Welcome to the very first edition of our revamped Notes From Backstage, Ballet Vero Beach’s new monthly blog series.
This series was born from the belief that the most meaningful connections happen when we share our stories. While audiences see the performances, standing ovations, and polished productions on stage, there is so much more happening behind the scenes that makes our work possible. The purpose of Notes From Backstage was always to build relationships with our community by sharing authentic stories from behind the curtain. We are thrilled to expand the series and hear from the artists, staff, supporters, and guests who bring Ballet Vero Beach to life.
Each month, you’ll hear directly from the people who make our organization soar. Some stories will be funny, some inspiring, and some may surprise you, but all of them will offer a glimpse into the human side of our work.
Since this is our first post, I thought it would be fitting to introduce myself.
My name is Katherine Eppink, and I have the unique privilege of serving Ballet Vero Beach in two very different roles: Principal Dancer and Director of Marketing.
This season marks my 13th year as a professional dancer with Ballet Vero Beach.
When people hear that I dance professionally and lead the organization’s marketing efforts, they often ask me how I manage to do both. The honest answer is that some days are easier than others.
Like many working professionals, I wear a lot of hats. On any given day, I might spend the morning writing marketing emails, coordinating social media campaigns, or slowly chipping away at my Master’s Degree. By mid-morning, I am in the studio, warming up, taking class, rehearsing, and preparing for upcoming performances. Then I head home to my most important role of all, being a mom.
Balancing these responsibilities requires flexibility, organization, and a healthy sense of humor. There are days when my schedule feels perfectly coordinated and others when it feels like organized chaos. I’ve answered work emails during nap time, reviewed marketing materials between rehearsals, and spent countless evenings icing my feet while planning the next day’s priorities after my son has gone to bed.
What keeps me going is knowing that all of these roles are connected by a common purpose: creating meaningful experiences through the arts.
As a dancer, I have the opportunity to share stories through movement. As Director of Marketing, I get to connect our audiences with those stories and invite new patrons into the theater. As a mom, I am constantly reminded of the importance of creativity, imagination, and building a vibrant community for future generations.
People sometimes assume that professional dancers spend all day in the studio. While dance is certainly at the center of my professional life, the reality is much more complex. Behind every performance are countless hours of planning, communication, fundraising, community engagement, and collaboration. Ballet companies thrive because of dedicated teams of artists, administrators, volunteers, board members, donors, and audience members who believe in the value of the arts.
That is exactly why Adam and I have decided to expand Notes From Backstage.
Through this blog, we hope to introduce you to the remarkable people who make Ballet Vero Beach possible. You’ll meet dancers and staff members, learn about our community partnerships, discover what goes into producing a performance, and gain insight into the passion that drives our organization forward.
And as a patron of the arts, you are at the center of it all. Thank you for being part of our story. We’re grateful you’re here.
We look forward to sharing more with you in the months ahead.
Until next time,
Katherine Eppink
Principal Dancer & Director of Marketing
Ballet Vero Beach
