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Home , August Bournonville, Barbara Bears, Bayou (ballet), Ben Stevenson (dancer), Brandon Stirling Baker, Carla Fracci

HoustonBallet Margaret Alkek Williams Jubilee of Dance | December 6, 2019 MARGARET ALKEK WILLIAMS JUBILEE OF DANCE CONTENTS

FEATURES 5 FIRST POSITION A look at ’s celebrated history, an upcoming tour, and supporters on art and planned giving 8 DEAR MARGARET A thank you to the force behind this evening’s performance from Executive Director Jim Nelson 9 MARGARET ALKEK WILLIAMS JUBILEE OF DANCE The repertoire and artists behind the outstanding one-night-only showcase Preferred Jewelry Partner of Houston Ballet

IN THIS ISSUE 18 Artistic Profiles 19 Company Profiles 23 Houston Ballet Orchestra 25 Annual Supporters Photo by B. Connell B. de Deux. by Pas Photo Esmeralda in ’s and William Pizzuto Janie Parker

2 HOUSTON BALLET HOUSTON BALLET 3 4310 WESTHEIMER RD · WWW.TENENBAUMJEWELERS.COM · 713.629.7444 FIRST

POSITIONUPLIFT p. 6 | ANATOMY OF A SCENE p. 7 | EN POINTE p. 8

Tickets Start at $25! And Many More... The history behind Houston Ballet’s 50th birthday

AMBITION, CREATIVE SPIRIT, AND INNOVATION can each be used to describe Houston. Quite literally, it’s a “shoot for the moon” kind of city, so it’s no wonder its has followed suit. From simple beginnings to world stages, Houston Ballet forged its path with grace, style, and sheer determination.

1966-1969 In 1966, Houston Ballet, under the direction of Russian ballerina Nina Popova, planned a limited run performance. Students were trained to perform alongside ballet superstars and . The performance was a hit and revealed a thirst for ballet in Houston. The organization held auditions around the nation, contracting 16

Choreography by Balanchine George © The George Trust by Choreography professional company was born. | 713.227.ARTS (2787) dancers. In 1969, Houston Ballet’s first Pas de Dix. Pas HOUSTONBALLET.ORG Jones first Hall performance Ballet’s Sellers in Houston Judith Aaen and Anothony

4 HOUSTON BALLET HOUSTON BALLET 5 1976-1987 sets and costumes. Houston Ballet Executive Director. Touring turned into In 1976, Ben Stevenson OBE became became a hub for premieres including a major priority and gave the company Artistic Director. Over the next 11 Christopher Bruce’s Ghost Dances worldwide recognition while attracting years, the company expanded from 28 (1988), Trey McIntyre’s Skeleton Clock top talent. In 2016, the company took to 43 dancers, increased the budget (1990), and ’s The Merry its largest tour to date, staging 12 from $1 million to $5.5 million, and Widow (1995). performances of Welch’s Romeo and bolstered the Academy from 300 to The organization attracted top talent Juliet in , . 650 students. Houston Ballet acquired including Cuban dancer , 2016 also saw the completion of and commissioned works from , and Houston Ballet’s largest production to choreographers including Ronald Hynd, Music Director Ermanno Florio, who date, ’s . , and Sir . joined in 1992 to propel the already Complete with sets and costumes Stevenson also built legendary works stellar Houston Ballet orchestra to a from designer Tim Goodchild, The on the company including world class level. In 2013, Stevenson Nutcracker boasts roles for more than (1976), The Sleeping Beauty (1978), stepped down as director, and Houston 200 Academy students. The Houston and Peer Gynt (1981). Ballet’s Board turned to a gifted Ballet Academy has become one of In 1987, the company stepped onto Australian choreographer, Stanton the best ballet schools on the planet, the new ’s Welch. teaching more than 1,000 students annually. Currently, 60% of the with the needs of the ballet in mind, 2003 - PRESENT company has received training through itBrown allowed Theater the company stage. Built to produce specifically In 2003, Welch became Artistic the Academy. grander productions and bigger Director. At the time, Houston Ballet In 2017, Hurricane Harvey forced seasons. was also led by Managing Director Cecil the Ballet to evacuate its performance C. Conner who joined the organization space in the Wortham Theater Center 1987-2003 in 1995. In 2011, the Houston Ballet for an entire year. However, through By the time the Wortham Theater Center for Dance was complete. As the the dedication and support of its board, Center opened, Houston Ballet had largest facility completely devoted to donors, staff, and friends around the already performed two versions of The a professional dance company in the world, Houston Ballet is rocketing into Nutcracker. Now that the company nation, it gave room to grow with nine the future. The company continues had a world class performance space, studios and a transformational black to prioritize building its repertoire Stevenson revamped his version of the box, The Margaret Alkek Williams of work and has become an Eden for holiday classic and legendary designer Dance Lab. ballet’s top creative minds to gather. Desmond Heely was hired to create In 2012, Jim Nelson became – Alexandra Di Nunzio

UPLIFT ANATOMY OF A SCENE SPOTLIGHT: ANNE AND DON GRAUBART Dedicated for decades, Anne and Don Graubart vow to A Trip to the Big Easy safeguard Houston Ballet for generations to come. Houston Ballet heads to New Orleans on March 28, 2020

On playing their role: “We’ve been actively building and preserving the LOUISIANANS AND HOUSTONIANS not have ever seen.” new character with a different style. involved for nearly 40 years, at times financial resources necessary to support have a lot in common: good food, high While the lineup is tentative (With Not everywhere is like that. That’s intimately involved!” She, a Guild its mission, both now and in the future. humidity, Southern hospitality, and 50 years of repertoire, you’d have a member, Trustee, Executive Committee What better investment can we make soon Houston Ballet. This March, the hard time choosing too!), NOLA stands choreographers say it when they come member, serving on the search than in the company we believe in?” Company tips its hat to its touring to see pieces by the country’s leading invery and specific work withto Houston us.” Ballet, and committee that hired Stanton Welch; roots for the second time during its choreographers. Regardless of the With less than 400 miles separating and he, serving as financial advisor to On leaving a legacy: “Philanthropy has golden anniversary season as it moseys combination of works that make it into the cities, Houstonians have even more the endowment for 25+ years. “Houston been important in our lifetime and we across the bayou to New Orleans. reason to follow their namesake ballet Ballet is a treat for the eyes, ears, and believe that our success should fund Houston Ballet Bridget look forward to a performance unlike company to the Big Easy. soul – including the company in our what we care about. We can’t imagine a Kuhns is no stranger to touring. She’s thatthe final of any program, other ballet Louisianans company. can “New Orleans is fun,” says Kuhns. estate plans was a natural next step as better footprint to leave in our Houston danced on a dozen tours in less than a “I think without fail, Houston “You can come see some ballet. You we’ve felt like part of the family.” community than one of support for decade, between Houston Ballet II and Ballet always shows any city we go can go have some beignets. There’s so our Ballet, ensuring that it continues in the professional company. to that our dancers can do just about much art going on in that city. It will be On making a planned gift: Wowed excellence for our grandchildren and “When you tour, it is a really nice anything,” says Kuhns. “I always hear nice to see such a diverse rep there. We by the opening of the state-of-the- yours.” way for you to get to know what that it anytime we go somewhere. They always like having our locals on tour. art Center for Dance in 2011 and with city is used to,” says Kuhns. “It’s really are wowed that everything is so I think it’s great when we see their firsthand knowledge of the Ballet’s For more information on leaving a legacy nice to be able to share your craft and different and that our dancers just put photos and that they’re there having finances, “We know Houston Ballet is gift, please contact Megan Raines at bring something that audience might on a different hat and switch it to a fun with us.” – Jacalyn Lawton committed to good stewardship and [email protected] or 713.535.3241. Photo courtesy of the Graubarts courtesy Photo Sarkar Amitava by Hush. Photo Bruce’s Ballet in Christopher of Houston Artists

6 HOUSTON BALLET HOUSTON BALLET 7 8 HOUSTON BALLET you thisevening. -JimNelson could notbemore thrilled to celebrate for your devotion We andcommitment. to express ourprofound thanks to you very bright future. Stanton andIwant foundational support for thecompany’s success for somany years andprovides have been instrumentalto theBallet’s leadership andastonishing generosity our company. highlighting thebestandbrightest of technical range ofHouston Ballet, the diversity, artisticdepthand Williams JubileeofDanceshowcases and inperpetuity. TheMargaret Alkek endowed ourannualgala thisevening should alsoknow thatMargaret has reputation. ensuring Houston Ballet’sinternational and hastoured theworld withus, continues to bring innewaudiences company. Thisblockbuster production first fulllengthproduction for the new production ofSwan Lake, Stanton’s manner by underwriting aglittering Director inthemostmagnificent Welch asHouston Ballet’s newArtistic year, somefor thevery first time. and adultsare engaged withdanceeach theater space,thousandsofchildren community performances. Through this programs suchasDanceTalks, and versatile spacefor rehearsals, public in our Center for Danceprovides such the Margaret Alkek WilliamsDanceLab dance inthecountry. We’re grateful that boasts thelargest facility dedicated to Us Campaign’ ensured thatHouston landmark support ofour ‘Dancewith generosity to thecompany: Her this organization. changed thecourse andtrajectory of years. Margaret Withoutadoubt, has her friendship andleadershipfor many Ballet hasbeenhonored andgraced by it hasbeentransformative. Houston in thecityhasbeenaswidespread as cultural Her impactonarts firmament. of theshiningjewels inHouston’s MARGARET ALKEKWILLIAMS Director JimNelson Thank you from Executive Margaret Dear EN POINTE Margaret –Your enlightened Speaking ofperformances, you In 2006,Margaret welcomed Stanton Some highlights ofher remarkable is one isone

Margaret Alkek Williams and Jim Nelson. Photo by Wilson Parish

Principal Karina González. Photo by Claire McAdams JUBILEE OFDANCE MARGARET ALKEKWILLIAMS OVERTURE p. 10 p. |REPERTOIRE p. 11 p. |ARTISTIC PROFILES HOUSTON BALLET p. 14 p. 9 MARGARET ALKEK WILLIAMS MARGARET ALKEK WILLIAMS JUBILEE OF DANCE JUBILEE OF DANCE

WORTHAM THEATER CENTER Houston, Overture December 6, 2019 A note from the This performance lasts approximately three hours. There will be two Artistic Director intermissions, the first lasting twenty minutes and the second fifteen minutes.

