Tulsa Ballet

Last updated
Tulsa Ballet
General information
NameTulsa Ballet
Year founded1956
Founders
Website www.tulsaballet.org
Artistic staff
Artistic Director Marcello Angelini
Other
Official schoolTulsa Ballet SemGroup Center for Dance Education (TBCDE)
Formation

Tulsa Ballet is a professional American ballet company located in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The artistic mission of Tulsa Ballet is "To preserve the tradition of classical ballet, promote the appreciation of contemporary dance, create works of superior and enduring quality, and educate through exemplary performances, training and outreach programs." [1] The Company has toured throughout the United States and the world and has received consistent critical acclaim.

Contents

History

The company was founded in 1956 by musician Rosalie Talbot and married couple Roman Jasinski [2] and Moscelyne Larkin. Jasinski and Larkin were famous dancers who were internationally known for their style in the grand Ballets Russes tradition. [3] Under their leadership, the troupe rose to the top echelon in the National Association for Regional Ballet in 1973 and became a fully professional company in 1978. After a successful engagement at the Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College in 1983, a 1986 West Coast tour, and a return to BCBC in 1988 to perform George Balanchine's reconstructed Mozart's Violin Concerto, the company was hailed as one of Oklahoma's valuable arts organizations. [4]

In 1990 Roman Larkin Jasinski was appointed to succeed his parents as artistic director of the company. Unfortunately, the company did not thrive under his leadership and at the end of Jasinski's third season, the company began imploding as major conflicts among board members, dancers and the management came to a head. In November 1994, Jasinski tendered his resignation and left the company in chaos. [4]

Artistic director

Renowned Italian dancer Marcello Angelini was appointed Artistic Director of the Tulsa Ballet in 1995. According to Dance Magazine, Angelini managed to solve the internal conflicts within the company and raise the artistic achievements of the company simultaneously. He unified the board members, working well with artistic director emerita Larkin, and establishing friendly relationships with his predecessors. "His gracious yet fierce tenacity, tough professional reputation, and superior negotiating skills soon earned him the nickname 'The Italian Tornado'." [4]

Dance Magazine credits Angelini with building a strong and highly versatile company that is able to tackle both classical and contemporary works by well-known choreographers. The Italian-born, Kiev Institute-trained director is said to expect dancers to achieve a technical level and artistic range comparable to that of the major companies he danced with (Deutsche Oper Berlin, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, Cincinnati Ballet, Ballet West). He is also credited with stating that "to grow a company, you have to stretch the dancer one way, then the other". [5]

Productions

Tulsa ballet creates five productions annually in addition to The Nutcracker and reaches an audience of over 48,000 individuals every season. Under Angelini's leadership, the company has undertaken an ambitious repertory building program. For the past eleven years, Tulsa Ballet has added more than 60 new works to its repertory, many of which have been either American Premieres or World Premieres. Many of the world's best choreographers have worked with Tulsa Ballet including: Leonide Massine, Antony Tudor, Jerome Robbins, George Balanchine, Paul Taylor, Kurt Jooss, John Butler, Nacho Duato (ten works), Val Caniparoli who is its resident choreographer (with seven works and four world premieres), Stanton Welch, Luciano Cannito, Young Soon Hue, Ma Cong, Lila York, Twyla Tharp and many others. [1]

In its first international tour in 2002, Tulsa Ballet was declared by the Portuguese national magazine Semanario “One of the best in the world.” The company has received two feature articles in Dance Magazine during the past seven years, has been featured in the New York Times, Pointe Magazine and Dance Europe among others. In March 2008, Tulsa Ballet was featured on the cover of Pointe magazine- a distinction given to only one ballet company each year. [1] In April 2008, Tulsa Ballet completed an ambitious $17.3 million integrated campaign, which was celebrated at the opening of the brand new Studio K; an on-site, three hundred-seat performance space dedicated to the creation of new works.

