ISB blog

Indianapolis School of Ballet and Dance Kaleidoscope to present a Spirit & Place event

2011-10-24T14:45:00.000-04:00

As part of the 2011 Spirit & Place Festival, “The Body”, the Indianapolis School of Ballet in collaboration with Dance Kaleidoscope will be hosting a moderated discussion, performance and photography exhibit on Sunday, November 6 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Focusing on Indianapolis artistic directors and the iconic mentors that inspired them, Dance Kaleidoscope’s Artistic Director David Hochoy, a Martha Graham protégé, and Indianapolis School of Ballet’s Artistic Director Victoria Lyras, a product of George Balanchine's School of American Ballet, will participate in the discussion led by Rita Kohn, NUVO dance critic and member of the Board of Directors of the International Dance Critics Association.

Get inside the creative mind of these choreographers and find out how movement and music have inspired their work. Experience the wonder of modern dance and classical ballet with a live studio performance and witness the power of how tradition was passed in direct lineage from mentor to dancer, and now to a third generation of dancers and students right here in Indianapolis.

Bringing this event to a close will be an exhibit of dance photography by Crowe’s Eye Photography, Freddie Kelvin and Laura Breece -- artists specializing in capturing an ephemeral moment in dance and translating the active performance medium into two-dimensional art.

Join us in an appreciation of dance and the rich history of its tradition. Come explore the creative power of The Body.

RSVP by Nov. 4, 2011
317-955-7525 or admin@indyballet.org.

Location: Indianapolis School of Ballet

502 N. Capitol Ave, Suite B

Indianapolis, IN 46204

For more info: http://www.spiritandplace.org/Festival.aspx?access=Details&Year=2011&EventScheduleID=388

Printing Partners Receive National Honors

2011-10-11T11:43:00.001-04:00

According to Americans for the Arts in Washington D.C, Printing Partners is now one of the top 10 corporate arts supporters in the nation. Printing Partners has supported our school for the past two years by sponsoring the “Nutcracker” performance for the past two years, giving Girl Scouts the opportunity to view the ballet and providing tickets for both employees and their family members.

Printing Partners makes a concerted effort to make the arts accessible to schoolchildren and new audiences. Since 2004, the company has awarded $1.5 million worth of in-kind marketing support for its clients.

We would like to thank Printing Partners for being a strong supporter of Indiana arts programs, and congratulate them on their national honor.

adult classes

2011-09-20T13:09:00.000-04:00

All adult classes for this evening of September 20th, are cancelled. Sorry for any convenience to our lovely adult students.

Coming Soon - Coppelia

2011-04-10T11:51:00.000-04:00

Moonbug Photography recently shot the promotional pictures for our upcoming production of Coppelia. Check out some of the out-takes here.

Coppelia tells the high-spirited, humorous tale of Swanilda, her fiance Franz, the eccentric toymaker Dr. Coppelius and a lifelike doll.

This is an ideal ballet for families and audience members of all ages.

Set to music by Leo Delibes, ISB’s production is a traditional staging of the ballet after Lev Ivanov and Enrico Cecchetti, with additional choreography by Victoria Lyras.

Performers include more than 50 dancers including Indianapolis School of Ballet Pre-Professional Program students, dancers from across central Indiana selected through audition and guest artists. Kristin Young will perform as Swanilda, Chris Lingner is cast as her fiance Franz, and former Pennsylvania Ballet Principal dancer Paul Vitali will perform as the quirky yet lovable toy maker, Dr. Coppelius.

Tickets are on sale now. Visit our website to purchase using our online box office.

Paris Opera Ballet Chicago dates - chicagotribune.com

2011-03-10T11:57:00.000-05:00

Paris Opera Ballet Chicago dates - chicagotribune.com

In scanning the day's dance news, this article in the Chicago Tribune caught my attention... and probably the attention of every other dance lover on US soil: "Paris Opéra Ballet to make first Chicago appearance in 2012" (linked above).

The Paris Opéra Ballet, considered the world's finest dance company, launches their 2012 North American Tour in Chicago. These appearances will be their first American performances in more than a decade. The full 154-member company will perform two programs. Slated for the tour are "Giselle" and a mixed-repertoire program including "Boléro".

Here are some links to YouTube performances of the Paris Opéra Ballet:

Giselle

Boléro

The chance to see the Paris Opéra Ballet within a few hour's drive of Indianapolis is just fantastic, and obviously a rare event. Check out the information and start making plans for June 26-July 1 at the Harris Theater in Chicago. It's now on my calendar!

Remembering Inspiration

2011-01-24T14:16:00.000-05:00

ISB ballerinas on break from rehearsal to celebrate Mr. B's birthday.

The Indianapolis School of Ballet's Founding Artistic Director, Victoria Lyras, is a product of the School of American Ballet, founded in 1934 by George Balanchine. Dancing children's roles with his New York City Ballet in the 1970s in many ballets, some choreography set on her generation of dancers by "Mr. B", inspired her professional career. She went on to dance with the Pennsylvania Ballet, the Balanchine-based company in Philadelphia, among others. This thread of creativity passed on to her continues to live right here in Indianapolis. ISB has been honored by The Balanchine Trust to perform several of his works - Tarantella and the Grand Pas de Deux from The Nutcracker - stage by Victoria Lyras. As we observed the 107th birthday of George Balanchine on January 22, his legacy is celebrated and a new generation of young dancers is influenced by his genius.

