Jacobs pre-college ballet dances 25 years

The Jacobs School of Music Pre-College Ballet Program celebrated its 25th anniversary with a performance of Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake” this weekend.

The event, which took place Saturday in the Musical Arts Center, told the classic tale of princess-turned-swan.

Along with ballet students, the performance also featured collaboration from the IU String Academy, IU Pre-College Young Harpists, IU Young Pianists Program and Fairview Elementary Violin Project.

Michael Vernon, chair of the ballet department, said the annual performance is a great opportunity for students to showcase their hard work.

“We are delighted and grateful to have the instrumental program collaborate with us in the Musical Arts Center for this free annual extravaganza,” he said in a press release.

The pre-college programs generally cater to Jacobs professors’ children and children in the local school districts.

“So many of this community’s children grow up in the MAC, either on the stage, in the pit or behind the scenes, fostering a true dedication to the arts, respect and support for their and each other’s efforts, and moments they will forever remember,” Pre-College Ballet Director Doricha Sales said in a press release.

Aileen Zhang, a Bloomington High School South senior who has been in the program since she was three, performed the role of Black Swan in her final performance as a pre-college student.

Elisabeth Martin, who will graduate from Jacobs in May, appeared on the MAC stage for her last time on Saturday after 17 years with the program. Martin played the role of the Queen in “Swan Lake.”

“I couldn’t be more proud to have the privilege of watching all the students emerge not only as artists but, more importantly, as fine representatives of our young generation,” Sales said.

— Michelle Sokol