FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          Contact:

January 24, 2007                                                           Cindy Reynolds

                                                                                    Media Relations

                                                                                    (714) 541-8314, ext. 19

Saint Joseph Ballet Welcomes Josie Emmons Turner as Managing Director

            Santa Ana, Calif. (January 24, 2007) – Saint Joseph Ballet’s Board of Directors announced today that Josie Emmons Turner will join the organization as managing director effective February 1.  She will partner with Artistic Director Melanie Ríos Glaser, creating a new team to lead Saint Joseph Ballet into the future.

            “Through our national search, Emmons Turner was selected because of her passion for Saint Joseph Ballet’s work and for her experience and success leading community organizations,” said Frank Foster, Board chair.  “She joins Saint Joseph Ballet at a time of growth, and we look forward to her vision and passion as we move ahead.”

            Emmons Turner’s career leading cultural and community organizations spans more than 20 years.  Most recently she was Acting Executive Director of the Broadway Center for Performing Arts in Tacoma, Washington where she invigorated the staff and board, revitalized the organization’s capital campaign, oversaw the renovation of the historic Pantages Theater and successfully positioned the organization to take over the independent management of the City’s three performing arts theaters.

            Prior to the Broadway Center, Emmons Turner spent seven years with the City of Tacoma Economic Development Department first as the Culture and Tourism Division Manager then as the Community Initiatives Division Manager.  She also spent 11 years as the Cultural Programs Manager for the City of Auburn, a suburb of Seattle, Washington.

            “I believe Josie is a gifted leader and I am honored to have the opportunity to partner with someone with her level of experience, warmth and humanity,” said Ríos Glaser.  “What a wonderful step forward for this unique organization and the youth we serve.”

            Emmons Turner holds a bachelor of arts in humanities from Seattle University and is a candidate to receive her masters in fine arts from Pacific Lutheran University in 2007.  She has served on numerous committees and panels including the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Washington State Arts Commission.  She is also a published author and recognized poet.

            Emmons Turner said, “I am excited about this opportunity because of the way the company empowers youth and has the ability to permanently change a young person’s life for the good.”

            Founded in 1983, Saint Joseph Ballet is one of Orange County’s most respected after-school programs, and empowers low income youth from diverse backgrounds to strengthen self-esteem, self-discipline and a sense of accomplishment through year-round dance, academic and family programs.  Youth can participate for up to nine years and benefit from an encouraging and innovative process that instills in them values of creativity, respect, self-exploration, risk-taking and teamwork.  Since its inception, Saint Joseph Ballet has touched the lives of more than 50,000 youth, giving them the tools and skills to build a future for themselves, their families and their community. 

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