The Northwest Ballet Company
Artistic Director: Marisa Roth
The Northwest Ballet Company was formed in 1980 for the purpose of producing high-quality, classical ballet dancers. The requirements are demanding and a high level of discipline and technical maturity is expected. Students of the Northwest Ballet School must audition each year for acceptance into the Company. The Northwest Ballet Company hosts and performs twice a year in the annual productions of 'The Nutcracker' and a spring show production. We have educated the Flathead Valley audience who have come to expect a level of ballet that is polished and characteristic of a pre-professional company. Our spring productions are dedicated to presenting new choreography, various story ballets and contemporary works. Our repertoire includes 'Sleeping Beauty,' 'Cinderella,' 'Coppélia,' 'Phantom of the Opera,' 'Alice in Wonderland,' 'Pas de Quatre,' and 'A Midsummer Night's Dream.' We have a large wardrobe of costumes to provide for all performances, continually managed and maintained by talented and passionate Company Wardrobe Mistresses. The Northwest Ballet Company has roots deep within this community that will continue for years to come.
Company Members
Principal
Marygrace Knuffke, Milla Owens
Soloist
Olivia Kufa, Maya Judge, Payton Keibler
Demi Soloist
Claire Wigginton, Dahlia Leatzow
Corps de Ballet
Sara Buljovcic
Junior Company
Jordyn Scott, Naia Hill
Joining the Company
Members must be at least 12 years old and must have at least one year of pointe work. Auditions are held in the spring of each year. Upon acceptance, members must adhere to the following requirements: attend three advanced ballet technique classes per week including one en pointe; attend all rehearsals; attend at least one MDAA workshop per year to expand their education and technique; and attend a summer workshop. Additional classes in other dance disciplines are encouraged.
Pointe Shoe Fund
The Northwest Ballet Company Pointe Shoe Fund was established in 1996. Company members require roughly three to eight pairs of pointe shoes per year. Pointe shoes are needed for technique class, rehearsals and performances. The average cost of one pair is $85. We invite you to be a sponsor in our Pointe Shoe Fund. Your contribution will provide each Northwest Ballet Company member with two new pairs of shoes during the 2025-2026 season, and each Northwest Ballet Junior Company member with a 25% discount off of their two pairs.
NWB Pointe Shoe Fund — 1411 1st Ave W. Kalispell, MT 59901
Where our dancers go
- Joelle FolkmanBallet Etude
- Katie CarrButler University
- Morgan SegoBallet West Academy
- Abby CockrellNorth Carolina School of the Arts
- Leslie GreenPittsburgh Ballet Theatre Pre-Professional
- Paige AllisonHeadwaters Dance Company
- Amy FultonUniversity of Utah Dance
- Larissa MarceauBoston Conservatory
- Malachi SquiresFort Worth/Dallas Ballet
- Gina JohnsonMeh-Tropolis Dance Company
- Yohana WeaverNebraska Modern Dance Company
- Marisa Brewer RothLake Erie Ballet Company
- Wendy MaurerPacific Northwest Ballet
- Seana McGarveyJoseph Holmes Company
- Kari MorehouseThe Ballet Company of Spokane
Northwest Ballet Company members attend Montana Dance Arts Association (MDAA) workshops that are hosted in various cities around Montana. Workshops are held every spring and fall. Master guest instructors from the United States and Canada are invited to teach classes in Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Modern technique. Company members enhance their dance education at these workshops and many receive summer scholarships to prestigious dance programs. Past scholarships awarded include Summer Dance Labs, Hartford, Pacific Northwest Ballet and Gus Giordano, to mention a few. The Northwest Ballet School & Company has been a member of MDAA for over 40 years. Faculty of the Northwest Ballet are frequently on the voluntary MDAA Board of Directors. Students from the Northwest Ballet School are also consistently accepted into the University of Montana's dance program to continue their dance education.