See insert for casting.

Houston Ballet Orchestra conducted by Ermanno Florio and Craig Kier

Lighting Design/Recreation by Lisa J. Pinkham

Projection Design by Wendall K. Harrington

Stanton Welch AM, Stanton Welch AM in ARTISTIC DIRECTOR memory of Mark Scioneaux.

WHEN I LOOK AT HOW far Houston Ballet has come as an organization, I’m humbled by my place in its ACT I story. For 50 years, this company has been pushing boundaries and OVERTURE reaching for the stars, helmed by Music by (1882-1971), some of the greatest names within Apollon musagète the ballet world. This year, the Margaret Alkek Williams Jubilee WORLD PREMIERE of Dance is curated to celebrate Houston Ballet’s rich history and Formation of school... honor our tremendous growth. This Choreography by Claudio Muñoz Music by (1813-1901), The Four Seasons – Winter; Summer (excerpts) infledgling the nation, company with hasa quality blossomed and Emily Barrett, Pianist artisticinto the scope fifth largest that’s secondballet company to none. So many creative minds, incredible CLASS supporters, enthusiastic patrons, Training for the stage and world-renowned artists have Choreography by Stanton Welch AM shaped Houston Ballet; I would be Music by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750), remiss if I did not extend my deepest Selection from The Goldberg gratitude for their outstanding Yi-Chiu Rachel Chao, Pianist generosity. We are honored to have so many members of our Houston GISELLE Ballet family in the audience this The catalyst for creating the evening as we look back on our professional company history and look forward into our Choreography by Stanton Welch AM after Jean next great 50 seasons. Thank you Coralli (1779-1854) and (1810-1892) all and enjoy the show. Music by (1803-1856) Costume Design by Roberta Guidi di Bagno

10 HOUSTON BALLET Janie Parker and Phillip Broomhead in Ben Stevenson’s Three Preludes. Photo by Geoff Winningham HOUSTON BALLET 11 MARGARET ALKEK WILLIAMS MARGARET ALKEK WILLIAMS JUBILEE OF DANCE JUBILEE OF DANCE

FLOWER FESTIVAL AT GENZANO SONS DE L’ÂME Inaugural performance at Jones Hall A collaboration amongst Choreography by August Bournonville the world’s finest (1805-1879) Choreography by Stanton Welch AM Music by Edvard Helsted (1816-1900) Music by Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849), and Holger Simon Paulli (1810-1891) Andante Spianato Op. 22 Yi-Chiu Rachel Chao, Pianist PAQUITA The company’s first season at Miller Outdoor Theatre Houston Ballet today Choreography by Stanton Welch AM, Choreography by Stanton Welch AM after Music by Léo Delibes (1815-1910) Music by Leon Minkus (1826-1917) Costume Design by Jérôme Kaplan

THREE PRELUDES WORLD PREMIERE Houston Ballet’s first Ben Stevenson ballet The future of Houston Ballet Choreography by Ben Stevenson OBE Choreography by Stanton Welch AM Music by Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943), Music by Louis Moreau Gottschalk (1829-1869), Opus 32, No. 10 in B Minor Grande Tarantelle Katherine Burkwall-Ciscon, Pianist Reconstructed and Orchestrated by Hershy Kay (1919-1981) ESMERALDA Katherine Burkwall-Ciscon, Pianist The quest for the gold at the Jennifer Edmondson, Pianist Competition Choreography by Ben Stevenson OBE Music by Cesare Pugni (1805-1870) Arranged by (1846-1930) ACT II Costume Design by Ray Delle Robbins REFLECTIONS PEER GYNT Choreography by First original Ben Stevenson Music by conception & choreography Costume Design by Ellen Warren Choreography by Ben Stevenson OBE Lighting Design by Music by Edvard Grieg (1843-1907) Katherine Burkwall-Ciscon, Pianist Arranged by Yi-Chiu Rachel Chao, Pianist Costume Design by Peter Farmer (1936-2017) Arranged from the play by Henrik Idsen (1828-1906)

INDIGO ACT III Houston Ballet’s first Stanton Welch original NOSOTROS Choreography by Stanton Welch AM Choreography by Stanton Welch AM Music by Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741), Music by Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943), Cello Concerto in B minor, AV424 Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini, Op. 43 Costume Design by Stanton Welch AM Costume Design by Stanton Welch, realized

Erika Johnson, Cellist Sébastien Mathé by . Photo de L’âme Son’s by Pat Padilla and Thomas Boyd Lighting Design by Christina R. Giannelli Katherine Burkwall-Ciscon, Pianist Principal Charles-Louis Yoshiyama in Stanton Welch’s Welch’s in Stanton Yoshiyama Charles-Louis Principal Sarkar Amitava by . Photo Nosotros Welch’s Hassenboehler in Stanton Mireille