The George Balanchine Foundation supports a comprehensive website about his life and work and maintains a Facebook page. You can find news and keep up with events about the Foundation's preservation and advancement of his life's work.

One of the most important sections of the website is the Balanchine Catalogue which houses complete premiere information about every known work staged or choreographed by George Balanchine - more than 400 ballets, opera dances, operettas, movies, staged choral works, musicals, straight plays, concert works, television, and circus. Compiled by scholars and researchers in many parts of the world and prepared with Balanchine’s participation, the Balanchine Catalogue covers a period of more than sixty years--from La Nuit at the Petrograd Theater Ballet School, choreographed in 1920 or earlier, to a revision of Stravinsky’s Variations for Orchestra for the New York City Ballet in 1982, Balanchine’s final work.

This brilliant electronic edition of the Balanchine Catalogue, an indispensable resource for students of his work, was made possible by a leadership grant from The Jerome Robbins Foundation, with additional funding provided by the National Endowment for the Arts and Furthermore: A Program of the J. M. Kaplan Fund. The publisher and copyright holder of the book version of the Catalogue, Eakins Press Foundation, contributed the rights necessary for this project.

Continue the celebration of Mr. B's birthday and learn more about him.

Nutcracker and beyond - Coming in 2011

2011-01-03T14:42:00.000-05:00


Indianapolis School of Ballet, The Nutcracker - photos by Freddie Kelvin

     2010 certainly ended on a high note at ISB, as shown by the sell-out audiences at all three performances December 17-19 and a terrific review in NUVO. "Indianapolis School of Ballet dancers always deliver more than expected for their age, as again witnessed at their 2010 Nutcracker with sequences that delighted us with sterling storytelling..." (Read the whole review online at www.nuvo.net/indianapolis/review-isbs-the-nutcracker/Content?oid=1949703.)
     Our guests at the Thursday Preview Performance have written glowing notes of appreciation for the holiday treat these groups enjoyed. We are glad to have had the opportunity to host people from the Children's Bureau, Girl's Inc, assisted living residences throughout the metro area, several troops from Central Indiana Girl Scouts, Marion County Firefighters and students and families from the Indiana School for the Deaf.
     Seeing the growth of the dancers as they take on the challenges of these high-quality productions and experiencing the joy felt on both sides of the stage lights made December an exciting time here at ISB. It's exhausting for our small staff and incredibly dedicated volunteers, but so rewarding!
     We are now off to new adventures. Each semester brings new faces to the school and we look forward to their energy and experiences. Some of our dancers will be participating in the Youth American Grand Prix Regional Competition in the Indianapolis metro area on February 5 and 6. Spring performances, May We Dance (May 1) and Coppélia (May 21-22) will inspire our students to attain higher levels of understanding and technique.
   Several other events are on the slate. Our Facebook page and website will keep you up to date about upcoming classes in our continuing Dancing With the Masters series. Dates for summer programming have been announced. Visit our website for more information. Audition dates and application/registration forms will be posted in late January. The School of American Ballet at Lincoln Center and Ballet Chicago will hold auditions for their Summer Intensive programs at the Indianapolis School of Ballet studios in January 2011. SAB auditions are on Saturday, January 8 and Ballet Chicago auditions are on Friday, January 14. More information about those programs can be found on those organization's websites.
     As we reach the five year anniversary mark of the opening of the school, the organization will be taking on the necessary task of developing the next strategic plan. This process will define our direction and be our map for the next five years. The first five years are a great indication of how ISB will develop over the next five!
     Moving forward in 2011, we welcome the newest member of our staff, Judy Peters. Ms. Peters has been teaching at ISB for two years and will expand her duties serving as School Administrator. In addition to her classes, she will handle all student concerns. We are very excited to have her on the team and rely on her broad experience!

Passing Balanchine on to the next ballet generation, in the studio and on tape

2010-11-11T07:17:00.024-05:00

Violette Verdy, ISB Artistic Advisor and frequent master teacher, is featured in a Los Angeles Times article printed November 9. Click on the link below for Susan Reiter's account of a unique masterclass presented in New York at Lincoln Center and digitally taped by the George Balanchine Foundation for the Interpreters Archive. The Interpreters Archive will include edited tapes of Balanchine's ballets and extended interviews with the veteran dancers who participated. They are available to dancers and scholars in 70 libraries worldwide. Libraries near to Indianapolis housing the "Archive of Lost Choreography and Interpreters Archive video tapes" are in Cincinnati, OH and Urbana, IL. A complete list can be found here.

Article link:
Passing Balanchine on to the next ballet generation, in the studio and on tape

Winging It

2010-10-13T23:42:00.004-04:00

"Winging It" was the title of NUVO's recent review of ISB's October 3 Artsgarden performance. As each performance season gains steam, it certainly feels like we need wings around here to keep up with the pace of our pre-professional students.

Busy ISB dancers have given three outreach performances so far this year. The Drum Corp International Quarterfinals, held at Lucas Oil Field in August, hosted the first of these with a reprise of Scott Jovovich's "Blue Metallica", given its Indiana premiere at the 2009 Penrod Arts Fair. This performance centered on the 50-yard line of the field where the "men in blue" (the Indianapolis Colts) play many Sundays each year. NUVO Newsweekly reviewer Rita Kohn wrote of the performance, "Jovovich's concept of people exploring a new environment, experiencing individual parts of space for the first time felt on-the-spot real... the wonderment was in the diversity of movement..."

