The Ballet is under the artistic direction of Svetlana Caton-Noble and Venti Petrov and brings professional level performances throughout Long Island and New York City. Together, both directors represent five cultures and are internationally reconized in the world of ballet.

The Ballet Company, a non-profit organization, has openings for dancers at all levels. It offers dance training for youngsters and adults, men and women, boys and girls, and is particularly interested in attracting young men to the world of Ballet. An original piece by Petrov that was performed at the luncheon is choreographed to traditional American Blue Grass music and expands both the image of Ballet as a singularly Classical venue and the work of the performers. It took Petrov, who came to the United States from Bulgaria 15 years ago and is now a U.S. Citizen, three years to compile the music and another two years to choreograph the ballet. "It is difficult to find Western music without vocals and it is usually very fast paced," said Petrov who chose the pieces Orange Blossom Special and Blue Flower. "The music presented special challenges," said Petrov, who "grounded" the dances on chairs at one or two points during the piece to synchronize the choreography to the sound of a rumbling train, with their feet.

Pallante is shown at the event at the first from bottom of staircase. She is a 9th grade student at Ames Middle School in Massapequa and has been dancing since she was a child. She said she plans to pursue dancing as a career.

For information on the Limiere Ballet, call 631-586-2921 or go to their website at www.lumiereballet.org.