BY SUZY STUMP for WEEKLY VOLCANO 3/27/26 |
This week we checked in on the state of ballet in Tacoma to reveal one of Tacoma’s most cherished art forms.
Weekly Volcano: What is your name and title?
EC: Miss Erin Ceragioli, Executive and Artistic Director at Tacoma City Ballet.
WV: In your opinion, why is it that ballet is still relevant in 2026?
EC: Ballet is a classical art form that began in the fifteenth century during the Italian Renaissance. It evolved into a highly structured technical style of dance that has become a universal language for centuries. Anyone in the world who studies this classical art form can “speak” ballet to anyone else from another country or continent. Ballet is a living, breathing art form that has continued to expand throughout the centuries and has been built on a solid foundation of highly structured technique that has become the basis for many other forms of dance. Ballet is relevant because it is a global art form that millions continue to study.
WV: Recently a major celebrity made a gaffe, saying ballet and opera are dying arts existing on life support. Why was he wrong about that?
EC: I think our major celebrity made a minor celebrity out of himself and discovered how wrong he was about ballet and opera. The response that he received to his proclamation overwhelmingly pointed out that ballet and opera are alive and well. Let’s think about this. Hollywood has existed for how long? I believe Hollywood was transformed into the center of the American film industry in 1910. The Oscars were 98 years old this year. Tacoma City Ballet was 70. I wonder if the Oscars will still be here in 537 years. The ballet will be. The classical arts, like ballet and opera, have existed for centuries and continue to grow. There are more young people who actually study the arts of classical ballet and opera all over the world than there are studying to be movie stars.
WV: How many children are enrolled in ballet classes every year?
EC: An estimated 300,000 students are trained annually at ballet schools operating globally.
WV: How do these classes impact the lives of these students?
EC: Ballet offers students some very important qualities that last a lifetime, whether they become full-fledged professional ballet dancers or not. These include intelligence, fortitude, strength of mind and body, grace, self-confidence, discipline, responsibility, cooperative teamwork, and a deep abiding love for all that is beautiful.
WV: For people who don’t know what to expect in terms of cost and time commitment, what would you like them to know about classes for kids and adults?
EC: The cost of ballet classes and the time commitment depend on the number of classes taken for both younger students and adults. Tacoma City Ballet offers the Jan Collum Memorial Scholarship Program for students and a free adult ballet class to the community. The Jan Collum Memorial Scholarship Fund has bestowed $1.6 million on the community.
WV: Do people need to be in good shape and have a certain degree of flexibility to keep up in the beginner classes?
EC: I assume this question pertains to the adult population. We have adults taking classes who are in their seventies and beyond. The classes are tailored for the abilities of the students present.
WV: Who is your ideal customer?
EC: Our ideal customer is anyone from 4 to 104. Tacoma City Ballet School offers classes for all.
WV: Can you relay any inspirational stories about past students?
EC: After 40 years, I have many stories, but here is one of my favorites. Years ago, a student who was hearing impaired and had been studying at the Y was enrolled. Her mother was very worried about how Tay might fare, but I assured her that the old wooden floors of the Merlino Art Center transmitted the vibrations of the live piano music that the children could feel under their feet. Nutcracker auditions came around, and Tay’s mother told me she was going to bring her to the audition but did not want her to be chosen. She felt the Pantages Theater would be too much for Tay to handle. Tay did such a great job that I cast her as a Bon Bon (Polichinelle) anyway and assured her mother all would be well.
On the night of dress rehearsal, the Tacoma City Ballet Orchestra was booming away in the orchestra pit, which extends halfway under the stage. Tay, along with all the other Bon Bons, had a great rehearsal. I was standing on the stage when Tay’s mother appeared crying. I asked her what was wrong and said that rehearsal was perfect and Tay did a great job. She said, “Miss Erin, you don’t understand. Tay came into the Green Room after rehearsal, jumped onto my lap, and said, ‘Momma, I think I can hear now.’” She felt the orchestra under her feet. Tay just sent me an invitation to her wedding next October.
Sneaking in a second anecdote, I am very proud that at present, Tacoma City Ballet School has 46 female M.D.s.
WV: What are some things about these classes that would surprise most people?
EC: The ballet class is very calming because it is accompanied by live piano music, and the repetitive exercises promote stability and core strength in the body.
WV: How do people sign up?
EC: Tacoma City Ballet School offers enrollment for young dancers every September extending to June, and in July for Summer Intensive. Adult classes are offered on a drop-in basis throughout the year.
Tacoma Opera presents Orfeo ed Euridice featuring Tacoma City Ballet at the Pantages Theater (901 Broadway, Tacoma, WA 98402) on April 17, 2026, at 7 p.m. and April 18, 2026, at 2 p.m., with tickets ranging from $25 to $145 available at tacomaopera.org.
Read more about Orfeo ed Euridice and Tacoma Opera in the Music Section on pages 12 and 13 of this newspaper.