The 2010 Penrod Arts Fair, coined Indiana's nicest day, was the venue for the second of our outreach events. That crowd is always appreciative and ISB dancers always deliver... in all kinds of weather, from egg-frying heat to weather suitable for ducks. It was the latter this September, so alterations were made for the appropriate footwear to keep our dancers safe from injury. Repertoire diversity is a hallmark of these outreach performances. There needs to be a little something for everyone. This year's program featured "Save the Last Dance", a three-movement jazz work staged by Scott Jovovich, including two dances of Bob Fosse with a third one choreographed by Jovovich. "Oblivion", a sensuous tango by Astor Piazzolla, was danced by ISB graduates Michelle Meltzer and Chris Lingner, both now attending Indiana University's prestigious ballet program, also with choreography by Jovovich. A ballet waltz was set to Roses from the South by Johann Strauss and choreographed by Paul Vitali and Victoria Lyras. Rounding out the program was a patriotic tap selection, with Level 4 through 6 dancers oufitted like "Troop ISB" dancing to music of the Andrews Sisters, choreographed by Emily Nord Womersley.

Save the Last Dance - photo: Laura Breece Photography

Oblivion - photo: H. Rosenfeld

Troop ISB - photo: Laura Breece Photography

Artsgarden October 3 - photo: Freddie Kelvin

Earlier this October, the Penrod program was repeated at the Artsgarden, with some minor adjustments. Our Indiana University graduates, committed to performances on their campus, made it necessary to alter the program, so "Winging It" was born. The Indianapolis Artsgarden, a venue of the Arts Council of Indianapolis, regularly presents free programs. Twice each season, ISB dancers take the stage there. This time, the performance began with class... yes, it was elegant... but now read this literally. Artistic Director Victoria Lyras began with a lecture demonstration showing how classical ballet dancers learn, warm up and work at the barre...just like they do in class many times a week. Photographer Freddie Kelvin captured the beauty of the afternoon and the dancers in his picture of the final moments of the Strauss ballet. We'll be back at the Artsgarden with new repertoire for another free performance on April 17, 2011. In the meantime, I know where you can get some great tickets to see a fantastic Nutcracker this December 17-19 at the Scottish Rite Cathedral Theater. Now there's something to look forward to!

"Mao's Last Dancer" to be released in Indianapolis September 10

2010-09-01T12:08:00.000-04:00

A movie based on the true story of Chinese ballet dancer Li Cunxin, entitled Mao’s Last Dancer, was released by Samuel Goldwyn Films in American theaters on August 20. It will come to the Keystone Art Cinema on Friday, September 10. The film is rated PG and was inspired by Cunxin's autobiography.

Several reviewers have praised the film's stunning dance performances. The film was directed by Academy Award nominee Bruce Beresford and features choreography by Australian choreographer Graeme Murphy.

Film summary:
"Eleven-year-old Cunxin is plucked from his poverty-stricken home in the rural Shandong province of People’s Republic of China to attend The Beijing Dance Academy. When Ben Stevenson (played by Bruce Greenwood), then artistic director of Houston Ballet, travels to Beijing, 18-year-old Cunxin (played by Birmingham Royal Ballet principal Chi Cao) returns to Texas with the company as an exchange student. Struggling to uphold his Communist identity in late 1970s Houston, Cunxin rises to stardom within the company and falls in love with dance student Elizabeth Mackey (Center Stage star Amanda Schull). Rashly marrying Mackey, Cunxin applies for an extension to his visa so he can stay in the U.S., but political upheaval in China holds him hostage in the Chinese Consulate for 21 hours. Cunxin is forced to choose to either return home or defect—exiling him from China forever." --Dance Teacher Magazine

For film trailers and more information, visit the movie's official website: http://www.maoslastdancer-movie.com/flash.html.

Dance Festival ends with big finish :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Hedy Weiss

2010-08-31T08:29:00.000-04:00

Dance supporters come out for the 2010 Chicago Dancing Festival! Do I see a road trip in ISB's future?

Below is the link to the Chicago Sun-Times review of the 2010 Chicago Dancing Festival held at the Millenium Park Pritzker Pavilion. It is reported that 10,500 people came to the outdoor venue to see this final performance which included the Joffrey Ballet's Exelon Strobel Step-Up high school outreach program and Ballet West's Serenade by George Balanchine.

Dance Festival ends with big finish :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Hedy Weiss

Beginning of a new year!

2010-08-17T20:58:00.004-04:00

Here we are, at the beginning of our fifth year. In August it's a great time for us to reflect on the growth of the previous school year. We've closed the books on another successful year, due in large part to ISB parents and community arts supporters.

Our sold-out Nutcracker in December was followed by three wonderful performances of A Midsummer Night's Dream and other works in May. May We Dance!, our program at the picturesque Indiana History Center, showcased our youngest dancers cheered on by a very enthusiastic audience. The 2010 Dancing with the Masters series brought Sandra Jennings, Michael Vernon and Scott Jovovich to our studios for insightful master classes. Stay tuned for the final class of 2010 with Violette Verdy.

Our first major fund raising project, Raise the Barre, was supported by our first fund raising event, Midsummer Soiree. The entire ISB staff and board give thanks to all of you who have come to our performances, driven your dancer to numerous classes, rehearsals and performances, and given necessary financial support. Our dancers and staff couldn't make the magic happen without all of your help.

