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- Passing the Balanchine Baton | Los Angeles Ballet
An elite group of artists called “repetiteurs “ carry on the works of one of the greatest choreographic masters of all time, George Balanchine. For 30 years since his death on April 30, 1983, these human “style guides” for the Balanchine aesthetic have served as guardians of his expansive repertoire of nearly 400 works, and storytellers of his legacy. Passing the Balanchine Baton May 15, 2013 KCET by AC Remler An elite group of artists called “repetiteurs “ carry on the works of one of the greatest choreographic masters of all time, George Balanchine. For 30 years since his death on April 30, 1983, these human “style guides” for the Balanchine aesthetic have served as guardians of his expansive repertoire of nearly 400 works, and storytellers of his legacy. Many have danced the roles themselves under his tutelage, such as Colleen Neary, co-artistic director of Los Angeles Ballet. She, along with about 30 other New York City Ballet disciples -- the acclaimed ballet company that he founded in 1948 -- have the stamp of approval from the Balanchine Trust to stage the choreographer’s works. As such, they travel the world ensuring that professional ballet companies who present Balanchine on their playbill, perform it, just so. “There was always a style and way of dancing the role that was very important to him,” Neary says. “He gave you the freedom to do what you wanted but not to the extreme where it took the piece another direction. And we grew up around that style - we saw what he wanted. We all respect each other but we all have differences in the years we danced with Balanchine and for versions we danced in. When I danced “Rubies” and “Symphony in C” in the same roles as my sister, [Patricia Neary for whom many roles were created by Balanchine], she was a decade before me, and he may have changed it for me, or changed his mind on certain timings. He changed as he went along. We always say ‘Before Death.’ Those are the years we look at. And after he died, things kept changing, so we try to keep it as tight as we can,” she says. Noelle “Rubies” Neary danced as a soloist from 1969 to 1979 in The New York City Ballet under the direction of Balanchine. Like her sister, she also had numerous roles created for her by Balanchine, as well as by other acclaimed choreographers such as Peter Martins, Jacques d’Amboise and others, throughout her career. Now Neary is poised to pass the Balanchine baton to a new generation of dancers at her own company, which she founded nine years ago with husband and former Royal Danish Ballet and New York City Ballet dancer Thordal Christensen. To commemorate Mr. B’s death (as he’s called fondly) and to celebrate his work, Los Angeles Ballet recently launched a Balanchine Festival 2013. Having just wrapped “Balanchine Gold” in March and April, Los Angeles Ballet recently launched part two of the series, “Balanchine Red” across Southern California that runs through June 9. Balanchine Red features his works, “Agon,” “La Valse,” and “Rubies.” The next performance takes place Saturday, May 18 at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center, followed by a night at the Valley Performing Arts Center May 25, an afternoon at the Alex Theatre May 26 and ending at Royce Hall June 9. Each performance is accompanied by lectures prior to curtain by experts in Balanchine’s work, including Kent Stowell, Francia Russell, Lewis Segal, Victoria Loos leaf, and of course, Neary herself. One of Los Angeles Ballet’s principal dancers is Southern California native Allynne Noelle. A tall, lithe figure who crackles on stage, Noelle has been with the company since 2011, coming from Miami City Ballet where she also performed Balanchine under the direction of Eddie Villella, another former principal dancer with New York City Ballet. Kenta, Noelle, “TchaiPas” “I like ‘Rubies’ ‘Tall Girl.’ LOVE Jewels as a whole ballet. Oh, and ‘Tchai Pas’ is fun (that’s ballet slang for 1960’s Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux),” she says, ticking off her favorite Balanchine ballets similar to how someone of a different milieu might rattle off pop music hits. “I really like “Apollo” too, but I’ve never performed it.” In Los Angeles Ballet’s “Balanchine Festival Red,” Noelle will dance the Pas de Deux in the notoriously challenging Agon (1957) an abstract masterpiece in which nary a note is lost on movement; and she will revisit “Tall Girl” in Rubies (1967). The fact that Neary has coached her in a masterpiece that Neary herself has danced for the master is clearly not lost on her. “I was a little scared at first because I know [Neary] has done the role,” she says. “Colleen gives me the freedom to do what I want with the role as an artist, but if there’s a step that isn’t right she lets me know. Even though it’s crazy hard technically, it’s artistically freeing.” Neary is quick to dispel any notion that she expects a cookie cutter interpretation of how she performed the part. “It’s perfect for Allynne. I give her feedback as to how I did it, but I don’t like to say: ‘This is MY role!’; even though you might feel like it’s your role. I want to train the next generation who are dancing the Balanchine ballets and dancing them well so eventually The Balanchine Trust might approve them to stage the ballets. The Balanchine Trust is very tight with [its] mechanism, and typically, they come from New York City Ballet. But I think it’s important for those of us who are with other companies to train the next generation to be able to rehearse his work,” she says. Mr. B, Pat, Colleen. Meanwhile Neary’s next repetiteur “gig” will be with the Paris Opera Ballet staging the original “Symphony in C” called “Palais de Cristal.” Neary also invites other repetiteurs