Program Seven — Inspirations

Margaret Barbieri ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

On behalf of myself and everyone at The Sarasota Ballet, I am excited to welcome you to our final performance of the Season. Program Seven – Inspirations brings all the elements of ballet together in an incredible combination of varied styles, intricate technique, and emotional movement to create truly exquisite artistry.

We open Program Seven with The American by Christopher Wheeldon. This ballet is very special to me, and it has been a joy staging it once again. I recognized Christopher’s talent and keen sense of choreography very early on in his career, and I was thrilled to give him his first professional commission. It’s wonderful to see how the creative cycle comes full circle, as now we at The Sarasota Ballet are honored to feature his work again in our repertoire.

The next ballet is the Company Premiere of Lyric Pieces by Jessica Lang, Virginia B. Toulmin & Muriel O’Neil Artist in Residence of The Sarasota Ballet. The dancers and our entire creative team love working with Jessica and to witness her interaction with our talented Company in staging this piece was a sure delight. The artistic synergy is palpable when Jessica is leading the rehearsal, and the dancers intuitively respond to her direction, which will result in magic on the stage.

The performance finishes with Sir Frederick Ashton’s Sinfonietta. The ballet eloquently expresses Sir Malcolm Williamson’s music. The first and third movements are vibrant and fiendishly fun, and present a stark contrast to the second movement, Elegy, a reflective lament with its somber, deeply felt emotion. Leaving dancers and the audience both breathless by its culminating scene, this particular Ashton work is the perfect way to close out the 2023 – 2024 Season.

Thank you for joining us in the theatre again, and I hope you will enjoy this performance. I look forward to seeing you back in the fall for another incredible Season with The Sarasota Ballet. We enormously appreciate your continued support of this extraordinary art form and our Company.

Program 7 | April 26 - 27, 2024

Accompanied by Live Music

Christopher Wheeldon’s The American

Jessica Lang’s Lyric Pieces

Sir Frederick Ashton’s Sinfonietta

Jessica Lang, Artist in Residence, is made possible through the generous support of the Muriel O’Neil Fund for the Performing Arts of Community Foundation of Sarasota County and Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.

Program Sponsor

Media Sponsor

This program is funded, in part, by Sarasota County Tourist Development Revenues.

Performance Sponsors

The American

Lyric Pieces

Dr. Amy L. Harding

In

Co-Sponsors

The American Lyric Pieces Sinfonietta Sinfonietta

Wally Kraemer and Joan Lovell

Susan and Charles Wilson

Dorothy O’Brien and Richard Antoine

Jared Winters

Joan Mathews

Elaine Keating

In Loving Memory of Dr. Sidney Katz

Marilynn Petrillo

In Loving Memory of Marsha Johnson

Peter B. Miller and Dr. Martha Harrison

Kim Lombardo

Loving Memory of Phil Lombardo

Karol Foss

THE SARASOTA BALLET

Assistant Director

Margaret Barbieri Director

Iain Webb

Principals

Executive Director

Joseph Volpe

Jessica Assef, Marijana Dominis, Macarena Gimenez, Ricardo Graziano, Jennifer Hackbarth, Maximiliano Iglesias, Ricardo Rhodes, Luke Schaufuss

Ricki Bertoni Character Principal

First Soloists

Anna Pellegrino, Daniel Pratt Soloists

Evan Gorbell, Yuki Nonaka, Lauren Ostrander, Ivan Spitale

Coryphée

Sierra Abelardo, Willa Frantz, Sammuel Gest, Dominique Jenkins, Emelia Perkins, Paige Young

Corps de Ballet

Isabella Benton, Cooper Blankenburg, Kennedy Falyn Cassada, Mihai Costache, Olivia Dugan, Israel Ellis, Joshua Fickling, Josh Fisk, Javier Gutierrez Cuervo, Mark Hare, Lucia Hartvig, Andrea Marcelletti, Jordan Micallef, Alessandra Nova, Bel Pickering, Gabriella Schultze, Samantha Stillwell, Juliano Weber

Apprentices

Joseph Boswell, Anna Victoria Camacho, Savannah Campbell, Nina Reis, Hailey Stinchcomb, Jessica Templeton, Emmanuelle Watkins

Studio Company

Tricia Carmody, Haley Dale, Wyatt Dodd, Stephanie Drenckhahn, Joe Huberty, Ella Lau, Riley Putnal, Trevin Ralphs, Noah Rodenberger, Cameron Smith, Pearl Smith, Tia Wenkman

Company Staff

Michelle Butler

Jason W. Ettore

Maya Collins

Amy Wensley

Bradley Shoemaker-Webster

Jeanne Leo

Heyckal Taveras

Christian Cudnik

Rod Kelly

Leslie Van Brink

Barbara Epperson

John Johnson

Victoria Hulland

Roman Rykine

Jessica Lang

Ethan Vail Brienne Cooper

Diana Childs

Zara Baroyan

Christopher Hird

Dierdre Miles Burger

Jennifer Welch Cudnik

Bradley Shoemaker-Webster

Kelly Sullivan

Doricha Sales

Senior Director of Philanthropy General Manager

Senior Development Officer

Senior Development Associate Development Associate

Marketing Director

Graphic Designer

Digital Media Producer

Box Office & House Manager

Company Manager

Executive Assistant

IT Consultant

Artistic Assistant to the Directors Ballet Master Artist in Residence

Artistic Staff

Production Staff

Production Manager & Resident Lighting Designer

Wardrobe Assistant

Stage Manager

Class Pianist

Education Director

Assistant Education Director

Education Staff

Principal of The Sarasota Ballet School

Education Administrative Manager School Administrator

Kristie Cox

Doricha Sales

Sara Kious

Katherine Knowles

Kelsey Simpson

Mikenna Bowers

Bryan Lewis

Amy Miller

William Ingramm

Octavio Martin

Ricardo Graziano

Pavel Fomin

Jerry Wolf

Glen Edwards

Doug Nicholson

Carl Haan

Ashley Baszto

Alberto Blanco

Risa Kaplowitz

Addul Manzano

Community Engagement Directors and Administration

Finance & HR Director

Development Officer

Special Event Coordinator

Grants Manager

Marketing & Design Specialist

Marketing Coordinator

Box Office Associate

Finance / Office Manager

Tessitura Database Administrator

Ballet Master

Resident Choreographer

Company Teacher

Head of Wardrobe

Facilities Coordinator

Production Consultant

Class Pianist

Faculty

Faculty Faculty Faculty

Community Engagement Program Director Program Facilitator, Dance - The Next Generation

