About Coastal Youth Ballet Theatre (CYBT)
Founded in 2006 by Artistic Director Liza Mata, Coastal Youth Ballet Theatre (CYBT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit performing company that grew out of the training offered at Coastal Dance Centre. While Coastal Dance Centre prepares young dancers with rigorous, high-quality training, CYBT is the platform that transforms that training into artistry on stage, bringing dance to the wider community through performances, outreach, and scholarships.
Our Mission
Coastal Youth Ballet Theatre (CYBT) nurtures young dancers’ artistic and personal growth and enriches the cultural life of the Grand Strand through ballet and the dance arts.
As the nonprofit performing company of Coastal Dance Centre, CYBT builds upon the school’s training by providing professionally scaled performance opportunities, experiences with distinguished guest artists, and meaningful community engagement. We cultivate artistry, discipline, perseverance, respect, and cooperation—qualities that prepare young people for success in dance and in whatever paths they choose.
Through performances, educational outreach, and scholarship support, we encourage an appreciation of dance across generations. Scholarship assistance, subject to available funding, supports dancers who demonstrate financial need and a commitment to their training and participation.
Our Vision
We envision CYBT as one of South Carolina’s most vibrant and accomplished youth ballet companies—a nurturing artistic home where dedicated young dancers develop their talents, grow in confidence and character, and prepare for opportunities in further education and professional dance.
By honoring classical ballet while embracing varied repertoire and creative collaboration, we aspire to bring inspiring performances to our community and help our dancers become ambassadors for the arts.
We envision a community united through dance, where students, families, artists, and supporters share in the creation of new choreographic works and productions, and experience the joy, connection, and fulfillment the arts bring to our lives.