joffrey ballet

10 Questions With…Dalia Rawson

January 23, 2012 by 4dancers

I’m always amazed at the things I learn about dancers when I read these interviews, and today is no exception. Meet Dalia Rawson. Read her story. Be amazed. She’s one impressive lady…

Grad Ball — Dalia Rawson in "Graduation Ball", Photo by Marty Sohl

1. How did you become involved with dance?

The first time I ever moved might be considered dancing. I had been either very small or very still while my mother was pregnant with me. She says that late in the pregnancy she had never felt me move or kick. My parents had a season subscription to the Joffrey Ballet in NYC, and while watching the performance in the theater, my mother felt me move, apparently reacting to the music by kicking and rolling, for the first time. When I was a baby they called me twinkle toes, because I couldn’t keep still if there was any music playing. I was in local dance class by age two, a more serious ballet school at age six or seven, and San Francisco Ballet School at age nine.

2. What are you currently doing in the field?

Currently I choreograph and set ballets and I teach. I am the Artistic Director of The Rawson Project Contemporary Ballet, a small company I founded in 2010 for which I have created a small repertory of original works. I am also the Ballet Mistress of Ballet San Jose School where I teach all levels of the professional division, and Rehearsal Assistant for Ballet San Jose, for whom I run rehearsals and re-stage works.

3. Would you share a special moment from your career with readers? [Read more…]

10 Questions With…Lucas Segovia

November 7, 2011 by 4dancers

Today on 10 Questions With… we have Lucas Segovia from the Joffrey…

1. How did you become involved with dance?

I took my first ballet class when I was 16, after a friend of mine invited me to one of her dance shows. I liked it very much, and I gave it a try. I never stopped since then.

2. What are you currently doing in the field?

I am currently dancing with The Joffrey Ballet, where we just finished a new production of Don Quixote and we are about to start working on Nutcracker, among other pieces in the season. The company has a wide repertoire, so we are always working on different things.

3. Would you share a special moment from your career with readers?

One of the most special moments so far for me was receiving an award in Buenos Aires, my hometown. The “Premio Clarin” is a very important award and it was a dream for me to get it.

4. What is the best advice you have received from a teacher or mentor?

The best advice I got was from my mentor. I was about to leave the country into the unknown and he told me “live and work like there is no tomorrow and have the strength to accept your decisions.” I’ve been trying to follow that path ever since. [Read more…]

Attend The Joffrey Ballet’s Don Quixote-Themed Master Class!

October 9, 2011 by 4dancers

If you have the time–this looks like too much fun to pass up! After all, it isn’t every day you can learn one of the variations from Don Quixote! Check it out…

The Joffrey Academy of Dance, Official School of The Joffrey Ballet is offering an exciting Don Quixote themed master class taking place on Monday October 17 at 5:30 pm.

This open class is designed for all levels of students, from youth to adult and will be taught by Ericka Mac, a multifaceted dancer and performer who is well versed in Don Quixote anthology. In the first part of the class, Ericka will provide a brief history of the Don Quixote story and choreography. The second part of the class will incorporate a fun barre warm up choreographed to Don Quixote music and students will also learn Kitri’s sassy variation from Don Quixote.

The class will be held at the Joffrey Tower on 10 East Randolph Street in downtown Chicago. The class is $15 for adults and $10 for students with a valid college ID. Please contact reception@joffrey.org or call 312.784.4600 to reserve your spot today! Don’t miss out on this unique class! Visit http://joffrey.org/dqmasterclass for more information.

Doesn’t it sound terrific? If you have a second–spread the word!

Joffrey Ballet Chicago: Choreographers Of Color Award

September 24, 2011 by 4dancers

The Joffrey Academy of Dance, Official School of The Joffrey Ballet, recently announced a national call for artists to submit applications for the Joffrey’s Second Annual Choreographers of Color Award.

This Award is to recognize promising young choreographers of color whose diverse perspective will ignite creativity in the form of original works of dance. The deadline to apply is October 1, 2011 and the winners will be sent notification by November 1, 2011.

The selected choreographers (3) will be given at least 30 rehearsal hours to set their pieces on the Joffrey Academy Trainees. They will each also receive a $2,500 stipend and an opportunity to work directly with Artistic Director, Ashley C. Wheater, and Academy Artistic Directors, Alexei Kremnev and Anna Reznik. The new works will be performed at various venues throughout the year.

To apply, interested choreographers must submit the following by mail: a DVD with a five-minute or less excerpt of their choreography with a brief written description; a letter of intent describing their interest in the competition and the kind of work they will create; a headshot and curriculum vitae with three references; and, a general application, which can be found online at joffrey.org/choreographersofcolor. Materials can be mailed to: The Joffrey Ballet, Attn: Choreographers of Color Competition Selection Committee, 10 E. Randolph Street, Chicago, IL, 60601.

Good luck, and be sure and let us know if you will be entering the competition!

10 Questions With…Derrick Agnoletti

June 16, 2011 by 4dancers

Today we have another interview with a member of the company at the Joffrey Ballet. Derrick Agnoletti is with us to talk about his career…

Derrick Agnoletti-WP_copy — Derrick Agnoletti

1. How did you become involved with dance?

I was a water polo player and swimmer growing up. I don’t think dancing had ever crossed my mind. At the advice of a coach, I tried a class to improve my coordination. It was like nothing I had ever experienced. I loved the music and the body moving together. I remember specifically seeing the dancers doing ronde jambe at the barre and thinking it was so beautiful and opulent. It was from here (San Jose Cleveland Ballet School) I began my training and further moved on to San Francisco Ballet School and School of American Ballet to name a few.

2. What are you currently doing in the field?

I am currently employed at The Joffrey Ballet as a dancer since 2003 (almost 10 years!!!). I also teach at the Joffrey Academy of Dance and choreograph for the Joffrey Academy as well as many outreach programs through out the Chicagoland area. I love choreographing on students who have never danced. Several of those works have opened The Joffrey Ballet gala as well as the Chicago Dancing Festival. Giving these students the chance to share the stage with companies like Joffrey, New York City Ballet, the Royal Ballet and American Ballet Theater.

3. Would you share a special moment from your career with readers?

I have so many favorite moments, and so many stick out so I will chose a few. I remember sitting in a chair after Mark Goldweber walked me from my audition class to Mr. Arpino’s office, and I had to sit there and wait for him to finish reading something, and then finally Mr. A (as we called him) said I looked like a Joffrey Ballet dancer and asked if I was Italian. Then immediately they offered me a job. It was surreal. I also remember very vividly my first principal role as Mercutio in Crankos, Romeo and Juliet. I enjoyed throwing myself into a “Derrick like” Mercutio. I loved fine tuning every moment to have inner dialogue and understanding what my relationship was to the rest of the cast. It was such a great experience. I carry those things with me in everything that I do.

4. What is the best advice you have received from a teacher or mentor? [Read more…]

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