Scott Altman

Executive Director

The Elizabeth Solomon Executive Chair

Scott Altman joined Ballet West as Executive Director in 2013, bringing with him nearly three decades of experience in nonprofit administration and performing arts. A respected industry leader, Altman has worked most of his career to advance the arts through entrepreneurial growth, fiscal sustainability, and by maximizing organizational achievements.

Under Altman’s skilled leadership, Ballet West has experienced phenomenal expansion. With a concentrated focus on Ballet West Academy, the attendance of the school has grown 75 percent. The physical footprint has also increased significantly, with a new satellite location in Lehi, Utah at Thanksgiving Point, which opened in August, 2014.

The Company is witnessing a true renaissance, unique for an organization in its 52^nd year. In the last two years, under Altman, Ballet West has witnessed a 21 percent growth in ticket sales, vastly expanded touring schedule, robust growth in donor development, and a renewed and energized Board of Directors. In that time, Altman has been a guardian of the fiscal health of the organization, balancing the operational budget while establishing a robust cash reserve. Most recently, he facilitated a watershed campaign, the 12-month long “Million Dollar Challenge,” which completely eliminated $2.2 million in operational debt; the first time the Company had achieved the eradication of operational debt in 33 years. [expand title=”READ MORE” tag=”span”]

Upon his arrival at Ballet West, Altman helped negotiate financing and oversaw the construction of the Jessie Eccles Quinney Ballet Centre, which was completed in December of 2014. This beautiful new 55,000 square foot home for Ballet West, which is LEED-certified, provides space for studios, costume and administrative space, and is a beacon to the arts community in Utah, and beyond.

Previous to Ballet West, Altman was the General Director of Phoenix-based Arizona Opera where, under his leadership, the company experienced unprecedented patron and audience development, and achieved financial stability by launching – and completing – an $8.5 million capital campaign. Altman also oversaw the design and construction of a spectacular new Opera Center in central Phoenix, which incorporated administrative, performance, production, education, and community space.

Recently, Altman attended Stanford University’s Executive Program for Nonprofit Leaders, an elite certificate program for nonprofit administrators. Altman is also the recipient of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts Citation of Excellence Awards for 2007, 2008, and 2009. Professional activities include, among many others, serving as Regional and District Adjudicator for the Metropolitan Opera National Council, Altman has embedded himself in the community, and is a member of the Salt Lake Rotary, Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce, Utah Nonprofits Association, and is a founder of the Ballet West Ballers, the official softball team of the Company.

Prior to his roles in administration, Altman had a successful 20-year career as a professional singer and performed 37 opera roles internationally. Along his path to administration, he was also an adjunct professor of opera at Princeton University.

Altman completed his Masters of Music degree at Manhattan School of Music in New York after receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the State University College at Purchase in Purchase, New York. He lives in Salt Lake with his wife and two sons. [/expand]

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Leadership

Michael Andrew Currey

Vice President of Artistic and Production Operations

Ken Dodson

Vice President of Finance and Administration

Tom Michel

Vice President of Development and Marketing

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Peter Christie

Director of Education and Outreach

Peter Merz

Director of Ballet West Academy

Sarah West

Director of Development

Summer Wilson

Director of Business Expansion and Company Management

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Joshua Jones

Associate Director of Press and Social Media

Sara M. K. Neal

Associate Director of Marketing

Chris Yoakam

Associate Director of Finance

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Administration and Finance

Felicia Cowan

Human Resource and Payroll Manager

Sarah Taylor

Assistant Company Manager

Jennifer Bailey

Accounting Manager

Robin L. Holt

Accounts Payable Coordinator

Shazell Ellerback

Assistant to the Executive Director and Board Liaison

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Development

Laura O’Neill

Manager of Special Events

Jyn Van Putten

Membership Services Manager

Mickell Smith

Corporate Partnerships Manager

Laurie Staton

Foundation and Government Grants Manager

Kelsie Rank

Development Coordinator

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Marketing

Lisa Jensen

Retail Sales & Boutique Manager

Whitney Shaw

Coordinator of Creative Services

Marissa Hodges

Marketing Coordinator

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Ticketing and Subscriber Services

Jack E Stahl

Manager of Technology and Ticketing

Jenée Brenning

Coordinator of Patron Services

Amy Falls

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Bob Crowder, Josh Crowder and Aaron Crowder are the official IT consultants to Ballet West.
Ballet West is an American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) Company.Ballet West is an American Federation of Musicians (AFM) Company.

Ballet West is an International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Company.