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A delightful party in honor of Los Angeles Ballet was held at the historic South Pasadena home of Paige and Scott Hornbacher, generously co-hosted by Ariel and Jeff Carpenter. Home / News / New Item Event for LAB with the Cast of “MAD MEN” May 1, 2009 Company News from the Staff at LAB A delightful party in honor of Los Angeles Ballet was held at the historic South Pasadena home of Paige and Scott Hornbacher, generously co-hosted by Ariel and Jeff Carpenter.

The Nutcracker 2021 Christensen and Neary / Tchaikovsky Cloe Taneja with Camille Goldsborough & Luna Weintraub in The Nutcracker Cloe Taneja with James Zenghhua Li & LAB Ensemble in The Nutcracker Marcos Ramirez Castellano & Kate Inoue with James Zenghua Li in The Nutcracker Ryo Araki LAB Ensemble in The Nutcracker; LAB Ensemble in The Nutcracker Laura Chachich & Joshua Brown in The Nutcracker; - Jasmine Perry & LAB Ensemble in The Nutcracker Petra Conti in The Nutcracker Petra Conti in The Nutcracker Petra Conti, Tigran Sargsyan & LAB Ensemble in The Nutcracker Cloe Taneja with James Zenghhua Li & LAB Ensemble in The Nutcracker Cloe Taneja with Camille Goldsborough & Luna Weintraub in The Nutcracker Cloe Taneja with James Zenghhua Li & LAB Ensemble in The Nutcracker Marcos Ramirez Castellano & Kate Inoue with James Zenghua Li in The Nutcracker Ryo Araki LAB Ensemble in The Nutcracker; LAB Ensemble in The Nutcracker Laura Chachich & Joshua Brown in The Nutcracker; - Jasmine Perry & LAB Ensemble in The Nutcracker Petra Conti in The Nutcracker Petra Conti in The Nutcracker Petra Conti, Tigran Sargsyan & LAB Ensemble in The Nutcracker Cloe Taneja with James Zenghhua Li & LAB Ensemble in The Nutcracker Cloe Taneja with Camille Goldsborough & Luna Weintraub in The Nutcracker Cloe Taneja with James Zenghhua Li & LAB Ensemble in The Nutcracker Marcos Ramirez Castellano & Kate Inoue with James Zenghua Li in The Nutcracker Ryo Araki LAB Ensemble in The Nutcracker; LAB Ensemble in The Nutcracker Laura Chachich & Joshua Brown in The Nutcracker; - Jasmine Perry & LAB Ensemble in The Nutcracker Petra Conti in The Nutcracker Petra Conti in The Nutcracker Petra Conti, Tigran Sargsyan & LAB Ensemble in The Nutcracker Cloe Taneja with James Zenghhua Li & LAB Ensemble in The Nutcracker Previous Gallery All photos by Reed Hutchinson Click on image for a fullscreen presentation. Next Gallery

Swan Lake 2018 Christensen and Neary after Petipa & Ivanov / Tchaikovsky Petra Conti & Kenta Shimizu LAB Ensemble Bianca Bulle & Kenta Shimizu Petra Conti Petra Conti & Kenta Shimizu Bianca Bulle Petra Conti & Kenta Shimizu Petra Conti & Kenta Shimizu Bianca Bulle & LAB Ensemble Petra Conti, Kenta Shimizu Petra Conti & Kenta Shimizu LAB Ensemble Bianca Bulle & Kenta Shimizu Petra Conti Petra Conti & Kenta Shimizu Bianca Bulle Petra Conti & Kenta Shimizu Petra Conti & Kenta Shimizu Bianca Bulle & LAB Ensemble Petra Conti, Kenta Shimizu Petra Conti & Kenta Shimizu LAB Ensemble Bianca Bulle & Kenta Shimizu Petra Conti Petra Conti & Kenta Shimizu Bianca Bulle Petra Conti & Kenta Shimizu Petra Conti & Kenta Shimizu Bianca Bulle & LAB Ensemble Petra Conti, Kenta Shimizu Previous Gallery All photos by Reed Hutchinson Click on image for a fullscreen presentation. Next Gallery

