OKC BALLET'S NEW DANCERS
& PROMOTIONS W/IN COMPANY

                                                                    

                                                 Soloists and principals of the OKC Ballet
                                                     Photo courtesy of the Oklahoma City Ballet                        

At 47 dancers, Oklahoma City Ballet is the largest company the organization has known since its founding in 1962 by world-famous ballerina Yvonne Chouteau. The company announces the addition of 19 new
company artists and apprentices for the 2016-2017 season at downtown OKC's Civic Center
Music Hall.

This illustrious collaboration of artists represents 21 states and 9 countries, and includes 4 native Oklahomans. 

“We receive an enormous amount of inquiries from dancers wishing to audition for Oklahoma City Ballet.  I am fortunate that I can be highly selective.  Happily my annual recruiting efforts through our National Audition Tour have yielded some amazing talent this year.  I look forward to working with this talented group of artists during the entirety of our upcoming 45^th anniversary season,” said Artistic Director Robert Mills.

New to the Corps de Ballet roster are Dave Naquin of Cowpens, South Carolina, and Jefferson Payne of Quito, Ecuador.  Naquin trained at Ballet Spartanburg and University of North Carolina School of the Arts before joining the Grand Rapids Ballet where he danced leading roles in numerous ballets.  Payne studied at Boston Ballet School working his way through the school to eventually dance with the company as a trainee.  He then went on to spend two seasons with The Minnesota Ballet, where he danced principal and soloist roles in various ballets.     

“We have also promoted four of our current dancers,” says Mills.  “Amanda Herd-Popejoy and Walker Martin have advanced from Corps de Ballet to Soloist, and Claire Glavin and Devin Larsen, who started as apprentices in the company, will now be members of the Corps de Ballet.” 

Rounding out the company are 16 new apprentice dancers:  Taylor Arel (Olathe, KS), Rosemary Brandley (El Reno, OK), Mickayla Carr (Arlington TX), Ethan Epstein (Newton, MA), Juliana Gallant (Cambell, CA), Bethany Green (South Bend, IN), Lori Hernandez (San Diego, CA), Rebecca Hickson (Cleveland, TN), Kirsten Kemp (Corpus Christie, TX) , DeShawn Marshall (Denver, CO), Alana Morgenstern (Boca Raton, FL), Simon Pawlak (Ruidoso, NM), Alexandra Schooling (Lancaster, PA), Anna Severson (Waunakee, WI), Carrie Ruth Trumbo (New Smyrna Beach, FL), and Sophie Williams (Willow Street, Pennsylvania). 

These additions and promotions join returning principal dancers Julio Concepcion, Miki Kawamura, Yui Sato, Ronnie Underwood and Alvin Tovstogray, returning soloists Milena Garcia, DaYoung Jung, and Amy Potter, and Corps de Ballet artists Seth Bradley, Paige Brown, Sarah Jane Crespo, Daina Gingras, Daniel Hardman, Arianna Lawson, Autumn Sicking Klein, Joe Seaton, Gerald Pines, Rayleigh Vendt, and Richard Walters.  There will be six returning apprentices: Petra Biro, Paola McCormick-Quintero, Mayu Odaka, Erikka Reenstierna-Cates, Hayley Tavonatti, and Emily Thompson.

To read complete biographies and for season information, visit www.okcballet.com/company.  

Courtesy of the Oklahoma City Ballet

Celebrating Ballets Russes, Its 
Connection to the 
University of Oklahoma, with
Oklahoma Festival Ballet
Performances Nov. 4 - 13


                                                                           

                                                               Yvonne Chouteau              

                        Photo courtesy of OU School of Dance, Ballets Russes Special Collections and Archive

The University of Oklahoma School of Dance, OU Libraries and the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art are showcasing the Ballets Russes Special Collections and Archive and its connection to the University of Oklahoma with an array of exhibitions, lectures and an Oklahoma Festival Ballet production. Many events are open to the public with complimentary admission.

