Sarasota Ballet cuts the ribbon on dedicated youth studio spaces
Sarasota Ballet held two dedication ceremonies April 12 in response to a $500,000 grant from the Muriel O’Neil Fund for Performing Arts of Community Foundation of Sarasota County.
By
Niki Kottmann
| 6:14 p.m. April 13, 2018
Arts + Culture
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Ballerinas love their pink ribbons — both in shoe and dedication ceremony form.
Sarasota Ballet hosted two dedication ceremonies April 12, one at The Margaret Barbieri Conservatory and another at the Dance — The Next Generation studio to thank the Muriel O’Neil Fund for Performing Arts of Community Foundation of Sarasota County for the $500,000 grant it gifted the ballet on Nov. 30.
This gift will serve several purposes:
Fund the conservatory on an ongoing basis and provide a $7,500 senior student scholarship
To enhance the DNG learning center and mentoring program, including updating computers recruiting and training more volunteers
To fund the Sarasota Ballet International Intensive program
Guests met DNG and conservatory students, watched a small performance by six conservatory members and enjoyed light bites and refreshments following the conclusion of the two ceremonies.
President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County Roxie Jerde greets DNG students.
President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County Roxie Jerde cuts the ribbon outside one of the DNG studios commemorating the gift from the Muriel O’Neil Fund for Performing Arts of Community Foundation of Sarasota
President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County Roxie Jerde celebrates after the ribbon is cut.
President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County Roxie Jerde laughs as the students cheer.
Dance — The Next Generation is an educational program of the Sarasota Ballet that provides at-risk youth the opportunity to participate in a 10-year, full-scholarship program in dance education.
Students from The Margaret Barbieri Conservatory perform for guests.
The Margaret Barbieri Conservatory is a full-time, pre-professional program designed to prepare 11-18-year-old students for a performance career in classical ballet.
Conservatory members watch President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County Roxie Jerde cut the ribbon outside the Ashton Studio.
Conservatory members laugh after Jerde gives them the ribbon from the ceremony.
Roxie Jerde, Jean Volpe, Anna Passalaqua and Marjorie Floyd toast after the dedication ceremonies.
