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Pacific Northwest Ballet School operates differently from many other company-affiliated programs. In this episode, Denise Bolstad, Managing Director of PNB School, breaks down what sets it apart. We explore the structure of the Professional Division, how dancers are selected, training expectations, performance opportunities, and the path from PD to the main company. Denise also shares insights on recruitment, summer intensive considerations, and how PNB supports dancers who don't get promoted. If you're interested in PNB's Professional Division, this episode is a must-listen! Learn more about Pacific Northwest Ballet School Read Summer Reviews of Pacific Northwest Ballet School Read Year-Round Reviews of Pacific Northwest Ballet School More Links: Support Ballet Help Desk Buy Corrections Journals Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk Facebook: BalletHelpDesk Ballet Help Desk Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/ian-aisling/new-future License code: MGAW5PAHYEYDQZCI
Justin Leaf is a Minneapolis-based ballet teacher, choreographer, and performance artist whose multifaceted career spans over two decades. A graduate of The Juilliard School with a BFA in Dance Performance, Justin's training also includes The Kirov Academy, School of American Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet School.As a dancer, Justin was a company member with James Sewell Ballet and Minnesota Dance Theatre, and has also performed works by Ernesta Corvino, John Kelly, Morgan Thorson, George Stamos, and others through independent engagements. Critics have described them as “a fascinating and beguiling dancer—so lanky, loose, and idiosyncratic that [their] fine-tuned ballet chops take you by surprise” (Deborah Jowitt, The Village Voice).In their extensive teaching career, Justin has worked with various schools and companies, including Ballet Hispánico, James Sewell Ballet, Minnesota Dance Theatre, Ballet Co.Laboratory, and Minnesota Ballet. Their teaching is influenced by their professional experiences and mentorship under master teachers Andra and Ernesta Corvino.As a choreographer, Justin has created works presented by organizations such as Minnesota Dance Theatre, James Sewell Ballet, and Minnesota Orchestra. Their performance work currently encompasses dance, theater, and vocal artistry. Since 2006, they have frequently performed as Mistress Ginger, a glittering cabaret persona. As Ginger, they authored Mistress Ginger Cooks!: Everyday Vegan Food for Everyone (2014).Justin is honored to have received awards such as the Zaraspe Prize for Outstanding Choreography, a Minnesota SAGE Award for Best Performance, a McKnight Fellowship for Dancers, and a Next Step Fund Grant.
The holidays are right around the corner, so today we are featuring some dance reads that make the perfect last minute gift for the dance lover in your life. On today's episode of 'Conversations On Dance', we are joined by Miriam Landis, former Miami City Ballet dancer, Pacific Northwest Ballet School Faculty member, and author of the recently published book 'Lauren in the Limelight'. Miriam talks to us about overcoming adversity as a student and professional, stepping away from ballet for years to pursue other interests and returning to the world as an author capturing dance in young adult fiction, incorporating her own experiences and tying in themes that can help young dancers everywhere better understand their world and excel in their artistic journeys. Browse our Amazon list of favorite dance reads, including Miriam's book, ‘Lauren in the Limelight' -> https://www.amazon.com/shop/conversationsondanceLINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/mail-COD Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
From the artistic director of the Pacific Northwest Ballet and former principal dancer for the New York City Ballet comes a deeply personal memoir about one artist's journey from boyhood to ballet. Peter Boal's extensive background in ballet offers a unique glimpse into the world of dance with his diverse repertoire and artistic achievements, including collaborations with prominent choreographers and dancers, Boal's perspective resonates with both seasoned ballet enthusiasts and those new to the art form. Boal will discuss his journey as well as the challenges and triumphs of his career. Serving as a platform for fostering a deeper understanding of ballet's impact on contemporary culture, Boal's insights into the creative process, his role in shaping Pacific Northwest Ballet's repertoire, and his dedication to nurturing emerging talents within the dance community offer attendees the chance to gain insights into the dedication and discipline required in ballet, as well as the broader artistic influences that have shaped Peter Boal's journey. Whether one is an ardent ballet aficionado or simply curious about the world of dance, this event is poised to offer an enriching experience for all. Peter Boal is the Artistic Director of Pacific Northwest Ballet and Director of Pacific Northwest Ballet School. Born in Bedford, New York, he received his training at the School of American Ballet while performing children's roles with New York City Ballet. George Balanchine invited Boal to join the company as an apprentice in 1983, and he continued to dance for NYCB until his retirement in 2005. He has staged works by Balanchine, Ulysses Dove, and Jerome Robbins for PNB, PNB School, and other companies. His memoir, Illusions of Camelot, was released in 2023. Jackson Cooper is a nationally recognized queer arts leader who currently serves as the Major Gifts Manager at Pacific Northwest Ballet and a member of their Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility committee. In addition to his role at the ballet, Cooper serves as an Adjunct Professor for Seattle University's Arts Leadership program. Cooper is an accomplished writer, with two upcoming publications: A Kids Book About Kindness which comes out this year and a book on fundraising through Columbia Business School Press due out in 2026. Illusions of Camelot: A Memoir Third Place Books
A look behind the curtain at the first in-person pointe shoe fitting for the Pacific Northwest Ballet School since 2019.
