About CYBT

ABOUT COASTAL YOUTH BALLET THEATRE

Coastal Youth Ballet Theatre is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that was founded by Liza Mata in 2006 as the performing company of Coastal Dance Center. The mission of the organization is to promote arts appreciation and cultural enhancement in the community, providing access to high caliber ballet training and performance opportunities through professionally-staged productions and educational initiatives.

Coastal Youth Ballet Theatre's programs include a focus on providing quality arts experiences for the youth throughout the Grand Strand community. Coastal Youth Ballet Theatre serves this population with ballet productions each year, outreach programs for youth that traditionally do not have access to arts programming and ballet training through its school, Coastal Dance Centre. From 2007 through 2010, Coastal Youth Ballet Theatre has brought school children to come and see its Nutcracker productions, of which nearly 8,000 children have participated.

Coastal Youth Ballet Theatre is uniquely positioned to combine the professional performing arts with a youth development focus. The organization makes a significant and lasting impact in the community and in the lives of thousands of area youth every year.

Coastal Youth Ballet Theatre was recognized by the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, as the winner of the 2008 Impeccable Customer Experience (I.C.E.) Award for best non-profit organization in the area.

VISION - MISSION

Coastal Youth Ballet Theatre (CYBT) is a non-profit dance 501 (c) (3) organization dedicated to the artistic enrichment of the Grand Strand area through performances, productions, educational and scholarship programs. Coastal Youth Ballet Theatre provides a nurturing and intensive artistic home base to some of the Grand Strand's and South Carolina's most talented young dancers.

Coastal Youth Ballet Theatre aims to provide young dancers in the Grand Strand a pre-professional training program that will prepare them eventually for the professional world or should they decide to choose another career path, be able to use the life skills learned in dance: discipline, hard work, patience, respect, perseverance, determination, resiliency, cooperation, and good behavior - all necessary ingredients for success in life.

Coastal Youth Ballet Theatre also aims to provide professionally-scaled performance opportunities in the Grand Strand where otherwise the arts community is small and in need of support. This season training and performance opportunities for the youth are through "The Nutcracker," "'Peter Pan' and Other Dances," "The 2012 Spring Festival of Dances" productions and numerous socio - civic performances.

Coastal Youth Ballet Theatre also aims to invite noted and experienced guest artists-teachers, dancers and choreographers to come to CYBT's home base and allow young company members to be exposed to varied teaching, performing and choreographic styles.

Through fundraisers and donations, Coastal Youth Ballet Theatre hopes to be able to provide scholarships to need-based families whose children will meet the criteria provided by the artistic staff and who will commit to the work and discipline necessary for the training and performance opportunities that will be provided.

Finally, Coastal Youth Ballet Theatre wishes to create a setting where an entire community of dance teachers, students and their parents, and supporters of the arts will all be one in promoting an awareness of how the dance arts can bring fulfillment and joy to the hearts and spirit of everyone in the Grand Strand.