(compiled by Renee Mathews and Donna Shiplet)

The New Mexico Ballet Company was first formed in 1972 by Suzanne Johnston and others. From 1973-1977, the company performed and toured in Texas, Louisiana and Tenessee as a member of the Southwest Regional Ballet Association. Suzanne Johnston was Artistic Director until 1975, followed by Rebecca Peltz (1975-1976), Lana Kroth (1976-1977), Alan Baker (1977-1978), Jon Christophori (1979) and Lorenzo Luckie (1981-1982).

In 1982, Suzanne Johnston again became Artistic Director and continued in this capacity until 1987. Some of the highlights during this time were:

• May 1982 - Grand pas de deux from The Nutcracker was performed at UNM arena as part of the NMSO annual concert for children. Nearly 17,000 APS school children attended.
• July 1985 - Mikhail Baryshnikov Concert which raised a large sum of money for the NMBC.
• September 1985 - Melissa Hayden of American Ballet Theatre was brought in to teach master classes.
• November 1985 - Gift of Dance with Robert La Fosse, Susan Jaffe, Melissa Hayden and David Chavez, all well-known names in the dance world.
• April 1987 - Fundraiser style show with Juliet Prowse. Company dancers modelled Bob Mackey's costumes and gowns.

In April 1988, David Chavez became the Artistic Director. During his nine-year tenure ending in 1996, with the co-sponsorship of Popejoy Hall, the New Mexico Ballet Company produced eleven original ballets including Carmina Burana, Dia de los Muertos, A Christmas Carol, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Vision Quest, The Jungle Book, The Red Shoes, and A Stravinsky Dance Festival. During this time, through the help of Urban Enhancement Grants from the City of Albuquerque, NMBC was able to provide public schoolchildren with free access to performances of story ballets.

In August, 1994, the Ballet Company reopened its Academy in its new home at 4200 Wyoming Blvd. NE. The non-profit Academy's goal was to train dancers for the Company, but due to its financial drain, it was closed in May, 1997.

In June, 1996, Mildred Ness resigned at the Company's volunteer Executive Director, having served in that capacity for thirteen years.

In April, 1997, Patricia Dickinson assumed the role of Artistic Director for the Company.

In May, 1998, the New Mexico Ballet Company celebrated its 25th Anniversary with a Gala at Popejoy Hall. The Gala was a beautiful production of work from Company and guest choreographers and performers, honoring the Company's founder, Suzanne Johnston.

The NMBC retains its home at 4200 Wyoming NE, where Ms. Dickinson now operates her school, Dance Theatre of the Southwest. With new Board Members coming aboard to bring in new energy and enthusiasm, NMBC looks forward to a bright future.