This week you'll meet a client who had success by making midlife changes that brought incredible happiness into her life. There are many powerful insights to learn from and apply to your life in this episode. My guest this week is Dr. Perri Gallagher, who's a professor of English at Ohlone Community College in the San Francisco Bay Area. She started her academic career in her twenties after having studied at the Pacific Northwest Ballet School on scholarship from the time she was sixteen. Learn more: https://suzyrosenstein.com/podcast/ep-315-client-success-stop-waiting-to-have-fun-in-midlife-with-dr-perri-gallagher/
Today I spoke with Josh Spell, licensed social worker. He danced with Pacific Northwest Ballet & Kansas City Ballet. He currently works with dancers around the country centering on dance from a holistic perspective and offering a variety of mental health tools. Today, I finally talk about THE topic, eating disorders. I mention in the interview, that I kind of feel like I have been putting it off, honestly. I'm not sure why, but when I have been putting something off and check in with myself, it is usually because of some deeper reason. In this case, it's my own struggle with disordered eating. I finally felt ready to broach the subject, and Josh did not disappoint. He specializes in the treatment and prevention of eating disorders and has created a specially designed protocol he is currently implementing with the Pacific Northwest Ballet School. He gives some great practical advice for teachers, directors, and parents of dancers on how and when to communicate with dancers who may be struggling. This was such an informative conversation full of great advice for teachers, directors, and parents, and I can't wait for you to listen! To connect with Josh: Website: https://flexiblemindcounseling.org/ Instagram: @spellbound20 Please remember that I am not a mental health professional, and anything you hear me say on the show is based on my personal experience and perspectives, and should not be considered medical advice. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use any of the content to diagnose you or anyone else of any mental or health condition. If you are in crisis, please call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to reach a 24-hour crisis center, text MHA to 741741, call 911, or go to the nearest emergency room. To find a local MHA affiliate who can provide services, check out https://www.mhanational.org/ Theme music is, "A Journey" by Kevin Hartnell It has been edited and reproduced under the Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0). Follow the pod on Instagram! Dance; Better Podcast @dancebetterpodcast Send in your questions or episode suggestions to dancebetterpodcast@gmail.com If you relate and found this episode helpful, please click follow/subscribe and leave a review. (I might even read it on the next episode!) And don't forget to check out the show sponsor, @we.are.minding, or at www.wearemindingthegap.org
Dance Education Canada is proud of our teacher development in that it includes an understanding of how children learn and grow, and how to help them realize the fullest extent of their talents. Often in these excellence driven environments, the traditional approaches to teaching and learning, that still exist today, can include approaches to teaching dance that induce fear through intimidation and can be spirit breaking. Can excellence be achieved in a positive supporting encouraging environment? We at DEC know that yes, it can, and so does our guest. Today we will speak with dance teacher and author Gavin Larsin as she provides us with some tips, tricks, tools and strategies to help dance educators realize that there are alternate paths to excellence that foster healthy child development. GUEST: Born and raised in New York City, Ms. Larsen received her professional dance training at the School of American Ballet, the Pacific Northwest Ballet School and the New York School of Ballet. She has danced professionally with numerous notable companies including the Pacific Northwest Ballet, the Alberta Ballet, the Suzanne Farrell Ballet as a soloist and the Oregon Ballet Theatre as a principal dancer. She retired from performing in 2010 to focus on teaching, coaching and writing about dance. Her writing has appeared in several notable publications and has been a contributing writer for Pointe, Dance Teacher and Dance Spirit magazine.. In 2015 she was honored with a fellowship to the Helene Wurlitzer Foundation to pursue her work as a writer. Her memoir, Being a Ballerina: The Power and Perfection of a Dancing Life, was published by the University Press of Florida in 2021. INSTA: @gavinalarsen LINKEDIN: Gavin Larsen WEBSITE: gavinlarsen.com Disclaimer: Any and all ideas and information presented in the following podcast are those of the presenter. The presenter is not an employee or representative of Dance Education Canada (DEC), and is participating in this podcast on a voluntary basis. The ideas and information they express do not necessarily represent the views of the DEC or its partners, employees or affiliates. The ideas and information expressed herein are for general educational purposes only. They should not necessarily be applied to specific individual situations. DEC recommends consulting an expert or professional regarding specific medical, legal or business concerns. DEC makes no representations about the accuracy or suitability of this content. Please note that Canada's National Academy of Dance Education is now operating as Dance Education Canada.
Noelani Pantastico is from Oahu, Hawaii. She trained at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and attended summer courses at Pacific Northwest Ballet School from 1994 to 1996. She joined Pacific Northwest Ballet as an apprentice in 1997. She was promoted to corps de ballet in 1998, soloist in 2001, and principal in 2004. In 2008, she left PNB to join Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo as a soloist and was promoted to first soloist in 2009. In 2015, Ms. Pantastico returned to PNB as a principal dancer. In addition to her PNB repertory, Ms. Pantastico danced leading roles at Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo in Jean-Christophe Maillot's Altro Canto, La Belle, Cendrillon, Choré, Faust, Men's Dance for Women, Opus 40, Roméo et Juliette, Scheherazade, Le Songe, and Vers un Pays Sage; Marie Chouinard's Body Remix; Alexander Eckman's Rondo; Nicolo Fonte's Quiet Bang; William Forsythe's New Sleep; Emio Greco and Peter Scholten's Le Corps du Ballet; Natalia Horeçna's Tales Absurd, Fatalistic Visions Predominate; Johan Inger's In Exact; Jiří Kylián's Petite Mort; Pontus Lidberg's Summer's Winter Shadow; Matjash Mrozewski's Pavillon d'Armide; and Jeroen Verbruggen's Kill Bambi. She originated roles in Maillot's Casse-Noisette Compagnie and Lac. Ms. Pantastico was featured in the BBC's 1999 film version of PNB's production of Balanchine's A Midsummer Night's Dream, filmed at Sadler's Wells Theatre, London. In 2004, she performed the second movement of Balanchine's Brahms-Schoenberg Quartet as a guest artist for New York City Ballet's Balanchine Centennial. In 2017, Ms. Pantastico choreographed Picnic for Sculptured Dance, a collaboration between Pacific Northwest Ballet and Seattle Art Museum presented at Seattle's Olympic Sculpture Park. www.png.org · www.creativeprocess.info
Pacific Northwest Ballet, one of the largest and most highly regarded ballet companies in the United States, was founded in 1972. In July 2005, Peter Boal became artistic director, succeeding Kent Stowell and Francia Russell, artistic directors since 1977. The Company of nearly fifty dancers presents more than 100 performances each year of full-length and mixed repertory ballets at Marion Oliver McCaw Hall in Seattle and on tour. The Company has toured to Europe, Australia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Canada, and throughout the United States, with celebrated appearances at Jacob's Pillow and in New York City and Washington DC.In this interview, we speak with soloist Price Suddarth and corps de ballet Christopher D'Ariano and Amanda Morgan.· www.pnb.org· www.pnb.org/artists/price-suddarth/· www.pnb.org/artists/christopher-dariano/· www.pnb.org/artists/amanda-morgan · www.creativeprocess.infoPrice Suddarth | SoloistPrice Suddarth is from Westfield, Indiana. He studied at Central Indiana Dance Ensemble, the School of American Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet School, and he attended summer courses on scholarship at Pacific Northwest Ballet School, the Rock School, the School of American Ballet, and Miami City Ballet. Mr. Suddarth joined Pacific Northwest Ballet as an apprentice in 2010. He was promoted to corps de ballet in 2011 and soloist in 2018.Mr. Suddarth has performed as a guest artist with Panama National Ballet. He has choreographed for the Regional Dance America gala in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Pacific Northwest Ballet's NEXT STEP, and Pacific Northwest Ballet School's annual School Performance. In 2015, he choreographed Signature for PNB's mainstage repertory, and in 2017, he choreographed Shifted Figures for Sculptured Dance, a collaboration between Pacific Northwest Ballet and Seattle Art Museum presented at Seattle's Olympic Sculpture Park.Christopher D'Ariano | Corps de BalletChristopher D'Ariano is from The Bronx, New York. He studied at Ballet Tech, the School of American Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet School, and he attended summer courses at Ballet Tech, Boston Ballet, Nederlands Dans Theater, and Pacific Northwest Ballet. He was the recipient of the School of American Ballet Mae L. Wien Award for Outstanding Promise. Mr. D'Ariano joined Pacific Northwest Ballet as an apprentice in 2017 and was promoted to corps de ballet later that year.Mr. D'Ariano also has danced with Lunge Dance Collective, and he has choreographed for the Seattle International Dance Festival.Amanda Morgan | Corps de BalletAmanda Morgan is from Tacoma, Washington. She studied at Dance Theatre Northwest and Pacific Northwest Ballet School, and she attended summer courses at Alonzo King LINES Ballet, Boston Ballet School, and the School of American Ballet. She participated in PNB School's exchange with the Palucca University of Dance in Dresden, where she also performed with Dresden Semperoper Ballett. Ms. Morgan joined Pacific Northwest Ballet as an apprentice in 2016 and was promoted to corps de ballet in 2017.
