, and taught for 14 years.
In 2011, Mr. Walthall became the Artistic Director of Gwinnett Ballet Theatre where he continued the tradition of excellence in dance education and performance in the metro Atlanta area. He expanded GBT’s repertoire with his unique and original ballets, including Journey and Pictures. In addition to his long list of career and life achievements.
In 2019, ECB celebrated his legacy and made him a member of Evergreen City Ballet’s Advisory Board.
Photo courtesy of Naomi Smith
MAXIMILIANO GUERRA
Evergreen City Ballet’s Current Artistic Director
Maximiliano Guerra is an internationally acclaimed dancer, choreographer and teacher.
Born in Argentina, Mtro. Guerra began his ballet training at the age of ten. He made his international debut as a guest dancer of Los Angeles Ballet under John Clifford’s Direction, and a year later joined the English National Ballet as a star. He has performed with some of the most prestigious companies in the world and he has danced leading roles in classical and contemporary ballets, such as Swan Lake, Giselle, Romeo and Juliet, Don Quixote, Manon, Onegin, The Sleeping Beauty, and The Nutcracker, as well as creations by J. Neumeier, W. Forsythe, M. Bejart and many others.
As a choreographer, Guerra has created original works for the Teatro Colon Ballet, the Stuttgart Ballet, the Ballet of La Scala, the Mercosur Ballet and the Ballet of Santiago. His choreographic style is dynamic, expressive, and diverse, blending classical and modern elements. He has also staged and coached ballets by renowned choreographers, such as John Cranko, Kenneth MacMillan, John Neumeier, and Jiří Kylián among others.
As a teacher, Guerra has taught master classes and workshops at various schools and institutions all round the world. He has also mentored and nurtured young dancers, many of whom have gone on to join professional companies or
win international ballet competitions. He is committed to sharing his knowledge and experience with the next generation of dancers and artists.
Guerra is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the Gold Medal Senior of the XIII contest international Ballet Competition in Varna, Messenger of Peace by UNESCO and much more. He is also a member of the International Dance Council. Guerra’s vision for Evergreen City Ballet is to
make it a professional school and company that celebrates the art of ballet, inspires audiences, and enriches the greater Seattle and Washington community. He aims to expand the repertoire, attract and retain talented students to develop dancers to their full potential. To collaborate with other artists and organizations, and to increase the accessibility and diversity of ballet. He believes that ballet is a universal language that can connect people across cultures and generations.
MEET OUR STAFF
Former alumni, Denali Weyer, grew up dancing classical ballet with additional training in jazz, contemporary, and modern at a small studio in Enumclaw, WA under the tutelage of Sandra and Glen Hasstedt who were former dancers with San Fransisco Ballet. After deciding that she wanted to pursue dance as a career, she joined Evergreen City Ballet in 2009 where she received training from Kevin Kaiser, Louise Nadeau, Deborah Kenner, Julie Tobiason, Jeffery Stanton, Danielle Wilkens, as well as many guest artists from Pacific Northwest Ballet.
During the summers, Ms. Weyer trained at Ballet Arizona with Ib Andersen and Carlos Valcarcel, Ballet Chicago with Daniel Duell and Patricia Blair as well as two summers at the American Academy of Ballet in New York with Mignon Furman. She continued dancing after high school in Ballet Arizona’s pre-professional program for two years and then moved to Portland where she danced for another two years with Oregon Ballet Theatre’s school and then a year in their pre-professional program.
Ms. Weyer currently works at Evergreen City Ballet in Renton as the Rehearsal and Programs Coordinator and teaches ages 5 through adults. She has had the opportunity to teach at several other studios up and down the Puget Sound area. She went to school for massage
Nathan Cook began his ballet training at Washington Contemporary Ballet in Tacoma, WA, where he studied classical and contemporary ballet under the direction of Kay Englert. He received further training from Spectrum Dance Theatre and Pacific Northwest Ballet, where he spent four summers dancing on a merit scholarship. Over the years, Mr. Nathan has studied with many notable directors and instructors including Peter Boal, Vikki Pulkinen, Eva Stone, Sonja Dawkins, Donald Byrd, Bruce Wells, Timothy Lynch, and Stephanie Wood.