Sabrina Ortiz

JEAN WEILLER IN LOVING MEMORY OF

For many years, Jean has been a guiding board member, a stalwart donor, a loyal audience member, and a cherished friend. The legacy of philanthropy she leaves behind will impact numerous organizations for years to come, but we here at The Sarasota Ballet will always remember her glowing smile, keen humor, and caring words.

We will miss you, dear Jean, and we will hold close the fond memories we have of you in our hearts.

Joe, Iain, and Margaret

The American

The impact of America upon the great Czech composer Antonin Dvořák (1841-1904) is best shown in his famous New World Symphony , written during his three-year sojourn in the United States. Perhaps less well-known was the inspiration Dvořák felt from the natural beauty and tranquility of the great Midwestern plains.

In the Midwest, Dvořák found a striking contrast from the vitality and clamor of America’s new cities, New York and Chicago, where he was living and working. This was of special importance to the composer, who was fervently seeking an equivalent to his own creative sources in Bohemian folk music.

Dvořák responded to the great prairies with his String Quartet “The American” in F major , in which he paid special tribute to the birdsong he recalled hearing. This can be heard clearly at key moments in the score, which is notably serene, peaceful, and pastoral in mood. One can sense the delight of a successful international artist who passed most of his life in Prague, but who had grown up in a small Bohemian village, responding to the idyllic peace and natural beauty of America.

Christopher Wheeldon, another European in America, has in turn responded to these feelings, by setting his ballet to the allegro, lento, and final vivace movements from Dvořák’s Quartet . The sense of space, tranquility, the great plains, and the open sky, have inspired Composer and Choreographer alike.

Christopher Wheeldon CHOREOGRAPHER

Christopher Wheeldon trained at The Royal Ballet School, joining The Royal Ballet in 1991, then the New York City Ballet in 1993. His first professional commission was from Margaret Barbieri for Images of Dance. He created his first work for NYCB, Slavonic Dances (1997), followed by Polyphonia (2001, winner of a London Critics’ Circle Award and the Olivier Award for Best New Dance Production), and The Nightingale and the Rose (2007).

Early works included A Midsummer Night’s Dream for Colorado Ballet, Sea Pictures for San Francisco Ballet, and The Four Seasons for Boston Ballet. In 2004, Wheeldon created his version of Tchaikovsky’s classic Swan Lake on Pennsylvania Ballet. In 1991, Wheeldon choreographed the Marvin Hamlisch‘s Broadway musical Sweet Smell of Success . In 2006 he launched his own company, Morphoses, based out of New York City Center and London’s Sadler’s Wells. His ballets were greeted rapturously by audiences and critics. Wheeldon ended his tenure as NYCB Resident Choreographer in 2008. Wheeldon premiered his highly-anticipated An American in Paris at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris in December 2014 and, following its success, immediately moved to Broadway, where he won the Tony Award for Best Choreography in 2015.

For The Royal Ballet, Wheeldon created Souvenir (Tchaikovsky) and Pavane pour une infant défunte (Ravel) in 1996, and There Where She Loved (Chopin and Kurt Weill) in 2000. Wheeldon premiered at Covent Garden in 2011 a full-length ballet, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland , becoming the first full-length ballet created at The Royal Ballet in over 20 years, followed by his second full-length ballet for the company, The Winter’s Tale .

Margaret Barbieri RÉPÉTITEUR

Having spent 20 years as a Principal Dancer with The Royal Ballet, Margaret Barbieri’s wealth of knowledge and experience has enabled her to give back to the dance community through her years as a teacher and Répétiteur.

During the last seven years, Barbieri has staged productions for The Sarasota Ballet by some of the most important names in ballet, including Ashton, de Valois, Wright, and Fokine. In addition to staging ballets for the Company, Barbieri is also Assistant Director. Her other staging credits include Iñaki Urlezaga Company (Argentina), K-Ballet (Japan), Oregon Ballet Theatre, Scottish Ballet, and Tbilisi Ballet Theatre.

Lyric Pieces

Lyric Pieces was originally commissioned and premiered by Birmingham Royal Ballet in 2012, under the Artistic Direction of Sir David Bintley. The ballet is set to 10 movements from Norwegian Composer Edvard Grieg’s solo piano piece of the same name. Drawing inspiration from the characteristics of each musical theme, this ballet quite literally unfolds into collections of scenes that charms viewers with its poetic sophistication and delightful wit. Praised by critics for her “exceptional stage imagination” (The Guardian, UK), Lang cleverly incorporates concertinaed paper as her set design, created by molo, a Vancouver-based design company led by Stephanie Forsythe and Todd McAlister. In Lyric Pieces , Lang creates an organic relationship between choreography and set to build new landscapes that suit the musical effect of each piano piece. Lyric Pieces received a 2012 Manchester Theatre Award nomination for Dance.

Jessica Lang CHOREOGRAPHER

Jessica Lang is an American Director and Choreographer based in NYC. Since 1999, Lang has created more than 100 original works on companies worldwide including American Ballet Theatre, Alvin Ailey, American Dance Theater, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet, the National Ballet of Japan, The Joffrey Ballet, and her eponymous company Jessica Lang Dance.

