Jamey Johnson will headline the 37th Annual Ballet Ball, a black-tie celebration of dance, music, philanthropy, and Nashville’s evolving cultural imagination

On Saturday, March 7th, the Schermerhorn Symphony Center will become something between a grand ballroom, a lakeside reverie, and a civic stage. Nashville Ballet’s 37th Annual Ballet Ball returns with a theme inspired by Swan Lake, honoring the company’s 40th Season while inviting one of country music’s most distinctive voices, Jamey Johnson, to headline the evening’s entertainment.

For Nashville, the pairing feels especially apt. Ballet Ball has long served as one of the city’s signature intersections of elegance and generosity, but this year’s program also speaks to the city’s particular gift for creative cross-pollination. Classical ballet and country storytelling may seem, at first glance, to belong to different worlds. Yet both art forms rely on gesture, atmosphere, longing, and emotional precision—the unsaid as much as the sung or danced.

Johnson, a 10-time GRAMMY nominee and Grand Ole Opry member, brings to the gala a voice steeped in classic country, Americana, and mainstream rock. His appearance marks a return to Ballet Ball after joining a Johnny Cash tribute lineup in 2018. “I am excited to perform for a world-class arts organization like Nashville Ballet and their patrons who recognize the power of storytelling through dance and music,” Johnson said. “Nashville has an incredible arts scene right here in our own backyard and I’m thrilled to be performing for a community that truly values creativity.”

That sense of storytelling has defined Johnson’s career. His latest album, Midnight Gasoline, released in November 2024 through Big Gassed Records and Warner Music Nashville, continues a body of work associated with weathered lyricism and unvarnished feeling. Recent collaborations include “Never Gonna Be” with Ronnie Dunn and “Smoke” with Riley Green, while his songwriting legacy includes the rare distinction of winning two Song of the Year honors in the same year from the ACM Awards and CMA Awards for “Give It Away” and “In Color.”

His songs have also traveled widely through the voices of George Strait, Trace Adkins, Willie Nelson, James Otto, and Joe Nichols. In recent years, Johnson’s televised performances have placed him within broader moments of musical tribute, including “Georgia on My Mind” for Willie Nelson’s 90th Birthday Celebration, “Angels Among Us” for CMT Giants: Alabama, and “Beer for My Horses” with Lainey Wilson for Toby Keith: American Icon. The Recording Industry Association of America has recognized him for more than 9 million sales and streams, including the 5X platinum-certified single “In Color.”

The evening’s visual world will draw from the romance and mystery of Swan Lake, Tchaikovsky’s enduring meditation on transformation, illusion, and desire. Its influence will shape everything from ethereal design gestures to dramatic staging, with Nashville event planner Bruce Pittman charged with bringing the atmosphere to life. In this setting, the gala becomes more than a social occasion; it becomes a curated encounter between fairytale grandeur and contemporary Nashville style.

“The Ballet Ball is where Nashville’s creative spirit, generosity and love for the arts truly come together,” said Nick Mullikin, Artistic Director and CEO of Nashville Ballet. “As we celebrate our 40th Season with a Swan Lake inspired evening, welcoming an artist of Jamey Johnson’s caliber elevates the experience for our patrons while directly supporting the work we do onstage and throughout the community.”

As with any great society event, the details extend beyond the stage. Guests will gather for a gourmet dining experience by Kristen Winston Catering, paired with handcrafted cocktails and curated beverages from Lipman Brothers, LLC. Later in the evening, the celebration will shift into the Ballet Ball Late Party, with dancing and live music from Bizz and Everyday People.

Community leadership sits at the heart of the night’s civic dimension. Neil Krugman, Lisa Manning, and Julie Schneider will serve as Ball Co-Chairs, with Barbara Turner as Honorary Chair. Catherine Bradbury, Eli Gibbons, Sophie Scott Howard, Preston Howard, and Kimberly Macdonald will serve as Late Party Co-Chairs, helping shape an evening that is both glamorous and purpose-driven.

The purpose is significant. Ballet Ball is a cornerstone fundraiser for Nashville Ballet and a major source of support for the organization’s Community Engagement and Education Initiatives. During the 2024–25 season, those programs delivered more than 55,000 arts experiences to Middle Tennesseans, including free tickets to Nashville’s Nutcracker, Storytime performances at local libraries, and dance education programs in 40 schools. More than 23,000 people were reached through free performances, underscoring the company’s commitment to making dance visible, accessible, and woven into the life of the region.

Major support for the 40th Season celebration comes from HCA Healthcare/TriStar Health, Littler Mendelson, P.C., Pinnacle Financial Partners, and The Sandra Schatten Foundation, with Polsinelli sponsoring the Late Party. Their backing reflects the role cultural philanthropy continues to play in sustaining Nashville’s artistic institutions as the city grows.

Underwriting opportunities and reservations for the annual gala remain available. For more information, email events@nashvilleballet.com. Tickets to the Ballet Ball Late Party are available at NashvilleBallet.com/late-party.

The Ballet Ball’s Swan Lake-inspired theme also looks ahead to Nashville Ballet’s full-length production of the classic, returning to TPAC’s Jackson Hall from February 27 through March 1, 2026. Tickets are on sale at NashvilleBallet.com or by phone at 615-297-2966 ext. 710.