Bluegrass Youth Ballet performances are educational, and they generally incorporate other art disciplines. Students learn to work as a part of one body and discover their greatest potential as individual performers and artists. Dancers, ages five and up, are eligible to perform, but it is not required. Rehearsals take place outside of the student’s regular classes to maintain the integrity and quality of their dance education. Dance is a performing art, and BYB feels that it is important for students to feel comfortable on the stage. In addition to three large performances per year, Bluegrass Youth Ballet students perform in several community events, giving students community service opportunities, and promoting a feeling of “giving back” to the community among students.
BYB makes dance accessible to the community at large with affordable ticket prices. Entire families can attend our performances!


Dia de los Muertos
November 2 – 4, 2023
The Lexington Opera House
Follow Estelita’s family in a small village in Mexico as they prepare to celebrate el Dia de los Muertos. A sudden death forces the family to experience how precious life is and celebrate every moment of it. This ballet explores the Mexican holiday in a touching and intimate way. Bilingual slideshow explaining this cultural holiday is shown at the beginning. Ballet duration: 1 hour 10 minutes

The Nutcracker in One Act
December 14 – 16, 2023
Singletary Center for the Arts
Presented in a single, family-friendly act, BYB’s version of The Nutcracker was created with younger audiences in mind, condensing the enchantment to one hour to keep the attention of younger children. Follow the adventures of Clara, a young girl that receives a beautiful Nutcracker on Christmas Eve. Delighted with the gift, Clara falls asleep holding her new toy until she’s suddenly awakened as a mouse steals her Nutcracker. Suddenly, her living room is magically transformed into a battlefield where the Nutcracker fights off the Rat Queen. The Snow Queen arrives and sweeps Clara and the Nutcracker through the Land of Snow to the Land of Sweets, where colorful visitors entertain them with dances from around the world. Clara’s mother finds her asleep on the couch where Clara has dreamt the fabulous story of The Nutcracker.

20th Anniversary Gala
April 25 – April 27, 2024
The Lexington Opera House