New Orleans Ballet Association (NOBA)

For over five decades, the New Orleans Ballet Association (NOBA) has been an undeniable cornerstone of the cultural landscape in Louisiana. Far more than just a "store" in the traditional sense, NOBA is a dynamic and essential non-profit organization dedicated solely to the art of dance. It is the premier presenting and service organization for dance in the Central Gulf region, cultivating understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment of dance through a powerful combination of world-class performances, comprehensive education, and invaluable community service.

NOBA’s impact on the lives of countless individuals across the Greater New Orleans area is profound. They are celebrated for making the transformative art of dance accessible to all, regardless of age or socio-economic background, through their extensive tuition-free dance programs. From young children taking their very first steps in a ballet class to seniors enjoying dance fitness and individuals living with Parkinson's finding joy and improved movement, NOBA touches the lives of over 30,000 people annually. Their commitment to diversity, inclusion, and fostering vital life skills alongside artistic technique has earned them national recognition and deep admiration from the community they serve.

This overview will delve into what makes the New Orleans Ballet Association a true gem for locals in Louisiana. We'll explore its central administrative location and the widespread accessibility of its programs, the diverse services and educational opportunities it offers, its distinguishing features and highlights, and ultimately, why NOBA is an indispensable and highly suitable resource for fostering a love of dance and building stronger communities across our state.

The administrative offices of the New Orleans Ballet Association (NOBA) are located at 935 Gravier St, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA. This address places NOBA squarely in the heart of downtown New Orleans, within the bustling Central Business District (CBD). Gravier Street is a well-known thoroughfare, ensuring easy navigation to their main office.

While the administrative office is centrally located, the accessibility of NOBA's programs extends far beyond this single address. NOBA is renowned for its extensive outreach, offering classes and activities at up to 20 neighborhood sites across Orleans, Jefferson, and St. Bernard parishes. This decentralized approach dramatically increases accessibility for locals across the Greater New Orleans area, ensuring that tuition-free dance education is available close to where people live. For the Gravier Street office, its location in the CBD means it's well-served by various public transportation options, including multiple New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) bus routes and the streetcar lines, which operate throughout the downtown area. This makes it convenient for staff, partners, and visitors. For those driving, paid parking garages and street parking options are available in the surrounding CBD area. The strategic placement of both its central office and widespread program sites ensures that NOBA remains highly accessible and deeply embedded within the communities it serves throughout Louisiana.

Services Offered:

• Main Stage Series: NOBA presents a full season of world-class dance companies of all genres, featuring internationally acclaimed artists and troupes at venues such as the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts and Freda Lupin Memorial Hall (NOCCA).
• Tuition-Free Dance Education Programs: A cornerstone of NOBA's mission, offering comprehensive, internationally recognized, and award-winning dance, health, and wellness programs.
• Youth Dance Classes: Over 5,000 tuition-free dance classes and activities annually for children ages 3-18. Programs include:
  • Early Childhood Dance (ages 3-5)
  • After-School Dance Classes (ages 5-18)
  • Pre-Professional Dance Classes (ages 9-18, by audition) for advanced training with local and nationally renowned guest artists.
• Adult Dance & Fitness Programs: Offers a variety of tuition-free or open community classes for adults and teens ages 14-80+, including:
  • Open Community Dance, Fitness, and Wellness Classes (Ballet technique, Hip Hop, Modern, West African, Jazz, Conditioning, Dance Fitness, etc.)
  • Senior Dance Fitness Program (ages 55+): Focused on stretch, balance, cardio, and dance set to music.
  • Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust Dance for Parkinson's Program: Free creative movement classes specially designed for people living with Parkinson's and other movement/neurological challenges.
• Master Artist Series: Provides pre-professional students and adult dancers with opportunities for advanced study and mentorship by world-renowned dancers and choreographers from top companies like Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and San Francisco Ballet.
• Performance Opportunities: Students often have opportunities to participate in full production performances with costumes and sets, including intergenerational performances like "The Nutcracker Suite."
• Scholarship Opportunities: Provides scholarships for advanced summer training at prestigious national programs for talented pre-professional students.
• Community Outreach and Partnerships: Collaborates with the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission (NORD) to establish the nationally renowned Center for Dance (CFD), and partners with schools, community centers, housing developments, and churches across Orleans, Jefferson, and St. Bernard parishes.
• Arts Healing Programs: Offers specialized programs like the Dance for Parkinson's Program and Senior Dance Fitness, recognizing the therapeutic benefits of dance.

