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Northrop Dance at the University of Minnesota Presents The Minnesota Debut of Aspen Santa Fe Ballet at the State Theatre

New Program Announced

Minneapolis, MN (January 14, 2011) - Northrop Dance at the University of Minnesota ventures to downtown Minneapolis to present Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, Tue, Mar 8 at 7:30 pm at the State Theatre. Celebrating its 15th anniversary season, the company that takes "hold of your heart" (The Washington Post) performs an exhilarating program of contemporary dance exemplifying its commitment to commissioning groundbreaking work by both world renowned and emerging choreographers. The first American company to commission Spanish choreographer Cayetano Soto, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet will present his stunning new ballet Uneven. Also on the program -- In Hidden Seconds by the daring and original Nicolo Fonte, and Red Sweet, the company's signature work, created by celebrated Finnish choreographer .

"They raise the bar, and then they jump over it." –The New York Times

NEW PERFORMANCE PROGRAM Aspen Santa Fe Ballet Uneven, In Hidden Seconds, Red Sweet Tue, Mar 8, 7:30 pm State Theatre, downtown Minneapolis 824 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN 55402 $31.50, $44.50, $54.50 Tickets on sale through Ticketmaster. Prices subject to additional Ticketmaster fees.

Uneven ASFB Commissioned Work Choreography: Cayetano Soto Music: David Lang Cellist: Kimberly Patterson Stage Design: Cayetano Soto Costume Design: Nete Joseph Lighting Design: Seah Johnson

Dancers: Katherine Bolaños, William Cannon, Sam Chittenden, Katie Dehler, Seth DelGrasso, Samantha Klanac, Nolan DeMarco McGahan, Joseph Watson

Premiere: July 23, 2010, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, Aspen, CO.

Aspen Santa Fe Ballet's production of Uneven is made possible through the generosity of Orli & Bill Staley and Esther Pearlstone.

Intermission

In Hidden Seconds Choreography: Nicolo Fonte Music: John Tavener Stage Design: Nicolo Fonte and Nicolas Fischtel Costume Design: Nicolo Fonte and Ismael Aznar Lighting Design: Nicolas Fischtel Staged by: Kevin Irving

Dancers: Katherine Bolaños, William Cannon, Sam Chittenden, Katie Dehler, Seth DelGrasso, Samantha Klanac, Nolan DeMarco McGahan, Emily Proctor, Seia Rassenti, Joseph Watson

Premiere: 1999, Compañia Nacional de Danza, Madrid Spain.

Aspen Santa Fe Ballet's production of In Hidden Seconds is made possible through the generosity of Kelli and Allen Questrom.

Intermission

Red Sweet ASFB Commissioned Work Choreography: Error! Contact not defined. Music: Vivaldi, Biber Lighting Design: Jordan Tuinman Costume Design: Nete Joseph

Dancers: Katherine Bolaños, William Cannon, Sam Chittenden, Katie Dehler, Seth DelGrasso, Error! Contact not defined., Nolan DeMarco McGahan, Emily Proctor

Premiere: July 12, 2008, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, Santa Fe, NM

Aspen Santa Fe Ballet's production of Red Sweet is made possible through the generosity of Melinda and Norman Payson.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Aspen Santa Fe Ballet’s founder, Bebe Schweppe, was visionary when she made the decision in 1996 to create a company that residents in the Aspen valley could call their own. Initially based solely in Aspen, Colorado, a second home for the company was created in 2000 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. In sync with the world-class artistic activities in each of these beautiful communities, ASFB has helped strengthen the cultural fabric of both cities.

With its sophisticated repertoire and broad appeal, combined with a successful blend of entertaining and engrossing contemporary dance, ASFB is one of the great success stories in American dance today. Audiences locally, nationally, and internationally have embraced this vibrant company on stellar stages from The in New York City to the famed Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, from The Kennedy Center in Washington, DC to New York City Center’s fall for dance festival, and in foreign venues including Canada, France, Italy, Greece, and Guatemala.

Over the years, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet has grown to become a multi-faceted entity, as both an internationally recognized dance company and one of the largest dance presenters in the country. As the company travels to cities far and wide, ASFB also presents leading dance companies at home in Aspen and Santa Fe throughout the year. The umbrella of ASFB extends equally to education. With a thriving dance school and an award winning Mexican folk dance outreach program, ASFB serves over 500 children in Colorado and New Mexico. In 2010, ASFB directors Tom Mossbrucker and Jean-Philippe Malaty were honored by The Joyce Theater Foundation in New York City for creating this innovative model for an American dance institution.

