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Our History

Established in 1982 by Jerre James and Bette Joachimi to promote and perpetuate the art of dance, BAE remains the oldest, largest youth ballet company in Kalamazoo. With the retirement of Jerre James in 2001, Ballet Mistress Cathleen Huling became BAE’s Artistic Director. In the fall
of 2014, the increasing responsibilities involved with productions necessitated hiring a Ballet Mistress to assist Ms. Huling with rehearsals and other details. Erin Rafferty, a former BAE member, was selected for and served in this position through June 2021 when she resigned. Lauren Wertz, also a former BAE member, was then appointed Artistic Assistant. At the end of the 2023 season, Artistic Director Cathleen Huling retired, and the responsibilities of Interim Artistic Director were assumed by Betty Kondo, who was subsequently appointed Artistic Director in 2024.

Chosen in open auditions each May, a group of 14-20 dancers of middle through high school age is selected for membership in this exceptional dance group.  Ensemble members must take two classical ballet classes a week in addition to the weekly 4-hour Ensemble class and rehearsal block.  They also benefit from outstanding instruction by a variety of guest artists and visiting teachers from such organizations as American Ballet Theatre, American Repertory Ballet, Ballet Quad Cities, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, Boston Ballet, DanceWorks Chicago, Education for the Arts, Grand Rapids Ballet, Hubbard Street 2, Royal Ballet (London), Rutgers University, Tokyo Ballet, Wellspring/Cori Terry & Dancers, and Western Michigan University.  Frequently, guest choreographers set new works for mixed repertory concerts on BAE members. 
 
Each year our Artistic Director and Board of Directors create a family-oriented concert season that includes full-length ballets; mixed repertoire works; and collaborative events with area dancers, musicians, singers, and celebrities in various Southwest Michigan venues. Community outreach is an important component of our mission, and BAE performs at schools, hospitals, and senior
residences whenever invited. 
 
Enrichment activities are an important part of our history.  In 2002, the BAE board established the W. Dale and Geraldine Crooks Scholarship to provide assistance for those serious dancers who wish to pursue summer studies outside Ballet Arts School of Dance.  The scholarship supports programs in dance-related fields that enrich and further the recipient’s dance education.  
 
In the past 13 years, 116 girls have received awards totaling $32,146 for summer intensives and attended programs at American Ballet Theatre Michigan, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, Cecchetti Council of America International, Children’s Ballet Theatre, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Grand Rapids Ballet, Indiana University Ballet, Joffrey Ballet Dance Lab, Minnesota Ballet, Point Park University International, Syracuse University, Texas Christian University, and Turning Pointe School of Dance.

BAE also funds annual field trips that enable Ensemble members to attend professional dance productions in and out of Michigan, including performances by American Ballet Theatre, Ballet Quad Cities, Dayton Ballet, Grand Rapids Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Miami City Ballet, MOMIX, and Western Michigan University Department of Dance.

Artistic Director Emerita

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Cathleen Huling

Cathleen holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Marietta College (Ohio).  She grew up in Grand Rapids (Michigan) and studied with Sally Seven, soloist with Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo and founder of the Grand Rapids Civic Ballet.  While in Grand Rapids, Cathleen was active with the Civic Theatre and summer stock’s Circle Theatre.  She continued her dance studies at Western Michigan University where she appeared both as a performer and guest teacher.  

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A 7-year participant of the Russian Seminar with Jurgen Schneider and Janina Cunovas, Cathleen continues her education at workshops presented by leading dance professionals around the country.  
 

Cathleen has been teaching ballet and character dance at Ballet Arts since 1982 and was co-owner of the studio from 1991-2022.  In 2001, she became Artistic Director of Ballet Arts Ensemble (BAE) after serving as performer and Ballet Mistress since its inception in 1982.  Her love for ballet is reflected in BAE’s repertoire.  She is most noted for her productions of full-length ballets includingNutcracker, Cinderella, Peter and the Wolf, The Magical Toy Shop, The Skaters, Pas de Quatre, Les Sylphides, Red Shoes, Aladdin’s Magic Lamp, andCafé Parisian.  

In 2010, Cathleen premiered a brand new production of the fairytale, The 12 Dancing Princesses.  This father-daughter artistic creation—with original piano music composed by W. Dale Crooks, Cathleen’s father—brought together BAE and members of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra (KSO) under the baton of Dr. Barry Ross. 

In addition to full-length ballets, Cathleen's choreography encompasses many musical styles and subjects.  Spanish Concerto, A Wee Bit of Irish, Friends, A Right to Spring, and Southern Suite are a sampling of her many works.  Her mini ballet, Just Playing Around, was performed with live violin and piano accompaniment; and It's All About . . . , a piece in three sections, was created in collaboration with local artist Kirk Newman and the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. 

Her choreography has been selected on numerous occasions for performances with the KSO’s Youth Concert Series and Family Discovery Series as well as the Michigan Youth Arts Festival.  The movie debut of her choreography can be seen in Cherry, which was filmed in Kalamazoo and featured at the 2010 Saugatuck Waterfront Film Festival.

In 2016, Cathleen received the annual WMU Partners in Dance Community Dance Advocacy Award that celebrates significant accomplishments in advancing and supporting dance in the greater Kalamazoo area through volunteerism, artistic achievement, teaching, and administrative leadership. She is also a member of Partners in Dance and Dance Masters of America.

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Founder and Artistic Director Emerita

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Jerre Locke James

Jerre studied ballet in Kalamazoo with Lillian Malone, then with Edna McRae in Chicago.  In New York, she studied with Robert Joffrey and Ana Roje at Ballet Russe.  Jerre was selected to accompany Ana Roje to Yugoslavia to train and perform with its National Company.  Returning to Los Angeles, she studied with E. Loring, Oleg Tupine, and Carmelita Maracci.  She also danced professionally with Hollywood Bowl Dancers, Moro-Landis, and Music Circus.

Jerre holds a Master’s Degree in theater from USC.  In 1982, her interest in working to develop talent in young dancers led her to found Ballet Arts Ensemble.  In 1997, she was awarded the Kalamazoo Community Medal of Arts; and in 2007, she became the first recipient of the Community Dance Advocacy Award bestowed by the WMU Partners in Dance.

A former member of the Western Michigan Cecchetti Council, Jerre is currently a member of the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts and Partners in Dance.

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