The USA International Ballet Competition is gearing up for the 12th time, and applications are open! The two-week competition, held every four years in Jackson, Mississippi, hosts dancers ages 15–28 from around the globe as they compete for medals, cash prizes and company contracts. The competition will run June 10–24, and this year USA IBC […]
In January 2020, Lillian DiPiazza had what many would consider a dream job: She was a principal dancer with Pennsylvania Ballet (now Philadelphia Ballet). But like most of the world at that time, she had no idea how much was about to change, or what exciting but difficult decisions lay ahead. Over the next two […]
The end of the year brings an exciting new batch of promotions and career changes from San Francisco to Denmark! Catch up on the ballet world’s latest news before we head into 2022. A New Soloist for San Francisco Ballet On November 17, San Francisco Ballet artistic director Helgi Tomasson announced his plans to promote […]
Spring is in full bloom with another round of exciting digital dance offerings. This month, companies across the country are releasing world premieres, season finales, artistic collaborations and more. We’ve rounded up some highlights below. New York City Ballet Sebastian Villarini-Velez and India Bradley with KJ Takahashi and Jonathan Fahoury in Kyle Abraham’s When We […]
Kevin McKenzie, American Ballet Theatre’s longtime artistic director, announced yesterday that he will retire at the end of 2022, after three decades at the helm. He will continue to oversee the company’s 2021–22 season while a search for his successor begins this summer. In an interview with The New York Times’ Rosalyn Sulcas, McKenzie noted […]
Hollywood could make a movie about Sarah-Gabrielle Ryan’s big break at Pacific Northwest Ballet. It was November 2017, and the company was performing Crystal Pite’s film-noir–inspired Plot Point, set to music by Bernard Hermann from Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho. Ryan, then a first-year corps member, originally was understudying the role of another dancer. But when principal […]
For over 140 years, La Bayadère has affirmed its sublime elements: the “Kingdom of the Shades” act, a ballet blanc of pristine classicism; brilliantly musical, virtuosic variations that dancers love to perform. Its drama has inspired unforgettable star performances, and Marius Petipa’s seminal choreography has impacted choreographers like George Balanchine. But many take issue with […]
Over the last 18 years, American Ballet Theatre’s Alexandre Hammoudi has become a household name. So Instagram was abuzz when the longtime soloist’s departure from the company was announced, leaving fans shocked and saddened. His career has been one that aspiring dancers can only dream of: After dancing for two years with the Ballet Nacional […]