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Ohio Contemporary Ballet

The Little Nutcracker

By 2026-27 Season

December 19 & 20, 2026

The Little Nutcracker

BAYarts

TICKETS

VENUE

BAYarts
28795 Lake Rd.
Bay Village, OH 44140

TICKETS

$30 Adults | $15 Children

Ticket processing fees apply

The Little Nutcracker

Experience the classic holiday tale, The Little Nutcracker, performed by Ohio Contemporary Ballet. The newly choreographed version by Zachary Tauzon narrates the enchanting journey to the Land of Sweets through Clara’s eyes. The Sugar Plum Fairy guides her through a delightful array of sweet-themed dances from various corners of the globe. This heartwarming ballet is an ideal holiday tradition for families and a wonderful introduction to the world of ballet for young children. Don’t miss out on this special event that is sure to warm your heart and get you in the holiday spirit!

Saturday, December 19, 2026

7:00pm

Sunday, December 20, 2026

2:00pm

Purchase Tickets

Trick or Treat, Fairy Sweet

By Uncategorized

October 30, 2026

Trick or Treat, Fairy Sweet

OCBallet Center

TICKETS

PERFORMANCES

October 30, 2026 5:30pm

VENUE

OCBallet Center
3558 Lee Rd.
Shaker Hts, OH 44221

TICKETS

Adult Variations Class: $30
YA Students $10.00 + a bag of candy
YA Parents: $5

Trick or Treat, Fairy Sweet is a Halloween Variations Class inspired by the timeless ballet Sleeping Beauty. For one enchanting evening, the OCBallet Center will transform its studio into a festive gathering where our student dance community can celebrate the joy of classical ballet together. After watching Sleeping Beauty Prologue dancers will get a chance to explore the story, discover new movements, and step into the spotlight. Richard Dickinson will be teaching the fairy variations from Sleeping Beauty to our adult students. This is a wonderful opportunity for adult dancers to engage with the ballet’s beloved repertoire, building artistry and musicality through choreography.

Our Youth Academy students and families are invited to join Ms. Jules for crafts and fairy dance lessons. The evening will culminate with a dance showcase and costume parade.

Costumes are encouraged for dancers and families alike. Whether you arrive as Aurora, a lilac fairy, or your favorite Halloween character, you’ll help make this evening truly enchanting. Dress up, bring your family, and join us for a magical night of dance, creativity, and festive fun.

Events of the Evening

5:30–6:00 PM | Once Upon a Time
We begin by watching the Sleeping Beauty Prologue. Dancers meet the royal court, the good fairies, and the wicked Carabosse as the story unfolds.

6:00–7:00 PM | Sleeping Beauty Variations in Studio A

Adult students will learn variations from Sleeping Beauty taught by Richard Dickinson.

6:00–7:00 PM | YA Crafting & Dancing in Studio B
YA dancers head to Studio B for a creative crafting session filled with fairytale charm. Then learn their own fairy dance, which they are ready to share with their families.

7:00–7:15 PM | Dance Showcase
Both our Youth Academy dancers and adult students come together in Studio A to share what they’ve learned. Families are warmly invited to watch and celebrate the artistry of dancers from every stage of their journey.

7:15–7:30 PM | Costume Parade
We close the night with a costume parade. Princesses, fairies, pumpkins, and goblins are all welcome on the dance floor.

The Little Nutcracker

By Uncategorized

November 21 & 22, 2026

The Little Nutcracker

Royce Hall for the Performing Arts

Lake Erie College

TICKETS

PERFORMANCES

November 21, 2026 5:00pm
November 22, 2026 2:00pm

VENUE

Lake Erie College
Rickel Theatre in the Royce Hall for the Performing Arts
Gillett St, Painesville, OH 44077

TICKETS

$30 Adults and $15 Children

Experience a one-act version of the classic holiday tale with The Little Nutcracker, presented by Ohio Contemporary Ballet. This one-hour ballet showcases the dedication and talent of OCBallet Center students in the Youth Academy and the adult community program. These dedicated students share the stage with the professional artists, gaining firsthand experience in the production of a story ballet. This performance is a chance to see the hard work and growth of our students as they shine in this cherished holiday tradition. It is sure to warm your heart and fill you with holiday spirit!

