Fox Valley Youth Ballet Theatre

History:

This is an exciting time for FVYBT, as it enters its 25th year. We are making plans for bigger and better performances, more educational events, and greater opportunities for our area's young dancers.

It all started in 1981, when founder Juanita Makaroff formed the Children's Ballet Theatre in Appleton, Wisconsin. At the time, she was director of the renowned Makaroff School of Ballet, whose former students included Vince Lombardi's Green Bay Packers.

Over the past 25 years, the organization has developed from a fledgling youth dance group to the current Fox Valley Youth Ballet Theatre, the Fox Valley area's one and only regional youth ballet theatre. It remains the sole youth dance company that is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization in our area.

FVYBT is committed to providing our area's young, advanced dancers with the highest quality ballet education, and pre-professional performance experience. We accomplish this through ballet classes, two yearly ballet performances, community outreach, collaboration with local, non-profit organizations, and a scholarship program.

We are proud of our collaboration with Jeanette Makaroff, our Artistic Director. During Ms. Makaroff's 25 year professional career in ballet, she attained the rank of soloist for the Milwaukee Ballet, served as Ballet Mistress, and was a resident faculty member of the Milwaukee Ballet School. It was her job, as Ballet Mistress, to ensure that all company dancers maintained the high technical and artistic standards required by the Milwaukee Ballet.

This year marked the addition of Diego Carrasco, as Company Manager. Mr. Carrasco is a former Principal dancer with Milwaukee Ballet. His formal education includes a Masters of Fine Arts from the University of Iowa.

FVYBT is most proud of its alumni, many of whom have gone on to pursue dance at the university level, as well as professional dance careers. This is a short list of the prestigious dance companies that our dancers have joined:

American Ballet Theatre - Joffrey Ballet - San Francisco Ballet - Pacific Northwest Ballet - Boston Ballet - Milwaukee Ballet - Colorado Ballet

Current FVYBT dancers have participated in international dance competitions, as well as successfully participated in prestigious summer ballet programs with ballet companies. A recent FVYBT alumna is currently an apprentice with the Milwaukee Ballet. Two current members attend ballet school at North Carolina School of the Arts, and The Rock School, Pennsylvania. Both students are preparing for professional careers in ballet.

As a result of Fox Valley Youth Ballet Theatre's long history of excellence in ballet, the national performing arts community recognizes the Fox Valley area as a source of gifted dancers. We invite you to come and join FVYBT!