Aspen Santa Fe Ballet appeals, with its adventurous repertoire and the inspiring landscapes of its home communities, as a gathering place for the finest dancers and choreographers in the world. Never forgetting its deep roots in the creative and historic wealth of these majestic and awe-inspiring communities, the organization remains deeply committed to expanding and enriching the world of dance. With its fusion of classical good sense and western ingenuity, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet blends the best of both worlds to create a dance company that is truly unique.

Bios

Bebe Schweppe, Founder, grew up in Augusta, Georgia, and started dancing at the Georgia Dance Theatre, under Frankie Levy at the age of seven. She was invited by Robert Joffrey to study at his school in New York on a full scholarship at age eleven. Bebe moved to Aspen in 1975 and fifteen years later founded the Aspen Ballet School. Her presence was a catalyst in the region. In 1996, she invited Jean-Philippe Malaty and Tom Mossbrucker to develop a small professional company in Aspen. Through their combined energies, the Aspen was born a year later. Shortly after, new performing opportunities beckoned in Santa Fe, upon which the company was renamed Aspen Santa Fe Ballet. Schweppe speaks with pride when she considers the changes that have occurred over the years to her “baby”. “The company has evolved to having earned a name of its own - ASFB. What a treat! It is recognized by other artists and respected by all. This is of course due in large part to Jean-Philippe and Tom.” She cites that “their strength has been in their unique ability to perceive and design a repertoire that entertains all parts, whether it’s the audience or the dancer.” Tom and Jean- Philippe have “greatly succeeded” in realizing her dreams for the company, she says. “I am thankful that I had the dream and was lucky and persistent enough to convince JP and Tom to relocate from New York City. Never did I imagine that one day the company would be performing nationally and internationally and never did I imagine that one day they would be performing works by internationally famous choreographers. Although I had the dream, I never imagined so much. I feel very lucky.”

Jean-Philippe Malaty, Executive Director, has been instrumental in building Aspen Santa Fe Ballet from the ground up. He was born in the Basque region of France, and is now a United States citizen. After receiving his degree in dance, he accepted scholarships to train at Europe’s prestigious Mudra (Maurice Béjart’s school in Brussels) and John Cranko’s ballet school in Stuttgart. At the invitation of David Howard, Malaty traveled to America to train at the David Howard Dance Center in New York City. He then performed soloist roles as guest artist with various companies throughout the U.S., including Joffrey II, Los Angeles Classical Ballet, of New York, and the Lyric Opera of Chicago. He is in great demand as a guest teacher and has taught at schools and universities throughout the country. Malaty is dedicated to asserting the prominence of the arts in the West, spearheading initiatives to bring dance into the community, and fostering programs that introduce children to the arts. He continues to provide invaluable creative assistance in all facets of the company’s operations. Jean- Philippe is equally proud to have forged a company based on an American ideal of energy, invention, popularity, eclecticism, and precision in what’s been called the “all star, no star” system. “Dance is a celebration of the human spirit, and not a celebration of steps. Here at Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, we foster the spirit and the love of dance.” In 2010, Malaty received the Joyce Theater Foundation award in recognition of his contribution to the field of dance.

Tom Mossbrucker, Artistic Director, began his dance training at age 4, studying tap in his hometown of Tacoma, Washington. He studied ballet in New York City at the School of and the School. He began his career dancing with Joffrey II before joining the main company, The Joffrey Ballet, where he performed as principal dancer to great acclaim in over 70 ballets. He has danced ballets by some of the world’s greatest choreographers including Twyla Tharp, William Forsythe, Jiří Kylián, John Cranko, Fredrick Ashton, Agnes de Mille, Jose Limon, Paul Taylor, and George Balanchine, and was lauded for his work in Moor’s Pavane, in which he played Iago, and Billboards, a full-length rock ballet set to music by Prince. He also danced with the and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. Mossbrucker serves on the boards of Dance USA, and The Gerald Arpino and Robert Joffrey Foundation. In 2010 Tom received The Joyce Theater Foundation award in recognition of his contribution to the field of dance. Following in the tradition of Robert Joffrey, Tom is dedicated to presenting an eclectic repertoire, and committed to acquiring new works that persistently challenge, enliven, and educate both audiences and the company dancers. Building relationships with choreographers has become a hallmark of the company. “We strive for continuity and enjoy bringing choreographers back to create second and third works...to us that is success.”

