The Sarasota Ballet was founded in 1987 by Jean Weidner Goldstein as a presenting organization with the goal of becoming a full resident ballet company. This dream was fully realized in 1990 with the appointment of the Company’s first Director, Montreal-based choreographer Eddy Toussaint, and the launch of the Company’s first true Season. Under Toussaint, The Sarasota Ballet repertoire would feature mostly his own choreographic work over the next few Seasons. In 1994, following a year under the leadership of Jean Weidner Goldstein as Interim Director, Robert de Warren, former Director of Ballet at Teatro alla Scala Milan and Northern Ballet, took on the mantle of Artistic Director. During his thirteen years with the Company, de Warren likewise focused on bringing his own choreographic creations to the stage.

In January 2007, The Sarasota Ballet announced the appointment of Iain Webb as Director. Drawing on his career with The Royal Ballet and his close relationships with leading choreographers, Webb introduced Sarasota audiences to extraordinary works by the great masters of the 20th century. In 2012, former Sadler’s Wells Royal Ballet Principal Margaret Barbieri joined full-time as Assistant Director, after staging numerous ballets for the Company. Together, Webb and Barbieri launched the acclaimed 2014 Ashton Festival, which brought dance luminaries from around the world to Sarasota to witness fourteen ballets and divertissements by Sir Frederick Ashton.

The next evolution of The Sarasota Ballet began in 2016 with the appointment of Joseph Volpe, former General Manager of the Metropolitan Opera, as Executive Director. Volpe strengthened the Company’s economic and administrative foundations, restructuring and expanding staff, reinforcing its financial base, and growing the Board of Directors — bringing The Sarasota Ballet to new heights. Together with Director Iain Webb and Assistant Director Margaret Barbieri, Volpe expanded the Company’s national profile, leading tours to The Joyce Theater in New York City and the National Choreographic Festival in Salt Lake City.

Under the leadership of Director Iain Webb, Executive Director Joseph Volpe, and Assistant Director Margaret Barbieri, The Sarasota Ballet has become one of America’s leading ballet companies. Webb and Barbieri have introduced more than 190 ballets and divertissements, including 63 world premieres and 12 American Company premieres, by many of the most important choreographers of the 20th and 21st centuries.