As a professional dancer, Mr. Cook has had the privilege of touring both domestically and internationally to places such as Germany, France, India, South Korea, and more. He has worked with esteemed choreographers such as Adam Miller, Julie Tobiason, Jennifer Porter, Sayoko Knode, Jessie Jeanne Stinnett, and Cyrus Khambatta. From 2015-2018, Mr. Cook served as the Director of Washington Contemporary Ballet. He currently dances with Khambatta Dance Company and is the School Principal of Evergreen City Ballet.
therapy and has loved working with dancers as well as other athletes and would eventually love to continue her studies in pre-medicine.
Born and raised in Miami, Florida, Margarita Armas began her ballet training at Artistic Dance Center and Miami City Ballet School. In 2014, Margarita took a brief break from her ballet training to explore Modern and Contemporary Techniques with Marie-Louise Gaschler. She attended summer programs in Miami City Ballet School, American Ballet Theater, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and Pacific Northwest Ballet School. At age 15, Margarita was selected by Miami City Ballet to perform with the company’s 2015-2016 Season & MCB Tour to New York City and Chicago.
Margarita was featured in the second season of the Teen Vogue’s Strictly Ballet Series. She was also the recipient of the Silver Award in the 2018 Young Arts Ballet Category. Margarita began to explore choreography for Miami City Ballet School’s Student Choreography Showcase.
In 2019, during her second year as a Professional Student with Pacific Northwest Ballet, she choreographed at the Guggenheim in New York City for a collaboration with Dance Lab New York and the Joyce for “Female Choreographers of Color in Ballet.” In 2021, during her last year as a Professional Division student at the Pacific Northwest Ballet, She choreographed for PNB’s Rep 4 Bonus
Content for their 2020/2021 season. Margarita is now pursuing a career as a freelance dancer and choreographer.
Mary Sigward (she/her) is a Seattle-based independent artist, kinesthetic thinker, and movement teacher. She uses movement to explore and disassemble the human experience. Born and raised in Cincinnati, Mary graduated magna cum laude and with honors from the University of South Carolina with a B.A. in Dance Performance and minor in Biology. Since graduating she has performed with Spectrum Dance Theater under the direction of Donald Byrd, Stone Dance Collective, Khambatta Dance Company, and Karin Stevens Dance. In 2022 she formed MS+A, a creative hub for her interdisciplinary choreographic projects. Her work has been performed at 12 Minutes Max (WA), the Seattle International Dance Festival, and by de la Dance Company (Cincinnati, OH), the Island Dance Company (Langley, WA), and the Academy Program at the School of Spectrum Dance Theater. Mary has had the joy of being the Academy Coordinator for the School of Spectrum Dance Theater since 2017, where she works with and mentors aspiring preprofessional students.
Jennifer Porter grew up in Anchorage, Alaska. She trained with Ballet West and First Chamber Dance Company and attended high school at the prestigious North Carolina School of the Arts. She began her professional career dancing with The Washington Ballet in Washington, DC, and then with Pacific Northwest Ballet where she performed works by George Balanchine, William Forsythe, Kent Stowell, Jerome Robbins, Nacho Duato, and many others.
Ms. Jennifer was the Artistic Director of
Theresa's passion for dance education blossomed at the age of 16 during her internship at The Creative Dance Center, guided by Anne Green Gilbert. This transformative experience introduced her to the world of Brain Compatible Dance education, shaping her current pedagogical approach. Theresa's lessons are enriched with elements such as the Brain Dance, dance principles, anatomy and physiology, and socialemotional skills. She takes pride in creating a nurturing environment where her students can freely express themselves, enabling them to reach their full potential.
