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Our Mission

New World Ballet is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide access to professional quality dance instruction and performance opportunities to students who desire to become professional dancers, as well as those who simply wish to enhance their quality of life through dance.

Our History

New World Ballet was originally founded in Arcata, California in 1994 by Nadine Cole, the former Chicago Opera Ballet dancer. Under Ms. Cole's direction, New World Ballet produced acts from Swan Lake, excerpts from Don Quixote and Paquita, the full-length Coppellia, Midsummer Night’s Dream as well as many others.

In 2005, Nadine retired and Victor Temple, a former dancer with the Dance Theatre of Harlem, Central Ballet of China, Shanghai Ballet, Oakland Ballet, and Liaison of Western Dance Styles to China’s Chinese Dancers’ Association, assumed the position of Artistic Director. A few of the past performances presented to the company under Victor Temple’s direction include acts from

Sleeping Beauty, Nutcracker, the full-length Hansel & Gretel, and a modernized version of Cinderella. In addition, New World Ballet also hosted the First & Second Annual Humboldt Dance Festivals, which featured dance instructors and musicians of African Diaspora, including Afro-Cuban, Congolese, Samba/

Afro-Brazilian, and West African as well as classical ballet, contemporary ballet, pointe, and hip-hop workshops.

Being invited to Santa Rosa, New World Ballet is excited to bring this legacy to the Sonoma County community. After only a short time in Santa Rosa, New World Ballet has a thriving and diverse School, performing companies, and many outreach programs. New World Ballet’s Santa Rosa performances include the second act of The Nutcracker and Not Your Average Christmas Carols, Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, and the first annual Spring Showcase, and many in-studio demonstrations. New World Ballet has trained a number of dancers who have gone on to experience professional dance opportunities like interning for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and dancing professionally for companies such as San Francisco Ballet, City Ballet of San Diego, and the Utah Ballet Company.