Pacific Northwest Ballet, one of the largest and most highly regarded ballet companies in the United States, was founded in 1972. In July 2005, Peter Boal became artistic director, succeeding Kent Stowell and Francia Russell, artistic directors since 1977. The Company of nearly fifty dancers presents more than 100 performances each year of full-length and mixed repertory ballets at Marion Oliver McCaw Hall in Seattle and on tour. The Company has toured to Europe, Australia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Canada, and throughout the United States, with celebrated appearances at Jacob's Pillow and in New York City and Washington DC.In this interview, we speak with soloist Price Suddarth and corps de ballet Christopher D'Ariano and Amanda Morgan.· www.pnb.org· www.pnb.org/artists/price-suddarth/· www.pnb.org/artists/christopher-dariano/· www.pnb.org/artists/amanda-morgan · www.creativeprocess.infoPrice Suddarth | SoloistPrice Suddarth is from Westfield, Indiana. He studied at Central Indiana Dance Ensemble, the School of American Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet School, and he attended summer courses on scholarship at Pacific Northwest Ballet School, the Rock School, the School of American Ballet, and Miami City Ballet. Mr. Suddarth joined Pacific Northwest Ballet as an apprentice in 2010. He was promoted to corps de ballet in 2011 and soloist in 2018.Mr. Suddarth has performed as a guest artist with Panama National Ballet. He has choreographed for the Regional Dance America gala in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Pacific Northwest Ballet's NEXT STEP, and Pacific Northwest Ballet School's annual School Performance. In 2015, he choreographed Signature for PNB's mainstage repertory, and in 2017, he choreographed Shifted Figures for Sculptured Dance, a collaboration between Pacific Northwest Ballet and Seattle Art Museum presented at Seattle's Olympic Sculpture Park.Christopher D'Ariano | Corps de BalletChristopher D'Ariano is from The Bronx, New York. He studied at Ballet Tech, the School of American Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet School, and he attended summer courses at Ballet Tech, Boston Ballet, Nederlands Dans Theater, and Pacific Northwest Ballet. He was the recipient of the School of American Ballet Mae L. Wien Award for Outstanding Promise. Mr. D'Ariano joined Pacific Northwest Ballet as an apprentice in 2017 and was promoted to corps de ballet later that year.Mr. D'Ariano also has danced with Lunge Dance Collective, and he has choreographed for the Seattle International Dance Festival.Amanda Morgan | Corps de BalletAmanda Morgan is from Tacoma, Washington. She studied at Dance Theatre Northwest and Pacific Northwest Ballet School, and she attended summer courses at Alonzo King LINES Ballet, Boston Ballet School, and the School of American Ballet. She participated in PNB School's exchange with the Palucca University of Dance in Dresden, where she also performed with Dresden Semperoper Ballett. Ms. Morgan joined Pacific Northwest Ballet as an apprentice in 2016 and was promoted to corps de ballet in 2017.
