In July, an exceptional American Ballet Theatre dancer made her New York debut as Juliet—a sparklingly innocent and yet impressively mature rendition of Kenneth MacMillan’s heroine that was both touching and daring. She danced with abandon, sailing into the arms of her partner and giving each pirouette the appropriate tinge of ecstasy or despair. But […]
When Angel Corella walks into Cafe Mozart near Lincoln Center for his interview in mid-May, it’s a blustery, rain-soaked afternoon that has kept most New Yorkers inside. But one look at the American Ballet Theatre superstar, and you’d think it was a perfect spring day. In person, Corella bursts with the same effervescent sparkle he […]
For Alessandra Ferri, the greatest dramatic ballerina of her generation and possibly the most famous Juliet of today, parting is not going to be “such sweet sorrow.” On the contrary, Ferri, who is retiring this year after more than 20 years on the world’s stages, is going out with a bang. At the height of […]
What you might not know about some of America’s leading male dancers might surprise you. Rasta Thomas, Desmond Richardson, Damian Woetzel and Julio Bocca have all reached the top of their field earning accolades from audiences and critics alike. What they are achieving offstage is equally interesting and impressive. The Entrepreneur Rasta Thomas has always […]
Principal dancer Heather Ogden remembers being called into the studio in May with her colleagues and hearing the announcement that James Kudelka would step down as artistic director on June 30, 2005. “We were stunned that James was leaving,” she recalls, “but almost immediately, everyone was speculating that Karen Kain would be his successor. She […]
Although John Andresen is a dancer with the Norwegian National Ballet, his first love has always been photography. “I have been taking pictures longer than I have danced,” he says. “I wanted to go to a high school where I could study photography. My second choice was the state ballet school. I ended up there.” […]
Batkhurel Bold, one of Pacific Northwest Ballet’s principal dancers, doubles over, his face twisted in pain. “This is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do,” he says, gasping for breath. “I think I’m going to faint.” “Ah!—that’s what Baryshnikov told me,” replies legendary choreographer Glen Tetley. “He was able to perform the role of […]
New USA IBC Prizes This year, dancers will vie for six one-year company contracts. The stakes will be higher than ever at the USA International Ballet Competition this June. While entrants in the prestigious contest, held every four years in Jackson, MS, have traditionally competed for medals, cash awards and scholarships, this year […]