Nashville Ballet Marks 40 Years with an Elegant Ballet Ball Inspired by ‘Swan Lake’

In 1974, a group of dancers opened Dancers Studio, a teaching studio in Green Hills, to express themselves through dance and share their art with others. In the early 1980s, six dancers from the studio — led by Jane Fabian — formed a performance group called The Young Dancers’ Concert Group, which later evolved into Nashville City Ballet. Nashville City Ballet became a professional performance company in 1986 and officially changed its name to Nashville Ballet in 1987.

Four decades later, Nashville Ballet continues to bring the art form — and beloved characters like The Nutcracker’s Clara and Swan Lake’s Odette — to life while advancing its mission to strengthen the Nashville community by sharing the power of dance.

This year’s Ballet Ball celebrated Nashville Ballet’s 40th anniversary — and entering the Schermerhorn Symphony Center for the event was a delight for the senses. Event planner Bruce Pittman worked with co-chairs Neil Krugman, Lisa Manning and Julie Schneider to bring the Swan Lake-inspired evening to life. A mannequin in a floral tutu, crafted by Knestrick by Design, caught the eye. Swan Lake costumes flanked the room. Revelers enjoyed delicious hors d’oeuvres, making their way to the Nfocus portrait studio to capture memories from the elegant event. 

After the reception, the main doors opened to a fantastical wonderland of delights. The room was cast in warm candlelight as hundreds of luminaries covered the tables, highlighting beautiful white floral centerpieces. Nashville Ballet performers, dressed as swans from Swan Lake, moved fluidly across the stage, putting the artistry and athleticism of dance on full display. 

During dinner, guests delightedly watched Odette (Lily Saito) and Prince Siegfried (Jorge Emilio Peña) dance the “White Swan Pas de Deux,” a memorable duet from Swan Lake’s second act. And Nick Mullikin, Nashville Ballet’s president and artistic director, reflected on the organization’s history. “It is an honor for me to help guide Nashville Ballet to its next chapter, while honoring the remarkable legacy and traditions that have helped make us who we are today,” he said. “Perhaps what I am most proud of is the way that we serve this community through arts education, community engagement programs and performances that inspire audiences of all ages.”

The co-chairs recognized honorary chair Barbara Turner for her continued support of the arts in Nashville. Barbara co-chaired the ELEVATE campaign, launched in 2014, which funded the expansion of Nashville Ballet’s home in Sylvan Heights. 

Nashville Ballet also presented the 2026 Synergy Award, which honors partners who strengthen the relationship between the community and the arts, to HCA Healthcare and the HCA Healthcare Foundation. “At HCA … we understand that synergy happens, in part, when organizations invest in the communities they call home,” said HCA senior counsel Susan Short Jones, who accepted the organization’s award. “HCA’s support of Nashville Ballet is a statement of belief in the importance of a mission and a shared commitment to enriching our communities.”

Country singer-songwriter Eric Paslay and Nashville Ballet dancers continued to captivate the audience with performances. And the Late Party, chaired by Catherine Bradbury, Eli Gibbons, Sophie and Preston Howard, and Kimberly MacDonald, invited patrons to dance long into the night. Fan-favorite band Bizz and the Everyday People kept the energy high — a fitting end to an evening that raised a record-breaking $725,000 for Nashville Ballet.