Saturday, November 21, 2026

5:00pm

Sunday, November 22, 2026

2:00pm

Ballet Under the Stars

By Performances

Ballet Under the Stars

June 19 & 20, 2026 7:00PM

SHOW DETAILS

June 19 & 20, 2026
6:00PM Youth dance class
7:00PM Performance

VENUE

Ohio Contemporary Ballet Center
3558 Lee Rd.
Shaker Hts, OH 44120

TICKETS

FREE – Please RSVP

RSVP

Ballet Under the Stars

June 19 & 20, 2026 7:00PM

Ohio Contemporary Ballet Center

Ohio Contemporary Ballet cordially invites you and your family to an enchanting evening of Ballet Under the Stars. Shaker Arts Council presents this collaborative performance as part of their Heart of the Arts series. The event will start at 6:00 PM with a free ballet class for children ages 4-12. At 7:00 PM, the company will present a captivating performance featuring highlights from the repertoire. A special appearance by students from the Youth Academy will open the show.

This free performance is generously supported by the Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel Foundation.

To make this magical night accessible for everyone, we kindly ask all participants and attendees to register in advance. A limited number of folding chairs will be available to use; we recommend bringing lawn chairs to ensure you can sit during the performance. The event will be held in our studios at The Dealership in Shaker Heights, with free parking available for your convenience. Use the north driveway by Lewis Electronics.

For question about seating or to arrange accessibility accommodations call 216-397-3757 ext 2.

Directors’ Choice

By Performances

Directors' Choice

June 13, 2026 7:00PM

SHOW DETAILS

June 13, 2026 7:00PM

VENUE

Tri-C Eastern Campus
4250 Richmond Rd.
Highland Hills, OH 44122

TICKETS

FREE – Please RSVP

RSVP

Directors’ Choice

June 13, 2026 7:00PM

Tri-C Eastern Campus

Directors’ Choice at Tri-C East Campus invites audiences to an evening where vision and artistry converge. The company’s directors present a dynamic program featuring standout works from the season and exciting premieres. The audience favorite, Opaque by Nycole Ray, returns to the stage with dramatic movement and flowing black skirts that create sculptural extensions of the body. From the Street, choreographed by Gordon Peirce Schmidt, presents an interpretation of Leoš Janáček’s emotionally charged composition, 1.X.1905. Plus the premiere of two works, the revival of the classical duet Tarantella and the world premiere of Eternal by Avree Walker. These works collectively create a rich tapestry of movement, emotion, and storytelling. We kindly ask all attendees to register in advance for this FREE performance.

This free performance is generously supported by the Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel Foundation.

Meet Danielle Diniz

By Choreographers

Danielle Diniz

Ms. Diniz was Artist in Residence at Tribeca BMCC via CUNY Dance Initiative, Co Artistic Director of Jazz Choreography Enterprises and has been commissioned by Jacob’s Pillow, the Ailey BFA program, Stars of American Ballet, Ballet Hartford, Central Utah Ballet, Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning, St. Paul’s School ballet program (dir. ABT’s Kate Lydon), Accent Dance NYC and Earl Mosley’s Diversity of Dance, among others. Last spring/summer she choreographed for St. Louis Ballet, AVID Dance, Woman in Motion, East Coast Contemporary Ballet, Chevalier Ballet and Revolve Dance. Upcoming she will choreograph for Jersey City Ballet, Mason Lee Dance Theater, Central Utah Ballet and Ballet Excel Ohio’s gala with a new work for New York City Ballet’s Daniel Ulbricht and Indiana Woodward.

She made her Off-Broadway choreographic debut at the AMT Theatre with ‘An Unbalanced Mind,’ choreographed New York Circus Project’s production of Hamlet, presented work at the McCallum Theatre/Palm Desert Choreography Festival and the New York Theatre Barn Choreography Lab and was awarded a grant from NYFA/City Artist Corps to present a full evening of her choreography. She also choreographed ‘My Way’ at Theatre by the Sea, the Vaudevillian musical ‘On the Air,’ musical theater showcases at AMDA and has served as Associate Choreographer for Broadway’s Lorin Latarro.

