Specialties
The Continental Ballet Company was established in 1988 by Riet Velthuisen, a native of Holland who has danced professionally with several European companies, including the Dutch National Ballet. Continental Ballet Company presents professional classical ballet performances and outreach programs in the suburban Twin Cities area and throughout Minnesota. Riet has choreographed and/or staged all of the ballets in the Companys repertoire. Riets original choreography has won recognition by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Arts and has been appreciated by audiences all over the state. Her dedication and passion for the art of classical ballet is complimented by her commitment and vision for quality productions.
History
Established in 1988.
The Continental Ballet Company was established in 1988 by Riet Velthuisen, a native of Holland who has danced professionally with several European companies, including the Dutch National Ballet. Continental Ballet Company presents professional classical ballet performances and outreach programs in the suburban Twin Cities area and throughout Minnesota.
Riet has choreographed and/or staged all of the ballets in the Company's repertoire. Riet's original choreography has won recognition by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Arts and has been appreciated by audiences all over the state. Her dedication and passion for the art of classical ballet is complimented by her commitment and vision for quality productions.
Meet the Business Owner: Riet V.
Riet is the founder and director of Continental Ballet Company. She is a native of Holland and danced professionally with several European ballet companies, including the Dutch National Ballet. Riet studied classical ballet in Amsterdam, the Hague and Paris.
After working as ballet mistress in Memphis and Florida, Riet moved to the Twin Cities with her family. In 1987 she began teaching in Bloomington and in 1988 formed Continental Ballet Company. Under Riet's direction, the Company moved from temporary rental space to its current home in the Bloomington Center for the Arts. Riet was instrumental in getting the Company involved as an active member of the Bloomington Fine Arts Council.
Riet works with the Company dancers, conducting all rehearsals and directing all productions. She passes her European style onto the dancers who train with her. On several occasions she has accompanied dancers to Holland to share her European heritage and training with them.
Riet has choreographed