Ballet Vero Beach recently celebrated its highly anticipated Ballet Under the Stars fundraiser, leaping gracefully into a stunning new venue this year at the Town Center at Windsor. The elegant evening combined breathtaking outdoor dance performances with fine dining and dancing under the night sky, all to support one of Indian River County’s most cherished local arts institutions.
Adam Schnell, Artistic Director and CEO of Ballet Vero Beach, expressed deep gratitude to the Windsor team for providing a welcoming, family-like atmosphere for the organization’s cornerstone event. The spectacular evening was made possible through the generous sponsorship of Lulich & Attorneys, alongside the dedicated efforts of the board of directors and local volunteers.
Attendees were treated to exquisite event dĂ©cor crafted by Stacey Lewis and Linda Downey, which included custom handmade tutu cookies for guests and wine donated specifically for the evening’s auction. The fundraising auction was further elevated by the generous contributions of original paintings from talented local artists, including Leonard Mizerek, Xaque Gruber, Tim Sanchez, and Barry Shapiro.
“Our dancers are absolutely spectacular. They have more talent than we have any right to expect here in Indian River County. I am so proud of them and everything that they’re about to show you this evening,” said Schnell, addressing the enthusiastic crowd.
The showcase featured two mesmerizing ballet pieces that highlighted the exceptional caliber of the company. The first performance, Tunic and Tutus, was choreographed by Ballet Vero Beach Ballet Master Camilo A. Rodriguez. Originally premiering in January 2020, the piece beautifully highlighted the grace of dancers Katherine Eppink, Ellie Hennequin, and Franco Cubero Acosta.
The second performance, Living Landscapes, demonstrated the success of the organization’s educational pipeline. The piece was choreographed by Aneliese Benson, a participant in the Ballet Vero Beach fellowship program. The ensemble performance featured Franco Cubero Acosta, Katherine Eppink, Amy Gilespie, Ellie Hennequin, Jade Princessa, and Darien Santos.
Beyond the glamour of the evening, Schnell took the opportunity to highlight the profound community impact Ballet Vero Beach has achieved since its founding in January 2013. The organization has successfully integrated dance and movement into all socioeconomic groups across Indian River County through several innovative partnerships:
- Stage to Page: A partnership with the Learning Alliance and the local school district that currently serves all first, third, and fifth-grade students.
- First Steps: An initiative partnered with Childcare Resources where professional dancers work on the floor twice a week with infants as young as six weeks old to promote physical, mental, and emotional development, ensuring local children are ready for kindergarten.
- Fellowship Initiative for Dancers: In partnership with Indian River State College, the ballet company pays for the dancers’ higher education while they perform as full company members, giving them both a degree and professional performance experience.
- Movement Therapy Pilots: Specialized dance classes for individuals with developmental differences through Believe and Achieve and Sunday Strong, as well as programs for seniors enrolled in the Senior Resource Association’s Day Away program.
Looking ahead to the future, Schnell made an exciting announcement regarding the organization’s next performance season. The entirety of the upcoming season will be dedicated to celebrating the golden jubilee of Ballet Master Camilo A. Rodriguez. Remarkably, at the age of 50, Rodriguez continues to perform gracefully on point.
“There would be no Ballet Vero Beach if it wasn’t for Camilo,” Schnell noted. “He’s given so much to this organization that we feel we should take the entirety of next season to celebrate him.”
Through events like Ballet Under the Stars, Ballet Vero Beach continues to prove that it is not only a hub for spectacular performing arts but also a vital, deeply ingrained force for educational and community development throughout the Treasure Coast.