Dancers’ Bios

Katherine Bolaños grew up in Oklahoma City and began studying dance at the school of Ballet Oklahoma under Bryan Pitts and Laura Flagg-Pitts. At the age of 15, she joined the professional company of Ballet Oklahoma. As a guest artist with the Ensemble she also toured extensively through Taiwan and China. Bolaños, who is in her seventh season with Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, says she expresses herself through movement. “Dancing is demanding both physically and mentally, and I love to be challenged.”

William Cannon is in his third season with Aspen Santa Fe Ballet. At age 11, Cannon entered BalletMet Dance Academy in Columbus, Ohio, and in 2001 was a scholarship student at Hubbard Street Dance Chicago’s Lou Conte Dance Studio. In 2002, he was selected as a finalist in the National Foundation for the Advancement of Arts’ "ARTS Week" initiative. Upon graduation from BalletMet's Professional Training Program in 2002, he became a BalletMet company member. He has also danced with Hubbard Street 2 and Complexions. In 2005, Cannon won a coveted spot in Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch” roster. “(Dance) is a part of who I am and I can't conceive of doing anything else,” he says. “It's also an incredible way to connect to people, be it an audience or the other dancers on stage, without having to say a word.”

Sam Chittenden is in his thirteenth year with Aspen Santa Fe Ballet. A BFA graduate of the University of Utah Ballet Department and Colorado State University, he enjoys the physicality of dance and the pairing of that physicality with artistic intention. “I also love the mental challenges of dance and the thrill of performing,” says Chittenden. He has danced with the Utah Ballet and Canyon Concert Ballet in Fort Collins, Colorado, and has also studied at the Conservatory and Ballet Arts Minnesota. Chittenden also does freelance graphic design and is an avid rock climber.

Katie Dehler’s passion for dance is palpable. “I love dancing because I love to perform on stage – you get to be somebody else for 20 minutes – or you get to just let go and see where the movement takes you. It’s like a different world that dancing allows you to glimpse.” Born and raised in St. Joseph, Minnesota, Dehler began her ballet training at the Stroia Dance Studio. She continued her studies on scholarship with the University of Utah’s Department of Ballet where she received her BFA with a performance emphasis. Now in her eleventh season with ASFB, Dehler sees dancing as challenging. “It’s so inherently individual – it’s fun to see how everyone interprets the movements differently.”

Seth DelGrasso is a founding member of Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, now beginning his fifteenth season with the company. "The relationship created between choreographer, dancer, and audience, whether expressing a character, or a choreographer's intention and feeling, is the most rewarding facet of dance" says DelGrasso. The Colorado native moved to New York to study dance with David Howard, Nanette Charise, Simon Dow, Gelsey Kirkland, and Talara Ruth. Although DelGrasso has made numerous guest appearances with Complexions and other companies, he considers "ASFB [to be] the prime influence in my career."

Samantha Klanac, now in her ninth year with Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, loves testing the limits, striving for something fresh, innovative and exciting. Growing up in Orchard Park, New York, Klanac trained at the American Academy of Ballet, and later was on scholarship at The Chautauqua Institute, New York State Summer School of the Arts, and School of American Ballet. She also has the distinction of, upon graduating high school, having studied at SUNY Purchase where she performed with Studio Company. “I love the feeling of being on stage, and the adrenaline of a performance.” In addition to her work with ASFB, she was a guest artist with Configurations Dance Company and recently completed her BA in the Arts from the State University of New York (SUNY) Empire State College, Center for Distance Learning.

Nolan DeMarco McGahan, a native of Dallas, Texas, trained at Dallas Ballet Center, Ballet Academy of Texas, and with Fernando Bujones at the Orlando Ballet School. He also attended Booker T. High School of the Performing and Visual Arts before graduating from The Juilliard School in New York, earning his BFA in Dance, and dancing works by noted choreographers. “There are many things I love about dancing. One thing I have loved about dancing from day one is the athleticism.” This is DeMarco McGahan’s fourth season with ASFB.

Emily Proctor is thrilled to be starting her fourth season with Aspen Santa Fe Ballet. “I love dancing because I love meeting the people that are involved in the field. It's fun to be a part of the small world that is dance.” A native of North Carolina, Proctor trained at the North Carolina School of the Arts and graduated in 2003 with a concentration in ballet. Proctor has trained at The Juilliard School, the , ABT New York, and Montreal’s Ballet Divertimento professional summer program. Prior to joining ASFB she had the opportunity to join Hell's Kitchen Dance on a national and international tour of Aszure Barton's Come In, starring Mikhail Baryshnikov. Proctor was selected as one of Dance Magazine’s 25 to Watch in 2009.

