TABLE OF CONTENTS

3 | Letters from Leadership 19 | Volunteers

5 | Board of Directors 20 | Performances

6 | Kansas City Company Dancers 28 | Relief & Recovery Fund

9 | Second Company 34 | Kansas City Ballet School

10 | The Bolender Society 37 | Community Engagement & Education

12 | Kansas City Ballet Guild 39 | Endowment & Legacy Society

14 | KC 42 | Financials

16 | Ballet Business Council 44 | Kansas City Ballet Staff

18 | Emeritus Council

Front Cover and Inside | Kansas City Ballet Dancers Kaleena Burks and Liang Fu in Devon Carney’s . Dancers Kaleena Burks and Lamin Pereira in Helen Pickett’s Petal. All photography by Brett Pruitt & East Market Studios unless otherwise noted. THANK YOU FROM OUR EXECUTIVE & ARTISTIC DIRECTORS

Dear Patron,

Thank you for your friendship and support. Kansas City Ballet certainly would not be the same without you.

To say that this has been an unusual year for the Ballet is truly an understatement. The pandemic has brought cancellations and changes to the entire dance field that I never thought I would see. As I write, the Ballet is still struggling to bring back our dancers so that they can safely rehearse together and perform for you.

The Ballet also continues to work to be a place that represents our entire community whether it is our artists on stage, the artistic choices we make, the accessibility of our training or those we hire for the Ballet. We strive to be more inclusive, diverse and equitable.

Thank you for all you continue to do for us. With you, Kansas City Ballet will be back to performing on stage, training in our school and engaging all segments of our community.

With gratitude,

Jeffrey J. Bentley Executive Director

Greetings!

Kansas City Ballet’s 62nd Season was a great success! Even though our season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the company had many stellar moments – and you were there with us.

The Fall Season opened with the glorious Carmina Burana, reimagined by the talented Adam Hougland, featuring four outstanding soloists along with a full chorus and Kansas City Symphony. Helen Pickett’s Petal and Anabelle Lopez Ochoa’s Tulips and Lobster added vibrancy and whimsy to a stunning season opener.

Our highly entertaining returned with so many new milestones to mark the way towards tremendous artistic improvement of our spectacular dancers. It is such a thrill to annually bring such joy to so many during the holidays for you, our KC community.

Swan Lake once again enthralled audiences and provided three of our ballerinas the platform to move their artistry to the next level. And who can forget the Swan corps! They were mesmerizing.

I wish I could reminisce with you about the rest of the season, but in mid-March we all went home. Not the season we had envisioned, but we made the best of it with online presentations of some of our most interesting work from the recent past. I hope you were able to join us.

In closing, I look forward to that wonderful day when we are all able to return to the theatre and present new invigorating works for your enjoyment. As always, thank you for the role you play in making this the wonderful company it is.

Sincerely,

Devon Carney 3 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

BOARD PRESIDENT JACK ROWE REFLECTS

Kansas City Ballet Board President Jack out of this and the board will feel really Rowe has built his life rising to meet good about this too.” challenges. This year is no exception. “I’m also so proud of our organization’s “I’ve been honored and proud this past immediate professional response at all year to lead this board which oversees a levels which has been directed toward the wonderful organization from top to bottom– preservation of this 60+ year organization an organization with not only excellent for the time to come. More importantly I’m executive and artistic leadership and staff proud of the emphasis on the safety of our but also professional artistic performers staff, company, audience and students.” who are dedicated to their craft,” he says. This 2019-2020 season was on track to be Jack knows this pandemic and its effects will another successful year in the history of the continue to be a challenge going forward Ballet. and will call upon the organization, the supporters in the community, and the board “Our fall show, Carmina Burana, was well in particular, to see this through together. received and The Nutcracker brought in eager and excited audiences, as it does each “I always thought Kansas City Ballet’s year. The beautiful Swan Lake followed with longtime goal to become ‘a destination for bonus performances and great reviews. All dance’ was a pretty good one. Our plan has seemed to be on target for another great been to attract the best performers and to year when tragedy unexpectedly struck perform the best works and expand within with the COVID-19 pandemic. It has had a our community,” Jack says. “Based on a particular effect on the performing arts. And very glorious past and a solid foundation, I our Ballet is no exception,” Jack admits. am very confident in our future.”

When asked about how the Ballet’s Board is After all, he says: responding to this challenge, Jack maintains: “They are grasping this, understand the “I was born in KC. I’ve grown up here in KC. I’m seriousness of it, and are not running away. not planning on going anyplace. And neither is the I haven’t had anyone wanting to resign from this board. Instead they are asking, “What Ballet.” can we do?” I think, eventually, we’ll come

4 KCB Dancers Liang Fu and Danielle Bausinger with Paula Rowe and Board President Jack Rowe. Photo by Larry F. Levenson. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

2019-2020 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

OFFICERS Julia Irene Kauffman, Chairman CiCi Rojas, Vice-President Muriel McBrien Kauffman Foundation Tico Productions LLC / Tico Sports Jack D. Rowe, J.D., President Kent Stallard, J.D., Treasurer Lathrop GPM LLP Stinson LLP Kathy Stepp, Immediate Past President Susan Lordi Marker, Secretary Stepp & Rothwell, Inc. Artist Michael D. Frost, PhD, Vice-President Jeffrey J. Bentley, Executive Director Continental Steel Fabrication and Kansas City Ballet Lawson Steel Erection Devon Carney, Artistic Director Kirsten A. Byrd, J.D., Vice-President Kansas City Ballet Husch Blackwell, LLP

MEMBERS Aviva Ajmera Linda Lenza Cindy Rock SoLVE Bank of America Thryv Evelyn Craft Belger Patricia Macdonald Suzanne Shank, J.D. Belger Cartage Service, Inc. Community Leader Community Leader Claire Brand Cindy Mahoney Barbara Storm Hallmark Cards, Inc., Retired Hallmark International Community Leader Vince Clark Steve McDowell Angela Walker Creative Planning, Inc. BNIM Community Leader Tom Curran PhD, FRS Rachel Merlo John Walker Children’s Mercy Hospital Google Fiber Kansas City Community Leader (President, Kansas City Stephen Doyal Tracy Musolf Ballet Guild) Hallmark Cards, Inc., Retired Lockton Jacquie Ward Anne Elsberry Sarah Nelson UMB Bank Community Leader State Street Global Services (President, BARRE KC) David Harris Kathleen Nemechek, J.D. Thomas F. Whittaker U.S. Bank Berkowitz Oliver LLP J.E. Dunn Construction Matt C. Johnson Carolyn W. Parkerson Company CommunityAmerica Community Leader Credit Union

Kansas City Ballet 2019-2020 Board of Directors at their annual retreat hosted by Lathrop Gage. Photo by Elizabeth Stehling 5 DANCERS

2019-2020 COMPANY DANCERS Hometown | Years with KCB

FRONT ROW Lilliana Hagerman Sidney Haefs* Pordenone, Italy | 5 years Los Angeles, CA | 1 year Naomi Tanioka +1 year - Second Company +1 year - Second Company Sapporo, Japan | 1 year Marisa DeEtte Whiteman* MIDDLE ROW Gavin Abercrombie Stony Brook, NY | 2 years Acton, CA | 2 years +4 years - Second Company Christopher Costantini +2 years - Second Company Milan, Italy | 6 years Taryn Mejia Zachary Boresow* Independence, MO | 8 years Kelsey Hellebuyck Kansas City, MO | 1 year , CA | 4 years Kaleena Burks Amanda DeVenuta Ft. Lauderdale, FL | 10 years Craig Wasserman Carmel, NY | 6 years New City, NY | 1 year Courtney Nitting Whitney Huell Lafayette, NJ | 2 years Heather Nichols Irmo, SC | 6 years Richmond, VA | 1 year

6 Photo by Brett Pruitt &DANCERS East Market Studios.

Amaya Rodriguez Enrico Hipolito Angelin Carrant* Havana, Cuba | 4 years Seattle, WA | 3 years Paris, France | 2 years +1 year - Second Company Liang Fu Goldie Walberg Qingdao, China | 6 years Sherman Oaks, CA | 3 years James Kirby Rogers +2 years - Second Company San Francisco, CA | 4 years Danielle Bausinger Ridgewood, NJ | 6 years BACK ROW Kevin Wilson Durango, CO | 4 years Lamin Pereira Humberto Rivera Blanco Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | 6 years Havana, Cuba | 4 years Dillon Malinski 2019-2020 Sally and Thomas J. Carbondale, IL | 6 years Wood Senior Dancer Javier Morales Havana, Cuba | 3 years Joshua Bodden Miami, FL | 6 years Cameron Thomas * apprentice Rochester, NY | 3 years Emily Mistretta +1 year - Second Company Upland, CA | 4 years

7 DANCERS

Photo by Brett Pruitt & East Market Studios. AMAYA RODRIGUEZ CONNECTS WITH THE AUDIENCE DURING SWAN LAKE

Dancing the role of Odette/Odile in Swan would be a challenge to get back in tip-top Lake is every little ballerina’s dream. It’s condition in time to dance one of the most one that Kansas City Amaya important roles of her career. Rodriguez had very early on growing up in Cuba. She pushed through the pain of training and it got a little better each day. Her hard work “At around 7 years old, my dad asked me to paid off. Audiences jumped to their feet to see Swan Lake with him. When I saw that applaud her performances. In fact, at the ballet, I knew I had to become a ballerina.” final performance curtain call, not only were the main roles, like Amaya’s, celebrated with Amaya started ballet at age 9. However, applause and flowers, but each of the swans when Amaya was just 15 years old, her from the corps was presented a rose to father passed away—before she became recognize the incredible physical and mental a professional dancer. That’s one reason stamina they’d achieved together. performing Swan Lake was so special. “I felt like, Wow! They recognize how hard “Swan Lake reminds me of him. When I take we are working every day. I started crying. It the stage, I’m always thinking about him and was one of my favorite nights in my career. why I became a dancer. He is everywhere During Swan Lake, the audiences reminded with me and watching me dance,” Amaya me of home. For a few minutes I felt like I was reveals. with my Cuban audience who had followed my career so closely and had watched me Amaya danced with National Ballet of Cuba grow up. Now, after these performances, this under Artistic Director for Kansas City audience truly knows me and 12 years before coming to the U.S. to join what I’m capable of and that feels very good. Kansas City Ballet in 2016. It was a very special season and especially as a new mom,” Amaya admits. “I am going to live here for the rest of my life,” she gushed. “I love my company and Amaya is grateful, not only to the audience, my amazing director. They are part of my but to everyone who supports Kansas City family. I love this city, and I’m part of this Ballet with donations and ticket purchases. community.” “I think our heroes are everything for us. They are Amaya and her husband Enrique welcomed special. We are forever grateful. Thank you so much a son, Lucas, in May 2019. As excited as she was to become a new mom, she knew it to each of you.”

Dancers Amaya Rodriguez and Christopher Costantini. Photography by Elizabeth Stehling.

8 DANCERS

2019-2020 SECOND COMPANY

FRONT ROW MIDDLE ROW BACK ROW Lauren Vogel, Trainee Timothy T.V. Cao, Trainee Sophie Hod, Trainee Callahan Akmakjian- Priyana Acharya, Trainee Jasmine Wheeler, Trainee Porter, Trainee Fiona Lee, KCB II Katy Schwarzweller, Ethan Ahuero, KCB II Trainee Talia Lebowitz, Trainee Grace Reed, Trainee Roma Catania, KCB II Joshua Kiesel, KCB II Jessica Ousterhout, Colleen McKenzie, Trainee Bernard DuBois II, KCB II Trainee CHRISTOPHER RUUD Juliana Kuhn, Trainee JOINED KCB IN JULY Georgia Fuller, KCB II 2019 AS THE SECOND Emma Pennell, Trainee COMPANY MANAGER AND .

9 THE BOLENDER SOCIETY

Photo by Elizabeth Stehling. THE BOLENDER SOCIETY The Bolender Society was named for the beloved Artistic Director Emeritus , who transformed Kansas City Ballet with his artistry and vision. The Bolender Society is Kansas City Ballet’s premiere philanthropic group. Members generously make a monthly gift of $200 or an annual gift of $2,500 or more.

Society members learn more about Kansas City Ballet and the world of dance through lectures by guest artists, excursions to dance events and special social gatherings to meet the dancers.