For over two decades, Lang has worked extensively for American Ballet Theatre. Her creations on the main company include Her Notes, Garden Blue, and ZigZag with the legendary Tony Bennett, as well as Let Me Sing Forevermore which was featured on the ABT Across America nationwide tour and Celebrity Cruise entertainment programs. Lang has created seven ballets on ABT Studio Company, was part of the founding faculty of the JKO School, and is a teaching artist and mentor for the company’s educational programs.

For opera, Lang directed and choreographed Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater at Glimmerglass Opera Festival that was presented at Lincoln Center’s White Light Festival in 2017. She choreographed San Francisco Opera’s 2016 production of Aida that was presented at Washington National Opera, Seattle Opera, and LA Opera. Additional commissions include creations for the Kennedy Center with the NSO, The Harris Theater, and Chicago Architecture Biennial, the Dallas Museum of Art, and the Guggenheim Museum. For fashion, Lang was the movement advisor for Carolina Herrera’s Pre-Fall 2022 collection.

Lang was Artistic Director of Jessica Lang Dance from 2011-2019. The company toured to over 85 cities presented by major venues including Lincoln Center, LA Music Center, The Harris Theater, NY City Center, Tel Aviv Opera House, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, BAM Fisher, and Helikon Opera.

Lang, a graduate of The Juilliard School under the direction of Benjamin Harkarvy, is a former member of Twyla Tharp’s company, THARP!. She is the recipient of a 2018 Martha Hill Mid-Career Award, 2017 Arison Award, and 2014 Bessie Award. She has been a fellow of NY City Center and NYU’s Center for Ballet and the Arts, and named 2019 Caroline Hearst Choreographer-inResidence at Princeton University.

Virginia B. Toulmin & Muriel O’Neil Artist in Residence

The Sarasota Ballet would like to express our sincere appreciation to the Muriel O’Neil Fund For the Performing Arts of Community Foundation of Sarasota County and Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation for their funding of Jessica Lang as our Artist in Residence for three years. We are so very grateful for their support in helping to make Lyric Pieces part of this wonderful program.

Birmingham Royal Ballet in Jessica Lang's Lyric Pieces | Photo by Roy Smiljanic

Sinfonietta

Not to be confused with Jiří Kylián’s later ballet to Janáček’s music with the same title, Sir Frederick Ashton’s Sinfonietta is a late work, created specially for dancers of The Royal Ballet’s Touring Company, including Doreen Wells and the late David Wall. As with Monotones, another 1960s abstract ballet of Ashton’s maturity, Sinfonietta reveals the Choreographer’s connection with the zeitgeist and consequent ability to surprise or innovate when least expected. For its décor, the original production offered moving projections by the Hornsey College of Art, echoing the colors of Peter Rice’s costumes. In 1967, that might have been expected of a Judson Church contemporary dance work, not a classical ballet! Revivals since 1981 have abandoned the projected “set” in favor of a static design by Peter Rice.

Ashton’s musicality is also revealed in the plotless ballet, following closely the structure of Sir Malcolm Williamson’s specially commissioned orchestral score in three movements. The first movement is a Toccata (from the Italian toccare, to touch), a rapid, virtuoso musical item, traditionally for keyboard or plucked string instrument, to showcase deft finger work, often with fugal patterns. The second movement Elegy, (traditionally a reflective lament) includes a fine adagio for the female soloist and a group of male partners, establishing a more somber deeply-felt emotion. The ballet concludes with the third movement Tarantella, for the full company of dancers. The tarantella, a staple of the classic ballet vocabulary, is a spirited Southern Italian folk dance, usually for loosely-embraced couples, whose name is said to be derived from the frenzy resulting from the bite of the poisonous tarantula spider!

Sir Frederick Ashton CHOREOGRAPHER

Born in Ecuador in 1904, Sir Frederick Ashton's remarkable dance journey began in 1917 after witnessing Anna Pavlova perform. He later honed his skills in London under Léonide Massine and Dame Marie Rambert while briefly dancing with Ida Rubinstein's company (1928-1929).

In 1935, Dame Ninette de Valois invited Ashton to join the Vic-Wells Ballet, which would ultimately become The Royal Ballet. His choreographic talent flourished, contributing to various genres, from revues and musicals to opera and film. During World War II, he served in the RAF before creating groundbreaking works like Symphonic Variations in 1946, revitalizing English ballet with classicism and modernity.

Over the next two decades, Ashton's legacy expanded with iconic ballets for exceptional dancers, including Cinderella (1948), Romeo and Juliet (1955), and The Dream (1964). Appointed Associate Director of The Royal Ballet in 1952 and later its Director from 1963 to 1970, he oversaw the company's remarkable ascent.

Knighted in 1962, Ashton's enduring contributions reflect versatility, lyrical sensibility, and historical reconstruction. Celebrated as the founder of the English classical ballet style, his legacy lives on through timeless ballets that continue to captivate audiences worldwide. Passing in 1988, Ashton left an indelible mark on the world of ballet.

Margaret Barbieri RÉPÉTITEUR

Having spent 20 years as a Principal Dancer with The Royal Ballet, Margaret Barbieri’s wealth of knowledge and experience has enabled her to give back to the dance community through her years as a teacher and Répétiteur.

During the last seven years, Barbieri has staged productions for The Sarasota Ballet by some of the most important names in ballet, including Ashton, de Valois, Wright, and Fokine. In addition to staging ballets for the Company, Barbieri is also Assistant Director. Her other staging credits include Iñaki Urlezaga Company (Argentina), K-Ballet (Japan), Oregon Ballet Theatre, Scottish Ballet, and Tbilisi Ballet Theatre.

