About Us

 

         Galveston Ballet is the official ballet company of Galveston and a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Our current programs include Classical Ballet Training, Productions at The Grand 1894 Opera House, Community Events and Performances, Fine Arts Education, and Youth Scholarships. Since 1986 Galveston Ballet has offered dance instruction with a classical ballet focus. We produce both mixed repertory ballet performances and full classical story ballets at the Grand 1894 Opera House. Galveston Ballet dancers also volunteer and perform at various community events and local venues.

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Our Mission

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         Galveston Ballet Inc. is the official ballet company of Galveston and a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. The mission of Galveston Ballet is to offer the young people of Galveston County the opportunity to participate in a learning company where they can experience the discipline and beauty of ballet and develop their skills and talents in this domain, and to enrich the cultural life of the entire community by presenting performances of great classical and contemporary works each year.

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Our History

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          Galveston Ballet was founded in 1986 by Artistic Director, Lynn Nigliazzo, who was in search of an opportunity for her daughter Caryn to receive advanced classical ballet instruction.   It all began at the Studio I Dance Company where Caryn participated in a summer program production that featured ballet and dance in an old Lutheran Church. Seeing the potential to incorporate more ballet into future productions, Lynn and Studio I were inspired to develop a company that offered opportunities for students to perform while also introducing the art of ballet back into the Galveston community.

         In the beginning many productions were performed in local small venues such as the historic Ashton Villa.  But after visiting The Grand 1894 Opera House, Lynn was convinced that the students should experience performing at such a unique and beautiful performance venue.  The first performances at The Grand Opera House included the classical ballet productions of La Boutique Fantasque and Coppelia, Act II.  At the time the company was very small with only three girls en pointe, Caryn, Janel Allego (now current instructor, Janel Amsallem) , and Cassie Raftis.  Soon after the success of these productions, instructor Cathy Harvin was hired and enforced Lynn's concept of classical ballet training. 

           Galveston Ballet debuted their first performances, Peter And The Wolf and The Sleeping Beauty with very limited set, props and budget.  In order to provide more financial support to the company, Lynn was able to purchase Galveston Ballet and bring forth its mission.  With the help of Jayson Levy, the non-profit status was achieved and has been providing a place for young dancers to receive the same opportunity that Lynn provided for her own daughter.  To this day, Lynn's heart is so deeply embedded into the organization that she remains as one of its biggest supporters.  Much of the costumes and props you see in our current productions are still constructed and contributed by Lynn herself.  Today the ballet has more than 100 students who all share her same love of classical ballet.

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