Kansas City Ballet Celebrates the End of a Successful Season

Kansas City Ballet celebrated the end of a very successful season on June 15 at its annual meeting at Lidia’s Loft.  The view from the loft gave the board, staff and volunteers a chance to peek at the Todd Bolender Center For Dance & Creativity which will begin renovations later this summer. 

	Mark Sappington and Siobhan Lesley. Photographer Larry F. Levenson
	Sara Bower Youngblood, Barbara Storm, Rhonda Lokeman, Anna Allan. Photographer Larry F. Levenson
	Ballet Master James Jordan and Sally Quinn. Photographer Larry F. Levenson

Mark Sappington, president of Kansas City Ballet, announced the incoming board president and four new board members.

“On behalf of the Kansas City Ballet, we are delighted to welcome these outstanding individuals to our board,” said Sappington. “We believe they will devote their best efforts to the Ballet's mission and will embrace our vision of making Kansas City a destination of dance of global recognition.”

Siobhan Lesley, will serve as the president of the Board of Directors for the 2009-2011 term starting July 1. Lesley has served on the Kansas City Ballet Board of Directors since 1997. 

The following will serve as new board members: Anna Allan, Rhonda Lokeman, Barbara Storm and Sara Bower Youngblood.

Executive Director Jeffrey J. Bentley recognized Ballet Master James Jordan for his 25 years of service to the Kansas City Ballet.

"This remarkable longevity is rare in our field. Kansas City Ballet enjoys an unusual number of dancers and staff that have been with us for many years and while we take great pride in that fact, we do not take it for granted. Mr. Jordan's tenure with this company began early in Todd Bolender's arrival and continues to this day. He has become an indispensable part of the leadership team and we celebrate his commitment to this company and its mission," said Bentley.

Bentley also advised the Ballet's Board of Directors of the fact that, notwithstanding these unusually challenging economic times, the Ballet will be reporting a modest surplus at the close of its fiscal year on June 30. 

"While we are not immune from the economic turmoil that all not for profit arts organziations have experienced this past year, a strong commitment to proactive budget adjustments, a committed board of directors and an outstanding artistic product have all played an essential role in this year's success," said Bentley.

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