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Mission | Achievements | Artistic Directors | Dancers | Dress Circle
Atlanta Festival Ballet, began as the vision of Artistic Director Gregory Aaron and made its debut on November 4, 1989, in a full length performance of Cinderella. The Company is comprised of 12 professional dancers and student apprentices who have dedicated themselves to the discipline of dance performance. Mr. Aaron has skillfully guided the Company toward excellence through his creative, exciting and imaginative choreography. In 1994, the Company welcomed Nicolas Pacaña as co-artistic director.
Atlanta Festival Ballet now produces two full-length ballets each season, including an annual performance of The Nutcracker and other major productions such as Coppelia, Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, Romeo and Juliet, Sleeping Beauty, Peter Pan, Jungle Book, Swan Lake, and Beauty and the Beast. In addition, the Company maintains a demanding repertoire which includes Paquita, Eagle's Path, Eclipse, Woman of Crystals and Hold On, Bella Amore, Symphony in C, Tchaikovsky, and other original works and classical pas de deux.
In keeping with the Company's dance preparation and performance goals, student apprentices are exposed to dancing and training experience with professionals as often as possible, dancing in each of the productions. Gregory Aaron holds excellent professional credentials, having studied with some of the best American choreographers while dancing in five major ballet companies. In addition, inspirational instructors lend balance to the performance schedule with strong technical training program for students.
As representatives of the Southern Crescent, Atlanta Festival Ballet has traveled throughout the region, performing at festivals and in programs which heighten public awareness for the arts. In January 1993, the Company presented an evening of ballet excerpts for Arts Clayton's Winter Arts Series and also became a member of the Southern Regional Ballet Association (SERBA). In 1994, the Company was selected to close SERBA's annual festival at the Gala Evening in a performance of Nicolas Pacaña's original ballet Paginini.
Atlanta Festival Ballet continues its quest to offer the finest training and performance opportunities for young student dancers. The Company motto, Passion - Preparation - Performance, has been taken to heart by all members as they dance their dreams into reality.
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