Bangor Ballet was founded in 1994 as Bangor Youth Ballet with a premiere performance of Cinderella featuring original choreography by Ivy Forrest. Since then the company has presented a major production in the spring of each year and a social evening featuring Bangor ballet dancers in January. The spring productions have featured both traditional and original choreography by artistic director Ivy Forrest and guest choreographers. Performances have included Swan Lake, Alice in Wonderland, Les Sylphides, Hansel and Gretel, Nutcracker, Little Mermaid, An American in Paris, Carnival of the Animals, Cinderella, Peter and the Wolf, Midsummer Night’s Dream and a variety of shorter ballets.

In April 2008, after a year of fundraising efforts by dancers and board members, Bangor Ballet made its international debut. Collaborating with Danse D'Expressions of Vendome, France the company presented its full length original ballet,“The Little Mermaid” with choreography by local choreographer Heinrick Snyder.

Artistic Director Ivy Clear-Forrest began her professional career dancing for George Balanchine with the New York City Ballet at the age of 15. She became a soloist for the Joffrey Ballet at 16 and a principal dancer at 17, the year she graduated from the Professional Children’s School in NYC.

She has danced with or along side of many of the foremost dancers of the 20^th century, including Rudolf Nureyev, Gelsey Kirkland, Erik Bruhn, Suzanne Farrell, Melissa Hayden, Edward Villella and Maria Tallchief.  She has also worked with some of the century’s most famous choreographers, including Glen Tetley and Louis Johnson as well as Balanchine and Joffrey.

 Ms. Forrest has been director of the ballet department at Thomas School of Dance since 1991 and is the founding Artistic Director of Bangor Ballet.

Co-Founder and Executive Director: Jane Bragg

Board of Directors

Liz Rettenmaier, President
Samantha Lott Hale, Vice President
Christine Mihan, Treasurer
Colette Sabbagh, Secretary

Judy Boothby
Gail Malone
Michelle McCann
Michelle Syphers