Professional ballet company increases access to dance

LARGO, Fla. — Two long-time dancers trying to make classical ballet more accessible teamed up to create what they boast as the only professional classical ballet company based in the Bay area. 

“We just felt that the voice that was missing was a ballet company, and that’s what Coastal Ballet is,” said Lauren Birnbaum, executive director and co-founder of Coastal Ballet of Florida.

“It makes me very proud that we are the only professional classical ballet company in the Bay area,” said Heather Ossola, artistic director and co-founder.

For Hannah Dragan, dancing with a company is a dream come true.

“I feel like a little girl every day getting to come to the studio, and I get to tell my friends and my family, ‘I’m a professional ballerina,’” said Dragan.

The 24-year-old said she looks forward to sharing that talent with the Tampa area.

“It truly does make me feel very lucky to get to do something that I love every day, and yeah, it makes my little girl heart happy, because it’s my dream come true, so I feel very blessed,” she said.

Rigorous and regular rehearsals are preparing dancers with the company for their full season debut.

Coastal Ballet of Florida will take center stage Saturday, Oct. 18 at the Central Park Performing Arts Center in Largo.

“Modern Motions and Romantic Reveries is going to kind of showcase the most classical of classical ballet, and then we want to do something a little more contemporary, a little more Neo-classical as well,” said Birnbaum, who created a ballet exclusively for their company.

“I tried to put a little bit of everything in it — there’s love, there’s romance, there’s wittiness, there’s humor, there’s a lot of depth and emotion,” said Birnbaum, who adds the audience will also be transported to a timeless, classical performance.

“Les Sylphides is a ballet without a plot, which is very unique in itself. It’s a half-hour long, and it’s just dancing for the sake of dancing,  and it’s such a true classic, romantic ballet,” said Ossola, who looks forward to showcasing the talent of the company.

“I want to inspire the audience and just make them feel whimsical and magical and let them leave the theatre feeling happier and with more hope,” said Dragan.

Coastal Ballet hopes that magic helps bring a greater appreciation and more access to classical ballet in the Bay area.

Modern Motions & Romantic Reveries opens Oct. 18 at  7 p.m. Get more information and tickets here.