Kimberly Ratcliffe

Nashville Ballet steps into its future with a bold 2017-2018 performance season that showcases the full spectrum of the art, from the pinnacle of classical ballet to fearless contemporary works.

Through an on-going relationship with Belmont University, Nashville Ballet will present Aesop's Fables, a children's ballet featuring four tales by the famous storyteller Sunday, Jan. 29 at 2 p.m. in Belmont University's Massey Concert Hall.

Through an on-going relationship with Belmont University, Nashville Ballet will present Aesop's Fables, a children's ballet featuring four tales by the famous storyteller Sunday, Jan. 29 at 2 p.m. in Belmont University's Massey Concert Hall.

How do I even begin to describe Nashville Ballet's Mollie Sansone? She's exquisitely beautiful and superbly talented, with a spectacular line and an amazingly athletic yet graceful ability to bring any dance to more vivid life than you might first expect. Okay, I'm a huge fan of Molly Sansone and I could heap praise upon her until the cows come home (which, when talking about a ballerina, sounds kind of off-putting and incongruous, but you get my drift). In fact, I've already heaped praise on her for the cavalcade of performances she has delivered during her career with Nashville Ballet.

With the North American premiere of Twyla Tharp's The Story Teller generating most of the buzz prior to opening night, Nashville Ballet's Director's Choice winter series provided a much-needed jolt of electricity to the city's midwinter arts calendar. But it was the exquisite pairing of Molly Sansone and Jon Upleger in Salvatore Aiello's completely sensual and mildly erotic Satto that truly turned up the heat in the company's annual salute to contemporary dance.

Nashville Ballet will reprise its beloved local take on the classic Christmas tale when Nashville's Nutcracker returns to TPAC's Jackson Hall December 10-19 with exciting new visual elements and the return of critically acclaimed dancer and actor Eric Harris as Drosselmeyer.

Nashville Ballet will reprise its beloved local take on the classic Christmas tale when Nashville's Nutcracker returns to TPAC's Jackson Hall December 10-19 with exciting new visual elements and the return of critically acclaimed dancer and actor Eric Harris as Drosselmeyer.

Nashville Ballet will reprise its beloved local take on the classic Christmas tale when Nashville's Nutcracker returns to TPAC's Jackson Hall December 10-19 with exciting new visual elements and the return of critically acclaimed dancer and actor Eric Harris as Drosselmeyer.

The resulting production that comes from Vasterling's unerringly skillful choreography and his clearly developed vision for the piece - exquisitely expressed through Baird's costume and scenic design, Scott Leathers' stunningly evocative lighting design and the beautiful music of Felix Mendelssohn performed by members of the Nashville Symphony under the baton of Nashville Ballet music director Paul Gambill - is a rousing and fitting conclusion to the company's 24th season, clearly paving the way to a stellar silver anniversary season that will open next fall with a full production of Swan Lake.

With each passing year and with each new offering, Vasterling and the other powers-that-be at Nashville Ballet gain new admirers for their troupe, whose skills are confidently and expertly highlighted by the choices made in regard to the company's repertoire. Clearly, Nashville Ballet has gained stature with its beautiful and much-lauded treatment of the classics, but it may well be contemporary offerings, such as those included in American Originals, that more assuredly showcase the company's extraordinary depth. Quite honestly, the panache with which each performance is delivered is awe-inspiring - and certain to lift the collective spirit and ward off even the most frigid temperatures.

As a special bonus to this impressive season, Nashville Ballet will present Emergence: The Studio Series, at the Nashville Ballet Martin Center for Dance November 13 - 14 at 7:30 pm. A fresh take on Nashville Ballet's previously successful Emergence performances, the innovative new Emergence: The Studio Series allows audience members to select a 'dance list' of performances to watch, much like one puts together a play list of songs on their MP3 players.

As a special bonus to this impressive season, Nashville Ballet will present Emergence: The Studio Series, at the Nashville Ballet Martin Center for Dance November 13 - 14 at 7:30 pm. A fresh take on Nashville Ballet's previously successful Emergence performances, the innovative new Emergence: The Studio Series allows audience members to select a 'dance list' of performances to watch, much like one puts together a play list of songs on their MP3 players.

As a special bonus to this impressive season, Nashville Ballet will present Emergence: The Studio Series, at the Nashville Ballet Martin Center for Dance November 13 - 14 at 7:30 pm. A fresh take on Nashville Ballet's previously successful Emergence performances, the innovative new Emergence: The Studio Series allows audience members to select a 'dance list' of performances to watch, much like one puts together a play list of songs on their MP3 players.

Since its preeminence among the city's artistic entities became de facto, Nashville Ballet has consistently launched the real artistic season in Music City each year -- and with the return of Giselle to the company's program after a seven-year hiatus, the 2009-2010 season is off to a rousing start. One of the most beloved works from the classical repertoire, Giselle is a challenging undertaking for any company, but thanks to the vision of artistic director Paul Vasterling, Nashville Ballet's production is a visual feast, featuring stunning costumes, evocative lighting and gorgeous scenery.

Single tickets for the upcoming works included in Nashville Ballet's 2009-2010 season will go on sale Monday, September 7.