The Traveling Ballerina

I found "The Celebration" - Artistic Director Marcello Angelini‘s beautifully crafted “sentimental journey” of his twenty-six years in leadership - to be a visual tale of diversity executed by a spirited generation of talent.; here's my review. I kind of regret not having auditioned for him as a dancer... the company it beautiful!

If anyone is interested in hearing a dancer's perspective, here's our interview with Regina. I'm impressed - I know that as a classically-trained ballet dancer, I would have been so intimidated by hip hop!

When I heard the news that Marcello Angelini has commissioned a hip hop piece for the company's final program of the season, I was intrigued! So I reached out to them and was granted the opportunity to interview Jennifer Weber, probably more known in this ballet space for her work with Tiler Peck and Brooklyn Mack and possibly for The Hip Hip Nutcracker, to find out more about this unique creative process. I'm also working on an interview with Regina Montgomery, one of the featured dancers in the work, to learn what her experience has been like. Stay tuned!

Wonderful!

You're welcome! Knowing now that you are a fan of hers, I am sure you will really enjoy her memoir; there's an excerpt included in the article

Gavin Larsen is a first-time author who has just published a memoir about - as the title so precisely expresses - Being a Ballerina: The Power and Perfection of a Dancing Life. I highly recommend this book for aspiring dancers who wish to have insight into the industry, as well as current or retired professionals who will find so much detail, emotion, and experience that they can relate to. As the author herself suggests, although the stories are (obviously) about ballet, anyone who is passionate about something in particular will be able to see themselves in her writing. Larsen is

I must bring up a few points here, and I do this will all due respect to any ballet training or professional experience you have had. I say all this - without aggression or defensiveness; just a different perspective - from my experience having trained at SAB and danced with two companies - one that was not "Balanchine" but who had a former NYCB dancer as a Ballet Master and another where the director was a principal with NYCB under Balanchine's direction and the Ballet Mistress also a dancer with NYCB - both which included Balanchine ballets in their rep. Although a certain degree o

@pherank, I loved reading your comments about the performance and we took away many similar feelings as can be read here in my review. Historically, Rubies is my favorite section but this time around, I was a tad underwhelmed mostly due to Froustey's interpretation and - as you mention - her lack of articulation. All around, though, I enjoyed the production.

Writing these reviews gives me a chance to actively reflect on the art I have just seen and often brings to my attention just how much a piece has impacted me. It felt especially the case with this program.

Thank you, @TheAccidentalBalletomane. I may indeed watch Bernstein again as I appear to be one of a few who wasn't wowed by it; because I will see something differently next time around!

I really enjoyed this program, too, @California! (Here's my thoughts about it.) And although I've spent a majority of my life involved in classical ballet, there were some variations on this program that I had never seen before... super fun!

I thought Brandt looked spectacular but Bernstein did not appeal to me as it did to those who have commented already. Here's my review of the performance.

An inspirational essay for young students and professionals alike regarding what it means to take risks as a dancer.

Over four years ago, Pennsylvania Ballet started a pilot program – Dance for All – with the mission to create an environment where dance is available and accessible to any person who wants to learn and enjoy the benefits of our beloved art form. I had an opportunity to interview Valerie Amiss, a most passionate person who is spearheading the program, to learn more about these important efforts.

Oh, sorry 😔