Performance Excellence
Every season features a balance of timeless classical works and bold new pieces by local and international choreographers. We bring the same standard of artistry you would find on the stages of Houston or New York.
Since 1984
About Us
Rooted in Victoria. Reaching the world. Four decades of artistry, education, and community in the heart of South Texas.
Our Story
Origins
Where It All Began
Victoria Ballet Theatre was founded in 1984 as a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the art of dance for the cultural enrichment of Victoria, Texas, and surrounding communities.
Our inaugural production of Swan Lake in Riverside Park marked the beginning of something lasting. What started as a dream to bring professional-caliber ballet to a mid-size Texas city has grown into four decades of artistry, education, and community connection that define the cultural life of South Texas.
What Drives Us
Education & Access
Through our DEMI outreach program, we provide dance instruction and free access to live performances for underserved youth across Victoria County. Every child deserves to experience the power of dance.
Community Connection
From 150+ community performers in The Nutcracker to partnerships with VISD and local organizations, VBT belongs to Victoria. This company is built by and for our community.
A Regional Dance America Honor Company
VBT has been a member of Regional Dance America since 1995 and proudly holds "Honor Company" status. Each year, over forty pre-professional dancers ages ten and up are selected through a competitive audition process.
Our dancers have gone on to train at some of the most respected programs in the country, including Houston Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Boston Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, and universities like NYU, TCU, and the University of Utah.
World-Class Artists on a Community Stage
VBT regularly collaborates with professional guest artists, choreographers, and touring companies. These partnerships bring extraordinary talent to Victoria and provide our dancers with mentorship at the highest level.
Ailey II ✦
Karina Gonzalez ✦
Bruce Wood Dance ✦
Harper Watters ✦
Dominic Walsh Dance Theatre ✦
Chase O'Connell ✦
Ate 9 ✦
Betsy McBride ✦
Dark Circles Contemporary Dance ✦
Mauro Villanueva ✦
Sara Webb ✦
Chun Wai Chan ✦
Ailey II ✦
Karina Gonzalez ✦
Bruce Wood Dance ✦
Harper Watters ✦
Dominic Walsh Dance Theatre ✦
Chase O'Connell ✦
Ate 9 ✦
Betsy McBride ✦
Dark Circles Contemporary Dance ✦
Mauro Villanueva ✦
Sara Webb ✦
Chun Wai Chan ✦
Our Founders
Founding Artistic Director
Debbe Busby
A native Victorian, Debbe co-founded Victoria Ballet Theatre in 1984 and served as Artistic Director for decades. She grew the company into a Regional Dance America member organization and is an ABT Certified Teacher.
Founding Technical Director
Jim Busby
Jim has been a constant presence behind the scenes since 1984. His contributions span lighting, set design, logistics, and stage crew coordination. He has served as both Chairman and Treasurer of the Board.
Building a Legacy That Lasts
To mark our 40th anniversary, VBT established the Victoria Ballet Theatre Endowment, a permanent financial foundation to secure artistic excellence and fuel original full-length ballets for generations to come.
Support the Endowment →Artistic Director & Staff
Brenda Serrata Tally
Executive Artistic DirectorBrenda Serrata Tally is an experienced arts educator, administrator, and choreographer with a passion for developing creative voices through dance. An original member of Victoria Ballet Theatre, she holds an MFA in Dance Performance from the University of Iowa and a BFA in Modern Dance from the University of Utah.
As Executive Artistic Director, Brenda has created over 20 original works and twice received the Monticello Foundation Scholarship and the Natalie Skelton Award for choreography from Regional Dance America. She is an American Ballet Theatre Certified Teacher and owner of the Ballet Academy of South Texas.
Kelli Klein Tamm
Assistant Director & Company ManagerKelli began her ballet training in Michigan under Evelyn Reason and was a founding member of Chamberlain Ballet in Dallas. She trained at the School of American Ballet and American Ballet Theatre, earned a BFA in Dance from the University of Oklahoma, and danced professionally with Dallas Ballet.
An experienced instructor across all levels from early childhood through advanced pointe, Kelli serves as VBT's Assistant Director and Company Manager and has choreographed several pieces for the company's fall productions.
Amanda Rocha Urbano
Technical DirectorAmanda Rocha Urbano has been with Victoria Ballet Theatre for nearly 20 years, first as stage manager and now as technical director and lighting designer.
She also serves as Vice-President of Development on the board of Theatre Victoria and owns Amanda Rocha Urbano Event Management Co., specializing in day-of event coordination.