The Bolender Society members believe that a great city deserves great art. The dedication of The Bolender Society allows the Ballet to bring dance of the highest quality, community education for all ages, and excellence in dance training to the entire community. 2019-2020 BOLENDER SOCIETY COMMITTEE Angela Walker, Chair Susan Hangauer G. Mark Sappington Carolyn Parkerson, Zack Hangauer Suzanne Shank Vice Chair Richard Jensen John Walker Anna Allen Siobhan McLaughlin Lesley Jean-Paul Wong Gay Dannelly Susan Lordi Marker

Chans Dykes, Adam Benfer, Julie Anderson, and Board member Vince Clark at the Bill and Crystal O’Dea, Board member Barbara Storm, and Chris and Lisa Sirridge Opening Night Party held at The Westin prior to the world premiere of Carmina at the Evening with Ramona event held at the Hallbrook Country Club in January. Burana. Photo by Don Ipock. Music Director Ramona Pansegrau shared personal stories and insights about the cherished music of Swan Lake. Photo by Larry F. Levenson

10 Top Photo | Todd Bolender, Past Artistic Director of Kansas City Ballet THE BOLENDER SOCIETY

ZACK AND SUSAN HANGAUER FEED THEIR SOULS WITH DANCE

When Zack and Susan Hangauer moved to of shared experiences with deepening Kansas City from San Francisco, they also their connections to the Ballet and other began a whole new love affair with ballet Bolender Society members. and the performing arts. Zack says, “There’s a definite camaraderie The couple also thinks that had they stayed and family feeling. It’s that kind of connection in San Francisco; they might never have you don’t get everywhere.” become the avid arts attendees they are now. “Kansas City arts are just so affordable Susan agrees a lot of good has come out and accessible,” Zack says. “It only takes 20 of their membership: donating to a cause minutes to get to the Kauffman Center from they believe in, really getting to know other south Overland Park. That’s a breeze.” members as people, and having unique shared experiences. “I really love these Susan agrees, “It’s a joy! We’re delighted all people because I know them,” she says. of the arts are of such high quality...and the Kauffman Center! We’ve got it all.” Looking down the road, there are a lot of unknowns for the future of arts organizations. Zack and Susan also raised their children, Thankfully, the Ballet has friends like Zack four boys and a girl, to appreciate the arts. and Susan who are passionate about And now attending arts events is expanding supporting the arts. to the next generation. The Hangauers have taken their grandchildren to The Nutcracker Susan says, and the open rehearsals at the Bolender Center. A delightful experience for the “We want these art forms to continue and get better whole family! and better. If you go and enjoy them, you have a responsibility to help support them.” Several years ago, after receiving a call from The Bolender Society President Susan Lordi Susan also encourages everyone to get Marker, the Hangauers took the opportunity exposure to the arts and to get involved. to join Kansas City Ballet’s Bolender Society. The couple took a trip to Cuba with many “Give it a try! It’s another way to feed your members of the group. They raved about soul. We need that more than ever.” the experience and do credit these types

Top Photo | Photo by Zack and Susan Hangauer. 11 KANSAS CITY BALLET GUILD

ADVOCATES & ENTHUSIASTS: THE KANSAS CITY BALLET GUILD The Kansas City Ballet Guild is a group of 170+ members who advocate for dance and ballet in the Kansas City community. Guild members support the Ballet financially by organizing the Annual Ballet Ball, the Nutcracker Boutique, and other special events. The Guild allows members to connect over their shared passion for dance and ballet and to deepen understanding of the art form through special presentations, book clubs, and movie nights. KCB thanks members of the Guild for their passion and enthusiasm for the art form that we all love! 2019-2020 GUILD BOARD John Walker Sarah Ingram-Eiser Lisa Hickok President Membership Vice President Archives Vice President Juliette Singer Carol Marr Susan Meehan-Mizer President-Elect Special Projects Immediate Past President Vice President Peggy Beal Angela Bedell Vice President & Sarah Bent Governance Chairman Gala Vice President 2019 Education & Engagement Edie Downing & Vice President Francie Mayer Gail Van Way Treasurer Melissa Ford Gala Vice Presidents 2020 Marketing/PR Kathy Bourne Karen Yungmeyer & Vice President Recording Secretary Tempe Ostergren Elsberry Jo Anne Dondlinger Gala Vice Presidents 2021 Edie Downing Social Activities Corresponding Secretary Vice President

Andrew Beal, Ball Chairman Peggy Beal and Honorary Sue Ann Fagerberg, pictured with Richard Fagerberg, Julia Steinburg, Craig Sole, Karen Yungmeyer, and Carolyn Chairmen Sandra and Roger Jackson at the Nutcracker Ball received the Pirouette Award honor at the Nutcracker Ball. Price at the Fall Guild Luncheon. held at the InterContinental Hotel on November 23, 2019.

12 All photos by Larry F. Levenson. KANSAS CITY BALLET GUILD

Photo by Brett Pruitt & East Market Studios. 2019-2020 GUILD PRESIDENT JOHN WALKER JUMPS RIGHT IN In 2015, after 20+ years of active duty After lots of planning over the summer in military service and another 20 years 2019, John was happy to attend the Guild’s working as Department of Defense civilians season Kick-Off Party in August at Lidia’s in the Washington, D.C. area, John Walker with Guild members, guests, KCB staff and his wife Angela moved to Kansas City, and dancers. The Guild’s largest annual Missouri to retire for good – or so they fundraiser, the Nutcracker Ball, was held in thought! November.

The couple, avid ballet fans, looked for This was followed by the Guild’s other major ways to get involved with Kansas City annual fundraiser, the Nutcracker Boutique, Ballet. One of the first things on their list which ran through all of December during was to join the Ballet Guild. They started the Ballet’s Nutcracker performances at attending meetings and events and making the Kauffman Center. Guild members plan, connections. When there were opportunities organize, and execute these activities every to volunteer, they stepped up. year. John agreed that this year had its special challenges. COVID-19 hit KC in March Given their background, it wasn’t so and, like other groups, the Guild moved to surprising perhaps that they quickly found alternate/virtual channels for the remainder themselves in leadership roles. John was of their meetings and events. a little startled to be asked to be Guild president for the 2019-2020 season, but As he ended his term this past spring, John he readily agreed to lead the 170+ member focused on what could be done, even in organization. unconventional ways:

“My leadership style was always to find “The future of performing arts, to include the Ballet, quality people who knew what they were is uncertain. There are so many unknowns --- it is doing, make sure they had whatever they needed to succeed, then stay out of their just hard to plan. But having served in the military, way and let them make us all look good. In I know the right thing to do is plan for multiple the Guild this was easy.” contingencies, remain flexible and then be ready to

John worked hard to keep the members jump in and help when the time is right.” engaged and informed through emails, social media postings and speaking at Guild And when that time comes, that is what the social events. On the side, he volunteered Ballet Guild will do, as it always has. And the with other Guild members to work in the Ballet is grateful. Ballet’s Archives, helping to organize and process material into the (ever growing) collection.

Top Photo | Photo by Larry F. Levenson. 13 BARRE KC

BARRE KC YOUNG PROFESSIONALS BARRE KC members go behind-the-scenes and share their love of ballet with other young people at a wide variety of social, educational, and networking events year-round. Members can further their involvement and impact on the KC community through BARRE KC leadership opportunities and fundraising events that benefit the R.O.A.D. Scholarship Program! 2019-2020 BARRE KC BOARD Jacquie Ward, President Brenda Fernandez Lauren Thompson, UMB Bank Girl Scouts of NE KS & Past President NW MO Thrive Pilates & Movement Paula Klasek, Vice President Studio (Incoming President 20-21) Dora Grote Cerner TriStar Kristen Thorpe USDA – Compliance (US Elizabeth Hughes John Springer, Soiree Chair Dept. of Agriculture) AssuredPartners, Inc. Commerce Bank Joseph Willis Katie Lord Katherine N. Del Signore Dahmer Contracting Group UMKC Foundation Proof Publishing

Group photo on the top of the Crossroads Hotel at the BARRE KC Streetcar Pub Hannah Litwiller, Tom Martin, Hope Gantner, Christine Salyer, Paula Klasek, Garrett Crawl. Photo by Karen Badgett Streck at a BARRE KC Happy Hour. Photo by Karen Badgett

Kansas City Ballet thanks the following sponsors: 2019-2020 BARRE KC SPONSORS Lockton Companies The Leslie Company Misson Taco Joint Presenting Sponsor Lidia’s One East Urban Bar & Kitchen Boulevard Brewing Company Presenting Sponsor

14 BARRE KC Board 2019-2020: John Springer, Dora Grote, Joseph Willis, Jacquie Ward, Kristen Thorpe, Paula Klasek, Elizabeth Hughes, Katherine N. Del Signore, Brenda Fernandez. Photo by Karen Badgett BARRE KC

Photo by Brett Pruitt & East Market Studios. BARRE KC BOARD PRESIDENT, JACQUIE WARD IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE COMMUNITY

Outgoing BARRE KC President Jacquie Ward we ended this year with about 75. I think that grew up dancing. For her it has always been a lot of that was due to continued outreach one of the ultimate forms of expression. by the whole board. I’m really happy that we were able to get to that number.” She and her husband Kyle have been longtime supporters of Kansas City’s arts scene and The annual Black & White Soireé was season ticket holders for the Kansas City supposed to take place in April, which was Symphony and Kansas City Ballet. in the thick of stay at home orders due to COVID-19. “Honestly, I think people sometimes don’t expect us to have the caliber of ballet that “The unwinding of the Soireé was an we do in KC,” Jacquie explains. “If they’ve unexpected challenge,” Jacquie affirms. never been to a performance or aren’t sure “And, it’s something that is never easy to what to expect, I tell them they are going to do, especially in an economy where a lot be pleasantly shocked with what they see. of people were having to do it. So, having I’ve attended in a lot of cities, and I the right conversations with sponsors and think KCB does a really great job.” working with vendors was important.”

About five years ago, a friend approached In the end, most of them either donated Jacquie about joining KC Ballet’s BARRE KC their sponsorship or rolled it into next year’s group for young professionals. event. Because of this, BARRE still raised nearly $7,000 for the Ballet’s Reach Out and “My friend mentioned they had a board spot Dance (R.O.A.D.) Program. open,” Jacquie remembers. “So, I met the group, and I really liked what they were doing. “The whole board was great, but there are I’d always had a fantastic time at shows, but two people specifically that I’d want to it was really neat to have that with young mention,” Jacquie says. “John Springer was professionals, too. It added a really fun social our first-year Soireé chair who jumped in full component.” force on planning. It wasn’t easy to plan or unplan and he did a really good job. Also, She appreciates how board service allows Katherine N. Del Signore was membership her to keep developing professionally while chair and a lot of the growth and outreach making a difference for organizations in her came from her putting processes into place. community. She scheduled a couple of membership socials that were really important.” “Arts are how I get a lot of joy out of life, and I want to When asked what she hopes for the future do my part to make sure someone else gets that same of BARRE KC, Jacquie said: “It’s really tough because we don’t know what next year looks chance,” she says. like, not just for the Ballet, but for a lot of people personally. We need to find ways to “When I took over as president last year, the continue to find value for members. And the two ways I measured myself were around biggest goal, I think, would be to continue membership and the Black & White Soireé to grow membership and the Soireé. We did fundraiser,” Jacquie admits. “My biggest great this year with the challenges we had. accomplishment was membership. We I just hope both of these continue to grow.” ended last year with around 35 members and

Photo by Jacquie Ward. 15 BUSINESS COUNCIL

THE BUSINESS COUNCIL Corporate partners with Kansas City Ballet enjoy increased marketing visibility, exclusive benefits, and strengthened community and employee engagement. The Business Leadership Council is comprised of dedicated business leaders who are passionate about creating a thriving business and arts community in Kansas City. The Leadership Council seeks to establish connections between the Ballet’s performance, School, and community programs and local businesses. “Lockton is a proud supporter of Kansas City Ballet. It’s more important than ever that we provide outstanding dance experiences to all. The Reach Out And Dance (R.O.A.D.) program is one of the many integral pieces to this vision. We are so fortunate to experience ballet accompanied by live music. It is something we should not take for granted.” –Tracy Musolf, Kansas City Ballet Business Council Chair, Lockton

2019-2020 BALLET BUSINESS LEADERSHIP COUNCIL Tracy Musolf, Council Chair Matt Johnson, CiCi Rojas, Lockton CommunityAmerica Tico Productions LLC Credit Union Nathan Benjamin, Bridget Romero, Burns & McDonnell Molly Kerr, Lathrop GPM BOK Financial Consuelo Cruz, Chris Teddy, Community Volunteer Linda Lenza, JE Dunn Construction Bank of America Kendra Gage, Performance Rehab Rachel Merlo, Google Fiber

Emma Bland, Adam Fichman, Todd Smidt, and their colleagues from Lifted Logic Board member Aviva Ajmera and Wayne Strickland at a 2019-2020 KCB attend a 2019 performance of Devon Carney’s The Nutcracker. Kansas City Ballet performance at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. The Ballet is grateful thanks Lifted Logic for donating their time and expertise to create a fresh look for to Ajmera and her company, SolveKC, for their extensive strategic planning work Photo bythe ElizabethBallet’s website Stehling. this year. with KCB Board members and staff this season.

Top Photo | Executive Director Jeffrey Bentley, Complex General Manager of The Westin and Sheraton Kansas City Jim Snow, AXA Advisors’ Kristin Bone, 16 Board member Angela Walker, and Artistic Director Devon Carney at the Season Opening Party hosted by The Westin and Sheraton Kansas City. Photo by Don Ipock BUSINESS COUNCIL

A STRONG PARTNERSHIP Bank of America has invested in the Ballet’s home, the Todd Bolender Center for Dance & Creativity and supported the Bank of America has been an exceptional Artistic Director search that brought the partner with Kansas City Ballet for more remarkable Devon Carney to Kansas City. than two decades. The annual Ballet Ball and The Sugar Plum Fairy Children’s Ball have also benefited As Presenting Sponsor of The Nutcracker from BofA’s support. since 2010, Bank of America has helped enable Kansas City Ballet to present nearly Linda Lenza, Senior Vice President and 250 performances of the holiday tradition. Market Manager, is integral to Bank of And while the pandemic has made live America’s relationship with Kansas City performance impossible this year, Bank of Ballet. As a member of the Board of America continues its support helping to Directors for 10 years, she has provided ensure the company’s financial sustainability. time, leadership and personal support to the Ballet. Bank of America’s investment in The Nutcracker helps produce an annual Thank you to Bank of America for helping economic impact on our community of to keep Kansas City Ballet strong and more than $1.1 million and each year helps continuing to serve our community. to attract more than 25,000 people from outside of the area to Kansas City.

