Our Mission

The Charlotte Youth Ballet, a premier youth ballet in the Southeastern United States, is a non-profit, innovative regional ballet company that provides student dancers opportunities to perform in professional level productions. 

Our Vision

The Charlotte Youth Ballet is known for our community outreach, the versatility of our repertoire, and the excellence of our performances. We strive to attract, develop and encourage student dancers while growing our committed base of volunteers and patrons.

Charlotte Youth Ballet (2023-24) Senior company/Company/Apprentice Dancers

Get to know us

The Charlotte Youth Ballet provides ballet students from all across the greater Charlotte area the opportunity to experience being a part of a ballet company.  CYB also utilizes regional and international professionals for principal and solo roles.  In addition, the most talented student company dancers may be asked to perform solo roles. We welcome all experience levels of dancers that are currently enrolled in at least one dance class per week at the school of their choice.  For all the Charlotte Youth Ballet dancers, it is an extraordinary, unforgettable one-of-a-kind experience to be able to dance alongside our professionals in full-length ballet productions.

CYB’s commitment to inclusion serves our mission and the community simultaneously by giving dancers from across the region access to participate in professional level productions.

With a legendary Artistic Director and a repertoire including works like The Nutcracker, Snow White, The Wizard of Oz, Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland and Coppélia, CYB provides the area’s best environment to magnify and nurture your young dancer’s performance experience.

Board of Directors

The Charlotte Youth Ballet is managed by a volunteer Board of Directors made up of professionals and leaders from all across the greater Charlotte area. Board members serve up to two consecutive 3-year terms.  While the Executive Officers focus on the day-to-day operations of the Charlotte Youth Ballet, the Directors as a whole address such challenges as long-term planning, development, marketing, and social media, as well as growth and fundraising.

Executive Officers

  • Chair – Paula Buhrer 
  • Chair-Elect – Kelli Gilreath
  • Treasurer – Paula Buhrer
  • Secretary – Katherine DiStefano
  • Past Chair- Kim Ellison

Directors

  • Mary Darrenkamp
  • Meghan Lluberas
  • Nancy Betler
  • Robin Yaggi
  • Nicolette Hodgkiss
  • Marybeth Pfieffer
  • Stephanie Costas
 

Are you interested in joining the board and being a part of CYB Leadership team? Click here learn  more.