BBT toasts legacy at 35th Anniversary Gala
Boca Ballet Theatre celebrated a monumental milestone at its 35th Anniversary Gala on January 18, 2026! It was a exciting and heartfelt evening that brought together familiar faces from our 35-year history: from our founding Board of Directors and longtime patrons to alumni dancers and returning guest artists! This special gala celebrated a legacy decades in the making, showcasing ballet’s brightest stars and inspiring the next generation of dancers and audience members.
ABT’s Skylar Brandt and Cory Stearns with BBT’s dancers in Swan Lake.
During the evening’s performance, guests artists from the nation’s premier dance companies took the stage to perform excerpts from some of ballet history’s most beloved works. American Ballet Theatre’s Chloe Misseldine and Jarod Curley captured the longing of star-crossed lovers Romeo and Juliet, while Lucas Segovia gave a blazing display of bravura in his portrayal of the recklessly charming Mercutio. Philadelphia Ballet’s Sterling Baca and Scarlett Güémez brought the drama in a stunning excerpt from the heroic ballet Spartacus. Igniting the stage with fiery passion was American Ballet Theatre’s Catherine Hurlin and Jarod Curley, whose powerhouse performances in the grand pas de deux from Don Quixote had the house roaring with applause. New York City Ballet’s Emma Von Enck and Miami City Ballet’s Cameron Catazaro showcased their virtuosic talents in George Balanchine’s Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux, a true crowd favorite! American Ballet Theatre’s Skylar Brandt and Cory Stearns cast a spell over our audience with their heartbreakingly beautiful performance of the white swan pas de deux from Swan Lake. Philadelphia Ballet’s Oksana Maslova and Zecheng Liang concluded our gala performance with enchanting excerpts from Act II of Giselle. Zecheng gave a jaw-dropping performance as Albrecht, and Oksana was the epitome of strength and grace as Giselle
We were also pleased to host a few BBT alumni dancers, who returned to BBT’s stage for this special occasion. Jason Williams showcased his athleticism and artistry in an original work by MOMIX’s directors Moses Pendleton and Cynthia Quinn. Bringing elegance and poise to the stage was Aurora Chinchilla, who performed Aurora’s wedding variation from The Sleeping Beauty. Aurora journeyed all the way from The Royal Ballet in London to join us for this special event celebrating the legacy of BBT and its dancers who, like Aurora, are making their mark on the ballet world! Alumna Melissa Weber returned to give a delightful performance in the jaunty “Flying Home,” excerpted from Dan Guin’s tribute to Ella Fitzgerald, which made its premiere in 1996. It was a pleasure to have Melissa bring this piece of BBT history to life at our gala!
BBT’s Dan Guin and Jane Tyree with our guest artists.
Boca Ballet Theatre’s own pre-professional dancers also shined throughout the performance, appearing as regal ladies and ladies in waiting in Romeo & Juliet, elegant white swans in Swan Lake, and haunting willis in Giselle with Tamar Dorval presiding over them as Myrta, Queen of the Willis.
However, the evening’s culmination came when guests gathered onstage, where BBT’s volunteers transformed the space into an elegant dining experience. While guests enjoyed delicious food and drinks with the stars of the performance, BBT’s Artistic Directors Dan Guin and Jane Tyree thanked our loyal patrons, who continue to support our mission to preserve and share this historic art form. Sterling Baca, one of our longstanding guest artists, also made a heartfelt speech about the work Boca Ballet Theatre does to bring dancers from around the globe together to share their artistry with our audiences. His speech reminded guests how this communion between artist and audience brings meaning to our lives.
Finally, Boca Ballet Theatre was thrilled to honor renowned dancer, choreographer, and artistic director Virginia Johnson with the Steven Caras Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Arts. Virginia’s storied career in dance includes serving as principal dancer and Artistic Director of the Dance Theatre of Harlem as well as the first Editor-in-Chief of Pointe Magazine. In her speech, Virginia spoke of a life dedicated to artistry of ballet and to breaking barriers to create a more inclusive dance world. We cannot think of someone more deserving of this year’s prestigious award!
We wish to thank the many underwriters, patrons, and volunteers who made this spectacular event a success. Without their tireless efforts and support, Boca Ballet Theatre would not be where it is today. We also thank the guest artists and alumni who journeyed far and wide to perform onstage with us! As Dan Guin said in his speech at dinner, we celebrate 35 years of dance and hope to continue our legacy 35 years into the future!
