Laura Daugherty to Lead SCB
ST. CROIX BALLET ANNOUNCES CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP/LEADERSHIP
Stillwater, MN. April 16, 2022. St. Croix Ballet today announced a change in ownership and leadership as the studio enters its 31st year in the St. Croix Valley. Laura Daugherty, a long-time teacher, professional dancer, and an alum of St. Croix Ballet, has purchased the studio including the historic church in the Stillwater area which has served as its home for three decades.
“We are pleased to share that our long-time teacher and friend, Laura Daugherty has purchased St. Croix Ballet,” said Susan Hovey, who has served as the Artistic Director of the studio since 2012. The formal transition will correspond with the start of the 2022-2023 school year in August, while Ms. Susan will remain on as Artistic Advisor.
Founded in 1991 in the basement of Karla Sweeney’s Stillwater home, ‘Mz. Karla’ retired in 2012 due to her ongoing battle with breast cancer. She passed away in 2015. Susan Hovey, who began teaching at the studio in 2004 and has directed the annual Spring classical ballets (Sleeping Beauty, Coppelia, and Cinderella) since 2006, became Artistic Director in 2012. Ms. Hovey will continue to serve as Artistic Advisor at the studio and will assist Ms. Daugherty in the coming transition.
Brian Sweeney, co-founder of the studio, has been its Business Manager since its inception said, “The studio has never been just a business. We have been stewards of a remarkable legacy of classical dance in the St. Croix Valley and East Metro for three decades and it is very gratifying to know that it will continue for the next generation of dancers under Ms. Laura. She understands and embodies the unique culture that is St. Croix Ballet with its deep commitment to classical ballet training, while building upon the legacy of Mz. Karla and Ms. Susan.”
Ms. Daugherty has a long history with St. Croix Ballet. She danced at the studio in its very first year when the studio was housed in the Sweeney’s Stillwater basement and was one of the first student Sugar Plum Fairy in the early years of the Stillwater Nutcracker. She then taught at the studio in the late 90’s and again from 2012-2019. “Coming back to lead St. Croix Ballet is coming home,” said Ms. Daugherty. “Mz. Karla and Ms. Susan have been mentors, friends, and a great inspiration. It is an honor to be able to lead St. Croix Ballet into a new era”.