Artistic Director Donna L. Muzio founded Brandywine Ballet in 1979 as a meeting place for dancers and audiences with a shared appreciation of contemporary and classical ballet. Bringing together students, pre-professional, professional, and special guest dancers from diverse artistic backgrounds and experiences, Brandywine Ballet has established itself as a formidable platform for dance training and performance in the Greater Philadelphia region.
Our Mission
To provide exceptional, professional training and performance opportunities for dancers, and to attract and entertain audiences as the region's premier ballet organization
The Brandywine Ballet Organization
Photo: Jeremy Hess Photography
Brandywine Ballet is Chester County’s premier, regional, 501(c)(3) non-profit ballet organization. Brandywine Ballet operates on a series-based season, presenting fall, winter, and spring productions supplemented by various summer and festival engagements. A traditional season includes productions of full-length ballets such as The Nutcracker and Dracula, as well as works from current company repertoire. During the summer months, both the Theatre and Company undertake various community engagements at such outdoor venues as Longwood Gardens’ Open Air Theatre and Media’s Rose Tree Park. Additional special engagements have included performances at the Painted Bride Art Center in Philadelphia and collaborations with the Kennett Square Symphony and the West Chester University Symphony Orchestra. The Brandywine Ballet rehearsal studios are located in a modern rehearsal complex near its home performance venue at the historic Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall, on the campus of West Chester University.
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The company has received support from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, various foundations, the local business community, and private donors. The company is committed to affordable arts education & outreach, providing significantly discounted tickets to more than 1,500 students from as many as 20 different area schools each year, as well as several senior communities and underserved population groups. Brandywine Ballet has participated in programs that provide free or significantly discounted tickets to several additional groups, including Arts Reach, VetTix, & Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania among others. Brandywine Ballet also provides lecture demonstrations to educate the community about the art of ballet. 2015-16 Lecture Demonstrations included the Chester County Family Academy, West Chester Area Senior Center, West Chester Rotary Club, West Chester Lions Club, and the Chester Springs Library.
Brandywine Ballet is something of a pas de trois. The Brandywine Ballet Theatre is the professional/pre-professional arm of the organization, and the troupe responsible for performances of licensed works by George Balanchine, and most leading roles throughout Brandywine Ballet’s repertoire. The Brandywine Ballet Company is the student branch, twirling proof of the organization's rigorous and effective program. And then there's Brandywine Contemporary, a daring outfit that specializes in new and emerging styles. The Dance Center is the official school of Brandywine Ballet, and students from The Dance Center are invited to participate in large Brandywine Ballet productions like The Nutcracker, adding to their educational experience.