Colorado Ballet Spring 2018, Director's Choice

Denver Denver Denver Ballet Ballet Ballet Guild Guild Guild Presents Presents Presents

BALLET BALLET BALLET

DIRECTOR’S DIRECTOR’S CHOICE CHOICE

March March March30 30 30--April -April April1,1,1,2018 2018 2018

T H E S A N TA F E O P E R A A Season To Remember Leonard Bernstein CANDIDE Giacomo Puccini MADAME BUTTERFLY Music: John Adams Libretto: Peter Sellars DOCTOR ATOMIC Gioachino Rossini THE ITALIAN GIRL IN ALGIERS Richard Strauss ARIADNE AUF NAXOS

2018 SEASON

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June 29 – August 25

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800-280-4654

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4 Colorado Ballet

DEGAS

A PASSION FOR PERFECTION

ONLY AT THE DENVER ART MUSEUM— THE SOLE U.S. VENUE

FEBRUARY 11–MAY 20, 2018 Degas: A Passion for Perfection is organized by the Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge, in association with the Denver Art Museum. It is presented with generous support from Diane Stanbro, Robert and Carolyn Barnett, the donors to the Annual Fund Leadership Campaign, and the citizens who support the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD).

This exhibition is supported by an indemnity from the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities. Promotional support is provided by 5280 Magazine, CBS4, Comcast Spotlight, and The Denver Post.

Edgar Degas, Four Ballet Dancers on Stage (Quatro Bailarinas em Cena) (detail), 1885-1890. Oil paint on canvas; 28 3/4 x 36 1/4 in. (73 x 92 cm). Gift, Walther Moreira Salles, Simone Pilon, Jacques Pilon, Benedito Manhães Barreto, um comissário de café em Santos [a coffee commissioner in Santos], Industriais da Juta de São Paulo e [and] Diários Associados de São Paulo, 1950. Inv. MASP.00082Collection: Museu de Arte de São Paulo Assis Chateaubriand. Photo by João Musa.

CONTENTS Colorado Ballet Publication 2017/2018 Rachel Perez Colorado Ballet Editor

Colorado Ballet Publication is produced for Colorado Ballet by The Publishing House, Westminster, CO.

Angie Flachman Johnson Publisher Tod Cavey Director of Sales Stacey Krull Graphic Designer/ Production Manager Mark Fessler Press Manager Wilbur E. Flachman President

Letter From the Director 8 Letter From the Board of Trustees 12 Program Following page 18 Sharon Wehner’s Last Season 20 COVER PHOTOS: Romeo and Juliet Photo by Allen Birnbach

Sharon Wehner and Yosvani Ramos

Ballet Director’s Choice Photo by Allen Birnbach

Kevin Gaël Thomas

CONTENTS PHOTOS: The Nutcracker Photo by Mike Watson

Sharon Wehner and Yosvani Ramos

Photo by Allen Birnbach Sarah Tryon and Kevin Gaël Thomas

Dracula Photo by Mike Watson Domenico Luciano and Sharon Wehner

6 Colorado Ballet

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FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Welcome to Colorado Ballet’s spectacular late winter/early spring productions!

If you joined us for our season opener Dracula or our 57th annual production of the holiday classic The Nutcracker, we thank you.

We are pleased to present Romeo and Juliet, an emotional and visually stunning three act ballet with music performed live by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra. This production will highlight the tremendous talent that our dancers and musicians have to offer. With masterful choreography by Derek Deane and music by Sergei Prokofiev, a musical score that I feel is one of the greatest of all time, you will be transformed to a time and place that only Shakespeare could take you to.

We close our season with three ballets that I couldn’t be prouder to present. We open with Twyla Tharp’s 1990 dynamic work Brief Fling with music by Michel Colombier. Anthony Tudor created Pillar of Fire in 1942 for American Ballet Theater, a psychologically-based ballet-dance-drama that depicts a young woman’s struggle for love. This production will close with a favorite among Colorado Ballet patrons, Val Caniparoli’s 2013 original creation for Colorado Ballet In Pieces.

Before the production begins today, I also want to take a moment to honor Principal Dancer Sharon Wehner. After 22 seasons at Colorado Ballet as a professional dancer, Sharon is retiring from Colorado Ballet at the end of this season. Without Sharon this company wouldn’t be what it is today.

She has brought an artistry and dedication to this company that is unmatched. With these qualities she helped make Colorado Ballet truly exceptional. I along with our staff and her fellow dancers have the utmost respect for her and she has been a joy for all of us to behold. Thank you Sharon for all you have done for Colorado Ballet!

Now in my 12th season as Colorado Ballet’s artistic director, I want to thank everyone who has supported the ballet by purchasing tickets, making contributions and attending our events—you are a major part of our ongoing successes! Now after four years of continued record breaking ticket sales, this season is shaping up to be the most successful in the history of our organization and we could not have done this without the support of our patrons, trustees and donors! It is also a testament to the dedication of our dancers and staff.

I am excited to announce that Colorado Ballet will be expanding to five productions next season. For me, it is so important that each season we present a collection of full length classical ballets along with ballets by some of the greatest choreographers this art form has to offer, as well as new and exciting contemporary works. That will remain true for next season and I encourage you to take a look at our diverse offerings.

Thank you, Gil Boggs Artistic Director

8 Colorado Ballet

Pillar of Fire, Brief Fling and In Pieces at the Newman Center for the Performing Arts

Presented by

Kevin Gaël Thomas by Allen Birnbach

WHERE ATHLETE MEETS ART TICKETS AT COLORADOBALLET.ORG

2018/2019 SEASON Colorado Ballet’s upcoming season will feature five productions at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House!

The Sleeping Beauty The Nutcracker The Wizard of Oz Contemporary Collaboration Ballet Masterworks

• Season Tickets on Sale Soon. Single Tickets on Sale in July.

• Call 303-837-8888 ext. 2 to reserve your season tickets. Benefits of becoming a season subscriber include 25% off all performances, free tickets exchanges, priority seating, and much more.

• Visit the Colorado Ballet table in the lobby for more information about the 2018/2019 Season.

Asuka Sasaki by Allen Birnbach

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EXPERIENCE THE ULTIMATE MOUNTAIN GETAWAY FOR ARTS LOVERS JUNE 28 – AUGUST 19 Enjoy America’s premier music festival with world-renowned performers in beautiful Aspen!

Come for a week or weekend and enjoy a variety of performances that include orchestra concerts, recitals, operas, panels, and family programs alongside Aspen’s legendary dining, shopping, spa, and outdoor activities. A beautiful mountain escape is just a short drive away!

Visit Aspen for world-class concerts, hiking, dining, and more

INFORMATION AND TICKETS 970 925 9042

| aspenmusicfestival.com Colorado Ballet 11

FROM THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

On behalf of the Colorado Ballet Board of Trustees, we are happy to welcome you to our late winter/ spring productions, showcasing our company’s ability to execute complex, large-scale productions in addition to smaller intricate repertory works. As Board Co-Chairs, we are honored to announce that we are on track to surpassing last year’s record-breaking season, where we shattered attendance and revenue records and our exceptional dancers and musicians received rave reviews from audiences and critics, alike. Our production of The Nutcracker was also named the best-loved Nutcracker in the country.

Colorado Ballet is truly a world-class ballet company!

In addition to presenting outstanding performances, Colorado Ballet also educates the next generation of dancers through the Colorado Ballet Academy. Students from toddlers to seniors, beginners to advanced pre-professionals, all have the opportunity to take a wide range of dance classes in the Academy. Many of our Academy students also have the opportunity to audition for roles and perform on stage with the professional Company each year. Colorado Ballet further instills the love of dance through its education and community engagement programs. These programs, which impact more than 40,000 contacts each year in more than 225 schools and organizations, provide opportunities for in-need students, teachers, families and individuals with disabilities to take classes and attend performances.

We hope you enjoy today’s performance and will consider supporting Colorado Ballet through a taxdeductible donation. Ticket sales cover only 55 percent of our annual budget, so as a 501c3 not-for-profit organization, we depend on the generous support of our patrons to continue presenting world-class classical ballet and innovative dance in Colorado. Donors of $1,000 or more belong to the Premier Society and enjoy unique benefits such as exclusive events, complimentary drinks at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, and free parking for ballet performances at the Ellie.

Thank you for your support!

Sincerely, Elizabeth Katkin and Duke Hartman Board Co-Chairs

COLORADO BALLET BOARD OF TRUSTEES EXECUTIVE BOARD BOARD CO-CHAIRS Duke Hartman Elizabeth Katkin SECRETARY JoAnne Zboyan TREASURER AND FINANCE CO-CHAIR William J. Tryon FINANCE CO-CHAIR Brent L. Backes

BOARD GOVERNANCE CO-CHAIRS Michael E. Korenblat, Esq. Adrienne L. Toon, Esq. LONG-RANGE PLANNING CHAIR Greg Laugero MARKETING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS CHAIR Susan Bailey

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN CHAIR Merry Logan

EDUCATION & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT CHAIR Joanne Posner-Mayer

DEVELOPMENT CHAIR Colleen Curran

AT-LARGE MEMBER Harry M. Sterling

ACADEMY CO-CHAIRS Raydean Acevedo Holly Baroway

COLORADO BALLET AUXILIARY PRESIDENT Kelly Matthews

12 Colorado Ballet

TRUSTEES Lisa Levin Appel Michelle Moorman Applegate Jean Armstrong Kaye Ferry Ann Frick Anne M. Hillary Gail K. Kassan Lisa Konen Mary Lou Blackledge Kortz Joe Maslowski Cindy Meany Marc Musyl Jane Netzorg Cleo Rauchway Barbara R. Reed, MD Cheri Rubin Denise Sanderson Suzan Schlatter Brad Sonnenberg

Nancy Stevens Susan Struna Frank Wiederman EX-OFFICIO Ginger White Brunetti CHAIRMEN EMERITI Anna Bates LIFETIME TRUSTEES Raydean Acevedo Duke Hartman Dick Saunders EMERITUS BOARD Liz and Bill Armstrong Christin Crampton Day Sandy Elliot Henny Lasley Dave Ramsey Jim Ruh Lisa Snider

The Carson Brierly Giffin Dance Library invites you to

Square Dance in the American West Documentary Premiere and Exhibit Opening Friday June 15, 2018

6-8 pm Anderson Academic Commons University of Denver The Carson Brierly Giffin Dance Library advances education and engagement with resources across all genres of dance and movement in the American West.

For more information contact libraryevents@du.edu or 303-872-3958

Colorado Ballet 13

By investing in the arts, Anadarko’s support of STEM education is gaining STEAM. We are honored to partner with the Colorado Ballet to bring the arts to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) students across Colorado

www.anadarko.com 14 Colorado Ballet

CCD Summer

2018 Dance Intensive & Camp

"We believe in a better life through dance."

Fun classes and camps for beginning and intermediate dancers.

1-4 week options.

Photo by Misha Photography

CCD's Summer Intensive for advanced dancers is June 18 - July 28 ccdance.org/summer-programs

Photo by Misha Photography

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Founders Lillian Covillo and Freidann Parker Artistic Director Gil Boggs Ballet Mistresses Sandra Brown, Lorita Travaglia, Maria Mosina Musical Director and Principal Conductor Adam Flatt Associate Conductor Catherine Sailer THE COMPANY Principals Dana Benton, Chandra Kuykendall, Domenico Luciano, Yosvani Ramos, Asuka Sasaki, Sharon Wehner Soloists Morgan Buchanan, Francisco Estevez, Tracy Jones, Christophor Moulton, Kevin GaĂŤl Thomas Corps de Ballet Joshua Allenback, Ariel Breitman, Arianna Ciccarelli, Mackenzie Dessens, Alyssa Fazekas, Kevin Hale, Bryce Lee, Fernanda Oliveira, Sean Omandam, Kristine Padgett, Nicolas Pelletier, Emily Speed, Jeremy Studinski, Sarah Tryon, Ben Winegar, Melissa Zoebisch Apprentices Regan Kucera, Francesca Martoccio, Tyler Rhoads, Sara VanderVoort Studio Company Erin Arndorfer, Amber Ball, Simon Zinabu Costello, Brianna Crockett, Julia Davies, Kelly Dornan, Isabella Furrillo, Hannah Geisman, Sara Jumper, Reagan Lawthers, Tate Lee, Ariel McCarty, Leah McFadden, Philip Perez, Camille Reaux, Vara Shiva Reom, Ian Santiago, Gianna Marie Tolotta, Marie Tender, Kristine Marie Wiggins, Alexandra Wilson Colorado Ballet | 1075 Santa Fe Drive, Denver, CO 80204 | 303-837-8888 | www.coloradoballet.org Out of courtesy to the dancers, the taking of photographs of any nature is strictly prohibited during performances.