The Ballets Russes, the pre-eminent ballet company of the early 20^th century, was founded in 1909 by Russian impresario Sergei Diaghilev. Throughout the company’s history, it was a who’s who of famous artists that ensured the success of the company. Noted composers Strauss, Stravinsky, Ravel and Prokoviev wrote scores for the ballet company. Set designers included such renowned painters as Picasso, Matisse, Braque and Miró. Choreographers such as Balanchine, Fokine and Massine, and principal dancers Nijinsky, Karsavina and Danilova served as dominant figures in the ballet world. The company’s cutting-edge productions forever changed audience expectations of ballet as theatre.

The Ballets Russes connection to the university comes from two of its principle dancers: Yvonne Chouteau and Miguel Terekhov. In 1943, Chouteau, one of Oklahoma’s American Indian ballerinas, joined the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo at the age 14. She toured with the company until it closed in 1956.Terekhov joined de Basil’s Ballet Russe as a teenager in South America and later joined the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo where he met Chouteau.

Both came to OU as guest artists in 1961 and remained to establish one of the first fully accredited university dance programs in the United States. The department became the School of Dance in 1998 with Mary Margaret Holt as director.

In 2007 the School of Dance created the Ballets Russes Special Collections and Archive, a permanent collection of artifacts and personal histories from former members of the ballet company. The collections include correspondence, programs, clippings, diaries, scrapbooks, photographs and musical scores, as well as video resources, costume items and other ephemera. More than 40 former dancers with the Ballets Russes companies, as well as other donors, have entrusted their personal collections to the archive. The current and ongoing digitization project will make the holdings accessible to the general public.

 

Camille Hardy, noted dance critic, historian and scholar, joined the School of Dance faculty as professor of dance history and served on the steering committee to assist in building the collections and creating a structure and policies for the archive until her retirement this fall.

To honor the Ballets Russes, University Theatre and School of Dance will present Oklahoma Festival Ballet in a program of world-renowned ballets from and inspired by the legendary ballet companies bearing the name Ballets Russe.  Oklahoma Festival Ballet will open at 8 p.m. Nov. 4; additional performances are scheduled at 8 p.m. Nov. 5, 10 and 11, and 3 p.m. Nov. 6 and 13. All performances will be held in the Elsie C. Brackett Theatre, 563 Elm Ave., on the OU Norman campus.

The production is a tribute to the memory of Chouteau. Highlights include Stravinsky’s masterpiece, The Firebird; Pas de Quatre, originally danced for Queen Victoria by the four reigning ballerinas of the Romantic Era; a new version of the ballet that made Nijinsky famous, Spectre de la Rose; and a new ballet, Bouquet for Yvonne, in tribute to the memory of Chouteau. OU School of Dance faculty Pamela Bjerknes, Holt, Ilya Kozadayev and Clara Cravey Stanley choreograph and stage this program of legendary ballets.

Events are complimentary unless noted otherwise.

Schedule of events:

Oct. 4-Nov. 15 – Ballets Russes Exhibition, Bizzell Memorial Library, 401 W. Brooks St.

Oct. 6-Dec. 30 – From Diaghilev to Terekhov and Chouteau: An Exhibition of Material from the Ballets Russes Special Collections and Archive, Ellen and Richard L. Sandor Gallery, Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, 555 Elm Ave.

Oct. 14 – Lecture by Mary Jo Watson - “The Spirit of the Dance”: Native American aspects of the Ballets Russes, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Fine Arts Library.

Oct. 18 – Lecture by Robert Bailey, Ballets Russes lecture and film “A Brief History of the Gesamtkunstwerk, with Attention to the Ballets Russes” Robert Bailey5-7 p.m., Bizzell Memorial Library, Helmerich Collaborative Learning Center, lower level 1.

