American Concert Ballet

CONTACT:

179 Amory Street
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
617 524 - 3066
www.balletrox.org

Anthony Williams, Artistic Director

DESCRIPTION:

This eclectic dance company, based in Jamaica Plain, believes that ballet can reduce cultural barriers; it therefore seeks dancers from multi-cultural backgrounds in JP and surrounding communities, to perform ballets ranging in style from contemporary to classical. In 1996, ACB, now doing business as BalletRox, created the Ballet Rox Scholarship Program, a dance program designed to introduce inner-city children to the fundamentals of dance -- ballet, flamenco, tap and jazz -- as a way of developing self-esteem, self-respect and self-discipline. The Scholarship Program has grown in numbers and is developing its own good reputation in Boston. Open to any child interested in dance, tuition is based on financial ability. Ballet Rox especially seeks and encourages boys, who are less likely to consider dance as a fun and rewarding activity. ACB also runs Urban Nutcracker, which mixes classical and contemporary dance as well as young students with professionals from dance companies and schools. ACB needs funding for these programs -- won't you step up to help?

(1999: CULTURE: Arts: Performing: Music and Dance)