Please silence all cellular telephones, pagers and audible devices.

Colorado Ballet productions are made possible in part by funding from the citizens of the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District.

The Artists of Colorado Ballet are represented by The American Guild of Musical Artists, AFL-CIO; the union that represents Artists in the fields of opera, ballet, modern dance and choral presentations.

Denver Ballet Guild Presents

BALLET DIRECTOR’S CHOICE March 30 – April 1, 2018 June Swaner Gates Concert Hall at the Newman Center for the Performing Arts

Brief Fling

Choreography by Twyla Tharp Music by Michael Colombier and Percy Grainger Costume design by Isaac Mizrahi Lighting Designer Jennifer Tipton Costumes courtesy of American Ballet Theatre DANCE SECTIONS I. Tattoo II. Country Gardens III. Trio IV. Quartet V. Country Garden Variations VI. Suite VII. Double Quartet VIII. Fugue IX. Gigue X. Epilogue Blue Principals Dana Benton & Yosvani Ramos (3/30, 3/31 eve), Asuka Sasaki & Francisco Estevez (3/31 mat, 4/1) Red Soloists Sarah Tryon & Kevin Gael Thomas (3/30, 3/31 eve, 4/1), Emily Speed & Sean Omandam (3/31 mat), Mackenzie Dessens & Ariel Breitman Green Soloists Francesca Martoccio, Ben Winegar, Nicolas Pelletier, Kevin Hale Corps Arianna Ciccarelli, Fernanda Oliveira, Regan Kucera, Melissa Zoebisch, Tyler Rhoads, Bryce Lee, Jeremy Studinski, Joshua Allenback

Pillar of Fire

Choreography by Antony Tudor Music by Arnold Schöenberg Verklärte Nacht (Transfigured Night) Staged by Amanda McKerrow and John Gardner Lighting Designer Todd Elmer Costumes and sets courtesy of Star Dancers Ballet Hagar, whose elder sister is a spinster, foresees the same fate for herself. When the man she unrequitedly loves seems to show preference for her younger sister, Hagar in distraction gives herself to one she does not love. The resulting crisis, however, unites her with the man she really loves. The ballet is set in the period around 1900 because it was then that Schöenberg composed the music.

Eldest Sister

Hagar

Youngest Sister

The Friend

The Young Man from

the House Opposite

Lovers-in-Innocence

2 Ballet Director’s Choice • Colorado Ballet

Melissa Zoebisch (3/30, 3/31 mat), Kristine Padgett (3/31 eve, 4/1) Morgan Buchanan (3/30, 3/31 mat, 4/1), Asuka Sasaki (3/31 eve) Dana Benton (3/30, 3/31 mat), Emily Speed (3/31 eve, 4/1) Christophor Moulton (3/30, 3/31 mat, 4/1), Domenico Luciano (3/31 eve) Nicolas Pelletier (3/30, 3/31 mat, 4/1), Francisco Estevez (3/31 eve) Emily Speed (3/30, 3/31 mat), Regan Kucera (3/31 eve, 4/1), Sarah Tryon (3/30, 3/31 mat), Arianna Ciccarelli, Mackenzie Dessens (3/30, 3/31 mat), Sara VanderVoort, Kristine Wiggins (3/31 eve, 4/1), Reagan Lawthers (3/31 eve, 4/1), Kevin Gael Thomas (3/30, 3/31 mat), Tate Lee (3/31 eve, 4/1), Sean Omandam (3/30, 3/31 mat), Jeremy Studinski (3/31 eve, 4/1),

Lovers-in-Experience

Maiden Ladies Out Walking

Bryce Lee (3/30, 3/31 mat), Tyler Rhoads (3/31 eve, 4/1) Fernanda Oliveira (3/30, 3/31 mat), Melissa Zoebisch (3/31 eve, 4/1), Francesca Martoccio (3/30, 3/31 mat), Vara Shiva Reom (3/31 mat, 4/1), Regan Kucera (3/30, 3/31 mat), Ariel McCarty (3/31 eve, 4/1), Kevin Hale, Ben Winegar, Joshua Allenback Kristine Padgett & Vara Shiva Reom (3/30, 3/31 mat), Gianna Tolotta & Alexandra Wilson (3/31 mat, 4/1)

This performance is presented by arrangement with the Estate of Antony Tudor, Anthony Tudor Ballet Trust, Sally Brayley Bliss, and Executrix.

Colorado Ballet received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to perform Pillar of Fire.

In Pieces

Choreography by Val Caniparoli Music by Poul Ruders Concerto in Pieces Costume design by Sandra Wodall Lighting Designer Lloyd Sobel Asuka Sasaki & Domenico Luciano (3/30, 4/1), Fernanda Oliveira & Kevin Hale (3/31) Morgan Buchanan & Francisco Estevez (3/30, 4/1), Sarah Tryon & Sean Omandam (3/31) Sharon Wehner & Kevin Hale (3/30, 4/1), Dana Benton & Kevin Gael Thomas (3/31)

Artistic Staff Gil Boggs, Artistic Director

Sandra Brown, Ballet Mistress

Gil Boggs began his dance career with the Atlanta Ballet. He joined American Ballet Theatre in New York in 1982 and was promoted to soloist dancer in 1984 and principal dancer in 1991. Boggs was a member of the company for 17 years. Boggs also performed with the Twyla Tharp Dance Company, Baryshnikov and Company, Nureyev and Friends, and made several guest appearances around the world. During his career with ABT, he was recognized as both an accomplished virtuoso and one of the company’s most popular performers. Boggs has worked with numerous noted choreographers, including Agnes de Mille, Sir Kenneth MacMillan, Paul Taylor, Mark Morris, Jerome Robbins and Merce Cunningham and has an extensive performance repertoire of both classical and contemporary works. Boggs accepted the position of Artistic Director with Colorado Ballet in the Spring of 2006. In Boggs’ tenure with Colorado Ballet he has restaged full-length productions of Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, Don Quixote and Coppelia along with adding new full-length productions of Romeo & Juliet, Cinderella, Le Corsaire, Beauty and the Beast and Peter Pan. Boggs has also presented 15 world premieres and 12 Colorado Ballet premieres by such renowned choreographers as Twyla Tharp, Lar Lubovitch, Antony Tudor, Val Caniparoli, Dwight Rhoden and Lynne TaylorCorbett.

Sandra Brown joined the corps de ballet of American Ballet Theatre in 1987 under the directorship of Mikhail Baryshnikov and was promoted to soloist in 1992 where she remained until 2003.

During that time, she danced not only numerous classical full length principal roles, but gained recognition for her leading contemporary roles as well. Most notably, she created and danced the world premiere role of Desdemona in Lar Lubovitch’s full-length Othello in 1997 and appears in ABT’s film productions of Romeo and Juliet, Le Corsaire, and the documentary Ballet. In 2000, Brown was featured in the movie Center Stage and appears in the film The Company.

Brown also holds the honor of appearing on Broadway as the original Louise Bigelow in the Tony Award-winning 1994 revival of Carousel, directed by Nicholas Hytner and choreographed by Sir Kenneth MacMillan at the Lincoln Center Theater. In 2003, Brown left ABT to pursue work as a freelance artist with Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Stiefel and Stars, Vladimir Malakhov, Peter Boal and Company, Chamber Dance Project, Dancers Patrelle, Ballet Hawaii and Madison Ballet. During this time, she also was asked to perform as a guest artist at the Vail International Festival, became certified to teach Pilates, taught for the ABT Summer Intensive, and choreographed the ballet Synchronicity. In 2006, she joined her husband, Gil Boggs, to work with Colorado Ballet. Since then, she has assisted staging the full-length productions of Giselle, Don Quixote, and Christopher Wheeldon’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Brown has also assisted with choreographing and staging of The Nutcracker, Coppélia, The Sleeping Beauty, and Swan Lake. In addition, she assisted staging Lar Lubovitch’s Smile

Colorado Ballet • Ballet Director’s Choice 3

Artistic Staff With my Heart, Dwight Rhoden’s Ave Maria, Twyla Tharp’s In The Upper Room, Clark Tippet’s Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1, and Edwaard Liang’s Feast of the Gods. Brown restaged her ballet, Synchronicity, for Colorado Ballet’s Studio Company.

In 2007, she was asked to stage Smile with my Heart for the Joffrey Ballet. In 2013, she staged Lynne Taylor-Corbett’s Great Galloping Gottschalk at the University of South Carolina and in 2014 at NBA of Japan. In 1989 and 1990, she was chosen by Mikhail Baryshnikov to choreograph for the American Ballet Theatre Choreographic Workshop.

During her tenure, she has choreographed for the Bal de Ballet, an event hosted by the Denver Ballet Guild. Her creations are From Within, Crimson Surges, Unforgettable, Grand Pas Fantastique, Heart Strings, One by One, Set Fire to the Rain, The Secret Garden, Young and Beautiful, The Charleston, Scheherazade, and Pirates of the Caribbean. In 2014, she gained critical acclaim for the ballet The Last Beat, which she created on the dancers of Colorado Ballet to the music of DeVotchKa.

Generously supported

by Pam and Duke Hartman Lorita Travaglia, Ballet Mistress Lorita Travaglia is originally from New Zealand. She received her ballet training at the National School of Ballet and later the Royal Ballet School in London. Lorita made her debut as a professional dancer with the Berlin Ballet.

After six years with the Company, she moved to the United States where she worked with Princeton Ballet, Boston Ballet, Atlanta Ballet and International Ballet Rotaru, dancing solo and principal roles in a wide range of repertoire. Her favorite roles include Odette/Odile in Swan Lake, Swanhilda in Coppelia, Cinderella, Sugarplum Fairy in The Nutcracker and Paquita. In 1992, Lorita returned to New Zealand, but continued to perform as a guest artist with companies in the United States as well as Company Z, a contemporary dance company in New Zealand. Lorita began teaching in 1988 while still performing and studied the Vaganova methodology. She was the principal teacher for a professional training program in Auckland, New Zealand and later, as artistic director of Canyon Concert Ballet in Fort Collins, Colorado, she set up a similar aspirant program. In 1999, Lorita joined Colorado Ballet as director of the Apprentice Program and company repetiteur, and has been ballet mistress since 2006. Her choreography includes Equanimity, Aspects, Pictures at an Exhibition, Piazzolla and, most recently, The Angel of Buenos Aires for Colorado Ballet and a full-length The Nutcracker for Canyon Concert Ballet.

Lorita graduated from the Colorado School of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 2000 and has a private practice in Denver. She is an avid tango dancer and is the Creative Director of Parasol Arts.

Generously supported by Lafawn Biddle

Maria Mosina, Ballet Mistress Maria Mosina was born in Moscow and graduated from the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Russia. Upon graduation, Maria joined the Bolshoi Ballet Grigorovich Company and immediately was chosen for principal roles. She toured the world appearing on all major European, American, African and Asian stages.

In 1995, Maria was invited by Colorado Ballet to join as a leading principal dancer. She performed all major parts in classical productions and also had the chance to show her talent in neoclassical, modern and contemporary choreographed master pieces. Maria was a featured dancer on the cover of Dance Magazine and has been featured in other magazine articles. She holds a bachelor’s degree in methodology and pedagogy from the Moscow State Academy of Choreography. She is also an active ballet instructor throughout the United States. She participated as a master teacher and judge for the Youth American Grand Prix. Maria performed leading roles in all major productions as a member of the Company, as well as a guest artist with many other festivals, galas, and companies.

After 21 seasons as a principal dancer with Colorado Ballet, she retired at the end of the 2016/2017 season. She has now joined the artistic staff of the company.

