Inspiring Dancers. Enriching Our Community. Advancing the Art of Ballet.
About the Foundation
Founded in 1974, the Contra Costa Ballet Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing the art and artistry of ballet to the East Bay. Our mission is to provide affordable, professionally staged performances while supporting the education, development, and performance opportunities of aspiring and pre-professional dancers.
Our Impact
Through outreach programs and community events, the Foundation brings ballet beyond the stage and into local schools and the broader community, making dance accessible to audiences of all ages.
Each season, the Foundation sponsors The Nutcracker, drawing audiences from throughout the Bay Area and continuing a cherished holiday tradition for generations of families. Together, these efforts reflect our commitment to inspiring dancers, enriching our community, and advancing the art of ballet.
Continuing the Tradition
For decades, the Foundation’s productions provided performance opportunities for dancers of the Contra Costa Ballet Centre. Following the retirement of Artistic Directors Richard Cammack and Zola Dishong in 2026, the Centre concluded its operations.
Today, the Foundation is proud to continue this tradition in partnership with Orza Academy of Ballet, now located in the former Contra Costa Ballet Centre space. Together, we are building on the Foundation’s longstanding legacy while creating new opportunities for dancers and audiences throughout our community.
The Foundation
Board of Directors
Connie Foos, President
Lauren Ashton, Vice President
Nicole Snyder, Treasurer
Beverly Wilson, Secretary
Jacqueline Cahayag, Director
Nicole Victorino, Director
Anna Anthony, Director
Lana Gromova Vallant, Director
Advisors
Aaron Orza, Artistic Director
Kristin Orza, Artistic Director
A Cherished Holiday Tradition
Each season, the Foundation sponsors The Nutcracker, drawing audiences from throughout the Bay Area and continuing a cherished holiday tradition for generations of families. Together, these efforts reflect our commitment to inspiring dancers, enriching our community, and advancing the art of ballet.
Stories from our Community
“I am so grateful for the amazing performance opportunities I was able to be a part of because of the Contra Costa Ballet Foundation in partnership with the Contra Costa Ballet Center and now the Orza Academy of Ballet. They are some of the most memorable times of my life.”
— Sophia Foos, Former Contra Costa Ballet Centre Dancer
“Bringing the arts to the community through community outreach is inspiring and enriches the community. Our library has had the privilege of hosting a story time outreach with the Contra Costa Ballet Foundation introducing children to the magic of ballet in a fun, creative, welcoming way.”
— Local Librarian, Contra Costa CountyMake a donation to support ballet in the East Bay
