tango49

Carbo...If you go to www.wbcorlando.com and then to the left of the page press photo gallery you will find lots of photos of the competitors. Also in the Orlando Sentinel there is a review of the Gala afterwards with 2 nice pictures! www.orlandosentinel.com and then press in the search box 'ballet stars' and you'll get the review...sorry I couldn't make it easier. I attended the entire Senior round and some of the Juniors too. It was a great start for a competition that seems to be on its way up and running. It certainly was a success in my eyes from the many talented competitors to the impressive judges that were involved. Hopefully in the future WBC will shine more of a spotlight on Orlando as a cultural destination not only a sports minded city! The Gala was particularly impressive as far as Galas go with the variety of dance styles and guest artists. From Rasta Thomas and his contemporary pieces to Sasha Redetsky dancing Pas D'Esclave from Corsaire to all the competitors... it was just a wonderful evening of dance! Great job for a first year WBC Orlando!

Bart, I do see your many points on the odd way they presented this and I found it abit strange as well in many respects. I too love the concept and hope it will be improved upon for the readers sake in the future. I do appreciate your response ~Tango

I hope I'm posting this in the correct forum but it seemed appropriate here to the topic being discussed. I was just browsing on the Cincinnati Ballet site (www.cincinnatiballet.com) and happened to come across a new 'Webisode' and 'Podcast'. They are promoting the upcoming performances of Giselle. The Webisode actually has Victoria Morgan (AD) and two friends sitting at a table drinking wine and discussing the many emotions (love, revenge, forgiveness) that some of the characters in the ballet are dealing with and how these emotions relate to their own personal experiences. Perhaps this is a first for an AD (not sure) to appear on their own website in such an informal way promoting their company. I found it quite enjoyable and even entertaining! Also the Podcast has an interview (by Morgan) with Ballet Master Devon Carney (Choreographer) as he discusses Giselle as well as an interview with Janessa Touchet one of 3 ballerinas performing the role. Not quite on the scale of what other companies are doing to bring in new audiences but I do think it is a nice step in the right directions on Morgan's part. ~Tango

I found the article quite interesting as well and far too short. I think there are many good schools in the U.S. who are turning out beautifully trained dancers but they lack the experience and polish to get jobs at a Soloist or Principal level with experience being the most important like Sandik has said. The need to go to Europe to get more refined training seems to becoming more of the norm today for dancers who have their sights set on truely becoming artists of the first rank. Wonderful technique is essential but I find that there is little or no true artistry in many of the dancers graduating from these prestigeous U.S. schools. Ofcourse you need time and money to nuture artistry and the desire of the students to be dedicated enough to seek it out...wherever that may be. Artistry can grow from experience but ofcourse there is so much more involved such as great teaching and coaching. I for one would love to see more American dancers hold top positions in our companies but sadly this is not happening.

Ami...I doubt that many would disagree that Nutnaree is a major talent and I was so looking forward to seeing her dance in Jackson if we made the trip. I hope that her withdrawal is due to something other than a major injury Mouse...Yes the coverage was simply wonderful in 2002 and I particularly loved the personal interviews...some with several competitors. There's no doubt that Jackson roles out the red carpet for this major event and I'm sure the excitement is beginning to build for everyone involved being only a week away. We're still on hold but we do have hotel reservations for the week of round III just in case!

Hello everyone...I wanted to add a few names to Natalia's "drop" list that I know of who are no longer participants. I was sad to see Nutnaree Pipit-Suksun (Senior) from San Francisco Ballet not listed anymore. She is a stunning dancer and I'm sure she would have done very well in the competition. Also Joseph Gorak from Orlando Ballet (Junior) is no longer a competitor but will still partner one of the Junior competitors. Emily Ellis (Junior) fom Cincinnati Ballet has withdrawn as well. Like Mouse I'm hoping to be there but our plans are unsure at this time. If we do go it will be for the 3rd round and Galas. There was extensive coverage at Ballet.co.uk for the last Jackson Competition and I'm hoping they'll do the same for this one. So between this site and Ballet.co it will be wonderful to follow the events for those of us who won't be able to make it and have family members or friends who are competing!

