The Sarasota Ballet
The Sarasota Ballet is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit performing arts organization founded in 1987 in Sarasota, Florida, operating a professional ballet company with the world's most extensive active Sir Frederick Ashton repertoire, an integrated school and conservatory, and community engagement programs serving approximately 30,000 audience members annually.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1987
- HeadquartersSarasota, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Sarasota Ballet does
The Sarasota Ballet is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit performing arts organization founded in 1987 and headquartered in Sarasota, Florida. It operates a professional resident ballet company presenting a 7-program main stage season across multiple venues—FSU Center for the Performing Arts, Sarasota Opera House, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, and the Venice Performing Arts Center. Under Director Iain Webb (appointed 2007) and Assistant Director Margaret Barbieri (2012), the company maintains the world's most extensive active Sir Frederick Ashton repertoire, with 190 ballets and divertissements, 63 world premieres, and 12 American Company premieres introduced under current leadership. The organization is led operationally by Executive Director Joseph Volpe (former Metropolitan Opera General Manager, appointed 2016) and stewards a Charity Navigator four-star / Candid Platinum Transparency record.
The business model blends earned revenue and philanthropic support across nine streams: ticket sales, season subscriptions (Full Season from $252, Four Ballet from $120), group sales (up to 20% off for 10+), education tuition (Sarasota Ballet School, Margaret Barbieri Conservatory, adult classes, summer programs), production rentals/licensing (Giselle, La Sylphide, The Secret Garden), individual giving (including a Legacy Society), corporate sponsorship, and grant-funded community programs (Dance – The Next Generation, Joyful Movement Through Parkinson's, Silver Swans). Distribution extends beyond Florida through international touring (London Royal Opera House debut June 2024) and a scheduled Joyce Theater engagement in New York (September–October 2026). The organization serves roughly 30,000 audience members annually and a community engagement cohort of 1,500–2,000, with education pipelines that feed professional ballet companies nationally.
The Sarasota Ballet firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Sarasota Ballet
- Legal name
- The Sarasota Ballet
- Website
- https://sarasotaballet.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1987
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- The Sarasota Ballet is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit performing arts organization founded in 1987 in Sarasota, Florida, operating a professional ballet company with the world's most extensive active Sir Frederick Ashton repertoire, an integrated school and conservatory, and community engagement programs serving approximately 30,000 audience members annually.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Sarasota Ballet industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Performing Arts / Professional Ballet Company
- NAICS
- Dance Companies (711120), Fine Arts Schools (61161)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Classical Ballet (Full-Length & Repertoire) (MPAGADAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Dance Education (Ballet, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Cultural Dance) (EDAMAAAH), Dance Festivals & Dance Series (MPAGADAJ)
Keywords
Where The Sarasota Ballet is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Sarasota
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices5 records
Markets served
The Sarasota Ballet business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Ticket Sales: Revenue generated from single ticket purchases for main stage performances, special events, and dance extra performances at multiple venues including FSU Center for Performing Arts, Sarasota Opera House, and Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.
- Season Subscriptions: Full Season Subscriptions (7 programs) starting from $252 and Four Ballet Subscriptions starting from $120, providing discounted ticket bundles with priority seating and exclusive benefits.
- Group Sales: Discounted group ticket sales for parties of 10 or more, offering up to 20% discount based on group size, with options for reserved blocks or custom codes.
- Education Tuition: Revenue from The Sarasota Ballet School (ages 3+), The Margaret Barbieri Conservatory (pre-professional training), summer programs (intensive, junior intensive, camps), and adult ballet classes.
- Adult Class Fees: Single adult ballet classes at $18 regular or $12 for basic/pointe, with class cards ($120 for 8, $210 for 16) and unlimited monthly options ($250).
- Individual Giving & Donations: Tax-deductible charitable contributions from individuals supporting company repertoire, education programs, community engagement, and tours. Includes Legacy Society planned giving.
- Corporate Support: Sponsorship and partnership funding from businesses supporting specific programs, performances, tours, and operations.