Generously supported by Colleen Curran and Stephen Boane Adam Flatt, Music Director & Principal Conductor Adam Flatt has served as Music Director and Principal Conductor of Colorado Ballet since 2007, conducting hundreds of performances in the Ellie Caulkins Opera House and leading the Colorado Ballet Orchestra to a widely recognized period of excellence. Well known to Colorado audiences, Adam served as Associate Conductor of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, where he led over 250 concerts in an acclaimed five-year tenure, and Music Director of the Denver Young Artists Orchestra for seven years, leading that orchestra at home in Denver and on international tours. In addition to his work at Colorado Ballet, Adam is Music Director of the Newport Symphony Orchestra on the Oregon coast, and the Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra. As a guest conductor he has led performances with orchestras all over the United States and productions for the major ballet companies of Portland and Salt Lake City. He serves on the musical faculties of both the Rocky Ridge Music Center and Summerfest at the Curtis Institute of Music. Adam Flatt has his bachelor’s degree in music with honors from the University of California at Berkeley, and his master’s degree in instrumental and opera conducting from the Indiana University School of Music. Adam Flatt and his family make their home in Denver. www.adamflatt.com

Generously supported by Sandy Elliott

4 Ballet Director’s Choice • Colorado Ballet

Artistic Staff Catherine Sailer, Associate Conductor Catherine Sailer, Director of Choral Studies at the University of Denver, conducts the Lamont Chorale, Lamont Women’s Chorus and the Evans Choir. She is also the Associate Conductor of the Colorado Ballet Orchestra.

Conducting credits include the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and

PRINCIPALS

Dancers

Dana Benton Dana Benton was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, where she began her training with Lou and Pauline Zamprogna at The Dance Centre. At the age of nine, she was accepted to the National Ballet School in Toronto where she trained for eight years. She went on exchange to Hamburg Ballet School in Hamburg, Germany. Dana graduated from the National Ballet School with Honors in Academics and received the Peter Dwyer Award for Excellence in Dance.

Upon graduating in 2000, Dana received a contract with the Alberta Ballet Company in Canada. She spent one year with the company as an Apprentice. In 2001, she joined Colorado Ballet as a Corps de Ballet member. In 2007, she was promoted to Soloist and in 2014, was promoted to Principal. With Colorado Ballet, Dana has worked with many well-known choreographers and repetiteurs including Val Caniparoli, Bronwen Curry, Karina Elver, Judith Fugate, John Gardner, Thierry Michel, Darrell Grand Moultrie, Jessica Lang, Edwaard Liang, Donald Mahler, Amanda McKerrow, Luiz Ortiz, Janie Parker, Michael Pink, Viki Psihoyos, Brian Reeder, Domy Reiter-Soffer, Dwight Rhoden, Roman Rykine, Amy Seiwert, James Sofranko, Ben Stevenson, Paul Sutherland, Lynn Taylor-Corbett, Doug Varone, Dominic Walsh, Shelly Washington, Septime Webre, Christopher Wheeldon, Lila York, and Stefan Zeromski. Since joining Colorado Ballet, she has performed many soloist and principal roles. Her notable roles include The Sylph in La Sylphide, Alice in ALICE (in Wonderland), Belle in Beauty and the Beast, Swanilda in Coppélia, 4th pas de deux in Jiří Kylián’s Petite Mort, Waltz Girl in Balanchine’s Serenade, Cow Girl in Rodeo, Ave Maria Pas de Deux, Sugar Plum and Clara in The Nutcracker, Gulnara in Le Corsaire, Tinker Bell in Peter Pan, Pink and Aqua in Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1, Red Girl in Celts, Lucy in Dracula, Princess Florine and Diamond Fairy in The Sleeping Beauty, Odette/Odile and Pas de Trois in Swan Lake, Peasant Pas in Giselle, Flower Girl and Cupid in Don Quixote, Hermia and Peaseblossom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Flames of Paris Pas de Deux, Bomb Squad in In The Upper Room, Lead Souvenir Lady in the Great Galloping Gottschalk, The Muse in Dominic Walsh’s Wolfgang (for Webb), The Angel in Lorita Travaglia’s The Angel of Buenos Aires and the featured role in Amy Seiwert’s Traveling Alone. In 2015, Pointe Magazine named Dana as one of the top 12 “Standout Performances” of the year for her performance of Traveling Alone with Amy Seiwert’s Imagery.

Generously supported by Montine Hansl & Jane and Skip Netzorg

Chorus, Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic, Santa Fe Symphony Orchestra, Beijing Symphony, National Symphony, Musica Sacra Chamber Orchestra, National Opera of China, Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music, National Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra of St. Luke’s, Central City Opera Chorus, Dale Warland Singers, Kansas City Chorale, Chicago Symphony Chorus, Oregon Bach Festival. She was the winner of Chorus America’s Robert Shaw Conducting Fellowship.

Chandra Kuykendall Chandra Kuykendall is from Parker, Colorado and trained at the Academy of Colorado Ballet from 1988 until graduating in 1997. In 1996, she won the Denver Ballet Guild Competition and received the prestigious Florence Rustin Award. She also attended summer programs at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Vail under full scholarship, Kirov Academy of Ballet, San Francisco Ballet Academy and School of American Ballet. After graduating from the Academy in 1997, Chandra joined Colorado Ballet. She spent the 1998-1999 season with Leipzig Ballet in Leipzig, Germany under the direction of the brilliant choreographer Uwe Scholz. She returned to Colorado Ballet in the fall of 1999. With Colorado Ballet, Chandra has danced numerous principal roles including Princess Aurora and Lilac Fairy in The Sleeping Beauty, Odette/Odile in Swan Lake, Giselle and Myrta in Giselle, Medora in Le Corsaire, Sugar Plum Fairy and Clara in The Nutcracker, Cinderella in Cinderella, Dryad Queen in Don Quixote, Lucy in Dracula, Titania and Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Firebird in Firebird, the principal role in Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1, the Crossover Girl in Twyla Tharp’s In The Upper Room, the Mother in Glen Tetley’s The Rite of Spring, 3rd Duet in Jiří Kylián’s Petite Mort, the Brown Girl in Celts, the Kick Girl in George Balanchine’s Rubies, principal role in Theme and Variations, 2nd Violin in Concerto Barocco, Waltz Girl in Serenade, and Gerald Arpino’s well-known pas de deux from Light Rain. Her favorite of these roles was the tragic Odette/Odile in Swan Lake. She has also been featured in Antony Tudor’s Leaves Are Fading, Stanton Welch’s Of Blessed Memory, Twyla Tharp’s Nine Sinatra Songs, Septime Webre’s Where the Wild Things Are, Edwaard Liang’s Feast of the Gods, Jodie Gates’ Embellish, Emery LeCrone’s Archetypes, Val Caniparoli’s In Pieces, Jessica Lang’s From Foreign Lands and People and De Profundis, Mathew Neenan’s The Faraway, Amy Seiwert’s Traveling Alone and Things Left Unsaid, Carmina Burana, Great Galloping Gottschalk, Yes, Virginia, Another Piano Ballet and Martin Fredmann’s A Little Love as well as his Dreamspace shown on PBS. The August 2013 issue of 5280 Magazine featured Chandra in an article highlighting seven of Colorado’s athletes. This is her 20th season with Colorado Ballet.

Generously supported

by Joanne Posner Mayer

Colorado Ballet • Ballet Director’s Choice 5

Dancers Domenico Luciano Domenico Luciano was born in Naples, Italy and graduated from Royal Teatro di San Carlo Ballet School in Naples in 1999. In the same year, Domenico was invited to join the Deutsche Oper am Rhein in Dusseldorf, Germany. After dancing with several companies in Europe including Europadance in France, Maggio Danza in Florence, Teatro Dell’Opera in Rome and Teatro di San Carlo in Naples, in 2004 Domenico joined Tulsa Ballet as a Demi-Soloist. In 2005, he joined Dominic Walsh Dance Theater in Houston as Principal Dancer. His repertoire includes many of the classical principal leads such as Romeo, Paris, and Benvolio in both Sir Kenneth MacMillan and John Cranko’s Romeo & Juliet; Romeo and Paris in Amedeo Amodio’s Romeo & Juliet with Eleonora Abbagnato, Etoile with Paris Opera Ballet; Solor in La Bayadere, The Prince in The Nutcracker, and Albrecht in Giselle, all by Derek Deane; In the Night by Jerome Robbins; Onegin in John Cranko’s Onegin; Roland Petit’s Ma Pavlova with international ballerina Lucia Lacarra; and Don Jose with the National Ballet of China in Carmen.

Domenico also excels in his contemporary repertoire, which includes George Balanchine’s La Valse; Nacho Duato’s Jardi Tancat and Without Words; and Orfeo in Carole Armitage’s Orfeo and Eurydice. With Dominic Walsh Dance Theater he performed Matz Ek’s Pas de Dans, Jirí Kylián’s Double You and 27’52’’, and the role of the White Swan in the White Swan pas de deux from Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake, Le Spectre de la Rose, Desire in Sleeping Beauty, Tybalt in Romeo & Juliet, The Firebird with Paris Opera Ballet Étoile Marie-Agnès Gillot. As an international Principal Guest Artist, Domenico has danced in production with Tulsa Ballet, Ballet Quad Cities, Sarasota Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, Grand Rapids Ballet, National Ballet of China and The New National Theater in Tokyo. He has also been invited to various national and International Galas and Dance Festivals. In 2003, he received the Leonide Massine award in Positano, Italy as Best Male Dancer of the Year. In October 2008, the Houston Press named him “Best Dancer.” Pointe Magazine also named him as “Standouts: Our 12 favorite performances of 2009” and in 2010, he received the “Young Talent Award” in Florence, Italy at DANZAINFIERA. He joined Colorado Ballet as a Soloist in 2013 and was promoted to Principal in 2014.

Generously supported by Paul Goodspeed and Mary Poole Yosvani Ramos Yosvani Ramos was born in Camagüey, Cuba and trained at the National Ballet School. In 1998, he went on to dance with Jeune Ballet de France and Ballet de l’Opéra National de Paris after winning the Gold Medal at the Paris International Ballet Competition.

He has also won the silver medal at the international ballet competitions in Varna in Bulgaria, Jackson Mississippi in the USA and Nagoya in Japan. He joined English National Ballet as a Soloist in 1999 and was promoted to Senior Soloist in 2000, then Principal Dancer in 2003 after his performance

6 Ballet Director’s Choice • Colorado Ballet

as Franz in Coppélia. Yosvani danced with ENB until 2008 when he joined The Australian Ballet as a Principal Artist, where he remained until April 2013. He has danced the lead roles in all the major classical ballets including Giselle, Swan Lake, Coppélia, Romeo & Juliet, Don Quixote, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, The Merry Widow, Manon, La Silphíde, The Snow Queen and Peter Pan as well as the lead in Les Sylphídes, Etudes, Mazurka in Suite en Blanc, principal man in Balanchine’s Stars & Stripes, Square Dance, Who Cares?, Ballet Imperial and ballets by Alexei Ratmanski, Nacho Duato, Kenneth MacMillan and many others. He has also guested all around the world. In September 2013, Yosvani danced at the XVIII International Ballet Festival in Miami, then spent several months guesting with companies in Europe and the USA. He joined the Cincinnati Ballet as Principal dancer in July 2014. Yosvani joined Colorado Ballet at the beginning of the 2015-2016 season as Principal dancer. Since joining Colorado Ballet Yosvani has danced the roles of James in La Sylphíde, the Nutcracker Prince and the Sugar Plum Cavalier in The Nutcracker, the Dodo Bird, the Joker, the Mad Hatter and Lewis Carroll in Septime Webre’s ALICE (in wonderland), and Prince Siegfried and Benno in Swan Lake.

Generously supported

by Katherine and Michael Whitcomb Asuka Sasaki Asuka Sasaki was born in Nagano, Japan. She trained at the Beijing Dance Academy in China and later joined Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet as an Aspirant. She joined Colorado Ballet in 2005, was promoted to Soloist in 2010, and promoted to Principal in 2017. With Colorado Ballet, she has worked with accomplished choreographers including Val Caniparoli, Eldar Aliev, Michael Pink, Ben Stevenson, Martin Fredmann, Lila York, Shelly Washington, Jessica Lang, Dwight Rhoden, Edwaard Liang and Amy Seiwert. Asuka has danced many soloist roles with the Company. Her notable roles include, Clara and Dew Drop in The Nutcracker, Mercedes and Flower Girl in Don Quixote, Gulnara in Le Corsaire, Pas de Trois and Big Swans in Swan Lake, Myrta and Peasant Pas de Deux in Giselle, Fleur de Farine, Miettis Fairy and Diamond in The Sleeping Beauty, Autumn Fairy and Fairy Godmother in Cinderella, Red and Pink Couple in Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1, Soloist in George Balanchine’s Concerto Barocco, Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Russian in George Balanchine’s Serenade, Firebird in Firebird, and Little Mermaid in The Little Mermaid.

