Best Local Artist

Ballet Yuma has been honored by The Sun's readers as the Best Local Artist for 2006.

"Maybe, finally, the community has taken notice of the quality that Ballet Yuma produces," said Kathleen Sinclair, co-artists director.

"It's always nice to be honored, and we're pretty much known as Yuma's best kept secret. We're more well known nationally than in Yuma."

But a recent marketing campaign aimed at informing the community more about Ballet Yuma may have contributed to more awareness that led to the Yuma's Best votes, she said.

"More people are coming out to see our productions and are pleasantly surprised."

Ballet Yuma is a non-profit, pre-professional ballet company that serves as a vehicle for more advanced students to train at a higher level, she said. "This organization provides opportunities for students to be involved in a professional production, and it also provides scholarships for some dancers.

"We're the representative company for Yuma and Arizona in Regional Dance America, a national organization of pre-professional ballet."

Log on to balletyuma.org, or call 314-4762 for more information.