Gabriela (gabriela-garcia.com)(IG:@dancinvida)(TW:@dancinvida) is a native of La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico. She holds a BA in Performing Arts from Saint Mary's College of California. Most recent theater credits include the role of Best Friend/Maid in Rodrigo Nogueira's play REAL and Half Time directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell. She is a former cast member and dance captain for CHICAGO - The Musical on Broadway and National Tours. During her time at CHICAGO she worked with celebrities such as George Hamilton, Marilu Henner, Huey Lewis, Taye Diggs, Usher, Melanie Griffith, Patrick Swayze, Brooke Shields and more. Other musical theater credits include Roman Holiday (Guthrie), West Side Story, Joseph…Dreamcoat, Carousel and the Vienna and Mexico City companies of CHICAGO where she played the role of “Velma Kelly” in their native language and was Dance Associate for the Düsseldorf Company. As a choreographer, she served as Movement Associate for the production of Sweeney Todd at the Barrow Street Theater; Associate Choreographer for Public Works' musical production of Twelfth Night at the Delacorte theater; choreographer of Sweet Charity in Lima, Perú under Preludio Asociación Cultural where she also served as choreography adviser to Preludio's Production of CHICAGO in 2012. She has created works for the Joffrey Ballet School's NYC Jazz and Contemporary summer intensive performances, BC/EFA benefits, and R.Evolución Latina's Choreographer Festival. Within the concert dance world she acted as Co-coordinator and faculty for the Joffrey Ballet School's "Joffrey Ensemble" and Jazz and Contemporary Program in New York City. Her dance training began under the RAD syllabus, followed by study at the San Francisco Ballet School and Pacific Northwest Ballet School. During her time at Pacific Northwest Ballet performed in ballets such as Serenade, Swan Lake, Midsummer's Night dream, Nutcracker, Coppelia, Symphony in C and others. As a soloist she danced with Tanzforum der Oper Koeln in Germany (where she originated several roles), Ballet del Instituto Cabañas, and Balletteatro Contemponáneo in Guadalajara, Mexico. She has taught Classical Ballet, Jazz and Musical Theater at schools in Germany, Austria, Mexico, Peru, Sweden, China, DR, and in New York at STEPS, Ellison Ballet, BDC, Joffrey Ballet School, Molloy College/CAP21, Ithaca College and Pace University. TV credits include "Succession" and "Jessica Jones". Film credits: In The Heights (Summer 2020), Whatever Lola Wants (Tribeca film festival) and Enchanted. As a voiceover actor, her voice can be heard in numerous TV commercials and radio spots for the US national Hispanic market as well as Spanish language audio books. Gabriela is Co-Founder and Director of R.Evolución Latina (RL), a nonprofit organization making a difference through the arts. Through her nonprofit work Gabriela has brought the RL mission to underprivileged students in New York by teaching workshops at community centers and offering master classes to the local dance communities. She is a passionate teacher, inspiring, mentoring and instilling her values and work ethic to her students. She is a recipient of El Diario's 2010 Mujeres Destacadas award.
Gabriela (gabriela-garcia.com)(IG:@dancinvida)(TW:@dancinvida) is a native of La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico. She holds a BA in Performing Arts from Saint Mary's College of California. Most recent theater credits include the role of Best Friend/Maid in Rodrigo Nogueira's play REAL and Half Time directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell. She is a former cast member and dance captain for CHICAGO - The Musical on Broadway and National Tours. During her time at CHICAGO she worked with celebrities such as George Hamilton, Marilu Henner, Huey Lewis, Taye Diggs, Usher, Melanie Griffith, Patrick Swayze, Brooke Shields and more. Other musical theater credits include Roman Holiday (Guthrie), West Side Story, Joseph…Dreamcoat, Carousel and the Vienna and Mexico City companies of CHICAGO where she played the role of “Velma Kelly” in their native language and was Dance Associate for the Düsseldorf Company. As a choreographer, she served as Movement Associate for the production of Sweeney Todd at the Barrow Street Theater; Associate Choreographer for Public Works' musical production of Twelfth Night at the Delacorte theater; choreographer of Sweet Charity in Lima, Perú under Preludio Asociación Cultural where she also served as choreography adviser to Preludio's Production of CHICAGO in 2012. She has created works for the Joffrey Ballet School's NYC Jazz and Contemporary summer intensive performances, BC/EFA benefits, and R.Evolución Latina's Choreographer Festival. Within the concert dance world she acted as Co-coordinator and faculty for the Joffrey Ballet School's "Joffrey Ensemble" and Jazz and Contemporary Program in New York City. Her dance training began under the RAD syllabus, followed by study at the San Francisco Ballet School and Pacific Northwest Ballet School. During her time at Pacific Northwest Ballet performed in ballets such as Serenade, Swan Lake, Midsummer's Night dream, Nutcracker, Coppelia, Symphony in C and others. As a soloist she danced with Tanzforum der Oper Koeln in Germany (where she originated several roles), Ballet del Instituto Cabañas, and Balletteatro Contemponáneo in Guadalajara, Mexico. She has taught Classical Ballet, Jazz and Musical Theater at schools in Germany, Austria, Mexico, Peru, Sweden, China, DR, and in New York at STEPS, Ellison Ballet, BDC, Joffrey Ballet School, Molloy College/CAP21, Ithaca College and Pace University. TV credits include "Succession" and "Jessica Jones". Film credits: In The Heights (Summer 2020), Whatever Lola Wants (Tribeca film festival) and Enchanted. As a voiceover actor, her voice can be heard in numerous TV commercials and radio spots for the US national Hispanic market as well as Spanish language audio books. Gabriela is Co-Founder and Director of R.Evolución Latina (RL), a nonprofit organization making a difference through the arts. Through her nonprofit work Gabriela has brought the RL mission to underprivileged students in New York by teaching workshops at community centers and offering master classes to the local dance communities. She is a passionate teacher, inspiring, mentoring and instilling her values and work ethic to her students. She is a recipient of El Diario's 2010 Mujeres Destacadas award.
Pacific Northwest Ballet, one of the largest and most highly regarded ballet companies in the United States, was founded in 1972. In July 2005, Peter Boal became artistic director, succeeding Kent Stowell and Francia Russell, artistic directors since 1977. The Company of nearly fifty dancers presents more than 100 performances each year of full-length and mixed repertory ballets at Marion Oliver McCaw Hall in Seattle and on tour. The Company has toured to Europe, Australia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Canada, and throughout the United States, with celebrated appearances at Jacob's Pillow and in New York City and Washington DC.In this interview, we speak with soloist Price Suddarth and corps de ballet Christopher D'Ariano and Amanda Morgan.· www.pnb.org· www.pnb.org/artists/price-suddarth/· www.pnb.org/artists/christopher-dariano/· www.pnb.org/artists/amanda-morgan · www.creativeprocess.infoPrice Suddarth | SoloistPrice Suddarth is from Westfield, Indiana. He studied at Central Indiana Dance Ensemble, the School of American Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet School, and he attended summer courses on scholarship at Pacific Northwest Ballet School, the Rock School, the School of American Ballet, and Miami City Ballet. Mr. Suddarth joined Pacific Northwest Ballet as an apprentice in 2010. He was promoted to corps de ballet in 2011 and soloist in 2018.Mr. Suddarth has performed as a guest artist with Panama National Ballet. He has choreographed for the Regional Dance America gala in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Pacific Northwest Ballet's NEXT STEP, and Pacific Northwest Ballet School's annual School Performance. In 2015, he choreographed Signature for PNB's mainstage repertory, and in 2017, he choreographed Shifted Figures for Sculptured Dance, a collaboration between Pacific Northwest Ballet and Seattle Art Museum presented at Seattle's Olympic Sculpture Park.Christopher D'Ariano | Corps de BalletChristopher D'Ariano is from The Bronx, New York. He studied at Ballet Tech, the School of American Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet School, and he attended summer courses at Ballet Tech, Boston Ballet, Nederlands Dans Theater, and Pacific Northwest Ballet. He was the recipient of the School of American Ballet Mae L. Wien Award for Outstanding Promise. Mr. D'Ariano joined Pacific Northwest Ballet as an apprentice in 2017 and was promoted to corps de ballet later that year.Mr. D'Ariano also has danced with Lunge Dance Collective, and he has choreographed for the Seattle International Dance Festival.Amanda Morgan | Corps de BalletAmanda Morgan is from Tacoma, Washington. She studied at Dance Theatre Northwest and Pacific Northwest Ballet School, and she attended summer courses at Alonzo King LINES Ballet, Boston Ballet School, and the School of American Ballet. She participated in PNB School's exchange with the Palucca University of Dance in Dresden, where she also performed with Dresden Semperoper Ballett. Ms. Morgan joined Pacific Northwest Ballet as an apprentice in 2016 and was promoted to corps de ballet in 2017.
