Founded as a non profit in 2003, and active in the community since 2001, New Ballet has raised children in a highly professional environment with excellence in training to earn scholarships in major dance departments in higher education, including NYU Tisch, U of Ga, U of OK, Ball State, Boston Conservatory, Baylor, Goucher, Richmond, Butler, Vanderbilt, Columbia College Chicago and more. Educational programs in Title 1 urban and rural schools as well as community venues serve tens of thousands annually. The Pathways program includes residencies in six Shelby County Schools and can lead to College acceptance and or a job with us at new ballet. Many of our graduates become teachers in our school. Students fast track into the NEw Ballet studio program, mostly on scholarships.

Founder, Katie Smythe, saw the need in Memphis for building equity by creating access to excellence in dance training and employment. Additionally, there was a need to bring diverse communities together through the arts, creating common ground through innovation and collaboration as a mirror to reflect what diverse community looks like.