12 HOUSTON BALLET HOUSTON BALLET 13 JUSTIN PECK MARGARET ALKEK WILLIAMS Choreographer, Reflections In 2009, Peck began choreographing at the New York Choreographic Institute. In JUBILEE OF DANCE 2014, after the creation of his acclaimed ballet Everywhere We Go, he was appointed ARTISTIC PROFILES Resident Choreographer of Ballet. Peck has created over 30 works, STANTON WELCH AM Elizabeth II in the New Year’s Honors List III, Carmina Burana, and Caliban, the first performed by , Paris Artistic Director, 2003- in December 1999. In April 2000, he was full-length rock ballet staged in the US. After Opera Ballet, , Pacific Choreographer presented with the Dance Magazine Award. leaving Houston Ballet, he founded Space/ Northwest Ballet, , In July 2003, Australian Stanton Welch In July 2003, he was appointed Artistic Dance/Theater. He served as Director of , Houston Ballet, Pennsylvania AM assumed leadership of Houston Director Emeritus of Houston Ballet, and the the in the early 1990s and has Ballet and more. His collaborators include Ballet, America’s fifth-largest classical company’s affiliated school was renamed been on the faculties of the Juilliard School, composers Sufjan Stevens, , ballet company. Since he took the helm Houston Ballet’s Ben Stevenson Academy in Loretto Heights College, Texas Christian Dan Deacon, Caroline Shaw, M83; visual of the company, Mr. Welch has revitalized recognition of his enormous contribution to University and University of North Texas. artists Shepard Fairey, Marcel Dzama, John Houston Ballet, bringing in new dancers, both Houston Ballet’s professional company After his retirement in 2000, he turned an Baldessari, Jules de Balincourt; fashion commissioning new works, and attracting a and its school. In his position as Artistic interim position at the School of Dance at designers Mary Katrantzou, Humberto top-flight artistic staff. Mr. Welch has created Director Emeritus, he continues to stage the University of Arizona into a second Leon, Tumori Chisato, Dries Van Noten. In works for such prestigious international his works for Houston Ballet and for other career. He helped establish the school’s 2015, his ballet Rodeo: Four Dance companies as Houston Ballet, San Francisco companies nationally and internationally. outstanding men’s program in conjunction won the Bessie Award for Outstanding Ballet, America Ballet Theatre, The Mr. Stevenson, a native of Portsmouth, with Director Jory Hancock (a Houston Ballet Production. Peck choreographed the 2018 Australian Ballet, , England, received his dance training at alumnus and the star of the original Caliban). Broadway revival of , directed by and the . Mr. Welch was the Arts Educational School in . Among Mr. Clouser’s many awards were the Jack O’Brien and starring Jesse Mueller, born in Melbourne to Marilyn Jones OBE Upon his graduation, he was awarded the first Award for Artistic Merit granted by the Joshua Henry, and Renée Fleming, winning and AM, two of Australia’s prestigious Adeline Genée Gold Medal, the Texas Commission on the Arts, a Canada him the Tony Award for best choreography, most gifted dancers of the 1960s and 1970s. highest award given to a dancer by the Council Grant for study at the Bolshoi and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding In 1989, he was engaged as a dancer with Royal Academy of Dancing. He performed Kirov in and a lifetime achievement Choreography, and the Outer Critics Circle , where he rose to the with the Sadler’s Wells Royal Ballet and award from International. Award for Outstanding Choreography. Peck rank of leading soloist, performing various where, as a principal has also choreographed and consulted for principal roles. He has also worked with dancer, he performed leading roles in all CLAUDIO MUÑOZ feature films, including Red Sparrow, starring internationally acclaimed choreographers the classics. In 1968, Rebekah Harkness , Houston Ballet II Jennifer Lawrence and Joel Edgerton, such as Jiří Kylián, , and Maurice invited him to New York to direct the newly Choreographer directed by Francis Lawrence and most Bejart. In 1995, Mr. Welch was named resident formed Harkness Youth Dancers. After Claudio Muñoz joined Houston Ballet’s recently , directed by Steven choreographer of The Australian Ballet. choreographing Cinderella in 1970 for the Academy in 1999. Mr. Muñoz worked with Spielberg, hitting theaters in December For his contributions to the world of dance, National Ballet in Washington, D.C., he joined many choreographers, including John 2020. he was awarded the Order of Australia the company in 1971 as co-director with Cranko, George Balanchine, Ben Stevenson, (AM) in June 2015. For Houston Ballet, he . In 1976, Mr. Stevenson was Ronald Hynd, and . During LISA J. PINKHAM has choreographed more than 20 works, appointed Artistic Director of Houston Ballet. his career as a dancer, he filled principal roles Lighting Designer including a full-length narrative ballet Marie Over the next 27 years, he choreographed in Peru, Uruguay, Argentina, and New York. Lisa J. Pinkham has designed lighting for (2009), inspired by the life of the legendary for Houston Ballet distinguished versions In 1989 he founded the Chamber Ballet of over 200 ballets, operas, and plays. Her Marie Antoinette, and spectacular stagings of the full-length works , Romeo Santiago. Mr. Muñoz has taught in Paraguay, lighting can be seen in the repertories of of Swan Lake (2006), La Bayadère (2010), and Juliet, Cinderella, The Nutcracker, The Bolivia, Peru, and the . He has many national companies. She enjoys a Romeo and Juliet (2015), Giselle (2016), The Sleeping Beauty, Coppélia, , and taught in Latin America, Asia and Australia. successful relationship with Stanton Welch Nutcracker (2016), and Sylvia (February original productions of Peer Gynt, Dracula, He also worked as an instructor for the AM, and has designed the lighting for many 2019). The Snow Maiden, and Cleopatra. ln July Ballet Nacional de Chile, Ballet de Santiago, of his ballets, including Maninyas, Taiko, 2003, Mr. Stevenson assumed the artistic and Ballet Nacional de Peru. Mr. Muñoz Tu Tu, and Falling for San Francisco Ballet; BEN STEVENSON OBE directorship of in Fort has won several medals in international Madame Butterfly for and Artistic Director Emeritus, 1976-2003 Worth, Texas. competitions and first place at the Prix de Houston Ballet; Clear for Choreographer Lausanne (2010). In 1996, Mr. Muñoz was Theatre; and Swan Lake, Play, Cinderella, Ben Stevenson served as Artistic Director JAMES CLOUSER awarded “Best Teacher” at the Interdance Tapestry, Marie, , Sons de of Houston Ballet from 1976 to 2003, raising Interim Artistic Director, 1975-76 Competition. Mr. Muñoz has staged a ballet L’âme, Paquita, The Young Person’s Guide the company from a regional troupe of 28 James Clouser, former principal dancer for Ben Stevenson at Ballet, and to the Orchestra, Romeo and Juliet, Zodiac, dancers to an internationally acclaimed and ballet master with the Royal Winnipeg Stanton Welch’s work at Ballet Giselle, The Nutcracker, and Sylvia. ensemble of over 50 artists. During his Ballet first came to Houston Ballet in 1969 and . Mr. Muñoz also coaches tenure, he developed Houston Ballet’s to stage the Flower Festival at Genzano Pas Houston Ballet II students for the Prix de WENDALL K. HARRINGTON repertory by acquiring the works of the de Deux. In 1972, he joined the company Lausanne and Beijing International Ballet Projection Designer Wendall Harrington designed the projections for world’s most respected choreographers, as ballet master before being promoted to Competition. In 2007 and 2011, he served Stanton Welch’s Sylvia (2019). She received the commissioning new works, staging the resident choreographer in 1974. Clouser as judge for the Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and American classics, and choreographing original works. served as acting artistic director of Houston around the world. In 2016 he received the Theatre Wing awards for The Who’s Tommy. For his contributions to international dance, Ballet from February 1975 until May 1976. Dance Teacher Award by Dance Teacher Her Broadway credits include: All The Way, Grey Mr. Stevenson was named an Officer of the Notable among his contributions to Houston Magazine. Mr. Muñoz feels honored to work Gardens, Putting It Together, The Capeman,

Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Queen were the classical Con Spirito, Act at Houston Ballet for 20 years. Vecseri and Corps de Andrew Richter Demi Soloist Mackenzie Sarkar Amitava by class . Photo Welch’s in Stanton , Company, Driving Miss Daisy, The

14 HOUSTON BALLET HOUSTON BALLET 15 MARGARET ALKEK WILLIAMS JUBILEE OF DANCE

