MBC Announces New Artistic Director and Leadership Team
Wednesday Jan. 15th, 2025
BOZEMAN – Montana Ballet Company (MBC), the premiere ballet company of Montana, is pleased to announce Melissa Bowman as Artistic Director. Joining Ms. Bowman to complete the Executive Leadership Team are Administrative Director Leigh Ripley and Operations Director Karen Smith. These strategic moves are aimed at supporting the company's continued growth, innovation, and commitment to excellence.
Melissa Bowman – Artistic Director
Melissa Allen Bowman began her classical ballet training at age six. At age 15, she joined the corps de ballet of American Ballet Theatre before joining the Bern Ballet in Switzerland, Zurich Ballet, and then Leipzig Ballet. Over the span of her career, she has danced Soloist and Principal roles in Sleeping Beauty, Romeo and Juliet, Swan Lake, and La Bayadere.
Ms. Bowman returned to the United States to join the staff of the Pittsburgh Youth Ballet, where in 2000, she became resident choreographer and Associate Director. In 2004, she established, with her husband Richard, Danse Conservatory and California Danse Theatre Youth Ballet and served as the Artistic Director for five years.
Ms. Bowman is an ABT® Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 7 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum. Bowman taught at the ABT Summer Intensive in Detroit and became the Artistic Director of the ABT Summer Intensives. In 2007 she became an advisor to ABT’s National Training Curriculum. Ms. Bowman was previously the Assistant Principal of the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at ABT and the Director of the Children’s Division. She joined Houston Ballet in 2016 and served as both the Academy Director and the Director of Curriculum for the Houston Ballet Academy.
Ms. Bowman, her husband, Richard Bowman, and their two children, moved to Bozeman in 2022. She is thrilled to be a part of the MBC family and Bozeman Community.
Ms. Bowman offered the following: “I am truly honored to step into the role of Artistic Director at Montana Ballet Company, and I am eager to build on the incredible legacy this company has established. My vision for MBC is rooted in a commitment to presenting world-class dance performances to our audiences and fostering an environment of excellence for our dancers.
I am excited to offer holistic training to our students, with the goal of developing not only technically skilled dancers but also well-rounded artists who will become MBC’s future company members. Together, we will continue to push boundaries, inspire, and share the transformative power of dance with Montana and beyond.”
“We are so fortunate to have Ms. Bowman leading the artistic direction of MBC and training of our dancers” said Margaret Perryman, Chair of the Board of MBC. "Ms. Bowman brings an extensive performing and teaching career and affiliation with ABT. Her leadership furthers our commitment to developing top-tier ballet education and performances in the Gallatin Valley.”
Joining Ms. Bowman on the Executive Team are Administrative Director Leigh Ripley and Operations Director Karen Smith.
Leigh Ripley, Administrative Director
Ms. Ripley brings to MBC an extensive background in Business Operations and Event and Sports Marketing. She has held positions with the National Football League, International Sports Broadcasting/XIX Winter Olympic Games, and the Valley Ice Garden/Bozeman Ice Dogs. In addition to her position with Montana Ballet Company, Ms. Ripley is co-owner of Montana Parent; the avidly read parenting magazine for families living in southwest Montana. She is a graduate of The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Relations from the school of Journalism, specializing in Sports Marketing. Ms. Ripley lives in Bozeman with her three daughters.
Karen Smith, Operations Director
Ms. Smith has a special history with MBC, having grown up with MBC and performing in MBC’s very first Nutcracker production. Ms. Smith has been back with the company since 2012. During her training, Ms. Smith studied on scholarship around the country, including with the Pacific Northwest Ballet School, The Joffrey Ballet, and the Milwaukee Ballet School. She has managed the Montana Ballet School, danced with the Company, and served as assistant choreographer and rehearsal assistant for the Company’s productions. Ms. Smith has experience teaching students of all ages and abilities including with MBC, the Ballet Academy of Texas in Coppell, TX, and as a Dancing Classrooms Teaching Artist in Residence in Dallas/Fort Worth Elementary Schools. She was formally trained in Adaptive Dance Instruction at the Boston Ballet and is head instructor for MBC’s Adaptive Dance Program. Ms. Smith is a licensed Progressing Ballet Technique teacher with a B.A. in English from Montana State University. Ms. Smith, her husband, and two children are proud to make their home in Bozeman.
These new appointments and promotions follow the departure of beloved Artistic and Executive Director, Elizabeth DeFanti. MBC looks forward to celebrating Ms. DeFanti during MBC’s CONNECTIONS 2025 Gala to be held June 12, 2025. Please click here for tickets and information.
About Montana Ballet Company
Montana Ballet Company (MBC) is a nonprofit, 501c(3) arts organization governed by a Board of Directors and registered in the state of Montana. For 41 years, the Montana Ballet Company has enchanted audiences with its exceptional productions. From full-length classics to contemporary ballet and modern dance, the company presents works that appeal to both the dance enthusiast and the first-time theatergoer. Come experience the magic that is the Montana Ballet Company.
MBC will present Swan Lake March 1st and 2nd at the Willson Auditorium in Bozeman, followed by CONNECTIONS 2025 on June 13th. Please click here to purchase tickets.
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