Bank of America Senior Vice President Tony Twyman and Michelle Twyman Two young attendees enjoying the 2019 Sugar Plum Fairy Children’s Ball. Photo by with daughters Taylor and Aubrey at the 2019 Sugar Plum Fairy Children’s Ball Larry F. Levenson sponsored by Bank of America. Photo by Larry F. Levenson

Top Photo | Rachele Kolom, Linda Lenza from Bank of America, and (little one) Aubrey Kolom at the 2019 Sugar Plum Fairy Children’s Ball at the Muehlebach. Photo by Larry F. Levenson 17 EMERITUS COUNCIL

Photo by Brett Pruitt & East Market Studios. THE EMERITUS COUNCIL The Ballet has a long history of strong governance. The Emeritus Council provides the opportunity for past members of the Board of Directors to connect with one another and with the Ballet. During the Emeritus Annual Luncheon on November 4, 2019, Principal & KCYB Director and former KCB dancer Kimberly Cowen spoke about her memories growing up dancing and her experiences that brought her to Kansas City Ballet. She began her delightful tales with how, at the age of 12, she met Todd Bolender. Kimberly shared the influence various artistic directors had made on her career and how she emulates their professionalism while teaching children in the School. Audience members were overcome with emotion and good-humored laughter. On January 29, 2020, Emeritus members, gathered on a conference call to hear Executive Director Jeffrey Bentley share Kansas City Ballet’s mid-year report. Jeff shared his knowledge about other dance organizations, highlighting the Ballet’s successes and hopes for the future. Attendees asked questions and reconnected to the service they had provided while on the Board.

Principal & KCYB Director Kimberly Cowen and Artistic Emeritus Council Chair Dr. John D. Hunkeler, Executive Director Jean-Paul Wong and Susan Meehan-Mizer were welcomed Director Devon Carney at the Emeritus Council Luncheon Jeffrey Bentley, Board Chairman Julia Irene Kauffman, Board as the newest members of the Emeritus Council at a pinning held at the Bolender Center. Cowen shared about her personal President Jack Rowe, and Artistic Director Devon Carney at ceremony during the November luncheon. Other new Emeritus experiences throughout her tenure at Kansas City Ballet. the annual Emeritus Council luncheon held at the Bolender Council members not pictured include Mike Bray, Siobhan Photo by Elizabeth Stehling Center. Photo by Elizabeth Stehling. McLaughlin Lesley, and Linda Shoare. Photo by Elizabeth Stehling.

18 Top Photo | Ginny Shackelford, Jeffrey Bentley, and Marilyn Wollard at the 2019 Emeritus Council Luncheon. Photo by Elizabeth Stehling VOLUNTEERS

Photo by Brett Pruitt & East Market Studios. GRANT AND MIMI VACATION IN KC TO SUPPORT THE BALLET In 2014, Kansas City Ballet performed Grant said. “That’s not always the case. And Michael Pink’s Dracula. It inspired Grant being able to assist in interesting projects Lamascus and Mimi Montoya to drive to KC and do some good work is phenomenal.” from Arkansas. Mimi and Grant spent two weeks of their Mimi had long loved ballet, having taken vacation time in Kansas City assisting the classes as a child, but Grant was new to the Ballet’s archival expert and committee with art form. some special projects in addition to other days like the Nutcracker Pricing Party. Grant and Mimi became mesmerized not only with the production, but with the whole “The staff made us feel so welcome and we organization. On the way home, Grant want to continue and do more and more,” decided they should become members of Mimi added. the Ballet Guild after seeing an ad in the program. Part of that “more” includes donating to the Ballet. They wanted to increase their Living only three hours away, the couple also philanthropic support and connectivity to the became subscribers and made their routine Ballet so they joined The Bolender Society. travels to Kansas City delightful journeys Also, Grant’s employer offers quarterly by booking unique bed and breakfasts and funding through their Volunteerism Always other lodgings around town. Pays program on behalf of Grant’s volunteer hours with the Ballet. “It’s extraordinary that there’s a world class that is so close,” Mimi says. Grant and Mimi have firmly claimed a home “We don’t have to go to New York or San in the Kansas City Ballet family of supporters. Francisco or somewhere so far away.” They encourage others to do the same.

It wasn’t long before the two wanted to see “The Ballet is such an intricate work of art. what else they could do to get involved with I’m simply honored to be part of it and to be the ballet. They discovered volunteering and able to assist,” Grant said. were intrigued to be invited by John Walker to help with the Ballet Archives projects. “It feels amazing to be a part of something that is so awe-inspiring. If someone desires “It’s rare to find a group of people that you can to do more, just step up. I have no doubt your contribution would be welcomed,” connect with that feel like friends and neighbors. I Mimi added. feel that with the Kansas City Ballet group,”

Top Photo | Grant Lamascus and Mimi Montoya. Photo by Larry F. Levenson. 19 PERFORMANCES

Johnson County Community College’s New Dance Partners featured four world premiere contemporary works performed by four companies: Kansas City Ballet, Owen/Cox Dance Group, Störling Dance Theatre, and Wylliams/ Henry Contemporary Dance Company.

Dancers Kaleena Burks and James Kirby Rogers.

NEW DANCE PARTNERS • SEPTEMBER 27-28, 2019 • JOHNSON COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Kansas City Ballet performed Myles Thatcher’s Umbra. Thatcher visited Kansas City from to choreograph the world premiere.

Kansas City Ballet Dancers. Photos by Mike Strong

20 PERFORMANCES

Photo by Brett Pruitt & East Market Studios. WHITNEY HUELL REFLECTS ON THE JOYS OF THE SEASON The 2019-2020 season was an unprecedented including a reprisal of the Sugar Plum Fairy whirlwind. Rather than let it get her down, role she had earned in 2018. Company dancer Whitney Huell chooses to reflect on the joys it provided and to look However, in February, she had no idea that ahead with hope for what is to come. Swan Lake would be the last performances of the season. “In last fall’s performance, I was in the first cast of Helen Pickett’s Petal, the second cast of “I definitely think the 2020 performance Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s Tulips and Lobster, of Swan Lake was an accomplishment for and Adam Hougland’s Carmina Burana. I the entire company, especially the female enjoyed how vastly different each piece was. dancers. Swan Lake was a marathon that we Petal required an intense connection to story finished strong,” Whitney asserts. and an involved interaction with the other dancers in the work. Tulips and Lobster was Since the pandemic began, her apartment has lighthearted, fun and witty and Carmina become her studio, equipped with a subfloor evoked a more stoic presentation and angular and Marley to safely dance at home. Yoga, movements,” Whitney recalls. Pilates and modified ballet classes have kept her physically and mentally healthy. In Petal, which was visually stunning as the stage is filled with intense color, Whitney Whitney appreciates those who donate could be sassy. Audiences really responded to Kansas City Ballet, especially right now. to some of the more jaw-dropping moves like “Donors are heroes. They make it possible for when Whitney was tossed into the air by two dancers to preserve the integrity, evolution dancers. and beauty of our art form,” she says.

“So many moments in the ballet made me feel as As for the future, Whitney has no doubts that if I could fly,” she gushes. “In the finale I had the dance will return stronger than ever.

freedom to jump as far and as high as I could.” “The future of dance is for everyone to enjoy,” Whitney says. “And, I’m hopeful we will be The Nutcracker followed in December and performing again soon.” was again filled with intense roles for Whitney,

21 PERFORMANCES THE WIZARD OF OZ

KCB’s season-opening performance featured three works: • The world premiere of Adam Hougland’s Carmina Burana; Music: Carl Orff • Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s Tulips & Lobster; Music: Purcell, Albinoni, Lambert, and Vivaldi • Helen Pickett’s Petal; Music: Philip Glass and Thomas Montgomery Newman

The performance was accompanied by the Kansas City Symphony and the Kansas City Symphony Chorus.

Dancers Whitney Huell and Cameron Thomas in Helen Pickett’s Petal.

CARMINA BURANA • OCTOBER 11-20, 2019 • KAUFFMAN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

“With the addition of the Kansas City Symphony Chorus..., the end result was a full and sumptuous production. The whole thing was frankly amazing, and we were very pleased to be able to see its premiere.” – Kelly Luck, BroadwayWorld review of Carmina Burana

Kansas City Ballet Dancer Gavin Abercrombie with Company Dancers in Adam Hougland’s Carmina Burana.

22 Dancers: Kaleena Burks and Amanda DeVenuta. Kansas City Ballet Dancers in Septime Webre’s The Wizard of Oz, 2018. Photo byPERFORMANCES Brett Pruitt & East Market Studios.

GAVIN ABERCROMBIE LANDS LEADING ROLE IN CARMINA BURANA

Gavin Abercrombie came up through the an emotional level that I hadn’t been able ranks at Kansas City Ballet. Starting off as to tap into performing it in front of a mirror a member of KCB II, part of the Second or out to an empty theater. Being alone out Company, he was invited to join the there, giving everything I had left to the Company as an apprentice before being audience, is a moment that I know I’ll never promoted to a full company member. forget.”

For the fall 2019 season opening While the season ended just after the performance, he debuted the lead role performances of Swan Lake, Gavin has been in Adam Hougland’s world premiere of doing his best to stay fit on his own with Carmina Burana. It was an experience he virtual ballet classes. He’s also spent a good will never forget. amount of time at home with his family in California and has been hiking and biking “It was my first lead role as a professional on the many trails in the mountains near his dancer, and it came in the very beginning of home. my first professional season,” Gavin recalls. “Throughout the choreographic process Gavin chooses to look forward with Adam was so supportive. He worked with optimism: “I constantly remind myself that me through all of the details so I could best although things may seem bad now, there portray his ideas for the piece through my will be a day when I will be back performing own artistic expression. By the time the in front of the Kansas City audience I hold shows came along, the nerves were gone, dear. I plan to be in good shape for when and I felt ready to give it my all on stage.” that moment arrives.”

The first time he performed his final solo Recognizing those who donate to help in front of an audience is etched into support Kansas City Ballet are true KCB Gavin’s memory. “My character is incredibly heroes, Gavin says, emotionally vulnerable during that solo, alone on stage and stripped down to “They are really making a difference and showcasing almost nothing. This was the moment I was themselves as true heroes in my eyes. They are not supposed to pour everything I had into only donating to help me do what I love, but also to making the audience relate to me. The first time I performed it in front of a live audience, help me and my fellow coworkers continue to inspire I remember feeling like I was able to reach and lift up our Kansas City community through ballet.”

23 PERFORMANCES THE WIZARDNUTCRACKER OF OZ

The Nutcracker is a cherished holiday tradition in Kansas City. KCB presented 23 performances and 3 student matinee performances of Devon Carney’s The Nutcracker, set to Peter I. Tchaikovsky’s iconic score. More than 36,000 people attended KCB’s productions in 2019.

Dancer Lamin Pereira.

THE NUTCRACKER • DECEMBER 5-24, 2019 • KAUFFMAN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

The 25th Annual Sugar Plum Fairy Children’s Ball, hosted by co-chairs Lisa Sirridge and Regina Klepikow, on December 7th transformed the Muehlebach Tower of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown into a Sugar Plum Fairy experience. Guests enjoyed Kansas City Youth Ballet’s performance and an elegant 3-course luncheon. Emcee Christa Dubill honored DeVette Ashley for her vision of this event 25 years ago. At the end of the feast, everyone was whisked away to the matinee of The Nutcracker presented by Kansas City Ballet and sponsored by Bank of America.

Clara played by KC Ballet School Student Elise Pickert, Lisa Sirridge, Devette Ashley, Regina Klepikow and Fritz played by KC Ballet School Student Collin Brooks. Photo by Larry F. Levenson

24 PERFORMANCES

Photo by Elizabeth Stehling.STUDENT MATINEES CREATE THE AUDIENCE OF THE FUTURE

Kansas City Ballet annually presents opportunity to see live ballet, hear a live educational performances of select story symphony orchestra, and visit the renowned ballets at the Kauffman Center. These unique Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. performances provide elementary through During the 2019-2020 season alone, 5,526 high school students from around the metro students and teacher chaperones attended with an engaging introduction to ballet, four matinee performances of Swan Lake along with a behind-the-scenes look at and The Nutcracker. what it takes to stage a ballet performance. Kansas City Ballet Company Dancer Joshua THE NUTCRACKER • DECEMBER 5-24, 2019 • KAUFFMAN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS April Berry, Kansas City Ballet’s Director of Bodden agrees: Community Engagement & Education, says, “Studies show that there are a range of “For me, growing up in the inner city of Miami, ballet benefits from exposing a student to cultural and the arts were not on my radar or even a thing experiences including: increasing tolerance, I considered until I saw that student matinee of The empathy, compassion, and the ability to understand life in another time and place.” Nutcracker. That was the jumping off point that Full-length performances for schools and really changed my life and pointed me in a direction students can even enhance interdisciplinary I didn’t even know was possible for a life or career. learning by integrating dance with English Language Arts, Social Studies, and Music. Supporting and funding student matinees literally can be life-changing for a child. I am living proof.” Tickets are at a significantly reduced price and include online multimedia performance Children are our audience of the future. study guides and classroom visits in advance The impact of sending a child to a matinee to prepare students for the experience. performance is far beyond the gift given this year. Thank you for making the Ballet For many students who may not see the relevant for generations. performing arts, this may be their first

Top Photo | Children attending a student matinee. Photo by Elizabeth Stehling. 25 PERFORMANCES THE WIZARD OF OZ “On opening night, the company looked uniformly ‘in command’ of this...most beloved of all full- length ballets, with leads who danced with consistent polish and with an ever-improving corps... Rarely have we seen this company dance with such care for details; with such attention to minutiae and to what one can only call ‘passion.” - Paul Horsley, The Independent

Dancers Kaleena Burks and Liang Fu.