Will Rogers Follies, The Heidi Chronicles, My the Taiwan National Piano Competition, MTNA Florio has well distinguished himself in genres of One and Only, and They’re Playing Our Song. Competition, Phoenix Symphony Guild Young symphonic, operatic, and balletic repertoire. Mr. Opera credits include: Werther, The Grapes of Musicians Competition, Sorel Medallion Piano Florio maintains an active conducting schedule Wrath, Nixon In China, A View from the Bridge, Collaboration Competition, and Bradshaw & that has included extensive engagements with Rusalka, The Photographer, and The Magic Buono International Piano Competition. She the world’s major ballet companies. In 1985, Mr. Flute. Ballet credits include: Firebird, Anna has performed at Carnegie-Weill Recital Hall, Florio was appointed Principal Conductor and Karenina, Seranata Ratmansky, The Fairy’s Kiss, the Cultural Center as part of the Dame Music Administrator of The National Ballet of with ; Othello, (Lubovitch) Don Myra Hess Memorial Concert Series, and the Canada by Erik Bruhn and since 1992 has held Quixote with Joffrey Ballet, Ballet Mecanique Houston Hobby Center. Ms. Chao is currently the position of Music Director of Houston Ballet. (Varone), and A Midsummer Night’s Dream a staff pianist for the voice program at the From 1998 to 2001, Mr. Florio held the position (Balanchine). She is the head of the projection Shepherd School of Music at Rice University; of Music Director of . design concentration at the Yale. she is also on piano faculty at New Heart Music In March 2004, Mr. Florio was appointed Music Ministries and maintains a private studio in the Director of Het Nationale Ballet in EMILY BARRETT area of Richmond, TX. She has collaborated with and currently continues his relationship with Pianist, Barre the Houston Grand Opera, the Mercury: The the company as Principal Guest Conductor. Mr. Emily comes to Houston from Chicago, by way Orchestra Refined, and frequently collaborates Florio’s extensive discography includes DVD of the United Kingdom where she recently with Houston Ballet, most recently for the releases of critically acclaimed performances completed her Masters of Music in Piano New York City tour performing Justin Peck’s of The Sleeping Beauty, , , for Dance from the Royal Conservatoire of Reflections. Ms. Chao has previously taught at Cinderella, , Alice, The Scotland. As part of her degree, Emily served California State University, Bakersfield, served Nutcracker, La Ronde, and with ABT, as a full-time music staff member of Scottish on piano faculty at Camp Encore-Coda in which won an Emmy for Outstanding and was principal pianist on the world Sweden, Maine, and was the pianist for Houston Program in the Performing Arts. Mr. Florio’s DVD premiere of Sophie Laplane’s Dextera. Prior to Masterworks Chorus for six season. Ms. Chao recording of Don Quichotte with L’Orchestre pursuing a career as a rehearsal pianist, Emily studied with Walter Cosand at Arizona State de L’Opera National de Paris also won the was a staff accompanist at the Joffrey Academy University for her bachelor’s of music, and with Cannes Classical Music Award for Best DVD in of Dance, A&A Ballet, and Visceral Dance Alan Chow at Northwestern University for her the category of Concert and Ballet Recordings. Chicago/Center in addition to accompanying master’s and a doctorate of music in piano Mr. Florio’s music arrangements include scores elsewhere throughout the city of Chicago. performance. for Patrice Bart’s Tchaikovsky, Das Flammende She has previously played for American Ballet Hertz, and Gustaf III; Stanton Welch’s Marie Theatre, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, JENNIFER EDMONDSON and La Bayadère; and Asami Maki’s La Dame San Francisco Ballet School, , Mark Pianist, Tarantella aux Camelias. Mr. Florio’s guest engagements Morris Dance Group, , and the Jennifer Edmondson has been a pianist with this season will include performances with Youth America Grand Prix. Houston Ballet since 2014. During this time, she the Vienna State Opera Ballet and the Dutch has assisted with company rehearsals for both National Ballet. KATHERINE BURKWALL-CISCON full-length ballets and short works, including Pianist, Three Preludes, Tarantella, Justin Peck’s Year of the Rabbit and Jerome CRAIG KIER Reflections and Nosotros Robbins’ The Cage. Jennifer was also part of the Conductor Chicago native Katherine Ciscon received piano duo performing Studies for the Houston In the 2019-2020 season, Craig Kier makes his her bachelor’s degree in piano from Rice Ballet Academy Spring Showcase in 2016. Before Annapolis Opera debut, returns to Houston University’s Shepherd School of Music, and a coming to Houston, she worked as a freelance Ballet, the Brevard Opera Center, the National double master’s degree in piano performance pianist in the Kansas City area. Jennifer received Symphony Orchestra as an assistant to Music and collaborative arts from the University of her Master of Music in Piano Performance Director Gianandrea Noseda, and continues his ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Houston Moores School of Music. She was and an M.M. in Music Composition from the work as Director of the Maryland Opera Studio, named Principal Pianist of Houston Ballet University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory a position he has held since 2014. Last season’s This annual performance is generously endowed by in 1995 and has also been a vocal coach and in 2012. engagements included his San Francisco Merola The Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation The dancers appearing in this performance are represented by the visiting artist professor of music at the Moores Opera Center debut, Indianapolis Opera debut, a American Guild of Musical Artists AFL-CIO School of Music. While at Houston Ballet, Ms. ERIKA JOHNSON return to Opera Birmingham and Houston Ballet, Projection Programmer is Paul Vershbow Houston Ballet Orchestra members are represented by Ciscon has performed as soloist in the world Cellist, Indigo and leading the year-long Kurt Weill Festival at Houston Professional Musicians Association, Local 65-699, A.F. of M. premieres of Stanton Welch’s Nosotros and A native Houstonian, Erika Johnson is a the University of Maryland as Artistic Director. Projection Engineer is Joey Moro The Core, Justin Peck’s Reflections, Garrett graduate of the Moores School of Music at the Recent season highlights include The Rape of Stage Crew personnel are placed by I.A.T.S.E., Local 51 Smith’s Reveal, James Kudelka’s Passion, Ben University of Houston, where she studied with Lucretia with Wolf Trap Opera, La cenerentola Apollon musagète, Grande Tarantelle, Rhapsody on a Theme by Stevenson’s Eclipse, and Trey McIntyre’s Bound, Laszlo Varga. Mrs. Johnson has been a member with Brevard Opera Center, Don Pasquale with Paganini, Op. 43 by arrangement with Boosey & Hawkes, Inc., Wardrobe personnel are placed by I.A.T.S.E., T.W.U. Local 896 among others. She has also been featured as of the Houston Grand Opera Orchestra since Anchorage Opera, Madama Butterfly with publisher and copyright owner soloist in many works, including Stanton Welch’s 2001 and currently serves as Assistant Principal Arizona Opera, Falstaff with Opera Saratoga, La Houston Ballet is a member of Dance/USA Sons de L’âme and Tu Tu, William Forsythe’s Cello of both the Houston Grand Opera and traviata with Opera Birmingham, and since 2011, General Counsel: Vinson & Elkins, LLP Artifact Suite, Mark Morris’s Drink to Me Only the Houston Ballet. As a soloist and chamber a relationship with Houston Ballet leading their Touring representation: IMG Artists with Thine Eyes, ’s musician, Erika enjoys performing many styles production of The Nutcracker. From 2010-2013, Immigration Attorneys: Foster, LLP (Or the Perils of Everybody), and George of music, both on stage and in the studio. In the Kier was Associate Conductor at Houston Grand Balanchine’s Rubies, Ballet Imperial, and The Houston area, she also performs regularly with Opera. During his time with the company he led Geoff Winningham by Photo Indigo. Four Temperaments. Mercury, Ars Lyrica, and River Oaks Chamber performances of Madama Butterfly, Il barbiere Orchestra. di Siviglia, Die Fledermaus, Trial by Jury and YI-CHIU RACHEL CHAO the world premiere of Huang Ruo’s Bound. Pianist, class, Sons de L’âme, and Reflections ERMANNO FLORIO Additional guest conducting for Kier include Taiwan native Yi-Chiu Rachel Chao has Conductor engagements with Lyric Opera of Kansas City, performed extensively as a solo and Ermanno Florio has impressed both audiences Atlanta Opera, Glimmerglass Festival, Central collaborative pianist in Taiwan, Canada, and and critics in the major centers of Europe, North City Opera, Opera Santa Barbara, and the Royal OFFICIAL HEALTH CARE PROVIDER PREFERRED JEWELRY OFFICIAL AIRLINE

