To watch Irina Kolpakova coach Swan Lake is to witness a true artist at work. Although long retired from the stage, the American Ballet Theatre ballet mistress still possesses a commanding presence and an instinctive artistic spirit. “Don’t think about your shape when you first see Siegfried,” she tells soloist Isabella Boylston during rehearsal for […]
A few years ago, Isabella Boylston told Pointe there’s an elite club at American Ballet Theatre: “The Princesses.” It’s corps member Blaine Hoven’s nickname for the dancers like David Hallberg and Gillian Murphy who’ve been awarded a prestigious Princess Grace Award. This year’s “Princesses” have just been announced, and it’s quite an impressive group. ABT’s […]
The word “character” in ballet can be used to describe a type of dance, such as the folk dances in Swan Lake, or the act of embodying role. At the “American Ballet Theatre: A Cast of Characters” event at the Guggenheim museum, the dancers performed excerpts from a range repertoire that ABT will presenting at […]
American Ballet Theatre just announced an intriguing transatlantic dancer swap. Royal Ballet principal Steven McRae will come to New York to perform in ABT’s Le Corsaire this June and Royal Danish Ballet principal Alban Lendorf will dance with the company in Sleeping Beauty this July. In exchange, ABT will lend principal Cory Stearns to The […]
Mark your calendars: There’s some great ballet coming into your life over the next couple of weeks—all of which you can catch from the comfort of your couch. Keep an eye out for these programs: Wendy Whelan: “Restless Creature” The New York City Ballet superstar will preview her new project at the Guggenheim Museum. […]
The Clive Barnes Awards—given by the Clive Barnes Foundation in honor of the late New York Times, New York Post and Dance Magazine critic—have a history of recognizing talented dancers on the cusp of a career milestone. In 2010, New York City Ballet’s Chase Finlay took home the prize; a year later, he was promoted […]
Last night, I attended the final round of Youth America Grand Prix’s New York City finals. Every year, I’m overwhelmed by the level of talent at the competition, and this year was no exception. There’s nothing more exciting than spotting the stars of tomorrow, today. Many of today’s stars are YAGP alums, too. The organization […]
Each year the Vail International Dance Festival, helmed by former New York City Ballet principal Damian Woetzel, presents a festival of dance stars in Vail, CO, from July 27 through August 10. Vail’s programming regularly features top ballet dancers from around the country, and this year’s artist in residence will be none other than soon-to-retire […]