SWAN LAKE • FEBRUARY 14-23, 2020 • KAUFFMAN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

Artistic Director Devon Carney honored the members of the by giving each dancer a rose at the final performance of Swan Lake. “The Swans of the Corps de Ballet are the collective body of the ballet bringing the very breath, heart and soul of Swan Lake to life. They work like trojans pursuing the epitome of unified perfection of synchronized movement. They must essentially breathe as one. It is a very physically and emotionally demanding experience in every sense since they are on stage for almost the entire performance as either a member of the swan corps or through quick changes into other character roles. Even the lead role of Odette, the Swan Queen, is dependent on the corps to carry her along and give her the energy that she needs to bring this story fully to life. They are stars in their own right and a vital driving force of Swan Lake. And when it all comes together, witnessing the KCB Swans is a once in a life time breathtaking experience to behold.”

–Devon Carney, Artistic Director

Dancers Naomi Tanioka, Emily Mistretta, Amanda DeVenuta and Taryn Mejia.

26 PERFORMANCES

STAGING SWAN LAKE KRISTI CAPPS, BALLET MASTER “Although I have always been inspired by, astonished of, and proud of the women of KCB, I perhaps have not felt this more than with their hard work in our last production of Swan Lake. To “become” a swan with un-human physical characteristics takes time, self-reflection and attentiveness; yet, to become a stage full of 24+ swans moving together with precision as one unit and one breath takes trust, understanding and strength. The women of KCB have all of this and more and grew not only as individuals but as a company. What our wonderful audiences were fortunate to witness was a result of their conscious and extraordinary efforts. They transported us to another time and space, we found ourselves gasping and sighing at the beautiful formations and pictures they created, and they allowed us all to experience different emotions through to the ballet’s finale scene. They gave us hope that good will always conquer evil and absolute love will certainly win over all.”

BECOMING ODETTE/ODILE AMAYA RODRIGUEZ “Performing Odette/Odile under the direction of Devon Carney has been one of the greatest experiences of my career. Devon gave me the opportunity to play Odette after having my baby which was very challenging but wonderful. His rendition was technically more difficult than what I had previously done. I enjoyed every second of rehearsal. Swan Lake is a very strong ballet for women but at the same time it is one of the ballets that every dancer strives to perform. No matter how tired you may be, every second on stage playing Odette is a privilege that you will never forget.”

KALEENA BURKS “Odette/Odile is a representation of the pinnacle of a ballerina’s career, but I didn’t realize how much I was going to grow as an artist as well as strengthen my own perseverance to succeed. I was pushed artistically with having to master the transformation from the tender, vulnerable Odette to the strong seductress that is Odile in the course of one performance but bringing those two characters alive on stage is a feeling that will stay with me always. The challenges I faced and overcame with the support of Devon Carney and the whole Kansas City Ballet team has made me a stronger, more generous person and performer.”

AMANDA DEVENUTA “Odette/Odile was an experience like no other. To dance such a supple, delicate white swan to then transform into this dark queen of manipulation was so fun for me! I was able to explore both roles so genuinely within myself to then find it was truly a rewarding, beautiful journey. By the fourth act I had truly surrendered myself to my love for Siegfried and for the ballet and story as a whole. I wouldn’t trade those moments on stage of pure freedom for anything else in the world.” Dancer: Danielle Bausinger.

Top Photo | KCB Dancers in the corp de ballet bow to an appreciative audience with roses at the final performance of Devon Carney’s Swan Lake. Photo by Marisa DeEtte Whiteman 27 A PLAYRELIEF FOR & RECOVERY LOVE CAMPAIGN THE WIZARD OF OZ

RELIEF & RECOVERY CAMPAIGN

On the brink of the New Moves performances at the Bolender Center in mid-March 2020, the City of Kansas City instituted a ‘stay at home’ order, and Kansas City Ballet cancelled the rest of the season’s productions. This meant no New Moves or Celts.

The Ballet immediately went into action to address the Company’s greatly altered financial situation. In April, the Ballet launched its Keep the Ballet On Its Toes Relief & Recovery Campaign. Our goal was to raise $1 million to assist the Ballet through this time.

We asked you to help. And you responded! Your generosity has so far enabled us to fulfill our dancers’ contracts through the end of the 2019-2020 season and prepare for the 2020-2021 Season.

Everyone at the Ballet is deeply grateful to the 1,098 individuals, companies, organizations, and schools who have given to the campaign between March 14 and June 30, 2020. You are our hero!

Kansas City Ballet thanks its Heroes

However, the challenges have just begun, and Kansas City Ballet is doing all it can to sustain the organization. While we are currently unable to perform at the Kauffman Center, our dancers will be coming back to the studios in the 2020-2021 season. Your ongoing support is allowing the Ballet to move forward. You will sustain us until we are on stage again.

The work is not done yet. But we know that you can lift us up!

KCBALLET @HOME

After responding with immediate attention to the safety of its artists, staff, students, and patrons, KC Ballet reimagined its work and launched the initiative, KCBallet@Home. This allowed patrons to enjoy the Ballet in new ways, including:

• Weekly livestreaming of Company Class on Facebook • Three limited runs of past KCB performances on Facebook live and our website, including The Uneven, Umbra, and Klein Perspectives. • Music Moves, a weekly audio program of ballet music hosted by Music Director Ramona Pansegrau • Instagram story takeovers by KCB Dancers • Weekly Happy Hours for The Bolender Society and KCB personnel

28 Top Photo | KCB Dancer Lilliana Hagerman. Photo by Lamin Pereira. RELIEF & RECOVERY FUND

Photo by Brett Pruitt & East Market Studios. PAINTING FOR RELIEF & RECOVERY FUND

Kansas City Ballet Second Company am unable to train and rehearse with Kansas Dancer, Fiona Lee, was devastated to learn City Ballet as normal,” she says. “And, the remainder of the company’s 2019-2020 because many of my friends and mentors season had been canceled due to COVID-19. are often inspirations for my creations, painting can make me feel more connected to them.”

“I came up with the idea to sell my work on Etsy and donate to the KCB Relief and Recovery Fund. The small but hopefully meaningful difference these cards are able to make, both for KCB’s Relief and Recovery Fund and to the people who receive them, gives me a little more hope for how we can protect what we value the most,” Fiona says.

When asked about her feelings towards those purchasing her artwork and those donating to KC Ballet’s Fund, Fiona says: KCB II Dancer Fiona Lee painting one of her handmade cards for the Relief and Recovery Fund. “I would like to say that not only are you supporting After the announcement, she headed back ballet in Kansas City, but your donation is affirming the home to be with her family in Livingston, importance of dance across the nation. The fact that Montana. you believe in Kansas City Ballet’s mission enough to During this unscheduled sabbatical from give something (large or small!) means that dance is her routine, Fiona leaned into a hobby she’d significant to you. By donating to the relief fund, you had for years: painting ballerinas. are helping others to eventually discover what dance “I was able to turn to painting. It has been means to them through KCB’s continued operation!” an incredibly creative outlet for me while I

Dancers Amaya Rodriguez and Christopher Costantini. Photography by Elizabeth Stehling.

29 A PLAYRELIEF FOR & RECOVERY LOVE CAMPAIGN THEKANSAS WIZARD CITY OF BALLET OZ THANKS ITS HEROES

Ms. Lila Meroe Aamodt Melinda L. and Tom E. Beal Mr. Richard J. Boyle, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Jason April and Michael Jane Abildgaard Ms. Theresa R. Becker Ms. Crystal Brackett Calloway Crosser Ms. Lona Abildgaard Ms. Jill Beckman Bruce and Linda Bradley Jim Calvert Crossroads Academy, Ms. Sharon Adair Larry & Angela Bedell Mr. and Mrs. A. Joseph Scott and Amy Cameron Missouri Linda Lighton and Lynn Dr. Dan and Collette Brandmeyer Mr. Marc Cameron Mr. Richard H. Cull Adkins, The Lighton Bednarczyk Mr. and Mrs. John Brandt Mr. and Mrs. Sterling Card Daniel W. Cunningham Fund Mrs D. Joan Beeks Alexandria Brant Ms. Sharon Ally, Dr. Jessie Ng and Mrs. Ann Elizabeth Evelyn R. Craft Belger Ms. Rhonda Jean Brasher Carder-Jackson Dr. Tom Curran Affolter and C. Richard Belger Mr. and Mrs. Michael Bray Dr. Allison Cargnel Mr. Brett Currier Chris Ahrens Anne and Donald Mr. Darren Brehm Joe and Becky Carle Mr. and Mrs. James C. Dr. Terry Alleman Belinger Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Mr. Morrie Carlson Cusser Allen Village School, Ms. Kristen Bell Bremer Devon Carney and Don and Pat Dagenais Missouri Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Bell Ms. Michaela Bremser Pamela Royal Carney Mr. and Mrs. Mark Mr. Brad Allen and Ms. Judith Benham Dr. and Mrs. David Brewer Mrs. Lexa Carr Daggett Mr. Gene Cooper Margaret Perkins- Janis E. Brewster Dr. Mark Carr Dusty Dahmer John and Anna Allen McGuinness and Mr. and Mrs. Justin Mr. and Mrs. Wade Carr Ms. Elaine Dalgleish Ms. Sue Allen Nathan Benjamin Bridges Ms. Celeste Carson Ms. Laura Dalton Mary Ann and Bill Allen Mr. and Mrs. Matt Benson Ms. Brooklyn Brizendine Mr. and Mrs. Adam Carter Mr. Joel Daly Patrick and Lauren Amey Sarah Bent and Craig Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Mr. John Carter and Ms. Marjorie Daly, in Ms. Theresa Amundrud Thompson Brooks Ms. Cynthia Essmyer honor of Mary Beth David and Jennifer Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Daly Anderson Castaldo Mr. and Mrs. Michael Daly Mr. and Mrs. Eric “Dance is one of the things that sets us apart and makes Ms. Jillian Bush Beth and Dennis DaSilva Anderson us human. My son has loved dancing since he was tiny. If Mr. and Mrs. John Mr. Robert Neil Davidson Ms. Leslie G. Anderson Cavalcanti Amanda Davis Mr. and Mrs. Lowry F. it hadn’t been for the Ballet’s R.O.A.D. program, he may Ms. Elena Chan Ms. Connie Davis Anderson Jr never have had an opportunity to pursue his interest in Mr. and Mrs. Arthur The Dawson Family Rebekah Anderson Chang Ms. Laura Dean Mr. and Mrs. Stephen dance. It has made him feel valued and special. Every- Ms. Abigail Chappell Ms. Martha Dean Anderson Harriett Charno Mr. and Mrs. Stinson Dean Andrews McMeel thing Kansas City Ballet does has value and should be Jeff Chen Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Universal Foundation preserved, especially during this difficult time.” Ms. Jamie Cheshier DeCoursey Anonymous (17) Mrs. Lesa Childers Mr. and Mrs. Brian Deen Mr. and Mrs. Darrell –David Bryan, R.O.A.D. parent Ms. Stephanie Chrisman Mr. and Mrs. Roper Anthony Ms. Keri Christensen DeGarmo Mr. Joe Archias Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Mr. Joseph Deleo Mr. and Mrs. James Arkell Jeffrey J. Bentley Ms. Judith Brougham Christopher Natalie Dempsey Mr. and Mrs. John Kathy and Mark Berger David and Marissa Brown Kathleen Cita Dr. Jennifer Dennis Paul Armilio Ms. Stephanie Berndt Mr. Gates Brown Vince and Julie Clark Mr. and Mrs. Nathan ARRM Co. Mr. and Mrs. Clayton Berry Mr. and Mrs. Jason Brown Mr. Bradley Clarke, Denson Arvin T. Gottlieb Mr. and Mrs. Chris Best Mr. and Mrs. John M. in honor of Dr. Ann Ms. Judy Derr Charitable Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Best Brown Ethner Clarke Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Foundation, UMB Bank, Ms. Jan Beuthien Lynne Brown Mr. and Mrs. Gene Claxton DeVenuta N.A., trustee Ms. Lindsey Bianco Ms. Michelle Brownlee Karen and Steven Clegg DGC Capital Contracting Andrew and Molly Ash Ms. Loretta Birkenmeier Brownstone Ms. Bethany Cleland Corporation Mr. and Mrs. Scott Doug and Lisa Bittel Construction Ms. Amber Cleveland Juliet and Bill Dickerson Ashcroft Ms. Karen Black Robert and Pamela Bruce Mrs. Connie Cleveland Ms. Darcy Dinneny Mrs. Susan T. Asjes Bryan and Leigh Ms. Jennifer Bruggeman Ms. Lindsay Clipner Marvie and Mark Dirks Assured Partners Blackman Mrs. Kimberly Brummer Ms. Bethany Clubb Ms. Konnie Dispenza Ms. Elizabeth Austin Mrs. Melanie Blackmore Stephen and Jeannette Mr. and Mrs. Greyson Ms. Cheryl K. Dittmer AXA Advisors Mr. and Mrs. Josiah Bruns Clymer Ms. Kathryn Dixon Ms. Kayleigh Aytes Blank David and Angela Bryan Robert J. Cody Barbara Dodson Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Ilyssa Block Dr. and Mrs. Stephen Bubb Kathy and Bill Coenen Ms. Mary Lynne Bailey Mr. Michael J. Blomberg AXA Advisors Ms. Alison Collins Kathryn Dolembo Dr. Aimee Baird Ms. Sara Bloomfield Ms. Lorraine Buchanan Ms. Kathleen Colombo Bill and Jo Anne Ms. Audrey Baker Dr. Carol Blum Lauri Buck Mr. and Mrs. Scott Conner Dondlinger Bruce and Jennifer Balke BNIM Architects Mr. and Mrs. Michael Steven S. Conway Dr. David Donovan Ms. MaryAnn Ballard Lynne Bock Buckman Mr. and Mrs. Charles P. Ms. Dinah Dosdos Dr. Michael S. Ballentine Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Mrs. Pamela Conwell Steve and Cathy Doyal Mr. and Mrs. Richard E. Bodle Buddemeyer Copaken Family Fund Mr. and Mrs. Michael Driks O. Ballentine Ms. Julie Boese Ms. Andrea Buechler Christine Copeland Ms. Linda Drozd Ms. Dyanna Ballou Jeanne Bojarski, in Ms. Tracy Burgess Ms. Katy Cornell Ms. Nancy W. Duboc Jim and Carol Balsamo memory of Theodosia Alexis Burggrabe Libby and Mark Corriston Carol Ducak Bank of America Helen Bojarski Ms. Micaela Burke Betty Ann Courtelyou Mr. and Mrs. Burton Mr. and Mrs. Chris Banka Sallyann and Loren Boline Mr. and Mrs. Michael Mrs. Melissa Cosentino Dunbar Ms. Lynn Banks Ms. Betsy Levin Bond Burke Pam Cote, in memory Diane K. Dunford Ms. Janis Barker Mrs. Laurel Bondi Dr. Jay and Morgan of Marie Haynes Ms. Kathleen Dunham Mr. and Mrs. Greg Bast Kristin Bone Burlingame Ms. Jenny Couch Peggy and Terrence Dunn Mr. and Mrs. Charles Mr. and Mrs. Robert Mr. and Mrs. Todd Burris Ms. Dia Covington Ms. Dixie Ann Dunnaway W. Battey Bonney Mr. and Mrs. Scott Busch Mr. and Mrs. Joel Cox Julia Kirk and John Duty Mr. and Mrs. Richard Ms. Jennifer Booker Mr. William Allen Mr. Daniel Coy Cynthia Easter A. Baumgartner Mary G. Boomer Buschling Mr. Curtis Cradic Mr. and Mrs. Tom Easton Tom and Molly Baurain Mr. Lloyd Boothe Stanley J. Bushman and Suzanne C. Crandall Steven and Leigh Eck Ms. Danielle Bausinger Boulevard Brewing Ann Canfield Ms. Lesley Creal Ms. Amy Eckhoff Mr. Matthew Bax Company Ms. Norma Butler Mr. and Mrs. Randy and Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Bruce and Vicki Baxter Dr. Christine Marie Ms. Amanda Buttig Linda Crenshaw Edwards Mr. R. Scott Bayles Boutwell Michael and Kirsten Byrd Ms. Rita Crocker Mrs. Rebecca Ehrich Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Beal Mr. and Mrs. Chris Bowser Mr. Toji Calabro Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Cross Ms. Jean Eiler