Bloom 2022 Christensen and Neary / Tchaikovsky LAB Ensemble in Bloom LAB Ensemble in Bloom Kate Inoue, McKenzie Byrne & Hannah Keene, LAB Ensemble in Bloom Jasmine Perry & Fabrice Calmels in Bloom Jasmine Perry & Fabrice Calmels in Bloom; Jasmine Perry & Fabrice Calmels in Bloom Jasmine Perry & Fabrice Calmels in Bloom Jasmine Perry & Fabrice Calmels in Bloom Jasmine Perry & Fabrice Calmels in Bloom Jasmine Perry, McKenzie Byrne, Cassidy Cocke, Hannah Keene, Kate Inoue in Bloom Jasmine Perry & Fabrice Calmels in Bloom LAB Ensemble in Bloom Jasmine Perry, Fabrice Calmels LAB Ensemble in Bloom; Kate Inoue & LAB Ensemble in Bloom Kate Inoue & LAB Ensemble in Bloom LAB Ensemble in Bloom Jasmine Perry in Bloom Jasmine Perry & Fabrice Calmels in Bloom LAB Ensemble in Bloom LAB Ensemble in Bloom Kate Inoue, McKenzie Byrne & Hannah Keene, LAB Ensemble in Bloom Jasmine Perry & Fabrice Calmels in Bloom Jasmine Perry & Fabrice Calmels in Bloom; Jasmine Perry & Fabrice Calmels in Bloom Jasmine Perry & Fabrice Calmels in Bloom Jasmine Perry & Fabrice Calmels in Bloom Jasmine Perry & Fabrice Calmels in Bloom Jasmine Perry, McKenzie Byrne, Cassidy Cocke, Hannah Keene, Kate Inoue in Bloom Jasmine Perry & Fabrice Calmels in Bloom LAB Ensemble in Bloom Jasmine Perry, Fabrice Calmels LAB Ensemble in Bloom; Kate Inoue & LAB Ensemble in Bloom Kate Inoue & LAB Ensemble in Bloom LAB Ensemble in Bloom Jasmine Perry in Bloom Jasmine Perry & Fabrice Calmels in Bloom Previous Gallery All photos by Reed Hutchinson Click on image for a fullscreen presentation. Next Gallery

Los Angeles Ballet presents a company of outstanding dancers from local communities and around the world. LAB dance artists master classical as well as contemporary techniques. Cleo Taneja Hometown Granada Hills, CA Seasons with LAB 7 Seasons with LAB Born and raised in Los Angeles, Cleo began dancing at age three. She received her early training at California Dance Academy, where she earned scholarships to many prestigious national summer programs, including San Francisco Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and School of American Ballet, where, at the age of 16, she was invited to attend the winter term. Upon graduation from SAB, Cleo joined Los Angeles Ballet in 2018, where she has danced featured roles in ballets such as The Nutcracker , Sleeping Beauty , Lady of the Camellias , and many others.