the United States. She has won prizes including America, and Asia. The extremely versatile Mr. Opera House Muscat, Oman. Welch’s Ballet in Stanton of Houston Artists OF HOUSTON BALLET PARTNER OF HOUSTON BALLET

16 HOUSTON BALLET HOUSTON BALLET 17 ARTISTIC PROFILES COMPANY PROFILES STANTON DVD recording of Don Quichotte with L’Orchestre Ms. Bears created roles in over 30 different ballets. In WELCH AM de L’Opera National de Paris also won the Cannes 2001, Ms. Bears was honored to be featured on the Classical Music Award for Best DVD in the category cover of both Dance Magazine and Pointe Magazine. The Harris of Concert and Ballet Recordings. Mr. Florio’s music In 2016, Ms. Bears joined the artistic staff of Houston Masterson III arrangements include scores for Patrice Bart’s Ballet as ballet master. Artistic Director Tchaikovsky, Das Flammende Hertz, and Gustaf III; Stanton Welch’s Marie and La Bayadère; and Asami AMY FOTE In July 2003, Australian Maki’s La Dame aux Camelias. Mr. Florio’s guest Principals Stanton Welch AM assumed engagements this season will include performances Ballet Master leadership of Houston Ballet, America’s fifth-largest with the Vienna State Opera Ballet and the Dutch classical ballet company. Since he took the helm of the National Ballet. Amy Fote began dancing company, Mr. Welch has revitalized Houston Ballet, at the age of four in her bringing in new dancers, commissioning new works, hometown of Manitowoc, and attracting a top-flight artistic staff. Mr. Welch LOUISE LESTER Wisconsin, under the has created works for such prestigious international Principal direction of Jean Wolfmeyer. companies as Houston Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Ballet Master She continued her studies on scholarship at the America Ballet Theatre, The Australian Ballet, National Academy of Arts, Interlochen Arts Academy, Birmingham Royal Ballet, and the Royal Danish Ballet. Born in Yorkshire, England, and at the , where she graduated with honors. Ms. Fote then accepted a position * Chun Wai Chan* Soo Youn Cho Jessica Collado* Karina González Mr. Welch was born in Melbourne to Marilyn Jones Louise Lester received her The Anita B. Stude The Albert and Margaret Alkek The Cullen Trust for the The Houston Ballet Guild OBE and Garth Welch AM, two of Australia’s most ballet training at The Royal with the Milwaukee Ballet and rose through the Principal Dancer Foundation Principal Dancer Performing Arts Principal Dancer Principal Dancer gifted dancers of the 1960s and 1970s. In 1989, he Ballet School. In 1972, she ranks to become a principal dancer. During her 14 was engaged as a dancer with The Australian Ballet, joined Bavarian State Ballet, where she rose to the years with the company, she regularly performed Birthplace Birthplace Birthplace Birthplace Birthplace where he rose to the rank of leading soloist, performing rank of Principal. After a career as a dancer, she at the Chautauqua Institution in New York and was Marin County, California Guang Dong, China Incheon, South Korea Coral Springs, Florida Caracas, Venezuela various principal roles. He has also worked with became Ballet Mistress for Bavarian State Ballet, subsequently invited to dance the title role in Stanton internationally acclaimed choreographers such as where she remained until 1996. In 1996, she began Welch’s Madame Butterfly with the Royal New Dance Training Dance Training Dance Training Dance Training Dance Training Dance Theater Seven, Guangzhou Art School, Sun Hwa Arts School, , Gustavo Franklin Jiří Kylián, Nacho Duato, and Maurice Bejart. In 1995, working as guest teacher and coach with companies Zealand Ballet. In 2005, she joined Houston Ballet, Houston Ballet Houston Ballet Canada National Ballet Houston Ballet Academy, Ballet School, Caracas, Mr. Welch was named resident choreographer of The where she danced for eight seasons. In 2003, she such as Teatro alla Scala, The Royal Danish Ballet, Academy Academy School, John Cranko Ballet Nova of South Venezuela was featured in a PBS documentary entitled Dancing Australian Ballet. For his contributions to the world of Ballet du Rhine, Teatro Colón Buenos Aires, and Schule Ballet School Florida dance, he was awarded the Order of Australia (AM) in Teatro Comunale . Ms. Lester has staged , focusing on her portrayal of one of June 2015. For Houston Ballet, he has choreographed ballets for many major companies, including Peter the great heroines of Russian literature. She was also Joined the Company Joined the Company Joined the Company Joined the Company Joined the Company more than 20 works, including a new full-length Wright’s production of The Sleeping Beauty, featured on PBS, performing ’s Map, in 1998 2012 2012 2004 2010 narrative ballet Marie (2009), inspired by the life of the a moving 9/11 performance. Following retirement, ’s production of The Nutcracker, Promoted to Principal Promoted to Principal Promoted to Principal Promoted to Principal Promoted to Principal legendary Marie Antoinette, and spectacular stagings Ms. Fote accepted the position of Ballet Master with Christopher Bruce’s Hush, George Balanchine’s 2007 2017 2018 2017 2013 of Swan Lake (2006), La Bayadère (2010), Romeo and , and Stanton Welch’s La Bayadère staged Ballet San Antonio. Upon returning to Houston, she Juliet (2015), Giselle (2016), The Nutcracker (2016), and for The Australian Ballet and Joffrey Ballet. Ms. began teaching for Houston Ballet II and Houston Sylvia (February 2019). Lester joined the artistic staff of Houston Ballet as Ballet before joining the artistic staff in 2018. Ballet Mistress in 2004 and since then has assisted in the creation of many of Stanton Welch’s ballets. STEVEN ERMANNO WOODGATE FLORIO BARBARA Ballet Master Music Director BEARS Australian Steven Ermanno Florio has Ballet Master Woodgate graduated from impressed both audiences The and critics in the major , winner of in 1985. He performed with centers of Europe, North the silver medal at the The Australian Ballet, progressing through the ranks Nozomi Iijima* Melody Mennite* Connor Walsh* Charles-Louis America, and Asia. The extremely versatile Mr. 1991 International Ballet to senior artist in 1996. In 2000, he was awarded The The Robert F. Parker The Melza M. Barr The Fondren Foundation Yoshiyama* Principal Dancer Principal Dancer Principal Dancer Florio has well distinguished himself in genres of Competition, was born in Churchill Fellowship, which enabled him to observe symphonic, operatic, and balletic repertoire. Mr. Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and received her early dance many ballet masters from around the world and Birthplace Birthplace Birthplace Birthplace Birthplace Florio maintains an active conducting schedule training from Victoria Leigh and James Franklin. study their various teaching methods. Mr. Woodgate Osaka, Japan Aichi, Japan Santa Cruz, California Fairfax, Virginia Shizuoka, Japan that has included extensive engagements with Ms. Bears joined Houston Ballet as a corps member joined the artistic staff of Houston Ballet in January the world’s major ballet companies. In 1985, Mr. in 1988 and that same season was selected by Sir 2004. Mr. Woodgate has taught both student and Dance Training Dance Training Dance Training Dance Training Dance Training Florio was appointed Principal Conductor and Kenneth MacMillan to dance the lead in his ballet professional classes around the world. Mr. Woodgate Soda Ballet School, Shanghai Dance School, Santa Cruz Ballet Kirov Academy of Hiraki Ballet School, Music Administrator of The National Ballet of Gloria. Ms. Bears was promoted to Principal Dancer reproduced Stanton Welch’s Madame Butterfly Houston Ballet National Ballet School Theatre, Houston Ballet, Houston Ballet English National Ballet Canada by Erik Bruhn and since 1992 has held the in 1995 and after 20 years with Houston Ballet for the Singapore Dance Theater, The Royal New Academy of Danada Ballet Academy Academy School, Houston Ballet position of Music Director of Houston Ballet. From retired in 2009. Ms. Bears’s repertoire included Zealand Ballet, The National Ballet of Canada, Academy 1998 to 2001, Mr. Florio held the position of Music Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Atlanta Ballet, Ballet leading roles in Swan Lake, Giselle, The Sleeping Joined the Company Joined the Company Joined the Company Joined the Company Joined the Company Director of American Ballet Theatre. In March Beauty, The Nutcracker, La Sylphide, Romeo West Utah, and The Australian Ballet. In 2009, Mr. 2008 2014 2001 2004 2008 2004, Mr. Florio was appointed Music Director of and Juliet, The Merry Widow, Manon, Onegin, Woodgate staged Clear for Angel Corella’s company Het Nationale Ballet in Amsterdam and currently and Madame Butterfly. Houston Ballet’s diverse in Spain and in 2011 re-staged Ronald Hynd’s The Promoted to Principal Promoted to Principal Promoted to Principal Promoted to Principal Promoted to Principal continues his relationship with the company as repertoire has afforded Ms. Bears the opportunity to Merry Widow for Texas Ballet Theatre, Tulsa Ballet, 2019 2014 2008 2007 2016 Principal Guest Conductor. Mr. Florio’s extensive perform works by , George Balanchine, National Ballet of Canada, Teatro Colon Argentina discography includes DVD releases of critically Sir Kenneth MacMillan, Christopher Bruce, Jiří Kylián, and Houston Ballet. Woodgate also represented acclaimed performances of The Sleeping Beauty, Anthony Tudor, Nacho Duato, Jerome Robbins, Australia in the Moscow Ballet Competition in 1989. La Sylphide, Onegin, Cinderella, The Merry Widow, , William Forsythe, and Mark Woodgate danced principal roles in Ashton’s La Alice, The Nutcracker, La Ronde, and Le Corsaire Morris. Ms. Bears had the honor of dancing under Fille Mal Gardee, Van Praggh’s Coppélia, Bejart’s Le with ABT, which won an Emmy for Outstanding the directorship of both Ben Stevenson OBE and Concours and Gaite Parisienne, works by Tudor and Classical Program in the Performing Arts. Mr. Florio’s Stanton Welch AM. With choreographers at the helm, Balanchine, Welch, and many other choreographers.

