Coral and Jade: The Ballet Ball Celebrates its 35th Anniversary

One of the most anticipated arts evenings in Nashville — the Ballet Ball — commemorated its 35th anniversary with a celebration of color and movement. Guests of the event arrived wearing their finest coral or jade — a nod to the traditional gifts given for the milestone anniversary. After collaborating on the vision with co-chairs Evelyn Cate Galletti, Bob Deal and Jason Bradshaw, Bruce Pittman created a stunning design for the evening, which elevated the already beautiful Schermerhorn Symphony Center.

After cocktail hour, guests entered the Laura Turner Concert Hall, visiting along the way as they waited for dinner and performances to begin. The wait was not long, as Brian Charles Rooney, accompanied by Ming Aldrich-Gan, opened the evening with an energizing first act. A beautiful dinner by the talented Kristen Winston followed. The first course offered a colorful spring greens salad, and the main course was a filet with Gruyère-Parmesan potato gratin. Dessert was a beautifully simple dark chocolate cake with cherry coulis and cherry ice cream.

After dinner, Nick Mullikin, the artistic director and CEO of Nashville Ballet, addressed the room of philanthropists. “Tonight, we’re thrilled to showcase the remarkable talents of the company,” he said. “A shining example of this is James Lankford, whose journey from a promising student in our Young Men’s Scholarship Program to dancing principal roles embodies the essence of what our community and donors make possible.”

Joining him onstage, Mary Poiley, chief operating officer, echoed Nick’s sentiments. “With ambitious plans to expand our reach, enhance our educational programs and make ballet accessible to every corner of our community, your support has never been more crucial,” she said. “Our commitment to accessibility extends beyond performances, reaching over 12,000 community members annually through free arts programming. From Head Start students to Title I schools, we ensure that the arts are within reach for everyone.” 

The co-chairs thanked the crowded room for their generous support. “I am so proud of the incredible work that Nashville Ballet is doing,” said co-chair Evelyn Cate Galletti. “Your attendance tonight empowers us to continue breaking down barriers, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, can experience the transformative power of dance. This is our shared legacy — a commitment to a future where the arts continue to flourish and inspire.” Honorary chair Amy Joyner, in her effervescent way, shared memories of the first Ballet Ball and expressed that she was thrilled to see the event grow over the years.

After the remarks, musicians Wesley Dean and Cassadee Pope took the stage. Members of the Nashville Ballet company joined them, performing choreography created by Nick in his inaugural year as artistic director.

The evening concluded with the announcement that the 2025 Ballet Ball would be co-chaired by Angela Bostelman and Ana Cristina Cash. Then it was time for the late party, chaired by Caitlin Frazier, Jacob Tudor and Terry Vo, where everyone danced the night away to music by Bizz & Everyday People.