Roster Round-Up: February’s Dancer Promotions, Farewells and Career-Change Announcements

This February has brought another round of exciting leadership changes, inspiring farewells, promotions and more. Catch up on the latest news in the ballet world.

Farewells at New York City Ballet

New York City Ballet principals Teresa Reichlen and Gonzalo Garcia both retire from the stage this month. Reichlen, a principal since 2009, celebrated her 22-year career with the company on February 19, appearing as Odette in George Balanchine’s one-act Swan Lake.

Garcia takes his final bow with NYCB on Sunday, February 27. Originally from Spain, Garcia joined the company as a principal in 2007 following his career at San Francisco Ballet. In his farewell performance, he will dance Jerome Robbins’ Opus 19/The Dreamer with fellow principals Sterling Hyltin and Tiler Peck, an excerpted solo from Justin Peck’s Rotunda, and the title role in Balanchine’s Prodigal Son.

Federico Bonelli Named Northern Ballet’s Next Artistic Director

Northern Ballet has announced that Royal Ballet principal Federico Bonelli will succeed current artistic director David Nixon, who has held the position for 21 years. Bonelli, who also danced with Zürich Ballet and Dutch National Ballet during his extensive career, graduated from the Clore Leadership Programme in 2019 and has served in various coaching and advising roles at The Royal Ballet. He starts his new post at Northern Ballet on May 1.

Daniil Simkin and Daniel Camargo to Guest Star at ABT

Former American Ballet Theatre principal Daniil Simkin will rejoin ABT as a guest artist on select dates of its upcoming tour and 2022 summer season. Simkin, who danced with ABT from 2008 to 2020, will appear as Basilio in Don Quixote opposite Isabella Boylston.

Daniel Carmago, a former Stuttgart Ballet and Dutch National Ballet principal, will also join the company as a guest artist for its Metropolitan Opera House season. He will dance the role of Prince Siegfried in Swan Lake as well as the title role in Romeo and Juliet, both with Boylston.

Beckanne Sisk and Chase O’Connell to Join Houston Ballet

Beloved Ballet West principals Beckanne Sisk and Chase O’Connell have announced their departures from the company after 12 and 10 seasons, respectively. Sisk and O’Connell, who are engaged, will join Houston Ballet as principal dancers at the start of its 2022–23 season.

Jeffrey Cirio Returns to Boston Ballet

Boston Ballet announced that former principal Jeffrey Cirio will rejoin the company for its 2022–23 season. Since leaving Boston Ballet in 2015, Cirio has danced as a principal with American Ballet Theatre and is currently a lead principal with English National Ballet. He will perform as a guest artist in Boston Ballet’s upcoming spring productions of MINDscape and Swan Lake.

Four Promotions at Miami City Ballet

Miami City Ballet artistic director Lourdes Lopez announced four company promotions this month. Samantha Hope Galler has risen to principal soloist, and Ariel Rose, Adrienne Carter and Taylor Naturkas are now soloists.

Cynthia Harvey to Depart ABT’s JKO School

Cynthia Harvey, artistic director of the ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School, will leave her role at the conclusion of the school year this May. Harvey, a former ABT principal, has served as JKO’s artistic director since 2016. She will continue teaching and coaching around the world and will be a consultant for the new UK-based arts-management company To the Pointe. A formal search for the school’s new artistic director is underway.

Haruhi Otani Joins English National Ballet as a Soloist

Haruhi Otani has joined English National Ballet as a soloist after dancing with Spain’s Compañía Nacional de Danza. ENB shared the news on February 7 via its Twitter page.

Anne Jung Receives Choreographic Award From Louisville Ballet

Louisville Ballet named German choreographer Anne Jung as the recipient of its first annual Dysart Award, which recognizes and supports promising dancemakers. The winner, chosen by an international panel of nominators, receives $20,000 cash, a $5,000 charitable gift to a dance education institution of their choice and a future choreographic commission from Louisville Ballet. Jung, a company artist with the Dresden Frankfurt Dance Company, premiered her piece #fourwithsix at Louisville Ballet earlier this month.

Eugene Ballet’s Sarah Kosterman Promoted to Principal

Eugene Ballet has named artist Sarah Kosterman as its newest principal. After joining EB as an aspirant in 2016, Kosterman was promoted to company artist in 2018 and has since appeared in a variety of featured roles, including the Sugarplum Fairy in Toni Pimble’s Nutcracker and Maria in Penny Saunders’ Ghost Light.