She is on faculty at the Steps on Broadway Academy and Manhattan Youth Ballet and enjoys teaching open, professional classes at Steps, Peridance and Mark Morris. She has a B.A. in English from Cornell University (concentration in Shakespearean Studies, minor in Dance). She is also an Adjunct Professor at the University of Mount Saint Vincent.

Interview about the creation of Red Rhythm 

Red Rhythm

Red Rhythm, a world premiere choreographed by Danielle Diniz, brings the fire of Portuguese flamenco and the pulse of tango. Diniz combines her musical theater and ballet backgrounds to create a tango riddled with tension and rhythm.

Meet Avree Walker

By Choreographers

Avree Walker

Avree Walker began his early training at the West Las Vegas Arts Center, under the direction of Dr. Marcia Robinson. Mr. Walker is an alumnus of the Las Vegas Academy of the Arts, and attended the University of Nevada Las Vegas, representing the dance department in South Korea, Canada, Europe, and throughout the U.S. Additional training includes Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Ballet Hispanico, and the Katherine Dunham Technique Seminar. Mr. Walker became an artist with the Las Vegas Contemporary Dance Theatre (Contemporary West Dance Theatre) touring and performing works by Alvin Ailey, Ulysses Dove, Elisa Monte, Rennie Harris, Milton Myers, Vernard Gilmore, Zane Booker, Hope Boykin, Tommie Waheed Evan’s, Donald Byrd, Don Bellamy, and others. Regional credits include Dreamgirls, Once on This Island, The Color Purple, Black Nativity (Las Vegas and Atlanta), The Music Man, Spamalot, The Wiz, Cinderella, Matilda the Musical(regional premiere), The Prince of Egypt the Musical (Dreamworks) and Stephen Sondheim Follies. Mr. Walker performed in Donn Arden’s Jubilee! at Bally’s Las Vegas and Extravaganza by T&R Entertainment. Mr. Walker is currently a dancer in Vegas! The Show at Planet Hollywood, Directed & Choreographed by Tiger Martina. Mr. Walker served as resident choreographer for Contemporary West Dance Theatre and Program Artistic Director of the CWDT Conservatory & pre-professional program. In 2019, Mr. Walker joined the dance faculty of Las Vegas Academy of the Arts as the first full-time African American dance instructor in the school’s history. Mr. Walker has had the privilege of creating work for universities/conservatory’s, pre professional and professional dance companies including, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, Contemporary West Dance Theatre & Studio Company, Nevada Ballet Theatre II, The Ailey School, Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre Summer Institute, Houston Contemporary Dance Company (Institute of Contemporary Dance), Collage Youth Ensemble, St. Louis Dance Theatre II, Alabama State University, University of Nevada Las Vegas and Anthony Burrell Center for Dance. Mr. Walker is currently the Artistic Director of the City of Las Vegas Live Arts Institute.

Interview about the creation of Eternal

Enternal

Avree Walker, a dancer, choreographer, and educator from Las Vegas, Nevada, shares his journey and the creative process behind his latest work, Eternal, commissioned by Ohio Contemporary Ballet. Walker discusses how his early fascination with choreography shaped his career, leading to an organic transition into creating his own works. He reveals the inspiration for Eternal, drawing from the skies, stars, sun, and moon to craft an uplifting and atmospheric piece designed to resonate with audiences during challenging times. Walker also reflects on the healing power of dance, emphasizing its ability to serve as a vessel for hope, inspiration, and connection—a bridge for humanity. Eternal is a testament to the transformative power of the arts and a reminder of their role in carrying us through dark times.

Spring Gala 2026 RSVP

By Performances, News

Spring Gala RSVP & Donations

Use the form below to purchase Spring Gala tickets or make a donation if you can’t attend by credit card. If you need assistance with reserving tickets please email or please call (216) 397-3757 ext. 4. Checks can be sent to 3558 Lee Rd. Shaker Heights, OH 44120.

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Price: $200.00
Price: $300.00
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Minimum Price: $10.00
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Spring Gala 2026

By News, Gala

Spring Gala
April 11, 2026 6:30PM

Martin Luther King Jr. Campus of the Cleveland Public Library
10601 Euclid Ave in Cleveland

Follow the Yellow Brick Road for an enchanting evening in the Land of Oz! Join us for a wickedly wonderful night benefiting Ohio Contemporary Ballet. Guests will enjoy spirited refreshments, an enchanting reception menu of small plates and desserts, a performance by Ohio Contemporary Ballet, and a live auction and paddle raise—followed by music and dancing inspired by the magic of Oz.

