“A perfect opportunity for young people to encounter professional classical and contemporary dance in a wonderful collection of artistic visions, from funny to powerful, in a real theatrical experience.” – Dunn

 

Robert Weiss' pas de deux, “Meditation from Thäis,” originally commissioned for the unveiling of Duke Gardens, depicts his vision of two marble statues dancing together in the garden grounds.

 

Ann Dunn’s “Seen/Unseen” is a four movement contemporary duet based on sculptures by Black Mountain College artist, Leo Amino. The work is set to music by Washington D.C. composer, Erin Snedecor (cello, voice, and electronic), and is a collaboration with textile artist, Kristin Pondy.

 

Dunn’s “Betty” is a solo based on the movement images of Elizabeth Schmitt Jennerjahn taken at Black Mountain College, and on two pieces of her textile art. Again, the music and costume collaborations are with Snedecor and Pondy.

 

“Jet Lag'' explores the rushed and quick paced nature of air travel. Destination - Paris, France.  Stephanie Wolfe, in collaboration with dancers, plays with the quirky side of a stressful endeavor by using props and music from Frank Sinatra and Louie Armstrong. A happy ending awaits with a series of love stories set under the romantic lights of the Eiffel Tower. 

 

“The Hats We Wear” is a new work by Fleming Lomax set to music of the ragtime era. This upbeat ballet is a four-part depiction of the many proverbial hats we wear in life and culminates with a rousing ensemble celebration of how we navigate and integrate these roles.

 

Tricia Renshaw’s "In Other Ways" is a non-narrative piece that explores how energy and relationships shift and change, but don't necessarily end or dissolve.

 

Renshaw’s "Stay Young, Go Dancing" is an upbeat depiction of youthful joy and exuberance expressed in movement.  

 

Jaimon Caceres has created a contemporary pointe work, titled “The Nature of Change”, set to Maurice Ravel’s beautiful “Une Barque sur L’Ocean”, that tells a story of three different people learning to surrender to the inevitable necessity of changes in life. 

 

Asheville is fortunate to have a resident ballet company of this caliber. The community essentially has a year-long resident repertoire company. Seasoned dance fans and novices alike have the opportunity to watch consummate professionals perform a wide variety of roles, from classical to contemporary.

 

Asheville Ballet has built a reputation on the belief that dance plays a vital role in the education and culture of the community. As a key component of its Educational Outreach Program, The Asheville Ballet performs its entire production of the holiday classic, The Nutcracker, for school children every year.

 

Asheville Ballet is North Carolina’s oldest non-profit ballet company. First incorporated in 1963, the company has created and presented work in Asheville every year since. In an average season, formal and educational outreach programming affects a culturally diverse audience of approximately 23,000 people. An active advisory panel and a strong, well-organized volunteer base assist a committed board.

 

Asheville Ballet has produced residencies by historical choreographers (Anna Sokolow, Douglas Dunn, Lori Bellilove), hosted master classes and workshops by international dance stars (Sean Curran, Mark Dendy, Chuck Davis, David Dorfman), produced a three-week Fall Into Dance festival, and commissioned both classical and contemporary choreography.

 

Asheville Ballet productions reflect the region’s varied interests. In addition to an ongoing relationship with The Biltmore Estate and The Dirty Dancing Festival at Lake Lure, work has been produced for fund-raisers (The Health Adventure, The Arts Council), civic events (Martin Luther King Day, Bele Chere Festival), and commercial events (The Dirty Dancing Festival, opening for the Pointer Sisters).

 

Since its inception, Asheville Ballet has produced both cutting edge interdisciplinary work and full-length major work. The company has collaborated with other local art agencies (the Asheville Symphony, Asheville Bravo Concerts, Asheville Community Theater, Asheville Lyric Opera), and has worked live with the area’s major musical, poetic, and visual artists.

 

In addition to promoting new work and a year-round professional ballet company for our region, Asheville Ballet offers an annual lecture series on dance appreciation, in coordination with other local dance presenters, and generates educational articles on dance history and appreciation for national and local publications. The company has built a full library of dance-related materials.

 

Asheville Ballet’s commitment to supporting its professional adult members is evidenced by its challenging and stimulating performances, choreography, and teaching opportunities. The company also continues to nurture the careers of advanced youth members. Dancers who have worked with the ballet have performed with Alvin Ailey, Kirov Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, Fort Worth Ballet, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Colorado Ballet, Hartford Ballet, Boston Ballet, Geneva Ballet, National Ballet of Cuba, and the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes. Company dancers have appeared in Broadway musicals, Hollywood films, and have won titles all the way up to Miss and Mrs. America. They have also been accepted at the schools of the New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theater, Juilliard, Boston Ballet, Jose Limon, Paul Taylor, Martha Graham, Merce Cunningham, Robert Joffrey, and The Dance Conservatory at Purchase.

 

Asheville Ballet has created and found funding for scholarships for advanced dancers to pursue professional work in New York and Europe, and for underprivileged children to study dance in Asheville. The company has worked with Project Steam, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Helpmate, Elida Home, Presbyterian Home for Children, and local churches to locate and encourage new dancers and dance-appreciators. The Tix for Tots program makes hundreds of tickets available to introduce young people to the wonders of dance.

 

For more information call Ann Dunn at (828) 215-3728 or email The Asheville Ballet at dance@ashevilleballet.com.