Dance company

Dancers for the 2016-2017 season include: [6]

Principals

  • Hyonjun Rhee [7]
  • Youhee Son [8]
  • Madalina Stoica [9]
  • Arman Zazyan [10]

Senior Soloists

  • Jonnathan Ramirez [11]

Soloists

  • Cavan Conley [12]
  • Diana Gomez [13]
  • Rodrigo Hermesmeyer [14]

Demi-Soloists

  • Andres Figueroa [15]
  • Gabriela Gonzalez [16]
  • Jennifer Grace [17]
  • Daynelis Muñoz Castell [18]

Corps de Ballet

  • Jaimi Cullen [21]
  • Andrew Fassbender [22]
  • Maine Kawashima [23]
  • Julie Marquet [24]
  • Andres Figueroa [25]
  • Matteo Manzoni [26]
  • Regina Montgomery [27]
  • Chandler Proctor [28]
  • Minori Sakita [29]
  • João Sampaio [30]
  • Daniel van de Laar [31]
  • Shuhei Yoshida [32]
  • Shion Yuasa [33]

Apprentice

Former dancers

Former dancers with the Tulsa Ballet include: [35] [36] [37] [38]

Former principals

  • Karina Gonzalez (2005-2010) [39]


Former soloists

  • Ashley Blade-Martin (1999-2011) [35] [41]
  • Michael Eaton (2005-2008) [42]

Former demi-soloists

*Ashley Dangos (2002-2006)
  • Jennifer DeWolfe (2000-2008) [47]
  • Maria Victoria Ignomiriello (2006-2007) [50]
  • Deng Mi (2007-2009) [53]

Former corps de ballet

  • Florent Bouyat (2010-2011) [35]
  • Kiri Chapman (2006-2008) [54]
  • Alex Harrison (2010-2011) [35]
  • Ilan Kav (2007-2008) [56]
  • Balázs Krajczár (2008-2009) [57]
  • Gabriella Limatola (2007-2008) [58]
  • Elise Miller (2010-2011) [35]
  • Masahiro Momose (2007-2009) [60]
  • Gwénaëlle Poline (2010-2011) [35]
  • Daiva Preston (2007-2008) [62]
  • Kirk Robison (2006-2007) [63]
  • Susanna Salvi (2010-2011) [35]
  • Avichai Scher (2007-2008) [64]
  • Francesco Sorrentino (2007-2008) [65]
  • Laura Suttle (2010-2011) [35]
  • Joshua Trader (2002-2010) [36] [66]
  • Marit van der Wolde (2004-2010) [36] [67]
  • Iseda Yuki (2008-2009) [68]
  • Zhang Kai (2008-2009) [69]

