Springfield, Missouri – June 23, 2026 - Springfield Ballet is proud to announce the appointment of Jessilyn Cortez as Outreach Coordinator as it celebrates its 50th year as an organization.

Jessilyn began her training in classical and contemporary ballet techniques at the age of three through Bethel Ballet Academy in Hanford, California. During her fourteen years at the studio, she gained experience as a teacher’s assistant for dancers ages three through seven and joined the studio’s performance company, Corum Deo, which brought the art of ballet to nursing homes and churches throughout the Central Valley. Jessilyn went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in counseling psychology and build a career in higher education student services, advancing until she became the Director of Career Planning and Development at Drury University upon her move to the Springfield area. She returns to the arts this summer as Springfield Ballet’s Outreach Programs Coordinator, where she focuses on showcasing ballet to Springfield locals who may have limited exposure to the arts.

“Dance brings music to life and invokes creativity, discipline, resilience, and courage that not only enrich students’ lives but teach them skills that help them pursue their goals and overcome any obstacles in their path,” said Jessilyn Cortez. “It is my honor to be a part of my students’ growth journeys and see all they will accomplish during and after their time with Springfield Ballet.”

Jessilyn joins Springfield Ballet during its 50-year anniversary season, celebrating five decades of premier ballet education, artistic excellence, and marking a year of milestones for outreach programming and increased community support.

The 2026-27 season celebrates a 30-year partnership with The Kennedy Center’s Any Given Child initiative to provide transportation for every Springfield Public School second-grade student to attend a live abridged performance of Springfield Ballet’s The Nutcracker or a spring production. For nearly 20 years, Springfield Ballet has also partnered with Springfield Public Schools to deliver Dance Chance, which provides free weekly after-school dance classes to Title 1 elementary schools. During the upcoming 2026-2027 academic year, Springfield Ballet expects to serve another 360 kindergarten through third-grade students across six schools in this free program with support from the Missouri Arts Council and Great Southern Bank. Promising Dance Chance students with passion and aptitude for ballet are invited to continue their dance training in Star Steps, a program that provides mentorship from Springfield Ballet students, a Ballet 1 level dance class, and dress code requirements free of charge. Now entering its fifth year, Star Steps has already impacted 61 students, with 31 students participating in the program over multiple sessions. Eleven participants have been awarded Springfield Ballet scholarships and gone on to perform in Springfield Ballet mainstage productions. Springfield Ballet was selected as one of seven recipients of the 2026 Youth Empowerment Project Grant to support its Star Steps program.

Springfield Ballet has also provided free adaptive dance classes to Arc of the Ozarks SOAR (Strengths, Opportunities, Access, Resources) participants, reaching 45 students each season since 2021. Arc of the Ozarks was recently awarded the Springfield Regional Arts Council’s Arts & Culture Program Support Grant to fund the expansion of these adaptive dance classes and support its annual SOAR Talent Show.

“Springfield Ballet outreach programs are about access, opportunity, and building confidence in those who may not otherwise have the chance to experience the joy of artistic movement," said Springfield Ballet Executive Director Kyler Dibben. “These programs are made possible through years of dedication from our staff and faculty and support from donors and our partner organizations.”

For more information about Springfield Ballet’s outreach programming, 50th anniversary season, upcoming events, or to provide support visit springfieldballet.org.

Springfield Ballet, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the mission of advancing the art of ballet through premier education, performance, outreach, and collaboration. As a staple in the Springfield arts community since 1976, the Ballet provides the highest level of classical ballet training in southwest Missouri and produces two full-length ballets each year, including the seasonal favorite The Nutcracker. Learn more at springfieldballet.org.

For more information, contact Kyler Dibben, Executive Director, at 417.862.1343 or kdibben@springfieldballet.org.