Sydney Walker, SWBT Production Director, Assistant Operations Director, Instructor; Anthony Spaulding, SWBT Interim Artistic Director, Instructor; Elizabeth Seufert, SWBT Volunteer Operations Director, Board Treasurer; Tim Butterfield, EMCC Coordinator of Fine Arts Facilities; Dr. Rey Rivera, EMCC President; Jonathan Robles, EMCC Director Alumni, Corporate & Foundation Relations
Avondale, AZ – Southwest Ballet Theatre (SWBT) proudly announces its recent recognition as Estrella Mountain Community College’s 2023 Hero of Education. This esteemed award, presented by the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation, acknowledges SWBT’s exceptional commitment to supporting students and educational opportunities in Arizona. Notably, SWBT was the only arts organization to receive this prestigious honor from the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation.
The Hero of Education award celebrates champions of education who have demonstrated both personal and professional dedication to advancing educational initiatives. SWBT has been instrumental in fostering a vibrant partnership with Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC), providing free tickets to EMCC students for all SWBT performances. Additionally, SWBT contributes 25% of all ticket sales and a monthly sum in lieu of rental fees to the EMCC Friends of the Performing Arts Center Scholarship Fund.
This partnership has yielded the creation of the SWBT Fine & Performing Arts Scholarship, a $2,000 annual award, further supporting arts students in achieving their educational goals. The EMCC Friends of the Performing Arts Center Scholarship Fund also awards additional $500 scholarships annually. This collaborative effort not only empowers arts students but also addresses equity and access gaps in the arts.
To learn more about SWBT’s partnership with EMCC and the Hero of Education award, please visit Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation.
“We are grateful to Estrella Mountain Community College for the honor and the nomination, extending special appreciation to Tim Butterfield and the Performing Arts Center staff for their outstanding partnership that benefits SWBT dancers, the community, and the college,” expressed Elizabeth Seufert, SWBT Volunteer Operations Director, Board Treasurer.
ABOUT SOUTHWEST BALLET THEATRE
Bringing the art of ballet to the West Valley; Southwest Ballet Theatre (“SWBT”) is a nonprofit ballet company that brings high quality, professional ballet performances to the West Valley community at an affordable price. SWBT exists to enrich, inspire, and uplift lives through classical dance education and performance. SWBT performs The Nutcracker every December and another full-length ballet in the spring under a co-production agreement with the Performing Arts Center at Estrella Mountain Community College (“EMCC”). By audition, dance students from the School of SWBT, colleges, and other dance studios have the opportunity to participate in these productions.
SWBT’s goal is to encourage learning in a positive, nurturing, and developmentally sound environment while building on the principles of ballet technique for students of all levels—recreational through pre-professional.
To learn more about Southwest Ballet Theatre and the full spectrum of dance offerings, visit www.swbtballet.org.