Outside of teaching, Theresa enjoys tending to her garden, engaging in fiber arts, and spending quality time with her family and beloved dog, Brutus. Currently, she is dedicated to furthering her education in mental health counseling.
Ballet Bellevue for three years where she created two original full-length ballets, The Snowman and Firebird. She has also created other contemporary works including With Remorse, Velvet Romance, Disconnected, Duet, and Childish Things. She has also created works for The Katy Hagelin Dance Project, Inception Dance Theater, and Burmer Music. Her choreographic works have been praised and recognized nationally and internationally. Ms. Jennifer’s work for Burmer Music titled Sacred and Profane was highly acclaimed and her piece Vim was recently performed in Croatia.
In February of 2017, she won 1st Prize at The Rocky Mountain Choreography Festival in Utah for her piece Duet. She was invited to return and present a full evening of her choreographic works. In October of 2017, she brought with her ten dancers to perform her original choreography, including a selection of shorter works and Firebird, her modern-day ballet interpretation of the Russian fairy tale of the same name. Her dances and dancers were well received by an enthusiastic audience at Peery’s Egyptian Theater, an 800-seat theater in Ogden, Utah.
In addition to choreography, Ms. Jennifer has been teaching for 20 years and has enjoyed working with not only professional dancers, but students and non-dancers. She has taught all over the state choreographing musicals, graduation dances, and the occasional flash mob. Ms. Jennifer loves coaching, mentoring, and nurturing in her students the passion for dance, which she has celebrated her whole life.
Myriam Barroso was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She began her studies of Classical Ballet with Vera Stankaitis and Spanish Classical Dance with Lucia Silva, achieving her “Professor Title Diploma” in both disciplines. After a very tough audition at the age of 10, she was accepted to be part of the school of Teatro Colon where she developed her training at the Instituto Superior de Arte and achieved her Professional Dancer Diploma. Mrs. Barroso also has a Pilates Technic Diploma as a complimentary study for the development of Classical and Contemporary Dance.
She was selected by the great Juliard School teacher Héctor Zaraspe, representative of the prestigious “Fulbright U.S. Student Program” in commission with Argentina, to dance his “Pas de Quatre” in the Pugni/Perrot choreography with Spanish reminiscences.
In 1990 she became adjunct of the Ballet Estable of Teatro Colón until 1992, when, through an International Competition, and within the best five scores, she became a professional dancer in that prestigious Ballet Company. In all the 25 years that she was part of the company, Myriam had the pleasure to work and dance with the best National and international choreographers who chose her as Principal Ballerina for most of their works. Together, with Maximiliano Guerra, Myriam has developed the Program and Curriculum of the Ballet Career for the MG Escuela de Artes Foundation in
which she holds the title of “Director of the Dance Career Program.” Currently she gives Master Classes, Seminars, Private Coaching, and rehearsing companies all-round, and being a Member of U.N.E.S.C.O. The International Council of the Dance (C.I.D) she enhances the art of Ballet Teaching.
Elizabeth originally developed her passion for movement and keen ability to analyze movement through 18 years of classical ballet training. This passion for movement, the desire to work closely with people and an interest in medicine led her to a career in Physical Therapy. While completing her graduate studies in Physical Therapy, she simultaneously completed her Pilates instructor training, because she had a vision for the seamless integration of Pilates into Physical Therapy treatments. She also recognized that Pilates is a fun and effective method for optimizing movement across the lifespan.
Elizabeth takes the time to listen to each client’s story in order to fully understand his/ her needs and goals. Hearing the client’s story is essential to developing an effective treatment plan. Her treatment approach is a blend of manual therapy techniques, movement re-education and highly effective exercise techniques, including Pilates conditioning. She empowers all of her clients to take control of their wellness and longevity.
Just like her clients, Elizabeth is doing her best to stay fit and healthy so that she can enjoy this life! Saturday mornings you can find her somewhere between Seward Park and Madison Park doing her long run for the week.