6:30-7:30PM Passed Hors d’oeuvres & Small Plates with Open Bar

7:30-8:30PM Live Auction & Fund-A-Need

8:30-9:30PM Reception & Dancing

Proceeds from the event will support Ohio Contemporary Ballet’s exceptional artistry, general operations, and educational initiative.

RSVP

Patron $200
VIP $300
VIP includes donor recognition at the event.

RSVP

Honorary Guests

Himanshu H. Shah

Honorary Chair

Harvy Santos

Honorary Guest

Diana Borcz

Gala Chair

I can not attend and wish to make a donation

DONATE

Harvy Santos

Harvy Santos is a modern milliner who creates hats and couture headpieces that fuse traditional techniques with new materials, and timeless elegance with fashion-forward flare. Featuring exquisite details and fine lines, each piece is a unique creation entirely hand made from luxurious materials in his London studio. Hats from his collections have appeared in glossy magazines around the world and graced many famous heads including Hebe Tien, Bibi Zhou, Isabella Rossellini, Natalie Dormer, Jamie Campbell Bower, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Ncuti Gatwa, Lady Gaga and Cynthia Erivo.

Born in the Philippines, Harvy trained as a dancer and joined the professional company of the Hong Kong Ballet for six seasons before moving to the UK to study millinery. He worked for the Royal Ballet & Opera as well as leading British milliners Noel Stewart and Stephen Jones, and has made hats for numerous film and television productions including Bridgerton, Queen Charlotte, Disney’s Snow White and Wicked. His classical training, both on stage and in the workshop, continues to inform his elegantly energetic work.

WICKED-Inspired Hats: Up for Auction for a Magical Cause!

Harvy Santos, the internationally acclaimed modern milliner, has conjured two unique hats inspired by the iconic characters Glinda and Elphaba from WICKED. Don’t miss the chance to meet the Harvy Santos in person at the Land of Oz Spring Gala and hear the stories behind his enchanting creations!

Sponsorship Opportunities

Sponsoring Ohio Contemporary Ballet’s Spring Gala is a unique and highly-visible way for your company, organization, or family foundation to help sustain the company. Proceeds from the Spring Gala will go directly towards supporting operations, performances, and outreach programs. Ohio Contemporary Ballet is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.

  • 16 Gala Tickets
  • Full-page ad in self-produced programs through April 2026
  • Top billing on Gala marketing (print, web, social media visibility)
  • Gala night signage and company recognition video

  • 12 Gala Tickets
  • Half-page ad in self-produced programs through April 2026
  • Top billing on Gala marketing
  • Gala night signage and company recognition video

  • 6 Gala Tickets
  • Logo on Gala materials and website
  • Gala night signage and recognition

  • 4 Gala Tickets
  • Logo on Gala materials and website
  • Gala night signage and recognition

  • 2 Gala Tickets
  • Logo on Gala materials and website
  • Gala night signage and recognition

For more information or to pay by credit card click the button>>

Gala Support

Proceeds from the Spring Gala will go directly towards supporting operations, performances, and outreach programs. Ohio Contemporary Ballet is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.

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Ballet Unbound at Playhouse Square

By Performances

Ballet Unbound

March 28, 2026 7:00pm

SHOW DETAILS

March 28, 2026 7:00pm
Playhouse Square
Mimi Ohio Theatre
1501 Euclid Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44115

TICKETS

$84, $72, $60, $48, $12
Ticket prices include all fees

Box Office

Tickets are available for purchase through Playhouse Square’s website or by calling the Box Office at 216-241-6000.

