Ballet Minnesota Explained

Ballet Minnesota is a classical dance company in Minnesota, United States. Established in 1990, the company has now worked for over 30 years to present ballet to the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. Founded by Andrew and Cheryl Rist, its stated mission is to be "dedicated to creating and sharing artistry in dance through public presentations and education."^[1]

Ballet Minnesota works with its sister organization, Classical Ballet Academy, in the Upper Midwest.

Repertoire

• The Classic Nutcracker: First performed in 1987 before the official founding of Ballet Minnesota, The Classic Nutcracker has become a tradition for countless families in the Twin Cities area. The classic ballet is presented to over 10,000 audience members each holiday season.^[2]

Notes and References

1. The contributions of Ballet Minnesota to the cultural life of the state of Minnesota is prominently highlighted in Georgia Finnegan, Grace & Grit: a History of Ballet in Minnesota (Edina: Afton Press, 2024), pp. 192-94, ISBN 978-1-7361021-3-8.
2. Web site: History – BALLET MINNESOTA. 2021-06-17. balletminnesota.org.