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

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

"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

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

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!

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.

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!

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.