Kellie Pickler to Perform at Ballet Ball 2014, 3/8

Country music superstar Kellie Pickler will join forces with Nashville Ballet to perform at the organization's largest annual fundraising event, Ballet Ball 2014. This collaboration continues a tradition of combining ballet with Music City's finest musicians and artists.

On Saturday, March 8 at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, Pickler will sing two songs from her recently released and critically-acclaimed album, The Woman I Am, providing a live soundtrack to original dance performances by Nashville Ballet company dancers, choreographed by Artistic Director & CEO, Paul Vasterling.

Pickler wowed audiences as a contestant on season five of American Idol, and has gone on to record four albums dominating the country charts since 2006. She discovered her love of dance as a contestant on season 16 of Dancing with the Stars, and proved her talent by taking home the Mirror Ball Trophy, the show's highest honor.

"I am so honored Nashville Ballet chose me to perform as part of their Ballet Ball this year," said Pickler. "My passion is music, but last year I discovered how much I love to dance, so to have Nashville Ballet dance to two of my songs is really exciting for me. I cannot wait to see the how they choreograph their dances for the Ball."

Tickets for the main Ball are by invitation only; however, younger arts patrons can purchase tickets to the Ballet Ball's Late Party, which features cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and a seat at the performance. Late Party tickets are $125 per person and go on sale to the public on Wednesday, Jan. 15. Tickets can be purchased at www.bblateparty.com

This unique, one-time-only performance by Pickler and Nashville Ballet dancers continues Vasterling's passion for collaborating with local artists as often as possible. Other recent partnerships with Nashville musicians as Ballet Ball entertainment include The Band Perry, Ben Folds, The Civil Wars, Matthew Perryman Jones and Holly Williams.

"We are committed to working with talented artists from the Nashville community throughout our entire season," said Vasterling, "and Kellie's newly discovered passion for our art form is an inspiration to us all. She exemplifies our mission of cultivating arts enthusiasts throughout Middle Tennessee and we are thrilled to welcome Kellie to the Nashville Ballet family."

The 2014 black tie gala also marks Ballet Ballet's silver anniversary. For 25 years, Ballet Ball has provided necessary funding for Nashville Ballet's Outreach & Education Program, which introduces the art of dance to more than 30,000 children and families throughout Nashville and the surrounding area each year.

This year's Ballet Ball co-chairs, Mrs. Ralph W. Davis, Jr. and Mrs. Frederic W. Reisner, combine their passion for Nashville Ballet with their dedicated leadership in the community and previous event experience to put together the highly anticipated event.

For more information about Ballet Ball and to purchase tickets to the Late Party, please visit our website athttp://www.nashvilleballet.com/support/ballet_ball or https://www.facebook.com/BalletBallNashville

About Nashville Ballet
Nashville Ballet is the largest professional ballet company in Tennessee. Nashville Ballet presents a varied repertoire of classical ballet and contemporary works by noted choreographers, including original works by Artistic Director & CEO Paul Vasterling. Nashville Ballet and the second company NB2 (a pre-professional training company) serve nearly 60,000 adults and children annually through performances and our outreach and community engagement programming. Curriculum-based outreach programs bring dance education to community centers, colleges, public libraries and public elementary, middle and high schools across the state. The School of Nashville Ballet provides world-class instruction in ballet and other forms of dance for dancers of all ages.

Nashville Ballet is funded in part by Ingram Charitable Trust, Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission, Tennessee Arts Commission, Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund, The Shubert Foundation, Caterpillar Financial, ELAN Hair and Skin, The Memorial Foundation, Publix Super Market Charities, The HCA Foundation, The Mall at Green Hills and thousands of individuals who contribute to our annual operating fund.

About Kellie Pickler

Kellie Pickler grew up immersed in country music in the small town of Albemarle, North Carolina with the words of Tammy Wynette, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, and Dolly Parton shaping her musical footing. At the age of 19, she gained fame as a contestant on the fifth season of "American Idol." In 2006, she signed with 19 Recordings/BNA Records and released her debut album, Small Town Girl, which has gone on to sell more than 800,000 copies worldwide and produce three hit singles: "Red High Heels," "I Wonder," and "Things That Never Cross a Man's Mind." She followed that in 2008 with her self-titled sophomore record, featuring country radio hits "Don't You Know You're Beautiful," "Best Days of Your Life" (co-written with Taylor Swift and her first Top 10), and "Didn't You Know How Much I Loved You." Having established herself as not only a powerful vocalist but also a songwriter, Pickler released her third studio album, 100 Proof, in 2011 to huge critical acclaim. The album was named the No. 1 Country Album of The Year by Rolling Stone and was listed on "Best of 2012" lists by Washington Post, Rhapsody, AOL's The Boot and more. In spring of 2013, Pickler partnered with dance coach Derek Hough and won the Mirror Ball Trophy on "Dancing with the Stars." On Nov. 11, 2013, Pickler released her new album, The Woman I Am, on her new label home, Black River Entertainment. The album, which has received much critical acclaim, contains her current hit single "Little Bit Gypsy" and her first single, "Someone Somewhere Tonight." The video of that song (featuring Pickler and Hough) was nominated for an American Country Award for Music Video of the Year: Female. Pickler is also an avid supporter of the U.S. military, having recently completed her seventh USO Tours in December 2013. For more information, please visit www.kelliepickler.com.

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