Sidney graduated from Friends University (Wichita, Kansas) in 2018, earning dual Bachelor’s of Arts degrees in English and Graphic Design. Immediately upon graduating they relocated to the Seattle area, and spent the next 5 years focusing on their professional development in various roles including reception, graphic design, copywriting, editing, purchasing, ecommerce, and systems management, before joining Evergreen City Ballet’s team as Office Manager + Box Office in 2023. When not at the studio, Sidney is likely playing video games, studying astrology, reading a book, or gazing lovingly at her cats.
Debbi was born and raised in South Africa, where she learned to sew at an early age and made her own costumes as a competitive ice skater. After moving to the United States, she earned her B.S. in Human Biology from the University of Utah and a Credential in Elementary Education after relocating to the San Francisco Bay Area. Debbi has two daughters who were dancers from a young age, and she designed and created costumes for their school theatre, dance performances, and competitions for nearly 20 years. She started with ECB in 2014 and thoroughly enjoys working with such talented dancers and staff to bring professional productions to life on the stage. Debbi is passionate about creating costumes that help the dancers feel their best during performances.
Barney Blough holds a Master’s of Music and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Performance from Central Washington University, a Teaching Certificate from Seattle Pacific University, and a Professional Certificate from Pacific Lutheran University. Mr. Blough studied conducting with Larry Gookin and Nikolas Caoile at Central Washington University; Vilem Sokol, Director Emeritus of the Seattle Youth Symphony; Stewart Kershaw, Principal Conductor of the Pacific Northwest Ballet; and Pulitzer Prize winning composer Gunther Schuller. A horn player, Mr. Blough has performed with numerous orchestras and ensembles throughout the Northwest. He conducted his first ECB Nutcracker in 2001 and has over fifty Nutcracker performances since then, as well as Swan Lake, Giselle, and Cinderella. He is currently the Director of the Sinfonia Orchestra with Bellevue Youth Symphony, and Director of the Newport High School Orchestra.
Julia James danced as an apprentice with New York City Ballet from 2000 to 2002 after training year-round at the School of American Ballet from age 15 to 17. She attended summer sessions on full scholarship at Pacific Northwest Ballet School and San Francisco Ballet School and, before moving to New York, studied at the Ballet West Conservatory and as a concurrent student at the University of Utah. She earned a bachelor’s degree in geological and environmental sciences and a master’s degree in journalism from Stanford University and works fulltime as a digital media strategist.
As an apprentice with New York City Ballet, Julia performed in works by George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, Peter Martins, Richard Tanner and Eliot Feld. In workshop performances at the School of American ballet, she appeared in “Concerto Barocco,” “Stars and Stripes,” “Danses Concertantes,” “Konservatoriet,” and the world premier of Chris Wheeldon’s “Scènes de Ballet.”
Her former teachers include Suki Schorer, Susie Pilarre, Kay Mazzo, Antonina Tumkovsky, Jock Soto, Peter Boal, Andre Kramerevsky, Victoria Pulkkinen, Flemming Halby, Abbie Siegel, Louise Nadeau, Phillip Otto, Marjorie Thompson and Francia Russell, Gloria Govrin, Jorge Esquivel, Sandra Jennings, Bené Arnold and Conrad Ludlow.
Julia taught advanced pointe and technique at the Pacific Ballet Academy, in Mountain View, California, between 2005 and 2016. She lives in Seattle’s Hillman City neighborhood with her husband and two kids.
CLASS CURRICULUM
Evergreen City Ballet’s curriculum is designed to help all ballet students become successful learners, confident and creative students, as well as active and informed citizens. Presented as a developmental sequence of learning from Creative Movement through
Professional/Faculty, the ECB curriculum describes to teachers, parents, students, and members of the wider community what is to be taught and the quality of learning expected of students as they progress through ballet school. In
each level and subject, content descriptions specify what students will learn, along with the achievement standards which describe the depth of understanding and sophistication of knowledge and skill expected of students at the end of each year.