30 RELIEF & RECOVERY CAMPAIGN

Joseph and Diana Lisa and Steven Glassman Glenna Osborn and The Rev. Robin L. James Ms. Donna Khademi Eisenach Mr. and Mrs. Justin John Herigon & The Rev. Susan Dr. and Mrs. Howard Mr. and Mrs. Howard Godsell Ms. Carmen Lizette J. Roberts Kilbride Elsberry Ellen R. and John R. Hernandez-Garcia Mr. and Mrs. Joe Janasz Mr. Charles S. Killgore Mr. and Mrs. Sean Elwood Goheen John Herron and Mr. and Mrs. Brian Jenkins Mr. and Mrs. Lee Killian Dr. James and Mrs. Emma Good Jennifer Frost Mr. and Mrs. Brian Jennings Mr. Jay Kimbrough Stephanie Eppler Google Fiber Mary Beth and Hank Ms. Susan Erenberg Ms. Meredith Gordon Hershey Ericson Family Gayle Gotcher Mr. and Mrs. Brian “In a society easily unbalanced by concerns about health, Ms. Patricia Evarts Ms. Renae Gottschall Hershberger reputation, and personal safety, I like to support the arts Evergy Mr. Seth Gover Mr. Geoff Hetley and Ms. Richard and Sue Ann Edith and Keith Grafing Claudette Borchers because they show humanity at its best. The Kansas City Fagerberg Dr. and Mrs. Jeff Graves Lisa Merrill Hickok Ms. Kristin Falen Jean and Moulton Green, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Ballet combines the virtues of athleticism, music, and Ms. Maureen Fannen Jr. , The Westport Fund Higgins beauty in the heart of a city that needs them. I cannot Ms. Crystal Faris Ms. Joan Green Mrs. Amy Marie Hiles Patti Farmar Mark W. Green Helen Hill, in memory stop bad things from happening, but I can support what Ms. Linda Farwell Mr. John Greer of Jo Albert-Hill is good. Our ballet exemplifies the best of Kansas City.” Michelle and William Mr. Steve Greer Ms. Olesha Hill Fasel Mr. Clay Griggs Mr. Matthew Hillman –Father Paul Turner, Pastor at Cathedral of the Ms. Melissa Faulkner Ms. Jann Grimm Mr. and Mrs. Chris Hodges Ms. Tina Fei Ms. Jill Grotzinger Ms. Stacey Hodges Immaculate Conception Carol and Tony Feiock Mrs. Sally Groves Mr. and Dr. Michael Ms. Hannah Fenley Dr. Omar Gudino Hoelscher Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Ms. Shea Kimbrough Mr. and Mrs. Michael Tesa Guevel Ms. Christina Holland Jensen Mr. Brent E. Kimmi D. Fenske Mr. Kurt W. Gugler Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Dr. Richard Jensen and Ms. Ann Kindred Ms. Sarah Ferguson Ms. Shellie Guin Holliday Ms. Gay Dannelly Andrew King Ms. Olga Fernandez Mr. and Mrs. Karl Guyler Ms. Simone Hollins Ms. Kari Jessip Ms. Susan Kellogg King Mr. Leonard Fetters Ms. Stephanie Hafner Ms. Amy Holloway John Fiske Elementary, Mary Kingsley Ms. Susan Anne Fields Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Kevin Holmes Kansas Ms. Zoe Kinney Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Hagen Mr. and Mrs. Brian Holst Christina and Chris Kerry Lee Kirkpatrick Filing Mr. Bradley Hajek Lesley and Peter Holt Johnson Ms. Paula Klasek Sally Firestone Mr. William Hallagin and Ms. Jesyca Hope Heidi Johnson Ms. Anna Klein Fink Mr. and Mrs. Antoni Firner Ms. Lara Hayes Ms. Candace Hopkins Matt and Brook Johnson Ms. Cassie Klein Ms. Lisa Fitch Mr. Lawrence Hamel and Ms. Carolyn Hoppe Linda and Topper Johntz Mr. and Mrs. Mark Mr. Steven Flamez Ms. Lynnis Jameson Carolyn Hoppe and Stratus Group LLC- Knernschield Mr. Trenton B. Fleming Ms. Laurie J. Hamilton Lisa Gioia Courtney and Peggy Ms. Sue Ann Knight Ms. Sandra K. Foley Ms. Teresa Hamilton Ms. Joan Horan Jones Mr. and Mrs. Don Knopke Mr. and Mrs. John Forbis Ms. Ashley Hand Ms. Brita Horowitz Ms. Carol Anne Jones Ms. Jennifer Knudtson Kevin Fortin Susan and Zack Whitney and Patrick Garrett and Claire Jones Mr. and Mrs. Joe Koch Ms. Barbara Loring Foster Hangauer Hosty Ms. Lynn Dee Jones Ms. Marie F. Kocher Dr. Fred D. Fowler Barbara Schepers and Darcy Howe and Mr. and Mrs. Todd Jones Mr. Daniel Kowalik Mr. Carlton Fowler Garry Hanna John Black Ms. Bonnie Jones Mr. and Mrs. David Ms. Jennifer Fox Mr. and Mrs. Paul Hansen Mr. and Mrs. Zach Ms. Christine Jordan Kroeger Ms. Jacqueline Foy Ms. Yan Hao Hubbard Dr. Karen M. Jordan Mr. J Lowell Krofft Laurie and Rick Frawley Mr. and Mrs. Larry Hare David H. Hughes, Jr. Charles S. Joss, Jr. Ms. Barbara Kruse Mr. and Mrs. Robert Mr. and Mrs. David Elizabeth Hughes Ms. Kay Julian Dr. and Mrs. William Kruse Frazell Harkness Mr. and Mrs. Philip Mr. and Mrs. Nate Mr. and Mrs. Greg Kuhn Ms. Valerie French David and Beth Harris Hughlett Juraschek Mr. and Mrs. Kurt Kuhnke Dr. and Mrs. Michael Frost Mr. Scott Harris Charles and Betty Hulse Mr. Burton Justice Mrs. Julia Kyle Mr. and Mrs. David Fuller Ms. Haley Harrison-Lee William and Margo Kathy Kalin Mrs. Morgan Kyle Mr. and Mrs. Kerry Funk Ms. Brittany Harrold Humenczuk Rev. Philip Micheal Kane Mr. Alexey Ladokhin Mr. Jacob Funke Ms. Cindi Hashimoto Dr. Krystal Humphreys Kansas City Box - Ms. Ashleigh LaDue Mrs. Marilyn A.W. Gaar Michael and Marlys Mr. Timothy Hundley Corporate Gifts Art and Marianne Lafex Marilyn A.W. Gaar, in Haverty Dr. and Mrs. John D. Mr. Terrence Katzer Heather and Nathan memory of Norman E. Joe Hawes Hunkeler Mrs. Martina Kautz Lagergren Gaar Mr. and Mrs. T.J. Hawks Carol and Mark Hunt Michael Kaye and Susana Ms. Christina Lagoski Roger Gaedigk Karen and Judy Haynes Mr. Jarrod Huntley and Valdovinos Paul and Joy Laird Mr. Mark Galus and Mr. and Mrs. Jack Ms. Adriana Albors Kansas City Ballet Guild Mr. Patrick James Lais Ms. Sara Copeland Heckerthorn Ms. Betty Hutson Kearney Wornall Mr. Grant C. Lamascus Mr. Brad Gampper and Steven Heflin and Frank and Elaine Hwang Foundation, UMB Bank, and Miss Mimielle Ms. Gina Riekhof Candace Evans Tom and Carol Hynek n.a., Trustee Marek Montoya Dr. Alfredo Garcia Ms. Mary Hegenbarth David and Diana Ice Deborah and Frances Mr. and Mrs. Greg Lamb Ms. Maria Fernanda Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Heim Ideolity Keating Ms. Meredith Lamb Garduza Mr. and Mrs. Joel Ms. Lucia Iglesias Mollie Keeler James in Ms. Kristy Ann Lambert Ivan Garnica Heinrichs ILCO Painting Corp. loving memory of Lois Ms. Victoria Lamkey Sidonie Garrett Helen S. Boylan Sarah Ingram-Eiser and Elisha Keeler Peg LaMourie Ms. Lisa Garrison Foundation Beth Ingram Mr. and Mrs. Paul Keeling Monica Lane Mrs. Janet Gatz-Bennett Ms. Janet Hellebuyck Ms. Melanie Isenmann Mr. Alex Keiffer Ms. Tina Langston Ms. Tammy Gay George Helmkamp JE Dunn Construction Ms. Erin Kelley George H. Langworthy, Sr. Ann and Douglas Mr. and Mrs. Barnett C. Company Ms. Karla J Kelly Mrs. Nicole Laplante Ghertner Helzberg, Jr. Mrs. Judy Jackson William T. Kemper Ms. Mary Anne Lappin Mrs. Kate Gibbs Craig and Patty Hemphill Ms. Kathy Jo Jackson Foundation, Commerce and Mr. Bruce Hamilton Nicole R. Giguere Henderson Engineers, Inc. Dr. and Mrs. Roger P. Bank Trustee Ms. Angie Laurie Gill Studios, Inc. Gina and John Hendren Jackson Charlotte Kemper Mr. and Mrs. James Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Gill Ms. Frances E. Hendricks Mr. and Mrs. Bob Jacobi Cheri and John Kendrick Laursen Mrs. Maureen Giraldo Mr. Mark Henry and Mrs. Mr. and Mrs. Steven Maureen A. Kennedy Ms. Jina A. Lawhon Jeff and Carla Girkin Ellen Woodward Henry Jacques Drs. John D. and Marsha Lawrence Callie Girod Mr. and Mrs. Keith Hensen Mr. and Mrs. Paul Jager Ann M. Kenney Ms. Alyson Laws Ms. Ellen Glab Mr. Aaron Henton Mrs. Cyndi James Ms. Season Kerns Ms. Wendy Leach