Seia Rassenti, originally from Arizona, danced with Flamenco Y Mas as a youngster and began her ballet training with Linda Walker at The Tucson Regional Ballet. In 2002 she was accepted to The Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington DC under the artistic direction of Oleg Vinogradov. While at the Kirov she spent summers on scholarship with Jilana, Debbie Allen, Alvin Ailey, and the . Rassenti graduated from the Kirov and joined North Carolina Dance Theater’s second company in Charlotte. During the two most recent summers Seia accepted invitations to train with Alonzo King’s Lines Ballet and Dwight Rhoden’s Complexions. "Dancing is like breathing for me; I just can't live without it!" This is her second season with Aspen Santa Fe Ballet.

Joseph Watson started his formal dance training at an after-school program called T.W.I.G.S. (To Work In Gaining Skills). His training at T.W.I.G.S. led to his acceptance into the Baltimore School for the Arts (BSA) under the tutelage of Norma Pera. Upon graduating high school he was accepted into The Juilliard School under the direction of Lawrence Rhodes and received a BFA in dance. In 2007, Watson joined North Carolina Dance Theatre where he performed both contemporary and classical roles by choreographers such as Dwight Rhoden’s Othello and George Balanchine’s 4 Temperaments. Watson believes “dance is a way for me to do a lot of self-discovery and realize that there is no limit to what a person can do artistically.” This is his second season with Aspen Santa Fe Ballet.

Choreographers’ Bios

Jorma Elo, Choreographer. In just a few short years, Finnish-born Jorma Elo has become one of the most sought-after choreographers in the United States and Europe. Elo, who was named Resident Choreographer of in 2005, was singled out as a “talent to follow” by Anna Kisselgoff in her 2004 Year in Review for The New York Times. It was an astute observation. Since then Elo has created new works for (Slice to Sharp), Boston Ballet, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet (Pointeoff), American Ballet Theatre (Glow-Stop), Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, , State Theatre Nuremberg, and Norwegian National Ballet. Elo trained with the School and the Kirov Ballet School in Leningrad. Prior to joining Netherlands Dance Theater in 1990, he danced with Finnish National Ballet from 1978 through 1984 and with Cullberg Ballet from 1984 through 1990. Throughout his career as a dancer, Elo worked closely with numerous master choreographers, including Jiří Kylián, Hans van Manen, Mats Ek, Ohad Naharin, William Forsythe, and Paul Lightfoot. Elo has also choreographed for Basel Ballet, Ballet Debrezen (Hungary), Alberta Ballet (Blank Snow and L’Apres Midi d’un Faune/Spectre de la Rose), Norwegian National Ballet (Cut to Drive), Finnish National Ballet (Happy is Happy, Twisted Shadow, Two Fast, Offcore), Stockhom 59° North (in my DREAM team), and Netherlands Dance Theatre 1 (1st Flash and Plan to A). For Boston Ballet, Elo has created three world premieres: Sharp Side of Dark (2002), Plan to B (2004), and Carmen (2006). He is also a skilled designer of costumes, lighting and video effects for his ballets. Elo was awarded the choreographic prize at the 2005 Helsinki International Ballet Competition. Dance Magazine recognized Elo as one of 25 to Watch, and Pointe Magazine named him a VIP of Dance in 2006.

Nicolo Fonte, Choreographer, was born in Brooklyn, New York and started dancing at the age of 14. He studied at the Joffrey Ballet School in New York as well as at the and New York City Ballet Schools while completing a Bachelor Degree of Fine Arts at SUNY Purchase. Upon graduation he danced with Peridance in NYC and later joined Les Grands Ballets Canadiens in Montreal, dancing in the works of Balanchine, Tudor, Kudelka, and Spaniard Nacho Duato. Fonte subsequently joined Duato's Compañia Nacional de Danza in Madrid and forged a strong identity in the Spanish company for seven years - for both his dancing and his choreography. En los Segundos Ocultos, (In Hidden Seconds), one of three ballets Fonte made for the Spanish company, was hailed as a breakthrough work of great impact with the poetic vision of a mature artist and indeed this ballet established his presence on the European dance scene. In 2000 Fonte retired from performing to devote himself full-time to his choreographic career. Since that time he has created or staged his ballets for The , Royal Danish Ballet, , Royal Ballet of Flanders, , , The Göteborg Ballet, Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet, , , Ballett Mainz, Ballett Nürnberg, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, TANZ Ensemble Cathy Sharp, North Carolina Dance Theatre, , Ballet British Columbia, and Les Ballets Jazz de Montreal.

