Kansas City Ballet Guild’s Nutcracker Ball 2021

On Saturday, November 20, the Kansas City Ballet Guild presented the Nutcracker Ball at the beautiful Loews Kansas City Hotel chaired by Karen Yungmeyer and Tempe Ostergren Elsberry. Guests enjoyed a lively cocktail party, delicious cuisine, breathtaking decor by Craig Sole Designs, crowd-pleasing entertainment by Fountain City 45s, and a spectacular performance by Kansas City Ballet’s Second Company. Michael D. Fields, whose involvement with Kansas City Ballet has been long and noteworthy, served as Honorary Chairman. Guild President Peggy Beal and Kansas City Ballet Executive Director Jeffrey J. Bentley presented the 2021 Pirouette Award to Dr. John D. Hunkeler for his outstanding contribution to the Ballet. The Guild also recognized Kansas City Ballet Executive Director Jeffrey J. Bentley for being honored with the 2022 Missouri Arts Award for Leadership in the Arts. This award for our state’s arts heroes, the people who make the arts happen, was given by the Missouri Arts Council and the State of Missouri.

 KC Ballet Trainee Dancers Alena Harrison and May Canestaro, Ashlea Black, KC Ballet KCB II Dancer Jared Brouillette, Kristina Klug, KC Ballet Trainee Dancer Gillian Yoder. Photo by Kenny Johnson.
Annie Simmermon and Emily Moore. Photo by Kenny Johnson.
Aviva Ajmera and Wayne Strickland. Photo by Kenny Johnson.
Drs. Susan and Charles Porter. Photo by Kenny Johnson.
Kansas City Ballet dancers Naomi Tanioka and Gavin Abercrombie. Photo by Kenny Johnson.
KC Ballet Dancer Marisa Whiteman, Chris and DeEtte Whiteman, Mikhaila Whiteman. Photo by Kenny Johnson.
 Marcelle Cooper and Roger Arwood. Photo by Kenny Johnson.
Dan Aldridge and Gary McCarthy. Photo by Kenny Johnson.
Mary Beth and Hank Hershey (standing), Michele Hamlett-Weith and Brian Weith. Photo by Kenny Johnson.
Executive Director Jeffrey J. Bentley, Ball Chairman Tempe Ostergren Elsberry, Ball Chairman Karen Yungmeyer, Guild President Peggy Beal, and Artistic Director Devon Carney. Photo by Kenny Johnson.
Jeff Musolf, Marilyn Musolf, Kristen Whalen, Tracy Musolf, Geneva Musolf, Blake Peterson. Photo by Kenny Johnson/

Social Media

Get The Latest Updates

Subscribe to our newsletters

Kansas City magazine keeps readers updated on the latest news in twice-weekly newsletter. 

On Tuesdays, Dish brings you food news and our critic picks. 

On Thursdays, The Loop offers exclusive news reports and our curated events picks.

RELATED