Since 2007, New Ballet has collaborated with Memphis-Shelby County Schools through our Pathways Program to lead tuition-free, in-school weekly classes. In 2010, the first cohort to transition to the New Ballet studios for after-school training faced a challenge. Students were having difficulty finding transportation to class due to working parents and families unable to make the two round trips per day on a regular basis. Current New Ballet staff member LeAnthony Douglas was part of this cohort.

Driving Access to Dance Excellence

"I was fortunate that a devoted community member drove me to the studio for class every week when I didn’t have my own ride. Because of this support, I was able to graduate from New Ballet’s program, become a professional apprentice and now hold a full-time position as a Teaching and Performing Artist. New Ballet buying a bus means that more children without transportation will receive the same access. They will have the same opportunity to follow their dreams." - LeAnthony Douglas

Be Part of the Solution

Lil Buck also faced this transportation challenge as a student and trainee, and we are deeply honored that he is working to help solve this problem for the next generation. Through the combined efforts of Lil Buck, our community and donors, New Ballet will be able to purchase a bus and dedicate funding toward staff to safely transport children from their neighborhood schools to our Cooper-Young facility and back to their homes at the end of the day.