Michael Scolamiero
Executive Director | Ballet West
Michael Scolamiero has transformed Ballet West through leadership that balances artistic excellence with financial stability. As executive director, he’s achieved four consecutive balanced budgets while expanding the operating budget by 33 percent, doubling subscription revenue and growing the endowment by 20 percent.
In 2024, Ballet West welcomed a record 119,000 patrons and earned historic recognition when Utah Gov. Spencer Cox designated its “Nutcracker” as America’s first Living Historic Landmark. The company performed seven sold-out Kennedy Center shows and appeared at the 10,000 Dreams festival.
How has your company grown recently?
Ballet West has experienced tremendous growth in the past several years. Subscription revenue has nearly doubled since 2021, and contributed revenue has increased as well, particularly from individuals. Revenue from “The Nutcracker” has set company records in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, with 2024’s revenue just under $3.1 million — more than double that of 2014’s “The Nutcracker” revenue. Ballet West is now the ninth-largest ballet company in America based on budget size. Our larger peers are founded in much larger cities such as New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Boston, Houston and Miami.
What major achievements has your company accomplished under your leadership?
Accomplishments of which we are most proud include purchasing a building in downtown Salt Lake for housing students who attend the Frederick Quinney Lawson Ballet West Academy, opening a new campus in Pleasant Grove, eliminating a working capital deficit of more than $3 million and establishing a positive working capital of more than $3 million in just five years.
