Who we are
Founded in 1973, Houston Ballet Guild has supported Houston Ballet, its Academy and special programs with passion and dedication for more than 50 years. We are committed to furthering the awareness of the art of ballet. And membership has its privileges!
The primary purpose of the Guild is to support the programs, projects, mission and performances of Houston Ballet and its Academy through active volunteer service and financial contributions.
The amazing women and men of Houston Ballet Guild love to celebrate the creativity of ballet. And we are social too! Our members enjoy a rich calendar of events, and there’s something for everyone. The Guild ensures that its members have a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the nation's fourth-largest ballet company.
Click here to view Houston Ballet Foundation's Mission and Diversity Statements.
Events
Guild events are diverse and exciting. These include the incomparable Nutcracker Market, world-class performances by Houston Ballet and Houston Ballet II, intimate gatherings, exclusive in-studio meet and greet evenings, community engagement programs, annual trips, and much more!
Why do you love ballet?
For the classic and beautiful lines of the ballerinas?
The exceptional, inventive choreography?
The stunning and colorful sets and costumes?
The passion, drama and sheer beauty of the performances?
Members of Houston Ballet Guild love ballet
for all these reasons and more!
JOIN US
Officers & Board
OFFICERS
President Renee Humphrey
President-Elect Michelle Iversen Jeffery
Vice President Membership Amber Westman
Corresponding Secretary Cynthia Wolff
Parliamentarian Michelle Maresh
Recording Secretary Michelle Seymour
Treasurer Leslie Alston
BOARD
Bravo Events Traci Bocock • CC Conner • Gayle Kinnie • Christine Sofka
Communication/Social Media Gay Currie • Alison Farb
Directory Brenda Clem • Richard Clem
Fall Kickoff Wendy Burks • Jackie Eubank • Gaylon Gullquist
HBII Birthday Celebrations Nkoyo Essien
Host Committee Cynthia Brown • Jan DeCoux • Abimbola Farinde • Sally Miller • Susan Osterberg • Marilyn Ragsdale • Pam Staples • Jana Stiffel • Adriana Vargas
Houston Ballet Academy & ECE Support Susan Binney • Jennifer Kushner • Mark Loveland • Dannika Simpson
Houston Ballet Docents Leslie Alston • Sharon Roark • Michelle Seymour
Houston Ballet Student Matinees Ann Bean • Traci Bocock • Jean May
Houston Ballet Wortham Boutique Sales Ann Bean • Brian Flaherty • Kristine Flaherty
Houston Ballet Wortham Boutique Workshops Marcie Bristol • Kristine Flaherty • Helen L.- Toombs
Member Recruitment Sarah Davidson • Jacqueline O'Connor • Tracey Williford
Members Trip TBD
Membership Renewal Dede Aronack-Loughran • Carol Howes • Eileen Murphy
Needles En Pointe Casey Rowe
New Member Events Megan Kessler • Paige Trahan • Camille Wieprecht
Nutcracker Market Chairman Katrina Arnim
Nutcracker Market Chairman-Elect Megan Kessler • Tracey Williford
Social Events Mary Bonura • Carol Brant • Tua Burke • Cindy Cook • Joan Dunlap • Dottie Erwin-Legendre • Denise Malone • Liz Schlotzhauer • Rhonda Smith
Special Advisors Ann Bean • Susan Binney • Wendy Burks • Mignon Gill • Jennifer Kushner
Spring Coffee Cecilia Campbell • Jeannie Chandler • Elba Villarreal
Tutu Times Newsletter Susan Inger
JOANNE ISAACMAN AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
The 2023 Joanne Isaacman Award of Excellence honored Susan Binney. This award is given annually to a Guild member who best exemplifies the qualities of commitment, dedication, generosity of spirit and sensitivity as demonstrated by Joanne Isaacman in her years of volunteer service to the Guild.
Susan began volunteering with the Nutcracker Market in 2006. She joined the Guild in 2015 and since then has served on the executive board as Recording Secretary, President-Elect, and was president in 2020. She has also been a Merchant Co-Chair of the Nutcracker Market for several years and has been a Guild Coffee Chairman. She became a Houston Ballet Ambassador in 2020, joined the Foundation Baord in 2021, and this year was the Chairman of the Nominations Committee. Currently she is a co-chair of the Academy/ECE Support Committee.