Photo: H. Rosenfeld

The 2010 Summer Intensive with Sandra Jennings, Paul Vitali and Scott Jovovich produced inspiration and new choreography. We also welcomed some students from outside central Indiana. As word of the stellar instruction that goes on here travels, people travel to us. For perfect opportunities to see what we've been up to, save the dates for September 11 at 1 PM at Penrod Art Fair and October 3 at the Indianapolis Artsgarden at 3 PM. You'll be able to see these new additions to our repertoire. The performances will feature Save the Last Dance, a jazz production staged by Scott Jovovich, including two dances of Bob Fosse and a third movement choreographed by Jovovich. For the Penrod performance only, Oblivion, Astor Piazzolla's sensuous tango with choreography by Jovovich will be danced by ISB graduates Michelle Meltzer and Chris Lingner, both now attending Indiana University's prestigious ballet program. A ballet set to music by Johann Strauss, choreographed by Paul Vitali and Victoria Lyras, and a patriotic tap selection set to music of the Andrews Sisters, choreographed by Emily Nord Womersley, complete the program.

Photo: H. Rosenfeld

A new addition to our summer offerings was Ballet and Degas, a multi-discipline arts integration camp geared to younger dancers ages 6-10. Music, visual art and dance instruction were combined with field trips to a costume maker's shop and the Scottish Rite Cathedral Theater. Popular with campers and parents alike, we'll be doing a similar camp in June 2011. We'll announce the dates early in 2011.

Photo: M. Meltzer

The Indianapolis School of Ballet celebrated with cake at our Open House on August 14th. The day buzzed with activity. Busy studios of dancers rehearsed for the upcoming performance at the Penrod Art Fair, and families registered for classes which began Monday, August 16. Registration is ongoing, so visit www.indyballet.org or call us at 317-955-7525 for information.

Dancers are now moving onto new challenges, whether it's college or the next level here at ISB. We're excited to see what the new year brings, and can't wait to see all of our dancers who have been away for the summer return. Here's to a terrific 2010-2011 season!

Summer is in the air...Midsummer, that is.

2010-05-18T10:02:00.003-04:00

The Indianapolis School of Ballet (ISB) will give two performances of the one-act A Midsummer Night’s Dream and other repertoire on May 22 and 23 at 3:00 p.m. at one of the country's grandest Masonic temples, Indianapolis' Scottish Rite Cathedral located just blocks from our studios at 650 N. Meridian Street, in downtown. (Picture of their beautiful theater below.)

This one-act ballet is a re-telling of Shakespeare’s play by the same name. Set to music by Felix Mendelssohn, ISB’s production will be a world premiere with original choreography by ISB Founding Artistic Director Victoria Lyras. This production was programmed for the 2009-2010 season in honor of the 200^th anniversary of Mendelssohn’s birth and utilizes his Overture (Op. 21) and Incidental Music to A Midsummer Night's Dream (Op. 61). Ms. Lyras’s artistic inspiration is derived from Mendelssohn’s music, Shakespeare’s play, and her lifelong study and performance of Balanchine’s ballets and works by other internationally renowned choreographers.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream, one of Shakespeare’s happiest and most popular comedies, has inspired many ballet versions. ISB’s ballet revolves around the adventures of four young lovers and their interactions with fairies that inhabit an enchanted moonlit forest. A famous quote from the play, “The course of true love never did run smooth,” sets the stage for this dream of confusion, crossed loves, forest chases, and magic spells woven by the infamous fairy, Puck.

Performers include Indianapolis School of Ballet students and guest artists. (Pictured L to R: Michelle Meltzer as Titania with Emma Latz, Emma Mosley, and Samantha Reister as Bugs.) Featured ISB dancers include Michelle Meltzer, Frances Einterz, Kaitlyn Diller, and Lisa Schneider. North Central High School senior Michelle Meltzer will perform the role of Titania, the Fairy Queen. Miss Meltzer has been accepted into Indiana University’s elite ballet program for next fall. Zionsville High School senior Frances Einterz will perform the lead role of Hermia. Miss Einterz will attend Purdue University in the fall to pursue a major in International Agronomy. Martinsville High School senior Kaitlyn Diller will perform as Helena. Miss Diller will continue studies at ISB while attending the University of Indianapolis for the coming academic year. Lisa Schneider, a senior at Noblesville High School, will perform a leading role as the fairy, Moth. As a recipient of the IU Academic Excellence Scholarship, she plans to attend Indiana University next year to pursue a major in biology and a minor in modern dance.

Guest artists include Cory and Christopher Lingner, Vincent Brewer and Jacob Taylor. Cory Lingner will perform as Oberon, the Fairy King. Cory is now studying musical theater and dance at the University of Oklahoma. Christopher Lingner will perform as the mischievous Puck. Chris has been touring and performing professionally for the last two seasons, most notably in two lead male roles in the Broadway national touring production of “Movin’ Out” in 2008-2009. Vincent Brewer and Jacob Taylor will also join the cast performing lead roles. Brewer and Taylor are students at Indiana University’s ballet program. Brewer, originally from Massachusetts, will perform the role of Demetrius. Taylor, from Colorado, will perform the role of Lysander.

Additional repertoire includes Capriccio Espagnol set to music by Rimsky-Korsakov, Dvorak Divertissements set to Dvorak’s String Serenade, and George Balanchine’s Tarantella. Artistic Director Victoria Lyras has been granted permission by the Balanchine Trust to set the work. Guest artist and Noblesville native Kristin Young will perform Tarantella with Chris Lingner. Kristin Young is in her last year at the University of Oklahoma School of Dance where she has just been honored with the "Best Ballet Performer Award."

