Organizational Bio
The Champaign Urbana Ballet is a 503c not-for-profit agency dedicated to promoting classical ballet, offering performing opportunities to talented young dancers and choreographers, and a collaborative environment for community artists and volunteers. Through outreach programs, the CU Ballet seeks to expose children to the history and beauty of ballet.
The Champaign Urbana Ballet performs under the artistic direction of Ms. Deanna Doty. Born in Chicago, Ms. Doty trained at the Evanston School of Ballet, Ruth Page, Ellis-Du Boulay, and with Kirsten Simone of the Royal Danish Ballet. At age sixteen, she moved to New Orleans where she completed her training with Harvey Hysell and joined Ballet New Orleans. There she danced corps, soloist, and principal roles. After Ballet New Orleans, Ms. Doty joined the Robert Ivy Ballet in Charleston, S.C. and then the Lexington Ballet in Kentucky, where she also danced corp through principal roles. Ms. Doty has appeared as a guest artist with Ballet Alaska, Piccolo Spolato Festival, Ballet Mississippi, and other festivals, television appearances, and educational programs. She co-founded the Champaign Urbana Ballet in 1998 and has since served as the company's Artistic Director.
Organizational Mission
The Champaign Urbana Ballet is dedicated to promoting classical and contemporary ballet, offering performance opportunities to talented youth, and enriching the community through the art of dance.
Vision:
- To further the cultural and social development of the community
- To challenge dancers to achieve personal and professional goals
- To foster collaboration with other performing arts groups
- To develop a repertoire of classical and original choreography
- To seek diversity in our dancers, audience, and board