FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                               Contact:

April 19, 2005                                                   Cindy Reynolds, Communications Manager

                                                                        (714) 541-8314, ext. 19

Saint Joseph Ballet’s Founder Retires June 5

Beth Burns nears end of her final year as Artistic Director

Santa Ana, Calif. (April 19, 2005) – Saint Joseph Ballet’s artistic transition, announced in April 2004, nears completion as Founder and Artistic Director Beth Burns retires after Saint Joseph Ballet’s June 5th performance and Melanie Rios Glaser joins Saint Joseph Ballet as Artistic Director in July.  Burns will remain involved as a member of Saint Joseph Ballet’s Board of Directors.  Rios Glaser will team with Executive Director Steffani Francis in leading Saint Joseph Ballet.

            Under Burns’ 22 years of leadership, Saint Joseph Ballet has become a model youth arts organization, integrating quality dance opportunities with excellent academic, mentoring, enrichment and family services. “Saint Joseph Ballet established itself through wide-spread community support.  It’s precisely this generous community involvement that carries forward this vital work.  With a dedicated, remarkable Board of Directors, a talented, energetic Artistic Director in Melanie Rios Glaser and an experienced, trusted Executive Director, Steffani Francis, Saint Joseph Ballet’s future glows.  I’m just grateful and happy to continue to work with the Board of Directors to support Melanie and Steffani’s gifted leadership,” said Founder Beth Burns.    

            What began as a small summer dance program for low-income youth is today a nationally recognized institution and the area’s oldest, largest arts-for-youth organization, committed to helping young people to go to college.  Each year, Saint Joseph Ballet serves 400 students year round, 96 percent participating on scholarship, and another 3,000 through its outreach program, DanceFree Weeks, now in its 20th year.  Students are offered up to nine years of continuous and progressively challenging dance training, college preparation, mentoring and other enrichment services. 

In 1998, Saint Joseph Ballet’s college scholarship was created which promises all students who graduate with at least a 2.5 G.P.A. a scholarship award.  Ninety-four percent of Saint Joseph Ballet graduates, most of whom are Latino and low-income, pursue a college education.  By 2008, Saint Joseph Ballet anticipates that more than 100 Saint Joseph Ballet graduates will be attending college and more than 80 will have already graduated.  Many Saint Joseph Ballet alumni who were first-generation college students are now engineers, bankers, teachers and professional artists.

            Alumnus Liz Lira said, “I am so grateful to have been a part of Saint Joseph Ballet, I am now able to live the American Dream.  From having zero to traveling the world, making a better life for myself and even purchasing a home at age 24, it’s a dream come true thanks to Saint Joseph Ballet.”

            Saint Joseph Ballet alumnus Melissa Young, who now dances with Dallas Black Dance Theatre said, “I know for a fact that without Saint Joseph Ballet, I wouldn’t be dancing today.  I learned so much there.  I would watch Beth – she knew how to reach each student gently and effectively, each day in class – and that affects how I teach today.  The biggest impact came really because Beth helped me feel that I could believe in myself and push myself to the limit.  I gained courage and confidence.”

            “The Board of Directors applauds Beth for dedicating 22 years to establishing and building an organization that serves such a vital role in Orange County,” said Saint Joseph Ballet Board Co-chairs Socorro and Ernesto Vasquez.  “We look forward to Beth’s continued involvement as a Board member.  Through strong leadership from the Board, staff and patrons, Saint Joseph Ballet will continue to transform countless young lives throughout our community.”

            Founded in 1983, Saint Joseph Ballet has touched the lives of more than 50,000 youth with its mission to empower low-income youth from diverse backgrounds to strengthen self-esteem, self-discipline and a sense of accomplishment through dance, academic and family programs.  Youth who enter Saint Joseph Ballet with few resources leave with the tools and skills to build a future for themselves, their families and their community. 

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