Continental Ballet Company enriches the community by preserving the art of classical ballet through professional performances, dance development, and educational programs bringing ballet to all people. From our staff, artists, volunteers, and Board of directors, the Continental Ballet family works tirelessly to ensure that we stay true to our unique vision of ballet under the direction of Riet Velthuisen. The company has over twenty performances a season. The Company has been providing professional performances and educational programs for 28 years in the Twin Cities. In addition to programs in the Schneider Theater in the Bloomington Center for the Arts, the Company has an active and successful touring program. The John F. Kennedy Center for the Arts in Washington D.C. has awarded recognition to Continental Ballet Company and placed them on their Roster of Approved Artists. CBC Performs classic ballets such as, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Nutcracker, Paquita, Cinderella and Coppelia, We have presented over 130 formal performances to 100,000 people statewide and reached over 40,000 K -12 children through school residencies and outreach activities The Founder/Director is Riet Velthuisen, a native of Holland and former professional dancer with several European companies including the Dutch National Ballet. Continental Ballet School ensure that the traditions of ballet are sustained and carried on with education and training. Our instructors are dancers with the company. They are motivated to teach because of their love of ballet and their desire to share their knowledge and experience.