Tuzer Ballet is a non-profit, publicly supported organization created to advance the study, performance and appreciation of classical ballet and other forms of modern dance in Richardson and the surrounding North Dallas area. Founded in 1984 by Tanju and Patricia Tuzer, the Tuzer Ballet Company and School have evolved into a highly respected, regional dance academy that is praised for its broad repertoire, dancers of uncommon skill and overall artistic vision.
Tanju and Pat Tuzer served together as Directors of the Tuzer Dance School, artistic directors of the Tuzer Ballet Company and principal ballet instructors at the school for over 30 years. Tanju was born in Istanbul, Turkey and began his dance training at the age of nine. His professional career spanned from Germany to London and New York before returning to Europe. Pat was born in Dallas and began her dance training at the age of three. During her professional career, she danced as a soloist and principal dancer in various notable ballets in New York as well as Europe. Pat and Tanju eventually moved to her hometown of Dallas in 1977 to start a family and to open the ballet school.
Tanju lost his battle with cancer in November of 2017 after decades of influencing and inspiring so many. Yet, his spirit lives on and echoes throughout the school and its dancers. Pat is the current artistic director and choreographer and is a visionary in her own right. She has established a strong classical base for the dancers to dance a multitude of styles and vocabularies by a range of choreographers. Among those invited to create works for the company have been Paul Mejia, Bruce Wood, Mary Ann Wall and Benjamin Johnson.
The Tuzer Ballet also has the longest running Nutcracker ballet in Dallas and Fort Worth and will be back for its 38th holiday season in December 2023. Their Nutcracker has been described as offering “a blend of global inspiration and local brilliance,” with technically difficult choreography and more than 400 original costumes and professional sets that transport audiences to a magical wonderland.
For more than forty years, Tuzer Ballet has been deeply committed to bringing the art of dance to the area, providing extraordinary opportunities for dance students to perform amazing work and transcending the tradition of ballet. As a non-profit, these achievements have always only been possible with the support of like-minded patrons. We are sustained entirely through grants, corporate and individual donations, fundraising events and the dedication of hundreds of volunteers. Since 1998, the company has distributed Nutcracker tickets at no charge to worthy organizations serving the needy. As a result, thousands who would not have otherwise had the opportunity to enjoy the classic holiday ballet performance have had their lives brightened by the magic of dance.
Tuzer Ballet is a non-profit, publicly supported organization created to advance the study, performance and appreciation of classical ballet and other forms of modern dance in Richardson and the surrounding North Dallas area. Founded in 1984 by Tanju and Patricia Tuzer, the Tuzer Ballet Company and School have evolved into a highly respected, regional dance academy that is praised for its broad repertoire, dancers of uncommon skill and overall artistic vision.
Tanju and Pat Tuzer served together as Directors of the Tuzer Dance School, artistic directors of the Tuzer Ballet Company and principal ballet instructors at the school for over 30 years. Tanju was born in Istanbul, Turkey and began his dance training at the age of nine. His professional career spanned from Germany to London and New York before returning to Europe. Pat was born in Dallas and began her dance training at the age of three. During her professional career, she danced as a soloist and principal dancer in various notable ballets in New York as well as Europe. Pat and Tanju eventually moved to her hometown of Dallas in 1977 to start a family and to open the ballet school.
Tanju lost his battle with cancer in November of 2017 after decades of influencing and inspiring so many. Yet, his spirit lives on and echoes throughout the school and its dancers. Pat is the current artistic director and choreographer and is a visionary in her own right. She has established a strong classical base for the dancers to dance a multitude of styles and vocabularies by a range of choreographers. Among those invited to create works for the company have been Paul Mejia, Bruce Wood, Mary Ann Wall and Benjamin Johnson.
The Tuzer Ballet also has the longest running Nutcracker ballet in Dallas and Fort Worth and will be back for its 38th holiday season in December 2023. Their Nutcracker has been described as offering “a blend of global inspiration and local brilliance,” with technically difficult choreography and more than 400 original costumes and professional sets that transport audiences to a magical wonderland.
For more than forty years, Tuzer Ballet has been deeply committed to bringing the art of dance to the area, providing extraordinary opportunities for dance students to perform amazing work and transcending the tradition of ballet. As a non-profit, these achievements have always only been possible with the support of like-minded patrons. We are sustained entirely through grants, corporate and individual donations, fundraising events and the dedication of hundreds of volunteers. Since 1998, the company has distributed Nutcracker tickets at no charge to worthy organizations serving the needy. As a result, thousands who would not have otherwise had the opportunity to enjoy the classic holiday ballet performance have had their lives brightened by the magic of dance.