Ballet Arizona’s annual gala raised $320,000 for the longtime Valley organization.

The event at the Scottsdale Center for The Phoenix Arts was chaired by Stephen Hardy and honored Mary and Jeff Ehret for their decades of philanthropy with Ballet Arizona and their dedication toward keeping the art of ballet alive. This year’s gala supported the professional dance company and its upcoming season of performances as well as its education and community engagement programs.

“It was an honor to chair this year’s Dance With Me Gala,” Hardy shared in a press release. “Mary and Jeff Ehret’s dedication to the arts are a true inspiration and we were proud to recognize their years of continued support to Ballet Arizona.”

Luis Corrales and Leticia Endler were awarded the “Hazel Hare Award for Artistic Excellence.” In its seventh year, the Hazel Hare Award honors dancers whose spirit echoes the strength, dedication, and passion that Hare exemplified throughout her entire life.

Ballet Arizona sponsors include Jeff and Mary Ehret, The PENTA Building Group, SRP, Rebecca Ailes-Fine and Peter Fine, Joan and Charlie Berry, John Demenkoff and Diane Bradshaw, Dionne and F. Francis Najafi/Pivotal Foundation, Barbara and Donald Ottosen, and Rose and Harry Papp.

Ballet Arizona, founded in 1986, is dedicated to preserving and celebrating classical dance while creating and commissioning new innovative works.

Visit www.balletaz.org/.