Pacific Northwest Ballet, one of the largest and most highly regarded ballet companies in the United States, was founded in 1972. In July 2005, Peter Boal became artistic director, succeeding Kent Stowell and Francia Russell, artistic directors since 1977. The Company of nearly fifty dancers presents more than 100 performances each year of full-length and mixed repertory ballets at Marion Oliver McCaw Hall in Seattle and on tour. The Company has toured to Europe, Australia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Canada, and throughout the United States, with celebrated appearances at Jacob's Pillow and in New York City and Washington DC.In this interview, we speak with soloist Price Suddarth and corps de ballet Christopher D'Ariano and Amanda Morgan.· www.pnb.org· www.pnb.org/artists/price-suddarth/· www.pnb.org/artists/christopher-dariano/· www.pnb.org/artists/amanda-morgan · www.creativeprocess.infoPrice Suddarth | SoloistPrice Suddarth is from Westfield, Indiana. He studied at Central Indiana Dance Ensemble, the School of American Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet School, and he attended summer courses on scholarship at Pacific Northwest Ballet School, the Rock School, the School of American Ballet, and Miami City Ballet. Mr. Suddarth joined Pacific Northwest Ballet as an apprentice in 2010. He was promoted to corps de ballet in 2011 and soloist in 2018.Mr. Suddarth has performed as a guest artist with Panama National Ballet. He has choreographed for the Regional Dance America gala in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Pacific Northwest Ballet's NEXT STEP, and Pacific Northwest Ballet School's annual School Performance. In 2015, he choreographed Signature for PNB's mainstage repertory, and in 2017, he choreographed Shifted Figures for Sculptured Dance, a collaboration between Pacific Northwest Ballet and Seattle Art Museum presented at Seattle's Olympic Sculpture Park.Christopher D'Ariano | Corps de BalletChristopher D'Ariano is from The Bronx, New York. He studied at Ballet Tech, the School of American Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet School, and he attended summer courses at Ballet Tech, Boston Ballet, Nederlands Dans Theater, and Pacific Northwest Ballet. He was the recipient of the School of American Ballet Mae L. Wien Award for Outstanding Promise. Mr. D'Ariano joined Pacific Northwest Ballet as an apprentice in 2017 and was promoted to corps de ballet later that year.Mr. D'Ariano also has danced with Lunge Dance Collective, and he has choreographed for the Seattle International Dance Festival.Amanda Morgan | Corps de BalletAmanda Morgan is from Tacoma, Washington. She studied at Dance Theatre Northwest and Pacific Northwest Ballet School, and she attended summer courses at Alonzo King LINES Ballet, Boston Ballet School, and the School of American Ballet. She participated in PNB School's exchange with the Palucca University of Dance in Dresden, where she also performed with Dresden Semperoper Ballett. Ms. Morgan joined Pacific Northwest Ballet as an apprentice in 2016 and was promoted to corps de ballet in 2017.
Amanda Morgan is in the corps of the prestigious Pacific Northwest Ballet (PNB) based in Seattle. PNB is one of the largest and best-regarded companies in the United States with a deep commitment to racial diversity. Although people of color comprise 26 percent of its dancers, Morgan is its only black female ballet dancer—add to that her height of five foot ten inches, and you have someone who stands out rather than fits in. But Morgan decided long ago that “if you don't see what you want to see around you, create it." And so she has. Finding herself not picked by choreographers, she began to create dances herself; she co-founded a mentorship program between company dancers and students at Pacific Northwest Ballet School; she began the Seattle Project, an interdisciplinary artist collective that presents performing arts to the community; and she spoke at protests in Seattle about pervasive racism—calling out the ballet community at large for its lack of racial equity. Morgan is talented, determined, and outspoken. In this podcast we talk about her love of ballet—both as a dancer and a choreographer, her appreciation for being part of the PNB family, her belief that ballet has to change and embrace real inclusion from the studio to the boardroom in order to thrive, and the work she's done to help bring that change about.
Amanda Morgan is in the corps of the prestigious Pacific Northwest Ballet (PNB) based in Seattle. PNB is one of the largest and best-regarded companies in the United States with a deep commitment to racial diversity. Although people of color comprise 26 percent of its dancers, Morgan is its only black female ballet dancer—add to that her height of five foot ten inches, and you have someone who stands out rather than fits in. But Morgan decided long ago that “if you don’t see what you want to see around you, create it." And so she has. Finding herself not picked by choreographers, she began to create dances herself; she co-founded a mentorship program between company dancers and students at Pacific Northwest Ballet School; she began the Seattle Project, an interdisciplinary artist collective that presents performing arts to the community; and she spoke at protests in Seattle about pervasive racism—calling out the ballet community at large for its lack of racial equity. Morgan is talented, determined, and outspoken. In this podcast we talk about her love of ballet—both as a dancer and a choreographer, her appreciation for being part of the PNB family, her belief that ballet has to change and embrace real inclusion from the studio to the boardroom in order to thrive, and the work she’s done to help bring that change about.