- Community Engagement Programs: Dance – The Next Generation provides tuition-free education for underserved students (eligible for free/reduced lunch). Joyful Movement Through Parkinson's is tuition-free. These programs are supported by grants and donations rather than user fees.
- Production Rentals: Rental of ballet productions to other companies, including full-length ballets (Giselle, La Sylphide, The Secret Garden) and one-act works by renowned choreographers.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Full Season Subscription - All 7 main stage programs |
| Subscription | Annual | Four Ballet Subscription - Select 4 programs |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Adult Ballet Classes - Single Regular Class |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Adult Ballet Classes - Basic/Pointe |
| Subscription | Monthly | Class Cards |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Conservatory Audition Fee |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels9 records
Marketing channels7 records
The Sarasota Ballet product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Sarasota Ballet is a nonprofit professional ballet company that produces and performs seven main stage programs annually across Sarasota-area venues (FSU Center for the Performing Arts, Sarasota Opera House, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall) and on tour, including The Nutcracker and a Joyce Theater engagement. It also operates ballet training (School ages 3+, Margaret Barbieri Conservatory pre-professional, Summer Programs) and community engagement programs (Dance - The Next Generation for underserved youth, Joyful Movement Through Parkinson's, Silver Swans for adults 55+), with revenue from tickets, subscriptions, tuition, donations, corporate sponsorships, and production rentals.
Product overview
The Sarasota Ballet operates as a performing arts organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of ballet-related products and services. The core offering is the professional ballet company presenting main stage performances featuring 190+ ballets from renowned choreographers. Education programs include the Sarasota Ballet School (ages 3+), Margaret Barbieri Conservatory (pre-professional training), and Summer Programs. Community engagement encompasses Dance - The Next Generation (underserved youth), Adaptive Dance Programs (Parkinson's and seniors), and Adult Ballet Classes. The organization also produces The Nutcracker annually and maintains a Studio Company for emerging dancers. Subscriptions, group sales, and tickets provide access to performances across multiple venues including FSU Center for the Performing Arts, Sarasota Opera House, and Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- The Sarasota Ballet School: Ballet training program for students ages 3 and up, teaching American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum
- The Margaret Barbieri Conservatory
- The Sarasota Ballet Studio Company
- Dance - The Next Generation (DNG)
- Joyful Movement Through Parkinson's
- Silver Swans
Products and services
- The Sarasota Ballet Main Company Performances Seven main stage programs per season featuring classical and contemporary ballet with works by Sir Frederick Ashton, George Balanchine, Christopher Wheeldon, and other choreographers, presented at FSU Center for the Performing Arts, Sarasota Opera House, and Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.
- The Sarasota Ballet School Recreational-to-pre-collegiate ballet training program for students ages 3 and up following the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum, with Primary Levels (ages 3-7) and Levels 1-4 (ages 8+).
- Margaret Barbieri Conservatory Pre-professional ballet training program for talented dancers ages 12 and up with afternoon and trainee programs, competition preparation (YAGP, ADC/IBC, UBC), and exchange opportunities at Canada's National Ballet School and the Royal Danish Ballet School. Recognized as a YAGP Outstanding School in 2025.
- The Sarasota Ballet Studio Company Bridge program providing performance opportunities and preparation for young dancers moving toward the main Company, with members rotating into main Company class.
- Dance - The Next Generation (DNG) Tuition-free community dance education, academic support, and 10-year comprehensive mentorship program for underserved students in grades 3-12 eligible for free or reduced lunch across Sarasota and Manatee Counties; serves 150 students annually since 1991.
- Joyful Movement Through Parkinson's Tuition-free weekly dance class program for individuals with Parkinson's disease, taught using the Mark Morris Dance Group's Dance for PD method in partnership with Neuro Challenge Foundation.
- Silver Swans Adaptive dance and movement program for adults ages 55 and older, presented in retirement communities across Sarasota and Manatee counties under license from the Royal Academy of Dance.
- Adult Ballet Program Continuing ballet education for adults ages 16+, offering weekly classes and workshops from Basic Ballet through Level 3 and Pointe, with drop-in classes ($12-$18), class cards ($120 for 8, $210 for 16), and a $250 unlimited monthly option.
