The Nutcracker 2022

The Nutcracker

Sarah Marley, photo: Ray Nard Imagemaker

SPONSORED BY

PRESENTED BY

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR MESSAGE

Dear Friends,

I am so happy to welcome you to our annual production of The Nutcracker, and thank you for choosing to make Grand Rapids Ballet part of your holiday plans! We look forward each and every year to creating the magic of The Nutcracker, and to offer a moment for us all to step back from our busy lives and appreciate the joy of music and dance.

This December marks the end of our 50th Anniversary year, and we have certainly had a lot to celebrate! Incorporating as a non-profit in 1972 with only a few professional dancers, hired for short periods of time, we are now a full-time company of 20 professional dancers, plus apprentices and trainees, who come from around the world to dance with Grand Rapids Ballet. We have developed the Meijer-Royce Center for Dance, which includes our own Peter Martin Wege Theater and rehearsal studios used by both the company and the Grand Rapids Ballet School. We now present five programs each season, including two at DeVos Performance Hall with the Grand Rapids Symphony, and we pride ourselves in our ability to present traditional classical ballets as well as contemporary works from a diverse range of worldclass choreographers.

This year, I am especially excited about the world premiere of Romeo and Juliet taking place February 17-19, 2023, complete with Shakespeare’s dramatic scenarios, swordfights, and passion. The score by Prokofiev is a wonder to be heard live, and I can’t wait to see the whole production come to life on the stage. I hope you can join us.

Our goal is to be the premiere professional ballet company in Michigan for another 50 years, but we can only do that with the support of you, our community and our audience. Art has an awesome power to make a difference in our lives, and our mission statement says it all: To uplift the human spirit through the art of dance. Thank you for believing in what we do, and for being with us today. I wish you and your family the happiest of holidays.

Sincerely,

James Sofranko, Artistic Director

Support Our Next 50 Years

Grand Rapids Ballet relies on the support of the West Michigan community to move forward to sustain our mission of lifting the human spirit through the art of dance. Please consider contributing to Grand Rapids Ballet’s 50th Anniversary Campaign to expand our reach, programming, and audience.

Yuko Horisawa and James Cuningham, photo by Andy Terzes.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION

OUR PLEDGE

Grand Rapids Ballet is dedicated to expanding the experience of world-class dance and artistic excellence. Our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Committee, comprised of board members, staff, and dancers, is committed to examining our efforts, seeking out all voices in our community, and creating actions to be a more inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible cultural organization.

THE NUTCRACKER

Over the past 130 years since The Nutcracker’s creation, harmful stereotypes of specific cultures have been portrayed across countless versions of the production. Grand Rapids Ballet’s Diversity Equity and Inclusion committee continuously works to ensure that our production does not perpetuate these stereotypes and represents all cultures in an appropriate and respectful manner. We have pledged to eliminate outdated stereotypes in all productions and seek to make our performances welcoming and enjoyable for all people.

In 2022, in collaboration with choreographer Val Caniparoli, Grand Rapids Ballet has made adjustments to the costumes and choreography for the Arabian Spice divertissement in Act 2 that we believe reflect these values.

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As a first important step in our ongoing mission for social justice, Grand Rapids Ballet would like to recognize the People of the Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potowatomi peoples on whose land we are gathered. The Three Fires People are indigenous to this land which means that this is their ancestral territory. The Grand Rapids Ballet is built on native land. As such, we are guests on their land, and one way to practice Right Relations is to develop genuine ways to acknowledge the histories and traditions of the people who originated here first, who are still here, and who tend to the land always. As we take this step, we understand that there are many more ahead as we continuously advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in our community.