Tickets are available at www.indyballet.org or by calling 317-955-7525. Reserved seating prices are $20-25 for adults and $15-20 for children, students with ID and senior citizens 65 and over.

Support for these performances is provided by the production’s Title Sponsor, the Christel DeHaan Family Foundation, in honor of the children and families of Christel House.

It's Spring at ISB!

2010-03-20T18:03:00.004-04:00

This time we hear from our Founding Artistic Director Victoria Lyras about our recent master class with Balanchine repetiteur Sandra Jennings.

Master Class with Sandra Jennings

The Indianapolis School of Ballet initiated the "Dancing with the Masters" series in Indianapolis the Spring of 2008 with a generous grant from the Penrod Society. Since it’s inception, we have presented some of the most celebrated dancers, now directors and/or master teachers throughout America, to come share their knowledge and craft with students in central Indiana.

On Saturday, February 27^th, the Indianapolis School of Ballet invited Sandra Jennings to initiate the 2010 Master Class series. Ms. Jennings was a dancer with New York City Ballet and is now one of the leading repetiteurs for The George Balanchine Trust staging his ballets internationally. Students and auditors alike were completely engaged experiencing a two-hour class of Balanchine technique with its detailed clarity of placement, speed and musical precision. Following class, Ms. Jennings joined the students for lunch and a lengthy discussion of her career dancing for Balanchine. We also viewed a recent video clip of her staging Balanchine’s Serenade for the Bolshoi Ballet just this February. Ms. Jennings will be returning to ISB for the first week of our Summer Intensive fro the week of June 14-18.

We look forward to our upcoming 2010 Master Class series dates with Michael Vernon, Scott Jovovich and Violette Verdy. Michael Vernon will teach a class at our ISB studios on Sunday, May 2 from 2-4 PM. Registration will be online shortly at www.indyballet.org.

March News from ISB

We have kicked off our spring fundraiser "Raise the Barre". Please consider joining us to raise funds for the school and our performances. You can link to our fundraising site to sponsor a particular dancer or faculty member by clicking here.

This May 22-23, ISB presents A Midsummer Night's Dream - An Enchanted Ballet, a one-act ballet. The first half includes three short works - Capriccio Espagnole, Dvorak Divertissements, and George Balanchine's Tarantella. Each day the 3:00 PM matinee performances will be held at the Scottish Rite Catheral Theater. Tickets go on sale April 5. Visit www.indyballet.org to purchase online.

Fall performances show growth in artistry

2009-10-27T17:07:00.003-04:00

"This young company is growing its signature speed, vitality, beautiful lines and spot-on musicality across genres from the ground up in the tradition of Balanchine." Quoted from the October 21 issue of NUVO about the October 18th performance at Indianapolis' ArtsGarden, this statement just about says it all! The dancers have been working through the flu and we're proud of the way they have hung in there. We're also so thrilled for those who stepped in to roles on which they had not had much rehearsal time, and excelled in the process. To read the entire article visit www.nuvo.net/arts/article/ballet-beyond. Pictured here is a moment captured at the earlier Penrod performance of "Blue Metallica", choreographed on our dancers by Scott Jovovich.

Also pictured in our studios, Indiana University's Distinguished Professor of Ballet Violette Verdy came to the school and gave a terrific masterclass on September 27th. We have several master classes in planning stages and will post that information when they are confirmed.

On October 10th, a large group from ISB traveled to Bloomington to see the Indiana University Ballet Theater present "A Diaghilev Tribute". In addition to two versions of Balanchine's Valse Fantasie (juxtaposed in a very interesting way demonstrating the evolution of a work) and a new work by Michael Vernon, they gave a brilliant performance of the powerful Les Noces (music by Stravinsky, choreography by Nijinska). It was a wonderful field trip for our dancers, and a perfect opportunity to see some celebrated works.

This past weekend, ISB Artistic Director Victoria Lyras traveled to Philadelphia for the Pennsylvania Ballet's Gala celebrating the 30th anniversary of Artistic Director Roy Kaiser's tenure with the company. He began his career there as a dancer before taking on the Artistic Director position. Mr. Kaiser was a partner of Ms. Lyras during her career with the Pennsylvania Ballet, and now also serves on the ISB Artistic Advisory Board.

Rehearsals for The Nutcracker have begun in earnest. You'll be able to see a preview of several pieces from Act Two at our next appearance in the lovely downtown performance space of the Indianapolis ArtsGarden (attached to the Circle Center Mall and the Conrad Hotel). This FREE program on November 22 at 3 PM, entitled Nutcracker Sweets, will showcase excerpts from the full-length ballet.

Tickets are also now on sale for our December 18-20 run of The Nutcracker at the Scottish Rite Cathedral. Log onto www.indyballet.org to buy tickets. Don't wait too long, though. The best seats go fast!

NUVO Preview Hits the Newsstands

2009-09-04T19:04:00.005-04:00

One week to go before the start of the arts season in Indianapolis! The Penrod Arts Fair signals an unofficial beginning of the performing season here in the heartland. Everyone in the arts community pops up their canopy tents and comes out to meet the people...and boy, are there people! The crowds who wander the grounds of the Indianapolis Museum of Art that day leisurely bask in that last blast of summer. It's a sensory experience for every palate- artistic, culinary, and libational. Some folks come with real purpose- to support a favorite performer, to find something special for that spot in their garden or on their wall, or with intentions of planning for the darker evenings ahead by collecting information about everything from story telling to symphonic music.

