History
Bluegrass Youth Ballet (BYB) was founded in 2003, by Adalhi Aranda Corn (originally from Mexico). It was first formed with 40 students, as an S-corp,
and took residence at 3120 Pimlico Parkway (in the Park Hills Shopping Center). Ms. Corn created Bluegrass Youth Ballet in order to satisfy Lexington's
need for a high quality dance education program that would be provided to students in a positive environment. Adalhi also wanted a school that would focus
on youth, and would showcase the training and talent of it's dancers in cultural and educational performances. Bluegrass Youth Ballet's performances are
primarily one-act ballets, which are well suited for children. Yet, the technical proficiency of the students in the performances makes an enjoyable
experience for adults. Adalhi strongly values the arts, culture, and diversity, and all of these things are reflected in Bluegrass Youth Ballet's performances.
In 2005 Bluegrass Youth Ballet was awarded Minority Business of the Year by Commerce Lexington. By 2007, BYB had over 150 students, and had outgrown its facility.
The quest for a larger facility became top priority, and in August of 2007 Bluegrass Youth Ballet re-located to their current 9,000 sq. ft. facility at 1595 Mercer Road.
This facility was named CulturArte (modeled after Mexico's Casa de la Cultura, or culture house) with the idea that accessible instruction in other forms of art,
besides dance, would be offered. Since 2007, Bluegrass Youth Ballet has grown to include approximately 240 students, and Suzuki Classical Guitar lessons, as well as
Piano and Voice are available at CulturArte.
In 2008 Bluegrass Youth Ballet transitioned to a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization, due to its commitment to arts education and outreach, and to its belief that any child,
regardless of their financial status or ethnic background, should be able to dance. Bluegrass Youth Ballet acquired a Board of Directors at this time, and implemented a
work-study program available to students who otherwise would not have the opportunity to receive dance instruction. As a non-profit organization, Bluegrass Youth Ballet hopes
to create a scholarship fund for these students.
BYB currently provides high quality dance education (Ballet and Modern) to students ages 2 through adults. Classes run from August through May of each year,
and a variety of different summer programs, such as Summer Intensive Workshops, Kids Fun Arts, and summer classes, take place during June and July. At BYB, the education of
students is the number one priority. Students ages 5 and up have the opportunity to perform in two to three main stage ballets each year at the Lexington Opera House,
the Lyric Theatre, or the Singletary Center (i.e. The Nutcracker In One Act, Dia de los Muertos, Sleeping Beauty, etc) as well as smaller community outreach performances when
the opportunity arises (i.e. Festival Latino, American Heart Association Gala, etc). BYB performs for both public and private schools in Fayette County and surrounding areas,
and occasionally conducts dance workshops.