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References

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  2. Jasinsky, Roman (1907–1991) [Usurped!] Australia Dancing
  3. "Tulsa Ballet". DanceInsider.com.(subscription required)
  4. 1 2 3 Lili Cockerille Livingston (September 1999). "Tulsa and the Italian Tornado – management of the Tulsa Ballet Company". Dance Magazine. FindArticles.com. Retrieved February 5, 2012.
  5. Cynthia Bond Perry (March 2005). "Tulsa Ballet speaks an international language in rodeo country". Dance Magazine. TheFreeLibrary.com. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
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  7. "Hyonjun Rhee". Tulsa Ballet. 2016-2017 season. Retrieved November 10, 2017. Principal
  8. "Youhee Son". Tulsa Ballet. 2016-2017 season. Retrieved November 10, 2017. Principal
  9. "Madalina Stoica". Tulsa Ballet. 2016-2017 season. Retrieved November 10, 2016. Principal
  10. "Arman Zazyan". Tulsa Ballet. 2016-2017 season. Retrieved November 10, 2017. Principal
  11. "Jonnathan Ramirez". Tulsa Ballet. 2016-2017 season. Retrieved November 10, 2017. Senior Soloist
  12. "Cavan Conley". Tulsa Ballet. 2016-2017 season. Retrieved November 10, 2017. Soloist
  13. "Diana Gomez". Tulsa Ballet. 2016-2017 season. Retrieved November 10, 2017. Soloist
  14. "Rodrigo Hermesmeyer". Tulsa Ballet. 2016-2017 season. Retrieved November 10, 2017. Soloist
  15. "Andres Figueroa". Tulsa Ballet. 2016-2017 season. Retrieved November 10, 2017. Demi-Soloist
  16. "Gabriela Gonzalez". Tulsa Ballet. 2016-2017 season. Retrieved November 10, 2017. Demi-Soloist
  17. "Jennifer Grace". Tulsa Ballet. 2016-2017 season. Retrieved November 10, 2016. Demi-Soloist
  18. "Daynelis Muñoz Castell". Tulsa Ballet. 2016-2017 season. Retrieved November 10, 2017. Demi-Soloist
  19. "Joshua Stayton". Tulsa Ballet. 2016-2017 season. Retrieved November 10, 2017. Demi-Soloist
  20. "Chong Sun". Tulsa Ballet. 2016-2017 season. Retrieved November 10, 2017. Demi-Soloist
  21. "Jaimi Cullen". Tulsa Ballet. 2016-2017 season. Retrieved November 10, 2016. Corps de Ballet
  22. "Andrew Fassbender". Tulsa Ballet. 2016-2017 season. Retrieved November 10, 2017. Corps de Ballet
  23. "Maine Kawashima". Tulsa Ballet. 2016-2017 season. Retrieved November 10, 2017. Corps de Ballet
  24. "Julie Marquet". Tulsa Ballet. 2016-2017 season. Retrieved November 10, 2017. Corps de Ballet
  25. "Andres Figueroa". Tulsa Ballet. 2011-2012 season. Retrieved February 5, 2012. Corps de Ballet; joined Tulsa Ballet in 2009 from Ballet Gamonet Company
  26. "Matteo Manzoni". Tulsa Ballet. 2016-2017 season. Retrieved November 10, 2017. Corps de Ballet
  27. "Regina Montgomery". Tulsa Ballet. 2016-2017 season. Retrieved November 10, 2017. Corps de Ballet
  28. "Chandler Proctor". Tulsa Ballet. 2016-2017 season. Retrieved November 10, 2017. Corps de Ballet
  29. "Minori Sakita". Tulsa Ballet. 2016-2017 season. Retrieved November 10, 2017. Corps de Ballet
  30. "João Sampaio". Tulsa Ballet. 2016-2017 season. Retrieved November 10, 2017. Corps de Ballet
  31. "Daniel van de Laar". Tulsa Ballet. 2016-2017 season. Retrieved November 10, 2016. Corps de Ballet
  32. "Shuhei Yoshida". Tulsa Ballet. 2016-2017 season. Retrieved November 10, 2016. Corps de Ballet
  33. "Shion Yuasa". Tulsa Ballet. 2016-2017 season. Retrieved November 10, 2016. Corps de Ballet
  34. "Jessica Payne". Tulsa Ballet. 2016-2017 season. Retrieved November 10, 2017. Apprentice
  35. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Dancers (2010-2011)" (PDF). 2010-2011 Annual Report. Tulsa Ballet. 2011. Retrieved February 5, 2012.
  36. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Dancers (2009-2010)" (PDF). 2009-2010 Annual Report. Tulsa Ballet. 2010. Retrieved February 5, 2012.
  37. 1 2 "Meet the Dancers: 2008-2009". Tulsa Ballet. Archived from the original on March 2, 2009. Retrieved February 5, 2012.
  38. "Meet the Dancers: 2007-2008". Tulsa Ballet. Archived from the original on August 28, 2008. Retrieved February 5, 2012.