Aiming to become what artistic directors Thordal Christensen and Colleen Neary call "a major company that belongs to L.A. - that has a local flavor at an international level," the newly formed Los Angeles Ballet has announced its first season of performances and placed subscription tickets on sale. Home / News / New Item A ballet's next steps October 11, 2006 Company News from the Staff at LAB Los Angeles Ballet announces its first season, to be presented in three areas of the sprawling city By Lewis Segal, Times Staff Writer October 11, 2006 Aiming to become what artistic directors Thordal Christensen and Colleen Neary call "a major company that belongs to L.A. - that has a local flavor at an international level," the newly formed Los Angeles Ballet has announced its first season of performances and placed subscription tickets on sale. The company's debut will take place Dec. 2 at the Wilshire Theatre in a brand-new Christensen / Neary "Nutcracker," with repeat engagements through December at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center and the Alex Theatre in Glendale. Programs dominated by the works of George Balanchine are scheduled for mid-March and early June at these same three venues."We feel that it's part of our mission to bring ourselves to audiences in all of the areas," Neary explained in a recent interview. Christensen added: "You can't blame audience members for not wanting to sit in traffic when they go out at night. By being in the Wilshire Theatre, we're covering the Westside. By being at the Alex, we're covering Glendale and Pasadena. And by being down in Redondo, we're covering the beach communities." Christensen danced with Pacific Northwest Ballet before becoming artistic director of the Royal Danish Ballet. Neary (his wife) danced with New York City Ballet and has staged Balanchine choreography for a number of major companies. Their Los Angeles Ballet has no connection with the company of the same name run by New York City Ballet alumnus John Clifford from the early 1970s to the mid-'80s, or with Clifford's attempt to restart that company 10 years later. The current roster includes 21 resident professional dancers on 21-week contracts. Home is the Malibu Performing Arts Center. The projected annual budget is $1.7 million, and Christensen said that enough money is on hand, from unspecified sources, to carry the company through the "Nutcracker" engagements "without selling any tickets. We have paid for our production, we have paid for the theaters, and on top of that we have a cash reserve of approximately two- to three-hundred-thousand dollars." "Nutcracker" costumes are being donated by the Royal Danish Ballet, but the sets are newly created by locally based designer Catherine Kanner. "They'll be traditional but a little bit different," Christensen promised. "We wanted to make something very specifically for Los Angeles." Negotiations continue with musicians needed for the "Nutcracker" orchestra and with guest dancers as well. American Ballet Theatre principal Paloma Herrera has been signed for three "Nutcracker" performances. In addition, the company subscription brochure lists Artem Shpilevsky of the Bolshoi Ballet and five principals from New York City Ballet (Yvonne Borree, Nikolaj Hübbe, Maria Kowroski, Nilas Martins and Benjamin Millipied) as guest artists, but who will appear when has to be determined. Christensen and Neary have been working for years for this moment of launch. "Los Angeles is ready for its own ballet company," Christensen declares. "The timing is right for this. We're going to have to develop our own audience — to prove ourselves, to show that the level of excellence that we put on is at a very high level. That's going to be our challenge. But we feel now that we're ready to begin."

Los Angeles Ballet presents a company of outstanding dancers from local communities and around the world. LAB dance artists master classical as well as contemporary techniques. Lilly Olvera Hometown Venice Beach, CA Seasons with LAB 2 Seasons with LAB Lilly began her ballet training at the age of 4. She fell in love with dance while training at Westside School of Ballet and attending summer programs such as Boston Ballet. Lilly started at LAB as a Trainee in 2023 before joining the company in 2024. She has performed in Serenade , Raymonda , Firebird , The Nutcracker , and several new contemporary works.

On February 27, 2013 LAB Artistic Directors Thordal Christensen and Colleen Neary announced the promotions of 5 dancers. Home / News / New Item Five LAB Dancers Promoted May 1, 2013 Company News from the Staff at LAB On February 27, 2013 LAB Artistic Directors Thordal Christensen and Colleen Neary announced the promotions of 5 dancers. Zheng Hua Li joins the ranks of Principal Dancer, along with Allyssa Bross, Allynne Noelle, Christopher Revels, and Kenta Shimizu. Bianca Bulle, Alexander Castillo, Julia Cinquemani and Chelsea Paige Johnston were promoted to the newly created Soloist position.

Season 2011-2012 Laura Anne Wallace, Chelsea Paige Johnston & Bianca Bulle in 'Colony' by Kitty McNamee Kitty McNamee Allyssa Bross & Zheng Hua Li in 'Duets in the Act of help' by Sonya Tayeh Julia Cinquemani & Vincent S. Adams in 'Duets in the Act of help' by Sonya Tayeh Molly Flippen & Nicholas de la Vega in 'Duets in the Act of help' by Sonya Tayeh Allynne Noelle & Alexander Castillo in 'Duets in the Act of help' by Sonya Tayeh Josie Walsh Sirens'ge Johnston in 'Sirens' by Josie Walsh Allynne Noelle, Alexander Castillo, Benjamin Winegar & Zheng Hua Li in 'Be Still' by Stacey Tookey Stacey Tookey Allyssa Bross in 'Be Still' by Stacey Tookey Allynne Noelle & Kenta Shimizu in 'Swan Lake' Christopher Revels in 'Swan Lake' Sophie Silna, Bianca Bulle, Ariel Derby & Julia Cinquemani in 'Swan Lake' Allyssa Bross & Ensemble in 'Swan Lake' 'Swan Lake" Katherine Coqgill & Zheng Hua Li in 'Swan Lake' Julia Cinquemani in 'Swan Lake' Kate Highstrete in 'Swan Lake'; Photo Allyssa Bross & Christopher Revels, with Nicholas de la Vega in 'Swan Lake' Allynne Noelle & Kenta Shimizu in 'Swan Lake' Kenta Shimizu in 'Swan Lake' Allynne Noelle & Kenta Shimizu in 'Swan Lake' Allynne Noelle & Kenta Shimizu in 'Swan Lake' Previous Gallery All photos by Reed Hutchinson Click on image for a fullscreen presentation. Next Gallery

