Dear Diablo Ballet Family,
As you already know, our Coppélia performances and anticipated 26th Anniversary Gala this weekend were cancelled. I personally look forward every year to see and celebrate with each and every one of you and not being able to do so has me feeling heavy-hearted.
Our dancers, students, costumers and musicians have worked tirelessly for the performances planned for this weekend. Performing for you is what they live and breathe for and it is a disappointment for them and audiences alike.
Good news: Coppélia will return next season! Until then, please enjoy this video of our studio rehearsal on Monday, March 16th and a message to you from the dancers! (Missing Dancer, Donghoon Lee)
Opening the Diablo Ballet School had been a long-time dream of mine, and just as we gathered momentum, inviting our students to perform in Coppélia, we’ve had to close the school and cancel all classes. At Diablo Ballet and Diablo Ballet School, we are committed to the health and safety of our dancers, teachers, staff, volunteers, and you, our incredible supporters. We take the current COVID-19 crisis very seriously and your safety and wellness is our first priority, despite the cost to the Company. I know during this time I can count on you, my loyal supporters. Diablo Ballet has been my life’s purpose for the past 27 years, and it is still what I hold closest to my heart. Bringing dance to people’s lives in every capacity, from performing, to teaching, to educating others, to empowering young people in need through movement is what I work tirelessly for every day morning until night.
While we realize this pandemic is affecting the entire economy and everyone personally, we ask if you have any funds available to be directed to your favorite professional ballet company and school, Diablo Ballet. With the health and safety of our community of utmost importance, we are left with a substantial loss from cancelled performances and our largest fundraiser of the year. It was our goal to raise $50,000 at the Gala.
Here are some ways you can help:
Donate your tickets for Coppélia by emailing or calling the Lesher Center for the Arts Ticket Office at (925) 943-7469 or emailing LCATickets@LesherARTScenter.org
Bid on an item in our Online Auction Auction closes March 31st.
Make a gift to:
– PEEK in John Muir Hospital working with adolescents ages 13-18 who have severe mental health issues, Juvenile Hall working with teenage girls, and our 6 title one schools throughout the East Bay.
– Our new Diablo Ballet School and trainee program, which includes the new “Nutcracker Suite” that will be launched in November with a full orchestra and some of our students.
All of these wonderful new and ongoing programs are made possible with support of donors like you. Your gift can be earmarked for one of these in support of Diablo Ballet if you choose. You can donate over the phone with me, or click here to donate online or mail a check to:
Diablo Ballet
P.O. Box 4700
Walnut Creek, CA. 94596
As the Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Diablo Ballet and Diablo Ballet School, I am letting you know how much your support is needed, felt and appreciated. Please consider how your gift will help us get through this difficult circumstance. We will look back on this as a time we came together and I am confident we will come out stronger than ever before.
We bring heart and passion for dance to you, our family and we need you now more than ever. I ask you to give a gift at whatever capacity you can.
Thank you for supporting Diablo Ballet and I look forward to seeing you at the next performance!
With gratitude,
Lauren Jonas