Today we’d like to introduce you to Mia Klinger
Hi Mia, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
In 1975, visionary dance educator Nan Klinger founded the Cuyahoga Valley Youth Ballet, determined to provide young dancers with the opportunity to train at a pre-professional level while performing original works created specifically for them. At a time when youth ballet companies were still a rarity, Nan’s bold vision made the company the fourth oldest youth ballet in the country, setting a high standard for excellence in dance education and performance.
For decades, she nurtured generations of dancers, instilling in them the discipline, artistry, and passion needed to succeed, not just in dance, but in life. Her legacy of innovation and dedication laid the foundation for what would become a nationally recognized youth ballet company.
In 2002, I had the honor of stepping into my mother’s shoes as Artistic Director, continuing her mission while shaping the company’s future. In 2014, to reflect our expanding vision and growing artistic reach, we renamed the company Ballet Excel Ohio, embracing a name that captures our commitment to artistic excellence, innovation, and community engagement.
Now, as we prepare to celebrate 50 years in the 2025-2026 season, we honor Nan’s pioneering spirit, the countless dancers who have graced our stage, and the transformative power of dance that continues to inspire the next generation. From a bold idea in 1975 to a thriving institution today, Ballet Excel Ohio stands as a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and the belief that young artists deserve a stage of their own.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
While Ballet Excel Ohio has enjoyed incredible success over the past 50 years, the journey has not been without its challenges. Like many arts organizations, funding is a constant hurdle, requiring us to seek out grants, sponsorships, and community support to keep our programs thriving and accessible. Additionally, as volunteerism declines nationwide, engaging parents in the vital behind-the-scenes work of our organization has become more challenging. Yet, we firmly believe that a strong community is built on shared investment, and we continue to foster a culture where families see the value of contributing their time and talents. Through passion, perseverance, and unwavering dedication to our mission, Ballet Excel Ohio remains a pillar of youth dance education and performance, ensuring that young dancers have a stage to shine, now and for generations to come.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
At Ballet Excel Ohio, we are dedicated to pushing the boundaries of youth ballet by creating and performing an extraordinary repertoire of original works, ballets that are unique, never-before-seen, and crafted exclusively for our dancers. Unlike many youth ballet companies that rely on established classical pieces, we collaborate with world-renowned choreographers and composers to bring fresh, visionary productions to the stage. This commitment to innovation ensures that our dancers experience the full depth of artistic creation, from movement to music.
What sets us apart is not just the caliber of our performances but the meticulous training and individualized attention each dancer receives. With decades of experience, I have refined a comprehensive syllabus that focuses on both technical excellence and artistic development, ensuring that every dancer is nurtured as an individual artist, not just a performer in the ensemble.
Beyond training elite young dancers, we are also deeply committed to making dance accessible to underserved communities through our Reach Out And Dance (R.O.A.D.) program, which we established in 1998. R.O.A.D. brings high-quality dance education to over 625 Akron Public School second graders each year, many of whom might not otherwise have access to the arts. By aligning our curriculum with Ohio’s second-grade learning standards and providing mentorship, academic support, and guest speakers, we ensure that these students not only develop a love for dance but also gain confidence, discipline, and valuable life skills.
Above all, I am most proud of the way Ballet Excel Ohio shapes young dancers into strong, disciplined, and expressive artists while also enriching our greater community by making the arts accessible to all. For 50 years, we have remained a trailblazer in the youth ballet world, and our legacy continues to grow with each breathtaking performance and each child whose life is transformed through the power of dance.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
Over the next 5 to 10 years, I see youth ballet continuing its recovery from the impact of COVID-19, with a hopeful resurgence of young dancers returning to serious training. While many studios and companies have worked hard to rebuild their programs, we are still seeing the long-term effects of lost training time and a shift in commitment levels among students. My hope is that we experience an upward trend in children pursuing ballet, recognizing the discipline, artistry, and personal growth it fosters.
One concerning trend in the industry has been the dumbing down of training in an attempt to attract more students. While accessibility is important, lowering standards does not serve the art form or the dancers, instead, it creates a generation that lacks respect for the craft and fails to develop an educated audience for the future. True sustainability in ballet requires dedication to high-quality training, inspiring young artists to push themselves, and fostering an appreciation for excellence among audiences.
At Ballet Excel Ohio, we remain committed to preserving the integrity of ballet, offering rigorous training while also embracing innovation and creativity in our performances. By continuing to commission new works and engage with world-class artists, we ensure that the next generation of dancers not only masters technique but also understands the depth and beauty of the art form.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.balletexcelohio.org
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/balletexcelohio
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BalletExcelOhio
