Aeolian Ballet Theatre is a Los Angeles-based professional chamber ballet company dedicated to enriching the human experience through live dance performance. The voice of the company is one of many. In just five years, the company has produced ballets by over eighteen different choreographers, and has premiered fourteen new works, including the full-length ballets, The Tempest and The House of Bernarda Alba. Aeolian Ballet Theatre's commitment to the creation of new works and the revival of historical pieces has been evident in its seasonal programming.

The company name is inspired by the aeolian harp, an instrument that makes harmonic sounds of endless variety when the wind passes over it. The aeolian harp serves as a symbol of creativity for the company.

"Aeolian" is derived from Aeolus, the god of winds in Greek mythology which the aeolian harp is named after. Like the harp's music, ballet is a living art never exactly replicated, making each live performance unique. In the next moment, everything has changed: time, breath, wind, and hence the dance.

The vision of the company began in 1996 by Maria Serafica, Lara Ramirez, and Chelsea Hackett. Dismayed by the dwindling opportunities to perform and produce ballets in Los Angeles, they felt it necessary to create something new and lasting for the Southern California audience. Inspired by the talent and ballet masters in their midst, they thought it possible to carry out their vision. The original group named themselves the "Dancers' Company" with Stefan Wenta and Charles Maple as their artistic advisors, and the Pasadena Arts Council as their fiscal receiver. In 1998, the company established itself as a California non-profit corporation under its new name.

The company made its theatrical debut at the UCLA Freud Playhouse in April 1999. Today, Aeolian Ballet has grown to an ensemble comprised of dancers from over seven different countries. The company has performed at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion at the Music Center, John Anson Ford Ampitheatre, Wilshire Ebell Theatre, UCLA Freud Playhouse, Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, Gindi Auditorium, Discovery Museum of Orange County, Veterans Memorial Auditorium, Pomona Fairgrounds, and the Pasadena Arts Space.

The Los Angeles Times recognized Aeolian Ballet Theatre/LA, as one of only eight ballet companies in Southern California and one of two in Los Angeles as a "notable local organization [fitting] into the professional or semipro ranks" (4/25/99).

"Aeolian bears close watching, due to its profound core talents, which are visionary." -- Beverly Hills Outlook.

Aeolian is dedicated to reaching audiences that would not otherwise have the opportunity to experience dance. Aeolian Ballet Theatre has invited students from the Los Angeles Unified School District, Culver City School District, YMCA, American Legion and the Children's Home Society of America for outreach programs.

Aeolian recognizes the vast cultural resources around us. As the entertainment capital of the world, Los Angeles is home to a vast array of artists, choreographers, composers, designers, musicians, and writers. If you are interested in submitting your work or proposal for a collaborative project, please send your materials to our office for consideration. We welcome your ideas.