Advance purchase tickets for Oklahoma Festival Ballet are $25 for adult; $20 for senior adult, OU employee and military; and $10 for student, plus processing fee. Tickets at the door are $35 for adult and $15 for student, cash or check only.  To purchase tickets online, go to theatre.ou.edu or call or visit the OU Fine Arts Box Office at (405) 325-4101, located at 500 W. Boyd St., in the Catlett Music Center, on the OU Norman campus.

 

For accommodations, please call the OU Fine Arts Box Office at (405) 325-4101.

 

Courtesy of the College of Fine Arts, University of Oklahoma

OKC BALLET OPENS
WITH RODEO: A TRIPLE
BILL

                                                                        

Single tickets to the opening performance of Oklahoma City Ballet’s 45^th anniversary season are now available.  Rodeo: A Triple Bill will be presented October 21-23, 2016 on the Civic Center Music Hall stage.  This eclectic mixed bill features one company premiere, one world premiere, and one ballet that has not been performed by the company for over 30 years.

“Our mixed bill programs have become some of the most anticipated and loved performances that we offer,” said Artistic Director Robert Mills.  “I am especially pleased to bring these three works to our audiences.  George Balanchine’s Serenade is my favorite ballet and it will be the first time our company will dance the work in its 45 year history.  I have very special memories dancing the lead in Agnes de Mille’s Rodeo.  I know it will be a work Oklahoma audiences will love, especially since it has been over three decades since we have last performed it.  Lastly I have had a wonderful time creating my new work for this program.  I cannot wait to watch our incredible dancers perform these three works.”  

The evening will open with George Balanchine’s Serenade, a milestone in the history of dance.  It is one of the signature works of New York City Ballet’s repertory.  This iconic piece will grace the Civic Center stage for the first time.  With a moving score by Tchaikovsky, dancers “let down their hair” in this neo-classical ballet that has inspired artists for decades.

OKC Ballet’s Artistic Director Robert Mills will be presenting a World premiere titled Our Private Rooms that has been chosen as a recipient of the Artistic Innovations grant from the Mid-America Arts Alliance.  This abstract contemporary ballet will “lift the walls” around our interpersonal relationships that we maintain in private to provide contrast to our depicted public personas.

The headlining ballet of the program, Rodeo, will close the evening on a high note.  Choreographed by Agnes de Mille, with it’s famous score by Aaron Copeland (think, “Beef. It’s what’s for dinner.”), this highly recognizable ballet will be a treat for cowhands and city slickers.  The cowboy boot clad dancers will portray the story of the cowgirl who, with the best of intentions, tries to fit in with the cowhands in an effort to find a “suitable man.” 

For tickets and more information, visit the website at www.okcballet.com or call (405) 848-TOES (8637).

                                                                   

PERPETUAL MOTION
OCTOBER CLASSES &
WORKSHOPS

October Class Schedule Beg/Int Level Aerial Class (Apparatus Varies Every 4 Weeks) Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center Every Monday/Wednesday @ 6:00-7:30pm Climb Up - Open Level Silks Every Saturday @ 9:00-10:00am WORKSHOPS Trapeze Workshop October 8th - 3:00-5:00pm Hidden Dragon Yoga  Mixed Metal WorkshopsOctober 22nd - 1:00-3:00pm Edmond Performing Arts Center (6 week session registration to follow) TO REGISTER FOR CLASSES, PLEASE CLICK THE FOLLOWING LINK! Perpetual Motion Community Classes STAY CONNECTED:

Perpetual Motion Dance, P.O. Box 1916, Oklahoma City, OK 73120  perpetualinfo@gmail.com

PERPETUAL MOTION
OKLAHOMA MODERN DANCE
FESTIVAL AT 7:30 FRIDAY
AND SATURDAY NIGHT
w/August classes and
auditions