ECB is proud to be a member of The International Dance Council (CID), in partnership with UNESCO, amongst the most prominent federations, associations, schools, companies, and individuals in over 170 countries. Every student
that completes the program will receive a certificate of membership and achievement from the CID, gaining connections to a huge network of worldwide opportunities. All classes are taught at our Renton studio on Bronson Way. Auditions are
required for any ballet class; as young dancers’ bodies (and feet) are still developing and ECB strives to avoid injury by placing dancers at their appropriate skill-level, according strength, endurance, and demonstration of proper, safe, ballet technique.
Photo by Michelle Smith Lewis
CREATIVE MOVEMENT
Ages 3-4
Classical Technique
Class of 45 minutes
CM 1 Tuesdays 3:30-4:15pm
CM 2 Saturdays 9:15-10am
Tuition $94
GOALS OF CREATIVE MOVEMENT
Children in Creative Movement will learn basic ballet movements, musicality, and coordination through fun activities that engage the full body in a group setting. Class is structured to allow children to explore dance concepts through a variety of storytelling, seasonally-themed activities.
PRE-BALLET
Ages 5-6
Classical Technique
Class of 45 Minutes
Pre-Ballet 1 Thursdays 5:00-5:45pm
Pre-Ballet 2 Saturdays 10:15-11am
Tuition $109
GOALS OF PRE-BALLET
Students in Pre-Ballet will continue learning the basic fundamentals of ballet, and developing their coordination. In addition to learning fundamental positions and exercises, students will continue to deepen their sense of coordination and musicality.
PRIMARY BALLET I
Ages 6-7
Classical Technique
Two classes per week
Wednesdays 5:45-6:45pm
Saturdays 9-10am
Tuition $209
GOALS OF PRIMARY BALLET I
In Primary Ballet I, students will continue learning basic fundamentals of ballet, using proper French names, and principally focusing on the posture of the body in general; particularly the feet, legs, back, head, and arms to achieve healthy positioning.
Photo by Michelle Smith Lewis
BALLET II
Ages 7-8
Classical Ballet Technique
Two classes per week
Mondays 4:30-5:45pm
Wednesdays 4:30-5:45pm
Tuition $239
GOALS OF BALLET II
Ballet II is the stage in which students will begin to live the experience of executing the future structure of the academic training class.
Photo by Michelle Smith Lewis
BALLET III
Ages 9-10
Classical Ballet Technique
Three classes per week
Tuesdays 6:15-7:45pm
Thursdays 5:45-7:45pm
Saturdays 12:00-2:00pm
Spanish Dance once per week
Tuesdays 5:00-6:00pm
Tuition $439
(Tuition Includes performance fees)
GOALS OF BALLET III
Exercises at this level will focus on combination of legs and arms, progressing gradually in technicality and musicality as the class progresses. Students in Ballet III and up will take additional classes in Spanish, and Conditioning. This is also when students will take a Pre-Pointe class in preparation to go en pointe.
Photo by Michelle Smith Lewis
UPPER BALLET IV
Ages 11-12
Classical Ballet Technique
Three times per week
Mondays 5:45-7:15pm
Wednesdays 6:15-7:45pm
Fridays 4:30-6:00pm
Pre-Pointe/ Pointe once per week
Fridays 6:00-7:00pm
Conditioning once per week
Mondays 4:30-5:30pm
Spanish once per week
Fridays 7:00-8:00pm
Contemporary once per week
Saturdays 10:00-11:00am
French/Music once per week
Saturdays 11:00-12:00pm
Tuition $524
(Tuition includes performance fees)
GOALS OF UPPER BALLET IV
This class is the exciting moment in which students will put on their pointe shoes, starting with basic exercises at the barre to build strength.