31 Mr. and Mrs. John Leavens Ms. Barbara Marmor Kerry and Robert Miller Dean and Tammy Oskvig Ms. Margaret Presson Ms. Judy Lebestky Mr. Jose De Jesus Mr. and Mrs. Mirakian Mr. Andrew Osman and Ms. Deena Price Sabrina Lee, in memory Marquez-Ortiz Missouri Cultural Trust Mrs. Deb Feder Timothy and Laurie Price of Kelly Ann Ross Michael and Joanna Marsh Dr. Linda E. Mitchell Mr. and Mrs. Chris Pryde’s Painted Primas Mr. David Martin Dr. and Mrs. Robert Osmond Mr. Brian Puckett and Mrs. Ms. Niciole LeFebvre Rex and Donna Martin E. Moffat Ms. Virginia Ostergren Dawn Michelle Wolff Paula and Rusty Leffel Ms. Jennifer Martino Mary Moffatt Sean and Tara O’Sullivan Ms. Frances Pugh Ms. Gennifer Legate Mr. and Mrs. Juergen Dana Mollohan Mr. Donald Ousterhout Mr. William Pugh Mr. Richard Lehmann Massey Dr. Louis Monaco II and Mr. Richard Owens Ms. Janelle Quinlan Ms. Kim Leibold Mr. G. Dale Mathey Ms. Benecia Carmack Dr. Donna Pacicca and Ms. Amanda Quinn Siobhan McLaughlin Mr. and Mrs. Jack Mathes Ms. Melinda Montague Mr. Dominic CeCicco R and C Charitable Lesley Ms. Leah Mathews Mr. Jack Moodie Ms. Florence Pack Foundation The Leslie Company Ms. Judith Mathewson Mrs. Alison Moore George and Suzy Pagels Duke Radovich and Ms. Janet L. LeTourneau Mr. Scott Matthews and Ms. Amy Moore Mr. Wilfred Palm Julie Rieck Ms. Janet Lewis Ms. Elizabeth Radtke Eva Moore’s Performing Jo Beth Paradis and Ms. Terri Radstone Ashley Lindemann, in Ms. Donna J. Mattingly Arts Center Bill Steeb Ms. Robin Randall honor of Genny Fuller Ms. Marie A. Maugans- Ms. Jessica Morris Ms. Stephanie Parenza Mr. Joshua Raper Bill Lindsay and Coleman Mr. and Mrs. Michael Ms. Nicole Parigo Ms. Nan Ray Jan Foletta Ms. Rosemary Mayberry Morris Mr. and Mrs. Richard Ms. Madhuri Reddy Ken and Nan Lippincott Mr. and Mrs. Robert H. Ms. Carole Mosher Parizek Madeleine Reiches Mr. Wayne E. Lippman Maynard Justin and Kristin Moshier Carolyn and Bill Mr. and Mrs. Steve Reiff Mr. Jesse Little Mr. and Mrs. Sean Aaron and Susan Moss Parkerson Mrs. Latha Reiland Mr. Jerald Lockridge McCarthy Dr. Susan Mou and Elizabeth Parks Ms. Laura Reinschmidt Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Mr. and Mrs. John McClain Dr. Frank Slovick Larry and Mary Parrish Ms. Janiece Noel Rejba Lockton JR McClelland Ms. Karen Moyer Mr. John Patterson and Mrs. Sara Remillard Thomas and Joyce P. Alan McDermott Ms. Laura Muckerman Ms. Angela Liddeke Ms. Camille Reneau Lohmeyer Ms. Carolyn Kay McDill Ms. Sherrill Mulhern Mr. and Mrs. Keith Ms. Katherine Ressler Mrs. Holly Long Mary Anne and Steve Ms. Valerie Mulholland Patterson Retail Project Mr. and Mrs. Scott Long McDowell Ms. Judy Mullen Ms. Margot Patterson Management of NY, Inc. Mrs. Tracy Long Dr. Barbara McGrath Dr. and Mrs. Charles Ritchie Patterson Mr. Patrick Michael A. J. LoScalzo Dr. and Mrs. David D. Mullican Mr. and Mrs. Foster Reynolds Louis & Elizabeth Nave McIntire Nancy L. Murdock, Ph.D. Paulette Meredith Ries Flarsheim Charitable Chris and Ellen McIntyre Dr. Daniel and Rev. Jean Mr. and Mrs. John H. Pence Joan and Jerry Riffel Foundation, Bank of Ms. Colleen McKenzie Murphy Elinore Penner Ms. Connie L. Riley America, N.A., Trustee Teresa and Bruce Mr. Robert and Dr. Angela Mr. J.D. Perkins Mr. David Riley Louis and Frances McKinney Murray Ms. Jacqueline Perlman Ms. Leah Ritter Swinken Supporting Mrs. Gayla McKinney Tracy Musolf Mr. and Mrs. John Peryan Robert S. Fers, Inc. Foundation Mr. Larry McMullen Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Mr. Andrew Pesek and Mr. David L. Roberts Laura Lovinger Jean and Gerald Myers Ms. Nicole Jeffries Rachael Robey Ms. Jann W. Lucas McNamara Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Myers Ms. Jessica Peters Ms. Alicia Robinett Ms. Katherine Lynch, Dr. Debbie McQueeney Ms. Christine Myre Kathy Peters Ms. Connie L. Robinson in memory of Myldred Ms. Lenora Medcalf Phyllis Naragon Timothy W. Peters and Fred and Cindy Rock Lyons Ms. Patricia Meier Barbara Clarke Nash Joyce E. Brown Ms. Maria Rodriguez Mrs. Barbara Lyons Mr. and Mrs. Damon Mrs. Charlotte D. Nauss Mr. and Mrs. Jason Mr. Neal Rogers and Mrs. Marissa Lyons Meinholdt Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Pettijohn Amy Morgan-Rogers Marlene Ma Ms. Vickie Melicher Neighbors Judy Pfannenstiel and Ms. Heather Rogge Richard and Barbara Ms. Irene Mendelsberg Marcy Nelson David Waxse Ms. Monica Monique MacArthur Rachel and Matt Merlo Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Ms. Erin Phillips Roland Patricia Macdonald Ms. Brenda Meyer Nelson Mrs. Julie Phillips Charlotte and Bob Ronan Nancy Ann Madeira Ms. Jennifer Meyer Justin and Kathy Jutta Phillips Gigi and Gary Rose Nemechek Mr. Vince Pianalto Ms. Dolora Rose-Herrera Victoria Newman Mr. Randall N. Pick Mr. and Mrs. Joseph “The only live dance performances I voluntarily attend Dr. and Mrs. Randall Kate and Allen Pickert Rosenberger, in are ballets from Kansas City Ballet. It’s so convenient Newth Ms. Emily Pierzchalski memory of Duane & Ronald Newton Mrs. Debra Piller Betty Rosenberger for me because I don’t have to leave the area to see ex- Ms. Joann Osorio Kyla Pitts-Zevin Mr. Stephen Rosenboom ceptional ballet. As a season ticketholder, I look forward Barbara and David Nicely Ms. Billie Platt Jack and Jean Rosenfield Barry and Margaret John Plumb JP and Linda Roueche to the day I can return to my seat in the front row and Nickell Ms. Regina Plummer Ms. LaTisha Roundtree The Nieman Family Diana and Rick Poccia Mr. Kyle Rowan support the dancers from the audience.” –John Plumb , Ms. Mary Beth Noble Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Poe Paula and Jack Rowe season subscriber Payne Mr. and Mrs. Adam Tracey Rowe Ms. Patricia Noblett Pontier Miryam Rumbaut, in Ms. Patricia James Ms. Lindsay Meyer and Ruben Noguera Ms. Amanda Porter honor of Clara Peters Gerald and Maria Mr. Corey A. Brunk Ms. Mary Nolan Drs. Charles and Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Rush Magliano Renee Meyer and Nothing Bundt Cakes Susan Porter Matthew and Heather Ryan Mr. and Mrs. William Maher Robert Stokes Dr. Robert G. Nulph Mr. David R. Porter Ms. Jennifer Rytting Colette and James Mrs. Sarah Meyer Debby and Catherine Nye Sarah M. Porter Mr. Doug Sackett Majerle Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Ms. Lauren Nye Ms. Stephanie Porter Ms. Cheryl Salyer Mr. and Mrs. Scott Mallen Meyers Ms. Karol O’Brien Ms. Sharon Potts Ms. Megan Sanders Mr. George Malter Ms. Brandi Lynne OCS Builders/Mike Mr. David Powell and Mr. and Mrs. Glen Sands Mr. and Mrs. Rick Michaelis Nikolai, in honor of Mrs. Anne Riker Powell Santa Fe Trail Elementary, Maniktala Ted and Joyce Marisa Whiteman George and Wendy Kansas Elaine and Benjamin Mann Middendorf Ms. Colleen Olsen Powell Fund of The Mr. Mark Sappington and Ms. Mary-Lucille Mantz Mr. and Mrs. Chris Mr. and Mrs. Michael Kuehn Foundation Dr. David S. McGee Ms. Jan Marcason and Migneron O’Neill Prairie Elementary, Ms. Beverly Sawyer Mr. Dick Purucker Ms. Jenna Miller Ms. Katherine O’Rourke Kansas Humboldt Sax Dennis and Susan Lordi Joan S. Miller Natalie Ortega Wells Stephen and Nancy Prantl Ms. Lindsay Scarpate Marker Ms. Lindsey Miller Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Barbara S. and Mr. and Mrs. Dustin Ms. Marsha Marmolejo Mrs. Lorene Miller Osbern Thomas M. Prater Schafer

32 Mrs. Julie Ann Sosland Foundation Ms. Charlene Thompson Ms. Ginny Varraveto Mr. and Mrs. Marc Scheidegger Ms. Kylee Rooney Soucie Mrs. Kimberlee Margaret Vaughn Wiersma Elizabeth and Charles Ms. Susan Spaulding Thompson Mr. and Mrs. Charles Vega Mr. Frank Wigger Schellhorn Mrs. Shirley Spiegel Mr. R. W. Thompson, Laura and Chris Vernaci Diana Wille and Michael Schermoly Mr. and Mrs. Jack in memory of Lou Mr. and Mrs. Frank Victor Fred Spears Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Schilling S. Spilker Thompson Rose & Maria Villanueva William Randolph Kathy and Donald St. Ann Catholic School, Robert and Sandra Peeranut Visetsuth Hearst Foundation Schilling Kansas Thompson Mrs. Erica Voell Ms. Christina Williams Mr. Rick Schladweiler Mrs. Cathy St. Clair Ms. Sharon Thompson Ms. Beth Vogel Ms. Carolyn Wilson Ms. Jane Schleicher St. Paul’s Episcopal Day Cathy and Don Thomson Marty and Wendy Vogel Ms. Lindsey Wilson Mr. Alvin J. Schneider School, Missouri Susan Thorne Beatriz and Roger Ms. Marsha J. Wilson Christy and Brett Mr. Ken Staehle and Ms. Ann Thornton Vossman Ms. Michelle Wilson Schoenfeld Mrs. Laura Mayes Marcia and Dennis Tighe Penelope S. Vrooman Dr. and Mrs. Tom Wilson Mr. Christopher Schooley Marya and Kent Stallard Bertrand and Allison Jake and Kate Wagner Paula Winchester Katherine Schrogl Mr. and Mrs. Tony Tignon Ms. Christine Mr. and Mrs. Mark Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Stanislav Ramelle Timm Waldschmidt Winiarski Schumm Mr. and Mrs. Dusan Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Angela and John Walker Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Ms. Joan Ellen Schwarz Stanojevic Todd Ron Walker Winsor Janet Schwenke Ms. Lynda Starkey Mr. and Mrs. Addison Mr. Stephen Waller Mrs. Jessica Winston Dana Seeley / The Seeley Mrs. Diann Lynn Steele Tolentino Mr. and Mrs. Del Walls Mrs. Cynthia Wiscombe Foundation Ms. Diane Steffen Mark and Sharon Ms. Deborah Walsh Mrs. Stephanie Wishman Msr. Vera Seeley Ms. Annie Stenger Tompkins Ms. Madaline Walter Joyce and Gregory Wolfe Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Ms. Sharon Stephens Darlus M. Wolff Severns Ms. Mary Stephenson “We feel extremely fortunate to have such a top-notch Ms. Jeanne Wolfgeher Tommye and Stan Sexton Stepp & Rothwell, Inc. Mr. Steve Wong Bill and Ginny Shackelford Thrive Pilates & professional Company such as Kansas City Ballet in our Mary and Lance Wood Ms. Elizabeth Shaffer Movement Studio The Thomas and Sally Mr. Zachary H. Shafran Matt Sterling and community. We are happy to continue to support them Wood Family Mr. Aleksandr Shardakova Lauren Thompson during these challenging times, and we look forward to Foundation Ms. Jeanne Sharkey Mr. Gary Stevens Bonnie Worthington, Dr. Marcie Shea Rachel Stevens their return to the stage!” –Karyn Clewes Zaborny Christine Nolte, Ms. Jacqueline Shearer Mr. Adam Stoos and Andrew Zaborny, donors TC VanBaale Marny and John Sherman Greg and Barbara Storm Mackenzie Wright Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Ms. Jamie Stoughton Sally Wright, in honor of Sherman Ms. Kaite Mediatore The Brad Tompkins Katherine Walter Future Dancers Ms. Judy Sherry Stover Family Ms. Lindsey Walton Dr. Michael J. and Jennifer and Greg Michele and Jim Stowers Karen Toughey Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Walz Cindy S. Wurm Sherwood Stratus Group LLC Ms. Laura Treeman Jennifer and Bryan Ms. Mary Yanics Ms. Carol Shifflett Aviva Ajmera and Ms. Suzanne L. Trine Wampler Rachel Yasharian The Shook Family Wayne Strickland Ms. Jill Truitt Mr. and Mrs. Myron Wang Ms. Marva York The Shubert Foundation Stephen and Mary Mr. and Mrs. TJ Trum Dr. Bradley and Barbara Andy Zaborny and Ms. Ruth Shuker Stringer Ms. Michelle Tuason Warady Karyn Clewes Zaborny Aharon Shulimson and Ms. Hilary Stroh Ms. Laura Garnyte Mr. Donald Ward Mr. Adam Zaiger Julie Terry StructureCraft Father Paul Turner Kyle and Jacquie Ward Ms. Stephanie Zeller Ms. Ashley Sight Contracting LLC Laura and Steven Tyler Martha Warren Mr. Wayne Zetzman Danielle Simons Mr. and Mrs. William D. Paul Tyler and Mr. Jim and Dr. Ann Dr. Judith Zivanovic Mrs. Sunday Siragusa Sullivan Laura Petta Waterman Mr. and Mrs. Cord Zucht Dr. Christopher and Pamela and Terrence U.S. Engineering Linda Watkins Ms. Linda Zwillenberg Mrs. Lisa Sirridge Sullivan Innovations Julie Watson Pam and Gary Smedile Ann and John Sundeen Mr. Terry Uhl Mr. and Mrs. Steve Rebecca and Phil Smith Mr. James Surber Christine Uhrmacher Watson Mr. and Mrs. David John and Dana Sutton Ms. Laurie M. Ullrich John Watt T. Smith Ms. Phaedra Svec UMB Financial Mrs. Ashley Watts Mr. David A. Smith Deb and Tom Swenson Corporation Ms. Tamara Wawrosch Ms. Elaine Smith Ms. J. Annette Szulc US Bank Foundation Mrs. Barbara Weary Kay and Gary Smith Dr. and Mrs. John R. Dr. Angela Valadez and Mr. Kenneth Weiner and Mr. and Mrs. Geoffrey W. Taylor Mr. Patrick Valadez Ms. Pam Fleischer Smith Ann and Frank Taylor Ms. Amy Valmassei Katherine and Clyde Mr. Paul Smith and Lindsay Taylor Ms. Valorie Lynn Van Wendel Ms. Sandra Foley Ms. Diane Teal Alphen Mr. Gary West Ms. Sandra A. Smith Mr. and Mrs. Chris Teddy Ms. Gayle Van Auken Ms. Sydney West Elizabeth Smith Leanne Tefft Mr. Andrew Van Der Hannah WestHoff Ms. Marsha Smitherman Dr. Rana Tenorio Laan and Ms. Rebecca Ms. Jen Wetzel Suzanne Shank and Kurtis L. Thiel Schwietz Sharon and Joseph Martin Smoler Mr. and Mrs. William Beulah and John Van Whalen Sharon and Thomas Thomas, Jr. Haften Mr. and Mrs. Chris Soetaert Mr. and Mrs. Allan Ms. Heidi Van Whiteman Craig Sole and Thompson Middlesworth Mr. and Mrs. Thomas F. Wayne Long Ms. Catherine Thompson Mrs. Krista Vandenoord Whittaker

