Sierra Ballet Theatre slated for Montbleu

The Sierra Ballet Theatre Company will present its gala performance at 7 p.m. Nov. 18 at the Montbleu Theater in the Montbleu Resort. The company will perform the ballet "Paquita," followed by excerpts from Mozart and ending the program with a jazz ballet titled "That Was The Week That Was."

The company, headed by the mother-daughter team of Irma and Kelly O'Fallon, with the roles of ballet mistress and artistic director respectively, have been rehearsing the dancers for months in preparation for their first performance.

"It is a very intense and exciting time for these dancers right now," according to the O'Fallons. "We have never seen a group of young women work so hard and they have brought their dancing to a new level."

The Sierra Ballet Theatre Company consists of an apprentice company and a performing company. Together they total 25 very talented young women. All will be participating in this performance.

"The Ballet Company originated last year," said Kelly. "My mother was the artistic director of The Knoxville Ballet Company for many years. She took one look at how much talent was in The Academy of Dance Arts studio and knew she wanted to work with the girls above and beyond their regular weekly dance classes."

"Saturdays have become 'Company Days' at the Gardnerville location of The Academy of Dance Arts. The company members rehearse from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is a grueling day of nonstop rehearsing. From ballet shoes to pointe shoes to jazz shoes and back to pointe shoes; these girls eat, breathe and sleep dance," Kelly said.

"Our philosophy has always been that dance is an art, not a competition. These dancers are dancing for the pure joy of self expression and love for their craft; not to compete for a trophy. "

The Sierra Ballet Theater Company is an outlet for serious dancers that want to have more performing opportunities throughout the dance season, and work on a professional level consistently working on and learning new ballet and jazz choreography. They invite the families of Tahoe and the Carson Valley to come and share in their excitement and anticipation of the first gala performance of The Sierra Ballet Theater Company.

For ticket information call (775) 588-3515.