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Category: Press Releases

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About New Ballet Ensemble & School

Professional performing and teaching artist Katie Smythe founded New Ballet Ensemble & School in 2002 to address the inequitable dance landscape existing in her hometown of Memphis, Tennessee. The organization has developed into a robust arts education institution centered on dance and culture as mechanisms for social and cultural change. In addition to conservatory-level dance education, New Ballet is committed to whole child development, combining arts and creativity with academic support, mental wellness services and Creative Youth Development. Through enrichment activities, mentoring opportunities and partnerships in Memphis, a youth’s experience at New Ballet drives their self-direction, academic achievement and career success. New Ballet’s approach has received national recognition, including the honor of the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award, presented by then-First Lady Michelle Obama in 2014 to reward the country’s best Creative Youth Development programs. For more information, please visit newballet.org. 

Student dancers perform alongside Memphis’ rising stars in NutRemix

October 30, 2024

MEMPHIS, Tenn., Oct. 30, 2024 – New Ballet Ensemble & School’s NutRemix™, presented by Nike, returns to the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts Nov. 23-24. Set on Beale Street, this electrifying, uniquely Memphis retelling of Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” pushes artistic horizons and makes dance accessible to all. NutRemix features student dancers of all ages, New Ballet teaching artists and professional apprentices and a rising Memphis Jookin’ star.

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New Ballet Ensemble & School adds a fresh spin on the annual “Springloaded” production

April 4, 2024

Students, teaching artists and apprentices take to the stage April 13-14 at Buckman Performing and Fine Arts Center MEMPHIS, Tenn., April 4, 2024 — New Ballet Ensemble & School presents its annual […]

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New Ballet Ensemble & School welcomes alumnus Matthew Best as executive director

March 14, 2024

Founding CEO Katie Smythe will spearhead strategic planning and development efforts.  Memphis, Tenn., March 14, 2024 – Local nonprofit arts education organization, New Ballet Ensemble & School, has appointed 2007 […]

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World-renowned dancers join New Ballet Ensemble’s holiday classic NutRemix™

November 9, 2023

Alumni Lil Buck and Maxx Reed return to dance and lead this year’s production MEMPHIS, Tenn., Nov. 9, 2023 – New Ballet Ensemble & School’s NutRemix™, presented by Nike, returns to the Cannon […]

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New Ballet to receive $40,000 grant from National Endowment for the Arts

May 24, 2023

Grant will support Pathways Program to deliver access to dance education in underserved communities New Ballet Ensemble & School today announced it was approved for a Grants for Arts Projects […]

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Springloaded’s 20th anniversary to present original repertoire and Memphis twist on Stravinsky’s “Petrushka”

April 3, 2023

New Ballet Ensemble & School will present its 20th annual Springloaded production, featuring original and reimagined works.

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Renowned Alumni and Master Artists Join New Ballet Ensemble & School to Celebrate 20 Years of NutRemix™

October 10, 2022

Memphis, TN – For two decades, New Ballet Ensemble & School has entertained audiences with a modern, Memphis-centric retelling of Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker.” This year, the organization celebrates its […]

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New Ballet to Receive $40,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts

May 27, 2021

Memphis, TN — New Ballet Ensemble and School has been approved for a $40,000 Grants for Arts Projects award, the largest round 2 award in Tennessee in this category, to […]

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CEO and Founder Katie Smythe Awarded Thomas W. Briggs Community Service Award

September 30, 2020

“Children can succeed when the arts are behind them, and the arts succeed when philanthropy is behind us.” – Katie Smythe, CEO and Founding Artistic Director, New Ballet Ensemble and […]

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Announcing Our Partnership with Kindred Place

September 1, 2020

We’re excited to be partnering with Kindred Place to offer free mental health services to our students! This has been a challenging year, and we are proud to provide equitable access to […]

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