Take a Bow

Nashville Ballet’s fond farewell to Artistic Director Paul Vasterling

Since its founding in 1986, Nashville Ballet has grown to become the largest professional ballet company in Tennessee. is year, a man who has poured 35 years of heart and soul into this organization, lauded Artistic Director Paul Vasterling, will step away from its spotlight.

Paul started with the Nashville Ballet in 1988 as a company dancer, ballet master, teacher and choreographer. Ten years later, he accepted the position of artistic director, cultivating a varied repertoire of classical ballet and contemporary works, a noticeable increase in long-term sustainability, and a tremendous sense of growth in the creativity and talent in both the organization and the Nashville arts community.

With his deep connection to music and passion for community, Paul’s creations highlight the wealth of artistry and rich history of Nashville and have led to countless collaborations with local artists, museums and more. Paul was a budding pianist at age 10 and dancer at 16, and his choreography closely and intentionally bends to the inflection of each note — evidence that, for this master and maestro, music and dance are deeply intertwined.

Bravo, bravo, a thousand times bravo.