18 HOUSTON BALLET * denotes dancers who have been through the Houston Ballet Academy HOUSTON BALLET 19 COMPANY PROFILES COMPANY PROFILES

Demi Soloists

First Soloists

Mayo Arii Aoi Fujiwara* Ryo Kato Estheysis Menendez Birthplace Birthplace Birthplace Birthplace Kochi, Japan Osaka, Japan Saitama, Japan Havana, Cuba

Christopher Mónica Gómez Oliver Halkowich Allison Miller* Coomer* Houston Ballet Guild First Soloist

Birthplace Birthplace Birthplace Birthplace Birkenhead, England Havana, Cuba The Florida Keys, Florida St. Petersburg, Florida

Dance Training Dance Training Dance Training Dance Training Houston Ballet National Ballet School Diane Partington Academy, Wallasey of Cuba School, San Francisco Studio of Classical School of Ballet Ballet School Ballet, North Carolina Mackenzie Richter* Luzemberg Santana Natalie Varnum* School of the Arts Birthplace Birthplace Birthplace Warner Robins, Georgia João Pessoa, PB, Brazil Ashford, Alabama Joined the Company Joined the Company Joined the Company Joined the Company 2004 2015 2002 2006 Promoted to First Soloist Promoted to First Soloist Promoted to First Soloist Promoted to First Soloist 2018 2019 2018 2018 Corps de Ballet

Soloists

Austen Acevedo Gretel Batista Gloria Benaglia Juntaro Coste Chandler Dalton* Birthplace Birthplace Birthplace Birthplace Birthplace Winter Park, Florida Havana, Cuba Genova, Italy , Germany Richmond, Virginia

Tyler Donatelli* Christopher Gray Bridget Kuhns* Jacquelyn Long* Birthplace Birthplace Birthplace Birthplace Huntington Beach, Vancouver, BC, Canada Columbus, Cleveland, Ohio California

Caleb Durbin* Yumiko Fukuda Syvert Lorenz Joshua Guillemot- Kellen Hornbuckle* Kirsten Hunsberger* Garcia* Rodgerson Birthplace Birthplace Birthplace Birthplace Birthplace Birthplace Newcastle, Australia Saitama, Japan Oslo, Norway Christchurch, New Zealand Ann Arbor, Michigan Las Vegas, Nevada

Aaron Daniel Alyssa Springer* Hayden Stark* Harper Watters* Sharratt* Birthplace Birthplace Birthplace Birthplace Tucson, Arizona Orange County, Dallas, Texas Dover, New Hampshire California

Gabrielle Johnson Danbi Kim* Fernando Adrian Masvidal Kathryn McDonald Riley McMurray* Martin-Gullans Birthplace Birthplace Birthplace Birthplace Birthplace Birthplace Palmer, Alaska Suwon, Republic of Korea Atlanta, Georgia Havana, Cuba Hiroshima, Japan Chicago, Illinois

20 HOUSTON BALLET * denotes dancers who have been through the Houston Ballet Academy * denotes dancers who have been through the Houston Ballet Academy HOUSTON BALLET 21 COMPANY PROFILES

Naazir Muhammad* Saul Newport* Caroline Perry* McKhayla Pettingill* Samuel Rodriguez Birthplace Birthplace Birthplace Birthplace Birthplace Brooklyn, New York Wellington, New Zealand Orange County, California Phoenix, Arizona Atlanta, Georgia

Madison Russo Elivelton Tomazi Andrew Vecseri* Jack Wolff* Chae Eun Yang Birthplace Birthplace Birthplace Birthplace Birthplace West Palm Beach, Florida Santa Catarine, Brazil Houston, Texas Pearland, Texas Seoul, Republic of Korea

