THE COMPANY
Meet Our Artists
The professional dancers of Montana Ballet Company — trained on national stages, performing here at home. Select a dancer to read their story.
Three Ballets. One Haunting Evening. The Raven, Dracula and Act II of Giselle.
🐦⬛ 🧛 🪦Un/Dead & Un/Forgiven
🗓️ October 30 & 31
📍The Ellen Theatre
🎟️ link in bio or www.montanaballet.org
#montanaballetcompany #theraven #dracula #giselle #halloween
Last week, acclaimed choreographer Sasha Janes joined MBC to begin creating the world premiere of The Raven, and we’re giving you a sneak peek at what’s taking shape.
Inspired by Edgar Allan Poe’s haunting poem, Janes’ new work explores grief, memory, obsession, and what happens when our inability to let go begins to distort reality.
“I am thrilled to explore these themes through movement and glorious music,” says Janes.
An Australian-born choreographer known for his musicality, theatricality, and narrative storytelling, Janes is currently Professor of Music in Ballet at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music and Artistic Director of Chautauqua Dance.
The Raven opens Un/Dead & Un/Forgiven, an evening that travels deeper into the shadows with Dracula and Act II of Giselle.
🖤 October 30 & 31 at 7:30 p.m.
📍 The Ellen Theatre
Three works. One deliciously dark evening.
#montanaballetcompany #theraven #guestchoreographer # inthestudio #undead&unforgiven
🎟️ Link in bio or www.theellentheatre.com for tickets
The cast is announced, and the magic is beginning! ✨
Thank you to every dancer who auditioned for MBC’s 43rd Annual Nutcracker last weekend. We loved seeing your energy, courage, and joy in the studio. Congratulations to our new cast: we can’t wait to get to work!
This season brings four Bozeman performances with the Bozeman Symphony, a Great Falls performance with the Great Falls Symphony, and a second Big Sky performance.
That’s seven opportunities to catch the Gallatin Valley’s original Nutcracker - a beloved holiday tradition for more than 40 years.
We’ll see you in December!
#montanaballetcompany #nutcracker #43rdannual #bozemanmontana #bozemanoriginal
The drama. The suspense. The highly competitive pursuit of the perfect plié.
Who will dance which role?
Who will bring the Nutcracker magic?
And who will be accused of dancing off the music?
Nutcracker Auditions are TOMORROW!
🎄 MBC’s 43rd Annual Nutcracker auditions
📅 September 12
🩰 Open to community dancers of all experience levels, ages 6+
11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m. | Ages 6–7
12:30–1:30 p.m. | Ages 8–9
1:45–2:45 p.m. | Ages 10–11
3–4 p.m. | Ages 12+
No confessionals required, but pre-registration is.
Link in bio or tinyurl.com/mbcauditions2026 to register! #montanaballetcompany #nutcracker #auditions #bozemanoriginal #43rdannual
At MBC, dance is for everyone. 💙
Students of all abilities are welcome throughout our Academy, and our Adaptive Dance Program offers an especially supportive, individualized class for dancers who benefit from a more specialized approach.
Designed with students with Down syndrome in mind, the class is led by an instructor trained through Boston Ballet’s Adaptive Dance Teacher Training Program and shaped with input from physical therapists. Movement and activities are tailored to help each dancer build coordination, confidence, creativity, and a joyful connection to music, all at their own pace.
Spring semester starts tomorrow! All are welcome to join us.
🗓 Tuesdays
⏰ 4:15–5 p.m.
📍 Montana Ballet Company
For more information, call 582-8702 or visit www.montanaballet.org. Link in bio!
Come move, learn, and experience the joy of dance with us.
📸 Sean McFarland and MBC
#MontanaBalletCompany #AdaptiveDance #danceisforeveryone #comedancewithus #bozemanmontana
See the Company on stage this season.
Behind the curtain
Meet Our Company Team
Governance & Stewardship
Meet Our Board of Directors
What Guides Us
Our Core Values
Culture of Belonging
We create a welcoming, safe space where everyone — dancers, families, and patrons — feels supported, valued, and free to fully engage in the art of dance.
Whole-Person Care
We nurture the mental, physical, and emotional well-being of our dancers, empowering them to grow with confidence, find their voices, and advocate for themselves.
Excellence with Compassion
We are committed to high-quality training and performances, meeting dancers where they are and inspiring growth with care, balance, and respect.
Relevance & Evolution
We embrace change, stay responsive to the world around us, and strive to keep our work fresh, reflective, and meaningful while remaining grounded in the history and traditions of dance.
Integrity & Stewardship
We operate with honesty and accountability, ensuring thoughtful use of resources to build a sustainable, evolving organization that will thrive for generations.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
Discover Our Story
More than forty years of dance in Montana.
For more than 40 years, Montana Ballet Company has inspired, connected, and enriched our community through dance. As a nonprofit arts organization serving Bozeman and the Greater Gallatin Valley, our performances captivate audiences of all ages, and our education and outreach programs bring the transformative power of dance to everyone.
Our Legacy
Founded in 1984 by Ann Bates, Montana Ballet Company was built on the belief that a professional-caliber ballet company could thrive in Montana. Under the leadership of Elizabeth DeFanti, MBC expanded its impact through a strengthened Academy, distinguished artistic partnerships, and expanded community programs. In 2025, Artistic Director Melissa Bowman began a new chapter of growth, expanding the professional Company while advancing the mission of both the Company and Academy.
Our Values
Excellence, inclusivity, and community are at the heart of everything we do. Through our Academy, performances, and outreach programs — including Discover Dance, Adaptive Dance, and Share the Dance — we create opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to experience the joy of movement and artistic expression.