Our ISB dancers are always excited by Penrod's enthusiastic audiences. The smiles tell all of the story. We perform at 1 PM, September 12th on the dance stage at Penrod. NUVO's September 2 Arts Guide coverage of the dance scene promises that with "Grooving Gershwin", "a corp of Indianapolis School of Ballet dancers sets this season's bar. Vitality, ingenuity, freshness leaped into the seats during a recent preview." You'll get to see that work at Penrod. Be prepared to smile back!

Happy Birthday, Indianapolis School of Ballet!

2009-08-22T14:33:00.007-04:00

The ISB celebrated it's 3rd birthday on Friday and some of our dancers were here with us today for a bit of cake.

We have lots to look forward to this year. Classes are in full swing and rehearsals for our fall performances are already rolling.

Save the date for Violette Verdy's masterclass on September 27th from 1:00-3:00 PM. Visit our website for registration information.

And, don't miss us at Penrod Arts fair on September 12th at 1 PM!

A new season begins

2009-08-17T16:57:00.011-04:00

It seems hard to believe, but here we are at the beginning of our fourth season! Classes for the Fall semester begin today at the Indianapolis School of Ballet. All of our wonderful faculty is returning to nurture this year's group of dancers. And, as always, enrollment is ongoing.

Yesterday, August 16th, we had a great turn-out for auditions for our third annual production of The Nutcracker. Thank you, to all the dancers who participated!

There are good things to report at ISB. The Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation awarded the ISB a terrific grant that will help the organization run smoothly and provide us with funds to keep our state-of-the-art studios in shape.

Our 6-week Summer Dance Intensive served as a source of inspiration and fun. In addition to a week with Fiona Fuerstner, both Scott Jovovich and Paul Vitali spent a couple of weeks with the dancers and choreographed works for them that will be premiered at the Penrod Festival at the Indianapolis Museum of Art on September 12 at 1 PM at the dance stage. If you can't make it then, we'll be performing those works at the Artsgarden in downtown Indianapolis on October 18 at 3 PM. That performance is FREE!

New faces have been added to the ISB family. We're happy to welcome Rebecca Rutt to the Artistic Advisory Roster. She has played a major role in classical ballet in Indianapolis and her wisdom is invaluable. We also added to the administrative team. Cathy Partlow Strauss is our new Director of Communications and Development.

Finally, we'd like to give our heartiest congratulations to our Advanced Modern Dance instructor, Mariel Greenlee. She recently received a Creative Renewal Fellowship Award from the Arts Council of Indianapolis which will afford her the opportunity to travel to Spain to study for three weeks. She begins her fifth season with Dance Kaleidoscope when she returns this Fall.

Keep visiting our website as we add new material! Photos from the May production of Coppelia will be up soon!

Introducing ISB TV

2008-09-13T10:10:00.005-04:00

Click and subscribe to ISB's new YouTube channel, ISB TV! Now playing: our new promo video and last May's performance of Ponchielli's Dance of the Hours. Lots more coming soon!

ISB at the Artsgarden, Sunday, September 21 at 2:00pm

2008-09-13T09:42:00.004-04:00

Miss ISB at Penrod? See us again at the Artsgarden!

The Indianapolis School of Ballet will present a free public performance at the Indianapolis Artsgarden on Sunday, September 21 at 2:00 p.m. The varied program includes original ballets to music of Ponchielli’s Dance of the Hours, Verdi’s I Vespri Siciliani, and Rimsky-Korsakov’s Capriccio Espanol by Victoria Lyras and the Cruchy Granola Suite from Fosse, an energizing jazz number staged by Scott Jovovich. The Artsgarden is located above the intersection of Washington Street and Illinois Street in downtown Indianapolis.

Join us at the Penrod Arts Fair this Saturday!

2008-09-05T01:07:00.001-04:00

The Indianapolis School of Ballet will perform at the Penrod Arts Fair on Saturday, September 6th on the grounds of the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Look for us on the Performing Arts Stage at 1:00 p.m. and be sure to stop by our booth to say hello and enter the drawing for tickets to our 2008 Nutcracker.

The Penrod Arts Fair is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Billed as Indiana’s Nicest Day, the Penrod Arts Fair is one of the largest single day art fairs in the United States with over 300 artists, 6 entertainment stages, children’s activities and plenty of food and beverages on the beautiful grounds of the Indianapolis Museum of Art. All proceeds from the event are allocated to Indianapolis area arts organizations. The Indianapolis School of Ballet has been the grateful recipient of three generous grants from the Penrod Society.

For ticket information and directions visit the Penrod Society website.

ISB announces new faculty

2008-08-13T11:30:00.007-04:00

ISB is delighted to announce the addition of four new faculty members: Andrea Bergeman, Mariel Greenlee, Timothy June and Michelle Merrell.

Andrea Bergeman danced professionally with Ballet Memphis, Minnesota Dance Theatre, Tulsa Ballet, Peoria Ballet, and English National Ballet. Andrea's principal training was with Valia Seiskaya at the Seiskaya Ballet Academy and with Maggie Black at the Huntington School of Ballet. She is also a fully certified pilates instructor and will be teaching a pilates course for levels 5, 6 and 7 on Monday evenings in addition Intermediate ballet throughout the week.

Now in her fourth season with Dance Kaleidoscope, Mariel Greenlee received her BA from Point Park University and studied in New York City at Dance Space, The Paul Taylor School and the David Parsons Workshop. Last season, Mariel was a recipient of a grant which enabled her to study at the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance, an opportunity made possible in part by the Indiana Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. She will be instructing Advanced modern classes to levels 6 and 7 on Thursdays.