Join us for the 10th annual Oklahoma Contemporary Dance Festival July 29th & 30th, 7:30pm @ Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center! Pre-sale discounted tickets will end at NOON Friday! All other tickets must purchased at the door one hour prior to show. BUY TICKETS NOW! August Class Schedule Open Level Aerial Class (Apparatus Varies) Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center Every Wednesday @ 6:00-7:30pm Climb Up - Open Level Silks Every Saturday @ 9:00-10:00am UPCOMING EVENTS STAY CONNECTED:

Perpetual Motion Dance, P.O. Box 1916, Oklahoma City, OK 73120

PERPETUAL MOTION DANCE
JULY CLASSES AND OKLAHOMA
CONTEMPORARY DANCE FESTIVAL

Join us for the 9th annual Oklahoma Contemporary Dance Festival July 29th & 30th, 7:30pm @ Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center! BUY TICKETS NOW! Tickets available at www.perpetualmotiondance.org or at the Oklahoma Contemporary box office up to one hour before showtime. Weekly class began July 6th! *NEW starting time on Wednesday nights!* Open Level Aerial Class (Apparatus Varies) Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center Every Wednesday @ 6:00-7:30pm Climb Up - Open Level Silks Every Saturday @ 9:00-10:00am July Workshops July 9th - 2:00-4:00pm - Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center July 23rd - 3:00-5:00pm - Hidden Dragon Yoga *Must register directly through HDY* Sign Up Today STAY CONNECTED:

Perpetual Motion Dance, P.O. Box 1916, Oklahoma City, OK 73120

RACE PARTNERS W/
CURBSIDE CHRONICLE
FOR HOME, 
ALSO SUMMER CLASSES

     

 

RACE Dance Company Partners with The Curbside Chronicle for an Intimate Look at “Home”

 

Through the lens of local choreographers, RACE Dance Company presents “Home” in partnership with The Curbside Chronicle for the final concert of the 2015-2016 season. Dancers will explore the true meaning of “Home” at The Loft on Film Row at 700 ½ West Sheridan in Oklahoma City on Friday, June 10 and Saturday, June 11 at 7:30 p.m.

A subsidiary of The Homeless Alliance, The Curbside Chronicle employs and empowers homeless and low-income individuals in Oklahoma City by allowing them to write and sell a street magazine. A magazine vendor, as well as the organization’s co-founder Rayna O’connor will be at the show to share how The Curbside Chronicle is helping Oklahomans rise out of poverty.

“There are some misconceptions out there. When you see Curbside vendors on the street, they are not panhandlers. They are people who are dedicated to transitioning out of homelessness and into housing,” said Rayna O’connor. That’s what The Curbside Chronicle is all about.”

The spirit of the magazine inspired RACE Dance’s Co-Artistic Director Brandi Kelley to choreograph a dance in “Home” called “Dignity; Curbside.”

“I’ve always admired the dignity The Curbside Chronicle brings to people. Every vendor I have every encountered is so happy to be working and proud of the product they sell,” said Kelley. “Sometimes I feel like they give me a lot more than the money I provide them with.”

Due to the nature of social content, RACE Dance Co. recommends ages 14 and up attend the show. Tickets are available for $30 online at tickets.racedance.com and at the door. Seniors can buy tickets for $20 at the door with valid identification. For more information, visit racedance.com.

RACE Summer Dance Classes

 RACE offers summer dance classes through its Race the Space program at Studio 7 located at 516 NW 23^rd in Oklahoma City.

About RACE Dance Company

Hui Cha Poos created RACE Dance Company, Oklahoma’s first professional Jazz/Hip Hop/Contemporary group, in 2008. RACE is an acronym for Radical Application of Creative Energy. RACE has produced and participated in more than 75 performances throughout the city, with groups like the Oklahoma City Philharmonic and Dance United Benefit. In 2010, the Oklahoma Gazette selected RACE as one of the top 5 performance companies in Oklahoma. In 2011, RACE received the Great Inspirations Award from Creative Oklahoma. RACE has more than 40 members within its three companies: RACE, Men of RACE and Junior RACE. 

RACE is an official 501(c) (3) Non-Profit Organization.