PeggyTulle

Maybe this is a dicey question, but what is the rhyme/reason to being promoted from soloist to principal? I was thrilled that Sasha got promoted, although right after Nutcracker when she and all of the other soloists were dancing the same lead roles seemed a little odd. Seeing the Elizabeth casting, now I wonder why Lauren Strongin hasn't been promoted. She stepped in for Mathilde in the initial programs, and seems to dance similar "important" roles to Sasha. Any thoughts? Am I missing something re: ballet politics?

I think casting is posted at a minimum 3 days prior to performance date (per union agreement).

Casting for the upcoming gala is posted: 2017 Opening Night Gala FORAGERS Choreography: Myles Thatcher Music: Franz Liszt Pianist: Natalya Feygina Natasha Sheehan, Angelo Greco SF Ballet Premiere Pas de deux from PROMENADE SENTIMENTALE Choreography: Liam Scarlett Music: Claude Debussy Conductor: Martin West Lorena Feijóo*, Wei Wang* Pas de trois from AGON Choreography: George Balanchine Music: Igor Stravinsky Conductor: Martin West Dores André, Jaime Garcia Castilla*, Sasha De Sola VALSES POETICOS Choreography: Helgi Tomasson Music: Enrique Granados Piano: Ronny Michael Greenberg Mathilde Froustey*, Carlo Di Lanno* World Premiere PRESENTCE Choreography: Trey McIntyre Music: Barbara Lewis, Of Montreal, The Zombies Sarah Van Patten*, Luke Ingham* Pas de deux from FLAMES OF PARIS Choreography: Vassili Vainonen Music: Boris Assafiev Conductor: Martin West Vanessa Zahorian*, Taras Domitro INTERMISSION World Premiere THE CHAIRMAN DANCES Choreography: Benjamin Millepied Music: John Adams Conductor: Martin West Maria Kochetkova*, Carlo Di Lanno* & Ensemble "PURPLE" from TERRA FIRMA Choreography: James Kudelka Music: Michael Torke Conductor: Martin West Frances Chung*, Vitor Luiz* "BOOGIE WOOGIE BUGLE BOY (OF COMPANY B)" from COMPANY B Choreography: Paul Taylor Music: The Andrews Sisters Joseph Walsh Pas de deux from LA CATHEDRALE ENGLOUTIE Choreography: Stanton Welch Music: Claude Debussy Pianist: Natalya Feygina Yuan Yuan Tan, Aaron Robison* Finale from DIAMONDS Choreography: George Balanchine Music: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky Conductor: Martin West Sofiane Sylve, Tiit Helimets

Megan Amanda Ehrlich is back with the company.

I'm shocked by this, mainly by Vanessa's retirement. Of all the principal ladies, there were at least two others I thought would retire first. Glad that we have gotten some notice and can enjoy this season ahead of her departure.

Whoopie for Sasha! Lovely news.

Great questions. I'm also curious about when the competition takes place. From the looks of things, t doesn't happen every year, but the previous competition was held just last year. Is it up to the discretion of the ADs?

Wow! Congrats to the winners.

Anyone going to see the new "Giselle"? Madison Keesler is dancing the lead role; as a fan of her's when she was at SFB, I'd love to hear reports if anyone catches her!

In a recent article, Dusty Button says she and her husband are relocating to California soon and she's going to open a studio. A frequent follower of hers on Instagram, this doesn't surprise me too much. She seems to really enjoy teaching and choreographing (and modeling with giant trucks and sports cars). Wonder how soon is "soon".

Agree to an extent, but she didn't stay at SFBS long. IIRC, she left for Master Ballet Academy (where her mom is now teaching) and Instagram. Perhaps Instagram should start its own ballet company...

From her Instagram, it looks like she is traveling in SE Asia, doing guest stints and some meet-and-greets. She's also selling off her old tutus on EBay.

I thought that was Ellen Hummel...?

Looks like the roster has been updated. http://www.bostonballet.org/company/dancers/dancers.html

Congrats to Joy on her silver at Varna! https://www.facebook.com/444071619046404/photos/pcb.990810121039215/990809911039236/?type=3&theater

And the two videos they have posted sadly make me cringe.

That's quite a shift in style and name recognition. Does it seem odd that the co-founders and faculty star in their own student performance?

Grace Choi is now with Tulsa Ballet II.

Thanks, all, on your thoughts on Kochetkova. Very interesting and full of insights.

Curious about the lack of interest (and what seems to be almost apathy from those on this board) in Kochetkova. She seems to be a main draw in SF, so why not at ABT? Is it her technique? Her lack of height? Her "hipsterness"?

I thought this has been in effect since his "retirement". His bio says he's had this position since 2014.

Lorena hasn't danced much the past few seasons, has she? I feel like she's another one, like Jaime, that we rarely see anymore.

@JumpFrog: From SFB's twitter feed.

Yes, I don't think I've seen Garcia Castilla perform in quite a long time. Anthony Vincent also seems to be a rarity, but he was a regular partner for Sarah Van Patten, who has been on maternity leave. Curious about other apprentices, especially Sebastião; he was a lovely dancer. Grace Shibley, too, was always a standout.

Grace Shibley is not on the updated dancer list.