Ten Los Angeles Ballet dancers were profiled recently on Refinery29.com. Home / News / New Item LAB Dancers Featured on Refinery29.com February 1, 2013 Company News from the Staff at LAB Ten Los Angeles Ballet dancers were profiled recently on Refinery29.com. The feature includes 20 photographs taken of the dancers at LAB's studio and a variety of insights about their experiences, pre-performance habits, and activities outside of ballet.

On December 16th, 2008 Los Angeles Ballet appeared on the Dr. Phil show. Home / News / New Item Los Angeles Ballet Appears on Dr. Phil! December 1, 2008 Company News from the Staff at LAB On December 16th, 2008 Los Angeles Ballet appeared on the Dr. Phil show. Excerpts from The Nutcracker were performed on a special holiday program, and Dr. Phil's studio audience was invited to attend LAB performances throughout the 2008/2009 Season.

With the addition of “The Sleeping Beauty” to its repertory, the Los Angeles Ballet rounds out its Tchaikovsky trilogy, having launched the company with “The Nutcracker” in 2006 and staged “Swan Lake in 2011.” Taking on these three touchstones of classical ballet is a considerable achievement for any company but especially one only 9 years old. Home / News / New Item L.A. Ballet rounds out Tchaikovsky trilogy with 'The Sleeping Beauty' February 26, 2015 Los Angeles Times by Susan Reiter With the addition of “The Sleeping Beauty” to its repertory, the Los Angeles Ballet rounds out its Tchaikovsky trilogy, having launched the company with “The Nutcracker” in 2006 and staged “Swan Lake in 2011.” Taking on these three touchstones of classical ballet is a considerable achievement for any company but especially one only 9 years old. “We consider ourselves a classical company. We’re trying to shape the repertory so that we include everything that will also make the dancers that much better,” company co-artistic director Colleen Neary said recently by phone with Thordal Christensen, the other artistic director, and her husband. “It really is wonderful to see the growth within the company with this repertoire.” She and Christensen choreographed this premiere “after Petipa,” blending their own choreography with the well-known touchstones of French ballet master and choreographer Marius Petipa that have been passed down through ballet generations since 1890. They both had experience performing in — as well as staging — the work with the Royal Danish Ballet, which Christensen directed, while Neary worked as principal ballet mistress. “It’s the quintessential classical ballet,” Neary said. The duo researched other productions and made choices based on their specific approach and on what worked best for their 37-member company. The expansive ballet calls upon the full roster, with most dancers taking on multiple roles. “We tried to tell the story in an organic, magical way — tried to keep it fairly light,” Christensen said. “‘Sleeping Beauty’ can sometimes have a tendency to be very heavy in its storytelling. I think we tried to lighten it a little bit.” Christensen, a Dane, and Neary, an American whose extensive performing career began with New York City Ballet, recognize the important role that mime plays in the ballet. “You have to be true to the tradition of Petipa, but you’re not telling the mime in an old-fashioned way. It is very real in its storytelling,” said Neary, who performs the crucial character role of Carabosse, the irate fairy whose vengeful spell sets the plot in motion. Their new “Sleeping Beauty,” being presented in four Los Angeles-area venues, features sets and costumes designed by David Walker, originally for a 1977 Royal Ballet production. Neary emphasizes that the Los Angeles Ballet’s intention is “to bring ourselves to the communities of L.A.” “That’s what we have been about for the past nine years,” she adds. “It’s been a recipe that has worked extremely well, and we have really developed our audiences in all these venues. We’re very excited to bring a piece that’s this big and this wonderful to these audiences.” READ ARTICLE AT SOURCE