James Cunningham

Rowan Allegra

Yuko Horisawa

Alexandra Meister-Upleger

Yuka Oba-Muschiana

Emily Reed

Nigel Tau

Julia Turner

Adriana Wagenveld

Nathan Young

Brodie Donougher

Josué Justiz

Julian Gan

Sarah Marley

Branden Reiners

Claudia Rhett

Isaac Aoki

APPRENTICES

Learn more about Grand Rapids Ballet’s dancers at grballet.com/dancers. Dancer headshots by Rebecca Humes Photography

TRAINEES

Nia Lessard

Mackenzie Davis

Angelina de la Nuez

Isabella Marino

Arianna Hughlett

Evan Arrendondo

Avery Held

Talia Lebowitz

Adrien Malof

Ashley Rosendahl

Josephine Shadle

Rianna Talento

Serafina Wagenveld

CREATORS

CHRIS VAN ALLSBURG SET & PRODUCTION DESIGNER

Van Allsburg is one of America’s most innovative picture book creators.Hehas twice received the Caldecott Medal (for The Polar Express and Jumanji) as well as a Caldecott Honor for his very first book, The Garden of Abdul Gasazi. He has also been awarded the Regina Medal for lifetime achievement in children’s literature, among other honors.

EUGENE LEE SET & PRODUCTION DESIGNER

Lee received BFA degrees from the Art Institute of Chicago and Carnegie Mellon University, an MFA from Yale Drama School and three honorary doctorates. He has won Tony Awards for Candide, Sweeney Todd, and Wicked, as well as the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Set Design. He has been the production designer for Saturday Night Live since 1974.

VAL CANIPAROLI CHOREOGRAPHER

Caniparoli is one of the most sought-after American choreographers contributing to the repetories of more than 45 companies throughout the world. He is most closely associated with San Francisco Ballet, his artistic home for over 40 years. Caniparoli has worked with The Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera and Symphony, Chicago Lyric Opera, as well as with San Francisco’s esteemed American Conservatory Theater.

PYOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY COMPOSER

(1840-1893)

Tchaikovsky is widely considered the most popular Russian composer in history. Acclaim came readily in 1875 with his composition Symphony No. 3 in D Major. In 1876, he completed the ballet Swan Lake as well as the symphonic fantasy Francesca da Rimini. His collective body of work constitutes 169 pieces, including symphonies, operas, ballets, concertos, cantatas, and songs. Among his most famed late works are the ballets The Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker

E.T.A. HOFFMAN AUTHOR (1776-1862)

Hoffman was a Prussian Romantic author of fantasy and horror, a jurist, composer, music critic, draftsman, and caricaturist. His stories form the basis of Jacques Offenbach’s famous opera The Tales of Hoffmann, in which Hoffmann appears as the hero. He is also the author of the novella The Nutcracker & The Mouse King, on which the famous ballet is based. The ballet Coppélia is based on two other stories that Hoffmann wrote, while Schumann’s Kreisleriana is based on Hoffmann’s character Johannes Kreisler. Hoffmann’s stories were very influential during the 19th century, and he is one of the major authors of the Romantic movement.

THE NUTCRACKER STORY

ACT I

Prologue

It is Christmas Eve and the Stahlbaum’s house is decorated with ornaments, garlands, and a majestic Christmas tree. Godfather Drosselmeier has snuck into the Great Room to prepare a few surprises for the enjoyment of his favorite godchildren, Fritz and Clara Stahlbaum.

— Street Scene and Party

Guests hurry across the streets in preparation for the party. After Drosselmeier’s arrival at the Stahlbaum’s house, he presents the magical gifts that Fritz and Clara have waited so anxiously for. Drosselmeier presents dolls, trumpets, cannons, and more to all of the children at the party. He then presents Clara with a most wondrous gift – a dancing Nutcracker doll. Overjoyed with the doll, she dances with him.

The evening grows late, the children become sleepy and the guests depart. Clara cannot resist sneaking downstairs to search for her beloved Nutcracker, which she finds safely standing on the fireplace mantel. She gathers him into her arms and falls asleep, dreaming of her handsome Nutcracker. At the stroke of midnight, Clara awakens to find her Nutcracker missing from her arms, and sees Drosselmeier. He greets her with a grand bow and she takes his hand as they journey under the tree.

