By Diana Brewer

Mobile Ballet Artistic Director Katia Garza is known for her demanding approach and high expectations from her dancers. She believes that certain traits are essential for success in the world of ballet and beyond, and she instills these values in her performers.

In return, Katia promises to help each dancer achieve his or her personal goals, goals that are as diverse as the dancers themselves. 

“Certain children want to pursue a professional career in ballet,” Katia said. “I know how hard it is, so I try to set realistic goals and provide the right guidance. Some aspire to become singers, Rockettes, or Broadway performers. Others are seeking university scholarships. As they grow, their dreams and ambitions change, but if they pursue them with honesty, hard work, loyalty, and commitment, it will pay off.”

As serious as she is in her approach to ballet and her students, she is equally committed to creating ballets that are light and fun, infusing the performances with humor, happiness, and inspiration.

Katia draws heavily on growing up and training in Monterey, Mexico. “Mexicans see their struggles in a positive and funny way – to laugh about life,” the former principal dancer for the Orlando Ballet said. “It definitely helped me throughout my career. I try to apply my sense of humor to my ballet. That’s why, over the last couple of years, we’ve created ballets that are light and fun. That provides happiness and inspires the soul.”

When Katia and her husband, Israel Rodriguez, ballet master with Mobile Ballet, left Florida, they traveled as choreographers, choreographing full-length ballets. “That’s how I got to Mobile Ballet. They needed a new Nutcracker.”

Katia said she tries to bring things that the audiences in Mobile have never seen. All the productions during her six years with MB have been original – whether it was classical, neoclassical, or Broadway-type. She also believes in collaborating. The MB company performed in Mobile Opera’s Hansel and Gretel and during the History Museum of Mobile’s gala for the Cuban exhibition. 

Mobile Symphony Orchestra musicians often played in the show’s orchestras (prior to the shutting down of the Mobile Civic Center Theater) and, most recently, local singer Symone French performed in MB’s Princess & the Frog. She recently started a project with the organization, Dance Without Limits.

“It enriches the community when we all experience it together,” Katia believes. “We’re enriching younger generations to become better humans, and we’re creating audiences for future generations.”

Since Katia and Israel joined Mobile Ballet in 2017, the Mobile institution has seen significant growth. The Mobile studio now has five studios, and a new, bigger studio on the Eastern Shore has three. Although the MB company trains in Mobile, the additional studios on the Eastern Shore allow many Baldwin County students to train there, making it easier on parents.

“I love providing an opportunity for younger generations of dancers to be on stage,” Katia said. “The Board of Directors wanted to involve the school in our productions, so having the additional studios has allowed us to make that happen.”

What’s next? Katia said her dream is Alice in Wonderland. “I’ve been planning it in my head for five years. Now, without the theater, we will have to wait. Right now, we’re creating for the Saenger Theater, and it’s beautiful and has a different vibe. I get inspired by the community and learning what I think our local audiences like.”

Keep up with all the happenings, including upcoming performances and summer camps at Mobile Ballet.

Note: As part of its community outreach, Mobile Ballet has just announced a Free Performance of The Princess and the Frog at Coastal Alabama Community College in Bay Minette on Thursday, April 3 at 6:30 PM. 

Details Here