West Michigan Youth Ballet

About Our Commitment

The Company

A company built on a solid foundation of classical ballet

West Michigan Youth Ballet (WMYB), founded in 2007 in Ada, Michigan, is committed to developing young people in their pursuit and passion for artistic expression through dance.

Company members ranging in age from 8 to 18, with varied backgrounds and experience across the full spectrum of dance come together for weekly rehearsals. Their common goal is the desire to be part of a performing company built on a solid foundation of classical ballet.

Our winter seasonal offering is The Nutcracker with traditional choreography set to Tchaikovsky’s original score. The spring production ranges in time-honored masterpieces like Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and Coppelia. Our young artists shine in their performances gaining athletic and artistic skills as well as collaborative and memorable experiences. Personal growth, both as individuals and as part of a whole is evident in every dancer.

Our Shows

Experiencing the entire process of bringing a ballet to production from auditions and casting to initial choreography and staging, through rehearsal is at the core of WMYB

WMYB is a Non-Profit

Enrich. Inspire. Grow.

Cultural Data Profile

2021 MACC Funder Reports

Strategic Plan

WMYB 2023-2028 plan

Guidestar

2022 form 990

Mission & Vision

The West Michigan Youth Ballet provides our community the opportunity for lifelong confidence, discipline, and belonging that results from participating in the physical, social art of ballet.

We are committed to providing access to the art of ballet that transcends the barriers preventing our community from cultivating enduring connections to performing arts and inspiring future careers.

Enrichment

To provide an opportunity for young people to work under the direction of professional choreographer, as they prepare and present full-length ballets to the public.

Inspiration

To enhance the skills that these dancers receive through the study of ballet at their respective academies, as they experience the full preparation of a ballet performance, from inception to the stage performance.

Growth

To encourage young people to consider a career in dance and assist them in moving toward this goal, either in a professional dance capacity or by studying dance at a university level.

Diversity, Equality & Inclusion

West Michigan Youth Ballet embraces diversity, equity and inclusion. We strive to provide a welcoming environment where students, artists, staff, board members and volunteers of all backgrounds learn, work and serve together. Diversity, equity and inclusion are instrumental in our mission. It is our responsibility to focus on the strengths which diversity, equity and inclusion bring to our organization and to those we serve.