Timothy June is originally from Enfield, Connecticut and began his training at New England Dance Conservatory in East Longmeadow Massachusetts along with the Miami City Ballet, Boston Ballet, ad the Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatory in St. Petersburg, Russia. Most recently he has performed with Ballet Arkansas, Butler Ballet, Indianapolis Opera, and American Cabaret Theatre. In addition to receiving a BFA in Dance Performance, Timothy has had the privilege to perform works by choreographers such as Thaddeus Davis, James Kudelka, Susan McGuire, and George Balanchine in addition to a wide variety of classical repertoire. Timothy is very excited to be joining Dance Kaleidoscope.

Michelle Merrell began her training at Jordan Academy of Dance in her hometown of Indianapolis, Indiana. At the age of 15 she became a full scholarship student at the School of American Ballet in New York City where she was featured in the annual Workshop Performances. Ms. Merrell joined Miami City Ballet under the direction of Edward Villella as an apprentice in 1994 and rose through the ranks to Principal Dancer in 2003. Her many roles include Balanchine’s Slaughter on Tenth Avenue, Agon, Western Symphony, Serenade, Concerto Barocco, The Four Temperments, Bugaku, Apollo, Elegie, Symphony in Three Movements, Stravinsky Violin Concerto, Who Cares? and Prodigal Son.

Open registration for the fall semester begins today, Tuesday, August 13. Visit www.indyballet.org for registration dates and times, complete faculty bios and an updated schedule of classes.

"Water Ballet" at the Olympics

2008-08-05T15:00:00.006-04:00

From the International Olympic Committee website on Synchronized Swimming:

...Most importantly, an underwater speaker lets the swimmers hear the music clearly while underwater, helping them achieve the split-second timing critical to synchronised swimming.

Originally known as water ballet, synchronized swimming began in Canada in the 1920s. It spread to the United States in the early '30s, where a display at the 1934 Chicago World's Fair drew rave reviews. Its popularity soared further when Esther Williams performed in a string of MGM "aqua musicals" in the 1940s and '50s...

Click here for a neat interactive flash demonstration of the sport.

Ms. Vicky in Vail!

2008-08-04T01:02:00.009-04:00

Ms. Vicky just returned back to Indianapolis after visiting Eric in Colorado, where he's interning for the summer with the Aspen Music Festival and School (and starting a full-time position there in January!). While there, they took a trip to the Vail International Dance Festival to see a stunning performance by Pacific Northwest Ballet.

James Leitner, ISB's treasured guest lighting director for The Nutcracker and May...We Dance!, has been in charge of making the Vail International Dance Festival shine for years. He and Ms. Victoria have been great colleagues and friends since their days together in Pennsylvania Ballet. What a wonderful opportunity to meet up with each other in Colorado! Mr. Leitner will be returning to Indy in December for our 2008 Nutcracker performances.

PNB's program was an eclectic and exciting mix, from Jerome Robbins' charming Fancy Free (music by Leonard Bernstein) to David Parsons' visually stunning contemporary work, Caught. Caught is a men's solo piece that juxtaposes quick, smooth movements with strobe lighting for truly unreal effects. It's one of the coolest, most jaw-dropping performances to see live! Check out the YouTube below!

David Parsons' Caught (premiered in 1982):

A new season, new beginnings, and more surprises!

2008-07-22T23:45:00.004-04:00

Welcome to the 2008-2009 season of the Indianapolis School of Ballet! We've come so far already, but this is just the beginning...

Our wonderful young school has accomplished so much in just two years. From the city's only sold-out performances of Nutcracker last year to the incredible 'Dancing With the Masters' series hosted earlier in 2008, ISB has rejuvenated the passion and excitement of dance to Indianapolis students both old and new.

This year's additions include a new Level 7 advanced class, and a broader range of dance genres offered to intermediate levels. From modern to ballroom and Cecchetti to Balanchine, ISB's diverse offerings provide students with the wealth of knowledge and experience expected by the most prestigious ballet institutions. Registration for the Fall begins on August 13; visit indyballet.org for exact dates and times.

From the amazing feedback of last year's performances at the Scottish Rite Cathedral, ISB will be adding a third Nutcracker performance in 2008. Performances will be December 18-21, and as always, auditions are open to any ballet students in the area who wish to participate.

We are so proud of how much our students have grown and matured in the past two years, and we look forward to making more incredible memories this coming season!

Move yourself!

Class with Barbara and Edward!

2008-06-08T18:39:00.003-04:00

Gibson Grace Womersley

2008-06-08T11:55:00.002-04:00

Congrats Emily and Michael!!!

It's a girl!!!

2008-05-14T14:28:00.002-04:00

Earlier today, Ms. Emily gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Gibson Grace, at 7 pounds 8 ounces. Congratulations Emily and Michael!!!

Class with Suki!

2008-05-05T14:47:00.002-04:00

Pictures from Sunday's class:

Scottish Rite Photo Shoot!

2008-05-02T19:40:00.002-04:00

"Random Acts of Ballet: NYC"

2008-04-30T23:25:00.002-04:00

From Anaheim Ballet's great YouTube collection.

Class with Michael Vernon

2008-04-30T23:19:00.002-04:00

Pictures from last Saturday!

Brandywine Ballet performing works of Balanchine and Jovovich

2008-04-22T19:15:00.003-04:00

Brandywine Ballet of Westchester, Pennsylvania will be performing Balanchine's Serenade, his first work ever performed in the United States, on May 3. The work will be set by former Pennsylvania Ballet ballerina and Balanchine repetiteur Jessica Gattinella.