— The Battle —

The room begins to transform: The tree grows to gigantic proportions and, out of nowhere, menacing mice appear. A massive army of soldiers gather and a fierce battle erupts between the Mouse King and the Nutcracker. The Nutcracker becomes overwhelmed and Clara, desperate to save him, pulls at the Mouse King’s tail. The Nutcracker lands the fatal

blow and Clara runs to his side and stands weeping while the soldiers encircle them for protection.

— Snow Scene

The Nutcracker is transformed into a human prince and Clara into a beautiful woman. They dance through a snowy forest where snowflakes turn and swirl around them as they begin their magical journey to the Capital City and Marzipan Castle.

* 20-Minute Intermission *

ACT II

—

Marzipan Castle

—

Clara and the Nutcracker Prince sail across Lemonade Lake. In the distance they can see Marzipan Castle. As Clara and the Nutcracker Prince arrive, they are greeted by the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier. Clara immediately recognizes her as the beautiful doll that came to life at the Christmas party. The Nutcracker Prince and Clara recount their tale of the fierce battle with the army of mice and the defeat of the ferocious Mouse King. The Sugar Plum Fairy announces a special celebration to honor the brave young couple. Representatives with gifts from surrounding nations join the festivities, with chocolate from Spain, spice from Arabia, tea from China, pastilles from France, and from Russia, caviar. To the enjoyment of all, the Dew Drop Fairy leads a bouquet of flowers in a beautiful, mesmerizing waltz. The most wonderful dance of all is danced by the Sugar Plum Fairy and her gallant Cavalier.

— Conclusion

To say goodbye to Clara and the Nutcracker Prince, everyone returns for one last farewell as, alas, all dreams must come to an end. Or was it a dream?

nd your prince

Proud sponsor of Grand Rapids Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker

MUSIC

GRAND RAPIDS SYMPHONY

* Strings are listed in alphabetical order after the titled chairs

James Crawford

Concertmaster

Christina Fong Associate Concertmaster

Grace Kim Assistant Concertmaster Eric Tanner Principal 2nd Kimia Ghaderi Assistant Principal 2nd Louisa Blood Haijin Choi Megan Crawford Christine Golden Diane McElfish Helle Sterling Jenkins Patricia Kates Christopher Martin Linda Nelson

Joo Yun Preece Collette VandenBerg

Barbara Corbató

Assistant Principal Leanne King Mary Jane Miller Kristen A. Shoup Olga Ziabrikova

Alicia Eppinga Principal Andrew Laven Assistant Principal Will Preece

Jonathan Reed Principal Michael Hovnanian Assistant Principal Mark Buchner

Christopher Kantner

Principal Ruth Bylsma Assistant Principal Judith Kemph

PICCOLO

Judith Kemph

OBOE Alexander Miller Assistant Principal Sarah Constable Sarah Peterson

ENGLISH HORN Kathleen Gomez CLARINET Joel Schekman Acting Principal Michael Kornacki Assistant Principal BASS CLARINET David Yandl

BASSOON Victoria Olson Principal Andrew Genemans Ian Morin HORN Richard Britsch Principal Erich Peterson Mary Beth Orr Paul Austin Paul Clifton Collin Bianchi

TRUMPET Charley Lea Principal Carrie Schafer

TROMBONE Christopher Houlihan Principal Daniel Mattson Assistant Principal

BASS TROMBONE Robert Ward TUBA Jacob Cameron Principal TIMPANI Daniel Karas Principal

PERCUSSION

David Hall Assistant Principal Jack Latta

HARP Elizabeth Wooster Colpean Principal

CELESTE Charles Hutchins

Erich Peterson, Personnel Manager Sarah Bowman Peterson, Principal Librarian Colin Bunnell, Assistant Librarian Kyle Viana, Production Stage Manager

CONDUCTOR John Varineau

GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY OPERA THEATRE

SOPRANO Elise Alvaro Dysart MEZZO-SOPRANO Kaitlyn Markus

LEARN MORE > GVSU.EDU/MTD/OPERA-THEATRE

Yuka Oba-Muschiana and Josué Justiz, photo

by Damion Van Slyke.

