81R23699 BPG-D
By: Jones H.R. No. 1419
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Ballet Lubbock is celebrating its 40th anniversary
throughout the 2009-2010 season, which commences on May 5, 2009;
and
WHEREAS, The only pre-professional performing company on the
South Plains, Ballet Lubbock was founded in 1969 by Suzanne Aker,
who served as its first artistic director and choreographer; Ms.
Aker earned teacher certification from the Royal Academy of Dance
in London and taught professionally for more than a half-century
before her retirement in 2000; Yvonne Racz, one of her former
students, has served as artistic director since 1997; and
WHEREAS, A graduate of the University of Utah, Ms. Racz has
performed with a number of professional dance companies, as well as
in Cirque du Soleil's Mystere, and has extensive experience as a
teacher and choreographer; she currently serves as an adjunct
professor of dance at Texas Tech University; the recipient of a
Dynamic Force/ACE Award from the Lubbock Arts Alliance, she was
recognized in 2008 by The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal as one of the
100 most influential people in the city; under her able leadership,
the Ballet Lubbock School has grown tenfold; and
WHEREAS, Ballet Lubbock teaches nearly 200 students
annually, and over the years, more than 50 alumni have gone on to
professional performing, choreography, and teaching careers in the
United States and abroad; in addition to nurturing love and respect
for the art of classical dance, the school's classes emphasize
strong discipline and correct technique, and students are
consistently accepted into top-ranked summer ballet programs and
intensives across the country; and
WHEREAS, Each year, Ballet Lubbock presents holiday
performances of The Nutcracker and a spring ballet such as The
Firebird, the 2009 selection; the organization fosters
appreciation of classical dance through both performance and
educational outreaches, offering classes at three community
centers and providing scholarships to talented dancers in need; it
has donated numerous tickets for performances to senior centers,
the Buckner Children's Home, and other social service agencies, and
since 2006, Ballet Lubbock has partnered with Lubbock Independent
School District to bring more than 2,000 children to free
performances of The Nutcracker; Ms. Racz also makes personal school
appearances to teach students basic ballet and to prepare them for
their first experience of Tchaikovsky's timeless musical tale; and
WHEREAS, Ballet Lubbock has introduced children to classical
dance over the past four decades and has increased access to a great
art form through its annual performances and generous outreaches;
as the company commences its 2009-2010 season, it is indeed fitting
to recognize its contributions to the West Texas arts scene; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate all those associated with Ballet
Lubbock on the 40th anniversary of this noteworthy organization and
extend to them best wishes for continued success; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the company as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.