When Eastern Connecticut Ballet was founded in 1992, the goal was to create a physical, intellectual, and quote from studentemotional performance environment that would over time become a performing arts center of professional stature for the shoreline area. This goal required that we not only provide the highest quality technical instruction in dance at all levels, but also put in place comprehensive programs for students seriously committed to dance as its own quotereward, as an art form for further study, or as a professional career. At the same time we recognized our responsibility to the local community to raise awareness of the beauty and power of dance and to make dance education available to committed students irrespective of their background or means. Over the years, we have made significant strides towards achieving this goal, and ECB is now acknowledged as the area’s preeminent center for serious dance training.