THE NUTCRACKER | BEHIND THE CURTAIN

By Marketing Director Jessica Meldrum M.S.

Grand Rapids Ballet, Michigan’s only professional ballet company, continues celebrating 50 years in 2022 by returning to DeVos Performance Hall for the holiday favorite, The Nutcracker, taking place December December 9-11 & 16-18, 2022.

Grand Rapids Ballet’s Company dancers are adorning the stage at DeVos Performance Hall with beautiful sets and beloved characters including Clara, Drosselmeyer, and more. Audiences will be captivated as the elegant Sugar Plum Fairy and her gallant Cavalier guide Clara through the Land of the Sweets. Along the way, menacing mice and brave soldiers engage in an epic Battle Scene, leading up to festive celebrations as Clara is mesmerized by a fantastic waltz.

“We are always brimming with excitement around Nutcracker time! This production is unique to Grand Rapids Ballet, and we are so fortunate to have had it created for us by a truly world-class artistic team,” said James Sofranko, artistic director at Grand Rapids Ballet. “Not only is it a charming story for the whole family with fantastic music, but it is told through classical ballet with steps that must be performed precisely and push our company to new heights. Every year the dancers strive to outdo themselves during The Nutcracker, and I love seeing them create magic on the stage each and every night!”

GRB’s The Nutcracker was reimagined in 2014 by GR-native, Chris Van Allsburg, author of The Polar Express, and features set designs by Eugene Lee, a Tony Award®-winner for productions including The Lion King (1998), and Wicked (2004), among others. The production also features Tchaikovsky’s magical score, performed live by the Grand Rapids Symphony with vocals by Grand Valley State University’s Department of Music.

Grand Rapids Ballet’s Company dancers, consisting of professional dancers from across the globe, share the stage with more than 65 students from Grand Rapids Ballet School who all come together to perform captivating choreography by Val Caniparoli, one of America’s most renowned choreographers.

“What’s amazing about The Nutcracker is it has something for the whole family and the young at heart,” said Caniparoli. “It’s part of the holiday tradition – from the beautiful dancing to the sets and music, everything involved is a treat for the senses.”

Dancing several roles this year, GRB company dancer Yuka Oba-Muschiana shares a glimpse at what makes The Nutcracker characters memorable in her eyes. “Dream Clara, just like her name, is very dreamy and full of joy with what’s happening to her on this magical Christmas night. She is all that girls dream of, meeting her Nutcracker prince and journeying together. The audience will see our happiness and our dreams come true on stage, and we will make them feel bright in their hearts!”

Grand Rapids Ballet is once again hosting Clara’s Nutcracker Party, a one-of-a-kind holiday celebration made just for kids! Clara’s Nutcracker Party is a joyous event where children can meet their favorite characters from The Nutcracker in a fun and festive fantasy land at Amway Grand Plaza Hotel. This incredible holiday experience includes a fun arts and crafts activity, tea and brunch, a reading of The Nutcracker tale, and a live performance by the Grand Rapids Ballet School.

Ballet Arizona |

Photo by Rosalie O’Connor

Sarah Marley, photo by Ray Nard Imagemaker

Choreography from Tony Award winner Andy Blankenbuehlerchoreographer of Hamilton!

COMPANY

Artistic Director James Sofranko

Executive Director Glenn Del Vecchio

Marketing Director Jessica Meldrum M.S.