Cayetano Soto, Choreographer, was born in Spain in 1975. He started his dance education in his hometown of Barcelona at the Instituto del Teatro and continued his studies at the Royal Conservatorium in Den Haag. After receiving his degree, Cayetano Soto danced with IT Dansa in Barcelona before joining the Ballet Theater Munich a year later. There he created several successful ballets for the company. Cayetano Soto has gone on to create Cotidiano for the Festival Internazionale di Danza in Venice, Italy and 24FPS for of Flanders, which won the Hapag Lloyd prize in April 2006. His first full evening ballet was a new A Midsummer Night’s Dream, which premiered in July 2006 in Lübeck and in November 2006 in Schwerin. In spring 2007 he created Dependent behaviour for the Ballet of the Staatstheater Braunschweig and in July he was invited to make a piece at the Northwest Pacific Dance Project in Portland, Oregon: Not yet was so successful, that it immediately entered the repertory of the company. In fall 2007 his piece M/C about the relationship of Marilyn Monroe and Truman Capote was premiered with the Royal Ballet of Flanders. In spring 2008 he created Two at a time, a piece about doubles, for Stuttgart ballet and in summer last but not least for the Northwest Pacific Dance Project. In July his new work Canela fina was premiered with the Ballet da Cidade in Sao Paulo. This piece was co-produced with Liceu in Barcelona, where it had its Europe-premiere in September 2008. In October he choreographed a piece with four dancers in the church of St. Egidien in Nürnberg, dancing Mozart’s mass in C minor with live orchestra. In 2009 he created Zero in on for Augsburg Ballet, staged his first choreography Fugaz for Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, staged M/C in Dortmund, and created a new full evening version of Carmen for Dortmund Ballet. Due to the success in Dortmund, Brno in the Czech Republic decided to stage his Carmen in 2010. Soto’s first new creation in 2010 was Kiss me goodnight for Introdans in Arnhem, followed by a solo for first soloist of Bavarian State Ballet Munich, Lisa-Maree Cullum, which was created to present the new collection of the label Talbot Runhof at Fashion Week in Paris. Cayetano Soto is based in Munich.

Kimberly Patterson, Cellist, has earned recognition for her artistry as a chamber and orchestral musician. Currently the cellist for the Tesla Quartet, she has given chamber recitals in Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall and Alice Tully Hall in Lincoln Center and has held chamber residencies with the Aspen Music Festival and the Bravo! Vail Music Festival. In addition, Patterson has been principal cellist at UBS Verbier Orchestra, the Juilliard Orchestra, Aspen Sinfonia Orchestra, and has also been invited by Charles Dutoit to perform with the Miyazaki Orchestra in Japan. Her performances have been televised through NHK TV and Medici TV. She has also toured with the Verbier Orchestra throughout Europe, Asia, and Australia. Festival appearances include the Verbier Festival in Switzerland, Miyazaki Festival, Sarasota Music Festival, the Aspen Music Festival, Holland Music Sessions, Encore, and the Apeldoorn Masterclass Sessions. An avid proponent of community service, Patterson was the recipient of two Juilliard Fellowships; the Gluck Community Service Fellowship, a program designed to bring music to the inner city, and the Instrumental Music Fellowship, where she taught music to underprivileged children. She has also collaborated with Lincoln Center's Community Outreach Program. A graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Music with academic honors, Patterson earned her Master's of Music Degree at the Juilliard School. Principal teachers include Richard Aaron and Stephen Geber. Patterson is currently a graduate assistant to the Takacs Quartet at the University of Colorado at Boulder and is pursuing her Doctorate of Musical Arts degree with András Fejér of the Takacs Quartet and Judith Glyde of the Manhattan Quartet. Patterson plays on a Joseph Rashid cello generously loaned to her by the Rashid family.

Northrop Concerts and Lectures is a fiscal year 2010 recipient of an Arts Access grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This performance is funded, in part, by the Minnesota arts and cultural heritage fund as appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.

Funding is provided in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and private funders.

The 10-11 Northrop Season is presented with special support from Project SUCCESS.

Artists and programs subject to change.