The performance also marks the debut of Scott Jovovich's new work, Tango Talk. Scott will be in Indianapolis on June 8 as part of ISB's 'Dancing With the Masters' series. Here's a picture of Scott and the ISB family during last year's summer intensive:

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Amazing pirouettes!

2008-04-18T00:38:00.003-04:00

NYC Ballet principal dancer Sofiane Sylve (www.sofianesylve.com)

Trivia: Can anyone identify the first piece of music?

Congrats Susannah!

2008-04-13T19:31:00.003-04:00

Today in Bloomington, Susannah Jacaruso performed 'Paquita' beautifully and received an esteemed merit award at the National Society of Arts and Letters' annual Showcase of the Arts. Annalee, Emily and Ms. Victoria drove down to support her and had an absolute blast! After the ceremony, the girls all celebrated at Trojan Horse!

Congratulations, Susannah, on your wonderful accomplishment!

Pennsylvania Ballet's 45th anniversary season

2008-04-12T16:45:00.002-04:00

Pennsylvania Ballet's 45th season features a diverse range of repertoire celebrating both classic and novel works.

Quoted in this article from PlaybillArts.com is the company's founder Barbara Weisberger, who will be coming to Indianapolis as part of ISB's 'Dancing With the Masters' series:

In the waning days of 1960, the country was poised for a new dawn. There was a renewed fervor for the arts, and building an American ballet tradition was a key facet of the agenda. During a colorful conversation at a cocktail party hosted by Lincoln Kirstein, the co-founder of New York City Ballet, the idea to found a ballet company in Philadelphia was crystallized. "Balanchine said to me 'We must have more ballet companies in this country'," recalls Pennsylvania Ballet's founder Barbara Weisberger. "My reply," she continues, "was 'Mr. B, if you're really serious about this--Philadelphia is the place'."

Blogged with the Flock Browser

IU Ballet's Choreography Workshop

2008-04-10T15:11:00.003-04:00

The Indiana University Ballet Theater's annual choreography workshop features 13 new works choreographed and danced by ballet majors.

"There will be some live music, featuring Jacobs School composers and musicians, and some recorded music because we did not want to restrict the students' choices," said Vernon. "The selection will be very broad and varied, inspiring some very interesting choreography.

"The event is a rare opportunity to see world-class ballet students perform in an intimate setting, something you don't get at the larger productions in the Musical Arts Center," Vernon continued. "Just like the American Ballet Theatre company in New York, we use a smaller theater for experimental, more contemporary works. Since the audience members can see the dancers so well, they develop a very close connection to them, and it is an even more personal experience."

The workshop will take place April 15-16 at 8:00pm in Bloomington's historic Buskirk-Chumley Theater, and is free and open to the public.

Full Press Release

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Hip-Hop meets Ballet

2008-04-09T11:03:00.004-04:00

Atlanta Ballet is teaming up with rapper Antwan Patton from OutKast for a new production titled "Big," to be performed tomorrow. Quite a bold new idea!

Read the NY Times article here and check out a rehearsal clip below.

"A Tharp Ballet That's Brand New"

2008-04-09T09:30:00.005-04:00

After five years of concentrating on Broadway, Twyla Tharp takes up ballet's challenge again with "Nightspot," featuring an Elvis Costello score.

Read the full article from The Wall Street Journal

Class with Violette

2008-04-06T20:15:00.005-04:00

Thanks everyone, for a wonderful day! Violette had a great time meeting and teaching you all!

'Dancing With the Masters' begins this weekend!

2008-03-31T18:38:00.001-04:00

We are delighted to begin our Dancing With the Masters series this weekend with special guest Violette Verdy. Generously sponsored by The Penrod Society, this incredible series of master classes by legendary guest artists is open to ballet students from ALL schools at only $25 per class. All of us at ISB are excited and honored to share these remarkable talents with the Indianapolis dance community.

Click here for a beautiful YouTube video of Ms. Verdy coaching Isabelle Guérin.

We hope to see you soon!

Dancing With the Masters schedule:

Advanced students (ages 13+ with at least 6 years of formal ballet training)
    Violette Verdy, April 6
    Michael Vernon, April 27
    Suki Schorer, May 4
    Edward Villella, June 1
    Scott Jovovich, June 8

Intermediate students (ages 10-13 with at least 4 years of formal ballet training)
    Barbara Weisberger, June 1

More information, artist bios and registration instructions are available here.

Blogged with the Flock Browser

"Don't Judge Me By My Tights"

2008-03-29T16:13:00.003-04:00

A great article written by Sascha Radetsky for Newsweek.

Blogged with the Flock Browser

ISB on 'The Winger'

2008-03-27T14:32:00.004-04:00

From March, 2007

Check it out here!

Violette Verdy coaches Isabelle Guérin

2008-03-26T20:46:00.002-04:00

Embedded Video

Blogged with the Flock Browser

May—We Dance!

2008-03-26T12:34:00.008-04:00

Tickets for ISB's spring performance May—We Dance! are now available for purchase here.

Sunday May 18, 2008
3:00 pm
Scottish Rite Cathedral
650 North Meridian Street
Indianapolis

Program includes:

Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake–Act II
"Jupiter" from Holst's The Planets
Gregory Hancock's Lagaan and other selections

Welcome!

2008-03-26T11:50:00.000-04:00

Welcome to ISB's new blog!