to Los Angeles to stage Balanchine on Los Angeles Ballet dancers. “It’s good for the dancers to work with someone different. Although sometimes it’s hard for me to keep my mouth shut,” she laughs. Noelle, a self-proclaimed repetiteur in waiting, is one of six dancers with Los Angeles Ballet from Southern California. Noelle grew up in Huntington Beach and began classical ballet training at age 5. She remembers limited exposure to professional productions beyond seeing New York-based companies like New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre and “the occasional Russian company” breeze through to perform. “The cultural growth (in Southern California) has been exponential since then,” Noelle says. “I’m so happy to be back here dancing in a company that offers the opportunity to perform such great ballets. Last time I was on stage performing ‘Tchai Pas’ I thought, ‘Wow, this is my job. Should I really be having this much fun?’” DOWNLOAD PDF Home / News / New Item
- LAB to Perform The Nutcracker at Dolby Theatre | Los Angeles Ballet
LAB is excited to announce that in December of 2014 it will present four performances of The Nutcracker at its newest venue - the prestigious Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. LAB to Perform The Nutcracker at Dolby Theatre June 1, 2014 Company News from the Staff at LAB LAB is excited to announce that in December of 2014 it will present four performances of The Nutcracker at its newest venue - the prestigious Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. The addition of this venue continues LAB’s mission to offer world-class professional ballet to greater LA. Home / News / New Item
- Paige Wilkey – Company Dancer | Los Angeles Ballet
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. Paige Wilkey Hometown Los Angeles, CA Seasons with LAB 2023/2024, 2024/2025 Paige Wilkey began her training at J. Swider Dance Studios in Los Angeles. She attended summer intensive programs at American Ballet Theatre, Joffrey Ballet, and Boston Ballet. At the age of 16, Paige was invited to enroll in Boston Ballet School’s pre-professional program. After two years of training in Boston, Paige was hired by Oregon Ballet Theatre in Portland, where she spent 5 seasons. She has also danced with the American Contemporary Ballet before joining Los Angeles Ballet. Some of Paige’s featured roles with OBT and ACB include Dark Angel in Serenade , Sugarplum Fairy in The Nutcracker , 2nd Violin in Balanchine's c Concerto Barocco , and the principal pas de deux in Balanchine’s Agon . Paige also performed with Barak Ballet in the summer of 2021. She was so inspired by her experience working with Melissa Barak, that it was a dream for her to be dancing with Los Angeles Ballet under her artistic direction.
- 2015/2016 Photo Gallery | Los Angeles Ballet
Los Angeles Ballet photo gallery presents a complete suite of season performance photos beginning with LAB’s inaugural season in 2005. Los Angeles Ballet performance photographer: Reed Hutchinson 2015/2016 Photo Gallery Giselle The Nutcracker Don Quixote Romeo & Juliet Photo Gallery / 2015/2016 Photo Gallery /
- Audition Pre-Registration Received | Los Angeles Ballet
You will receive an email notifying you if audition spots are available. If so, you will be assigned the time for your audition, and a group number, and will be invited to submit your photos and CV. Pre-Registration Received You will receive an email notifying you if audition spots are available. If so, you will be assigned the time for your audition, and a group number, and will be invited to submit your photos and CV. Home / Audition Pre-Registration Received /
- LAB Dancer Christopher McDaniel Gets Published | Los Angeles Ballet
Los Angeles Ballet dancer Christopher McDaniel has added published author to his long list of accomplishments. LAB Dancer Christopher McDaniel Gets Published August 2, 2013 Company News from the Staff at LAB Los Angeles Ballet dancer Christopher McDaniel has added published author to his long list of accomplishments. His story, "A Dance with Destiny," was included in the recently published Chicken Soup for the Soul: From Lemons to Lemonade. Purchase the book now to read Christopher's inspiring story. READ ARTICLE AT SOURCE Home / News / New Item
- In-house Policies
def3083e-88bb-4367-8f2e-a22057e8e220 2024-2025 Season / Ticket Information / In-house Policies In-house Policies Children Los Angeles Ballet recommends a minimum age of 6 years old for children attending a performance. Children are required to have tickets and separate seats. As a courtesy to audience members and performers, please use discretion regarding your child's ability to sit quietly and enjoy a performance. Venues have differing policies regarding the minimum age of children in attendance. Please contact the LAB Box Office or visit the venue website where you plan to attend for more information. Cameras and Mobile Devices Cameras and recording equipment are not permitted in the theaters. All mobile devices must be turned off and alarm watches must be silenced before the start of the performance. For questions and support, please contact the Box Office at (310) 998-7782 to purchase by phone, Monday through Friday, 12:00pm to 5:00pm. In-person Ticket Sales Group Sales Venues Accessibility Gift Certificates Tax-Deductibe Donations Terms & Conditions of Sales In-house Policies Privacy Policy
- Lilly Olvera – Company Dancer | Los Angeles Ballet
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 2024/2025 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 the 2023/2024 season before joining the company and is excited to begin this season. Lilly has enjoyed performing in a range of classical, and Balanchine reps such as Serenade , Raymonda , Firebird , and The Nutcracker as well as several new contemporary works.
