As BalletX celebrates its 20th Anniversary Season, we’re highlighting members of our donor family whose support continues to deepen our impact on the community. This month, we’re thrilled to feature Stephanie Naidoff, an advocate for Dance eXchange, BalletX’s in-school education program.
How did you first get involved with BalletX?
I took ballet as a child, and have always loved it. Sixty years ago, I was lucky enough to marry Michael, who also loved ballet. When BalletX first began, we lived in Rittenhouse Square, so we were close to the theater and could go to the performances. We started attending and were just overwhelmed. It was so fantastic. The work was so vibrant and exciting that we quickly became great admirers of the company and everything it was doing.
What surprised you most about your first experience with BalletX?
From the very beginning, what stood out was the creativity. Of course the dancing was magnificent, but it was the way the work blended so many elements together. There was incredible athleticism, strength, and power, paired with such beauty and imagination. That combination, the physical intensity alongside the artistry and creativity, was magical. It made us fall in love with the company right away.
Are there any performances or moments that have especially stayed with you?
After every performance, I leave feeling as if I could float home. Each performance has been so inspiring that I’ve often brought friends along so they can experience BalletX for themselves. Watching them fall in love with the company just as I did is so rewarding. It’s wonderful to feel like you’re welcoming others into the BalletX family.
You are a champion of Dance eXchange. What led you to deepen your involvement with this initiative?
Supporting Dance eXchange felt like a very natural step for me. Throughout my career I was deeply involved in the city – as General Counsel for the Jefferson Health System, then founding President of the Kimmel Center, and later as Deputy Mayor for Economic Development. I loved that work and my deep connection to my city, but when I retired, I realized there was one really important area with which I had never engaged: public education.
So in retirement, I decided to focus my time there. For many years now, I’ve been involved with Philadelphia public schools and serve on two boards that support fundraising, advocacy, and capacity building efforts for the District. As a part of that work, I thought that introducing schools to Dance eXchange would be a good thing for me to focus on.
There’s one school in particular that I had adopted a number of years ago, the Francis Scott Key School. I adore the students, faculty, staff, and an exceptional principal there. I asked if she would be interested in bringing the program to the school, and then approached BalletX about including Francis Scott Key in Dance eXchange. The experience has been extraordinary. I see the students working with BalletX teaching artists, learning choreography, and performing together. Seeing the joy and confidence it brings them is incredibly moving. It’s hard to put into words how meaningful it is to witness BalletX making such a powerful impact on the next generation.
Why do you believe that initiatives like Dance eXchange are so vital to our city and community?
Our schools are working hard to provide students with strong academic foundations, but resources are limited, and programs in the arts often disappear. Yet these experiences are important. Dance introduces young people to movement, creativity, and expression. Just as importantly, it teaches collaboration, discipline, and teamwork.
Programs like Dance eXchange give students opportunities they might not otherwise have. They learn to work together toward a shared goal, to express themselves physically and creatively, and to discover the joy that comes from that process. Those are life skills that can stay with them forever, and the memories they form during those early school years can be truly lasting.
What are you most proud of when you look at BalletX today? What excites you most about where the company is headed?
I’m continually amazed by how far BalletX has come. What began as a small seed has grown into an extraordinary bloom, a company that is deeply loved not only in Philadelphia but across the country and around the world. Audiences everywhere are thrilled when BalletX comes to perform in their communities.
That kind of growth is a testament to Christine and the entire team. Their vision, dedication, and superb artistry have helped build BalletX into one of the world’s treasures.
What would you say to other members of the BalletX community to encourage them to support Dance eXchange?
I always encourage people to support BalletX in any way that they feel connected to the company. For me, Dance eXchange is especially close to my heart, but there are so many ways to contribute to the company’s work.
What matters most is helping BalletX continue to thrive. The stronger the community of supporters, the more the company can grow, reach new audiences, and expand programs like Dance eXchange. My hope is that people will continue to invest in BalletX so it can flourish for many years to come.
Inspired by Stephanie’s commitment to Dance eXchange? Learn more about how you can support BalletX and be part of what’s next at BalletX.org/support.
