Marin Ballet has been dedicated to the complete education of the dancer for 45 years. From its inception in 1963 as a studio in the home of founder Leona Norman, Marin Ballet has evolved into one of the foremost dance training centers in Northern California. Mrs. Norman had danced professionally throughout Europe and South America, and was a pioneer in the regional dance movement of the 50’s, which promoted high quality dance education and the development of performing companies across the U.S. Her goal, with the establishment of what would become Marin Ballet, was to bring the same degree of excellence and professionalism that she had experienced throughout the world to dancers in her own community in Marin.
With the assistance and hard work of several
committed boosters, including Max and Phyllis Thelen, Marin
Ballet secured a $350,000 grant in 1972 from the S.H. Cowell
Foundation and was able to purchase our current facility
in San Rafael's historic Dominican neighborhood. Mrs. Norman
acted as the school's first director in the new facility.
Today, under the artistic leadership of Cynthia Lucas, a Marin Ballet alumna who trained with Mrs. Norman, the school serves approximately 450 youth and 150 adults throughout the year, and offers a diverse schedule of more than 100 classes per week in a variety of dance styles and genres.
The growth of Marin Ballet has been the result of a history of artistic and educational excellence, combined with and strengthened by a partnership with the community of Marin County. It is our generous community of individuals, corporations, and businesses that has provided financial and volunteer support towards this growth over the years.
Marin Ballet – a brief timeline of events:
1963 Marin Ballet Association formed as a separate, non-profit organization to support the artistic direction and educational leadership of founder, Leona Norman.
1968 Marin Ballet was honored as a charter member of the Pacific Regional Ballet Association, an organization of professional and pre-professional training and performing institutions. Marin ballet hosted the Pacific Regional Ballet Association Festivals in 1973 and 1983, bringing dancers and dance lovers to Marin from throughout the western states.
1971 Marin Ballet purchased and renovated its present six-studio facility by means of a generous grant from the S.H. Cowell Foundation. With an additional grant from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, a performance space was created to accommodate performance as part of training on a regular and affordable basis. The enrollment expanded to over 300 students.
1976 Maria Vegh appointed Director of the school after the death of Leona Norman. Ms. Vegh came from the acclaimed Harkness House for Ballet Arts of New York. She inaugurated the “Summer Masters Program” in 1977, bringing internationally respected Master Teachers and Choreographers to Marin to teach students attracted from across the nation. Enrollment grew to over 600 students.
1978 Norbert Vesak’s Nutcracker premiered this season and was received enthusiastically by critics and audiences. Other major performances include “Celebration” in spring and “Creations” in summer, both premiering at the 2000 seat Marin Veteran’s Auditorium, providing professionally mounted performance opportunities for students.
1979 The Buck Trust of the San Francisco Foundation gives a grant to Marin Ballet enabling professionals in management and marketing to join the staff of the growing institution. The school’s volunteers continue to provide key support in the offices, for performances and special events.
1980 Marin Ballet students compete in official International Ballet Competitions. Joanna Berman returned from Moscow a semi-finalist. Other exceptional students followed in her footsteps to Varna and Lausanne.
1986 New “Capital Campaign” instituted to refurbish and expand the facilities. The success of the campaign generated funds for replacing roofs, parking lots, patios and construction of the new Stewart/Greene Studio.
1987 Norbert Vesak, noted choreographer and director in the U.S. and Europe, is appointed Artistic Director. Harkness Foundations for Dance funded five major scholarships in recognition of Marin Ballet’s training excellence. Lucasfilm’s acclaimed “Industrial Light and Magic” collaborated with Vesak to enhance the 1987 Nutcracker production with special effects. MCKesson Foundation assisted with an operating grant. S.H. Cowell Foundation awarded another grant to match the individual donations designated for the “Capital Campaign”
1988 Great Chefs in Great Homes is initiated as a major benefit providing funds for the Marin Ballet Scholarship Program.
1989 Margaret Swarthout appointed Artistic Director and Melinda Bach becomes Managing Director. The National Association of Schools of Dance accredits the school. Marin Ballet is the only school in the nation so honored without a professional resident dance company. Marin Community Foundation awards a rare “Core” grant to provide Marin Ballet with stability for the next three years. Marin Ballet and the Multi-Services Agency of Marin City institute a minority scholarship program that funded 18 African-American students for the year.
