First State Ballet Theatre Hosted Ribbon Cutting for Opening of New Satellite School with the Middletown Chamber of Commerce on January 8, 2025.
First State Ballet Theatre Hosted Ribbon Cutting for Opening of New Satellite School with the Middletown Chamber of Commerce on January 8, 2025.
The School of FSBT, Whitehall Grand Opening Celebration Scheduled for February 1, 2025.
Middletown, DE - First State Ballet Theatre celebrated the opening of their new satellite school with a ribbon cutting hosted by the Middletown Area Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, January 8th.
Despite the winter weather, approximately 40 guests gathered to officially open The School of FSBT, Whitehall. Guests toured the new studios and enjoyed a performance by students from The School of FSBT before marking the moment with a ribbon cutting. Attendees included Stephanie Dawkins, Membership Engagement Coordinator for the Middletown Chamber of Commerce, Brian DiSabatino, President and CEO of EDiS Company, Aynsley Inglis, Director of The School of FSBT at Whitehall, Pasha Kambalov, FSBT Artistic Director, and FSBT Board Members Frank Obara III, Colonel Jerome Rogers, USAF, and Peter Zoltowski, among other other business and community leaders.
“This day marked a culmination of many months of fundraising, planning, and hard work,” says Kristina Kambalov, Executive Director. “I am so grateful to our funders, Board of Directors, and the incomparable Terry Strine for making this possible.”
“With a reputation for excellence in performance and education, First State Ballet Theatre brings its passion for dance to aspiring dancers of all ages. We’re proud to support this incredible organization as they begin their journey in Middletown and look forward to the enrichment they will bring to our community,” says Michelle Hummel Chief Executive Officer, Middletown Area Chamber of Commerce.
The School of FSBT, Whitehall was made possible with support from EDIS, The Longwood Foundation, The Welfare Foundation, Crestlea Foundation, Crystal Trust, and Delaware Division of the Arts.
The School of FSBT, Whitehall offers exceptional ballet training, dance, and specialty classes for ages 3 to adults and is currently enrolling students. The School of FSBT was recently named in the Top 5% of U.S. Ballet Academies in a study by Northeastern University.*
A Grand Opening celebration for the community is planned for Saturday, February 1, 2025 from 9:30 am - 3:00 pm and will feature free trial classes, performances by the Company, door prizes and more. For more information, or to register for a trial class, visit www.firststateballet.org/grandopening.
ABOUT FIRST STATE BALLET THEATRE
Established in 1999 by Artistic Director Pasha Kambalov and Executive Director Kristina Kambalov, First State Ballet Theatre is Delaware's only professional ballet company.
FSBT employs a diverse roster of dancers from around the world to present classical and contemporary ballet, including new works from local and internationally-recognized choreographers, on stages across the state of Delaware and beyond.
The School of FSBT offers ballet classes year-round at the company’s headquarters at The Grand Opera House in Wilmington, DE and at a new satellite school in Whitehall, DE (near Middletown). The School of FSBT attracts students from all three counties in Delaware as well as Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.
FSBT’s mission is to present ballet boldly to Delaware; to enrich the community with live professional performances; to inspire and educate dancers and audiences of the future; and to connect local youth with a creative, inclusive movement experience. FSBT reaches over 6,000 people annually through its performances and outreach programs.
New Castle County Chamber of Commerce 