THE AMERICAN

Choreography by Christopher Wheeldon

Music by Antonin Dvořák

Staged by Margaret Barbieri

Lighting Recreated by Ethan Vail

String Quartet: Sean O'Neil, Yordan Tenev, Paul Reynolds, and Nadine Trudel

First Performed by Carolina Ballet 2001

First Performed by The Sarasota Ballet December 3, 2010

Macarena Gimenez

Jessica Assef

Jennifer Hackbarth

Lauren Ostrander

Kennedy Falyn Cassada

Bel Pickering

Ricardo Graziano

Maximilliano Iglesias

Daniel Pratt

Ivan Spitale

Evan Gorbell

Joshua Fickling

Friday Evening and Saturday Evening

LYRIC PIECES

Choreography by Jessica Lang

Music by Edvard Grieg

Costume Design by Elena Comendador

Original Lighting Design by Nicole Pearce

Set Concept by Jessica Lang

Lighting Recreated by Ethan Vail

Black Paper Softwall Designs by Molo Designers, Stephanie Forsythe, and Todd MacAllen

Solo Pianist: Jared Oaks

First Performed by Birmingham Royal Ballet May 3, 2012

First Performed by The Sarasota Ballet April 26, 2024

Kennedy Falyn Cassada

Dominique Jenkins

ARIETTA

Mihai Costache

Yuki Nonaka Marijana Dominis Emelia Perkins

ELVES’ DANCE

Maximilliano Iglesias

Daniel Pratt

Kennedy Falyn Cassada Yuki Nonaka Emelia Perkins

PEASANT’S SONG NORWEGIAN MELODY

Dominique Jenkins Maximilliano Iglesias and Yuki Nonaka

NORWEGIAN DANCE

Mihai Costache, Maximilliano Iglesias, Yuki Nonaka, and Daniel Pratt

THE BROOK

Kennedy Falyn Cassada, Marijana Dominis, Dominique Jenkins, and Emelia Perkins

IN BALLAD STYLE

Daniel Pratt with Ensemble Emelia Perkins with Kennedy Falyn Cassada, Mihai Costache, Dominique Jenkins, and Yuki Nonaka

MARCH OF THE TROLLS PHANTOM

Marijana Dominis and Maximilliano Iglesias

REMEMBRANCES

Ensemble

Jessica Lang, Artist in Residence, is made possible through the generous support of the Muriel O’Neil Fund for the Performing Arts of Community Foundation of Sarasota County and Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.

SINFONIETTA

Choreography by Sir Frederick Ashton

Music by Sir Malcolm Williamson

Costume Design after Peter Rice

Revival Staged by Lynn Wallis Staged by Margaret Barbieri

First Performed by The Royal Ballet Feb 10, 1967

First Performed by The Sarasota Ballet January 31, 2014

1st Movement - Toccata

Sierra Abelardo Evan Gorbell Marijana Dominis Samuel Gest

Joshua Fickling

2nd Movement - Elegy

Jennifer Hackbarth

Ivan Spitale

Sierra Abelardo

Kennedy Falyn Cassada

Andrea Marcelletti

Ricardo Rhodes

Israel Ellis

3rd Movement - Tarantella

Ricardo Rhodes

Evan Gorbell

Emelia Perkins

Yuki Nonaka

Savannah Campbell

Josh Fisk

Marijana Dominis

Dominique Jenkins

Jordan Micallef

Bel Pickering

Mihai Costache

Daniel Pratt

Samuel Gest

Gabriella Schultz

Mark Hare

THE AMERICAN

Choreography by Christopher Wheeldon

Music by Antonin Dvořák

Staged by Margaret Barbieri

Lighting Recreated by Ethan Vail

String Quartet: Sean O'Neil, Yordan Tenev, Paul Reynolds, and Nadine Trudel

First Performed by Carolina Ballet 2001

First Performed by The Sarasota Ballet December 3, 2010

Jessica Assef

Dominque Jenkins

Sierra Abelardo

Willa Frantz

Gabriella Schultze

Marijana Dominis

Ricardo Rhodes

Ricki Bertoni

Mihai Costache

Juliano Weber

Yuki Nonaka

Josh Fisk

Saturday Matinee

LYRIC PIECES

Choreography by Jessica Lang

Music by Edvard Grieg

Costume Design by Elena Comendador

Original Lighting Design by Nicole Pearce

Set Concept by Jessica Lang

Lighting Recreated by Ethan Vail

Black Paper Softwall Designs by Molo Designers, Stephanie Forsythe, and Todd MacAllen

Solo Pianist: Jared Oaks

First Performed by Birmingham Royal Ballet May 3, 2012

First Performed by The Sarasota Ballet April 26, 2024

ARIETTA

Sierra Abelardo

Jennifer Hackbarth

Kennedy Falyn Cassada

Jordan Micallef

Sierra Abelardo

Israel Ellis

Bel Pickering

ELVES’ DANCE

Kennedy Falyn Cassada

Evan Gorbell

Ivan Spitale

Israel Ellis

PEASANT’S SONG NORWEGIAN MELODY

Bel Pickering

Israel Ellis and Ivan Spitale

NORWEGIAN DANCE

Israel Ellis, Evan Gorbell, Jordan Micallef, and Ivan Spitale

THE BROOK

Sierra Abelardo, Kennedy Falyn Cassada, Jennifer Hackbarth, and Bel Pickering

IN BALLAD STYLE

Evan Gorbell with Ensemble

Sierra Abelardo with

Kennedy Falyn Cassada

Israel Ellis

MARCH OF THE TROLLS PHANTOM

Bel Pickering Jordan Micallef

Jennifer Hackbarth and Ivan Spitale

REMEMBRANCES

Ensemble

Jessica Lang, Artist in Residence, is made possible through the generous support of the Muriel O’Neil Fund for the Performing Arts of Community Foundation of Sarasota County and Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.