Photo by Michelle Smith Lewis
UPPER BALLET V
Ages 13-14
Classical Ballet Technique/Pre-Pointe/Big Jumps
Five times per week
Tuesdays 4:30-6:15
Wednesdays 6:15-7:45pm
Thursdays 6:00-7:45pm
Fridays 4:30-6:30pm
Saturdays 12:00-2:00pm
Conditioning twice per week
Tuesdays 6:15-7:15pm
Saturdays 11:00am-12:00pm
Contemporary twice per week
Wednesdays 7:45-8:45pm
Fridays 6:30-8:00pm
Spanish once per week
Thursdays 4:45-5:45pm
French/Music once per week
Saturdays 10:00-11:00pm
Tuition $679
(Tuition includes performance fees)
GOALS OF UPPER BALLET V
The main objectives of Upper Ballet V are the growth and emphasis on expressiveness with greater complexity of technical combinations in different musical rhythms.
Photo by Michelle Smith Lewis
UPPER BALLET VI
Ages 15-16
Classical Ballet Technique and Big Jumps
Six times per week
Mondays 5:45-7:30pm
Tuesdays 5:30-7:15pm
Wednesdays 4:30-6:15pm
Thursdays 4:30-6:00pm
Fridays 4:30-6:30pm
Saturdays 12:00-2:00pm
Contemporary twice per week
Thursdays 6:00-7:30pm
Fridays 6:30-8:00pm
Conditioning once per week
Saturdays 11:00am-12:00pm
Pas de Deux once per week
Saturday 2:30-4:00
Art History once per week
Thursdays 7:30-8:15pm
Repertoire once per week
Tuesdays 7:15-8:45pm
Ellové® once per week
Mondays 4:30-5:30pm
Tuition $759
(Tuition includes performance fees)
GOALS OF UPPER BALLET VI
We need to update this tuition to $779
Students at this stage will receive additional training in Art History, The Ellove Technique, Repertoire, Pas de Deux, Pointe, Conditioning, and Contemporary Dance.
Photo by Michelle Smith Lewis
PRE-PROFESSIONAL PD I & II
Ages 17+
Classical Ballet Technique & Big Jumps
Six times per week
Mondays 5:45-7:45pm
Tuesdays 5:30-7:15pm
Wednesdays 4:30-6:15pm
Thursdays 4:30-6:00pm
Fridays 4:30-6:30pm
Saturdays 12:00-2:00pm
Contemporany twice per week
Thursdays 6:00-7:30pm
Fridays 6:30-8:00pm
Pas de Deux once per week
Saturdays 2:30-4:00pm
Art History once per week
Thursdays 7:30-8:15pm
Repertoire once per week
Tuesdays 7:15-8:45pm
Ellové® once per week
Mondays 4:30-5:30pm
Anatomy once per week
Tuesdays 4:30-5:30pm
Tuition $819
(Tuition includes performance fees)
Photo by Erin Elise
The Ellové Technique®
Incorporating principles of dance medicine and exercise science, The Ellové Technique® is a cross-training and injury reduction program for dancers. The pure techniques of ballet, yoga, fitness, and Pilates are set to music in a seamless movement sequence that improves alignment, control, strength, flexibility, and body awareness. A mat and 1-2 lb. hand weights are optional/provided. The Ellové Technique is endorsed by Doctors for Dancers.
GOALS OF PRE-PROFESSIONAL PD I & II
The objective of this course is to reinforce all elements learned, and to incorporate new exercises with complexity; developing not only technique, but also training as a true artist and professional of dance.
Photo by Erin Elise
PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES
Performing is a gift from the performer to their audience. Through great effort from our community, as well as hours of dedication and hard work, dancers, volunteers, and audiences alike are bound to have fun, and be carried away by the magic and whimsy
of an Evergreen City Ballet performance.
