History of Young People's Ballet Theatre
Last updated Thursday, October 25, 2007
Young People’s Ballet Theatre was founded in 1988 by Denise Paavola, a former professional ballerina and Flint, Michigan native. YPBT is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. The company’s artistic philosophy is focused on developing the art of ballet through professional training and performing experiences. Serious students of dance ranging in age from eight to eighteen are accepted into the company through an audition. These dancers, who are very dedicated and talented, come from Flint and surrounding areas as far away as Bay City, Clarkston, Midland, Owosso, and Port Huron. In addition to their regular weekly classes, ballet technique is refined and strengthened in a caring learning environment with the highest standard of instruction.
Young People’s Ballet Theatre is committed to developing and maintaining a varied repertoire of classical, contemporary, and character ballets. Our emphasis, however, is on creating new ballets for our dancers and audiences based on children’s fairy tales and stories. Professional choreographers are contracted through the company to choreograph our major works. Ballets in our repertoire include Hansel and Gretel (1990), Pinocchio (1991), Snow White (1992), Hans Brinker and the Silver Skates (1993), The Dancing Princesses (1994), Coppelia (1995, 2001), Cinderella (1996), The Snow Queen (1997), Beauty and the Beast (1998), Aladdin and a Thousand and One Nights (1999), The Sleeping Beauty (2002), The Little Match Girl (2003), Bottom of the Ninth (2003), The Little Princess (2004), Little Orphan Annie (2005), Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp (2006), Kingdom of the Shades from La Bayadere (2006), and The Tale of the Little Mermaid (2007). With lavish sets and scenery, exquisite costumes and many narrated stories, YPBT programs are designed to delight audiences of all ages with high quality, professional productions.
Outstanding guest teachers and choreographers who have worked with Young People’s Ballet Theatre include: Thomas Morrell—Ballet Michigan; Jon Benoit—Netherlands Contemporary Dance Theatre; Dale Brannon—Stuttgart Ballet and Louisville Ballet; Scott Heinrich—Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company and De Nederlandse Opera; Guiseppe Canale—Maurice Bejart Company and Netherlands Ballet; Mark Otloski—Cleveland Ballet; Ruth Leney-Midkiff—University of Michigan, American Dance Ensemble and Pittsburgh International Folk Theatre; Paul Abrahamson—Joffrey Concert Ballet and Pittsburgh Ballet Theater; Justin Gibbs and Christine Mangia—Ballet Met and Dayton Ballet.
Students continue their dance education throughout the summer months and have earned numerous scholarships to summer dance camps. Paavola School of Dance Summer Workshop, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, Blue Lake International Program, Pittsburgh Youth Ballet Summer Program, Joffrey Ballet Summer Workshop, Point Park College, Sarasota Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and Ballet Met are a few of the prestigious camps our students have attended. Our dancers were chosen to perform with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theater, Cincinnati Ballet, Oakland Ballet and North Carolina Dance Theater in their productions of “The Nutcracker” when they visited the Midland Center for the Performing Arts. They have performed and attended workshops at the Michigan Youth Arts Festival and performed numerous times for the Montrose Blueberry Pageant.
Presently, Young People’s Ballet Theatre produces one new major ballet each spring, usually in March. We have performed small concerts and fundraisers in our studio, including “Breakfast with Santa” in December and a spring concert in June. Our talented young dancers and dedicated instructors assure our audiences of high quality, professional-like productions. Our company is available to perform for schools, senior citizens, clubs, and for other arts organizations. Please contact Denise Paavola at 810-732-5153 for more information.