Vivid Ballet rebrands as Ballet Hartford

HARTFORD — Ballet Hartford (formerly Vivid Ballet) announces its 2018-19 season.

Performances will include Ballet Hartford Artistic and Executive Director Betsy McMillan’s “Handel: Messiah” as well as works by renowned choreographers including: Silas Farley of New York City Ballet, Stephen Pier former dancer with the Hamburg and Royal Danish Ballets, Michelle Thompson Ulrich of Ballet Austin and other leading artists according to a news release from the ballet company.

The company will close its season with the historical classical ballet “Les Sylphides.”

Ballet Hartford has enjoyed two successful seasons as Vivid Ballet and is looking to the future with great anticipation.

Artistic Director Betsy McMillan offers Ballet Hartford and the city her extensive performance and leadership experience which includes affiliations with Houston Ballet, Houston Metropolitan Dance Company, Point Park University, The Hartt School Dance Division and many others. Her vision for bringing a professional ballet company to the Hartford community continues to grow and expand with each season.

Ballet Hartford has a professional partnership with University of Hartford, The Hartt School Dance Division.

“We at Ballet Hartford are thrilled to bring the beauty and inspiration that the highest caliber of professional dance provides to this vibrant city with its rich and long history of love and support for Dance and the Arts,” said McMillan.

Ballet Hartford also announces the opening of its affiliate pre-professional ballet school, School of Ballet Hartford.

School of Ballet Hartford is committed to providing dancers of all ages a platform to grow and excel in their dance education in a professional and encouraging environment. SBH is committed to offering the highest caliber training in classical ballet and other genres of dance and enriching the Hartford community through excellence in dance education, artistic development, and appreciation for the art of ballet.

Classes will be available beginning in the fall for children ages 3-18 in the greater Hartford region who have an interest in the arts and desire quality dance instruction.

The leadership team of McMillan, Susannah Israel-Marchese, and Britt Elise Lynch, is deeply committed to growing the School of Ballet Hartford for years to come.

Ballet Hartford is located at 224 Farmington Ave., Hartford.

For information visit www.vividballet.com and www.schoolofballet hartford.com, or call 201-215-4779.