Development Director Julie Lesniak

Production Stage Manager Megan Marie Thompson

Costume Shop Manager Ronald Altman

Costume Shop Staff Nancy Greiner, Emma Ryan Company/Facilities Manager John Ferraro

Artistic Coordinator/Ballet Master

Dawnell Dryja Black

Company Teachers:

Dawnell Dryja Black, Attila Mosolygo, James Sofranko, Jon Upleger

Guest Services Manager Errol Shewman

Box Office Manager Melissa Anderson

Marketing & Development Specialist

Meghan Dolata

Pianists Ryan Blok, Russel Gates, Justin Gray, Margi Peterson Housekeeping Bruno Martinez

SCHOOL

Director & Junior Company Artistic Director

Attila Mosolygo

Curriculum Coordinator Mindy Mosolygo

Administrator SarahJean Bos

Faculty Melanie Brossiet, James Cunningham, Jillian Gasper, Nicholas Gray, Lydia Hart, Anna Mainero, Kate Riegler Matlack, Yuka Oba-Muschiana, Nigel Tau, Jessica Winter-Troutwine

Pianists Ryan Blok, Idalmira Lopez, Mark Moran Receptionists Mary-Ann Carpenter, Audrey Walker, Arianna Wisniewski

PRODUCTION CREW

Assistant Stage Manager Margaret Elise Peterson

Lighting Programmer Matthew Taylor

Head Electrician Glenn Gould

Head Projection/Video Timothy Swanberg Head Audio David Rexford Head Properties Ben Knudstrup Head Carpenter Andrew Steers Spotlights Provided by IATSE

MONDAY, TUESDAY, AND THURSDAY EVENINGS

Adult classes in ballet are an excellent way to stay fit, flexible, and happy. Our adult classes are taught by experienced Grand Rapids Ballet Company dancers and GRBS School Faculty and are open to all ranges, abilities, and experience levels.

Visit grballet.com/adult for more information.

THANK YOU, SUPPORTERS!

Arabesque | $25,000+

Gina Ang & John Mitchell

Forest Hills Public Schools Foundation

Frey Foundation

Hank & Liesel Meijer

Meijer, Inc.

Michigan Arts and Culture Council

James & Mary Nelson

Rosemary and David Good Family Foundation

Wege Foundation

Mary Yurko & Mark Gurney

Rond de Jambe $10,000+

Beusse & Porter Family Foundation

Douglas Coulter & Pamela Hoppe

PNC Bank

The Rutledge

Spectrum Health Sweet Express

John & Christine Willig

Dégagé | $5,000+

A.K. Rikk’s

David Armbrecht & Sally Kotani

Baldwin Foundation

Marcella B. Beck

Donald Bruggink

Daniel & Pamella DeVos

Claire & Ken Fawcett

Nancy & David Field

First National Bank

Foster Swift Collins & Smith

Founders Brewing Company

Steve Frykholm & Beth Jabin

Jeffrey & Xuesi Li Gurney

Helle & Marcus Haw

Margaret Idema

ITC

Wallson & Rebecca Knack

Michael & Melissa Lojek

Mary Loupee

Patrick M. McConeghy

John & Kate McGarry

Mokaya

Susan B. Murphy

Carol Muth

Andrea & David Nemes

John & Lynn O’Donnell

Robert Oracz & David

Schmidt

Mary & Rich Panek

John & Kathy Pleune

Progressive AE

Public Affairs Associates LLC

Dale Schriemer & Mary Witte

Jack & Susan Smith

Brent & Sonia Sundberg

Marilyn Titche

Kevin Toler

Varnum LLP

Leah Voigt & Jim Shafer

Stuart & Lynn White Tendu | $2,500+

Ellen Arlinsky

Robert Beasecker & Erika King Karl & Patti Betz

Joy DeBoer

Eli Lilly, Inc.