Performance opportunities are a core part of ECB’s education model not only because of the valuable experience gained by students through stage performance, but is also an opportunity
for students to share their accomplishments and love for dance with their friends, family, and the general public. Evergreen City Ballet is proud to provide these incredible opportunities to our students, and to provide exposure of the performing arts to our
Photo by Michelle Smith Lewis
community. Many students credit the performances for educating them about performance and stage etiquette, which is knowledge that continues to provide a sense of structure and discipline to one’s life, even off of the stage.
As long as dancers meet the age, class level, and attendance requirements, any student is invited (and encouraged) to participate in performances opportunities. It is through these performances that our students of all ages and larger
community deepen their relationships with one another, and develop a great sense of pride in their team effort to produce a spectacular show for our audiences to marvel at and enjoy every time.
ELEVATE FOR UPPER BALLET V AND UP
ELEVATE
Every October Evergreen City Ballet is proud to host Elevate, our annual student choreography showcase. Elevate is a community favorite, and spotlights the choreographic talents of the Performance Division with the
help of the Upper Ballet V & VI dancers. The student choreographers create new short works for their peers and are provided invaluable insights into the creative process, the value of collaboration, how to produce a show, and what it means to be a dance-maker.
Photo by Allison Montgomery
DANCE FESTIVALS
FOR PERFORMANCE DIVISION AND UP
by Chris Clark
DANCE FESTIVALS
Every February & March, ECB has the opportunity to perform in multiple festivals throughout the Puget Sound region including Dance Festival Northwest in Centralia, the Olympia Dance Festival in Olympia, and All-4-1
Dancepalooza in Seattle. These festivals provide exposure for ECB to the greater community and are a great chance for our students to connect with other young artists from around the area. ECB is looking forward to hosting the first of our own dance festival in the coming March, 2025.
Photo
WADE WALTHALL’S FOR PRE-BALLET AND UP
THE NUTCRACKER
Photo by Erin Elise
THE NUTCRACKER
For over 30 years, Evergreen City Ballet (ECB) has been presenting the beloved production of Wade Walthall’s The Nutcracker. For many ballet companies and schools across the country like ours, The Nutcracker is a huge part of our culture, and has a way of bringing families together--both among our volunteers
and in the audience. Everyone has their own version of this perennial holiday tradition and Wade Walthall’s version is a sure favorite to many here in the Puget Sound region. Our audiences get to experience the magical 25foot holiday tree, the delicate snow fall, and the beautifully choreographed dances like the Waltz of the Flowers and the Sugar Plum Pas de Deux.
Photo by Erin Elise
SPRING PRODUCTION
FOR BALLET II AND UP
SPRING PRODUCTION
Evergreen City Ballet greets each Spring by starting rehearsals for our annual Spring Production, performed in theaters and before a live audience here, in the Puget Sound region. The content of the show changes from year
to year, and Past productions have included Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, and Cinderella. Most recently, ECB’s dancers performed Coppelia, featuring live music by the Newport Philharmonic.
Photo by Erin Elise
SEASON FINALE
FOR CREATIVE MOVEMENT AND UP
SEASON FINALE
To close out each season, ECB celebrates with a grand Season Finale performance. Each class learns a piece of choreography by their respective instructors during class time, and performs the piece before an audience on
the last day of the season (in June). Dancers can look forward to experiencing the full performance process including learning and memorizing choreography, wearing a beautiful costume, and dancing in a theatre with their friends and families watching.
Photo by Erin Elise
STUDIO A
STUDIO B
ECB’s Renton home houses two studios
(Studio A: 984 square feet, Studio B: 2146 square feet), equipped with new marley flooring, full-length mirrors, and stereo with audio cord.
Students and staff also have access to a lounge and kitchenette for breaks and meals.
Parents and Guardians are invited to
lounge in ECB’s lobby area as needed during class and rehearsal times.
ECB is also excited to announce a third studio, housed with springboard pilates equipment for more supplementary education and training opportunities for our dancers.
Photos by Michelle Smith Lewis