For Immediate Release

September 24, 2024

Louis Millard, student with the CTAC School of Ballet, receives offer to attend the School of American Ballet in New York City

PETOSKEY, MI — Crooked Tree Arts Center (CTAC) School of Ballet (SOB) graduate ​​Louis Millard, 17, moved to New York City in early September to begin his year-round ballet training with the School of American Ballet.

Louis began dancing with the CTAC School of Ballet at the age of 4, yet has been attending SOB performances since he was born. During his time with the program, Louis assisted with CTAC School of Ballet classes at the Intermediate ballet level as well as the Special Needs Artistic Movement classes. Louis has danced lead roles such as Willy Wonka, The Cavalier in The Nutcracker, along with a unique turn as the Dew Drop. Louis is also a three-time recipient of the Harriett Lee Hicklen Memorial Scholarship.

“Once every so often we have the opportunity to work with a student who is the complete package - a young dancer who is the embodiment of the rigorous, diverse, sensitive, rich legacy of our beloved art form. And Louis is that!” exclaims Heather Raue, founder and artistic director of the CTAC School of Ballet. “While studying at the CTAC School of Ballet, he not only became an excellent technician and budding artist, he also grew to be a respected, humble example and role model for so many in our communities. His move to the renowned School of American Ballet marks an exciting chapter in what I know will be a tour de force career.”  

Through his training received at the CTAC School of Ballet, Louis has spent previous summers training at: Boys Ballet Summer Intensive, San Francisco Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet (full scholarship), Boston Ballet (full scholarship), Miami City Ballet (full scholarship), and The School of American Ballet (full scholarship). During his intensive with the School of American Ballet this summer, Louis was invited to the School’s year-round program on scholarship. The School of American Ballet is directly affiliated with the New York City Ballet, making the School one of the most prestigious ballet schools in the world. 

“My thirteen years here at SOB have taught me how to carry myself as a person and how to navigate the dance world while also giving me world class instruction and a diverse movement vocabulary,” says Louis Millard. “I look forward to continuing to grow as an artist, student, and young adult. I plan on returning to SOB to share my experiences with all the people who have been there to support me through my journey. The friendships I’ve made here are those that will last a lifetime. I'm so proud and excited for the future of this amazing school and its wonderful dancers.”

“As Louis advanced through our program he applied what he had learned and gave his all to each member of our faculty,” says Karrie Benedict, instructor and choreographer with the CTAC School of Ballet and Louis's very first ballet teacher. “I am so proud of him and wish him continued success in his journey through the dance world.”

Photographer credit for images of Louis Millard: Dave Harrell

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About the Crooked Tree Arts Center: The mission of the Crooked Tree Arts Center (CTAC) is to create ways for people to connect, learn, and grow through the arts. CTAC offers exhibits, concerts, classes, lectures, special events, and so much more, from its campuses in Petoskey and Traverse City. For more information, please visit www.crookedtree.org.

About CTAC School of Ballet: Founded 21 years ago by Artistic Director Heather Raue, the CTAC School of Ballet (SOB) has been training young people in Northern Michigan for careers as professional dancers and artists. The School of Ballet offers professional training in ballet and alternative dance techniques and modalities. Through the professional training SOB students receive, they are able to attend summer intensive programs at some of the leading national and international dance schools. After successfully being immersed in the dance world, some of the CTAC School of Ballet alumni have moved back to Northern Michigan and are on the CTAC School of Ballet staff, passionately perpetuating the next generations of dancers. Learn more at https://crookedtree.org/ballet.

Media Contact:
Keely Bomee Platte
Marketing & Communications Manager, Crooked Tree Arts Center
keely@crookedtree.org | 231-347-2718