Experience GR

Kathy & Keith Golinski

Grand Rapids Community Foundation

Grand Valley State University

Earle & Kyle Irwin

Lisa & Richard Lewis Buzz & Lisa Miller

Jonathan & Kelly Opdyke

Jim & Carol Pike

Plante Moran PLLC

PNC Foundation

John Van Fossen

Anda & Karlis Vizulis

Warner Norcross + Judd LLP

Plié | $1,000+

Leslie Abdoo

Anonymous Jeffrey & Margaret Beusse

Darcy J. Dye

Meredith Ervine

Catherine Haney

Junior League of Grand Rapids Keller Foundation

Kathleen Laidlaw Thomas & Patricia Macholan Pam McQueen

Aaron & Joy Nienhuis

John Nienhuis & Jerry Nardin Norm & Jan L Palm Till & Bernice Peters

Tamara Reeves

Milton & Barbara Rohwer James Schindler

Kenneth & Sandra Upleger

Doug Van Doren & Colleen Mahon-Van Doren Kirk & Jennifer Wiley Jerome Winslow

Jeté | $500+

Eric Adams Mary Appelt Tod Babick

Marc & Patricia Baer

Brewery Vivant James & Donna Brooks

John & Penelope Collins Donald & Deborah Cress

Michael & Lori Lee Curley

De Priest Family Foundation

Abby Dilley

Kenneth Doss Donald & Laurie Gardner

Keith & Kathy Golinski

Marilyn & Kenneth Goodson Deane Horne

Paul Howland & Amna Seibold

Kelly & Rob Knecht

Laura & Michael Kozminski

Jerry Kraisinger

Susan & Stephen Lani

Brian & Susan Lennon

Arend & Nancy Lubbers

Admir & Brooke Lugonjic

Tamie Maehara

Edgar & Wendy Marty

Henry Matthews & Timothy Chester

Norma Jean & James McCormick

Stephanie Naito Patricia Nevala

Bettegail Shively Mark Siegrist

Sally Swets

Piroska Szabo & Gerd Pfeifer

Cheryl Tully Darryl & Jane Varda Frank Woods

Sauté | $250+

Anonymous

Jeff & Anita Avery James Baldwin Joanne Bent

Lynn Chenen

Phillip & Julie Croll

Elizabeth Crosby Benjamin & Katherine DeVries

Joan DuBois

Eva Habetinova & Gregory J. Sanial

Rod & Amy Hathaway

Laurie Iciek

Douglas & Patricia Klein

Susan Larson

Marge’s Donut Den

Thomas Moore & Jan Winters

Ken & Kathleen Nelson Bradley Parks

Lori Reineke

James & Bonnie Scarlett Jacinda Swanson & Robert Schwartz

Randoulph & Brenda Teegardin

Dan Terry

Nancy Turner

Annette Weaver

Scott & Rebekah Wierenga Charles Winslow

Steve & Cheryl Wonch

Ann Wuerthele

Thomas Wysocki

Relevé | $100+

Thomas & Melissa Aaberg Bonnie M. & William Altman Mark Amenta

Nancy & John Bailey James & Elizabeth Bakeman Michael Baker

Anthony & Gwen Barnes

Eric Bouwens

Janet Brockway

Roy Brown

Aaron & Sarah Burgess

Amber Buys

Greg Carnevale & Diane Mahon

Joe Chamberlin

Amy L. Charles

Patty Conde

Nancy & Richard Court

Gary Crispin

Jonathan & Linda Damon Carol Dawe

Sue & Dave DeJonge Ron & Jeanne DeWaard Michael & Nancy Dodge Matisen Douglas

Joan Dykstra

Louise Edison Kim Ervine Mary Fausone

Maurice & Sara Fetty Marilyn Field

Rosanne Fitzgerald

Mary Forman

Jeffrey & Sheila Frank Kathy Freeman

Clarice Geels

Harvey Gendler

David & Kellene Giese

Rick & Barbara Gossett

Beth Graalman

Linda & Frank Griggs

Robert Guldi

Susan Hall-Balduf

Robert Heidenreich

Marilyn Heiss

David & Susan Hoekema

Ian Hunter

Suzanne Jones

Curtis & Constance Jones

Judy Jongsma

Adam Jonkman

Lora & Kevin Keller

Judith Kemph

Nils & Lara Kessler

