Senate Resolution No. 428

BY: Senator DEFRANCISCO

COMMEMORATING the 20th Anniversary of Syracuse
City Ballet, Inc.

WHEREAS, The arts, in whatever form, are central to human
expression; they are truly a universal language and their contribution
to the development of friendship and understanding among all peoples
cannot be underestimated; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend those artistic organizations which have brought outstanding
entertainment and cultural enrichment to the citizens of the great State
of New York; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 20th Anniversary of Syracuse City Ballet, Inc.; the
company kicked off its 20th Anniversary 2016-2017 Season with "An
Intimate Evening with Syracuse City Ballet," a show that combines
classical ballet and modern dance, at the Syracuse OnCenter Bevard
Studio on September 22, 2016; and

WHEREAS, Syracuse City Ballet has and will continue the celebration
of its 20th Anniversary season with The Nutcracker at the OnCenter
Crouse Hinds Theater on December 3, 2016, and will cap off the season
with Snow White, at Crouse Hinds Theater on March 10 and 12, 2017; and

WHEREAS, Syracuse City Ballet is the only professional ballet
company serving the Central New York community, creating family-oriented
entertainment while offering opportunities for local professional,
pre-professional, and student dancers to perform classical and premiere
works with national and international guest artists; and

WHEREAS, Since 1996, Syracuse City Ballet has staged live-action
entertainment, trained professional dancers, and enriched the community
through various youth outreach efforts; and

WHEREAS, Syracuse City Ballet was founded by Associate Director
Harriet Casey and Artistic Director Kathleen Rathbun, who has extensive
experience in dance, and trained with the Syracuse Ballet Theater before
moving to New York City to attend Juilliard on a scholarship; and

WHEREAS, Upon graduating, Kathleen Rathbun danced for Princeton
Ballet Society of New Jersey, and then subsequently moved home to
Syracuse; and

WHEREAS, Upon her return, Kathleen Rathbun discovered that the
Syracuse Ballet Theater she once trained with was no longer in
existence, so she taught classical ballet at Syracuse University and
formerly served as the Director at the Metropolitan School of the Arts;
and

WHEREAS, As a teacher, Kathleen Rathbun has in-depth experience
developing young dancers' technique, strength, and artistry; when the

Metropolitan School of the Arts closed, Kathleen was eager to bring
ballet and dance back to Syracuse, so she decided to open her own school
to continue sharing her knowledge and passion with young men and women;
and

WHEREAS, In 1990, Kathleen Rathbun founded Ballet & Dance of Upstate
New York; after a few years of successfully establishing her school, she
felt it was important to provide her students the opportunity to perform
in major classical ballets alongside professional, world-renowned
dancers; and

WHEREAS, In 1996, Syracuse City Ballet, originally named Upstate NY
Ballet, was co-founded by Executive Director Kathleen Rathbun and
Associate Director Harriet Casey; the company premiered with a
performance of Snow White; and

WHEREAS, Twenty years later, Kathleen Rathbun and Harriet Casey
continue to inspire youth, professionals, and audiences through their
productions of major ballets, their participation in dozens of charity
events, and their collaboration with major arts organizations; and

WHEREAS, Over the years, Syracuse City Ballet has developed an
impressive repertoire, including The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Peter Pan,
Aladdin, Sleeping Beauty, Dracula, Cinderella, Romeo and Juliet, and a
number of other ballets which have performed to capacity houses and
four-star reviews; and

WHEREAS, In addition, Syracuse City Ballet has presented
choreography in multiple performances such as: the Armory Square
Candlelight Series, Syracuse Opera's La Traviata, Syracuse Shakespeare
Festival, Vision of Sounds Series, Regina F. Goldenberg Cultural Series,
CNY Mode Fashion Show, CRAVE Arts Festival, and Syracuse Fringe Festival
to name a few; and

WHEREAS, Syracuse City Ballet's growth from a small grass-roots
venture to a ranking professional ballet has secured a dance presence in
Central New York; and

WHEREAS, A vibrant arts community encourages collaboration, instills
local pride, draws people together, and is essential to a community's
vitality; over the past 20 years, Syracuse City Ballet has contributed
to the richness of Central New York's cultural palette; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when artistic
societies of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be recognized by all the citizens of this great
Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 20th Anniversary of Syracuse City Ballet, Inc.; and be
it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Executive and Artistic Director Kathleen Rathbun,
Associate Director Harriet Casey, and Syracuse City Ballet staff and
Board of Directors.