Ballet Palm Beach leaps into season with ‘WE BELIEVE Season Of Dance’ gala

Written by Krystian von Speidel, Notables Editor. Originally published in the Palm Beach Post Notables section.

Ballet Palm Beach recently held the “WE BELIEVE Season of Dance” gala at The Colony Hotel, Palm Beach. The memorable evening featured cocktails under the stars, an exciting silent and live auction, a delightful dinner, dancing to the Switzer Sound, and a sublime performance by Ballet Palm Beach members.

Company dancers Libby Faber, Nicholas Holtz, Lily Loveland, Jay Markov, Aaron Melendrez and Madeleine Miller thrilled gala attendees with a specially choreographed piece to Van Morrison’s “Moondance,” played by The Switzer Sound and sung by Chris Santiago.

Chaired by longtime board member Erin McGould and her husband Sean, the annual fundraising gala supports Ballet Palm Beach’s incredible WE BELIEVE Season of Dance. Ballet Palm Beach’s WE BELIEVE campaign focuses on sharing what the ballet company truly values and how it impacts the community. Funds raised will offset expenses of performances and free community outreach programs that reach thousands of underserved families every year.

“Dance truly is for everyone,” says Erin McGould. “I was honored to chair this year’s gala to support not only professional ballet performances, but also Ballet Palm Beach Academy students and its free community outreach programs.” Anka Palitz served as honorary chair of this year’s gala. Palitz has been a generous and tireless supporter of dancers for decades, both during and after their dance careers. In January 2020 she created the Ballet Palm Beach Anka Fund for Dancers. The fund directly supports salaries for the professional dancers of Ballet Palm Beach.

For more information about the professional company or its school, Ballet Palm Beach Academy, or to support its outreach efforts, call 561-630-8235 or visit balletpalmbeach.org.