Features / Highlights:

• Tuition-Free Accessibility: A monumental highlight is NOBA's commitment to providing high-quality dance education and health/wellness programs entirely tuition-free, making dance accessible to thousands of underserved families and individuals.
• Nationally Recognized Programs: NOBA's education and health/wellness programs are internationally recognized and award-winning, signifying their excellence and impact.
• World-Class Performance Presenter: As a leading presenter, NOBA brings top-tier international and national dance companies to New Orleans, enriching the cultural life of the city and providing inspiration for local dancers.
• Holistic Development: Beyond teaching dance technique, NOBA programs instill vital life skills such as discipline, focus, confidence, and artistry, as repeatedly praised by former students and parents.
• Inclusivity and Diversity: NOBA is highly committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring that its programs serve a wide range of ages (from 3 to 80+) and backgrounds.
• Extensive Community Reach: With classes offered at up to 20 neighborhood sites and partnerships with various community organizations, NOBA deeply integrates dance into local communities.
• Specialized Health and Wellness Programs: The Senior Dance Fitness Program and the Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust Dance for Parkinson's Program demonstrate NOBA's innovative approach to using dance for health and well-being.
• Exceptional Faculty and Guest Artists: Weekly classes are led by professional faculty, and the Master Artist Series brings world-renowned dancers and choreographers for unique learning experiences.
• Strong Community Support: Highlighted by glowing reviews, NOBA is considered a "true gem to the city" and an "amazing" program by those who have directly benefited from its offerings.

Contact Information:

Address: 935 Gravier St, Suite 800, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA

Phone: (504) 522-0996

Mobile Phone: +1 504-522-0996

Fax: (504) 595-8454

Email: info@nobadance.com (general inquiries), fmartin@nobadance.com (development), mwhite@nobadance.com (education)

For locals in Louisiana, particularly those in the New Orleans metropolitan area, the New Orleans Ballet Association (NOBA) is an unparalleled and truly invaluable community resource. Its unwavering commitment to providing high-quality, tuition-free dance education is a gift to countless families, ensuring that financial constraints do not stand in the way of a child's artistic development or an adult's desire to move and stay healthy. This inclusive approach makes dance accessible to everyone, fostering a more vibrant and equitable community.

The breadth of NOBA's offerings is remarkable. For aspiring young dancers, the rigorous pre-professional training and the extraordinary opportunities to learn from and perform with world-renowned artists are transformative. These programs instill not just exquisite technique but also crucial life skills like discipline, confidence, and resilience, which are carried into adulthood and beyond, as attested by enthusiastic alumni. For adults and seniors, the diverse range of dance fitness and specialized wellness programs, including the acclaimed Dance for Parkinson's program, offers engaging ways to improve physical and mental health, fostering a sense of joy and connection.

Beyond its educational impact, NOBA significantly enriches the cultural fabric of New Orleans by consistently bringing world-class dance performances to local stages. This allows residents to experience the highest caliber of dance artistry without having to travel far. In essence, NOBA is more than an organization; it's a dynamic force that elevates lives through the power of dance, making it an indispensable "gem" and an ideal fit for anyone in Louisiana looking to experience, learn, or support the art of dance in their community.

New Orleans Ballet Association (NOBA)

935 Gravier St, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA