Spring 2014 Winter Performances Delivered an Exciting and Varied Program Those who attended HARID’s Winter Performances last December 14 and 15 were treated to a varied program that included classical ballet, character dance, and modern dance. Classical Divertissements showcased Alex Srb © Alex the students’ classical ballet technique in a series of variations from The Fairy Doll, Don Quixote, and Paquita. Faculty member Svetlana Osiyeva choreographed the opening adagio and finale, which seamlessly tied the various solo dances together with beautiful ensemble work. Srb Alex © Classical Divertissements HARID’s premiere of Krakowiak, a Polish character dance from the opera ‘A Life For the Tsar’, was immaculately staged by Bertha Valentin. Seven couples paraded and danced elegantly in striking, burgundy costumes on loan from Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet. Modern-dance teacher Danielle Armstrong created another engaging new work for the performances. Alex Srb © Alex Silver Lining, set to Bach’s ‘Goldberg Variations’ featured several of HARID’s advanced students, along with an ensemble of younger dancers. Their movements created a mood of simple pleasure and happiness, which was enhanced by Paul Safran’s stage lighting. HARID’s holiday tradition, Divertissements from The Nutracker, Act II, once again served as the program finale. Impressive new choreography by faculty member Donald Tolj added much excitement to Arabian Coffee, Chinese Tea, and the Russian Trepak. Waltz of the Flowers was— as always—beautifully staged by Victoria Schneider, and Svetlana Osiyeva’s staging Alex Srb © Alex of the Grand Pas de Deux demonstrated the elegance and purity that is unique to IN THIS ISSUE classical ballet. Alex Srb © Alex 1 Winter Performances The Grand Pas de Deux Delivered 2 National Honor Society Inductees Student Outreach Program Entertains Children 2 Spring Performances During the days prior to the Winter Performances, HARID’s dancers treated several thousand fourth- and fifth-grade students from various South Palm Beach County schools to performances of The 2 HARID’s Class of 2014 Nutcracker, Act II. Generously underwritten by JPMorgan Private Bank, the performances are 3 An Evening of Dance presented each year free of charge for the students and their schools, including bus transportation to and from the theater. Experiencing the children’s excitement and enthusiastic response to their 4 Alumni Visits dancing was very rewarding for HARID’s young artists. 4 A Wedding! National Honor Society Inducts New Members Ten new members were inducted into The HARID Conservatory Chapter of the National Honor Society on March 12. Congratulations to Marissa Berk, Emily Fennell, Gemma Garlisch, Henry Grey, Nika Jurich, Ingrid Lewis, Nina Nicotera, Alyssa Nielsen, Hayden Slaff, and Rebecca Speechley. The criteria for NHS membership are outstanding scholarship, leadership, service, and character. Spring Performances HARID’s upcoming Spring Performances promise to be an exciting mix of neo-classical, classical, and contemporary ballet. The program will open with George Balanchine’s revered ballet, Serenade. Repetiteur Leslie Peck recently spent several weeks at HARID teaching the ballet, which is set to Tchaikovsky’s ‘Serenade for Strings’. Visually and musically, Serenade is difficult to surpass in terms of its beauty and inspiration. Raymonda is a renowned Imperial Russian ballet, choreographed by Marius Petipa and set to music by Alex Srb © Alex Alexander Glazunov. It was first performed in 1898 at HARID’s 2008 production of Raymonda the Mariinsky Theater in Russia. Raymonda remains a celebrated favorite within the classical ballet repertoire. HARID will present Act II of the ballet as part of its Spring Performances. Choreographer Mark Godden continues to create new works for HARID, and this year is no exception. Godden spent three weeks at the school in April working on yet another intriguing contemporary ballet. The students will premiere his newest work in May. The Spring Performances will be presented on May 23, 24, and 25 at the Countess de Hoernle Theater in Boca Raton. Tickets are available online at www.harid.edu/performances (you can now select your own seats!). Tickets and information are also available by telephone at 561-998-8038, or in person at HARID’s ticket office located at 2285 Potomac Road in Boca Raton (Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.). Please join us at this year’s Spring Performances! HARID’s Class of 2014 This year’s small graduating class is big on talent. Mackenzi Drozdz, Stefan Goncalvez, Emily Reason, Rio Suzuki, and Marie Tender will receive their diplomas on May 27 during HARID’s Commencement and Awards Dinner. From there they will begin a new chapter in their lives that may include university studies or work with a ballet company. Regardless of which direction they choose for themselves, HARID wishes each of its graduates much success and fulfillment in the years ahead. Congratulations to the Class of 2014! Page 2 | Spring 2014 | The