About Us

Beginning in 1970, the Bartlesville Civic Ballet began presenting performances using local dancers from local dance schools. The BCB used dancers from Bartlesville and the surrounding areas including dancers trained under longtime BCB artistic director, Charlotte Lyke, who owned and operated The Bartlesville Ballet Centre for decades here in Bartlesville. Upon the retirement of Miss Charlotte and closing of the Bartlesville Ballet Centre, the Bartlesville Civic Ballet opened the Academy in its current location in 2013 and has presented academy-style technique classes to students who were seeking artistic expression through dance and music. 

Today, the Bartlesville Civic Ballet can boast three generations among its dancers, with many grandparents and parents sending their children to be trained at the Academy as they were trained in their youth. Performances are widely attended by both local citizens and Oklahomans from throughout the state, as well as out-of-state visitors who travel exclusively to our region to see The Nutcracker Ballet each December at The Center in Bartlesville. Bartlesville Civic Ballet's unique choreography in The Nutcracker was created by Mr. Leo Ahonen and the costumes were designed and hand-crafted by his wife, Soili Arvola, who also has served as Artistic Advisor for the annual production. Throughout the years, Bartlesville Civic Ballet has employed a variety of instructors who have introduced a level of talent development that allowed several students to obtain scholarships and stage work throughout the United States. This commitment to excellence continues today.

Equal with the commitment to professional training levels is a commitment to character development and physical fitness, with curriculums that include learning social skills alongside physical technique to assure that students appreciate others while providing their own contribution to the Arts. Students are given instruction in the history of the dance arts, career vocabulary and stage skills, introductions to various styles of dance within conservative boundaries, and theater etiquette to prepare them for pursuing a career in dance or as a support for a lifetime of artistic expression and patron fellowship.

So whether you are a long-time supporter of the Bartlesville Civic Ballet or this is your first encounter with our organization, you and your family can be assured of excellence in teaching and beauty in production that will continue the traditions of our city's commitment to the Arts and that leaves a legacy for all future generations.

BCB is a 501(c)(3) non-profit commissioned with the State of Oklahoma.