SINFONIETTA Saturday Matinee

Choreography by Sir Frederick Ashton

Music by Sir Malcolm Williamson

Costume Design after Peter Rice

Revival Staged by Lynn Wallis Staged by Margaret Barbieri

First Performed by The Royal Ballet Feb 10, 1967

First Performed by The Sarasota Ballet January 31, 2014

1st Movement - Toccata

Sierra Abelardo Evan Gorbell Marijana Dominis Samuel Gest

Joshua Fickling

2nd Movement - Elegy

Jennifer Hackbarth

Ivan Spitale

Sierra Abelardo

Kennedy Falyn Cassada

Andrea Marcelletti

Ricardo Rhodes

Israel Ellis

3rd Movement - Tarantella

Ricardo Rhodes

Evan Gorbell

Emelia Perkins

Javier Gutierrez Cuervo

Savannah Campbell

Josh Fisk

Marijana Dominis

Dominique Jenkins

Jordan Micallef

Bel Pickering

Mihai Costache

Daniel Pratt

Samuel Gest

Gabriella Schultze

Mark Hare

Musicians

Jared Oaks, Piano

Jared received his bachelor’s degree in piano performance from Brigham Young University. He was hired by Ballet West while still working toward his master’s degree in choral conducting, which he received in 2009. Jared has conducted at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Chicago’s Auditorium Theatre, the Wortham Theater in Houston, and the Northrop Auditorium in Minneapolis, among others. In addition to his busy conducting schedule, Jared is a sought-after ballet and collaborative pianist. Jared is also an active composer, and his first ballet, In Memoriam, premiered in 2016 at Ballet West. Jared is a fellow of the AmericanScandinavian Foundation and co-founder of the music publication and research nonprofit, Composer Discovery Initiative.

Sean O'Neil, Violin

Sean O’Neil is a member of the Sarasota Orchestra’s violin section and was Concertmaster of the Venice Symphony from 2013 to 2015 and 1st violin of the Venice Symphony String Quartet. Sean performs regularly with The Florida Orchestra, the Naples Philharmonic, and most of the area's professional musical organizations.

Yordan Tenev, Violin

Yordan Tenev enjoys a diverse career, playing for orchestras across several states, as well as teaching violin and viola for more than ten years. He holds a Master of Music degree in Violin Performance from Lynn University Conservatory of Music.

Paul Reynolds, Violin

Paul Reynolds has served as principal violist with the Sarasota Opera, the National Chamber Orchestra (Washington, D.C.), and the New World Symphony, where he also performed as soloist. He received his Bachelors Degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music and his Masters Degree from Rice University.

Nadine Trudel, Cello

Nadine Trudel is principal cellist of the Sarasota Opera and a member of the Sarasota Orchestra, and regularly performs with the Sarasota Piano Trio and the cello/bass ensemble Duo NONA. Nadine received her D.E.S. Degree from Conservatoire de Musique de Montréal, and her Masters Degree from the University of Southern California.

Luminary Circle ($100,000+)

Our Special Angel

The Sarasota Ballet gratefully acknowledges the following individuals for their generous support for the performance, education, and community engagement programs of The Sarasota Ballet.

Jean Weidner Goldstein

In Loving Memory of Alfred Goldstein

Sydney Goldstein

Patricia Golemme and Timothy Fullum

Ernie Kretzmer

In Loving Memory of Alisa Kretzmer

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Jean Weiller

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In Loving Memory of Bert Schweigaard-Olsen

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Bob and Ginger Cannon Bailey

Isabel Anchin Becker

Wendy and Jim Cox

Bonnie and William Chapman

Linda Fiorelli

Alison Gardner and Jan Sirota

Sherry and Mike Guthrie

Dr. Amy L. Harding

Joe and Mary Kay Henson

Huisking Family Fund of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County

Richard S. Johnson

In Loving Memory of Marsha Johnson

Robin Klein-Strauss and Michael Strauss

Richard March

In Loving Memory of Helen March

Richard and Cornelia Matson

Claudia McCorkle and BEAU

Peter B. Miller and Dr. Martha Harrison

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In Loving Memory of Walter Maytham

Charmian and Earl Noel

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Stu and Gini Peltz

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Judy Rudges

In Loving Memory of Stan Katz

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In Loving Memory of Jerry Sellman

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Lois Stulberg

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Jared Winters

Patron Circle

($10,000-$14,999)

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Bruce Ensinger and Clark Denham

Laura Feder

Frances D. Fergusson and John Bradbury

Dedrea A. Greer

Ineza Hart

Cami and Brad Hunter

Elaine Keating

In Loving Memory of Dr. Sidney Katz

Waldron Kraemer and Joan Lovell

Michael Paul Landy

James Long and Barbara Fischer Long

Stephania and James McClennen

Marilynn Petrillo

In Loving Memory of Marsha Johnson

Rose Marie Proietti

Gail and Skip Sack

Nancy and Richard Sneed

In Loving Memory of Masayasu Tamatani

Marcia Jean Taub and Peter Swain

In Loving Memory of Ethel and Ron Taub

Sallie Carter Tyler

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Devotee Circle

($5,000-$9,999)

Peggy and Ken Abt

Margaret Barbieri

Maria Beck

David Beliles

In Loving Memory of Ruth Beliles & for Kate

Helga and Jerry Bilik

Travis and Kathy Brown

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Georgia Court

Robert Crandall and Barbara Bankoff

Syble DiGirolamo

Laurie Fitch

The Fletcher Family Charitable Foundation

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Ellen Goldman

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Marshall

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Anne Klisurich

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Jean Volpe

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In Loving Memory of Blair Wolfson

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In Loving Memory of Cary F. Yelin

Anonymous (3)