33 SCHOOL – THE ACADEMY

KANSAS CITY BALLET SCHOOL

The Kansas City Ballet School offers a wide-range of excellent training programs, including the Academy, the Daytime Program, Kansas City Youth Ballet, Summer Intensive, Adaptive Dance, Studio Classes, as well as the Second Company to a diverse body of students. Under the leadership of School Director Grace Holmes, the School is recognized as one of the top ballet training institutions in the United States.

Many students have used the focus, creativity, and dedication ballet has taught them to pursue and make their long-term goals come true, whatever they may be. Others have gone on to dance in prestigious college programs and with professional companies. For all, Kansas City Ballet School strives to foster a supportive environment and to provide superior instruction that makes a positive impact on its students of all ages, interests and backgrounds.

KANSAS CITY BALLET SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS • From July 2019 to mid-March 2020, the Academy had 618 total students in the Children’s Division, Preparatory Division, Pre-Professional Division, and Professional Division (Second Company).

• 37 students enrolled in the School’s Daytime Program, which offers 25 hours of dance instruction per week in five days of classes. • KCB School received the “Outstanding School” award for the fourth consecutive year at the (YAGP) competition, known as the “Olympics” of dance for aspiring dancers. 16 other KCB School ensemble and solo performers also placed in the YAGP competition.

• 29 dancers, ages 13-18, participated in Kansas City Youth Ballet. KCYB performed one program of three performances to an audience of 150 people. • KCB School awarded $160,500 in merit scholarships and financial aid to young dancers in 2019-2020.

Jordan Noblett & Charles Cronenwett in Emily Mistretta’s Wu li Livin’ in Kansas City Daytime Students’ Jazz Ensemble in the 2019 School Showcase. Ballet Youth’s Fall 2019 performance.

34 Top Photo | Level 4 Group Students in the 2019 School Showcase. THE ACADEMY – SCHOOL

KANSAS CITY BALLET SCHOOL 2020 SENIORS

KCB is proud of the talented individuals who graduated from the School in 2020. Their next steps are listed below, if known. Congratulations, seniors!

Iyonna Barris Ashley DeVincent Clara Messner BFA in Ballet at Lindenwood Lauryn Brown University Jordan Noblett Trainee Grace Campbell Samantha Dunham Kansas City Ballet Trainee UMKC Sara Radka New Orleans to teach Charles Cronenwett Chloe Hughlett Kansas City Ballet Trainee Washington University, Hope Wampler major Mechanical and Butler University, BFA Ballet Natalia DaSilva Aerospace Engineering, Performance Wichita State University, minor in Dance major Early Childhood Katelyn Wishman Education, minor in Dance Farrah Johnson Apprentice San Francisco Ballet School Olivia Denson Kansas City Ballet Trainee Macy Jordan Sacramento Ballet Trainee

35 THE ACADEMY – SCHOOL

OLIVIA DENSON SELECTED FOR A DREAM ROLE IN SWAN LAKE

Olivia Denson’s dream of becoming a “Dancing in Swan Lake was one of the best professional ballet dancer started years experiences so far for me as a dancer. The ago at a Kansas City Ballet performance. energy from everyone during performances “I love watching the professional company felt magical,” Olivia remembers. shows. And once I saw Miss Kim [Kimberly Cowen] dance, I knew that’s what I wanted “My favorite memory was the moment when the to do,” Olivia remembers. final curtain closed and all the swans experienced overwhelming feelings of accomplishment. It was a Olivia started dance classes at age 2 ½. At age 7 it was clear she was smitten, so her bittersweet moment. The show was so physically and parents decided to send her to Kansas City emotionally demanding, but also it is a production I Ballet School’s Johnson County campus. deeply miss.” “Coming here was amazing! It was a BIG change,” says Olivia. She admits Swan Lake was a challenge. She had to learn the choreography while When asked why she felt drawn to ballet, dancing on the side of the rehearsal studio, Olivia admits, “I love the discipline. I love rather than learning it in her assigned spot structure and repetition—it’s meditative in during rehearsals--valuable experience for a way.” an aspiring professional dancer. The corps work that goes into making a beautiful As a student at Kansas City Ballet School, production like Swan Lake helps to develop Olivia had the opportunity to dance in skills that are essential in a ballet career. Photo by Devon Carney. Company productions which included The Nutcracker, among others. Olivia has shined Olivia has been selected to be part of Kansas over the years in earning roles in productions City Ballet’s Second Company for the as a student that would typically have gone 2020-2021 Season. The Second Company to Second Company dancers. is made up of two groups, KCB II dancers and Trainees. As a Trainee, Olivia is looking In 2017, she danced in the ‘Garland Waltz’ forward to continuing her ballet training and in The Sleeping Beauty. Then she danced participating in performances and programs corps roles in The Nutcracker in ‘Waltz of that reach out to the KC community. the Flowers’ and in ‘Snow Scene’ for the last two years. And in 2020, she was awarded While the coming year is full of unknowns, a corps role in Swan Lake, an incredibly one thing is certain. Olivia’s future looks beautiful and difficult assignment for any bright. dancer.

36 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & EDUCATION

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & EDUCATION KC Ballet’s Community Engagement and Education (CE&E) Department shares the joy of dance by engaging children and adults through affordable, accessible programs, making

a significant positive impact around the Greater KC community for generations to come. Photo by April Berry. This year, CE&E Director April Berry created a CE&E Council in order to bring together diverse community representatives to encourage more community visibility in the work that KCB is doing in this area. The goals of the Council are to advocate for and provide support to Kansas City Ballet’s community programming, to enhance program visibility, and to provide external feedback.

KANSAS CITY BALLET THANKS THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS FOR THEIR WORK ON THE CE&E COUNCIL!

Chandra Clark Deanna Munoz Nicole Jacobs-Silvey Big Brothers Big Sisters of Latino Arts Foundation Connection Coach KC Greater Kansas City Rhonda Nolen Amy Washington Derald Davis United Inner City Services Allen Village School Kansas City Public Schools Brianne Pegg Angela and John Walker Joy Engel United Inner City Services Kansas City Ballet Board Turner Unified School Members & Community Julie Phillips District 202 Leaders Girl Scouts of NE Kansas Lee Hartman & NW Missouri Harriman-Jewell Series Photo by Devon Carney.

Kansas City Ballet thanks Louise Meyers, owner of Pryde’s Old Westport, who in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic is donating proceeds from Swan Candle sales directly to the Ballet’s Reach Out And Dance (R.O.A.D.) Scholarship program. Read more here.

“I love and support the Ballet! The arts have been particularly hit hard during COVID-19 and their presence of grace and beauty are sorely missed in Kansas City. The Reach Out And Dance program makes a distinct impression, offering the gift of dance to many children in our community.” –Louise Meyers, owner of Pryde’s

Top Photo | Kansas City Ballet Second Company Dancers with R.O.A.D. Scholarship students. Photo by April Berry 37 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & EDUCATION

Photo by April Berry.

THE IMPACT OF THE R.O.A.D. RESIDENCY PROGRAM

Three years ago when Ashley Lindemann’s physically has been wonderful. People with ADD daughter Evie attended 3rd grade at Border Star really thrive in group activities that include body Montessori, she was a student in the inaugural mirroring. It can be very soothing and calming. Reach Out and Dance (R.O.A.D.) Residency Everyone working together and learning at Program in her school. the same time has been beneficial for brain development and self-control. It’s been awesome The R.O.A.D. Residency has an established for me to see her thriving in that environment.” curriculum taught by KC Ballet teaching artists to live music, introducing 3rd and 4th-grade Ashley believes the arts are a way for us to students to the fundamentals of dance: space, connect to other people, understand different time, effort, self-discipline, and cooperative points of view, and through stories, build stronger learning. Thematic lessons integrate STEAM communities. curriculum and are based on National and State Education Standards. At school and in the R.O.A.D. Scholarship Program, Genny is part of a really diverse class. Evie enjoyed the program and was surprised at the end of it to find out she was selected to “That’s massively important to us,” Ashley said. receive continued dance training through the “Genny is white, but she is included in a class R.O.A.D. Scholarship Program the following that is so intentionally diverse. That will carry semester. These select students were bussed forward throughout her life. She’ll know that arts to KC Ballet’s Bolender Center weekly to attend and dance should be accessible for everyone.” Ballet and World Dance classes. They also received dancewear and ballet slippers courtesy Ashley appreciated the R.O.A.D. Program and of Dance Shoppe, Inc., the R.O.A.D. Scholarship the effects it was having on her community and Program Uniform Provider. her daughters so much, she decided to become a donor. When it was younger sister Genny’s turn to begin the residency program at Border Star, she knew “I wanted to donate because I think the ballet is she would need to buckle down and participate to earn a place in the coveted scholarship doing a wonderful job of being so intentional with program. That was a bigger challenge when you creating that diversity with this program,” she said. consider that in addition to being an extrovert, “My giving philosophy is to give a little bit (so that I Genny has ADD and some sensory issues. can afford it), and to give it consistently every single Ashley explained, “Ballet classes help her with month for all the organizations in KC that make life self-discipline and to continue learning and wonderful and great. If a lot of people did that, the trying harder to keep moving with the class and arts would be flush with cash to do even more for our try new things. Getting in the zone, knowing the expectations and being able to express herself community.”

38 Top Photo | R.O.A.D. Residency Students. Photo by Elizabeth Stehling. ENDOWMENT & LEGACY SOCIETY

MOVING INTO THE FUTURE ENDOWMENT CAMPAIGN A major strategic focus of the Ballet’s Board and staff in 2019-2020 was theMoving Into the Future Endowment Campaign. Under the leadership of Honorary Chair Dr. John D. Hunkeler and Chairs Mike and Vicki Bray, the Ballet surpassed 25 percent of its Campaign goal! The Ballet is grateful to the Muriel McBrien Kauffman Foundation for generously matching current contributions to the Campaign, which continues to double the impact of all gifts of cash to the Endowment.

