Seventy-nine-year-old Jill Singer says taking Silver Ballet class at Kansas City Ballet’s South Campus at Meadowbrook is the highlight of her week.
A former attorney now enjoying retirement, Jill eagerly joined the class taught by popular instructor Michele Hamlett-Weith after discovering it was available at a convenient location near her home in Johnson County.
“The class is perfect in that it addresses all the things a senior citizen needs, such as flexibility, memory, strength, and balance,” she says. “It’s not about our future stage careers; it’s simply about keeping us moving.”
Enriching the Community Through Dance
Serving new audiences like Jill and her classmates has been a direct benefit of the $2.1 million renovation that tripled the space of the KCB South Campus at Meadowbrook.
Generously funded by foundations, corporations and individuals, the expansion resulted in four large, open studios that allow for a variety of new and expanded programming.
“We are so much more effective at delivering on our mission of providing outstanding dance experiences for all with the enhanced space that the South Campus provides,” says David Gray, Kansas City Ballet’s Executive Director. “This beautifully reimagined space allows us to actively demonstrate our commitment to inspiring and engaging more audiences through the power of dance in its many forms, not just ballet.”
In addition to Silver Ballet for ages 60+, Classic Jazz, DANCEFIX, and other new class offerings, the expanded programming includes Adaptive Dance for those with disabilities and more capacity for Kansas City Ballet School (KCBS) Academy classes across all divisions.
According to Oliver Till, newly appointed School Director for KCBS, “A fully operating second facility allows the Ballet to grow traditional Academy and Pre-Professional programs with greater flexibility, while also meeting the need for more non-traditional classes like adult ballet, Adaptive Dance and fitness dance classes.”
Oliver says the early success of the South Campus indicates that there are people out there who have been waiting for the opportunity to experience dance.
“The high demand across programs shows us the depth of interest for dance,” he says.
Successfully Meeting the Demand
The South Campus now hosts more than 300 students, with 12 weekly adult dance and fitness classes and 55 weekly Academy classes, a 433% and 83% increase since before the renovation, respectively.
This summer’s Junior Summer Intensive program welcomed a sold-out group, thanks to increased capacity for ages 9-14. And a first-ever Adult Ballet Summer Intensive kicked off this month with a waiting list.
“We‘re very grateful for our supporters who made it possible for us to meet the growing demand for more dance and fitness classes in the community,” says David, adding that the South Campus has also been a financial success, already achieving its three-year goal in its first year.
Giving So Others Can Share in the Experience
Ballet supporters Bruce and Teresa McKinney are among the many who contributed to the renovation of the South Campus.
“I think it’s a wonderful and beautiful facility that meets a lot of needs,” Teresa says, explaining that her inspiration to give came from the positive experience their daughter Stephanie had while taking ballet classes as a child.
“She made so many friends, and the instruction did so much for her,” Teresa recalls. “I want others to be able to have the same experience, and I know having a beautiful facility helps with that.”
Forging New Connections and Looking Ahead
Students like Jill Singer are also discovering the social benefits of taking ballet classes.
She’s made fast friends with fellow South Campus students like 60-year-old Donetta Heligman and 71-year-old Karin Roberts, who also make the Silver Ballet class a weekly ritual.
Earlier this year, a group of students in the class even got together to attend a KCB performance of Jewels at the Kauffman Center.
“If we can inspire interest in our Company performances, that’s an added bonus,” says KCB’s David Gray.
Reflecting on the momentum of the South Campus to date, Taryn Ouellette, the facility’s Principal, says that the team continues to listen to feedback from students and families.
“We want to know what is working for them while we also explore new ideas for programming,” she says. “It’s exciting to imagine what more is possible for the future.”
Kansas City Ballet invites you to learn more about the South Campus at Meadowbrook.
Experience the fun and fitness of dance by taking a class.
Help make dreams happen by supporting the School.
Header image: Silver Ballet students Karin Roberts, Jill Singer and Donetta Heligman with instructor Michele Hamlett-Weith. Photo by Kelly Leahy.
