Ballet Hartford currently has two locations: rehearsal space on South Street in West Hartford as well as presentation space in Hartford.

Ballet Hartford pre-professional students. Photo credit: Rachel A. Photography

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Ballet Hartford continued to thrive and grow in 2021 under the tutelage of Artistic Director Leyna Doran. With the addition of a second location at 97 South St., West Hartford, the company has launched a pre-professional division and attracted top New York City talent for choreography.

Now headquartered within the Capital City’s premier artistic space at 224 Farmington Ave., Ballet Hartford performances will premiere at the EcoSpace’s in-person presentation space.

“It’s wonderful to be located within such a vibrant arts community,” said Doran. “We see plenty of opportunities for inspiration and collaboration within these walls.”

The ballet company has also added square footage and expanded program offerings at its nearby rehearsal space, located at 97 South St. With the newly expanded studio and dressing room, restroom, and lobby, Ballet Harford recently launched a pre-professional division. Geared for students, ages 3 to 18, the program provides high-caliber training in ballet technique, pointe, and contemporary executions, in addition to classes in jazz.

Both introductory and intensive training are offered on a schedule that is family-friendly to accommodate students’ academic schedules.

Ballet Harford’s spring performance will feature the world premiere of two works by celebrated New York choreographer Danielle Diniz. Both pieces have been commissioned by Ballet Harford.

Diniz’s work has been showcased at Jacob’s Pillow, Performance Santa Fe, Avant Chamber Ballet, and the Columbia Ballet Collaborative. She is also a finalist for the New York Dance Project Choreography Competition. For these Ballet Hartford-exclusive pieces, Diniz will collaborate with the Alley Cats, a world-renowned all male a cappella singing group from Yale University.

In addition to the Diniz premiere, the May 8 performance will feature works by Gilbert Bolden III, Kevin Jenkins, Vincent Hardy, and Stephanie Gagliardi.

Information about Ballet Hartford classes, pre-professional instruction and performances can be found at ballethartford.com.

Ballet Hartford is a nonprofit organization that strives to provide the greater Hartford community with inspiring performances that uphold tradition and embrace innovation. Founded originally as Vivid Ballet, the organization was rebranded in 2018. Ballet Hartford has performed in locations throughout central Connecticut and in many prestigious venues in New York, Detroit and at the White House in Washington, DC.

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