This year, the following individuals displayed leadership and dedication to both the present and future of Kansas City Ballet as members of the Endowment Cabinet. 2019-2020 ENDOWMENT CABINET Michael and Vicki Bray Stephen Doyal Kathy Stepp Moving Into the Future Hallmark Cards, Inc., Retired, Stepp & Rothwell, Inc., Board Campaign Chairs Board member Past-President

Dr. John D. Hunkeler Siobhan McLaughlin Lesley Barbara Storm Honorary Chair Gilda’s Club Kansas City Community Leader

Claire Brand Jack D. Rowe, J.D. Hallmark Cards, Inc., Retired, Lathrop GPM, Board President Board member

KANSAS CITY BALLET THANKS THE FOLLOWING DONORS WHO HAVE SUPPORTED THE MOVING INTO THE FUTURE ENDOWMENT CAMPAIGN Joseph Appelt Sally Firestone Lockton Companies, Inc. G. Mark Sappington ARRM Co. Philanthropic Fund Colette and James Majerle Bill and Ginny Shackelford Richard Belger and Susan and Zack Hangauer Mr. G. Dale Mathey III Fund Evelyn Craft Belger Shirley & Barnett P. Alan McDermott Derek and Linda Shoare Jeffrey J. Bentley Helzberg Foundation Siobhan McLaughlin Lesley Christopher and Brand Family Fund Henry and Mary Beth Rachel and Matt Merlo Lisa Sirridge Mike and Vicki Bray Hershey Miller Family Fund in Gary A. and Kay M. Brownstone Construction Dr. and Mrs. Edward and memory of Alan McMillan Smith Fund The Stanley J. Bushman Kimbrough Higgins Dr. Linda E. Mitchell Suzanne Shank and and Ann Canfield Fund Joan J. Horan Fund Dr. Robert and Barbara Martin Smoler for the Reach Out And The John Hunkeler Senior Clarke Nash Fund Greg and Barbara Storm Dance (R.O.A.D.) Dancer Endowment Fund OCS Builders/Mike Endowed Dancer Chair Scholarship Program ILCO Painting Corp. Nikolai, in honor of The Estate of James Vince and Julie Clark Dr. Roger and Sandy Marisa Whiteman E. Taylor Ally, Dr. Jessie Ng, and Jackson George and Suzy Pagels The Thomas and Sally Dr. Tom Curran Fund Ms. Sandy Jennings Carolyn and Bill Parkerson Wood Family Foundation Don and Pat Dagenais Gay Dannelly and Wendy and George Powell The John and Angela DGC Capital Contracting Richard Jensen Fund Family Fund Walker Fund for Corp Stratus Group/Courtney & Nan Ray Live Music Dave and Dee Dillon Peggy Jones Retail Project Management Jennifer and Bryan Family Fund Muriel I. Kauffman of NY, Inc. Wampler Cathy and Steve Doyal Endowment Fund Robert S. Fers, Inc. Shirley Weaver Trust Ms. Dana Dunaway George Hodges Fred and Cindy Rock Chris and DeEtte L. Joseph and Diana Eisenach Langworthy, Jr., David Gigi and Gary Rose Whiteman Elsberry Family Foundation Evans Langworthy, and Howard Rothwell and Thomas F. and Loren Sue Ann & Richard E. George Hodges Kathy Stepp Rothwell Whittaker Fagerberg Ballet Langworthy, Sr. Fund Operations Fund Patricia Martin and Performance Linda Lighton and Rowe Family (Jack and Brian Woolley Enhancement Fund Lynn Adkins Paula Rowe) Rebecca and Ken Zandarski

Top Photo | Board member Steve Doyal shares about his personal gift to the Ballet’s Endowment at the Evening with Ramona event in January 2020. Steve and his wife, Cathy, established a fund to support live music. Photo by Larry F. Levenson 39 ENDOWMENT & LEGACY SOCIETY

HER PASSION IS WOVEN INTO KANSAS CITY BALLET HISTORY Wendy Powell grew up dancing. Her mother Tharp, Margot Sappington and other great loved ballet and introduced Wendy to the art contemporary choreographers.” form as a very young child. She married her husband George Powell III and moved to Kansas Wendy was off of the Board before Devon City. Theirs was a marriage that was extremely Carney’s arrival. As a member of the Emeritus complimentary. While Wendy’s love of ballet Council, she appreciates the annual gatherings is deeply seeded, George feels equally strong and updates from Devon and Jeff Bentley, about symphonic music. The two not only Executive Director, about the ballet. married each other, but their strong passions for the arts as well. “When I think back to the Civic Ballet days and the freestanding, small building that Shortly after moving to KC, Wendy began taking had been converted into a dance studio on ballet classes from Tatiana Dokoudovska, the 61st and Troost, and then the Westport Allen founder of Kansas City Ballet (Civic Ballet of Center morphing into the Bolender Center – I Kansas City as it was then known). And in 1975, realize we have come such a long way,” Wendy Former Civic Ballet Board Chair Trula Hunt reminisces. “We went from the Lyric Theatre’s encouraged Wendy to join the Ballet’s Board. small stage to the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts and it’s night and day from In 1978 as the Board Chair herself, Wendy where we were to where we are now.” was tasked with helping the civic company transition to a professional company. “I was “The Kansas City community has been very good on the board when we brought Todd Bolender to us and our family and we feel it’s important to Kansas City to serve as Artistic Director,” to give back to it,” Wendy says. “George and Wendy remembers. I are committed to ensuring Kansas City is a very livable city. George’s grandfather, George Todd began by building up the company of Powell, Sr., was so grateful for the business dancers. He also would routinely invite famous success he had that he set the bar high for his guest artists or legendary former dancers to family’s philanthropic endeavors.” town to build excitement for ballet. “In the early 80s, as a protégé of , Wendy and George Powell III’s passion for the Todd was able to present his Firebird and Maria ballet resonates from early experiences with Tall Chief came in for the opening night and contemporary chorographers, and they have a dinner afterwards,” Wendy recalls. “And the established an Endowment Fund to ensure the audience was in awe of her presence. She was Ballet can always support newly commissioned amazing!” works as well as work from legendary choreographers like George Balanchine and Through it all, Wendy continued on the Board. . “I also chaired the search committee for Todd’s replacement: William Whitener,” she says. “Bill For all of Wendy’s time and hard work, and was the perfect person at that time to follow for the generosity of the Powell’s, Kansas City Todd and to broaden our list of choreographers. Ballet is grateful. Their Legacy will forever be a He was very familiar with Balanchine, but he’d part of its history. also worked with Jerome Robbins, Twyla

40 Top Photo | Wendy Powell and her family. From left to right: Mark Waterson, Ashley Powell Waterson, George Powell, Wendy Powell, Jessica Powell Peryam, and John Peryam. Photo credit: Wendy Powell ENDOWMENT & LEGACY SOCIETY

THE TATIANA DOKOUDOVSKA LEGACY SOCIETY Miss Tania dedicated her life and resources to create Kansas City Ballet. We honor those who wish to continue her vision by leaving their own legacy as a member of The Tatiana Dokoudovska Legacy Society.

The following acknowledges those who have submitted a legacy intention to Kansas City Ballet.

Anonymous (2) J. Scott Francis Jack and Paula Rowe Jeffrey J. Bentley Dr. and Mrs. Michael Frost G. Mark Sappington Brand Family Fund John and Mary Hunkeler Estate of Shirley Weaver Mike and Vicki Bray Dr. Richard Jensen and Angela and John Walker Ms. Gay Dannelly Don and Pat Dagenais Thomas F. and Loren Hazel Deana McClure Whittaker Ann Darke P. Alan McDermott Rebecca Zandarski Estate of James E. Taylor Estate of Marilyn Pierson Estate of Lothar P. Krause Patterson Dr. Fred D. Fowler Wendy and George Powell, III

SHIRLEY WEAVER - FOUNDATIONAL TO THE BALLET In 1967, Tatiana Dokoudovska brought Shirley Weaver into Kansas City Ballet. Tatiana had met Shirley (who is from Kansas City) in New York when they were both dancing at Radio City Music Hall Ballet. Weaver was a seasoned performer, having danced for many years with Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo and other companies. Miss Shirley, as she was known to her students, became indispensable to Tatiana - performing with KCB, choreo- graphing and working to build the ballet program at the UMKC Conservatory.

Miss Shirley spent decades teaching - nurturing and training her students. She was still teaching classes until just a few months before her death in 2014, and her students were still in awe of

Dancer and instructor Shirley her grace and beauty. Weaver. Kansas City Ballet honors Weaver as a member of the Legacy Society. Recently, Kansas City Ballet received a gift from her estate. To honor her, an endowed scholarship fund was established in her name. The Shirley Weaver Scholarship will continue to nurture and support ballet students for years to come. 41 OPERATING STATEMENT – FINANCIALS (UNAUDITED)

FINANCIALS Kansas City Ballet Operating Statement of Activities YTD for the year ending June 30, 2020 Actual

Earned Income Ticket Sales $3,311,507 School $906,529 KCB II $3,200 Summer School $482,865 Community Education & Engagement $36,794 Endowment $20,000 Rental, Other $115,817 Total Earned Income $4,876,712

Contributed Income Individual $579,282 Board $147,330 Corporate $254,374 Foundations $1,381,850 Government $148,812 Guild $300,000 Events/Misc. Contribution Income $82,147 In-kind Donations $55,777 Total Contributed Income $2,949,572

Total Revenue $7,826,284

Expenses Production $3,566,855 School (Academy, Studio) $1,189,593 KCB II $123,206 School (Summer Program) $283,858 Community Engagement & Education $178,474 Building Expenses $499,604 General and Administrative $961,317 Marketing $1,076,419 Box Office $123,919 Development $711,273 Total Expenses $8,714,518

Revenues Under Expenses ($888,234)

The 2019-2020 Season was abbreviated due to COVID-19 pandemic closures.

42 Top Photo | Dancers Emily Mistretta and Lamin Pereira in Myles Thatcher’s Umbra, 2019. Photo by Mike Strong. REVENUE & EXPENSES – FINANCIALS

2019-2020 REVENUE Ticket Sales $3,311,507 Ticket Sales | 42.31% Contributions & Grants $2,811,648 Contributions & Grants | 35.93% School Tuition $1,392,594 School Tuition | 17.79% Other $253,741 Other | 3.24% Community Engagement & Education $36,794 Endowment Support | 0.47% Endowment Support $20,000 Community Engagement & Education | 0.26% Total Revenue $7,826,284

2019-2020 EXPENSES Production | 40.93% School | 18.32% Production Marketing | 12.35% School $3,566,855 General & Administrative | 11.03% Marketing $1,596,657 General & Administrative $1,076,419 Fundraising | 8.16% Fundraising $961,317 Bolender Center Facility | 5.73% Bolender Center Facility $711,273 Community Engagement Community Engagement $499,604 & Education | 2.05% & Education $178,474 Box O†ce | 1.42% Box Office $123,919

Total Expenses $8,714,518

4335 2019-2020 KANSAS CITY BALLET STAFF

ARTISTIC Grace Lewis PRODUCTION Manager, Events & Devon Carney Development Amy Taylor Artistic Director Director of Production Rene Horne Gift Processing Associate Victoria Frank Kristi Capps Stage Manager Ballet Master Austin Kelly Development Intern Jennifer Carroll Parrish Maynard Costume Shop Supervisor Ballet Master MARKETING & PUBLIC Elizabeth Wray RELATIONS Assistant Stage Manager Christoper Ruud Second Company Manager Betti Jo Diem David Anderson & Ballet Master Costume Assistant Director of Marketing IATSE Local #31, Stage Crew Ramona Pansegrau Karen Badgett Music Director & Conductor Associate Marketing Director IATSE Local #810, Wardrobe Attendants Andrea S. Wilson ADMINISTRATIVE Marketing Manager SCHOOL Jeffrey J. Bentley Elizabeth Stehling Executive Director Digital Media Manager Grace M. Holmes School Director Savanna Daniels Kevin Amey Graphic Design & Marketing Kimberly Cowen Chief Operations Officer Coordinator Principal & KCYB Director

George Hans Ellen McDonald Racheal Nye Chief Financial Officer Publicist Principal & YAGP Coordinator

Mark Volk Dmitry Trubchanov Gregg Markowski Patron Services Manager Men’s Program Coordinator & Director of Finance KCYB Associate Director Kim Toigo Mary Allen Patron Services Representative Lynley Von Engeln Office Manager/Executive Children’s Division & School Assistant Coordinator COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

& EDUCATION Edina von Hofman Kenneth Madlock School Administrative Manager Building Maintenance April Berry Supervisor Jessica Bacus Director of Community Bolender Center Administrator Engagement & Education Katie Pilgreen Erin Steeley Receptionist Sean Duus Johnson County Administrator R.O.A.D. Coordinator DEVELOPMENT Nora Burkitt Madelein Arnzen Administrative Assistant & Jennifer J.E. Wampler, MBA, Community Education Adaptive Dance Coordinator Assistant CFRE Hope DeYoung-Daniels Chief Development Officer Teaching Artists Administrative Assistant

Mary Kay Cottrill Rebecca Zandarksi, CFRE, Tessa Rube Sean Duus CSPG Administrative Assistant Tina Ray Director of Gift Planning Olivia Shaw Lindsay Shank Brent Kimmi Jenna Wurtzberger Administrative Assistant Director of Individual Giving Accompanists Robert Beasley Karen Massman VanAsdale Samuel Beckett Director of Corporate Relations James Dennihan Julia C. Craig, MPA Melissa Mathon Manager, Donor Relations Alyssa Murray & Stewardship Andrew Ouellette Roger Wilder

44 CONTACT

Contact Information Kansas City Ballet Todd Bolender Center for Dance & Creativity 500 W. Pershing Road Kansas City, MO 64108-2430

kcballet.org

EIN #43-6052680

Your Philanthropy Team Jennifer J.E. Wampler, MBA, CFRE, Chief Development Officer 816.216.5585 | [email protected]

Rebecca Zandarski, CFRE, CSPG, Director of Gift Planning 816.216.5597 | [email protected]

Brent Kimmi, Director of Individual Giving 816.216.5608 | [email protected]

Julia Craig, MPA, Manager, Donor Relations & Stewardship 816.381.6941 | [email protected]

Grace Lewis, Manager, Events & Development 816.216.5589 | [email protected]

Rene Horne, Gift Processing Associate [email protected]

Top Photo | Kansas City Ballet Development Team. Photo by Tom Styrkowicz, 53Tom LLC 45 KCBALLET.ORG