Ann Arbor Civic Ballet

For fifty years, the Ann Arbor Civic Ballet has been a focal point for dance in southeast Michigan. Recently the company was featured in the Ann Arbor News. As the State’s first chartered ballet company and the sixth in the United States, this non-profit educational organization has provided training and performance opportunity for dozens of dancers each season. Many Ann Arbor Civic Ballet alumni have danced professionally in such companies as: Alvin Ailey, Australian Ballet, Cleveland Ballet, “Disney on Parade”, Frankfurt Ballet, Hartford Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Lion King production, Nevada Dance Theatre, Royal Canadian Ballet, Royal Winipeg Ballet, San Francisco Ballet and the Stuttgart Ballet.

Ann Arbor Civic Ballet was instrumental in bringing professional ballet to the community. The company was responsible for the first area appearance of: Jose Greco, The National Ballet du Canada, Jose Limon and the San Francisco Ballet. AACB has appeared in joint concerts with other civic organizations such as: the Ann Arbor Chamber Orchestra, the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra and the Jackson Civic Orchestra to present programs to the public.

Ann Arbor Civic Ballet performs at least twice annually and has many original and classic ballets in its repertoire from Swan Lake to the Haunted Castle. The company rehearses on Thursday evenings at 7:30 at Sylvia Studio of Dance (additional rehearsals may take place in preparation for a performance). The Ann Arbor Civic Ballet continues to be an organization dedicated to the growth and development of young dancers in the Ann Arbor area. The AACB annually awards scholarships to qualified members to attend national and international summer school in the name of its co-founder Sylvia Hamer.