Amber Packard
Wardrobe DirectorAmber Packard has served as Wardrobe Director since 2016. She has designed and created costumes for productions including Alice in Wonderland and Madeline, and completed advanced training in classical tutu making at Regional Dance America.
Amber is dedicated to preserving and enhancing VBT's extensive costume collection and ensuring every dancer looks and feels their best on stage.
VBT Staff
Company Administrator
Phoebe Keith
Phoebe spent nine years as a VBT company member, rising to Artist in Residence. She holds a Kinesiology degree from the University of Houston-Victoria, is certified in Acrobatic Arts and Progressing Ballet Technique, and teaches at the Ballet Academy of South Texas.
DEMI Director
Kennedy Velasquez
A former VBT dancer who performed at Regional Dance America festivals and choreographed four original works. Kennedy now leads the Dance Education and Movement Initiative (DEMI) outreach program in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Victoria.
Social Media Director
Angelica Vela
Angelica holds a BFA in Modern Dance from TCU. An alumna of ten VBT seasons, she performed in classical ballets including Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty. She currently works as a Pilates Trainer and teaches at the Ballet Academy of South Texas.
Board of Directors
Victoria Ballet Theatre is governed by a volunteer board of directors committed to artistic excellence, financial stewardship, and community impact.
2025-2026 Board of Directors
Matthew Alexander
ChairNina Di Leo
Vice-ChairAlyssa Dyson
SecretaryRandy Price
TreasurerKaeli Brown
Taylor Brown
Melanie Buchhorn
Veronica Vallejo-Cano
Kristie Dicken
Tanya Goodman
Sally Hodon
Bryan Janssen
Angela Lapus
Cassidy Olson
Valerie Pachta
Elsa Piña
Keisha Smith
Zachary Wendel
Advisory Board
Strategic guidance drawn from years of experience with VBT.
- Brenda Tally
- Kelli Klein Tamm
- Amanda Rocha Urbano
- Amber Packard
- Meaghan MacKenzie-Rolfe , VBS President
Honorary Board
Honoring those whose lasting contributions helped build VBT.
Sharon Barnard
Jim Busby
Kathleen Carey
Betty Jo Elder
Susan Fries
Cheryl Guthrie
Nancy Hewitt
Leslee Lee
Cheryl McCollough
Barbara Smith
Outreach
The DEMI Program
Dance Education & Movement Initiative
At Victoria Ballet Theatre, we believe every child deserves the chance to experience the joy of dance. Since 2001, our Dance Education and Movement Initiative (DEMI) has provided equitable access to dance instruction and live performances for youth from underserved communities across Victoria County.
For many young people, these classes are more than lessons. They are moments of inspiration, a safe space to dream, and a path to discovering their own potential.
Our Community Partners
Victoria Independent School District
VBT collaborates with VISD to bring dance into schools and provide free admission to live performances. This season, for the first time ever, all VISD fourth-grade students will attend The Nutcracker free of charge.
Boys & Girls Club of Victoria
Through weekly DEMI classes at the Boys & Girls Club, young people gain access to movement, performance, and creative expression they might not experience otherwise.
Mid-Coast Family Counseling Services
Our partnership with Mid-Coast Family Counseling Services extends the reach of dance education to children and families navigating challenging circumstances.
The Impact of DEMI
VBT is the only nonprofit dance organization in our area working with these three partners to provide arts access to underserved youth. Students who show exceptional talent and passion may earn scholarships to continue their training.
2,000+
Students Reached Annually
20+
Years of Programming
3
Community Partners
Free
Educational Performances
Educational Resources
Explore these curated resources to learn more about the art of ballet:
Repertory Archive
From our very first outdoor production of Swan Lake in Riverside Park to sold-out seasons at the Leo J. Welder Center, Victoria Ballet Theatre has built a repertory that spans the classics and the contemporary. Browse our archive below to revisit the performances that have defined our company and our community.
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Fall for Dance — Sep 27, 2025
Choreographers: Nao Kusuzaki, Domingo Estrada Jr., Emily Lofton, Brenda Tally, Angelica Vela
World Premiere: Wildflowers (Tally), original score by Jared Oaks - The Nutcracker — Dec 11-14, 2025 Guest Artists: Karina Gonzalez & Harper Watters (Houston Ballet)
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Seuss & Stravinsky — Mar 7-8, 2026
Choreographers: Pearl Pierce, Mauro Villanueva
World Premiere: Firebird (Villanueva) - Bruce Wood Dance — May 1, 2026 Collaborative performance with Bruce Wood Dance of Dallas
Be Part of the Next Chapter.
Our story is still being written. Join us for the current season and help us create the next forty years of dance.
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