Generously supported by Debby Herz Sharon Wehner Sharon Wehner is originally from San Jose, California. She trained with Jody White and David Roxander, San Jose Dance Theatre, San Francisco Ballet and San Jose/ Cleveland Ballet. Sharon joined Colorado Ballet in 1995 and was promoted to Principal in 1999.

During the last 22 years, she has performed many lead roles with

Dancers the Company. These include Kitri in Don Quixote, Giselle in Giselle, Odette/Odile in Swan Lake, Medora in Le Corsaire, Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty, Swanilda in Coppelia, Mina in Dracula, Juliet in Romeo & Juliet, the Cowgirl in Rodeo, the Sugarplum Fairy in The Nutcracker, Cinderella in Cinderella, Esmerelda in The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Titania and Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Second Violin in Balanchine’s Concerto Barocco, the Principal couple in Balanchine’s Stars and Stripes, Rubies, and Theme and Variations, Antony Tudor’s Leaves are Fading, Twyla Tharpe’s In The Upper Room, the Sylph in La Sylphide, Alice in Septime Webre’s ALICE (in wonderland), and Amy Seiwert’s duet It’s Not a Cry. She has been honored to have solos and pas de deuxs created on her by choreographers Val Caniparoli, Edwaard Liang, Mathew Neenan, Christopher Wheeldon, Darrel Grand Moultrie, Dwight Rhoden, Jessica Lang, Brian Reeder and Toru Shimazaki. In addition to Colorado Ballet, Sharon has also performed with The Washington Ballet, Oakland Ballet and Amy Seiwert’s Imagery. She has also been a guest artist at the Vail Dance Festival, at the Aoyama Ballet Festival in Japan, and the National Ballet of Japan’s Golden Ballet Co-star. Sharon enjoys teaching dance to all ages and abilities, particularly Dance for Parkinson’s Disease. She is a certified Yoga Instructor and a certified GYROKINESIS® trainer.

Generously supported

by Raydean Acevedo SOLOISTS

Morgan Buchanan Morgan Buchanan is from Houston, Texas. She trained at the Ballet Center of Houston under the direction of Victoria Vittum and Gilbert Rome. Morgan also trained at Houston Ballet’s Ben Stevenson Academy for two years, under the direction of Sally Rojas and Sabrina Lenzi, where she earned the highest final evaluation variation score in her class. Before joining the Colorado Ballet Studio Company in 2009, she attended summer programs with American Ballet Theatre, Orlando Ballet and Houston Ballet. She joined the Company in 2011 and was promoted to Soloist in 2016.

Her notable roles with Colorado Ballet include Wendy in Michael Pink’s Peter Pan, Vitality Fairy and Jewels in The Sleeping Beauty, Moyna in Giselle, Autumn Fairy and Fairy Godmother in Ben Stevenson’s Cinderella, Dew Drop in The Nutcracker, First Passerby in Jerome Robbins’ Fancy Free, Effie in La Sylphide, Sonja in The Little Mermaid, Red in Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1, The Princess in Yuri Possokhov’s Firebird, the fifth pas de deux in Jiří Kylián’s Petit Mort, and Pas de Trois and Big Swans in Swan Lake.

Generously supported

by Lynnette Morrison

Francisco Estevez Born in Quito, Ecuador, Francisco moved to the USA in 1995.

He began his ballet training in Louisville, Kentucky and at the age of 16, was invited to finish his professional training at the School of American Ballet in New York where he also had the opportunity to perform featured roles with the New York City Ballet. Upon graduating in 2008, Francisco joined Boston Ballet where he danced for two years before joining the Barcelona Ballet under the direction of Angel Corella in 2010. As a member of this company, he performed various soloist and principal roles and took part in the “Feria del Libro” in Guadalajara, Mexico, the Spoleto Festival in both Italy and Charleston, North Carolina and the Peralada festival, Catalonia. In 2011, Francisco won 1st Place at the Premio Internacional de Danza Roseta Mauri. His notable roles to date include Balanchine’s Tarantella and the 1st and 2nd themes from The Four Temperaments, Jorma Elo’s Carmen Illusions, Principal in Jerome Robbin’s 2 & 3 Part Inventions and the 1st and 3rd Sailor in Robbins’ Fancy Free, Peter Martin’s Les Gentil Hommes, Christopher Wheeldon’s For Four, DGV, Polyphonia and VIII, Pink, Red and Aqua Couples in Clark Tippet’s Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1, Twyla Tharp’s In the Upper Room, Stanton Welch’s Clear, Franz in Coppelia, Benno and Neopolitan in Swan Lake, the Peasant pas de deux from Giselle, the pas de six from Napoli, the Nutcracker Prince and Sugarplum Cavalier in The Nutcracker, Jester in Ben Stevenson’s Cinderella, Lysander in Wheeldon’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Renfield in Michael Pink’s Dracula, James in La Sylphide, White Rabbit, Dodo Bird and Joker in Septime Webre’s ALICE (in wonderland), Amy Seiwert’s It’s Not a Cry Pas de Deux, Prince Christian in Lynne Taylor-Corbett’s The Little Mermaid, Waltz Boy in George Balanchine’s Serenade, and Jiří Kylián’s Petite Mort, among others. Francisco joined Colorado Ballet during the 2012-2013 season and was promoted to Soloist in 2015.

Generously supported

by Janis Brewster Tracy Jones Born in Cork, Ireland, Tracy started dancing at the age of five with Ballet Theatre Ireland. At 11, she went on to train at The Royal Ballet School in London. In 2006, Tracy won the Ursula Moreton choreographic competition and was a finalist of the Young British Dancer of the Year. During her final year, she performed with the Royal Ballet in various ballets and joined them on their 2007 International tour to Mexico and the USA. Upon graduating, Tracy joined the English National Ballet as a Corps de Ballet member where she performed in the UK and toured to Beijing, China. Tracy was a member of the Barcelona Ballet under the direction of Angel Corella from 2008 to 2012, where she toured worldwide, and had the opportunity to dance various soloist and principal roles. Tracy joined Colorado Ballet in 2013.

In June of that year, Pointe Magazine named her as one of 10 “Stars in the Corps.” Her notable roles with Colorado

Colorado Ballet • Ballet Director’s Choice 7

Dancers Ballet include Zulma, Bathilde and Giselle’s friend in Giselle, Arabian in The Nutcracker, Summer Fairy in Ben Stevenson’s Cinderella, Principal couple in Sandra Brown’s The Last Beat, Hermia and Scherzo Fairy in Christopher Wheeldon’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, George Balanchine’s Concerto Barocco, Pas de Deux and 3rd Girl in Jerome Robbins’ Fancy Free, Effie in La Sylphide, Caterpillar in Septime Webre’s ALICE (in wonderland), The Muse in Dominic Walsh’s Wolfgang (for Webb), Gerald Arpino’s Light Rain Pas de Deux, Pas de Trois and Big Swans in Swan Lake, The Sea Witch in Lynne Taylor-Corbett’s The Little Mermaid, The Dark Angel in George Balanchine’s Serenade, and 5th Pas de Deux in Jiří Kylián’s Petite Mort. Tracy was promoted to Soloist in 2017.

Generously supported in loving memory of Jim Brewster Christophor Moulton Christophor Moulton was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado and began his training with Rozanne David at the Dance Center of Colorado Springs and continued his training in Colorado with German Zemuel. He graduated from the Harid Conservatory in Florida, where he trained under Svetlana Osiyeva, Olivier Pardina and Victoria Schnider. During his years at Harid, Christophor performed numerous roles including Siegfried in Swan Lake and the lead in Balanchine’s Allegro Brillante. He also studied for a year at the Jacquelyn Kennedy Onassis School under Franco Devita. In 2007, he received the Rudolph Nureyev Education Fellowship. Christophor joined Colorado Ballet’s Studio Company in 2009, was promoted into the Company in 2010, and was promoted to Soloist in 2017. During his time at Colorado Ballet, he has worked with esteemed choreographers, Val Caniparoli, Amy Seiwert, Edwaard Liang, Ben Stevenson, Stephen Mills, and Michael Pink. He has performed the roles of Lovers in Christopher Wheeldon’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Step Sister in Ben Stevenson’s Cinderella, Arthur in Michael Pink’s Dracula, Hilarion in Giselle, Cavalier in The Nutcracker, Red in Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1 and the Prince in Firebird.

Generously supported

by Peggy Goldman Kevin Gaël Thomas Kevin Gaël Thomas is from France and studied at Rosella Hightower’s International Ballet Center and at Canada’s National Ballet School, where he received a full scholarship and graduated in 2006, with honors.

Kevin also graduated with honors from the Music Conservatory in France for piano. He danced for a year with Houston Ballet II, then joined Colorado Ballet in 2007. Since joining the Company he has performed many soloist and leading roles including Blue Bird and Jewels in The Sleeping Beauty, the Whip Boy in Glen Tetley’s The Rite of Spring, Jester in Ben Stevenson’s Cinderella, Peter in Michael Pink’s Peter Pan, Puck in Christopher Wheeldon’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the title role in Michael Smuin’s Peter and the Wolf, the first

8 Ballet Director’s Choice • Colorado Ballet

sailor in Jerome Robbins’ Fancy Free, the Nutcracker Prince in The Nutcracker, Gurn in La Sylphide, Benno in Swan Lake, Kaschei in Firebird, and Pink in Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1. Kevin was chosen to represent France at the New York International Ballet Competition in 2009 and at the USA Jackson International Ballet Competition in 2010. He was promoted to Soloist in 2016.

Generously supported by Elizabeth Katkin-Waryn and Richard Waryn CORPS DE BALLET

Joshua Allenback Josh Allenback, a native of Colorado, has been dancing since he was four years old. He has studied on scholarship with American Ballet Theatre, The Rock School and Joffrey Ballet. He was a member of Houston Ballet II as well as Ballet San Antonio. Josh has performed many principal roles including Firebird’s Katchi, Giselle’s Prince Albrecht, Cavalier and Snow King in The Nutcracker, and Prince Florimund in The Sleeping Beauty. He joined Colorado Ballet’s Studio Company in 2013 and was promoted into the Company in 2014. With Colorado Ballet, he has performed in Swan Lake, George Balanchine’s Serenade, Jiří Kylián’s Petite Mort, Yuri Possokhov’s Firebird and more.

Generously supported

by Rita and Brad Sonnenberg Ariel Breitman Ariel Breitman is from Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania and began his dance training at the age of eight with the Boys Scholarship Program of Metropolitan Ballet Academy, directed by Lisa Collins. At 16, Ariel moved to New York City to train with Edward Ellison, director of Ellison Ballet-Professional Training Program. While in New York, Ariel performed roles including Jerome from Flames of Paris, Basilio’s Variation from Don Quixote, the Poet’s Variation from Chopiniana, James’ Variation from La Sylphide, and Cavalier from The Nutcracker. In 2012 and 2013, Ariel earned three gold medals from the Youth America Grand Prix competition and one silver medal in 2013 from the Tanzolymp International Ballet Competition in Berlin. After graduating from Ellison Ballet, Ariel joined The Washington Ballet Studio Company for one season, performing roles such as Liza in George Balanchine’s Who Cares? and John Darling in Septime Webre’s Peter Pan. His repertory also includes the Grand Pas de Deux from La Esmeralda, Flames of Paris, and The Nutcracker, as well as the Diana and Acteon Pas de Deux from La Esmeralda, the Pas de Trois from Swan Lake, the Pas de Quatre from Raymonda, and the Grand Pas de Deux from Le Corsaire. Ariel was invited to compete in the 2014 USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Mississippi, where he performed with his partner in the final round and galas. Since joining Colorado Ballet

Dancers in 2014, Ariel has danced roles such as Puck in Christopher Wheeldon’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Bulldog Sailor in Jerome Robbins’ Fancy Free, Joker in Septime Webre’s ALICE (in wonderland), and Nutcracker Prince in Colorado Ballet’s The Nutcracker.

