Indianapolis Ballet Announces Julia Erickson as New Artistic Director
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September 30, 2026
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Indianapolis Ballet is thrilled to announce its new artistic director, acclaimed dancer, choreographer, collaborator, and arts leader, Julia Erickson, who will assume the appointment beginning November 16, 2026. Erickson will be the second artistic director for the organization, succeeding Victoria Lyras’s nearly 20 years of leadership.
“I’m thrilled to lead Indianapolis Ballet into its next chapter,” Erickson said. “My vision is to bring bold artistic work to the stage, champion our dancers, and deepen our connection with the Indianapolis community as we help shape the future of this art form into a more expansive, deeply shared human experience.”
Erickson began her celebrated career as a professional dancer at Texas Ballet Theater in 1999. She then joined Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre in 2001, was promoted to Soloist in 2004, then to Principal Dancer in 2009, and is one of the longest tenured dancers in PBT’s 50-year history. Erickson was also a Guest Artist with the world-renowned Alonzo King LINES Ballet. She danced for Los Angeles-based Barak Ballet and was a dancer and rehearsal director for Chamber Dance Project in Washington DC.
Erickson has served as rehearsal director for LINES Ballet, a repetiteur for choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, and as assistant professor at Point Park University, where she has engaged visiting choreographers spanning many disciplines. Her experience brings great potential for Indiana audiences. Erickson is also an experienced choreographer. She has created works for Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Point Park University, and Rochester City Ballet, among others.
Throughout her career Erickson has maintained an unwavering commitment to expanding ballet’s reach and relevance through community engagement. She forged the first formal connection between Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and the Pittsburgh Steelers that resulted in an enduring institutional relationship. She also served as board president for the Oakland Planning and Development Corporation, a community development corporation in Pittsburgh.
"The Board of Directors is incredibly excited to enter this new chapter for Indianapolis Ballet with Julia Erickson as Artistic Director," said board president Jackie Nytes. "Our founder Victoria Lyras brought professional ballet back to our city, and Ms. Erickson's vast artistic experience and eye for community engagement will spur our talented dancers to bring new levels of artistry to Indianapolis."
“We are thrilled to welcome Julia to our community and look forward to introducing her to our students and families,” says Indianapolis School of Ballet Dean, Emily Nord Womersley. “As both an accomplished artist and an experienced educator, Julia brings a wealth of knowledge that will undoubtedly inspire our students in new and exciting ways.”
"I am so pleased with the board's selection of Julia as our new artistic director,” said Don Steffy, executive director of Indianapolis Ballet. “I look forward to her inspiring our dancers and staff to reach new heights as we build an exciting future for our company and our wonderful city of Indianapolis.”
For more information about Indianapolis Ballet and its upcoming performances, visit indyballet.org.
Indianapolis Ballet, Inc. is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the advancement of professional ballet and dance education through extraordinary performances and world-class training. Centrally located in the heart of downtown, the Indianapolis School of Ballet (ISB) has served as Indiana’s premier destination for professional dance instruction since opening its doors to students in 2006. With its debut in early 2018, Indianapolis Ballet has established the presence of a fully professional, resident ballet company in the Circle City for the first time in over a decade. For more information on how Indianapolis Ballet, Inc. is moving this timeless art form forward in Indianapolis, visit www.indyballet.org and follow @indyballet on Facebook and Instagram.
Indianapolis Ballet Names Michael Vernon as Interim Artistic Director for Remainder of 2025-26 Season
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January 23, 2026
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Indianapolis Ballet (IB) is proud to announce the appointment of Michael Vernon as Interim Artistic Director. A distinguished figure in the international dance community and longtime faculty member at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, Vernon will lead the company through the conclusion of its landmark 2025-26 season.
Vernon steps into the role during a season that celebrates both the 20th anniversary of the Indianapolis School of Ballet and the organization’s deep commitment to the neoclassical legacy of George Balanchine. His first major undertaking will be overseeing the highly anticipated January production, Ethereal Blue to Fiery Red, at the Tobias Theater at Newfields.
"I am inspired to be working alongside Michael Vernon for the remainder of this season. He brings a fresh perspective to our organization, and encouragement to our professional dancers for our continued success. His vision for Indianapolis Ballet will strengthen both the dancers' artistry and technique while growing our audience." - Kristin Toner, Assistant Artistic Director
A Legacy of Excellence
Michael Vernon brings decades of world-class experience to Indianapolis Ballet. Trained at the Royal Ballet School in London under legends such as Dame Ninette de Valois and Leonide Massine, Vernon performed with the Royal Ballet, the Royal Opera Ballet, and London Festival Ballet.
In 1976, he moved to New York where he joined the Eglevsky Ballet as Ballet Master and Resident Choreographer under the directorship of André Eglevsky himself. He served as the Assistant Director to Edward Villela and eventually serving as its Artistic Director from 1989 to 1996. His choreographic credits include commissions from Mikhail Baryshnikov for American Ballet Theatre (ABT) and works for companies ranging from BalletMet, Hong Kong Ballet, to the West Australian Ballet. As a teacher, he has worked with the world’s most prestigious companies and dancers, including American Ballet Theatre, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and Dance Theatre of Harlem.
“I am excited to work with the dancers of Indianapolis Ballet and help them develop their artistry and expertise to its fullest potential.” – Michael Vernon, Interim Artistic Director
Alignment with the Balanchine Tradition
Indianapolis Ballet is proud to be one of the professional companies in the United States authorized by The George Balanchine Trust to present works by the "father of American ballet." Having taught and coached many dancers from the New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, and other prestigious professional companies throughout the United States, Vernon possesses a love and understanding of the speed, precision, and musicality required by the Balanchine technique.
