By Joan Kajcienski
In the summer of 2008, the founding members of World Ballet had a vision to create a ballet company and school with serious ballet training based on the Vaganova syllabus and under the direction of founding Artistic Director, Henry Hernandez. Mr. Hernandez is a former dancer with National Ballet Caracas in Venezuela, Ballet Royal of Wallonie in Belgium and Southern Ballet Theatre – now known as Orlando Ballet. He has performed a range of classical and contemporary throughout the world.
Mr. Hernandez has established and continues building a company through hard work, passion and dedication, by training its dancers in a resident ballet school, including students from the age of four and up. He strives to move the ballet company forward by looking ahead to new potentials and goals. In addition, World Ballet has a Competitive Division, which Mr. Hernandez has made available for several of his outstanding students. His training is unsurpassed starting with Samantha Sole, who has studied with him for the last four years and placed at the highest levels in the international competition, Youth American Grand Prix (YAGP). Laura Swain began training with World Ballet at the age ten in the fall of 2008 and in 2010 she placed in the pre-professional training program at the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago. Most recently, Anna Kaji, at 13 years old, was selected from 1,000 applicants to be one of 170 students to enter one of the top five Summer Ballet Intensive Programs in the country at Kirov Ballet in Washington, D.C. At the completion of the three week intensive program, she was invited to join the year round training program. To continue supporting the dancers of today and create the dancers of tomorrow, Mr. Hernandez will enter five students to compete at the international American Youth Grand Prix and the American Dance Competition in the spring of 2013.
World Ballet produces two to three major professional productions a season. In its four years of existence, World Ballet has produced classical productions such as The Midsummer Night’s Dream, La Bayadere and The Nutcracker: A Diversity Celebration. The Company has also produced contemporary works with cutting edge choreography, including A Christmas Carol, Notes in Motion (inspired by Benjamin Britten’s The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra) and the annual Rock Ballet set to live rock music.
This past August, Macy’s partnered with World Ballet to participate as one of its chosen charities and was invited to perform in the seventh annual “Shop for a Cause” a unique one-day-only shopping event created to support local nonprofit organizations’ fundraising efforts. “We greatly appreciate the opportunity that Macy’s is giving World Ballet and their ongoing support. We hope Macy’s continues making an impact for years to come,” says Liz Delancy, Vice President of World Ballet Board.
With the help and support of CMC Incorporated, ABC Channel 27 and news anchor, Abbey Maurer, World Ballet will be hosting their annual fundraising event Dining at the Square at Market Square Pavilion on Timberlane Road. This event on Saturday, September 29, 2012 at 6:00 pm, is an opportunity for fun, socializing, and networking in a creative setting. It is open to all merchants, families and clubs in the Big Bend area.
World Ballet’s third annual spring fundraiser Wine, Dance and Art will be held on March 9, 2013 for an enthusiastic crowd of ballet and art lovers. This unique event includes a kaleidoscope of art from a wide range of famous artists, sculptors and artisans. Last year, we showcased artists such as Isaac Knight, Dean Mitchell, Natalia Andreeva and Bob Kenny, to mention a few.
Dale Smith, Co-Founder and Board President said, “We have seen the fulfillment of our goals and have ensured World Ballet’s place as a cultural asset in the Tallahassee community.”
After the huge success of the 2011-2012 Season, the company returns to Lee Hall Auditorium on FAMU campus for the 2012-2013 Season. World Ballet’s exciting fourth season began August 6, 2012, closing June 1, 2013. This year WB promises a season of Tradition, Magic and Cutting Edge. Opening the performance series with the holiday favorite The Nutcracker: A Diversity Celebration on December 1st and December 2nd 2012. This enchanting version of the beloved classic is the brainchild of Artistic Director, Henry Hernandez. With this particular version, Mr. Hernandez still follows the traditional story line and customized it to take place in Tallahassee in order to reflect the cultural richness of our city. Therefore, he set the ballet at the Governor’s Mansion in the early 1900’s where he welcomes international dignitaries from Spain, China, Russia, Arabia, Denmark and India to celebrate the Christmas party.
To close the 2012-2013 Season, World Ballet will present a stunning new magical world premiere of Cat in the Hat; The Ballet and the return of the audience favorite, World of Rock, as previously mentioned, a ballet set to live rock music, to be held April 13th and April 14th 2013.
World Ballet pledges to continue delighting audiences in the Tallahassee community and surrounding areas of Georgia and northeast Florida. We aspire to build an experienced, professional ballet-training institute in the Big Bend area. We invite all of you to follow us for this exciting 2012-2013 Season, since you are a vital part of this creation.
For more information, contact World Ballet at 850-553-3315 or visit our website at www.worldballetinc.org or our studio at 2518 Cathay Court, Tallahassee, FL 32308. 
