We are committed to creating rich cultural experiences that audiences can relate to and be inspired by through engaging productions, collaborations with local artists and organizations, community engagement and bold choreography.
Our Vision
With our roots firmly planted in our community and in our devotion to the art of creation and collaboration, East Coast Contemporary Ballet is a non-profit organization presenting ballets that push the physical and artistic boundaries of contemporary dance while utilizing the aesthetic, technique, and tradition of classical ballet.
Whether inspired foremost by the musical score, conveying narrative through movement, or interpreting an abstract concept, ECCB seeks to reach diverse audiences, transcending time and space through stimulating choreography that viewers can relate to.
Filling a void for a continually active innovative contemporary ballet company based in Connecticut that serves the entire East Coast, ECCB has a wider scope than its founders or its artists—it is a vehicle through which art will continue to be generated, cultivated, and shared. With the goal of offering 10-12 dance artists full-time 45-week contracts and audiences a robust year-round performance schedule, ECCB can cultivate both art-lovers and artists through its inventive and high-caliber productions.
Our History
Founded in 2019 by Claire Mazza and Alejandro Ulloa, East Coast Contemporary Ballet is a Connecticut-based dance company producing entirely original work and committed to creating rich cultural experiences that audiences can relate to and be inspired by through engaging productions, collaborations with local artists and organizations, community engagement and bold choreography.
In 2021 ECCB premiered their first original full-length contemporary ballet set entirely to the music of Ernesto Lecuona and in the summer of the same year founded the Fairfield County Dance Festival in partnership with Thomas Ortiz Dance, offering free summer dance performances throughout Fairfield County. They have also been invited to perform in the Newport Dance Festival, Westhampton Beach Project, and Stamford Dances Downtown. Collaboration being a core value of the company, ECCB has had the pleasure to collaborate with music artists such as Nathan Haselby, Latin Grammy-award winner Pedro Giraudo, Alturos Duo and Callisto Quartet, with fellow dance companies, and with organizations such as the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra, Museum of Contemporary Art, CT, Norwalk Art Space, Darien Arts Center, HMTX Headquarters, The HIVE by Beechwood, and the Fairfield Museum and History Center.
What Sets Us Apart
Artistic Excellence & Innovation
Employing over thirty artists, including dancers, choreographers, musicians, lighting designers, costume designers, stage crew, photographers and videographers, ECCB has premiered dozens of original works and collaborates with award-winning musicians and regional arts organizations. Our entirely original repertoire—rare in ballet—includes full-length productions, interdisciplinary performances, and new commissions that push creative boundaries.
Community Engagement
Accessibility defines who we are. In 2021, we co-founded the free open-air Fairfield County Dance Festival, bringing high-quality dance to public parks and green spaces across Connecticut. In 2026 alone, we performed seven free outdoor shows in seven communities, reaching hundreds of families, seniors, and first-time dance-goers.
Educational Outreach
ECCB’s dancers regularly teach and mentor students, offer open rehearsals, and lead workshops at schools and libraries. These informal, interactive sessions help demystify ballet and inspire young artists. Small moments—like a student meeting a dancer or participating in a mini-lesson—leave a lasting cultural imprint.