Apprentices HOUSTON BALLET ORCHESTRA MARGARET ALKEK WILLIAMS JUBILEE OF DANCE 2019-2020

1ST VIOLIN CELLO CLARINET TUBA Denise Tarrant*, Erika Johnson, Principal Randall Griffin*,Principal Mark Barton*, Principal Concertmaster Wendy Smith-Butler*, Eric Chi Rachel Shepard, Assistant Principal Amanda Witt TIMPANI Henrique Barbosa* Jaci Doty* Danielle Esposito Rafaela Henrique* Song Teng Assistant Concertmaster Dave Zeger* Alison Chang, Principal Birthplace Birthplace Birthplace Birthplace Birthplace Rasa Kalesnykaite* Steven Wiggs* BASS CLARINET Maracanaú, CE, Brazil Shenandoah, Iowa San Diego, California Jundiai, SP, Brazil Hunan, China Sylvia Ver Meulen* Esra Sturman Eric Chi PERCUSSION Oleg Sulyga* Daniel Saenz Christina Carroll*, Principal Chavdar Parashkevov* BASSOON Karen Slotter* Mae Bariff BASS Michael Frederick*, Principal Robert McCullagh Oleg Chelpanov David Connor, Amanda Swain Eugeniu Cheremoush Assistant Principal HARP Sylvia Ouellette Greg Garcia* HORN Naomi Hoffmeyer,Principal Carla Clark* James Wilson, Principal 2ND VIOLIN Dennis Whittaker Kevin McIntyre PIANO/CELESTA Trung Trinh*, Sarah Cranston* Katherine Burkwall-Ciscon* Assistant Principal FLUTE Spencer Park Elizabeth Frederick* Susan Kang, Principal Assistant Principal Peggy Russell Roubicek* TRUMPET *Houston Ballet Orchestra Karen Hall Wilkson* Colleen Matheu Johnson* Will Strieder*, Principal members who have more LEAVE A LASTING LEGACY Barbara Shreffler* Theresa Hanebury* than 10 years of service Miriam Belyatsky Feld* PICCOLO Jason Adams Erica Robinson* Colleen Matheu Johnson* Fiona Lofthouse TROMBONE If Houston Ballet has played a role in your past, Zubaida Azezi OBOE Thomas Hulten*, Principal Elizabeth Priestly, Principal Michael Warny* play a role in its future by joining the Arabesque Society and VIOLA Spring Hill* remembering the Company in your estate plan. Dawson White, Principal Mayu Isom BASS TROMBONE Elizabeth Charles Golofeev, Richard Reeves* Assistant Principal ENGLISH HORN For more information, please contact Megan Raines, Assistant Director, Mary Fulgham* Spring Hill* Legacy Giving, at [email protected] or 713.535.3241. Erika Lawson All inquiries are confidential. Yvonne Smith Sergein Yap Houston Ballet Orchestra. Photo by Amitava Sarkar 2019 Amitava by Photo Ballet Orchestra. Houston

22 HOUSTON BALLET HOUSTON BALLET 23 HOUSTON BALLET STAFF ANNUAL SUPPORT ARTISTIC DEVELOPMENT Brittney Flowers Paul Gibson Administrative Assistant †Stanton Welch AM* †Angie Lane Audience Services Coordinator Assistant Electrician/Light Lauren Anderson* Artistic Director Chief Development Office Gabrielle Castillo Board Operator Education and Community Louise Lester* Devon Antonetti Box Office Shift Lead Jason Mathis Engagement Progarm ÉTOILE Principal Ballet Master Assistant Director, Manene Bamba, James Banda, Assistant Electrician Manager Étoile honors the visionary leaders who make extraordinary annual commitments of $100,000 or more to Houston Ballet and whose generosity Barbara Bears* Special Events Austin Bonilla, Karrissa Sue Ellen Hill substantially underwrites Houston Ballet’s world-class performances, renowned dance training, and extensive community programs. Ballet Master Haley Calvert Bradford, Austin Cushman, MUSIC Education and Community Amy Fote Development Associate Arianna Day, Victoria DeLeon, †Ermanno Florio* Engagement Operations Ballet Master Alexandra Di Nunzio Cynthia Saldaña, Marcela Music Director Manager Steven Woodgate* Development Manager Salisbury, Mike Miles, Richard Reeves* R. Cantrell Williams Melza and Ted Barr KPRC Ballet Master Sarah-Margaret Doran Nicholas Ward, Callie Wariner, Orchestra Manager/Music Education and Community Gary V. Beauchamp and Marian Wilfert Beauchamp Leticia Loya Christopher Bruce CBE* Special Events Coordinator Destiny Vazquez Administrator Engagement Coordinator Associate Choreographer Stephanie Faulk Wortham Theater Center Denise Tarrant* Alexandra Garza The Inn at Dos Brisas/Jennifer and Doug Bosch Miller Theatre Advisory Board Bridget Jamison Individual Giving Coordinator Box Office Customer Concertmaster Education and Community The Brown Foundation, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Ray Artistic Coordinator Angela Fulcher Service Representatives Theresa Hanebury* Engagement Administrative Sarah Miller Assistant Director, Music Librarian/Pianists’ Associate Myra Brown Tenenbaum Jewelers Artistic Administrative Operations PRODUCTION Manager Kelly Agnew, Lauren Anderson*, Associate Jasmine Fuller †Andrew Nielsen Katherine Burkwall-Ciscon* Paul Appleman, Alex Arizpe*, Anne and Albert Chao Allison and Troy Thacker Yannick Boquin, Johnny Eliasen Development Director of Production Principal Pianist/Music Victoria Arizpe, Brittany Bass, ConocoPhillips Ann Trammell Principal Coaches Communications Manager Laura Lynch* Coordinator Jacqueline Boe, Victoria De Dawn Scannell* Joey Gaona Head of Costumes William Patterson Bethencourt, Michele Dement, The Cullen Foundation Stephanie and Frank Tsuru Coach Institutional Giving Manager Mary Elsey Pianist/Pianists’ Coordinator Vi Dieu, Jeanne Doornbos, Phoebe and Bobby Tudor Ana Gonzalez* Production Manager Emily Barrett, Tyrone Boyle, Rupert Edwards III, Carla Flores- The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts ADMINISTRATION Data Processing Manager Rob Fabrizio Jennifer Edmondson, Ben Keniston, La Rodney Freeman, The Jerry C. Dearing Family Foundation United Airlines †James Nelson* Colleen Hargraves Technical Director Kaplan, Grecia Lavanderos*, Yamilka Galindo, Valerie Executive Director Development Events Lisa J. Pinkham April Zhi Li-Thompson, William Handy, Melanie Hovis, Richard The Events Company Hallie Vanderhider †Kelli Gilson Coordinator Resident Lighting Designer Marsden* Hubscher*, Rachael Hutto, Gaby Houston Ballet Guild Margaret Alkek Williams General Manager Darry Hearon Vanessa Chumbley Full-Time Pianists Luna, Lindsey McGill, Paola Michelle de los Reyes* Donor Relations Manager Stage Manager/Assistant Krume Andreevski, Krystel Murga, Kelly Myernick Kubin*, Houston Endowment The Wortham Foundation, Inc. Company Manager Lindsey Hurst* Production Manager Grauvogl, Tomo Hayashi*, Ning- Alex Pandiscio, Mireille Patman*, Lucy Graham Director of Institutional Giving Jonathan Moore Chih Hsu, Narga Jeffus, Lazaro Travis Prokop, Candace Rattliff, Houston Methodist Lynn Wyatt Executive Assistant and Nancy Little Assistant Stage Manager/ Martinez, Elizabeth Mendez, Krissy Richmond*, Lucinda Board Liaison Assistant Director, Assistant Production Manager Alex Navarro, Pelayo Parlade, Rohrer, Jennifer Sommers, Individual Giving Grey Starbird Michele Vecseri Kathleen Tidwell, Brittany FINANCE AND Megan Raines Assistant Technical Director Part-Time Pianists Wallis, Jane Weiner, R. Cantrell TECHNOLOGY Assistant Director, Jennifer Estrada Ilya Kolosz, David Sharma, Williams CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE †Cheryl Lynn Zane* Legacy Giving Production Operations Kirk Suddreath Part-Time Academy Instructors Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Robichaux Manager Academy Percussionists and E.C.E. Teaching Artists $100,000 OR MORE †MJ Bavaret* Institutional Giving Lauren Julun Brittany Deveau, Heather OVER THREE YEARS Director of IT Coordinator Production Assistant ACADEMY Greene, Michelle Gregovic, †Ty Woodfolk Alexandra Yates Sandra Fox †Melissa Bowman Aaron Harting, Nadia Khan, Friend of Houston Ballet Director of Senior Director, Individual Costume Shop Manager Academy Director Jennifer Lee, Nicole Malandra, Jerry Ann Woodfin-Costa and Victor Costa Human Resources Giving and Special Events Brandy Karlsen †Jennifer Sommers Paula Neff, Sharon Paredes, Lisa Thelma Hearren Wardrobe Coordinator Director of Education Patrozzi, Hilary Schaff Lori Gallagher and Curtis Huff Controller MARKETING AND Alexa Larson Claudio Muñoz* Wellness Team Melissa Juneau Denise Guevara PUBLIC RELATIONS Wardrobe Coordinator II HBII Ballet Master Kelsey Fyffe Marvin and Martha McMurrey Senior Accountant †Angela Lee* Kendall Sarro Cheryne Busch* Licensed Counselor Diamantina Peña* Director of Marketing and Part-time Wardrobe Upper School Principal Nikki Estep S. Shawn Stephens and James M. Jordan Accounts Payable Coordinator Public Relations Administrative Coordinator Beth Everitt Nutritionist Kenneth Knight II Lauren Gayden* Emily Curley Lower School Principal & Hannah Smith Payroll Coordinator Associate Director of Ticketing Dance Lab Technician Children’s Ballet Master Resident Dorm Supervisor Alice Middents Services Andrew Harper Susan Bryant*, Betsy McMillan Carly Penrod, Carmen Stewart Senior IT Systems Engineer Christina Martinez, Sound Consultant Academy Instructors Part-Time Academy Dorm ARTISTS CIRCLE Alejandro Rivas Carlyn Scott* Amber Avant, Bridget Green, Molly LeBeau Supervisors Network Administrator Box Office Managers Heather Romero Academy Recruitment Amy Pearl $25,000-$49,999 Kelly Holcomb Brittany Restrepo Hair and Makeup Crew Manager M.S.T. Resident Advisor Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Bradshaw Mr. Jesse H. Jones II Cabrina and Steven Owsley Desktop Support Ticketing Services Manager Drieux Dismukes, Matthew Yahudi Castañeda Lara Hannaford Jasmine Spruill Jacalyn Lawton Rarey, Freddy Reymundo Academy Artistic Lobby Monitor Diane Lokey Farb Mr. and Mrs. Russell C. Joseph Mr. and Mrs. Harry M. Reasoner Human Resources Coordinator Public Relations Manager Wardrobe Supervisors Operations Manager Riley Blakley, Rachael The Friedkin Group/Marc and Brenda Watts Susan and Jack† Lapin Yasuhiko and Akemi Saitoh Garth Luther Tory Lieberman Glinda Anderson, Madelyn Carla Cortez, Katie Wesche Hillebrand, Nathanial Mr. and Mrs. David L. Hatcher Stephen and Kelley Lubanko Mr. and Mrs. Reginald R. Smith Facilities Manager Marketing Manager Archer, Ruth Dentel, Drieux Academy Registrars Nakadate*, Lillian Schafer, Dr. Michael Hawkins and Dr. Liliana Soltero Kris and Richard McGee Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas J. Zdeblick Patricia Barnes, Tina Donaldson Jared Murphy Dismukes, Allison Duke, Pat Megan Williams Jack Wise Goldman, Allison Johnson Web/Digital Media Project Ferrier, Alfredo Gonzalez, Academy student Academic Advisors Receptionists Manager Monica Guerra, Ashley Jones, Services Coordinator Lynn Chung* Freddy Reymundo, Claire Dustin Shaw HOUSTON NUTCRACKER MARKET Marketing Coordinator Robinson, Chandler Summerlin, Academy Artistic Operations METHODIST STAFF †Patsy Chapman* Chenay Newton Samantha Wollenburg Coordinator Carina M. Nasrallah, MS, LAT, PRESIDENTS CIRCLE CEO Education Marketing and Costume Shop Laurel Collins Wright ATC, CISSN Daisy Perez PR Coordinator Elias Academy Programs Head Athletic Trainer $15,000-$24,999 Associate Director David Rivera Shoe Room Coordinator Coordinator Leanne Wonesh Dr. and Mrs. Devinder Bhatia Sandy and Lee Godfrey Ms. Elizabeth Schwarze Angela Uchytil Audio/Visual Content Manager Edward Witt Akihiro Kawasaki Academy Athletic Trainer Mr. and Mrs. Richard L. Burleson Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Hafner, Jr. Max and Sheel Seewann Projects Manager Nicole Bacon Head Carpenter Academy Health and Wellness Jennifer Greene Audio Visual Assistant Barry Thomas* Coordinator Mr. and Mrs. Harry H. Cullen, Sr. Dr. and Mrs. Theodore J. Haywood Karl and Ann Stern Communications Associate Carol Simmons Master Electrician Kendahl Bermudez Sasha Davis and Joseph Matulevich Mr. and Mrs. Henry S. May, Jr. Mrs. Marguerite M. Swartz Shannon Davidson Merchandise and Dustin Dowell Academy Administrative *Houston Ballet staff who have more Mr. and Mrs. Bastiaan de Zeeuw Marsha L. Montemayor Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas L. Swyka Processing Associate Display Manager Property Master Assistant than 10 years of service Mr. and Mrs. Donald L. Erskine Mr. Dee S. Osborne Mary and Greg Whalley Susan Lehmann Catrinia Troiani-Ruben* Cory Grant Vanessa Egerton †Senior leadership Associate Group Sales Coordinator Assistant Carpenter Part-Time Academy Mr. and Mrs. James E. Furr Elisa and Cris Pye