Generously supported

by Phil Livingston Arianna Ciccarelli Arianna Ciccarelli is from Bristol, CT. She began dancing ballet at age 12 and studied in the pre-professional resident program at The Nutmeg Conservatory for The Arts, studying under Eleanor D’Antuano, Sharon Dante, Kirk Peterson and Victoria Mazzerelli. She also spent her summers training at The School of American Ballet, English National Ballet, Joffrey Ballet and Washington Ballet. Arianna was a member of the Colorado Ballet Studio Company in the 2013-2014 season. Before joining Colorado Ballet in 2016, she spent two years dancing with Ballet Arizona. Since joining the Company, she has performed the role of Little Mermaid in Lynne Taylor Corbett’s The Little Mermaid, Cygnets in Swan Lake, Crystals, Spanish and Marzipan in The Nutcracker, and in Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1.

Generously supported by Ann Frick Mackenzie Dessens Mackenzie Dessens is from New Orleans, Louisiana where she began her training at Giacobbe Academy of Dance and privately with Kimberly Beck. She attended summer programs in New York with the School of American Ballet and American Ballet Theatre.

Mackenzie continued her training at Houston Ballet’s Ben Stevenson Academy and upon completion, joined Cincinnati Ballet’s second company. With Cincinnati Ballet, Dessens’ repertoire included Peter Pan, 7th Symphony, The Nutcracker, Alice, Symphony in C, and the world premiere of King Arthur’s Camelot, in which she performed as the Lady of the Lake.

She was chosen to perform as Guinevere in the “Wedding Pas de Deux” for the second company’s rep to promote the new ballet throughout the season. Her second year, Victoria Morgan chose her to perform as Clara in a recreation of the pas between Clara and the Prince from The Nutcracker.

She also had the opportunity of working with Jennifer Archibald and received a solo and pas in her piece for the second company. She joined Colorado Ballet in 2015. Since joining Colorado Ballet, her notable repertoire has grown to include Clara, Doll, Crystals, Spanish and Marzipan in The Nutcracker, the Pas de Trois from Dominic Walsh’s Wolfgang (for Webb), George Balanchine’s Serenade, Jiří Kylián’s Petite Mort, and Cygnets in Swan Lake.

Alyssa Fazekas Alyssa Fazekas is from Orlando, Florida where she began her training at age 14 under the direction of Vladimir Bykov and Vasilie Petritiu. In 2010, she joined Orlando Ballet School and in 2012, joined Orlando Ballet II. During her time in Orlando, she performed principal roles with the school and was selected to perform in the corps de ballet with many of Orlando Ballet’s productions.

Alyssa also participated in the Youth America Grand Prix competition, placing Top 12 in both contemporary and classical categories. She performed in the YAGP Gala in Tampa, and then moved on to the New York City Finals. In 2012, she was a semi-finalist at Helsinki International Ballet Competition. In 2014, she joined Milwaukee Ballet II, and in 2016 joined Ballet Arizona’s Studio Company. While at Ballet Arizona, she performed as Cinderella in Carlos Valcarcel’s production of Cinderella, was selected to perform with Ballet Arizona in George Balanchine’s Symphony in Three, Western Symphony, and Ib Anderson’s La Bayadere, Romeo and Juliet, and Nutcracker. This is her first season with Colorado Ballet.

Generously supported

by Patty Lorie Kevin Hale Born in Warren, New Jersey but raised in England, Kevin began dancing at the age of five. At age 11, he was accepted into The Royal Ballet School where he graduated from in July 2013. Kevin has won the Kenneth McMillan Choreographic Competition twice and had one of his ballets performed at the school’s annual show at the Royal Opera House. During his graduate year, Kevin performed with The Royal Ballet in various ballets including Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, La Valse and The Sleeping Beauty. His repertoire also includes Jiří Bubeníček’s Canon in D Major, Bejart’s 7 Greek Dances and Ashley Page’s Larina Waltz. He has also been featured as a dancer on the BBC. Kevin joined Colorado Ballet in 2013. Kevin’s notable repertoire with Colorado Ballet has included Stepsister in Ben Stevenson’s Cinderella, the Wolf in Clark Tippet’s Peter and the Wolf, In Pieces by Val Caniparoli, The Duchess in Septime Webre’s ALICE (in wonderland), Wolfgang in Dominic Walsh’s Wolfgang (for Webb), Waltz Man in George Balanchine’s Serenade, Jiří Kylián’s Petite Mort, and Prince Christian in The Little Mermaid.

Generously supported by Michael Korenblat and Natalia Ballinger

Generously supported

by Frank Wiederman

Colorado Ballet • Ballet Director’s Choice 9

Dancers Bryce Lee

Sean Omandam

Bryce Lee was born in Missouri and started his professional training at 12 at Dmitri Kulev Classical Ballet Academy in Laguna Hills.

California. In the summer of 2011, he attended School of American Ballet, then was asked to stay for the Winter Term program from 2011-2012. He has attended several summer courses on full scholarship including SAB, Miami City Ballet and Colorado Ballet. Bryce has received several awards in classical and contemporary forms of dance as well as 1st place, semi-finalist at YAGP Europe, as well as two-time YAGP Finalist Qualifier. He has also guested for numerous ballet schools across the US, including performances in Vancouver. Bryce had the pleasure to perform principal roles in Paul Mejia’s Seasons and Donizetti Variations. He joined Colorado Ballet’s Studio Company in 2013 and was promoted into the Company in 2015. Since then, he has performed numerous professional works including Christopher Wheeldon’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Michael Pink’s Dracula, Clark Tippet’s Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1, Ben Stevenson’s Cinderella, Chinese and Russian in The Nutcracker, and Tweedle Dee in Septime Webre’s ALICE (in wonderland), Swan Lake, Clark Tippet’s Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1, The Little Mermaid, George Balanchine’s Serenade, Jiří Kylián’s Petite Mort, and Yuri Possokhov’s Firebird.

Sean Omandam is from Fresno, California, where he began his training with Shirley Winters.

He later went on to train on full-scholarship at the Harid Conservatory in Boca Raton, Florida, under the instruction of Victoria Schneider, Olivier Pardina, and Svetlana Osiyeva. Upon his graduation in 2004, he joined Colorado Ballet’s Studio Company, and was promoted into the Company in 2005. With Colorado Ballet, Sean has performed a variety of soloist and principal roles including Puck in Christopher Wheeldon’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, White Rabbit in Septime Webre’s ALICE (in wonderland), Peter in Michael Smuin’s Peter and the Wolf, Champion Roper in Agnes de Mille’s Rodeo, Jester in Ben Stevenson’s Cinderella, Whip Boy in Glen Tetley’s The Rite of Spring, Max in Septime Webre’s Where the Wild Things Are, John Darling in Michael Pink’s Peter Pan, Green Man in Lila York’s Celts, and Russian in Martin Fredmann’s The Nutcracker. His repertory also includes featured roles in works by Lar Lubovitch, Val Caniparoli, Amy Seiwert, Edwaard Liang, Matthew Neenan, Jodie Gates, Dwight Rhoden, Darrell Grand Moultire, and Jessica Lang, among others. In 2007, he was a competitor and gala performer at the New York International Ballet Competition. In the summer of 2013, he was featured as a contestant on the premiere season of the South Korean television show, Dancing 9. Pointe Magazine featured Sean in their 2014 October/November “Dancer Spotlight.”

Generously supported

by Patrick Keleher Family Fernanda Oliveira

Generously supported

by Cheri and Alan Rubin

Fernanda Oliveira, from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil trained at the Escola Estadual de Danca Maria Olenewa in her hometown and later was awarded a full scholarship to The Washington School of Ballet, where she trained with Kee Juan Han, Carlos Varcárcel and Vladimir Djouloukhadze. While still a student at TWSB, Fernanda won the third prize in the regionals of the Youth America Grand Prix and was invited to perform in Miami Youth Ballet’s The Nutcracker, in the role of Dew Drop. Upon graduating, she joined The Washington Ballet under Septime Webre as a Studio Company member, where she performed in Le Corsaire and Giselle, as well as in Balanchine’s Stars and Stripes, Theme and Variations and Who Cares?, Twyla Tharp’s Push Comes to Shove and Trey McIntyre Blue Until June Suite. Her notable roles include Bird in Brian Reeder’s Peter and the Wolf, Doll in The Nutcracker and the lead in Septime Webre’s Sympathique, for which she received honorable mention in the DC Metro Theater Arts’ review as, “a commanding presence […], she is in control, is perfectly poised, and […] lets the entire audience know she was born to perform.” She joined Colorado Ballet in 2014 and again in 2016. With Colorado Ballet, Fernanda has had the opportunity to perform in masterpieces such as Balanchine’s Concerto Barocco and Clark Tippet’s Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1.

Kristine Padgett

Generously supported

by Jan and John Blumer 10 Ballet Director’s Choice • Colorado Ballet

Kristine Padgett was born in Littleton, Colorado and began dancing at the age of three. At age 11, she started training professionally at the Academy of Colorado Ballet under Elizabeth Shipiatsky. From 2006 to 2014, Kristine attended summer intensives and school training programs all over the world including American Ballet Theatre in New York City, the Royal Ballet School in Richmond, England, and Bolshoi Ballet Summer Intensive in New York City. In 2011, she won a full scholarship to perform at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy’s spring gala in Moscow, Russia, then attended year-round for the 2012-2013 school year. While in Russia, Kristine trained under Irina Sirova and had the opportunity to perform in many productions including soloist roles in La Fille Mal Gardee, The Nutcracker, and several character dances. She returned to Colorado Ballet as a Studio Company member in 2013 and was promoted into the Company in 2015.

Generously supported

by Janet and John MacFarlane

Dancers Nicolas Pelletier

Jeremy Studinski

Nicolas Pelletier was born in Quebec City, Canada. He moved to California when he was eight, where he attended the San Francisco Ballet School for 10 years. During his time at the school, he performed in ballets including John Neumeier’s Yondering and Balanchine’s Stars and Stripes. He completed his training with Canada’s National Ballet School in 2010 and joined Alberta Ballet in 2011.

During his six years with the Company, he had the opportunity to dance many principal roles including Dracula in Ben Stevenson’s Dracula and Romeo in Jean GrandMaître’s Romeo and Juliet. Nicolas also had the pleasure of working closely with Jean Grand-Maître in the creation of many new works throughout his time at Alberta Ballet, including pas de deux and solos. Other notable ballets in his repertoire include Divertimento No. 15, Four Temperaments, Swan Lake, Giselle, Cinderella, Don Quixote, Madame Butterfly, Othello and The Nutcracker. This is his first season at Colorado Ballet.

Jeremy began his training at the Colorado Conservatory of Dance at the age of nine. He then spent 2011 to 2013 in Colorado Ballet’s Studio Company where he performed in ballets by Petipa, Balanchine, and Glen Tetley. After spending two seasons as a member of Orlando Ballet II, he was promoted to Apprentice with the Company, then joined the full Company the following year. Jeremy has also had the opportunity to perform The Seasons male lead in the Internationale Haydntage at the Esterhazy Palace in Eisenstadt, Austria with Oklahoma Festival Ballet. This is his first season as a Company member with Colorado Ballet.

Generously supported by Carla Dore Emily Speed Emily Speed is originally from Argyle, Texas and began her professional training under Marina Almayeva. In 2006, she was a Finalist at World Ballet Competition in Orlando, Florida. She won first place in the classical division at the 2007 Youth American Grand Prix Regionals. Emily was one out of a hundred participants worldwide who qualified and competed in the 2010 Varna International Ballet Competition in Varna, Bulgaria. In 2014, she went to the USA IBC in Jackson, Mississippi. During her career, she has danced professionally with Alabama Ballet, Ballet Tucson and Boulder Ballet. She danced at the Vail Dance Festival in 2015 and 2017. Emily has performed multiple principle and soloist roles including, Flower Girl in Don Quixote, roles in George Balanchine’s Serenade and The Nutcracker, Anthony Tudor’s Lilac Garden and Continuo, Daniel Precup’s Bolero, Third Act Raymonda, The Wedding Pas de Deux from Don Quixote, and The Fairy Doll Pas de Trios staged by Amanda McKerrow and John Gardner. Since joining Colorado Ballet in 2014, Emily has performed “Scherzo” in Wheeldon’s A Midsummer’s Night Dream, Balanchine’s Concerto Barocco, Clara in The Nutcracker, Cygnets and Pas de Trois in Swan Lake, Pink in Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1, and Little Russians in George Balanchine’s Serenade.

Generously supported by Joe Maslowski and Lona Christensen

Generously supported by Barbara Clark Sarah Tryon Sarah Tryon was born in Hanmer, Ontario, Canada and at the age of 11 was accepted to train at Canada’s National Ballet School.