TICKETS

Ballet Unbound

Saturday, March 28, 2026 | 7:00 PM

Ohio Theatre at Playhouse Square

This program seamlessly weaves together breathtaking beauty, raw emotion, and captivating artistry. The company is proud to present Paul Taylor’s iconic modern dance masterpiece, Airs, celebrated for its breathtaking lyricism and musicality. Nycole Ray’s majestic work, Opaque, a new addition to the company’s repertoire, features dancers in flowing skirts that transform into stunning, sculptural visions. Janáček’s emotionally charged composition, 1.X.1905, sets the tone for the new ballet by Gordon Pierce Schmidt, featuring live accompaniment by international award-winning concert pianist Jiayan Sun. Plus, Heinz Poll’s masterpiece, Adagio For Two, hailed by critics as “spellbinding.”

Get behind the scenes with the pieces on the program

Story Behind the Skirts

Discover the artistry behind Opaque. In this interview, Nycole delves into the creative process, the story behind the work, and the unique challenges it presents to dancers, offering a glimpse into her vision required to bring it to life.

Staging Taylor’s Airs

Watch a fascinating interview on the history and artistry behind Paul Taylor’s renowned choreographic work, Airs. Susan McGuire explores the unique experience of learning directly from the legendary choreographer and the intense technical demands it places on dancers. 

1.X.1905

Watch a fascinating interview with choregrpaher Gordon Peirce Schmidt.e new work is set to Leoš Janáček’s intensely emotional piano sonata, 1. X. 1905. The composer originally wrote this powerful score as a response to a tragic worker’s death during a Czech political demonstration. 

Staging Adagio for Two Dancers

We are honored to remount Heinz Poll’s iconic 1973 ballet, Adagio for Two Dancers, originally created for the Ohio Ballet. With permission and guidance from Jane Startzman—who danced the piece many times and now serves as regisseur—we celebrate the enduring legacy of this masterpiece.

Jiayan Sun, pianist

Praised by the New York Times for his “revelatory” performances, and by the Toronto Star for his “technically flawless, poetically inspired and immensely assured playing,” pianist Jiayan Sun has performed with the Cleveland Orchestra, the Hallé Orchestra, the Chinese and RTÉ (Ireland) National Symphony Orchestras, the Fort Worth and Toledo Symphony Orchestras, the Toronto and Aspen Concert Orchestras, and the Suwon Philharmonic Orchestra, and he has conducted from the keyboard the Meiningen Court Orchestra. He has collaborated with prominent conductors such as Sir Mark Elder, Stefan Sanderling, Xincao Li, Daejin Kim, David Hayes, Thomas Crawford, Tianhui Ng, Kerry Stratton, the late Leon Fleisher and Michail Jurowski. His performances have been broadcast by the BBC, the RTÉ, China Central Television, and classical music radio stations in North America. He has performed at and participated in the Verbier Festival, the Gstaad Menuhin Festival, the Klavier-Festival Ruhr, the Aspen Music Festival, the Sarasota Music Festival, and PianoTexas. Under the mentorship of Sir András Schiff, he was invited to give multiple solo recitals in Europe as part of Schiff’s “Building Bridges” project.

Mr. Sun has been awarded prizes at many of the major international piano competitions, including third prize at the Leeds International Piano Competition, second prize at the Dublin International Piano Competition, fourth prize and the audience prize at the Cleveland International Piano Competition, first prize at the inaugural CCC Toronto International Piano Competition. Playing early keyboard instruments and studying historical performance practice have played a significant role in Mr. Sun’s musical activities, with critically acclaimed appearances with the American Classical Orchestra in Alice Tully Hall. His solo album Busoni and His Muses, released on Bridge Records in commemoration of Busoni’s centennial of death, garnered critical acclaim on Gramophone and International Piano.

Born in Yantai, China, he received Bachelor’s, Master’s and the Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from The Juilliard School under the tutelage of Yoheved Kaplinsky and Sir Stephen Hough. His other mentors include pianists Malcolm Bilson, Richard Goode, Robert Levin, and harpsichordist Lionel Party. Currently Associate Professor of Music and the Associate Chair for Performance Activities at Smith College, he presented Beethoven’s complete piano sonatas in chronological order, in addition to yearlong series devoted to the music of Schubert and Chopin. As a pedagogue, he has lectured and given masterclasses at The Juilliard School in New York and Tianjin, Central and Hangzhou Conservatories of Music, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, The Music Conservatory of Ho Chi Minh City, and The University of São Paulo, among others. Jiayan Sun is a Steinway Artist.

Learn more at jiayansunpianist.com.