24 HOUSTON BALLET HOUSTON BALLET 25 ANNUAL SUPPORT ANNUAL SUPPORT

IMPRESARIO Mr. and Mrs. David A. Bristol, Jr. Dr. David W. Reininger and Laura Lee Jones ENCORE Mr. and Mrs. Franklin J. Harberg, Jr. Brian Rishikof and Elena Lexina $10,000-$14,999 Lindsey Brown Paul and Sharlene Richards $1,000-$1,999 Ms. Jacquelyn Harrison Mrs. Dominique D. Salazar-Rodgers Friends of Houston Ballet Fred and Judy Brunk Fay and George A. Rizzo Friends of Houston Ballet Sharon and James Hibbert and Dr. Shawn M. Rodgers Dr. Julia Andrieni and Dr. Robert Phillips Anne Bushman Joseph Henry Rose Mr. and Mrs. Daniel O. Aronson Mr. and Mrs. Ross K. Hill DonNell Rushing Denise and Philip Bahr Carol Butler Bob Scott and Susan Bickley Michelle and Lorne Bain Ms. Kathryn Hite Robert and Michele Ryan Mr. and Mrs. Phil Bazelides Jess and Patricia Carnes Susan and Ed Septimus Mr. and Mrs. Robert H. Baker Craig and Kate Holzhauser Dan and Brenda Sauls Ms. Ann Bean Ms. Annag Chandler Helen and Jim Shaffer Mr. and Mrs. Paul Balmert Ms. Barbara J. Hughey Mr. and Mrs. Russell D. Sellen Mr. and Mrs. Philip D. Belanger Nada Chandler Michael B. Smith Mr. and Mrs. Stephen J. Banks Mr. Francisco J. Izaguirre Juan Serrato M.D. Jack Bell Betty Stovall (Kit) Clark Frances and Chris Stacy Monica and Scott Barker Debra W. Jackson Mr. and Mrs. Thomas M. Simmons Mr. John A. Blaisdell Amy LeBlanc Cloud and Jeremy Cloud James Stafford and Deborah Keyser Deborah Bautch Mr. and Mrs. Justin Jarski Ms. Judy Spinella Mr. and Mrs. Jack S. Blanton, Jr. Donna Collins Mr. and Mrs. Robert Stibolt Victor and Anna Mae Beghini Fund Ms. Emily Kao Dr. Alana R. Spiwak and Mr. Sam L. Stolbun Lenni and Bill Burke Mr. Robert and Dr. Carol Collins Summit Dental Center-Dr. Essa A. Kawaja Ed A. and Valerie Blair Mr. and Mrs. William H. Knull III Christen and Amy Springs Mr. and Mrs. J. Cade Burks C.C. Conner, Jr. and David Groover Dr. Jeff and Erin Thompson Ms. Barbara Brooks Rob and Karen Kwok Kay and Bert Tabor Mr. Tripp Carter Sylvie and Gary Crum Paul and Sherry Vaughan Marilyn Caplovitz Dr. Claire Langston Dr. Deborah A. Thomas Pierre and Keiko Chevray Rochelle Cyprus Valerie and John vonBerg Drs. David A. Cech and Mary R. Schwartz Mr. Jaime Ledergerber Mr. Kenneth Timmerman Mr. and Mrs. James W. Crownover Douglas R. Davis and Rachel J. Littman Mr. Timothy Wampler Anjali and Dr. Rupi Chatha Joseph Levitan and Nicolo Messana Drs. Peter and Pamela Triolo Myles and Leslie Culhane Ms. Jane DiPaolo Stanton Welch AM Mr. Wayne Clark George and Helen Littell Mrs. Jean A. Unger Bruce and Pamela Earthman Marsha and Sam Dodson Mrs. Sara E. White Judy and Art Coen Mrs. Sylvia Lohkamp Ann Wales Mr. and Mrs. Richard E. Fant Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Doneker Helen B. Wils and Leonard A. Goldstein Alice and Michael Conlon Dr. Brian Malechuk and Mr. Kevin Melgaard Dean Walker Martin and Kelli Cohen Fein Mrs. Carol Drawe Syma and Walter Zerkow Margaret Vaughan Cox and Jonathan Cox Mr. Thomas Manners Dr. and Mrs. J. Anthony Walter III Allison and Adam Flikerski Burl and Jenny Wang Drews Rini and Edward Ziegler Mr. and Mrs. John deGroot Mr. and Mrs. James McCartney V Loretta and Lawrence Williams Mitchell B. George and Stanley Curtis, Jr. The Honorable Catherine and Mr. James Evans Mr. John L. Zipprich II Mr. and Mrs. Michael A. Denham Michael and Anna McDonnell Mary E. Winn Mignon and Stephen Gill John and Suzanne Fain Cynthia A. Diller Miguel and Valerie Miro Quesada Mr. and Mrs. Richard Wright Mr. and Mrs. Donald M. Graubart Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Faschingbauer YOUNG AMBASSADORS EagleLight Consulting David and Mary Montague Lori and Scott Wulfe Mr. and Mrs. Brian B. Hughes Mary Ann and Larry Faulkner $2,000 Skip and Allison Elliott Mrs. Eileen Moore † in Memoriam Donna Kaplan and Richard Lydecker Sidney Renee Anderson Vicki Faulkner Paula and Geoff Newton Dr. Dale G. Konicek Marla and Stewart Feldman Ryan Boehner Mr. Robert Feldman Mrs. Kim Nguyen These generous donations were received before Elizabeth and Bill Kroger Marion and Caroline Freeman Katherine Brooker Mike and Lindsay Fiuzat Mrs. Peg Palisin and Mr. Gary C. Gardner November 11, 2019. For more information about Ms. Melanie Lawson and Mr. John F. Guess, Jr. Prince and Princess Piotr and Jennifer Campana Lois Frankel Mrs. Jo Papadakis supporting Houston Ballet through annual Dr. Bridgette Shen Lee and Mr. Eugene E. Lee Maria-Anna Galitzine Sara Carbo, River Oaks Dance Christopher and Ann Frautschi Mr. and Mrs. Richard Percoco membership, please contact Nancy Little, Mr. and Mrs. E. Daniel Leightman Dr. Eugenia George Jessie Gill Patricia B. Green Mr. and Mrs. Cameron Ray Assistant Director, Individual Giving, at Mrs. Hazel Leighton Dr. and Mrs. George S. Glass Christa Ginsburg Mr. and Mrs. Henry R. Hamman Wanda A. Reynolds 713.874.5446 or [email protected]. Elizabeth and Charlie Leykum Marion and Gary Glober Charles Hough Mr. and Mrs. Mark Loveland Mr. and Mrs. Murphy Graham Lindsey Hurst Mr. and Mrs. Harry E. Mach Mr. and Mrs. Joel Grossman Sharon Kim, MD Dermatology Mr. and Mrs. Michael Mithoff Mr. William F. Guest Shannon Lindamood Ms. Nancy Powell Moore Ms. Zahava Haenosh Christie McMillan Ms. Beth Muecke Mrs. Kerry G. Harpole Shane Miller CORPORATIONS, FOUNDATIONS, AND PUBLIC AGENCIES James Nelson and Richard Lapin Linda Lloyd Hart David Moyer II Drs. Duyen and Marc Nguyen Susan and Michael Hawes R. Trevor Myers Houston Ballet gratefully acknowledges the support of the following corporations, foundations, and public agencies. Mr. and Mrs. James M. Nicklos Tami Hiraoka Jason Presley Dr. Dana Ondrias and Mr. Michael Ondrias Gary Hollingsworth and Ken Hyde Elizabeth Price Mr. and Mrs. Michael S. Parmet Mrs. James E. Hooks Melissa Reihle $750,000 OR MORE The Powell Foundation Kanaly Trust Sara and James Parr Hope Huber Mr. and Mrs. Michael Ritchie The Brown Foundation, Inc. Randalls Kelsey-Seybold Clinic Kevin S. Potter Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Johnson Christopher Ruez City of Houston and the Theater District Shell Oil Company Macquarie Energy, LLC Mrs. Lila Rauch Debbie and Frank Jones Kristiann Rushton Improvement, Inc. SMG – NRG Park MARSH Wortham Mr. and Mrs. Richard Scheiber Mrs. Neale W. Kempner Sager Contemporary The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts Wells Fargo John P. McGovern Foundation Heidi and Marcus Smith John Atterbury Kendall Ashley and Richard Tagle Houston Methodist Momentum Porsche Mrs. Christine Underwood Ms. Ann Koster Jessica Trincanello and Jeremy Griggs $25,000-$49,999 North Houston Pole Line Ms. Kathryn Vidal Angie Lane and Nick Eoff Phillip Webb $500,000-$749,999 Apache Corporation Northern Trust Mrs. Kelli Weinzierl Stephanie Larsen and Bryn Kristen Larsen Alexandra Yates Melza M. and Frank Theodore Barr Baker Botts L.L.P Renewal by Andersen of Houston Drs. Randall and Crystal Wright Dr. Sophie Lee Jenny Zhou Foundation, Inc. Beauchamp Foundation Sequent Energy Management Ms. Tracy N. LeRoy CIGNA Health Care Vivian L. Smith Foundation VIRTUOSO Chad Libertus BRAVO $250,000-$499,999 Discover The William A. & Madeline Smith $7,500-$9,999 Ms. Judy Liu $2,000-$3,999 The Cullen Foundation Energy Transfer Foundation Friends of Houston Ballet Eugene F. Loveland Friends of Houston Ballet The Jerry C. Dearing Family Foundation Hilton Stewart Title Zachary and Karen Bell Stephen and Chris Lukin Drs. Robert and Nancy Benjamin Houston Endowment Inc. Jerome Robbins Foundation Targa Resources Dr. Raymond and Leora Kahn Marilyn G. Lummis Stephen and Linda Bickel The Wortham Foundation, Inc. King & Spalding LLP Texan Bank C. Robert Bunch and Lilia D. Khakimova Dr. and Mrs. Michael Mann Ingrid Osborn Bond M. D. Anderson Foundation Truluck’s Restaurant Seafood Steak Mr. and Mrs. Michael A. Klaveness D. M. Marcinek Mr. and Mrs. Mark Brookner $100,000-$249,999 Macy’s and Crab House Deborah and Edward Koehler Melanie and Jerry Martin Mr. and Mrs. R. Lawrence Brown III Ting Tsung and Wei Fong Chao Madison Charitable Foundation The Vaughn Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Frederick J. Plaeger II Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Matiuk Reagan and Claudia Burch Foundation National Endowment for the Arts Veritex Community Bank Mrs. Andrew Wilkomirski Dorothy B. McCaine Dr. and Mrs. Raul Caffesse Chevron Norton Rose Fulbright White & Case LLP Dow and Meredith Zabolio Bill, Julie and Jason McClung Dr. Beth Chambers City of Houston through the Miller Theatre Rand Group Willis Towers Watson Judy and Dan McClure Sandra Didlake Advisory Board, Inc. Riviana Foods Inc. AMBASSADOR Warren and Yana McFatter Mrs. Jenny Elkins ConocoPhillips Saks Fifth Avenue $5,000-$9,999 $4,000-$7,499 Mimi Reed McGehee Debra Gibson Houston Ballet Guild Sidley Austin LLP Harris County Department of Education Friends of Houston Ballet Robert and Sylvia McKinley Lonnie Hoogeboom and Betsy Strauch The Humphreys Foundation Sterling-Turner Foundation through CASE for Kids Mr. and Mrs. W. Kendall Adam Vickie Milazzo and Thomas Ziemba Mrs. Warren W. Kreft KPRC Texas Children’s Hospital - William E. & Natoma Pyle Harvey Ms. Jacqueline S. Akins Mr. and Mrs. Jordan H. Mintz Meredith and Ryan Maierson The Shubert Foundation, Inc. Pavilion for Women Charitable Trust Joan and Stanford Alexander Ginni and Richard Mithoff Monica McNeill Tenenbaum Jewelers Vinson & Elkins LLP IWILLGOTRAVEL, LLC Cameron Alguire Kathleen Moore and Steven Homer Patti Mullendore Texas Commission on the Arts Kinder Morgan Nancy C. Allen Brad and Lauren Morgan Ms. Faye Nelson United Airlines $10,000-$24,999 KNOWAutism Foundation Holly and Austin Alvis Lisa and David Morgan Captain Kim and Rosie Parker BakerHostetler Robert & Pearl Knox Mr. and Mrs. Cecil H. Arnim III Kathleen Mulacek and Claudette Danna Ann and Lou Raden $50,000-$99,999 Chubb Group of Insurance Companies Charitable Foundation Maida and Paul Asofsky Steven J. O’Connor and Mrs. Barbara L. Sanford Bank of America DCP Midstream Joni Baird Catherine L. Cegielski-O’Connor Mr. Shannon Sasser and BB&T Enbridge Marketing $2,500-$4,999 Anne Morgan Barrett Mr. Michael and Mrs. Catherine Oestmann Mrs. Leslie Elkins Sasser Fayez Sarofim & Co. ExxonMobil The Cyvia and Melvyn Wolff Dr. Patrick Benge Martha Farish Oti Barbara and Louis Sklar The Freebird Foundation Family Foundation Mr. Duane Bennett Mr. and Mrs. R. Robert Page Kristine and Stephen Wallace H-E-B George and Mary Josephine Hamman Muffet Blake Mr. and Mrs. Jordan Alexander Pincu Mike and Joan Weltzien Houston First Corporation Foundation $1,000-$2,499 Anne Orton Boss Ms. Lori Fultz Priess Susan T. Whitfield Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Albert and Ethel Herzstein Charitable Texas Women for the Arts Mr. and Mrs. Douglas J. Bourne Joan and Lou Pucher Mrs. Cyvia Wolff Kasper Fund for Diagnosis and Foundation The Women’s Institute of Houston Katie-Pat and John Bowman Mr. and Mrs. T. R. Reckling III Treatment of Depression Independent Insurance Agents of Houston Geraldine Briceño Mr. and Mrs. Eric Reed KPMG John Daugherty Realtors

26 HOUSTON BALLET HOUSTON BALLET 27 The expertise to KEEP THE BALLET MOVING

At Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, we are experts in helping the body do what it was designed to do — stay in motion. As trusted doctors for Houston Ballet, we keep the dancers performing in the spotlight. And, by fi nding innovative ways to treat their injuries, we’re better able to treat yours. Whether you’re getting back on the stage or back to work, we use the latest technology and advanced therapies to get you back on your feet — and keep you moving.

. . | houstonmethodist.org/onstage  convenient locations