Bruce Klein-Wassink Michael & Michele Kopinski Geoffrey Lam & Robyn

Sackeyfio

Melissa Lichtenwalter & Mark

Heyboer

Karen Maehara

Bob Maxam

Deborah Moore

Andrea N. Oosterhouse

Julie Otterbein

Karen & Gary Paul

Glen Peterson

Susan Rehrer

George & Heidi Roberts

Eric Schellenberger

Danella Schroeder

Daniel & Deborah Schroeder

Jan Slotten

Janice Snyder

Thompson & Linda Southwell

Catherine Southwick

Peter Spring & Nancy Yagiela

Eric Stone

Timothy Streb

Matthew Tau

Matthew & Kara Taylor

Karl Van Harn & Joanna Bailey

Stan Vander Roest

Marian Vanderwall

John & Gwendolyn Varineau

Pat Waring

Rick & Jacquelyn Watson

David Weinandy

Lizzie Williams

Joan Wilson

Susan Wold

Gloria Yff

Betty Zylstra & David Baak

Friend | $1+

Lisa Andersson

Paula Aoki

Elizabeth Baker

Mayumi Balfour

Rebecca Barcy Carlee Barton

Jane Ann Benson

Kevin & Pamela Beswick

Dennis Bierlein

Susan Carlson

Jane Ellen Chamberlin

Mackenzie Davis

Kathryn Dobrezelewski

Ronald & Catherine Ehlert

Kayne Ferrier

Elizabeth Fitzharris

Mary Caroline Frey

Paula & John Gaylord

Carolina Gil-Ortegan

James & Karen Grace

Tom & Margaret Graham

Teresa Haggerty

Nik & Kristi Henderson

Christine Henries-Zerbe

Kathleen Horton

John Hunting

Lori Jacobs

Shellie Jeffries

Stephanie Jesin

Julian & Judith Joseph

Debra Kendall

Shelby Kibler

Ashley Kimble

Bonnie Knopf

Juliet & Tim Kraal

Arthur Kroon

Frank & Karen Kwiatek

Lauren Laramie Keverne Lehman

Steven Lesniak

Melissa Marsh

Kristin Mayer

Marla McDonald

Lynn Medow Michael & Brigitte Merk

Melissa Mitchell Edith Mitko

Christine Nawrocki Michael Noga Sean Patterson

Susana Peralta MaeLeigh Perry

Cindy Peterson James & Stephanie Phelps Jeralyn & Rhett Pinsky

Patricia Reiter Ramona Rogers Maggie Rolicheck

Kim Rook

Frederick Royce

Alan & Margaret Ryan Mary Savage

Sandra Scheuber

Valerie Shavell

Mary Lou Smith

Elizabeth Staggs

Tamara Steil

Regina Steimle

Karen Stokes

Rick Streibe & Kimberly Devlin

Kathleen Striegl

Elizabeth Tinney Donley

Maggie Tracey Jill Walsh

Barbara Wepman

John & Mary White

John & Carroll Wiener

Nancy Wilson Amy Young Marian Zock

IN MEMORIAM/ IN HONOR OF

Larry and Mary Ann Adams Stephanie Burr Carilon Carr

Molly Irwin Charles Dianne Hillman Garone Susan Graalman Wes and Judy Harpold Norman E. Horne Gabriela Iriarte Margy Jones

Todd Lani

Wendy Marty Al McQueen

Emily Reed Len Robinson Cyndi Ruffer

Ronald Savage Kim Schmidt Sally Seven Daniel N. Sheppard Clare D. Snyder John Tully Julia Turner Robert Wepman Stephen Wert Joe Wojczynski Rebecca Woods Pauline Eade-Sheppard

Be a part of the art! To make a gift, please contact Development Director Julie Lesniak at 616.454.4771 ext. 22 or juliel@grballet.com.

We go to great lengths to ensure that each donor is listed according to their personal preference. If you wish your name to be listed differently, or if you found a typo, please accept our apologies and let us know by emailing info@grballet.com.

Bolded names honor our contributors who have provided generous support in recognition of our 50th Anniversary.

