Fostering the passion and development of local youth through the performing arts, where talents and life skills may grow in an inspiring and nurturing environment.
In December 2024, 120 Monterey County boys and girls enthusiastically shared their gifts and passion for ballet with over 2100 Monterey community members and 700 fifth grade students. MPBT dancers, ages 5-18, train for a combined 350 hours over 10 weekends each fall, assuming roles from Clara and the Sugar Plum Fairy, to the Presents and Bon Bons. These Monterey youth are the heart and the stars of the production, supported by only two professional dancers. MPBT keeps participation fees low and provides financial-based scholarships so any child who wants to participate can. However, ticket sales and participation fees do not cover the total cost of this pre-professional production. By donating to MPBT during the Monterey County Gives! Campaign, you are helping close the $360 operational gap per dancer. Please join us this December 12-14 at the Sunset Center to witness first-hand the impact of your contribution. Thank you.
MPBT’s enhances the development of local youth through the performing arts. Over the past eight years, an average of 110 students from Monterey County public and private elementary, middle, and high schools, and home school cooperatives, have participated in The Nutcracker. Each year (except 2020) over 700 students from Salinas schools watch a full, dress rehearsal of the production. The Director of Curriculum and Instruction at Salinas City Elementary School District shared, “The 5th grade students who get to see the Nutcracker are very fortunate. They are exposed to a style of art that the majority of them have never been able to experience.” Additionally, some Nutcracker leads share excerpts of The Nutcracker at additional local elementary schools in Pacific Grove, Monterey and Carmel. Finally, each year over 2100 local Monterey County community members benefit from the talents of MPBT youth by attending the pre-professional performance of The Nutcracker.
Performing in MPBT’s production of the Nutcracker has been a memorable experience. Each and every dancer is given an opportunity to shine in their own light, no matter what role they are cast as. A performance that has impacted my life was the community outreach program where I was able to dance and act as the Lead Maid. When I stepped on stage, I was able to see all the smiling faces of kids who may have been watching their first ballet. It was an honor knowing I was a part of a group of dancers that was able to impact young lives, to help inspire a bigger and brighter future within them.
- Josae Perez, Greenfield, CA
