Brooklyn Ballet’s Youth Ensemble (BBYE) was founded in 2006 to provide performing opportunities for talented students in the Conservatory. The ensemble is comprised of children between the ages of 8 and 13, many of whom are graduates of our Elevate in-school program. Alongside Brooklyn Ballet Company, BBYE performs annually at Marty Markowitz’s Holiday Performance in East New York where 3,000 disadvantaged kids were exposed to classical ballet. The Youth Ensemble has also performed at the Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn Children's Museum, 92nd Street Y, Dancewave’s KidsCafe and in Take Ballet to the Streets performances in DUMBO, Marine Park, Amersfort Park and on Borough Hall Plaza.

BBYE’s Director, Caridad Martinez, former ballerina with Alicia Alonso’s Cuban National Ballet, provides these talented children with exceptional training and support. Members of BBYE have received full-scholarships to the Joffrey Ballet School, American Ballet Theater School’s Summer Intensive program, Bolshoi Summer Intensive and HARID Conservatory in Boca Raton, Florida. Two of our dancers, Naazir and Shaakir Muhammad performed as invited guests with the Ballet Clasico Santiago in their 2007 Nutcracker season. Contact us for further information about Brooklyn Ballet Youth Ensemble performances or auditions.