Houston Repertoire Ballet Celebrates 30th Season with ‘Celebration of Dance 2026’ at CFISD Visual and Performing Arts Center
Residents across Cypress and the greater northwest Houston area will soon have the chance to experience an afternoon of world-class ballet close to home. The Houston Repertoire Ballet (HRB) is preparing to celebrate its milestone 30th season with Celebration of Dance 2026, a performance showcasing both classical and contemporary works performed by talented young dancers and professional guest artists.
The performances will take place Sunday, April 12 at 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. at the Cypress-Fairbanks ISD Visual and Performing Arts Center, located at 11420 Matze Road in Cypress. Tickets are priced at $20, making the event an accessible opportunity for families and local arts supporters to experience live ballet in their community.
A Ballet Tradition Celebrating 30 Years in the Houston Region
For three decades, the Houston Repertoire Ballet has helped shape the cultural landscape of suburban Houston by nurturing young dancers and presenting professional-quality performances to the public. Founded by nationally acclaimed teachers and choreographers Victoria Vittum and Gilbert Rome, the nonprofit organization has become widely recognized as one of the region’s leading pre-professional ballet companies.
Today, HRB continues to serve communities across Harris and Montgomery counties, providing advanced dance training while introducing audiences of all ages to classical and contemporary ballet. The company’s annual performances—including The Nutcracker in December and Celebration of Dance each spring—have become cherished traditions for many local families.
A Diverse Program of Classical and Contemporary Ballet
The 2026 performance will feature a wide range of styles, blending timeless classical ballet with modern and jazz-inspired choreography.
The program begins with Aurora’s Wedding (Act III) from Sleeping Beauty, bringing regal characters and joyful storytelling to the stage. The piece will feature guest artists from Kansas City Ballet, Olivia Jacobus and Andrew Vecseri, alongside HRB dancers.
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Other featured works include:
- Bolero, a contemporary ballet choreographed by Victoria Vittum set to Maurice Ravel’s iconic score
- Take Five, a jazz-inspired piece choreographed by Kristy Nilsson to music by Dave Brubeck
- Ascent, a modern work by choreographer JoDee Engle set to music by Toneloom
- Rodeo, a lively story ballet choreographed by Kristy Nilsson to Aaron Copland’s celebrated score
Together, the program highlights the artistic range of the company’s dancers while introducing audiences to different styles of ballet and performance.
Guest Artists Take the Stage
This year’s production also features guest appearances by professional dancers from Kansas City Ballet.
Olivia Jacobus, who trained with New York City Ballet instructors Romy and Zippora Karz and performed with Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Professional Division, returns for another season with Kansas City Ballet. She continues to perform widely while pursuing online studies in business.
Joining her is Andrew Vecseri, a Houston native whose ballet journey began with the Houston Repertoire Ballet itself. Vecseri later trained with Houston Ballet Academy and danced professionally with Houston Ballet before joining Kansas City Ballet in 2022. This season marks his final year performing before he transitions into a career in nuclear science.
Their presence adds a unique full-circle moment for the production, highlighting how young dancers trained in the Houston area can go on to professional careers.
Honoring the Next Generation of Dancers
Celebration of Dance 2026 will also recognize several senior company members taking their final bow with HRB before pursuing their next chapters. These graduating dancers represent high schools across the region, including Cinco Ranch High School, Cypress Woods High School, Seven Lakes High School, Klein High School, Cy-Fair High School, Cypress Ranch High School, and others.
Many HRB alumni have gone on to perform with prestigious companies across the country, including New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Miami City Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, and Houston Ballet, reinforcing the organization’s reputation as a launchpad for emerging talent.
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Making Ballet Accessible to the Community
Beyond its performances, HRB continues to focus on community engagement and arts education. The organization regularly partners with local educators and provides outreach opportunities designed to introduce young audiences to dance.
For the upcoming performances, each company member will receive two complimentary ticket vouchers to gift to teachers, recognizing the important role educators play in students’ lives.
The company will also continue its season with additional community-focused programming, including The Choreography Project on May 16 at the CFISD Visual and Performing Arts Center—a free event that highlights original choreography created by HRB students.
How to Attend
The Celebration of Dance 2026 performances will take place:
- Sunday, April 12, 2026
- 1:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
- CFISD Visual and Performing Arts Center, 11420 Matze Road, Cypress, Texas
Tickets are $20, with a recommended minimum age of two. Tickets and additional information can be found through the Cypress-Fairbanks ISD Visual and Performing Arts Center ticket portal or through the Houston Repertoire Ballet website.
For many Cypress-area residents, the performance offers a chance to experience professional-level ballet in a local setting while supporting the next generation of dancers.
As the Houston Repertoire Ballet marks its 30th season, Celebration of Dance 2026 reflects not only the artistry of its performers but also the community support that has helped the organization thrive for three decades.
Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for more local arts events, cultural highlights, and community happenings across the Cypress and Northwest Houston areas.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.