- Los Angeles Ballet Announces Quartet | Los Angeles Ballet
Los Angeles Ballet co-artistic directors Thordal Christensen and Colleen Neary are excited to unveil the ballets selected for LAB’s upcoming mixed program, QUARTET. Los Angeles Ballet Announces Quartet February 1, 2014 LAB Public Relations Performances to include: World premieres from Sonya Tayeh and Christopher Stowell Commissioned score from Noah Agruss LAB premiere of Jiří Kylián’s Return to a Strange Land LAB premiere of George Balanchine’s Stars and Stripes Los Angeles Ballet co-artistic directors Thordal Christensen and Colleen Neary are excited to unveil the ballets selected for LAB’s upcoming mixed program, QUARTET. This production adheres strongly to a main component of LAB’s mission: to passionately pursue innovation and creativity in performances by preserving the best choreographic work of the past and to become the impetus for the best choreography yet to come. Also continuing LAB’s mission to bring great, professional ballet to greater LA, each program will be performed at LAB’s four home venues: UCLA’s Royce Hall, The Alex Theatre in Glendale, Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, and Valley Performing Arts Center in Northridge. From March 1 to 22, 2014, QUARTET combines masterworks from George Balanchine and Jiří Kylián with new works from rising choreographers Sonya Tayeh and Christopher Stowell. Known for her work on television’s So You Think You Can Dance as well as on several celebrity concert tours and Broadway touring productions, Beneath One’s Dignity will mark Tayeh’s fourth commission for Los Angeles Ballet. Her ferocious, emotional style, blended with ballet, has brought audiences and critics to their feet. Former Artistic Director of Oregon Ballet Theater and noted choreographer Christopher Stowell will be working with LAB dancers for the first time, creating Cipher specifically for the company. This piece also marks the first commissioned composition for LAB, titled Modules by local composer Noah Agruss. QUARTET will also include the company premiere of Return to a Strange Land, from master choreographer Jiří Kylián to music by Leoš Janáček, and Stars and Stripes by George Balanchine set to the rousing marches of John Philip Sousa. “The dancers always look forward to working with Sonya. And having seen Christopher’s work in Oregon, we are excited to see what he will be creating on our dancers”, Mr. Christensen explained. “We think works from these two young dancemakers will fit well with Jiří Kylián’s beautiful, elegiac ballet and Balanchine’s stirring valentine to his adopted country.” Los Angeles Ballet’s production of QUARTET promises four extraordinary pieces, with something for every audience member. About Los Angeles Ballet Founded in 2004 by Artistic Directors Thordal Christensen and Colleen Neary, and Executive Director Julie Whittaker, Los Angeles Ballet is known for its superb stagings of the Balanchine repertory, stylistically meticulous classical ballets, and its commitment to new works. LAB has become recognized as a world-class ballet company, in eight seasons presenting 24 productions encompassing 50 works, including 15 commissioned world premieres. Los Angeles Ballet ‘tours’ throughout LA County, regularly appearing at four venues. This past summer the Los Angeles Music Center presented Los Angeles Ballet at Grand Park, with more than 3,000 attending the outdoor performance. Since its inception in 2006, LAB’s Power of Performance (POP!) program has provided thousands of free tickets to underserved or disadvantaged children, seniors, veterans, and their families. LAB's A Chance to Dance Community Days outreach program was launched in October 2012. About Jiří Kylián Jiří Kylián is a Czechoslovakian dancer and choreographer who began his career in Stuttgart Ballet in 1968. After creating numerous new ballets at Stuttgart, he became the Artistic Director of Nederlands Dans Theater where he served until 1999 and continued to choreograph for the company until 2009. His work Return to a Strange Land is an LAB premiere. About Christopher Stowell Christopher Stowell led a distinguished 16-year career as a principal dancer with San Francisco Ballet before becoming Oregon Ballet Theatre’s second Artistic Director from 2003 to 2012, where he significantly expanded the company’s repertoire. Cipher is his first commissioned work for Los Angeles Ballet. About Sonya Tayeh Sonya Tayeh was born in Detroit, Michigan and received a B.S. in Dance