Inaugural Festival 2023
Our 2023 Festival was a whirlwind, culminating in a sold-out performance featuring 14 incredible dancers in three world premiere works and diverse styles not before seen on Nantucket.
Thank You to Everyone Who Made the Festival A Success!
We are so grateful to our sponsors, artists, advisors, volunteers, and everyone in the community who made this Festival come together. Your time, talents, guidance and commitment were invaluable and are so appreciated!
Our Sponsors
Founder's Circle
Martha and Bob Lipp
Jane and John Loose
Karen Rainwater
Nantucket Golf Club Foundation*
Sustainers
James Carey
Robin Rednor and Robert Kennedy
Louise Turner
Cartolina Nantucket*
Sponsors
The Geschke Foundation
Bernie Groveman
Graham Goldsmith
Marion and Terence Martin
James R. Matthews
Anne Schnitzer
N Magazine*
Patrons
Janet and Samuel Bailey
Jody and Brian Berger
Birch Family Fund
Chris and Jim Cowperthwait
Margaret and John Falk
Corinne and Arie L. Kopelman
Elizabeth Shepard
Shuch Family Foundation
Members
Jeanne Cohane
Marna Davis
Jennifer Diamond
Kim Hartman
Lisa Huertas
Joan and Philip Gulley
Marilee B. Matteson
Doyun Park
Charles O. Prince III and Margaret Wolff
Catharine Soros
Peter and Katherine Sutters
Forme Barre*
Nantucket Dreamland*
Nantucket Island Resorts*
Friends
Susan Baer
Norbert Donnelly
Virgina Macaulay
Lisa Moisan
Christina Schwefel
Randee Seiger
Nancy Serafini
Jane Tyler
Barber and Sons*
Roger's Taxi*
Surfing Hydrangea Nursery*
Your Friend With a Truck*
Neighbors
Deborah Gallant
Rebecca Hudson
Carol Leiber
Anna and Michael McDonnell
Christine Petrella
Audrey Sterk
The Westmoor Club*
Island Lumber*
Don Allen Auto*
Reade Gullickson & Hanley*
Pampr*
Nantucket Coffee Roasters*
Nantucket Crisps*
Yummy Nantucket*
Host Families
Hugh Davis and Amy Baldwin
Roxanne Casscells
Kristen Kennedy Clark
Chris and Jim Cowperthwait
Nan Geschke
Linda Kelly
Judy Lee
Bob and Martha Lipp
Wendy Lipp
Karen Rainwater
Nancy Cooke and Richard Schafer
Randee Seiger
Nancy Serafini
* Business Sponsor
"We were so impressed with everything! It was truly magical! The show on Saturday night was BEYOND!!!!!
Our daughter left so inspired and told me she wants to take more ballet this year:)
"The energy, the distinct variations of the program, the expertise of the entire company, it was all so fabulous!"
Our Business Sponsors
.png)
2023 Benefit Performance
With artists from the New York City Ballet, Broadway and the streets of Memphis, our benefit performance demonstrated the range of styles and possibilities in the world of dance. Seventeen local kids joined professional dancers onstage in the final number with a live drummer and a standing ovation!
Impact
The Festival provides enriching community events for one week each summer, but the proceeds of our fundraising efforts are visible on the island year-round.
1 Year
Boys and Girls Club Dance Classes
Proceeds from our inaugural festival went to support a partnership with the Boys and Girls Club to offer twice-weekly dance classes all year. These classes allow young people who may not usually be exposed to dance to explore their creativity and build confidence in a supportive environment.
$10,000
Scholarships for ongoing dance education
Scholarships for dance students provide them with opportunities to continue their education off-island, expanding their experiences and network with dance schools around the country.
50+
Participants in open classes
The Festival week included open dance classes for all ages, completely free for all attendees and offered in diverse styles. Classes are all led by professional artists and provide an intimate education in the dance styles presented in the benefit performance.
3
Performance opportunities
Nantucket Dance Theater Performance Company is made up of over 20 local dancers ages 11 - 18. In 2023, students had the opportunity to perform in the Nantucket Nutcracker, Poetry in Motion, an original ballet - Once Upon a Time.
1
Guest Artist Residency with Sara Brians and Kendall Walker
We were delighted to welcome professional dancers Sara Brians and Kendall Walker to the island for our year-round students. They worked with dancers in an intensive setting for two weeks to explore new dance styles like jazz and movement theater for an unforgettable experience - all without having to leave the island!
1
Trip to Boston
Nantucket Dance Theater Performance company hosted a trip to Boston for students to compete in the Etoile Dance Competition and see Boston Ballet's Cinderella. For many students, it was their first time seeing a professional ballet company. The competition also offered master classes and was an incredibly inspiring trip for everyone!