Promotions and New Dancers at San Francisco Ballet
As companies’ performance seasons wrap up, news of who’s leaving, joining and rising through the ranks has been landing in our inboxes here at Pointe. In recent weeks, we’ve noted the massive roster changes at Pennsylvania Ballet and Julie Kent’s new hires at The Washington Ballet, as well as the promotions of two 2015 Pointe cover stars: Miami City Ballet’s Nathalia Arja (to principal soloist) and New York City Ballet’s Taylor Stanley (now a principal). On Monday, San Francisco Ballet announced its 2016-17 roster, and it looks exciting. Here’s a summary:
As many of you know, SFB said goodbye to three beloved male principals this season. So far, it looks like only two have been replaced. Carlo Di Lanno, who joined SFB as a soloist in 2014, has been promoted to principal dancer. Houston Ballet first soloist Aaron Robison joins SFB as a principal.
Julia Rowe, shown here with Daniel Deivison-Oliveira, has been promoted to soloist. Photo by Erik Tomasson, Courtesy SFB.
Four corps de ballet members have joined the soloists ranks: Julia Rowe (a 2014 Pointe “Star of the Corps”), Francisco Mungamba, Wei Wang and Wan Ting Zhao. La Scala Ballet corps member Angelo Greco also joins as a soloist. SFB apprentice Blake Kessler has been elevated to the corps; other new members include Natasha Sheehan and longtime Pennsylvania Ballet dancer Elizabeth Mateer. And three cheers for five SF Ballet School trainees: Alexandre Cagnat, Shené Lazarus, Davide Occhipinti, Nathaniel Remez and Isabella Walsh are now apprentices.
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