Welcome!
Civic Ballet in Tupelo, MS, is focused on helping talented dancers grow in a pre-professional setting. Led by Artistic Director Thom Yzaguirre, we take a personalized approach to ballet training, blending classical techniques with creative choreography. Through engaging classes, inspiring shows, and community programs, Civic Ballet shines in the performing arts.
Our Mission
Civic Ballet strives to intensify technical dance and artistic development for all members, provide a place to bond with peers having a similar passion for ballet, and to bring artistic awareness, inspiration, and excellence to our community.
Our Vision
Civic Ballet's vision is to create an environment that helps our young artists develop a foundation necessary to pursue a life of learning, service, and happiness. Our aim to inspire achievement of one’s personal best, in a positive, encouraging, yet rigorous environment.
Our Values
Connection
Our company fosters an environment where dancers support, encourage, and genuinely care about one another.
Inclusion
Civic Ballet welcomes all who share a passion for the arts, especially dance, and who believe differences and diversity can make us better.
Value
Our organization strives to be good stewards and provide a high return value for each dancer’s investment of time, money, and other resources.
Inspiration
Civic Ballet engages dance professionals of the highest caliber to teach, choreograph and create an inspirational and enriching environment.
Commitment
Civic Ballet pledges to provide the best possible experience for all parties, and we ask that each dancer personally commit to champion and support our company with their time, talent, and resources.
Amaris Harsin Photography
Artistic Director, Thom Yzaguirre
Originally from Montana, Thom began formal dance training at Minnesota Dance Theatre and School where he trained in ballet and modern dance on scholarship and then as a Company 2 dancer. Thom also received scholarships with Tidewater Ballet Academy, Milwaukee Ballet, Joffrey Ballet and School of American Ballet. His teachers included Bonnie Mathis, Gene K. Hammett, Susan Borree, Robert Joffrey, Michael Bjerknes, Stephen Jenkins, and Elaine Thomas.
Thom danced professionally with Duluth Ballet, Ballet Arizona, as a soloist with Louisville Ballet, and as a principal with Nevada Ballet Theatre and Nashville Ballet. He worked with directors including Loyce Houlton, Vassili Sulich, and Janek Schergen and danced masterworks including Antony Tudor, Geroge Balenchine, Lynne Taylor-Corbett, Graham Lusting, Paul Vasterling, and Choo San-Goh.
Mr. Yzaguirre currently splits his time between Tupelo and Nashville. In addition to his Artistic Leadership of Civic Ballet and Master Instruction at North Mississippi Dance Centre, Thom is the ballet director at Franklin (TN) School of Performing Arts. He also works with competitive figure skaters at Nashville Skating Academy. He has been guest teacher for the Academy of Nevada Dance Theatre, Kentucky Governor's School for the Arts, and Tennessee Association of Dance (TAD) Tennessee Dance Festival. Thom was the recipient of the 2014 Judith Woodruff Professional Development Award from TAD and the 2018 Outstanding Dance Educator Award from TAD.
Thom Yzaguirre is an ABT® Certified Teacher, who successfully completed ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 7 + Partnering of the ABT® National Curriculum (NTC). ABT® NTC is a breakthrough nine level program that embraces sound ballet principles and incorporates elements of the French, Italian, and Russian schools of training.