FERMATA

Definition: a pause or hold of unspecified length on a note or rest in musical notation, Symbol: 𝄐 

FOUNDERS + BOARD

FOUNDERS

Alaja Badalich
Jim Ballard
Angela Dunham
Tracy Fuller
Sophia MacMillan
Jessica Jaye Mackinson
Lindsey Sheilds

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jessica Jaye Mackinson, President
Alaja Badalich, Vice President
Tracy Fuller, Secretary
Steph Young, Treasurer
Jim Ballard, Human Resources
Erin Dieter
Carmelli Maria Hess
Kendra Lady
Ashley Newport
Eva Osirus
Sara Stockwell

FBC was founded in June 2020 in Eugene, Oregon during the global pandemic and the societal movements that reignited the awareness of persistent racism within eurocentric structures. During this pause and shift in regular arts programming, FBC acted as a refuge for dancers who found their careers and projects on hold, providing opportunities to explore dance art in a respectful manner with a focus on inclusivity.

FBC’s ongoing mission is to diversify ballet in creating renewed paths within the dance experience and create collaborative performance opportunities with the goal to safely house artists by acknowledging identity, personal experience, while creating enriching and inclusive programming, workshops, and events for dancers and the community.

Deviating from deeply held norms within traditional ballet environments, FBC will cultivate a collaborative approach with an egalitarian structure, foster an environment of inclusivity, and will not condone discrimination against any individual regarding race, color, ethnicity, nation origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, appearance, religion, age, or ability or other protected classes.

This is only the beginning: In the process of creating ENERGY EXCHANGE. Video by: Veronica Szmit Choreography by: Alaja Badalich Dancers: Tracy Fuller, Sophia MacMillan, Isaac Lee, Dylan Pierzina, Carmelli Maria Hess, Sara Stockwell, and Zaria Jackson