- The Nutcracker Annual full-length Nutcracker production performed in Sarasota and Venice with live music from The Venice Symphony, featuring the Studio Company and over 100 students from education programs.
- Joyce Theater Tour (New York) Six-performance tour engagement at The Joyce Theater in New York from September 29 - October 4, 2026, featuring works honoring British choreographers Sir Frederick Ashton, Antony Tudor, and Sir Peter Wright. Underwritten by the Philip & Jancie Levin Foundation and William A. Farber.
- Royal Opera House London Tour The company's first international tour in June 2024, performing at the Royal Opera House in London (Linbury Theatre and Main Stage) as part of the Ashton Worldwide Festival / Ashton Celebrated program.
- Production Rentals Licensing of full-length ballets (including Giselle, La Sylphide, The Secret Garden) and one-act works by renowned choreographers to other ballet companies for performance.
Quantifiable outcome
- 30,000 annual audience members attend performances
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use The Sarasota Ballet
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments8 records
Ideal customer profiles8 records
The Sarasota Ballet technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Sarasota Ballet partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- The Joyce TheatercoreThe Joyce Theater in New York City presents The Sarasota Ballet from September 29 - October 4, 2026. The company will perform a program honoring British choreographers Sir Frederick Ashton, Antony Tudor, and Sir Peter Wright.
- The Royal BalletflagshipIn June 2024, The Sarasota Ballet performed at the Royal Opera House in London as part of the Ashton Celebrated program. The company appeared alongside The Royal Ballet on the Main Stage and performed in the Linbury Theatre, with Director Iain Webb and Assistant Director Margaret Barbieri both being former Royal Ballet dancers. This marked The Sarasota Ballet's first international tour and established a significant artistic relationship.
- Royal Opera House (Linbury Theatre)flagshipHost venue for The Sarasota Ballet's London debut performances in June 2024, featuring programs of Sir Frederick Ashton works as part of the Ashton Worldwide Festival.
- American Ballet TheatrecoreThe Sarasota Ballet School teaches the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum, a breakthrough 9-level program combining high quality artistic training with dancer health and child development.
- Canada's National Ballet SchoolminorExchange program partnership allowing Margaret Barbieri Conservatory students to experience training at Canada's National Ballet School.
- Royal Danish Ballet SchoolminorExchange program partnership allowing Margaret Barbieri Conservatory students to experience training at the Royal Danish Ballet School.
- Royal Academy of DancecoreThe Sarasota Ballet presents Silver Swans, the Royal Academy of Dance's special dance and movement program for adults ages 55+, in retirement communities across Sarasota and Manatee counties.
- Neuro Challenge FoundationcorePartnership to provide Joyful Movement Through Parkinson's, a tuition-free program of weekly dance classes for individuals with Parkinson's disease, taught using the Mark Morris Dance Group's Dance for PD method.
- Mark Morris Dance GroupcoreThe Sarasota Ballet uses the Dance for PD method, developed by the Mark Morris Dance Group, for teaching Joyful Movement Through Parkinson's classes.
- Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP)coreAs a YAGP Partner School, the Margaret Barbieri Conservatory helps prepare students for Youth America Grand Prix as well as ADC/IBC and UBC competitions.
- All Faiths Food BankminorProvides healthy snacks for Dance - The Next Generation students during after-school program sessions.
- Take Stock in Children SarasotaminorProvides in-school mentoring for DNG middle school students as part of the program's college and career planning component.
- PLANit SarasotaminorProvides on-site mentoring for DNG high school students as part of the program's college and career planning component.
- Education Foundation of SarasotaminorPartners with DNG for high school student mentorship and college/career planning.
- Key ChoraleminorAnnual collaborative performance at Sarasota Opera House with live music, featuring Studio Company and Conservatory dancers.
- Sarasota Youth OperaminorLive music accompaniment for Images of Dance end-of-year performance.
- Sarasota Music ConservatoryminorProvides live music for Images of Dance end-of-year performance.
- Marie Selby GardensminorHosts New Year's Eve celebration and annual performance featuring Conservatory dancers.