HARID Conservatory | 561.997.2677 | www.harid.edu | [email protected] Guests Enjoy ‘An Evening of Dance’ at HARID On Tuesday evening, March 18, The HARID Conservatory hosted ‘An Evening of Dance’ for more than sixty invited guests. Director Gordon Wright served as host for the evening. He first welcomed the guests at a reception before inviting them to be seated in the school’s large practice studio, which also serves as a performance space. There, Wright spoke about HARID’s history, including information about the school’s founder and benefactor, the late Fred Lieberman. He next introduced HARID president John Wargo and trustees Arthur Redgrave, Kenneth Wenzel, and Glenn Rissman. Wright then commented on the notable HARID students perform for guests during ‘An Evening of Dance’ success enjoyed by so many of the school’s alumni, who have been employed by more than eighty professional dance companies across the United States and in Canada, Europe, South America, and Asia. Following Wright’s remarks, the guests were treated to an engaging dance performance featuring both the school’s current students and a number of distinguished alumni. Cavan Conley graduated from HARID in 2012 and is currently a member of Tulsa Ballet in Oklahoma. Cavan demonstrated his strong jumps and multiple turns by performing Basilio’s variation from the ballet Don Quixote. Isabella Boylston completed her studies at HARID in 2005 and then joined American Ballet Theatre in New York City. She was promoted to soloist in 2011. Isabella has been awarded a Princess Grace Award and is a recipient of the prestigious Clive Barnes Award. Later this spring, she will appear as a guest artist at the famed Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg, Russia. For HARID’s guests, Isabella performed the dazzling Gamzatti’s variation from La Bayadere. The highlight of the performance was the awe-inspiring pas de deux, Twilight, danced by Houston Ballet principal artists Sara Webb-Bardo and Connor Walsh. Sara graduated from HARID in 1996 and has enjoyed an illustrious career with Houston Ballet, dancing innumerable leading roles in the classical-ballet repertoire and many renowned 20th and 21st century works. Susan Fulks, Lawrence Lerner, Iris Lerner, Gordon Wright, Phyllis Greenwald Connor completed his studies at HARID in 2001. Like Sara, he and Leon Greenwald has enjoyed a successful career with Houston Ballet dancing principal roles in most of the classical-ballet repertoire. Following the performance, dinner was served for the guests in the school’s Thomas M. Chastain Studio. A delicious three-course meal was provided by Silver Sac Catering. Afterward, the dance students were invited to join the guests for dessert. The evening was a wonderful success thoroughly enjoyed by everyone who attended. Underwriting for the event was generously provided by Arthur R. Redgrave, Alan B. Rosenthal, and the law firm Redgrave & Rosenthal LLP. [email protected] | www.harid.edu | 561.997.2677 | The HARID Conservatory | Spring 2014 | Page 3 Alumni Visits In recent months, the faculty and staff have been wonderfully surprised by visits from a number of former students. It was a pleasure to welcome back to the school: A Wedding! On April 12, Gordon Wright, HARID’s director, and Susan Steffanie Ackerman Casperson (Class of 1994), who lives in Fulks were married during a beautiful ceremony at Sundy Utah with her husband and four children; House in Delray Beach. Their wedding was attended by Lyn Tally (Class of 1997), who is now owner of ‘Go Interactive family members and a small group of close friends and Wellness’ and co-owner of ‘Charleston Wellness Group’ in colleagues. To the new bride and groom, HARID extends Charleston, South Carolina; best wishes for a wonderful and happy life together! Alise Kolosova (Class of 2000), who is owner of ‘Alise Kolosova Boutique Event Planning’ in Latvia; Alina Bolshakova (Class of 2001), who is currently working as an actor in Los Angeles; Chelsea Gauthier (Class of 2006) currently dances with Pacific Northwest Ballet in Seattle, Washington; Vanessa Lai (Class of 2013), who is now dancing with Hong Kong Ballet (Vanessa has been chosen to perform with the company at Jacob’s Pillow in Massachusetts this summer). HARID staff welcomes Alise Kolosova Plans Finalized for 2014 Summer School Fifty-seven young dancers have been invited to attend HARID’s 2014 Summer School, June 23 – July 18. Auditions were conducted in fifteen cities across the United States this past January and Happy newlyweds Susan Fulks and Gordon Wright February, at which more than three hundred applicants vied for admission. Our Students Need Your Support HARID remains North America’s only tuition-free professional-training school for dancers. Nevertheless, the families of many students cannot afford the fees for room and board. The funds used to provide financial assistance for such families are raised each year through HARID’s Annual Fund Campaign. This year, we seek to raise $100,000 from individuals, private foundations, and corporations.