January Highlight: Ethereal Blue to Fiery Red
Audiences are invited to experience the full spectrum of dance at the Tobias Theater at Newfields from January 30 – February 1, 2026. This production serves as a powerful testament to the company’s artistic range and fully encapsulates the organization’s mission. Kyra Nichols, Violette Verdy and Kathy Ziliak Anderson Chair in Ballet and professor of music, ballet at the Indiana University of Jacobs School of Music (and George Balanchine Trust Répétiteur), staged both Serenade and Valse-Fantaisie for the company. This production features:
● Waltz of the Hours: A special performance by the Indianapolis School of Ballet, honoring the school's 20th anniversary, with choreography by Jacqueline Hodek.
● George Balanchine’s Serenade: The first ballet Balanchine created in America, for students of the School of American Ballet. Performed in signature blue costumes against a luminous backdrop, this sweeping masterpiece is a milestone of 20th-century dance.
● George Balanchine’s Valse-Fantaisie: A fast, light, and perpetually moving work set to the music of Mikhail Glinka.
● Francis Veyette’s premiere of Bolero: au Fou: An electrifying, high-intensity finale set to Maurice Ravel’s iconic score, representing the "Fiery Red" of the evening's title.
Performance Schedule at the Tobias Theater at Newfields:
● Friday, January 30, 2026 | 7:30 PM
● Saturday, January 31, 2026 | 7:30 PM
● Sunday, February 1, 2026 | 3:00 PM
Tickets are on sale now at www.indyballet.org/blue-red.
For more information and updates on the 2025/26 season, visit www.indyballet.org.
Indianapolis Ballet, Inc. is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the advancement of professional ballet and dance education through extraordinary performances and world-class training. Centrally located in the heart of downtown, the Indianapolis School of Ballet (ISB) has served as Indiana’s premier destination for professional dance instruction since opening its doors to students in 2006. With its debut in early 2018, Indianapolis Ballet has established the presence of a fully professional, resident ballet company in the Circle City for the first time in over a decade. For more information on how Indianapolis Ballet, Inc. is moving this timeless art form forward in Indianapolis, visit www.indyballet.org and follow @indyballet on Facebook and Instagram.
Indianapolis Ballet Celebrates Holiday Season & Honors Founding Legacy
Shareable Accounts | Facebook: @indyballet | Instagram: @indyballet, @indyschoolofballet | Primary Hashtag: #BeUplifted
December 30, 2025
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Indianapolis Ballet (IB) proudly announces the conclusion of a very successful holiday season marked by a historic collaboration for performances of The Nutcracker at Clowes Memorial Hall and the beloved Nutcracker Sweets at the Tobias Theater at Newfields.
A Historic Collaboration
This season’s performances at Clowes Memorial Hall represented a milestone in the city’s cultural landscape, featuring a burgeoning partnership between Indianapolis Ballet and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra (ISO). For the first time, IB dancers performed to the live accompaniment of the ISO, bringing Tchaikovsky’s iconic score to life with unprecedented depth. This collaboration was made possible through the generous support of the Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation, whose commitment to the arts continues to elevate the caliber of live performances in Central Indiana.
Artistic Excellence on Stage
Audiences were treated to exemplary performances by Indianapolis Ballet’s professional company, joined by nearly 50 talented students from the Indianapolis School of Ballet. The production was further enhanced by the debut of 130 sparkling costumes, adding a fresh visual brilliance to the timeless holiday classic. This included original designs by Abigail Marten, designs from Pegeen and Much Ado Tutus, as well as supplementary rentals from Pacific Northwest Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Dance Kaleidoscope, Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre, and Indiana University Opera and Ballet Theater. The Indianapolis Ballet Guild and many volunteers provided additional wardrobe support as well.
Honoring a Founding Legacy & Looking Ahead
This successful run was led to the stage by Assistant Artistic Director Kristin Toner, with additional support by Rehearsal Director Francis Veyette, Head of School Lauren Fadeley Veyette, and Director of the Young Children’s Program Emily Nord Womersley. This production follows the conclusion of tenure for Founding Artistic Director Victoria Lyras, who remains a central figure in the organization’s history.
As Indianapolis Ballet transitions into the new year, the organization will announce an interim artistic director in January to lead the company in the upcoming productions of Ethereal Blue to Fiery Red in January, The Sleeping Beauty with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, and concluding with the Family Series production in April.
For more information and updates on the 2025/26 season, visit www.indyballet.org.
Media Assets
Members of the press and the public are invited to view and download high-resolution highlights from the production, including performance stills and candid moments of patrons meeting characters like the Snow Queen in the Clowes Memorial Hall lobby. Production photos are by Sonja Clark, Moonbug Photography. Highlights can be viewed and downloaded here.
Indianapolis Ballet, Inc. is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the advancement of professional ballet and dance education through extraordinary performances and world-class training. Centrally located in the heart of downtown, the Indianapolis School of Ballet (ISB) has served as Indiana’s premier destination for professional dance instruction since opening its doors to students in 2006. With its debut in early 2018, Indianapolis Ballet has established the presence of a fully professional, resident ballet company in the Circle City for the first time in over a decade. For more information on how Indianapolis Ballet, Inc. is moving this timeless art form forward in Indianapolis, visit www.indyballet.org and follow @indyballet on Facebook and Instagram.