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Peggy and Ken Abt

Margaret Barbieri

Maria Beck

David Beliles

In Loving Memory of Ruth Beliles & for Kate

Helga and Jerry Bilik

Travis and Kathy Brown

Lois and Jim Champy

Margie and Kelvin Cooper

Georgia Court

Robert Crandall and Barbara Bankoff

Syble DiGirolamo

Laurie Fitch

The Fletcher Family Charitable Foundation

Hank and Melinda Foster

Herman and Sharon Frankel

Valerie Gill

Larry and Jennifer Goichman

Ellen Goldman

Jane C. Gould and Stephen W. Fillo

Marnie and Stephen Grossman

Gerald and Deborah Hamburg Family Foundation

Dr. Alastair Hunter-Henderson and Dr. Noralyn

Marshall

Ann and Robert Jackson

Merrill Kaegi

Anne Klisurich

Peter E. Kretzmer and Melody Genson

Lydia Landa

Peter G. and Patricia D. Laughlin

Carolou and Lou Marquet

John and Mary Ann Meyer

Carla and Michael Miller

Gloria Moss

Michael and E-Dee Murphy

Christine and Gregory Parseghian

Paige Petersen and Curtis Jordan

Cecil and Shirley Pickett

Peter and Joanne Powers

Melba Ramirez and James Matras

Amy Schachter

Gabriel and Valerie Schmergel

Rich and Clare Segall

Arthur Siciliano and B. Aline Blanchard

Libby and John Soderberg

In Honor of Emily Walsh

John and Rita Steele

Greg and Belle Stikeleather

Ed Town and Steve Rubin

Beth Uffner and Robert Goldfarb

Jean Volpe

Florence Wildner

Richard Wires

Fremajane Wolfson

In Loving Memory of Blair Wolfson

Charles O. Wood, III and Miriam M. Wood Foundation

Sheila and Merrill Wynne

Sora Yelin

In Loving Memory of Cary F. Yelin

Anonymous (3)

Silver Circle ($1,000-$2,499)

Janette Albrecht

Peggy C. Allen and Steve Dixon

Caroline C. Amory and Marjorie A. Floyd

Patricia Anderson

In Loving Memory of Richard AndersoI

Henry Anthony and Carol Geiger

Ronelle Ashby

Mairian and Gordon Beattie

Dr. and Mrs. Gus W. Bell

Jon and Kris Berg

Ellen Berman

Barbara Blumfield

Linda and Glen Bodzy

Ina and Carl Born

Barbara Brizdle

James W. Brooks

Duncan and Susan Brown

Diana Cable

Judy Cahn

In Loving Memory of Charles Cahn

Stephanie and Russell Campbell

Laura and Bill Carnes

Lynn Chancer

Barbara J. Chin

In Loving Memory of Joseph B. Chin

Stephanie and David Citron

Alan Cohen

In Loving Memory of Natalie Cohen

Stanley and Norma Cohen

Neal Colton and Sharon Prizant

Katie Couchot

Chris and Bruce Crawford

Terrence Cronin

David Darrin

Sona and David Degann

Norbert and Ann Winslow Donelly

Dan Denton

Murray V. Duffin

John and Patricia Dupps

Annette and Edward Eliasberg

Marge and Leon Ellin

Jonathan Elsner

Barbara and Bill Epperson

Ronald and Sharon Erickson

Annie Esformes

Shirley Fein

Steve and Wendy Fisk

Donald Fosselman

Michael and Jean Freed

Suzan Friedman

Barbara Vanderkolk Gardner

Alfred and Anne Garrett

Deborah Luigina Gasko

Dr. Donald and Mrs. Phoebe Giddon

Adela and Anthony Glover

Roz Goldberg

Pat and David Goldrich

Carol and James Gosart

Charles and Bonnie Granatir

Helen and John Habbert

Moira Hintsa

D'Anne Hurd and George Forsythe

Carol Hyde

Janet Hyman

Tamara Jacobs and David Epstein

Elizabeth M. Johnston Charitable Fund

Alison Jones

In Loving Memory of Thomas H.W. Jones

Anne E. Jones

Joseph and Teresa Kadow

Risa and Alan Kaplowitz

Richard Kemmler

Terri and Michael Klauber

Susie Klingeman

Ronald Kluck and Joan Volpe

Vivian Kouvant

Randi and Donald Kreis

Krugler Family Charitable Fund

Swanson and Kutner Family Fund

Dorothy Lawrence

Melvy Erman Lewis

Ron and Kathryn Lee

Judith Liersch

Holly and Jay Logan

Nancy and Edward Loke

Susan Luger

Guy and Maria Mandler

Dr. James and Nicholan Martin

Robert and Sharon McMillan

Margaret Melun and Lt. Col. Ky L. Thompson

Carolyn Michel

Catherine and C. David Moll

Michael and Michelle Morris

Sue and Doug Neumann

Howard and Barbara Noble, Jr.

Paula Norwood

Conrad and Lenée Owens

Susan M. Palmer

Jeffrey Peterson

Kathleen and John Polanowicz

Megan Powers

Anne F. Roberts

Sara and Benjamin Robinson

Susan L. Robinson

Susan Robinson

Wylie and Nancy Royce

Luise Scheier

Jeremy Schwimmer and Sarah Lyons

Nancy Shapiro

Susie Sharpe

Abby Sherry

In Loving Memory of Murray Sherry

Marion and Jeff Shields

Barbara B. and Jeffrey C. Shivers

Steven and Frances Siegler

Ira and Carole Singer

Jim Soley

Dawn Spencer

Noreene Storrie

Hadassah Strobel

In Loving Memory of Martin Strobel

Lance Stubbs

Paul Sykes

Diran and Virginia Tashian

Jacqueline and John Thompson

Michael Thompson

Carol Hefren Tillotson

James Triant

Charlotte Stewart and Carl Troiano

Anna Maria Troiano

Wendy and Chad Weiss

Candyce and Peter Widness

Florence Wildner

Terry Wohl

Ron and Geri Yonover

Marsha Zapson

Anonymous (2)