Bart and Beverly...Thankyou for posting these links. The pictures were really beautiful to look at! My question is, assumming that most of these dancers already are members of other companies, does it sound as if Cuban Classical Ballet will be a company made up of 'guest artists' with only a few perhaps as actual members? Andres and Zoica are members of Orlando Ballet, Adiarys Almeida (Cincinnati), Daniel Sarabia (Boston) are just a few who already have employment elsewhere. I was just wondering what exactly is Cuban Classical Ballet's ultimate goal?

Thankyou kfw for such a beautiful post. Your first paragraph says so much and I'm touched by what you've expressed. Perhaps a dose of Mozart would do everyone some good!

Thanks alot kfw for this information, much appreciated!

Helene...I too love Seland as she performed here in Orlando a few years back and would love to read that article. My question is where can I find Ballet Review...? I'm assumming it's only available on line by subscription. Any help would be appreciated!

Such a sad day for his family, friends and for those who's lives he touched with his kindness and his passion. May his light shine bright in heaven. Peace to you Fernando forever and always. For those who knew you, our hearts are broken today. Tango

This was very shocking to hear this morning. My prayers to all of the very talented dancers there as well as the staff. Please keep us posted Ian on this very sad turn of events for Ballet Internationale. Tango

For me it would definately be one of the ball gowns by Karinska from La Valse. I'll never forget seeing this performed in my early twenties and being mesmerized by the costumes, Ravel's score...and the walzing!

Carbo...After reading the reviews of opening night I see that there are 3 sections to Peterson's piece. CB will be doing the 'Enrage' section...so the audience in Cincinnati will be in for a treat! Thanks!

MJ...The Tango piece I think you are referring to is from Kirk Peterson's Howling Cat. Yes it premiered with the Richmond Ballet in 2001. It will have it's premiere with Cincinnati Ballet on November 1st. Not sure if CB is doing the entire ballet but the Tango piece will be performed with several men and is called 'Enrage' (from Howling Cat). So I'm curious if this is the entire ballet or not. Nevertheless glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the review of the evening! Tango

I was just visiting the USAIBC site and they now have listed John Meehan and Cynthia Harvey as Master and Mistress of Ceremonies for the 2006 competition. No jury listed as of yet! Here is the link: www.usaibc.com/master.html

This was very sad news to hear. For the short time we've known him, the year my son was an apprentice, I got the feeling that he was a family man, deeply religious and so passionate about his art. I was always surprised each time he approached us to give compliments on my son's performances...even coming over to our car in the parking lot. This was Fernando Bujones. My prayers go out to him, to his wife Maria and their family for a speedy recovery. Tango

Yes thankyou bart for taking the time to write about the festivities! I'm glad you were able to enjoy many of the performers despite all of the apparent last minute changes. I wish I could have been there as you know. I just wanted to add that Joseph Gatti's partner was a lovely dancer from Cincinnati Ballet named Janessa Touchet!

Joseph...Thanks Hans for posting the website! I just wanted to add that Orlando City Ballet is a pre-professional company whereas Ballet Fedotov is a professional one. I know it's abit confusing! Actually Vadim Fedotov recently was appointed AD of OCB after the untimely death of Beatrice Aldana the founder. Vadim had his own studio in Orlando (Russian Academy of Ballet) and his own professional company called Ballet Fedotov which is for the most part seperate from OCB. I think you would call Ballet Fedotov a civic company as they often use dancers who are members of other companies like Sarasota Ballet. I'm very familiar with both CFB and OB as well. How interesting that you choreographed a piece there with the BB dancers. I do remember them guesting!

Joseph...There is a small company here in Orlando "Ballet Fedotov" (also known as Orlando City Ballet) that has recently done Snow White. It is a Full-length Ballet in Two Acts with music by a composer named Z. Pavlovsky. They also used some music from Offenbach and J Strauss. The Evil Queen had a major role and there were several scenes with her and her cohors or Ladies in Waiting. The hunter also had an interesting role showing himself first as a very strong figure but succumbing to Snow White's beauty during a pas de deux in the forest and eventually being unable to kill her. Very touching. The dwarfs were played by children because of a shortage of men. This kept the ballet on the 'lighter' side! I must say that the music which seemed to fit perfectly and Vadim Fedotov's choreography made this a very enjoyable ballet!

