Featuring Aru Dell’Arte Dance Company, a Maryland-based nonprofit professional contemporary ballet company founded by choreographer and artistic director Olga Aru. Blending classical ballet technique with modern choreography, the company creates innovative performances that challenge traditional storytelling, celebrate individuality, and empower women through dance. Through live performances, educational programs, and interactive experiences, Aru Dell’Arte brings professional dance to audiences and communities of all ages.
Why should teachers and students be excited about your programming?
At Aru Dell’Arte Dance Company, we believe professional dance should be inspiring, accessible, and exciting for students of all ages!Our programs bring the artistry and athleticism of professional ballet directly into schools, combining live performance, creative storytelling, interactive movement, and meaningful conversations with working professional dancers. What makes our programming unique is our contemporary approach to ballet. We challenge traditional gender roles, celebrate individuality, highlight strong female characters, and encourage students to discover new possibilities for self-expression through movement. Students don’t just watch a performance – they become part of the experience through interactive movement activities, demonstrations, and Q&A sessions with the artists.Beyond performances, we offer master classes, lecture-demonstrations, and educational experiences that introduce students to dance technique, choreography, musicality, teamwork, and the creative process. We are also excited to offer additional professional dance performances and educational programming for spring 2027, soon to be available for school bookings! We hope every student leaves feeling inspired, curious, and empowered to explore their own creativity – whether or not they have ever taken a dance class!
Is there a particular program you’d like to highlight? What makes it special?
Mini Modern Nutcracker – Christmas Legend.
What if the beloved holiday classic could tell a new story – one where girls create their own stories, traditional roles are reimagined, and the magic of dance brings everyone together? Aru Dell’Arte Dance Company is excited to introduce Mini Modern Nutcracker – Christmas Legend, a contemporary reimagining of the holiday ballet, specially adapted for school audiences. Rooted in classical ballet technique and enriched with contemporary choreography, our production celebrates friendship, compassion, individuality, and female empowerment. In our version, Drosselmeyer is a powerful female character who takes charge of her own story. Familiar Nutcracker characters come to life alongside imaginative new interpretations, including an original Flamenco Dance and playful contemporary variations. Our choreography introduces students to fresh ways of experiencing classical and contemporary ballet.
What makes this program special is that students become active participants in the experience! Presented by three professional dancers, the program combines theatrical storytelling, vibrant costumes, expressive choreography, and interactive educational activities. Students will:
– Experience professional ballet and contemporary dance performed live
– Discover how movement, music, and storytelling work together
– Participate in an interactive dance demonstration and creative movement activities
– Learn about the dedication, athleticism, and artistry of professional dancersAsk questions and engage directly with the performing artists
Total Program Duration: 60 minutes, including 45 minutes of professional ballet performance and interactive engagement, followed by a 15-minute Q&A with the dancers. Designed as a portable production, Mini Modern Nutcracker can be presented in school auditoriums, multipurpose rooms, and other suitable performance spaces, bringing the excitement of professional dance directly to students. More than a holiday performance, Mini Modern Nutcracker: Christmas Legend invites young audiences to discover that traditions can evolve, creativity has no boundaries, and everyone deserves the opportunity to tell their own story. Now welcoming school bookings for December 2026!
Anything else teachers should know about you or your programs?
Our programs are presented directly at schools, eliminating the need for student transportation. We offer flexible staging options to accommodate a variety of school performance spaces and are happy to discuss individual school needs.
Learn more about the Aru Dell’Arte Dance Company’s programming on their website and follow them on social media!
Instagram: @arudellarte