During her six years with NBS, Sarah was selected to partake in exchange programs with various international schools including Pacific Northwest Ballet School in Seattle, École Supérieur De Danse Rosella Hightower in Cannes France, and Tanz Akademie Zurich in Switzerland. After graduating in 2010, she moved to New York City to train with world-renowned coach Edward Ellison. In 2013, Sarah joined the Sarasota Ballet as a corps de ballet member. During her two seasons with the Sarasota Ballet, Sarah performed many works by major choreographers including George Balanchine, Agnes DeMille, Will Tuckett, Rudolph Nureyev, Christopher Bruce, Mikhail Fokine, Paul Taylor, Sir Antony Tudor, and Sir Frederick Ashton. Highlights of Sarah’s time with the Sarasota Ballet include performing in Balanchine’s Who Cares?, Serenade, Four Temperaments, and Rubies; Ashton’s Façade, La Fille Mal Gardée, Sinfonietta, Les Patineurs, and Montones I; Christopher Bruces’ Sergeant Early’s Dream; Will Tuckett’s Lux Aterna; Agnes De Milles’ Rodeo; Antony Tudor’s Gala Performance; Mikhail Fokine’s Petrushka; Paul Taylor’s Company B; and Nureyev’s Raymonda. Since joining Colorado Ballet in 2015, Sarah has performed many corps and notable roles including Effy in Bournonville’s La Sylphide; Balanchine’s Concerto Barocco, Clara in The Nutcracker; Twin, Four Little Flamingos and Card in Septime Webre’s ALICE (in wonderland); first duet in Dominic Walsh’s Wolfgang (for Webb); Dark Angel and Russian corps in Balanchine’s Serenade; second pas de deux in Jiří Kylián’s Petite Mort, Little Princesses in Yuri Possokhov’s Firebird, and Aqua in Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1.

Generously supported

by David Andrews

Colorado Ballet • Ballet Director’s Choice 11

Dancers Benjamin Winegar Ben Winegar is from Grand Rapids, Michigan. He began his training at the School of the Grand Rapids Ballet at the age of 11, where he was trained by Attila Mosolygo, Gaiane Akopian, and Akop Akopian.

During his training, he had the opportunity to perform in several ballets with the Grand Rapids Ballet Company. In 2010, Ben spent a year training at the School of American Ballet. Upon graduating, he danced one season with the Los Angeles Ballet under the direction of Thordal Christensen and Colleen Neary. Since joining Colorado Ballet’s Company in 2012, he has danced in Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Jiří Kylián’s Petite Mort, Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1, ALICE (in wonderland), La Sylphide, Christopher Wheeldon’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Michael Pink’s Dracula, among others.

Generously supported

by Ted and Donna Connolly Melissa Zoebisch Melissa grew up in Mexico and studied at the Chamber Ballet of Jalisco. She received a scholarship to attend for a year at the Kirov Academy of Ballet in Madame Sizova’s class, and returned to Mexico to graduate in 2004.

Throughout her school years, she participated in many workshops around the world including: Cuba, Canada, Austria, Spain and the United States. In 2005, Melissa joined the National Dance Company, where she performed soloist roles in her first year in Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty and Carmen. Her other repertoire includes principal roles in Giselle, Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, Pas de Deux from Le Corsaire, original contemporary choreographies, and many others.

In 2010, she was a finalist at the Korea International Ballet Competition in 2010 and received a Special Award KIBC. Before joining Colorado Ballet in 2014, she had been freelancing with her husband around the country.

Generously supported

by David Andrews APPRENTICES

Regan Kucera Regan Kucera grew up in Cary, North Carolina and started dancing at the age of four. She studied at International Ballet Academy in Cary. She attended summer programs at ABT NY, Orlando Ballet with full scholarship, and Saratoga Springs. She has participated in competitions including Youth American Grand Prix and World Ballet Competition. In 2013, she joined Colorado Ballet’s Studio Company and was promoted into the Company in

12 Ballet Director’s Choice • Colorado Ballet

2016. Her favorite roles with Colorado Ballet have been Cygnets in Swan Lake and Jiří Kylián’s Petite Mort.

Generously supported

by David Bayendor Francesca Martoccio Originally from Miami, Florida, Francesca Martoccio received her early ballet training at Thomas Armour Youth Ballet and at the New World School of the Arts. In May 2016, Francesca graduated from SUNY Purchase where she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance with a Ballet Concentration.

She performed several roles with Purchase Dance Company including the lead in Balanchine’s Valse Fantaisie and “Sanguinic” in Balanchine’s The Four Temperaments. In the fall of 2014, Francesca was chosen by the faculty to study abroad in Hong Kong, China at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA). In the summer of 2016, she had the pleasure of working with John Gardner and Amanda McKerrow on a duet from Antony Tudor’s The Leaves are Fading. After graduating, Francesca joined Colorado Ballet’s Studio Company for the 2016-2017 season and was promoted into the Company in 2017.

Generously supported

by Adrienne Toon Tyler Rhoads Tyler Rhoads is from Midland, Texas, where he began his training with Susan Clark at Midland Festival Ballet. He later went on to train on full-scholarship at the Harid Conservatory in Boca Raton, Florida, under the instruction of Victoria Schneider, Olivier Pardina, and Svetlana Osiyeva. After graduating in 2011, he attended Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, where he studied under acclaimed staff Violette Verdy and Michael Vernon. He had the opportunity to perform a variety of works including George Balanchine’s The Four Temperaments, August Bournonville’s Napoli, and Twyla Tharp’s Sweet Fields. Upon his graduation from college, Tyler joined Colorado Ballet’s Studio Company and was promoted into the Company in 2016.

Generously supported

by Naji Ghorayeb Sara VanderVoort Sara VanderVoort is originally from Bucks County, Pennsylvania. She began her ballet training at the age of 12 with Metropolitan Ballet Academy under the direction of Lisa Collins Vidnovic, Natalya Zeiger, and Denise D’Angelo. While in school, she was selected by Roy Kaiser to perform in Pennsylvania Ballet’s The Nutcracker as Spanish.

Dancers She also competed in YAGP and went to Regional Dance America where she won several full scholarships to summer programs. Sara spent summers training with BalletX, Washington Ballet, and Atlanta Ballet. She joined Colorado Ballet’s Studio Company in 2012. Sara then danced with Nashville Ballet under the direction of Paul Vasterling for a few seasons where she performed in several ballets, including Balanchine’s Serenade and Fairies in Peter Pan. In 2015, she returned to Colorado Ballet where she had the

opportunity to perform some of her favorite ballets with the Company including Swan Corps in Swan Lake, Balanchine’s Serenade, and Princesses in Possokhov’s Firebird. Sara joined the Company in 2017.

Generously supported

by Colleen Curran and Stephen Boane Photos by Andrea Flanagan Photography

Choreographers Val Caniparoli

Twyla Tharp

Val Caniparoli’s versatility has made him one of the most sought after American choreographers internationally. He is most closely associated with San Francisco Ballet, his artistic home for more than 44 years, where he also served as resident choreographer.

Caniparoli has contributed to the repertoires of more than 50 companies, including Finnish National Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Scottish Ballet, Boston Ballet, Hong Kong Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Northern Ballet Theatre, Pennsylvania Ballet, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Ballet West (resident choreographer 1993-97), Washington Ballet, Israel Ballet, Singapore Dance Theatre, Atlanta Ballet, State Theatre Ballet of South Africa, and Tulsa Ballet (resident choreographer 2001-06). He has also choreographed for the Chicago Lyric Opera, San Francisco Opera, and The Metropolitan Opera.

He has worked on productions with the San Francisco Symphony and with the esteemed American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.), with his work for the latter including choreography for A Christmas Carol, A Doll’s House, A Little Night Music, Arcadia, and the creation, with Carey Perloff, of a new movement-theater piece, Tosca Cafe.

Caniparoli’s full evening-length ballets include Lady of the Camellias, three different productions of The Nutcracker for Cincinnati Ballet, Louisville Ballet, and Grand Rapids Ballet, and Val Caniparoli’s, A Cinderella Story, danced to music by Richard Rodgers, for Royal Winnipeg Ballet. Born in Renton, Washington, Caniparoli opted for a professional dance career after studying music and theatre at Washington State University. He received a Ford Foundation Scholarship to attend San Francisco Ballet School. He performed with San Francisco Opera Ballet before joining San Francisco Ballet in 1973, where he continues to choreograph and perform as a Principal Character Dancer.

Since graduating from Barnard College in 1963, Twyla Tharp has choreographed more than one hundred sixty works: one hundred twenty-nine dances, twelve television specials, six Hollywood movies, four full-length ballets, four Broadway shows and two figure skating routines. She received one Tony Award, two Emmy Awards, nineteen honorary doctorates, the Vietnam Veterans of America President’s Award, the 2004 National Medal of the Arts, the 2008 Jerome Robbins Prize, and a 2008 Kennedy Center Honor. Her many grants include the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Fellowship. She is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the American Philosophical Society, and an Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters. In 1965, Ms. Tharp founded her dance company, Twyla Tharp Dance. Her dances are known for creativity, wit and technical precision coupled with a streetwise nonchalance. By combining different forms of movement – such as jazz, ballet, boxing and inventions of her own making – Ms. Tharp’s work expands the boundaries of ballet and modern dance. In addition to choreographing for her own company, she has created dances for The Joffrey Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, The Paris Opera Ballet, The Royal Ballet, New York City Ballet, The Boston Ballet, The Australian Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, The Martha Graham Dance Company, Miami City Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Atlanta Ballet and Royal Winnipeg Ballet. Today, ballet and dance companies around the world continue to perform Ms. Tharp’s works. In 1992, Ms. Tharp published her autobiography Push Comes to Shove. She is currently working on a fourth book. Today, Ms. Tharp continues to create.

Anthony Tudor Antony Tudor (1908-1987) (Choreographer) is a titan of twentieth century ballet. His early study was with Marie Rambert in England, who encouraged his development as a choreographer. At the start of WWII, he was invited to become a founding choreographer for American Ballet Theatre, and he maintained a nearly fifty-year association with the company: his ballets, including Pillar of Fire, are considered its artistic “conscience.” Today, the Antony Tudor Ballet Trust champions and protects his legacy, shepherding his ballets around the world.

Colorado Ballet • Ballet Director’s Choice 13

Supporters of Colorado Ballet As of March 16, 2018 (Includes 14 months of giving) LEADERSHIP CIRCLE $100,000+ Corporations, Foundations, and Government Agencies Bonfils-Stanton Foundation Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) Individual Donors Bill and Liz Armstrong Raydean Acevedo Janis Brewster Sandy Elliot Joanne Posner Mayer OVATION CIRCLE $50,000+ Corporations, Foundations, and Government Agencies Colorado Ballet Auxiliary KeyBank The Shubert Foundation, Inc. Individual Donors Anne and Jim Hillary FOUNDERS CIRCLE $20,000+ Corporations, Foundations, and Government Agencies Always Best Care Senior Services Anadarko Petroleum The Anschutz Foundation Arrow Electronics Avenir Foundation Denver Ballet Guild Midfirst Bank National Endowment for the Arts Park Meadows Individual Donors Jean and Hugh Armstrong Pam and Duke Hartman Elizabeth Katkin-Waryn and Richard Waryn Lynnette Morrison Rita and Brad Sonnenberg Cari and Mark Spiecker DIRECTOR CIRCLE $10,000+ Corporations, Foundations, and Government Agencies Accenture, LLP Anna and John J. Sie Foundation Armstrong Foundation Centura Health Chambers Family Fund City and County of Denver-Office of Children’s Affairs Colorado Creative Industries Community First Foundation Colorado Health Foundation Delta Dental of Colorado The Denver Foundation The Harmes C. Fishback Foundation Trust MDC/Richmond American Homes Foundation Mark and Bernee Strom Foundation Saunders Construction, Inc. Virginia W. Hill Foundation Individual Donors David L. Andrews Lisa Levin Appel Brent Backes and Melanie Kopperud