Mary Ackert

Lisa Allen

Betsy Bakeman

Mary Nell & Dana Baldwin

Phyllis Ball

Richard & Kathy Benoit

Cheryl Bentley

Tanya Bernes

Donna & Roger Betten

Adrianne Braun

Thomas & Barbara Brege

Mary Carol Brouwer

Roy Brown

Julie Bukrey

Timothy Bunchman & Norma Maxvold

Robyn Carlson

Pam Clark

Anna & Brandon

Conner Family

Bonnie Conway

Nicki Costello

Kay Courtney

Gary Crispin

Bill & Heidi Dani Daniels Family

Robert Diamond & Sheila

Kinney

Veronica Dubois

Joan Dykstra

Rosalind Ebrom

Julie Eilenberg

Patricia & Carl Falkenstern

Robin & David Gast

Barbara Groat

David & Karen Hadsall

Marcia & Jack Hall

Kathleen Hansen Abby Harrison

Lawrence B. & Rosie

Haywood

Carol & Greg Heath

Cynthia Hibler

Janelle Hill

Stephanie Hughes

Aimee Jarchow

Susan Jennelle

Ronald & Sandra Jones

Sharon Karam

Judith Kiebler

Ray King Jr. Brian & Susan Lennon Family

Melissa Lojek

Salvador, Sarah, Amadeo & Celeste

Lopez-Keranen

Carla Ludwig

Kris, Joni, Elizabeth, Emily & Erin Mauren

Yvette & Dennis McClain Family

Jacky McGill

Katie McNinch

Robert Mieras

Heather Monroe

Carole Mueller Brumbaugh

Cindy Napolitan

Wayne & Brigitte Nelson

Steve & Stephanie Nicklow Raeanne Niemer

Gary & Karen Paul

Mary Quiroz

Robert “RJ” Regan

Beth Rice

Pauline Sandoval

Kim, Chris, Clare, Seth, & Paul Schellenberg David Schmidt & Robert Oracz

GRBALLET.COM/VOLUNTEER

Richard Schwallier

Pamela & Paul Schweitzer

Jim Schafer

Carol Sinke

Paul & Barbara Slack

William C. Spagnuolo

Mary Sumners

Corsair Switzerlord

Yuichi & Hiroko Takagi

Elaine Teat

Mark & Heidi TenElshof

Randy & Joanne Terrian Leslie VanBecker & Ed Clifford

Colleen Mahon, Douglas & Aidan Van Doren

Joyce Walker

Jim & Connie Winter- Troutwine Wolbert Family

Cheryl & Steve Wonch

Noel Young

616.454.4771

Photo by Ray Nard Imagemaker

EXPLORER DANCE

EXPLORER DANCE is a free 60-minute, beginning-level ballet class that emphasizes balance, coordination, and creative expression for children and young adults, ages 10-19, with disabilities.

The class features an inclusive and respectful space with an emphasis on developing a positive class environment. Instruction moves at a slower pace, using more frequent teacher-modeling and making connections between shapes that are created with the body.

The class also includes opportunities for the dancers to move creatively through improvisation. Students enjoy interacting and building community with their fellow classmates and receiving support from one another each week.

JAZZ

The Sweet Express Family of companies’ Mission is to be America’s trucking solutions provider for unmatched service in dry-van shipping. The trucking company that does it all for our teams and partners.

We do this through our Values:

Commitment to Integrity – Responsively following through with our commitments to employees, affiliates, direct customers and brokers creating an environment of loyalty.

Second Chances – Thinking outside the box to fill business needs in unique ways. We accept and leverage growth that comes through failure and life challenges.

People Before Profits – Doing the right thing is key to our families’ success and growth.

This is all to achieve our Vision to be the premier choice for peace of mind in responsive and reliable transportation solutions. Built on family values, we focus on team goals that drive customer and employee loyalty.

We would like to wish a Happy 50th Anniversary to the Grand Rapids Ballet.