WHO WE ARE

Azara Ballet is a non-profit professional dance company creating classical and contemporary works of art to be enjoyed by the Sarasota/Manatee community. Our focus is on changing ballet culture for the  better with mental and emotional wellness through the lens of dance by encouraging body positivity and unique individuality. We are also passionate about being inclusive and representative of the LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent communities through our outreach programs.
 

The name Azara came from our findings about the origins of Sarasota. We found a map from the 1700's where the city was called Zara Zota and the loose translation was "a place of dancing"! We knew we wanted our name to reflect us and be unique in nature. So we moved some letters around and came up with Azara; and we will most certainly be a place of dancing.