BalletGirl...Here is a tentative schedule of the Studio Company tour: Sept 30 performance in Rochester, N.Y. Oct. 2, performance in Buffalo, N.Y. Oct. 13, at Lincoln Center Oct. 29, University of Southern Maine Dec. 3 and 4, Skirball Center in N.Y. Dec. 10 and 11, Mt. Holyoke, Mass. Jan. 29, Sanibel, Florida Feb. 14, Royal Ballet School exchange at Skirball Center in N.Y. March 11, Colorado Springs, Colorado March 28, Royal Ballet School exchange in London April 16, Choate Rosemary Hall, Connecticut April 20, 21, Lincoln Center If you need more specifics about theatres I'd be happy to e-mail you. This schedule is all tentative but it's all I have at the moment! Tango

I really have a hard time believing that just because competitions accept young students that it's only about making money. Our experience was a very positive one for my son as well as for many of his younger friends who attended YAGP. There are many good things that come out of these competitions as well as some not so good but I don't feel you can lump them all together in one big category. I do have a problem with those very young kids that seem to go from one competition to the next...but that's certainly their perogative to do so. I also agree that you can't judge a competition solely on the caliber of judges but I think the judges do say alot about what type of comp. you're dealing with. The standards are higher with the more distinquished judges. Many of my son's younger friends were offered several scholarships to choose from and my son was offered 2 company positions, one from San Francisco and one from Boston as well as 2 other scholarship offers. We really have YAGP to thank for this and the professional people that were part of it. Many of my sons friends have competed in comps such as the Prix de Lausanne ( for younger dancers) and Gennee and have won medals and scholarships. As Cara 76 stated it is "unfortunate" that company dancers are now listing their winnings in their bios. I can only say that I know my son will be very proud to list his Gold Medal under his bio next season. It's something he worked very hard for. Hearing phrases like "trained in a barn","Best in show" and "Competitions are for horses" I think is unkind for those who have enjoyed them and won prizes. I'm the first one to agree that Ballet is an Art not a Sport but perhaps if we can work together and support them it would be far more productive in lifting these comps to a higher level. I feel they are uniting the dance community in a good way and giving opportunities to dancers that wouldn't otherwise have them. My son received his trainee position at the Royal Ballet School because of YAGP and the benefits from that offer have been immeasuarable. Tango

Mashinka...Thanks for your reply and glad to hear you'll be attending. I didn't know Anastasia Volochkova would also be dancing and it does sound as if it will be a thrilling evening of dance. My son will be performing in Erik M. piece along with a few other boys from the RBS...the last dance of the evening so they will be able to watch most of it from the audience. Irek is also performing in this piece with the students which makes this for a very memorable event! Perhaps you can tell me abit about the performance when it's over...I'd love to hear your thoughts! Please use my PM if you'd like. Thanks and enjoy the evening...Tango

I'd like to know if any of our British posters plan on attending the performance tonight at the Sadler's Wells Theatre? It will showcase recent winners of the Benois de la Dance Prize and performers include Vladimir Malakhov, Irek Mukhamedov, Elizabeth Platel and Robert Tewsley among others. Anyone attending tonight? Not sure if I should have posted this on News, events and issues to get a better response as this is not a competition but a performance of recent competition winners.

Welcome to Susan994 and emattdar! I do understand exactly how you feel and I applaud you for posting this! I'm also the quiet type and never felt I had much to add of any importance to this board of such knowledgable posters. I can guarentee though if you stick around long enough you'll notice that there are many people here just like us who just need that little push to get started. Like Mel said, "speak up"...a phrase I'm all too familiar with! Start with a question and you'll be surprised at how many people will respond to you...even the most knowledgable of posters are often learning something new here everyday! Tango