Amanda Morgan is in the corps of the prestigious Pacific Northwest Ballet (PNB) based in Seattle. PNB is one of the largest and best-regarded companies in the United States with a deep commitment to racial diversity. Although people of color comprise 26 percent of its dancers, Morgan is its only black female ballet dancer—add to that her height of five foot ten inches, and you have someone who stands out rather than fits in. But Morgan decided long ago that “if you don’t see what you want to see around you, create it." And so she has. Finding herself not picked by choreographers, she began to create dances herself; she co-founded a mentorship program between company dancers and students at Pacific Northwest Ballet School; she began the Seattle Project, an interdisciplinary artist collective that presents performing arts to the community; and she spoke at protests in Seattle about pervasive racism—calling out the ballet community at large for its lack of racial equity. Morgan is talented, determined, and outspoken. In this podcast we talk about her love of ballet—both as a dancer and a choreographer, her appreciation for being part of the PNB family, her belief that ballet has to change and embrace real inclusion from the studio to the boardroom in order to thrive, and the work she’s done to help bring that change about.
The Creative Process in 10 minutes or less · Arts, Culture & Society
Noelani Pantastico is from Oahu, Hawaii. She trained at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and attended summer courses at Pacific Northwest Ballet School from 1994 to 1996. She joined Pacific Northwest Ballet as an apprentice in 1997. She was promoted to corps de ballet in 1998, soloist in 2001, and principal in 2004. In 2008, she left PNB to join Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo as a soloist and was promoted to first soloist in 2009. In 2015, Ms. Pantastico returned to PNB as a principal dancer. In addition to her PNB repertory, Ms. Pantastico danced leading roles at Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo in Jean-Christophe Maillot's Altro Canto, La Belle, Cendrillon, Choré, Faust, Men's Dance for Women, Opus 40, Roméo et Juliette, Scheherazade, Le Songe, and Vers un Pays Sage; Marie Chouinard's Body Remix; Alexander Eckman's Rondo; Nicolo Fonte's Quiet Bang; William Forsythe's New Sleep; Emio Greco and Peter Scholten's Le Corps du Ballet; Natalia Horeçna's Tales Absurd, Fatalistic Visions Predominate; Johan Inger's In Exact; Jiří Kylián's Petite Mort; Pontus Lidberg's Summer's Winter Shadow; Matjash Mrozewski's Pavillon d'Armide; and Jeroen Verbruggen's Kill Bambi. She originated roles in Maillot's Casse-Noisette Compagnie and Lac. Ms. Pantastico was featured in the BBC's 1999 film version of PNB's production of Balanchine's A Midsummer Night's Dream, filmed at Sadler's Wells Theatre, London. In 2004, she performed the second movement of Balanchine's Brahms-Schoenberg Quartet as a guest artist for New York City Ballet's Balanchine Centennial. In 2017, Ms. Pantastico choreographed Picnic for Sculptured Dance, a collaboration between Pacific Northwest Ballet and Seattle Art Museum presented at Seattle's Olympic Sculpture Park. www.png.org · www.creativeprocess.info
The Creative Process · Seasons 1 2 3 · Arts, Culture & Society
Noelani Pantastico is from Oahu, Hawaii. She trained at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and attended summer courses at Pacific Northwest Ballet School from 1994 to 1996. She joined Pacific Northwest Ballet as an apprentice in 1997. She was promoted to corps de ballet in 1998, soloist in 2001, and principal in 2004. In 2008, she left PNB to join Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo as a soloist and was promoted to first soloist in 2009. In 2015, Ms. Pantastico returned to PNB as a principal dancer. In addition to her PNB repertory, Ms. Pantastico danced leading roles at Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo in Jean-Christophe Maillot's Altro Canto, La Belle, Cendrillon, Choré, Faust, Men's Dance for Women, Opus 40, Roméo et Juliette, Scheherazade, Le Songe, and Vers un Pays Sage; Marie Chouinard's Body Remix; Alexander Eckman's Rondo; Nicolo Fonte's Quiet Bang; William Forsythe's New Sleep; Emio Greco and Peter Scholten's Le Corps du Ballet; Natalia Horeçna's Tales Absurd, Fatalistic Visions Predominate; Johan Inger's In Exact; Jiří Kylián's Petite Mort; Pontus Lidberg's Summer's Winter Shadow; Matjash Mrozewski's Pavillon d'Armide; and Jeroen Verbruggen's Kill Bambi. She originated roles in Maillot's Casse-Noisette Compagnie and Lac. Ms. Pantastico was featured in the BBC's 1999 film version of PNB's production of Balanchine's A Midsummer Night's Dream, filmed at Sadler's Wells Theatre, London. In 2004, she performed the second movement of Balanchine's Brahms-Schoenberg Quartet as a guest artist for New York City Ballet's Balanchine Centennial. In 2017, Ms. Pantastico choreographed Picnic for Sculptured Dance, a collaboration between Pacific Northwest Ballet and Seattle Art Museum presented at Seattle's Olympic Sculpture Park. www.png.org · www.creativeprocess.info
Noelani Pantastico is from Oahu, Hawaii. She trained at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and attended summer courses at Pacific Northwest Ballet School from 1994 to 1996. She joined Pacific Northwest Ballet as an apprentice in 1997. She was promoted to corps de ballet in 1998, soloist in 2001, and principal in 2004. In 2008, she left PNB to join Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo as a soloist and was promoted to first soloist in 2009. In 2015, Ms. Pantastico returned to PNB as a principal dancer. In addition to her PNB repertory, Ms. Pantastico danced leading roles at Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo in Jean-Christophe Maillot's Altro Canto, La Belle, Cendrillon, Choré, Faust, Men's Dance for Women, Opus 40, Roméo et Juliette, Scheherazade, Le Songe, and Vers un Pays Sage; Marie Chouinard's Body Remix; Alexander Eckman's Rondo; Nicolo Fonte's Quiet Bang; William Forsythe's New Sleep; Emio Greco and Peter Scholten's Le Corps du Ballet; Natalia Horeçna's Tales Absurd, Fatalistic Visions Predominate; Johan Inger's In Exact; Jiří Kylián's Petite Mort; Pontus Lidberg's Summer's Winter Shadow; Matjash Mrozewski's Pavillon d'Armide; and Jeroen Verbruggen's Kill Bambi. She originated roles in Maillot's Casse-Noisette Compagnie and Lac. Ms. Pantastico was featured in the BBC's 1999 film version of PNB's production of Balanchine's A Midsummer Night's Dream, filmed at Sadler's Wells Theatre, London. In 2004, she performed the second movement of Balanchine's Brahms-Schoenberg Quartet as a guest artist for New York City Ballet's Balanchine Centennial. In 2017, Ms. Pantastico choreographed Picnic for Sculptured Dance, a collaboration between Pacific Northwest Ballet and Seattle Art Museum presented at Seattle's Olympic Sculpture Park. www.png.org · www.creativeprocess.info
This week we are continuing our conversation about teaching ballet classes online during the COVID-19 pandemic. We talk with Gavin Larsen, a former principal dancer with Oregon Ballet Theatre, now living in Asheville, NC, where she teaches and writes about dance. After training at the School of American Ballet and Pacific Northwest Ballet School, she […] The post (185) Gavin Larsen on Teaching Online appeared first on tendusunderapalmtree.com.