from Wayne State University. She has extensive stage credits and has choreographed for Miley Cyrus, Florence and the Machine, Kylie Minogue, and Madonna. She is a recurring choreographer and judge on So You Think You Can Dance. Beneath One’s Dignity will be her fourth commissioned work for Los Angeles Ballet. About George Balanchine Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, George Balanchine came to the United States in late 1933 following an early European career that included the Ballets Russes. Balanchine co-founded the School of American Ballet, and New York City Ballet where he served as the ballet master from its inception in 1948 until his death in 1983. To this day, Balanchine is regarded as world’s foremost contemporary ballet choreographer. Stars and Stripes is an LAB premiere. About Noah Agruss Noah Agruss is a Los Angeles based Composer who studied composition at Berklee College of Music in Boston and was mentored by Pulitzer Prize composer Wayne Peterson at San Francisco State University. Noah co-founded San Francisco's composer consortium, New Release Alliance, and served as Composer-in-Residence and Music Director on more than 20 productions for Sacramento's B Street Theatre. His edgy string quartet arrangements for Vitamin Records have garnered millions of hits on YouTube and have been chosen by choreographer Mia Michaels for her work on So You Think You Can Dance. His Film and Television credits include the Lionsgate's feature Five Fingers and NBC's broadcast of the Beiijing Olympics. Noah is honored to have been chosen to collaborate with Christopher Stowell in creating "Modules" for Los Angeles Ballet. DOWNLOAD PDF Home / News / New Item
- Renew a Subscription Request | Los Angeles Ballet
Los Angeles Ballet offers two subscription opportunities for the 2021/2022 Season: Full-Season Subscription and Choose-2 Subscription. Patrons receive the best pricing and best seating of the Season offered before single tickets are on-sale. SUBSCRIPTION SERIES I Want to Renew My Subscription Thank you for your request to renew your Subscription for the 2024/2025 Season. Please provide the following information and the Los Angeles Ballet Box Office will contact you to assist with your Subscription details. * All fields are required 2024/2025 Season / Subscribe / Subscription Renewal Request / Number of Subscriptions Full Season Subscription Saturday Night Series Choose-2 Subscription Opening Night Series First Name * Last Name Email Phone Number Address Please check one of the following: * I will be MAKING CHANGES to my Subscription. I have NO CHANGES to my Subscription. Please contact me between: * 9:00 am - 11: 00 am 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm SUBMIT
- Photo Gallery | The Los Angeles Ballet
Los Angeles Ballet photo gallery presents a complete suite of season performance photos beginning with LAB’s inaugural season in 2005. Los Angeles Ballet performance photographer: Reed Hutchinson Photo Gallery 2021 / 2022 2019 / 2020 2018 / 2019 2016 / 2017 2015 / 2016 2014 / 2015 2013 / 2014 2012 / 2013 2011 / 2012 2010 / 2011 2009 / 2010 2008 / 2009 2007 / 2008 2006 / 2007 2017 / 2018 Performance Photography by Reed Hutchinson Rehearsal, Events & Outreach Photographers Sam Akins, Laura Chachich, Catherine Kanner Home > Photo Gallery
- Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 2 2015
Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 2 2015 Julia Cinquemani with Kate Highstrete and Laura Chachich LAB Ensemble Allynne Noelle & Christopher Revels LAB Ensemble Julia Cinquemani with Kate Highstrete and Laura Chachich LAB Ensemble Allynne Noelle & Christopher Revels LAB Ensemble Julia Cinquemani with Kate Highstrete and Laura Chachich LAB Ensemble Allynne Noelle & Christopher Revels LAB Ensemble Julia Cinquemani with Kate Highstrete and Laura Chachich LAB Ensemble Allynne Noelle & Christopher Revels LAB Ensemble Julia Cinquemani with Kate Highstrete and Laura Chachich LAB Ensemble Allynne Noelle & Christopher Revels LAB Ensemble Julia Cinquemani with Kate Highstrete and Laura Chachich LAB Ensemble Allynne Noelle & Christopher Revels LAB Ensemble Julia Cinquemani with Kate Highstrete and Laura Chachich LAB Ensemble Allynne Noelle & Christopher Revels LAB Ensemble Julia Cinquemani with Kate Highstrete and Laura Chachich LAB Ensemble Allynne Noelle & Christopher Revels LAB Ensemble Balanchine / Tchaikovsky Previous Gallery Next Gallery All photos by Reed Hutchinson Click on image for a fullscreen presentation.