Mr. Van Alstyne has been dancing since the age of eight in Salt Lake City, Utah, and received full scholarship to the University of Utah. At 15 he began dancing professionally with companies such as Ballet West, San Francisco Ballet, Boston Ballet and Utah Ballet. He moved to Reno, Nevada in 1988 for "Hello Hollywood Hello" at Bally's and has been teaching in the community and at the University of Nevada, Reno for the past 20+ years. As a result of his experience in Reno, Mr. Van Alstyne was inspired to create A.V.A. Ballet Theatre.
A.V.A. Ballet Theatre is the resident ballet company of the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts. We are committed to being northern Nevada’s premiere ballet company – highlighting principal dancers from around the United States, as well as local and regional dancers and performers.
Artistic director Alexander Van-Alstyne choreographs three classical ballets and one rock ballet each year. The popular Nutcracker is performed during the December holiday season and the spring and fall ballets features such favorites as Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty and Peter Pan. All of the classical ballets are performed to scores played by the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra. The rock ballet combines ballet grace and passionate rock, dance, Broadway and alternative music. Imagine ballerinas performing grande jetés to music by popular rock artists.
What makes A.V.A. Ballet Theatre special in our community? The answer is simple, high-quality performances, exposure and education to ballet and theatre, and improved quality of life within our community.
A.V.A. Ballet Theatre is the resident ballet company of the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts. We are northern Nevada's largest company under the instruction of a professional faculty with years of performing experience in renowned metropolitan ballet and production companies across the United States and Europe.
The official school of A.V.A. Ballet Theatre is The Conservatory of Movement, 73 West Plumb Lane Reno, Nevada 89509. Please call 775-762-5165 for class information.