- The Venice SymphonycoreProvides live music accompaniment for The Nutcracker performances in Venice (5 performances annually).
- Sarasota OrchestracoreProvides live music accompaniment for select performances at Sarasota Opera House, including Program Two of the 2026-2027 Season.
Scale indicators13 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Sarasota Ballet competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Miami City Ballet: Florida-based professional ballet company operating a similar regional model with main stage productions, education programs, and community engagement. Most directly comparable on geography, scale, and mission.
- Atlanta Ballet: Southeast U.S. ballet company with comparable main stage season, school, conservatory-style training, and community programs. Direct competitor for touring slots, donor attention, and dancer recruitment in the Southeast.
- Houston Ballet: Major U.S. ballet company with a large repertoire, academy, and touring program. Operates a comparable vertically integrated model of company, school, and community engagement at a larger scale.
- Pacific Northwest Ballet: Seattle-based ballet company with a strong classical/neoclassical repertoire, school, and significant touring history. Comparable on artistic ambition, school integration, and national touring profile.
- Pennsylvania Ballet (Philadelphia Ballet): Regional professional ballet company with academy, main stage season, and outreach. Comparable scale and structure; also referenced as a placement destination for Sarasota Ballet graduates.
- Nashville Ballet: Mid-sized regional ballet company operating a comparable model of professional company, school, and community engagement in a non-coastal U.S. market.
- Ballet West: Utah-based ballet company with a classical repertoire, academy, and touring history. Comparable in scale and repertoire depth to Sarasota Ballet.
Regional players
- Orlando Ballet: Florida-based ballet company with school, main stage productions, and community programs. Competes with Sarasota for Florida audiences, donors, and dancers within the same state.
Broad incumbents
- National Ballet of Canada: Large national ballet company with an academy that has an active exchange program with Sarasota Ballet's Margaret Barbieri Conservatory. Functions as both an artistic reference point and a feeder pipeline for Sarasota trainees.
- The Royal Ballet: London-based flagship ballet company where Director Iain Webb and Assistant Director Margaret Barbieri were former dancers; co-presented Sarasota's 2024 London debut. Functions as a strategic artistic partner and benchmark rather than a direct competitor.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Sarasota Ballet social profiles
Digital presenceThe Sarasota Ballet financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Sarasota Ballet leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles19 records
The Sarasota Ballet funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Sarasota Ballet M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Sarasota Ballet
What does The Sarasota Ballet do?
The Sarasota Ballet is a nonprofit professional ballet company that produces and performs seven main stage programs annually across Sarasota-area venues (FSU Center for the Performing Arts, Sarasota Opera House, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall) and on tour, including The Nutcracker and a Joyce Theater engagement. It also operates ballet training (School ages 3+, Margaret Barbieri Conservatory pre-professional, Summer Programs) and community engagement programs (Dance - The Next Generation for underserved youth, Joyful Movement Through Parkinson's, Silver Swans for adults 55+), with revenue from tickets, subscriptions, tuition, donations, corporate sponsorships, and production rentals.
Is The Sarasota Ballet a public or private company?
The Sarasota Ballet is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Sarasota Ballet founded?
The Sarasota Ballet was founded in 1987. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is The Sarasota Ballet based?
The Sarasota Ballet is headquartered in Sarasota, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Sarasota Ballet make money?
Nine revenue lines are on record. Ticket Sales are the primary driver. The others are season Subscriptions, group Sales, education Tuition, adult Class Fees, individual Giving & Donations, corporate Support, community Engagement Programs and production Rentals.
Who are The Sarasota Ballet's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Miami City Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, Houston Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet (Philadelphia Ballet), Nashville Ballet and Ballet West. Orlando Ballet is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are National Ballet of Canada and The Royal Ballet.
Does The Sarasota Ballet have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Sarasota Ballet.
What industry is The Sarasota Ballet in?
The Sarasota Ballet's product category is Performing Arts / Professional Ballet Company. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAGADAA, Classical Ballet (Full-Length & Repertoire), with a secondary code of EDAMAAAH, Dance Education (Ballet, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Cultural Dance). Its NAICS code is 711120 and its SIC code is 7900.