Ellen Balaguer and Mark Chase Holly Baroway and Erik Cederlund Lafawn Biddle Heidi Marie Burose Colleen Curran and Stephen Boane Ann and Ford Frick Paul E. Goodspeed and Mary Poole Merry and Steven D. Logan Sandi Mays Anne Mead Jane and Gordon Netzorg Cheri and Alan Rubin Dr. David J. Scanavino and Ms. Ivelisse Torres Walker and Jenna Stapleton Nancy and Thomas Stevens Susan and Stephen Struna Debbi and Bill Tryon CHOREOGRAPHER CIRCLE $5,000+ Corporations, Foundations, and Government Agencies Aexco Bayswater Exploration & Production, LLC Bowen Family Performing Arts Fund Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund The Margulf Foundation Ralph and Florence Burgess Charitable Trust RLC Foundation, a donoradvised fund of Rose Community Foundation Roubaix Capital Twelve Twenty- One Fund/Peggy Goldman Vanguard Charitable Individual Donors Michelle Moorman-Applegate and Robert Applegate William and Karen Curtis The Estate of Doryann Duncan Lori and Grady Durham Bridget Farrelly Christine and Andrew Fedorowicz Kaye Ferry Carl Hartman Jim Harvey Debby Herz Ms. Christine L. Honnen Tamara and Thomas E. Jorden Dr. Stuart and Mrs. Gail Kassan Michael Korenblat and Natalia Ballinger Don and Mary Lou Blackledge Kortz The Ponzio Family Dr. Barbara Reed Denise and James Sanderson Suzan and Gary Schlatter William and Cheri Schoolcraft Lisa and Bill Snider Dr. Carol A. Stamm Harry and Vicki Sterling Julie C. Van Camp Jim Berger and Julie Vernier Joe Verrengia Katherine and Michael Whitcomb Frank Wiederman

14 Ballet Director’s Choice • Colorado Ballet

BALLET MISTRESS CIRCLE $2,500+ Corporations, Foundations, and Government Agencies Benevity Community Impact Fund Charles Schwab The Denver Post Community Foundation Fios Capital First Western Trust Bank Hunt Companies Larimer Square Merchants Lloyd King and Eleanor King Foundation Mile High United Way Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, LLP Northern Trust Read Foundation Ready Foods, Inc The Schramm Foundation Individual Donors Anonymous Jim and Kristin Bender Luke and Nancy Boland Gene Child Taylor Clark Donna and Ted Connolly Mike and Pam Copp Larry Corff Christine Ekman Cortney and Steve Crouch John Fitzgerald and Maureen Tarrant-Fitzgerald Pam and Barry Gatz Naji Ghorayeb Robert S. Graham Chris and Alyson Graves Dr. Frederick and Mrs. Carol Grover David and Mary Mead Hammond Montine Hansl Matthew and Helen Hayes Jan and Gordon Holfelder Greg Laugero Phil Livingston Patty Lorie John and Janet MacFarlane David and Barb McGrath Cindy Meany Frank Mooney Connie and Michael Schingle Eileen Sharkey and James Darling Sean Shaw, MD and Ausra Mollerud Lars and Jane Soderberg Al and Karen Spies Kari and Daryl Stewart Adrienne Toon John Uppendahl and Travis Railey PRINCIPAL CIRCLE $1,000+ Corporations, Foundations, and Government Agencies Bonfils Blood Center The Caulkins Family Foundation Henry E. Wurst Family Foundation Humphreys Foundation IBM International Foundation Kaiser Permanente Records-Johnston Family Foundation, Inc

The Simpson Sharp Oakes Fund Tulsa Community Foundation Wittow Foundation Inc Carla Dore/ Workplace Resource Individual Donors Anonymous Rick and Marcia Ashton David Bayendor Cindy and Scott Baroway Kathy and Steve Beabout Colleen and Brian Becker Anne Beer Renate and Horst Bergmann Maritt and Michael Bird Sharon and Steven Birnbaum Ann and Jim Boon Jan and John Blumer Gill Boggs and Sandra Brown Joseph J. Bronesky and Jacquelin A. Medina Priya and Matthew Burkett Dan and Aimee Caplis Drake and Sarah Carpenter Martha and Rich Caschette John and Marty Chamberlin Sue Cho Alyssa and Scott Clarke Dr. and Mrs. Alan Como Tammy and Wesley Cooper Gulnara LaFrance and Sam Cordovano John Couzens Lisa and Mark Cramer JoMarie and George Dancik Carolyn E. Daniels Joseph M. Demmler Dr. Pete and Lindsey Deol Cara and Scott Dessens Arthur L Seiden Wendy and Marcus Divita Erin and Matthew Dollarhide Lynn Bolinske Dolven Margaret Dzwilewski Patricia and Christopher Elliott Ericka and James Englert Margaret and Steve Fabos Stacey Farnum and Joseph Lynott Melissa and Adam Farver Curtis and Agatha Fentress Stephanie Feuer and Dr. Norman Friedman Stephanie and John Flanigan Dr. Ladan Foose Andi and John Freyer Jr. Sarah Komppa Michelle and David Garcia Melissa and Mark Garland Amanda and Steve Gash David Gaskill Marla and Richard Gentry Ellen and Robert Gilmour Marsha and Mark Giordano The Glyphis Family Ryan Godsil and Michelle Kent Cristy Godwin and Robert Walker Laura Goodman Brian and Brooke Griese Elizabeth Grinevics Rick and Rachel Grynberg Julie Gunlikson Sally Haas Melanie and Colin Haggerty Dr. Gary and Mrs. Ellen Hahn Bryan and Pamela Hall Susan Hammil

Supporters of Colorado Ballet Megan and Jerad Harbaugh Dr. Wendell and Mrs. Charlotte Hatfield Noel and Terry Hefty Linda and Steve Heiss Christopher and Lauren Hillary Orville and Debra Hinerman Arlene and Barry Hirschfeld Lyman R. Ho and Joan Cravens Meralee and Michael Hoffelt Joy and James Hoffman Mary Anna and Sonny Hutchison Patrick and Nicole Jacques Judy Jensen and Michael Cox Don and Arlene Johnson Shannon and James Johnson Molly and John Jourde Amber and Sangwook Ju Natalie Judson and Jeremy Arthur Daniel Kappel The Patrick Keleher Family Bill and Debra Pain Dr. Peter Kennealey and Dr. Colleen Murphy Jamie and Michael Kennedy Diana and Michael Kinsey Chiara and Brent Kline Kathy and Derek Konopka Gulnara LaFrance and Sam Cordovano Henny and Bert Lasley Amanda and Blair Linville Phil Livingston Elspeth MacHattie Luleta Maslak Joe Maslowski and Lona Christensen Heather and Conor McCallin Janalee and Morris McDonald Margaret R. Jurado and V.W. McKnab Carol McMurry and Patrick Spieles Angie and Craig Mielke Jennifer Havercroft-Miller and Greg Miller Mr. and Mrs. Robert Miller Scott and Kristen Miner Dee and Gene Milstein Lindsay and Brian Morgan Robin and Paul Morris Maggie and Mitch Morrissey Sally Murray Marc and Regina Musyl Aaron and Hillary Nack Harold and Sarah Nelson Larry and Ruth Nisbet Bill and Debra Pain Susan and Dan Paulien Catherine and Henry Pawlak Jr. Sue Pawlik Bonnie Perkins Emily and Joseph Perrotto III Daniel and Pamela Piro Bill Plummer Kellie and Adair Prall Sue and Walt Rakowich Dave and Carole Ramsay Douglas Richards Debora and Brandon Ridenour David and Kristine Robertson Suzanne and Jack Robinson Dennis Rodgers and Robert Gomez Carol Rollin

Kelly and Daniel Rosenberg Lauren and Mark Rotolo Paul Ruotolo Daryl A. Russell Kathryn and Tim Ryan Julie and Ron Sachs Andrea and Timothy Sayles Ruth Schoening Anjali and Timothy Schulte Andrea and Jesse Schumacher Angela Scordo-Polidori Arthur L. Seiden Marlene Siegel Frank Slejko Amy and Craig Smith Kris and Haven Smith Roger and Peggy Steinbecker Amy and Robert Stettner Elena and Steven Stophel Bill and Mary Stow Angela and Alfred Strange Matt Steinfort Mary and Craig Stromberg Sean and Melanie Tafaro Becky Takeda-Tinker Jaime Travis and Peter Heller Brittany and Jason Urband Kacy and Patrick Vahey Annette and David VanSickle Steven Veluscek Arthur and George Ann Victor Mr. and Mrs. Michael Wakeman Dr. Elaine Weng and Mr. Thomas Malley Chris and Kelly Wheeler Mr. Daniel Wilkinson Craig Zeller Christine and Rick Zimmerman SOLOIST CIRCLE $500+ Corporations, Foundations, and Government Agencies CoBANK Gilman Family Foundation Heidi and Randy Keogh Fund Schwab Charitable Fund Individual Donors Anonymous Mimi Affeld Roxanne Anderson Guy and Liz Arnold Steve and Susan Bailey Brady Behrendt Michael Bena Tom and Penny Bradbury Elizabeth Bradley Michael Breed and Cheryl Ristig Blake Brown and Diego Chimendes Suzanne and James Buchanan Toni Cohig Johnathan and Aimee Coleman Timothy and Jane Davis Christin Crampton Day Leslie Doherty Brian and Erin Egan Randall and Olivia Else Martin and Susan Erzinger Heidi Elliot Hadley Ford Michael and Ann Foster Richard and Julie Parrino George Andrew Gerster Mariellen Guerra

Diane D. Henry George and Janie Hutchinson Bud Isaacs Jerry Kashinski Matthew and Jane Kadilak Holly and Jeremy Kinney Walt Kellogg Phillip and Deborah Kelly Dr. and Mrs. Richard Kem MD Dr. Sherill Ladwig Alysa Levine Geoffrey and Martha Lord Antoinette MacAluso Steve and Kathy McConahey Laura McCormick and Cong Lu MaryKate and Timothy McCutcheon Dr. James and Ms. Pat McElhinney Tom and Anne McGonagle Kevin McLane Christine Metzger Joshua Metzl The Mosher Family Rachel and Yuval Moskovich Jimmy and Kingsley Parsley Amanda Phillips Cason Pierce Adam and Anne Poe Cynthia and Don Redifer Rowena Cipriano-Reyes Barbara and James Ruh Richard Sanders, M.D. M.F. Scott Doug and Mary Scrivner Adam and Silvia Sexton Susan Stiff Andrea G. Richardson and William A. Stolfus John and Julie Strain Arthur and Stephanie Strasburger Doug Tisdale Beth and Tom Toth Klasina Vanderwerf Craig Vogtsberger Paul and Lorraine Weissman Christopher Whiteley Joyce and James Wilson Linda and Jim Yip Dr. Raymond and Mrs. Bernice Yost Peter Zafian Joanne Zboyan ARTIST CIRCLE $250+ Corporations, Foundations, and Government Agencies Andrew and Carolyn Donaldson Charitable Fund Bank of the West Embracekids, A Professional LLC Frederick Fish Foundation Gaynor Family Foundation Individual Donors Anonymous Mary Amend Dr. Frank and Mrs. Celia Anderson Justin Bank Ross Barnhart Brian Bennett Elise Bowne Chad and Megan Braun Carol and Alan Caniglia Elizabeth Coolman Luella and Terry DeAngelo

Marcia Derr Adam Diskin Marianne Disse Lousie Douglass Marisa Echaniz James Eckhart Holly Estes Joan and John Feek Erica Fischback and Mark Hutchins Linda and Norbert Frueh Deborah and Pat Galaska Fran and Craig Gander Pamela Merrill and Katherin Garon Ahad Ghadimi Barbara Gill Rebecca Givens Mr. and Mrs. Brooke Gordon Jenna Grange Marcia Hannum Janet Hehn Don and Maren Hindman William Hohnhorst Amanda Horvath Tim and Jean Hudner Mark and Terri Jones Dianne Junker Margaret T. Kaluk Sibylle Keller Chris Klein Donna Kornfeld Joshua Koubek Lyn Krueger Rebecca Laschober Herrick Lidstone Kenneth Lopez Curtis Lundberg Margaretha Maloney and Robert Palaich Katrina Van Marter Mr. and Mrs. Charles McConica Kevin McLane Jan McClaren Christopher Merrell William Meyerchak Dr. Jeffrey and Mrs. Peggy Morse Debbie and Michael Murdock Mark Najarian Judi and Robert Newman Robert Oakes Anne Oram Debra Piazza Dr. Stefania B. Pruscino Cleo and Jonathan Rauchway Drs. Richard and Clara Restrepo Carolyn and John Riedlin Daniel Ritchie Arianna Roberts Kathleen Roberts Katelyn Roberts Lawrence Robins Paula and David Roney Jane Rugg Tony Ryerson Kelsey and Stephen Sahli Julie Savoie Gwendolyn and Richard Scalpello Vicki Clark-Schneider Emily and Andrew Sewell Steven and Tracy Shapiro Vanessa Silva Cheryl Solich and John Kure Holly and Norm Steiner Lori Szymanski Erin and Edmund Tatar

