Ballet Memphis

Happy HAPPY birthday to Anna Leong! Anna is back for her second season at Ballet Memphis. You first saw her in Napoli for the fall Dance In 30 last September.

Anna wants to personally thank Memphis Coffee Trailer || Byway Coffee ™ for getting her through her Tuesdays, and her special talents are singing (karaoke and in general) and doing impressions.

Anna says, “I may be a ballet dancer, but don’t be surprised if you catch me busting a move at any of the dj sets around the city!” and we believe it! We hope you have a wonderful day dancing and singing around the city today!

You can see Anna on stage next at Memphis Sounds which opens October 16 at Playhouse on the Square. Tickets at link here - https://purchase.balletmemphis.org/EventAvailability?EventId=5601

📸: Ziggy Mack

Next weekend! Youth Ballet Memphis’ production “Jubilee” celebrates 40 years of Ballet Memphis with a vibrant showcase of tradition, creativity, and new perspectives. The program features two excerpts from the classical ballet “Giselle”, two new works by student choreographers Virginia Bowie and Prestina Fang, and a restaging of Brandon Ramey’s birthday inspired piece, “Les Ballons”. In honor of Ballet Memphis’ 4 decades, Jubilee brings together beloved classics, returning favorites, and emerging voices for a joyful celebration of where we’ve been and where we’re going.

Support these young dancers! Two shows, Saturday and Sunday, tickets at link here - https://purchase.balletmemphis.org/EventAvailability?EventId=9201

📸: Justin Fox Burks Photographer + Studio

Memphis Sounds opens in THREE WEEKS!

This week choreographer Yusha-Marie Sorzano has been here in the studio working with our company artists to finish her new piece that will premiere at the performance on October 16 at Playhouse on the Square!

Yusha has an impressive background from primary training at New World School of the Arts, Thomas Armour Youth Ballet, and The Dance Theater of Harlem. She is a graduate of the Ailey/Fordham BFA Program and was invited to join Ailey II in her junior year. She later became a member of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

Ms. Sorzano acts as an Associate Director with Francisco Gella Dance Works, and a master faculty member at NYC’s Joffrey Ballet School.

As a choreographer, Ms. Sorzano has created works for Salt Lake City’s New Century Dance Project, The Joffrey Ballet School’s New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Dallas programs, and Los Angeles’s Windward School.

We are so excited to see how the music of Memphis soul artists informs her new piece! Tickets at link here - https://balletmemphis.org/memphis-sounds

Happy HAPPY birthday to Cecily Khuner! From Berkeley originally, Cecily has been at Ballet Memphis and in our city for 16 years!

Her favorite ballet is Swan Lake for the music, dramatic story, and the contrast in the acts and characters.

When asked what her super power would be, she said: “I’ve always wanted to be able to fly. Maybe that’s why I dance.” You can see Cecily next on stage in Memphis Sounds, running at Playhouse on the Square from October 16-18.

Have a wonderful day, Cecily! We love having you here with us!

📸: Ziggy Mack

Ballet Memphis is joining with the Etowah Collective to offer an exclusive event! We are pairing an evening of dance with a dinner created by the team behind the wildly popular culinary series.

Guests choose between the 2:00PM matinee and the 7:30PM evening performance of Memphis Sounds on October 17 at Playhouse on the Square. Matinee guests attend the performance first, then walk across Overton Square to Ballet Memphis’ Midtown studios for dinner. Evening guests begin with dinner at the studios, then walk to the theater for the 7:30PM curtain. Show tickets will be for main-floor seating.

Each ticket includes the complete dinner experience and admission to the performance.

Your ticket includes:
Arrival cocktail
Four-course dinner
Curated wine pairings
Admission to Memphis Sounds (Main Floor Seating)

We have only 200 seats available, so please plan to buy early since we expect it to sell out!

Tickets at link here - https://www.etowahhuntclub.com/balletmemphis

TOMORROW! Auditions for children’s roles in The Nutcracker take place in Fly Studio! You *do not* have to be a Ballet Memphis School student. Sign up here - https://balletmemphis.org/events/nutcracker-auditions-for-childrens-roles-2026-09-20

Sunday, September 20
Girls and Boys Ages 14-18, 2-3:15pm

For boys and girls ages 14-18 with a minimum of 4 years of classical ballet training (BMS levels 7 & 😎. Nutcracker Rehearsals will be scheduled Tuesdays and Thursdays between 6:30-8:30pm and Saturdays between 12:30 and 4:30pm. Students will not be called to all of these rehearsal blocks, but all rehearsals between Oct 20 and Nov 21 will be scheduled during these times.

Sunday, September 20
Girls and Boys Ages 9-13, 3:30-4:30pm

For boys and girls ages 9-13 with a minimum of 3 years of classical ballet training and Boys ages 9-13, no experience necessary. Nutcracker Rehearsals will be scheduled Tuesdays and Thursdays between 6:30-8:30pm and Saturdays between 12:30 and 4:30pm. Students will not be called to all of these rehearsal blocks, but all rehearsals between Oct 20 and Nov 21 will be scheduled during these times.

📸: Justin Fox Burks Photographer + Studio

One Month Countdown!

Memphis Sounds opens ONE MONTH from today! Next week choreographer Yusha-Marie Sorzano will be here in the studio working with our company artists to finish her new piece that will premiere at the performance on October 16 at Playhouse on the Square! Four shows over three days and single tickets are on sale now. Purchase at link to ensure you get the best prices without resellers!

https://purchase.balletmemphis.org/EventAvailability?EventId=5601

📸: Justin Fox Burks Photographer + Studio
🩰: Cayce Cavett and Cassandra Thoms

The Best Arts Value in Memphis! Dance In 30 opens tomorrow!

Just $30 will get you a drink of choice, time to mingle with other art lovers, 30 minutes of original dance by Steven McMahon and Julie Niekrasz, and a chance to meet the dancers and congratulate them on another amazing performance! Then by 7pm you can move on energized by the experience and ready to go on with your evening. Only two shows! Buy now at link before tickets sell out 🎟️

https://purchase.balletmemphis.org/EventAvailability?EventId=7801

Happy HAPPY birthday to Isaac Lee! You were recently introduced to him as our newest company member for Season 40!

Isaac is from Urbana, Illinois and has been dancing professionally for three years. His favorite dance move is an attitude turn en dedans, and if you see him with earbuds in there’s a good chance he’s listening to “Honeymoon Avenue” by Ariana Grande, “Misty” by Samara Joy, or “Emotion” by Carly Rae Jepson.

You can see him make his Ballet Memphis debut Thursday and Friday in Dance In 30! Tickets still available at link here - https://purchase.balletmemphis.org/EventAvailability?EventId=7801

We are so glad to have you with us, Isaac, and hope you have a fantastic day!