Paul Sykes

Diran and Virginia Tashian

Jacqueline and John Thompson

Michael Thompson

James Triant

Charlotte Stewart and Carl Troiano

Anna Maria Troiano

Wendy and Chad Weiss

Candyce and Peter Widness

Terry Wohl

Ron and Geri Yonover

Marsha Zapson

Anonymous (2)

Enthusiasts ($500-$999)

Kyuran Ann Choe-Albano, MD

William Anderson and Gary Satterfield

Begay Atkinson

Billie Baren

Joan W Bauerlein

Lenore Shapiro and Glen Behrendt

Marc Behrendt

Barbara Blackburn

Jan and Simon Braun

Beverly and Michael Budin

Cynthia Edstrom Byce

Elizabeth Catanzano

Michelle and Joseph Caulkins

Naomi and Saul Cohen

Nicole Converse

Patricia Corson and Martin Goldstein

Kristie Cox

Dr. and Mrs. Robert E. Crootof Charitable Foundation

Linda and Dick Dickinson

Barbara Dingman

Sandy Fink

Cherie and Jeff Finn

Barbara Fisk

Elaine Foster

Donald Friedman

Ron and Gretchen Fry

Martha and Thomas Galek

Hermione Gilpin

Bonnie and David Goldmann

Marjorie and Bruce Goldstein

Brenda Griffiths and Richard Reston

John Andrew Hamilton and Michael Petersen

Beverly A. Harms

John and Nancy Harris

Elizabeth Hazeltine

In Loving Memory of Gladys A. Hazeltine

Dr. Audrey Heimler

Bob Hemingway

James W. and Mary R. Heslin

Dr. Terry Hynes

Sue Jacobson

Barbara and Russell Jones

Marvin Kadesh and Marie Monsky

Deborah Kalb

Ronald and Rita Karns

Jerry Kauff

Valda Kaye

Bruce and Barbara Keltz

Robert Kloss

Donna Koffman

Norma and James Koppel

Carla and TK Kortendick

Judith and Ike Koziol

Sara LeFloch

Dr. Bart and Joan Levenson

Horace and Lorrie Liang

Evie and Allen Lichter

Peggy Lichter and David DiDomenico

John Lindsey

Sheila Worthington Lirtzman

Judy Love

Sheri Lublin

Meg Maguire

Julius and Kay Marcus

Barbara and Stephen Mason

Peter and Teresa Masterson

Lynn Marie McBrier

Melissa McCoy

Lee McLernon

Bonnie McIntyre

Tom Metz

Nancy Milbauer In Memory of Alan Milbauer

Don Millen

Dean and Patty Miller

Sandra Miranda

Betsy Mitchell

Leone Modestino

Linda Kiechlin Mohanty

Pamela and John Mousseau

Suzan Nahas

Eric and Mafalda Neikrug

Wiley and Fran Osborn

Douglas Owen and Suzanne Grant

Lee and Jan Peakes

Thomas and Christine Perkins

Lynne Pettigrew and Jay Plager

Julie Planck and Charles Albers

Judith A. Posner

Elizabeth Reese

Barbara and Peter Rittner

Karen Roosen

Dr. Jack and Nancy Rozance

John Rufer

In Memory of Joan Lappin

Sidney and Marcia Rutberg

Lawrence V. Sage

Tobi Schneider

Rhona and Steven Schnoll

James and Kathleen Scholler

Marilyn and Ron Shapo

Jane Sheridan

Victoria Sterling

Joan Tatum

Dr. Martin Tucker

Mario Vasquez

Jason Volpe

Martha and Bill Wallace

Jayne Weiss

Renee and Tom West

Carol Williams

Dorothy P. Williams

Lynn and Alan Winslow

Elizabeth Wolfe

Jane Woods

Anonymous

Gifts are current as of April 17, 2024

London Sponsors

The Sarasota Ballet would like to thank and recognize the following Individuals and Foundations for their vital support of The Sarasota Ballet’s Touring Fund and the London 2024 International Tour.

JEAN ALLENBY GOLDSTEIN TOURING FUND

Platinum Sponsors

Sandra and Neil DeFeo

The Neil & Sandra Defeo Family Foundation

Jan and Bill Farber

Karol Foss

Harry Leopold and Audrey Robbins

Phil and Kim Lombardo

Frank and Katherine Martucci

Rick Mather David Scrase Foundation, Richard Jarman, Chairman

Gold Sponsors

Bob and Ginger Cannon Bailey

Friends of The Sarasota Ballet

Robin and Roy Grossman

Julie A. Harris

JoAnn Heffernan Heisen

Pat and Ann Kenny

Rosemary and Lou Oberndorf

Melliss Kenworthy Swenson

Sustainers

Jonathan Strickland Coleman and Rick Kerby

Fred and Lynda Doery

Richard S. Johnson

Joan Mathews

Tom and Maureen Steiner

PHILIP AND JANICE LEVIN FOUNDATION

William A. Farber, Trustee

Silver Sponsors

Maryann Armour

Shari and Steve Ashman

Bill and Bonnie Chapman

Jean Weidner Goldstein

Patricia Golemme and Timothy Fullum

Dedrea A. Greer

Dr. Amy L. Harding

Bill and Linda Mitchell

Mercedita OConnor

Susan and Charles Wilson Sponsors

Charlie Huisking

Peter E. Kretzmer and Melody Genson

Peter B. Miller and Dr. Martha Harrison

Stu and Gini Peltz

Supporters

Frances D. Fergusson and John Bradbury

Ellen Goldman

Gifts are current as of April 17, 2024

Upcoming Events

2024 GALA

April 28, 2024

NEW FULL SEASON SUBSCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE

April 29, 2024

IMAGES OF DANCE

April 30, 2024

THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE

May 11, 2024

Birmingham Royal Ballet in Jessica Lang's Lyric Pieces | Photo by Roy Smiljanic

Institutional Support

Public Support

$100,000+

Florida Department of State, Division of Arts & Culture

Sarasota County- Tourism Development Tax, Paid for in part by Sarasota County

Foundation Support

$100,000+

Phillip & Janice Levin Foundation, William A. Farber, Trustee

Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation

The Muriel O’Neill Fund For The Performing Arts – At the Community Foundation of Sarasota County

