Snowmass history: Ballet West
Chris Cassatt/Aspen Historical Society
“This summer Ballet West will be offering more classes in more areas of dance than ever before,” an article in The Aspen Times read June 12, 1980. “Beginning, Beginning Intermediate, Intermediate, Advanced Intermediate and Advanced Ballet as well as Beginning and Intermediate Jazz and Modern Dance will be offered for adults and young people over the age of 11 … Teachers for the classes are drawn from the Ballet West Summer Dance School located in Snowmass. Joining the Ballet West faculty for the first time this summer and teaching modern dance will be Jeff Slayton, former dancer with the Merce Cunningham Dance Company and most recently a principal dancer with the Viola Farber Dance Company. Slayton is currently on the dance faculty of California State University in Longbeach and Artistic Director of his own dance company in California. Also returning as Ballet West faculty members will be Barbara Hamblin, faculty member of the University of Utah Dance department; Tenley Taylor, Assistant Ballet Mistress with Ballet West; and Nancy Clarke past Ballet West Company member.”
Many of the Ballet West classes for adults and children were held in open-air striped tents, like the one pictured, set up around Snowmass Village.
Snowmass homeowners must register alarm systems with police department starting in 2024
Homeowners in Snowmass Village with security systems that are designed to call the local police department must apply for a new permit or face a $250 fine each time the police are called to their home.