1990 George Nunes is appointed Managing Director. The Cultural Outreach Scholarship program is extended to the canal area of San Rafael with 18 youngsters starting Pre-Professional Summer School, funded by The Independent Journal and Fireman’s Fund Foundation. David Allen choreographs a new production of Cinderella. Marin Ballet reactivates membership in the Pacific Regional Dance America.
1994 Nancy Johnson appointed Executive Director. Marin Community Foundation renews its support to expand outreach programs. Mikko Nissinen hired as Artistic Director. The Summer Program draws on local emerging choreographers: Val Canaparoli, Julia Adam, and Christopher Stowell. Ben Harkarvy, Director of Julliard, is the Guest Master Teacher.
1996 Jane Greene, Marin Ballet alumna, appointed Executive Director. Mikko Nissinen choreographs new Nutcracker production for Marin Ballet’s 28th annual Nutcracker presentation at the Marin Veteran’s Auditorium. “ Nutcracker Surprise” is initiated, underwriting 1,000 Nutcracker tickets for distribution to children and families at risk. First annual “ Nutcracker Family Ball.”
1998 Cynthia Lucas, Marin Ballet alumna, appointed School Director. Ms. Lucas was a dancer and Ballet Mistress with National Ballet of Canada for 26 years, returning to Marin to provide innovative artistic leadership to the school.
2000 Marin Ballet graduate, Elaine O’Malley, joins The Dutch National Ballet. John Lam, a 15-year-old student who trained fully on a cultural scholarship for 11 years at Marin Ballet, is accepted on full scholarship to the National Ballet School of Canada. Cynthia Lucas promoted to Artistic Director. Marin Ballet graduate, Silver Barkes, joins State Street Ballet in Santa Barbara.
2001 Marin Ballet celebrates 40th Anniversary of unique and high quality dance training, outreach programming, and public performances for the Marin community and its 30th annual production of Nutcracker.
2002 The Board of Trustees undertakes a special campaign to produce a new A Midsummer Night’s Dream, choreographed by internationally acclaimed choreographer Julia Adam. Spring Concert takes place at the Veterans’ Auditorium in the Marin Center. Laurie Klein, Marin Ballet alumna, celebrates 30th year teaching at Marin Ballet. Marin Ballet graduate Robin Cornwell joins Smuin Ballets/SF, and Marin Ballet graduate Olivia Ramsay joins State Street Ballet in Santa Barbara.
2003 Miranda Heller elected Chair of the Board. F. Lawrence Ewing appointed Executive Director. Premier of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is presented at College of Marin in Kentfield on August 2, 2003. John Lam, Marin Ballet alumnus, joins Boston Ballet II. Marin Ballet graduate Elaine O’Malley promoted to Soloist at The Dutch National Ballet.
2004 Marin Ballet initiates To The Pointe, a new semi-annual newsletter. Our second year of summer performances of Julia Adam’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the College of Marin Theater. Marin Ballet begins collaboration with Dance Theatre Seven to provide male student dancers for Nutcracker. Guest Artist, David Roxander, performs the role of Drosselmeyer. New Marley floors installed in Studios C and F with financial support from Barbara Stewart, Joanne Greene, Joanne Hom, and Steven Disenhof.
2005 Collaboration with Dance Theatre Seven continues as more male student dancers become part of Marin Ballet’s Nutcracker. Marin Ballet is granted special permission from the George Balanchine Trust to perform a selection from Balanchine’s Serenade in the Phyllis Thelen Theater as part of Spring Concert 2005. Board of Trustees publishes Strategic Plan in December 2005 to guide the organization for 3-5 years. Facility improvements begin in earnest.
2006 Facilities Committee of the Board begins work on the creation of a Master Plan for the Marin Ballet facility and lot. Huang and Iboshi Architects, Inc. hired. Business Sponsorship Program for Nutcracker initiated. Marin Ballet collaborates with Dominican University to provide dance space for their new B.F.A. program. Marin Ballet graduate Alex McCullagh joins corps at San Francisco Ballet. Graduate Olivia Ramsay joins Smuin Ballets SF.
2007 Julia Adam commissioned to create a new Nutcracker for Marin Ballet over 2-3 years. Work on the Act I Party Scene begins over the summer. The remainder of Act I will be set in summer 2008, and the full new production will debut in December 2009. Master Plan for the Marin Ballet site is completed. Work on early phase remodeling begins in earnest.
2008 Marin Ballet celebrates 45 years! |