$50,00 - $99,999

Alfred & Ann Goldstein Foundation

Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation

Community Foundation of Sarasota County

Gulf Coast Community Foundation

The Shubert Foundation

$20,000 - $49,999

Bank of America Client Foundation

Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation

The Exchange

Lela D. Jackson Foundation for the Arts

$10,000 - $19,999

Charles Henry Leach II Fund At Dusquesne University

Cordelia Lee Beattie Foundation

$5,000 - $9,999

Jerome Robbins Foundation

Suncoast Credit Union

$1,000 - $4,999

Caplin Foundation

Fay A. Schweim Memorial Children’s Dance Fund

Gilbert Waters Charitable Fund

Joan Armour Mendell Foundation

Women’s Outreach Ministry, Church of the Redeemer

Publix Foundation

Corporate Support

$10,000 - $19,999

Assured Guaranty

Gold Coast Eagle Distributing

White Oaks Wealth Advisors

Williams Parker Attorneys at Law

$5,000 - $9,999

1st Source Bank

Fifth Third Bank

Innovative Dining

Michael’s on East

Peninsula Sarasota

Serbin print marketing & publishing

SoDanca

$1,000 - $4,999

Beneva Weddings

Concierge Medical Services

Cumberland Advisors

Eurotech Cabinetry

Freed of London

Gulf Coast Italian Culture Society

Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez & Walsh

Mariner Wealth Advisors

Morton’s Gourmet Market & Catering

Peninsula Sarasota

Sarasota Art Museum

Sarasota Bay Club

Sarasota Italian Cultural Events

Selva Grill

Additional Support Provided by 99 Bottles Taproom & Bottle Shop

All Faiths Food Bank

The Benevity Community Impact Fund

Coca-Cola Foundation

Cyber Grants

Designing Women Boutique and Estate Services

Florida State University

Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital

The Leda Freedman Foundation

The Parker Group, UBS Fiancial Services

Neuro-Challenge Foundation for Parkinson’s

PLANit Sarasota

The Society Inc. of Suncoast

US Tent

Visit Sarasota County

Our patrons are essential to ensuring the performance, education, and community engagement of The Sarasota Ballet continue to thrive. Annual contributions from individuals like you represent one of the most important sources of income for our organization.

to

your gift

To learn more about how your gift can make a difference, please contact Senior Development Officer, Maya Collins 941.359.0099 ext. 110 or mcollins@sarasotaballet.org.

THE SARASOTA BALLET BOARD OF TRUSTEES

2023 - 2024 Season

Board Chair

Board Vice Chair Treasurer Secretary

Immediate Past Chair

Sandra DeFeo

Peter B. Miller

Pat Kenny

Jonathan Strickland Coleman

Richard S. Johnson

Founder / Chair Emerita Chair Emerita

Honorary Trustees

Ginger Cannon Bailey

Isabel Anchin Becker

William E. Chapman, II

Lynda Doery

Bill Farber

Patricia A. Golemme

Robin Grossman

Julie A. Harris

JoAnn Heffernan Heisen

Phil Lombardo*

Frank Martucci

Jean Weidner Goldstein

Sydney Goldstein

Mark Famiglio

Dr. Bart Price

Linda Mitchell

Rosemary Oberndorf

Mercedita OConnor

Audrey Robbins

Jan Sirota

Hillary Steele

Maureen Steiner

Jean Weiller*

David Welle

Charles Wilson

ADVISORY COUNCIL

Jan Farber - Vice Chair

Maryann Armour

Laura A. Feder

Frances D. Fergusson

Marnie Grossman

Dr. Amy L. Harding

Charles Huisking

Robin Klein-Strauss

Peter E. Kretzmer

Karen Lichtig

Tina Lieberman

Richard March

Joan Mathews

Donna Maytham

Dr. Joel Morganroth

Gini Peltz

Kimberley Anne Pelyk

Marilynn Petrillo

Melba Ramirez

Richard Segall

Lois Stulberg

Marcia Jean Taub

Clara Reynardus de Villaneuva

* In Memoriam

The Friends of The Sarasota Ballet champion the Company throughout the region. Through their events and volunteer work, they act as the heart of The Sarasota Ballet community, forming close bonds through a mutual love of ballet.

ADVANTAGES OF BEING A FRIEND

• Contribute to the success of one of the most exciting ballet companies in America

• Share in The Sarasota Ballet’s growth and achievements

• Meet the Dancers, key staff members, and leadership of The Sarasota Ballet

• Deepen your understanding of the art form

• Build new relationships with those who are also love dance and arts enthusiasts

• Receive a monthly letter from the President of the Friends

• Receive invitations to special events

• Discover the inner workings of the Company through volunteer work

Share the Passion

We hope you will join our community of dance enthusiasts and become a Friend of The Sarasota Ballet. To learn more about the Friends of The Sarasota Ballet, events, or volunteer opportunities, please contact:

Membership Chair

Betty Ferguson at 917.885.4699 | bcamarest@yahoo.com

Volunteer Coordinator

Rosalyn Ehrenpreis at 941.400.1584 | rosalyn.ehrenpreis@gmail.com

Presents

Ashton Celebrated

JUNE 4

- 9,

2024 | ROYAL OPERA HOUSE, LONDON UK

PROGRAM 1 - JUNE 4, 5, 8

Valses nobles et sentimentales

Dante Sonata Sinfonietta

GALA PERFORMANCE - JUNE 8

Valses nobles et sentimentales

Varii Capricci Façade

PROGRAM 2 - JUNE 6, 7, 9

Valses nobles et sentimentales

Ashton Divertissements Façade