Ballet Arizona hosted its annual “Dance With Me” gala on Friday, April 14 at the Phoenix Art Museum.

This memorable event was chaired by Joan Berry, a current Ballet Arizona board member, and was themed around Ballet Arizona’s upcoming world premiere performance, The Rite of Spring, choreographed by Artistic Director Ib Andersen, a press release shared.

The committee, led by Berry, raised more than $513,000 for support of Ballet Arizona’s season of performances as well as its education and community engagement programs.

Andersen awarded the “Hazel Hare Award for Artistic Excellence” to the late Colleen Buckley at the gala. Her family was in attendance to receive the award.

In its fifth year, the Hazel Hare award honors dancers whose spirit echoes the strength, dedication and passion that Hare exemplified throughout her life, according to the release. Buckley was an integral part of the Ballet Arizona family. Her passion and dedication to her artform was a bright light to the entire community, the release stated.

Company dancer, Ethan Price, spoke about Buckley and what she meant to their fellow dancers, as well as Ballet Arizona. Price introduced the performance of the night, which was a work Buckley choreographed for Artist Relief Fund. The dancers of Ballet Arizona performed her work, ‘The Shepherd’s Boy.’

Artist Relief Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works to provide financial support to the dancers at Ballet Arizona.

Executive Director Jami Kozemczak also gave a speech during the gala and announced Berry as Board Member Emeritus.

Following dinner, guests took the dance floor with the professional dancers. This is a tradition from with Dance With Me receives its name.