It has been just over six months since you joined as Artistic Director, how has it been?
It has been wonderful! Everyone has been so welcoming and open to my artistic vision for the company. My focus has been on building relationships with the dancers and staff and taking the time to listen to everyone.
As part of the strategic planning work that I am doing, I am focused on restructuring the dancers’ health and wellness program. It is still in the beginning stages, but I am thrilled to say we have more regular access to physical therapy, which is so vital for the dancers. I have also developed a repertoire plan for the next three seasons that has been approved by the board, giving us a clear direction moving forward.
We have also had an amazing start to the season, with record sales for both Swan Lake and The Nutcracker! Seeing the audience’s enthusiasm and growth has been so rewarding. It’s taken years post-COVID, but audiences are returning to dance, and the artistic and marketing teams have done an outstanding job delivering high-quality performances.
Let’s talk about Frida!
Well first, I am so happy the choreographer, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, chose Ballet Arizona to be the first company in the U.S. to perform this ballet. Given our proximity to Mexico and the large Latino population in our community, Frida feels particularly relevant. It celebrates a female Latina artist whose story resonates deeply today. It’s a contemporary story that reflects our commitment to presenting diverse narratives and broadening the audience’s experience.
I believe it will become a pillar of our repertoire—a piece we revisit every few years. It’s an opportunity for the community to develop a deeper connection with a contemporary story ballet and reinforces our mission to innovate while honoring tradition.
Looking to more contemporary works, what can audiences expect with Spring Mix in March?
I am particularly excited for Spring Mix because it is the first program where I had significant input. It includes Christopher Wheeldon’s Within the Golden Hour, a new ballet by Resident Choreographer, Nayon Iovino, and Robert Bondara’s Take Me With You.
The variety in this program offers new challenges for our dancers and audiences alike, showcasing contemporary works with fresh perspectives – it perfectly balances tradition and innovation.
Nayon’s piece is exciting on two levels – one it’s new choreography, but secondly he is collaborating with a local composer! These types of collaboration’s is something I am very passionate about so I am happy Nayon was open to this opportunity.
I first saw Take Me With You by Robert Bondara when I was in Australia and fell in love with it. When I had the opportunity to select the third ballet for this program, I knew immediately this is the piece I wanted on the stage. The ballet is brilliant and just so cool. The piece is set to music by Radiohead and it’s a burst of energy, so clever and elegant.
This program will be very challenging for the dancers but so rewarding. Contemporary works demand openness and a willingness to step outside one’s comfort zone. Unlike classical ballet, dancers must learn entirely new movement languages, but it brings out a completely different type of artistry, where they have the ability to imprint on the role they are performing. It’s a beautiful experience for both the dancers and the audience.