This week we are continuing our conversation about teaching ballet classes online during the COVID-19 pandemic. We talk with Gavin Larsen, a former principal dancer with Oregon Ballet Theatre, now living in Asheville, NC, where she teaches and writes about dance. After training at the School of American Ballet and Pacific Northwest Ballet School, she […] The post (185) Gavin Larsen on Teaching Online appeared first on tendusunderapalmtree.com.
The Creative Process · Seasons 1 2 3 · Arts, Culture & Society
Pacific Northwest Ballet, one of the largest and most highly regarded ballet companies in the United States, was founded in 1972. In July 2005, Peter Boal became artistic director, succeeding Kent Stowell and Francia Russell, artistic directors since 1977. The Company of nearly fifty dancers presents more than 100 performances each year of full-length and mixed repertory ballets at Marion Oliver McCaw Hall in Seattle and on tour. The Company has toured to Europe, Australia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Canada, and throughout the United States, with celebrated appearances at Jacob's Pillow and in New York City and Washington DC.In this interview, we speak with soloist Price Suddarth and corps de ballet Christopher D'Ariano and Amanda Morgan.· www.pnb.org· www.pnb.org/artists/price-suddarth/· www.pnb.org/artists/christopher-dariano/· www.pnb.org/artists/amanda-morgan · www.creativeprocess.infoPrice Suddarth | SoloistPrice Suddarth is from Westfield, Indiana. He studied at Central Indiana Dance Ensemble, the School of American Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet School, and he attended summer courses on scholarship at Pacific Northwest Ballet School, the Rock School, the School of American Ballet, and Miami City Ballet. Mr. Suddarth joined Pacific Northwest Ballet as an apprentice in 2010. He was promoted to corps de ballet in 2011 and soloist in 2018.Mr. Suddarth has performed as a guest artist with Panama National Ballet. He has choreographed for the Regional Dance America gala in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Pacific Northwest Ballet's NEXT STEP, and Pacific Northwest Ballet School's annual School Performance. In 2015, he choreographed Signature for PNB's mainstage repertory, and in 2017, he choreographed Shifted Figures for Sculptured Dance, a collaboration between Pacific Northwest Ballet and Seattle Art Museum presented at Seattle's Olympic Sculpture Park.Christopher D'Ariano | Corps de BalletChristopher D'Ariano is from The Bronx, New York. He studied at Ballet Tech, the School of American Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet School, and he attended summer courses at Ballet Tech, Boston Ballet, Nederlands Dans Theater, and Pacific Northwest Ballet. He was the recipient of the School of American Ballet Mae L. Wien Award for Outstanding Promise. Mr. D'Ariano joined Pacific Northwest Ballet as an apprentice in 2017 and was promoted to corps de ballet later that year.Mr. D'Ariano also has danced with Lunge Dance Collective, and he has choreographed for the Seattle International Dance Festival.Amanda Morgan | Corps de BalletAmanda Morgan is from Tacoma, Washington. She studied at Dance Theatre Northwest and Pacific Northwest Ballet School, and she attended summer courses at Alonzo King LINES Ballet, Boston Ballet School, and the School of American Ballet. She participated in PNB School's exchange with the Palucca University of Dance in Dresden, where she also performed with Dresden Semperoper Ballett. Ms. Morgan joined Pacific Northwest Ballet as an apprentice in 2016 and was promoted to corps de ballet in 2017.
The Creative Process · Seasons 1 2 3 · Arts, Culture & Society
Pacific Northwest Ballet, one of the largest and most highly regarded ballet companies in the United States, was founded in 1972. In July 2005, Peter Boal became artistic director, succeeding Kent Stowell and Francia Russell, artistic directors since 1977. The Company of nearly fifty dancers presents more than 100 performances each year of full-length and mixed repertory ballets at Marion Oliver McCaw Hall in Seattle and on tour. The Company has toured to Europe, Australia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Canada, and throughout the United States, with celebrated appearances at Jacob's Pillow and in New York City and Washington DC.In this interview, we speak with soloist Price Suddarth and corps de ballet Christopher D'Ariano and Amanda Morgan.· www.pnb.org· www.pnb.org/artists/price-suddarth/· www.pnb.org/artists/christopher-dariano/· www.pnb.org/artists/amanda-morgan · www.creativeprocess.infoPrice Suddarth | SoloistPrice Suddarth is from Westfield, Indiana. He studied at Central Indiana Dance Ensemble, the School of American Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet School, and he attended summer courses on scholarship at Pacific Northwest Ballet School, the Rock School, the School of American Ballet, and Miami City Ballet. Mr. Suddarth joined Pacific Northwest Ballet as an apprentice in 2010. He was promoted to corps de ballet in 2011 and soloist in 2018.Mr. Suddarth has performed as a guest artist with Panama National Ballet. He has choreographed for the Regional Dance America gala in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Pacific Northwest Ballet's NEXT STEP, and Pacific Northwest Ballet School's annual School Performance. In 2015, he choreographed Signature for PNB's mainstage repertory, and in 2017, he choreographed Shifted Figures for Sculptured Dance, a collaboration between Pacific Northwest Ballet and Seattle Art Museum presented at Seattle's Olympic Sculpture Park.Christopher D'Ariano | Corps de BalletChristopher D'Ariano is from The Bronx, New York. He studied at Ballet Tech, the School of American Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet School, and he attended summer courses at Ballet Tech, Boston Ballet, Nederlands Dans Theater, and Pacific Northwest Ballet. He was the recipient of the School of American Ballet Mae L. Wien Award for Outstanding Promise. Mr. D'Ariano joined Pacific Northwest Ballet as an apprentice in 2017 and was promoted to corps de ballet later that year.Mr. D'Ariano also has danced with Lunge Dance Collective, and he has choreographed for the Seattle International Dance Festival.Amanda Morgan | Corps de BalletAmanda Morgan is from Tacoma, Washington. She studied at Dance Theatre Northwest and Pacific Northwest Ballet School, and she attended summer courses at Alonzo King LINES Ballet, Boston Ballet School, and the School of American Ballet. She participated in PNB School's exchange with the Palucca University of Dance in Dresden, where she also performed with Dresden Semperoper Ballett. Ms. Morgan joined Pacific Northwest Ballet as an apprentice in 2016 and was promoted to corps de ballet in 2017.
