The vision for the Wake Forest Civic Ballet began in the spring of 2005, when Destiny Dance Institute studio owner, Patricia Ogden, wanted to foster high-quality ballet instruction in her school. To that end, she brought in long-time teacher and choreographer Ruth Leney-Midkiff. Over a period of five years, under Leney-Midkiff’s guidance, the ballet curriculum at DDI blossomed into a fully developed Pre-Professional program, including five levels of technique, four levels of pointe, YAGP coaching, Pas de deux workshops, and Boys’ technique. With a highly qualified and diverse faculty, the ballet program at Destiny Dance Institute has established itself as a “go-to” place for ballet study in the Wake Forest and surrounding areas.
In 2010, with the success and strong foundation of the school, DDI was ready to start a company that could undertake full scale ballet productions. The Destiny Dance Institute Ballet Company was formed, and in December of that year, DDIBC debuted its first Nutcracker: Act II, as part of the DDI companys’ Winter and Summer Gala Series. In addition to our yearly production of the Nutcracker, which over time has expanded in size and scope, DDIBC has also added such traditional ballet favorites as Sleeping Beauty, Coppelia, The Firebird, The Fairy Doll, and excerpts from Swan Lake and Giselle to its repertoire. Additionally, the company has performed original works by Leney-Midkiff including Euphoric Dances, Winston, and Raymonda Variations along with, Slate, by internationally recognized choreographer Bill de Young. This contemporary concert work was a showcase for the company’s versatility and physicality.
As the DDI Pre-Professional Program prospered and DDIBC grew, so did its support system of wonderful parent volunteers, without whom the company would not be what it is today. Their tireless efforts and contributions in all aspects of the performance cannot be underestimated. Work from costume designs to fundraising, sound editing, program designs, sewing, prop work, backstage work, set building, and yes, even appearing in onstage character roles has made our organization a thriving and happening place…with people giving graciously of their time and talent to make our productions top-notch. Parents working alongside their children gives our company a real feeling of family and community.
Over the years, DDIBC has become an integral part of the area’s arts community collaborating regularly with local dance, costume and scenic design specialists. From professional dance artists to master teachers, our students learn their craft from the best in the triangle area.
In August 2017 our company was proud to receive its non-profit status, officially becoming the Wake Forest Civic Ballet. The company’s launching simultaneous with DDI’s move to its new state-of-the-art studio spaces, represents a twelve-year journey and an auspicious beginning to a bright future.
The Wake Forest Civic Ballet is excited to become an ever-greater force for the arts in our community. We look forward to presenting many more family friendly productions of high quality dance and to creating much more “history” to write about. We invite you to become part of that history and we thank the many who people who have helped pave the way to making WFCB what it is today… “The place where Art comes to life.”