Colorado Ballet • Ballet Director’s Choice 15

Supporters of Colorado Ballet Aubrey Tramontina David and Pam Trigg Gail VanderVoort Tiffany Walker Lindsay Walters Michael and Diane Watson Ginger White Brunetti Lois Williams John Wilson Sandra and Michael Wilson Elaine Torres and Phil Workman Linda and Eugene Young Kathy and Jon Zeschin Kevin and Whitney Zimmerman

Chandra Kuykendall Cari and Mark Spiecker

Valerie Madonia Raydean Acevedo

Ruth S. Silver Lisa and Bill Snider

Colorado Ballet Endowment at the Rose Community Foundation Holly Baroway and Erik Cederlund Colleen Curran and Stephen Boane Pam and Duke Hartman The Hearst Foundation Elizabeth Katkin Waryn and Richard Waryn Joanne Posner Meyer Rose Community Foundation Suzan and Gary Schlatter Rita and Brad Sonnenberg Nancy and Thomas Stevens

Jeannette Oakes Bob and Catherine Oakes

Rodney Smith Donna Smith

Dr. Barbara R. Reed Terry Amicone Susan and Paul Anderson Janice Baucum Jeanie Baumann Richard and Dorothy Barwinski Kathy and Bjorn Borgen Matthew Dolgos Thomas Gordon Henry and Diane Ipsen Brenda Lewis Kathleen Nelson Catherine K. Newton Katherine Martin Joe Perlmutter Susan Richardson Mark Sidell Marilyn and Jerry Snyder Betty Steinmann Andrea G. Richardson and William A. Stolfus Gaynell Van Buhler Nancy Weeks

Helen Clare Sillstrop Theodore Sillstrop

Artistic Director’s Fund Founded by Colleen Curran and Stephen Boane Bonfils-Stanton Foundation Colleen Curran and Stephen Boane Sandy Elliot Mary Anna and Sonny Hutchison The Freidann and Lillian Legacy Society Joanne Posner-Mayer Cheri and Alan Rubin Susan Stiff Susan and Stephen Struna GIFTS IN HONOR OF Raydean Acevedo and Walt Jenkins Ms. Sheila Kowal and Blake Chambliss David Gaskill Patricia Laverty Stephen Werner Mark and Bernee Strom Foundation Gil Boggs Raydean Acevedo Lisa and Bill Snider Christin Crampton Day Barry Hirschfeld Gudy and Dave Gaskill and Nora Jacquez David Gaskill James and Anne Hillary Barry and Arlene Hirschfeld Dave Falicia Kevin and Whitney Zimmerman Lars and Jane Soderberg Walt Kellogg

Stuart and Gail Kassan Charlot Karesh Joanne Posner Mayer Gregory and Laurie Gahm Janet Kritzer Mitch and Maggie Morrissey Jordon and Essie Perlmutter Jonathan and Toni Saiber

Cleo Parker Robinson Joan Brown Denise Sanderson Richard Dehncke Dick Saunders Barry Hirschfeld Adam Sexton Lisa Maury Lisa Snider Marla Willaims Sharon Wehner Raydean Acevedo Lisa and Bill Snider GIFTS IN MEMORY OF June Cleveland Lynette Morrison Meg Fonda Mrs. Barb Fonda Margaret Hansson Raydean Acevedo and Walt Jenkins Mark and Bernee Strom Foundation Allyn Feinberg

16 Ballet Director’s Choice • Colorado Ballet

Rita Higgins Barrett Weiss Lynn and Charles Duncan Iris McGinnies Elizabeth Marafioite William Hunter Kathleen Hutchison John Hendrix Laurel Miller Barbara and James Ruh

Heinrich and Maria Adriana Weinberg, MD GIFTS IN KIND $5,000+ Liz and Bill Armstrong Boland Lord Design Cableland Imhoff Fine Residential Painting John Atencio Kevin Taylor’s at the Opera House Le Meridien Hotels/White Lodging Group Pura Vida Gary and Suzan Schlatter Shapiro Chiropractic Sherwin Williams The Westin Denver Downtown $2,500+ 5280 Flowers Bubbles Liquor World Coyote Gold Margarita Scream Agency $1,000+ Colorado Ballet Auxiliary Joanne Posner Mayer $500+ Larimer Square Merchants Silver Oak CUMULATIVE LIFETIME GIVING $1,000,000+ Raydean Acevedo The Armstrong Foundation Liz and Bill Armstrong Colorado Ballet Auxiliary Boettcher Foundation Bonfils-Stanton Foundation Pam and Duke Hartman Anne and Jim Hillary Scientific and Cultural Facilities District $500,000+ Sandy Elliott The Gates Family Foundation Joanne Posner Mayer Jeanne and Dick Saunders

$250,000+ The Anschutz Foundation Chambers Family Fund Merle Chambers and Hugh Grant Denver Ballet Guild Denver Foundation KeyBank OppenheimerFunds, Inc. The Shubert Foundation, Inc. $100,000+ Accenture, LLP Anna & John J. Sie Foundation Lisa Levin Appel Jean and Hugh Armstrong Avenir Foundation Ellen Balaguer and Mark Chase Holly Baroway and Erik Cederlund Janis and Jim Brewster Colorado Creative Industries Denver Newspaper Agency Gay and Lesbian Fund HealthONE The Hearst Foundation, Inc. High Noon Entertainment The Joseph & Loretta Law Foundation Don and Mary Lou Blackledge Kortz The LARRK Foundation Merry and Steven D. Logan National Endowment for the Arts Jane and Gordon Netzorg Pb & K Family Foundation Ralph and Florence Burgess Charitable Trust David and Carole Ramsay Kathryn and Tim Ryan Dr. Barbara R. Reed Natalie Rekstad-Lynn and Scott Lynn Christine Rodgers and Ron Masamori Cheri and Alan Rubin Denise and James Sanderson Saunders Construction, Inc. Dr. David J. Scanavino and Ms. Ivelisse Torres Suzan and Gary Schlatter Lisa and Bill Snider Rita and Brad Sonnenberg Nancy and Thomas Stevens Vance Kirkland Foundation Virginia W. Hill Foundation Wells Fargo Private Bank Wells Fargo Bank Xcel Energy Foundation

Colorado Ballet’s Sharon Wehner Celebrates 22-Year Career and Prepares for Upcoming Retirement

A

udiences, dancers and directors alike have come to know and love the performances of Colorado Ballet’s Principal Dancer Sharon Wehner over the past 22 years. At the conclusion of this season, Wehner will retire from Colorado Ballet.

“There is a time and a season for everything,” states Wehner. “As my retirement at the end of this season draws near, I am looking forward to new challenges and experiences – it’s now time to spread my wings in new and different ways as a dancer, and as a human being on my own path of growth.

I have loved my time here and my 22-year tenure has enabled me to grow in a safe and supportive environment, to take on risks and challenges that I may not have otherwise had the courage to undertake.

Now it is time for other dancers to step into the spotlight and to take on the roles and opportunities that I have been fortunate to explore over the course of my career.”

Wehner joined Colorado Ballet in 1995, not long after she graduated from high school, and it has been her professional home for her entire adulthood. “Colorado Ballet was very fortunate the day Sharon joined the Company and to my knowledge, Sharon has danced with Colorado Ballet as a professional Company member longer than any dancer in our history,” said Colorado Ballet Artistic Director Gil Boggs. “Her tenure here is a testament to her passion as an artist and love of this organization. Sharon’s dedication to this art form is evident as she gives everything of herself in rehearsal and on the stage.”

When Wehner dances, it becomes evident to viewers that she really has something to say and that there is a special quality that graces each movement, along with a true joy and love for the art form that shines through. For her, dance always felt like more of a calling than a career. “Being a principal dancer in a classical ballet company comes with its own set of parameters, pressures, expectations and dynamics, which a ballerina must accept and commit to 110 percent. I have embraced these, given my body and soul to them, and done so whole-heartedly.” That passion and commitment comes through in her performances and has touched the lives of countless Colorado audiences over the years. “When Sharon takes on a role, she has a process of learning, discovering and putting everything together which culminates in a performance that few can accomplish,” stated Boggs. “Not only that, but she is also a role model for the younger dancers because she is such a devoted professional. I have been honored to have Sharon perform with us.”

20 Colorado Ballet

Some of Wehner’s favorite roles included Cowgirl in Rodeo, Odette/Odile in Swan Lake, Giselle, Mina in Dracula, Titania and Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, as well as the three times she danced Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, including her final performances at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House in February 2018. “I have loved dancing roles that really tell a story and give the artist a chance to dig into the emotions of a character and share that with an audience. One of my favorite things about Colorado Ballet is the fact that its repertory is a beautiful compendium of dance, including the large classical full-length ballets, contemporary and Neo-classical ballets from Dance icons such as Balanchine, Jiř í Kylián, Twyla Tharp and Anthony Tudor, and brand new works created for Colorado Ballet.” In sharing what she will miss most Wehner states, “I’ll deeply miss working every day with my colleagues and répétiteurs, and the relationships we built around crafting and exploring this artform. The connections created with each one of my partners has touched me to the core in a way that I will always cherish. Of course, I will also miss rehearsing in the Colorado Ballet studios, and performing in the beautiful Ellie Caukins Opera House, both of which have become my second home.”

After she retires, Wehner plans to spend more time cultivating another passion of hers that relates to dance. “When I was a kid I thought that if I wasn’t going to be a dancer, I would want to be a doctor,” recalls Wehner. “I’ve always been interested in helping people and wanting to do what I can to aid in the healing process.” Wehner is now a certified Yoga instructor as well as a certified GYROKINESIS® instructor. She also teaches dance for people with Parkinson’s disease. “Today, I have found myself gravitating towards dance and movement as a healing modality for people who may or may not identify themselves as high-level athletes and movers. I love to see how people transform physically and emotionally when they discover a new relationship with their bodies through simply dancing and moving in a safe and supportive environment. I know teaching, healing and free-lance dancing will all be aspects of my next chapter.”

As Wehner takes the stage for her final performances with Colorado Ballet this spring, it will be filled with much emotion as she pours herself into sharing her love of dance with this audience one last time.

“My body and spirit knows that I have many years of dancing left…but it will have a different face.

For better or for worse, I have come to the realization that for me, it will take some time to find both my grounding and my wings after committing myself to one career in one place for so long.”

“I feel so blessed to have had these years with Colorado Ballet,” said Sharon. “It has been a place for me to learn, to play, to work, to grow, and to share my love of Dance. I am so very grateful for the directors, coaches, choreographers, partners, musicians, dancers, stage crew, and audiences, who have guided and supported me as I traversed this path for the past few decades. It has been an honor to share the studio and the stage with all of them.”

Photos: Sharon Wehner and Koichi Kubo in Leaves are Fading by David Andrews; Sharon Wehner in A Little Love by Terry Shapiro; Sharon Wehner as Kitri in Don Quixote by David Andrews; Sharon Wehner and Dmitry Trubchanov in Feast of the Gods by Sue Daniel.

Colorado Ballet 21

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Colorado Ballet 29

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Misty Copeland at the 2017 Festival. Photo by Erin Baiano Colorado Ballet 31

STAFF DIRECTORY ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Gil Boggs

DEVELOPMENT

Director of Development Adam Sexton Associate Director of Development Denae Duesler Senior Development Officer Allie Coppeak

Academy Business Manager Elisabeth Link Academy Administrator Sarah Paul Academy Wardrobe Manager Jennifer Aiken

Public Relations and Marketing Manager Rachel Perez

Academy Faculty Dana Benton Anna Bridge Andy Clements Simon Costello Jennifer DePalo-Peterson Nick DiBattista Francisco Estevez Aria Faddis Cynthia Gottlob Jennifer Grahnquist Bailey Harper Page Jenkins Tracy Jones Maria Mosina Roberto Munoz Diane Page Carolina Pahde Jayne Persch Whitney Popp Heather Prokhnitski Viki Psihoyos Erika Sandre Jamie Schuler Robert Sher-Machherndl Jeremy Studinski Kevin Gaël Thomas Igor Vassine Sharon Wehner John Williams, “Mr. Tap” Lisa Wolf

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32 Colorado Ballet

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