This week we are pleased to welcome Patricia Barker, Artistic Director of Grand Rapids Ballet and former Pacific Northwest Ballet Principal Dancer. Patricia began her ballet training in Richland, WA and later studied at the Boston Ballet School and the Pacific Northwest Ballet School. Patricia is regarded as one of the world's most gifted ballerinas […] The post (41) Patricia Barker, Artistic Director of Grand Rapids Ballet appeared first on tendusunderapalmtree.com.
This week we are pleased to welcome Patricia Barker, Artistic Director of Grand Rapids Ballet and former Pacific Northwest Ballet Principal Dancer. Patricia began her ballet training in Richland, WA and later studied at the Boston Ballet School and the Pacific Northwest Ballet School. Patricia is regarded as one of the world’s most gifted ballerinas […] The post (41) Patricia Barker, Artistic Director of Grand Rapids Ballet appeared first on tendusunderapalmtree.com.
Margaret Mullin is from Tucson, Arizona. She studied on scholarship at Ballet Arts Tucson with Mary-Beth Cabana and at Pacific Northwest Ballet School, and attended summer courses at Ballet Tucson, and Pacific Northwest Ballet School. Margaret was the recipient of a Thurber Scholarship Award in 2003 and 2004, the 2007 Founding Director Scholarship Award from Angela Whitehill of Burklyn Ballet, and a 2011 Princess Grace Award recipient. Margaret joined Pacific Northwest Ballet as an apprentice in 2008. She was promoted to corps de ballet in 2009 and soloist in 2014. Margaret has choreographed works for Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Choreographers’ Showcase and Next Step performances. In 2012, she choreographed her first ballet, Lost in Light, for the Company. She has also choreographed works, performed as a guest artist, and served as guest teacher for Ballet Tucson and Ballet Arts School in Tucson. Margaret has recently teamed up with Balancing Pointe's previous guest Nel Shelby to produce an amazing film called "No Dominion" which will celebrate the remarkable life the late Ian Horvath, dance champion and AIDS activist. No Dominion kickstarter campaign link Pacific Northwest Ballet website Margaret Mullin instagram Margaret Mullin twitter Balancing Pointe Facebook Page Twitter - Balancing Pointe Balancing Pointe instagram
Jerome and Laura Tisserand are principal dancers with the Pacific Northwest Ballet and are husband and wife. Jerome Tisserand is from Lyon, France. He trained at the Paris Opera Ballet School, with Pascale Courdioux in Lyon, and at the School of American Ballet. Jerome joined Miami City Ballet as an apprentice in 2006 and moved west to Pacific Northwest Ballet as a member of the corps de ballet in 2007 and was promoted to soloist in 2012 and principal in 2014. Laura Tisserand is from Hammond, Louisiana. She trained with Phoebe Brantley in Baton Rouge, Joseph Giacobbe and Richard Rholdon in New Orleans, and on scholarship at the School of American Ballet and Pacific Northwest Ballet School. She joined Pacific Northwest Ballet as an apprentice in 2003 and was promoted to corps de ballet in 2004, soloist in 2010, and principal in 2013. Don't miss Jerome and Laura perform in See The Music, which opens this Friday. All the info at PNB.org
Julia Erickson Julia Erickson, originally from Seattle, is a Principal Dancer with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. She is also the creator and co-owner of Barre-Real Food Bars, alongside Aaron Ingley. You may also recognize Julia from Gaynor Minden pointe shoe ads. Julia began her training at age seven in Level 1 at Pacific Northwest Ballet School. She continued training on scholarship at PNBS and later at San Francisco Ballet School. She toured to Europe and Asia with PNB and danced with the Fort Worth Dallas Ballet for two seasons, prior to joining Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre in 2001. As creator of Barre, Julia has a second career with partner and co-owner Aaron Ingley. Stemming from a rigorous rehearsal schedule for Swan Lake in Spring 2010, Julia sought a better in-between rehearsal snack. At home in her kitchen, she created just that. She shared them with other dancers receiving rave reviews. Soon she and Aaron found themselves in the role of entrepreneurs with a growing snack bar business. Barre is available nationally in Whole Foods Stores as well as online. Hear more from Julia and Aaron about Barre-Real Food Bar in Part Two of their interview on January 17, 2014. Aaron Ingley Originally from Tallahassee, Florida, Aaron studied musical theater at Young Actors Theater before beginning ballet training at age 13 with Southern Academy of Ballet Arts and Tallahassee Ballet. Aaron completed his professional training at Pacific Northwest Ballet School in Seattle, where he performed with that company at the 1999 Edinburgh Festival and the 2000 Hong Kong Festival. He was also featured as Tom Snout in PNB's production of George Balanchine A Midsummer Night's Dream produced for television by the BBC. Aaron performed professionally with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre for nine seasons. A versatile dancer, Aaron was featured in numerous classical and contemporary roles and served as the company's Principal Character Artist during that time. In addition to performing and teaching ballet, Aaron is a professional actor and recently completed degrees in History and Management at University of Pittsburgh. A consummate innovator, Aaron pushes the boundaries, helping expand the ways in which art is conceptualized and defined. Aaron is an avid cyclist and as co-owner of Barre, enjoys creating delicious, healthy snacks in the kitchen with Julia.