  39. "Karina Gonzalez". Tulsa Ballet. 2007-2008 season. Archived from the original on August 2, 2007. Retrieved February 5, 2012. joined Tulsa Ballet in 2005 from National Ballet of Caracas
  40. "Ryan Martin". Tulsa World. Tulsa Ballet. Retrieved September 7, 2020. joined Tulsa Ballet in 2000
  41. "Ashley Blade-Martin". Tulsa Ballet. 2007-2008 season. Archived from the original on August 2, 2007. Retrieved February 5, 2012. Soloist, returns for her eighth season with Tulsa Ballet
  42. "Michael Eaton". Tulsa Ballet. 2007-2008 season. Archived from the original on July 17, 2007. Retrieved February 5, 2012. Soloist, is in his fourth season with Tulsa Ballet
  43. "Kate Oderkirk". Westside Ballet. Retrieved February 5, 2012. Soloist; joined Tulsa Ballet as an apprentice in 2006, was promoted to the corps de ballet a few months later, to demi-soloist in 2009, and to soloist in 2010
  44. "René Olivier". Tulsa Ballet. 2007-2008 season. Archived from the original on August 2, 2007. Retrieved February 5, 2012. Soloist, joined Tulsa Ballet in 1999 as a Demi-Soloist
  45. "Serena Chu". Tulsa Ballet. 2007-2008 season. Archived from the original on August 2, 2007. Retrieved February 5, 2012. Demi-Soloist, joined Tulsa Ballet in 1999 from Sarasota Ballet
  46. "Meet the Dancers: Ke Da". Tulsa Ballet. 2008-2009 season. Archived from the original on March 2, 2009. Retrieved February 5, 2012. Demi-Soloist; joined Tulsa Ballet in 2007 from the National Ballet of China
  47. "Jennifer DeWolfe". Tulsa Ballet. 2007-2008 season. Archived from the original on July 17, 2007. Retrieved February 5, 2012. Demi-Soloist; eighth season with Tulsa Ballet (2007)
  48. "Rupert Edwards". Tulsa Ballet. 2007-2008 season. Archived from the original on August 2, 2007. Retrieved February 5, 2012. Demi-Soloist; joined Tulsa Ballet during 2004-2005 season
  49. "Ricardo Graziano". Tulsa Ballet. 2007-2008 season. Archived from the original on August 2, 2007. Retrieved February 5, 2012. Demi-Soloist; joined Tulsa Ballet in 2005
  50. "Maria Victoria Ignomiriello". Tulsa Ballet. Archived from the original on August 2, 2007. Retrieved February 5, 2012. Demi-Soloist
  51. "Mugen Kazama". Tulsa Ballet. 2007-2008 season. Archived from the original on July 17, 2007. Retrieved February 5, 2012. Demi-Soloist; joined Tulsa Ballet in 2007
  52. "Megan Keough". Tulsa Ballet. 2007-2008 season. Archived from the original on July 17, 2007. Retrieved February 5, 2012. Demi-Soloist, joined Tulsa Ballet in 2002
  53. "Meet the Dancers: Deng Mi". Tulsa Ballet. 2008-2009 season. Archived from the original on March 2, 2009. Retrieved February 5, 2012. Demi-Soloist; joined Tulsa Ballet in 2007 from the National Ballet of China
  54. "Kiri Chapman". Tulsa Ballet. 2007-2008 season. Archived from the original on July 17, 2007. Retrieved February 5, 2012. Corps de Ballet, joined Tulsa Ballet last year (2006)
  55. "Leah Gallas". Tulsa Ballet. 2007-2008 season. Archived from the original on July 17, 2007. Retrieved February 5, 2012. Corps de Ballet, second season with Tulsa Ballet
  56. "Ilan Kav". Tulsa Ballet. 2007-2008 season. Archived from the original on July 17, 2007. Retrieved February 5, 2012. Corps de Ballet, first season with Tulsa Ballet
  57. "Meet the Dancers: Balázs Krajczár". Tulsa Ballet. 2008-2009 season. Archived from the original on March 2, 2009. Retrieved February 5, 2012. Corps de Ballet, joins Tulsa Ballet this season from Columbia Classical Ballet
  58. "Gabriella Limatola". Tulsa Ballet. 2007-2008 season. Archived from the original on February 12, 2009. Retrieved February 5, 2012. Corps de Ballet, comes to Tulsa Ballet this year
  59. "Nathan McGinnis". Tulsa Ballet. 2007-2008 season. Archived from the original on August 2, 2007. Retrieved February 5, 2012. Corps de Ballet, joined Tulsa Ballet in 2001 from Kansas City Ballet
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  61. "Meet the Dancers: Mikhail Ovcharov". