About Us
About Cleveland City Ballet
Founded in 1936 by Frances Gould, Cleveland City Ballet has long been a pillar of excellence in dance education for Cleveland and Bradley County youth. Ownership shifted to Ms. Paula Duff in the early 1970s, and in the 1990s, Ms. Carolyn Clark joined forces with Ms. Duff. Connie and Steve Gatlin assumed ownership in 2005, relocating the studio to the Old Woolen Mill. Today, Connie and Abigail Gatlin oversee the studio, with Connie serving as Artistic Director.
Currently housed in the historic building on South Church Street, the studio spans more than 7,000 square feet, featuring dressing rooms, storage facilities, and four expansive studios named after distinguished dance instructors: Frances Gould, Paula Duff, Carolyn Clark, and Connie Gatlin.
In a significant development, Cleveland City Ballet expanded its influence in 2016 by establishing Cleveland City Ballet/Bang-A-Rang Productions as an arts foundation. This transformation led to the studio becoming a 501(c)(3) non-profit federal arts foundation, ensuring its status as the longest continuously operating arts business in Tennessee. This strategic shift solidifies its commitment to serving the community for years to come!
We believe in children, the love and laughter they bring to our days and the hope they represent for our world.
Our Mission Statement
As a private arts academy, our mission at Cleveland City Ballet is to provide unparalleled arts instruction that both challenges and inspires the youth of our community. Our accomplished faculty delivers a progressive curriculum tailored to students of varying levels and abilities, fostering an appreciation for and a deep love of the arts in each individual.
At the core of our mission, we believe in:
Excellence: We are committed to pursuing excellence in all aspects of our instruction and performance, recognizing it as the pinnacle of achievement.
Hard Work: We embrace the value of hard work as the pathway to personal and artistic growth, understanding that diligent effort yields rewarding fulfillment.
The Arts: We celebrate the transformative power of the arts, acknowledging their divine capacity to speak to our souls, mend our hearts, and enrich our lives in countless ways.
Children: We cherish the joy and vitality that children bring to our days, recognizing them as beacons of hope for our world and as the future stewards of creativity and compassion.
Through our unwavering commitment to these principles, we strive to cultivate a community where young artists thrive, dreams take flight, and the beauty of expression knows no bounds.
About our owner:
Connie Gatlin, the owner of Cleveland City Ballet, has long been a passionate advocate for the arts, particularly in supporting educational and community theater and dance performances for the youth in her community. Her journey towards enhancing dance education began when her daughter, Abigail, sought training beyond their local community. Connie embarked on visits to renowned dance training studios such as Ballet Magnificat! (Belhaven College in Jackson, MS), North Carolina School of the Arts (Durham, NC), and Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet (Carlysle, Pennsylvania). These experiences illuminated the potential for providing higher-quality training to local students.
In recent years, Connie has dedicated herself to upgrading and improving both the training programs and facilities at Cleveland City Ballet. The studio boasts wooden floors equipped with state-of-the-art "Marley" type coverings, ensuring optimal conditions for dancers. Additionally, safety is prioritized with dancers accessing the studio through a designated off-street parking area.
As the owner, Connie is committed to establishing a comprehensive philosophy at Cleveland City Ballet and Bang-A-Rang. This philosophy centers around:
Developing the Discipline of Hard Work: Emphasizing the importance of dedication and perseverance in achieving one's goals.
Developing an Appreciation of Excellence: Encouraging students to strive for excellence in their craft and to recognize and appreciate excellence in others.
Developing Imagination as a God-given Gift: Recognizing creativity as a divine endowment that fosters artistic expression, problem-solving abilities, and enriches lives profoundly.
Through Connie's leadership and vision, Cleveland City Ballet continues to evolve as a hub for nurturing talent, fostering creativity, and instilling valuable life skills in the youth of the community.