History

The Montana Ballet Company (MBC) has enriched Bozeman and the Greater Gallatin Valley since its inception in 1984, bringing the fine art of live dance in collaboration with world renowned professional dancers, musicians, conductors, film makers, composers, and set designers to our community.

The Company and early school were founded by the late Ann Bates, who served as Artistic Director until 1997. Ms. Bates believed that “Nowhere else in the rural west is there a small dance company with our big company goals.” The Montana Ballet has achieved many of these “big goals” in its vibrant history presenting seasons showcasing both original productions and international guest companies.  Past seasons have included our annual Nutcracker in collaboration with the Bozeman Symphony, Spring Mixed Repertory programs and full-length classical works, performances during Sweet Pea Festival of the Arts weekend, as well as our annual Summer Dance Intensives, New York Connection and Dancing Under The Big Sky.

MBC’s Repertory is rich and diverse including timeless classical ballets, as well as original contemporary and modern works.

MBC has enriched the training of our student and professional dancers, as well as Bozeman audiences, through performance collaborations and guest residencies with artists from Smuin Ballet, New York City Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Ballet Stars of Moscow, White Tree Fine Art, Festival Ballet Providence, International Import from Buenos Aires, Tangokinesis, Jose Greco II Flamenco, Brigham Young University’s International Dancer’s Company, Grammy winner Patrick Leonard, Oscar winner Jen Grace, the Bozeman Symphony, Intermountain Opera, Meritage String Quartet, Kamerata String Quartet, Ryan Montana, Courtney Yovich, pianist Stefan Stern, Montana Shakespeare in the Parks, and countless other individuals and organizations.

Under the direction of Elizabeth DeFanti and Amy Lynn Stoddart, MBC has grown to include four professional company members, a full support staff, and in 2010 reopen its ballet school as a non-profit organization. The Montana Ballet Company’s Academy, strives to train young dancers in the fine art of classical dance with a humanistic approach. MBC’s Educational Outreach programs in community schools expose children of all ages to the art of dance and power of creative arts through lecture demonstration performances and experiential workshops.

Throughout the years, MBC has also provided our community with a free Nutcracker Children’s Matinee performance, giving thousands of children in the greater Gallatin Valley the opportunity to experience the wonder of live performances. The Montana Ballet is proud to continue this tradition of giving back to our community.

With the generous support of business, individual, foundation, and government sponsors, The Montana Ballet Company remains passionate in realizing its mission “to present the highest caliber performances, to offer the finest quality dance training, and to enrich the minds and spirits of our community of dancers and audience members alike.”