About this episode
Derek Miller speaks with Erika Stone about Ballet West's impact on Utah's arts community and its initiatives to connect with audiences.
This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Since 1963, Ballet West has been an important part of Utah’s arts community, bringing world-class performances, timeless productions and opportunities for dancers and audiences to connect through ballet. Senior Director of External Affairs, Erika Stone, joins us with more. Erika Stone: At Ballet West, we believe the arts do more than entertain — they inspire creativity, bring people together and strengthen communities. As one of the nation’s leading ballet companies, we’ve seen firsthand how live performance can create lasting connections and meaningful experiences for people of all ages. Productions like Willam Christensen’s The Nutcracker, America’s first and longest-running version of the ballet, continue to draw audiences from across the region each year, supporting downtown businesses and welcoming thousands of patrons through our doors. Beyond performances, Ballet West reaches communities across Utah through school programs, scholarship opportunities and access initiatives for underserved families. For many children, it’s their first experience seeing live performance, opening the door to creativity, curiosity and confidence. By…
People in this episode
Host: Derek Miller
Guest: Erika Stone
Topics covered
- ballet
- arts community
- performances
- education
- community engagement
Keywords
- Ballet West
- Derek Miller
- Erika Stone
- The Nutcracker
- Utah arts
- community programs
- live performance
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Ballet West
Books & works: The Nutcracker
Places: Utah, downtown
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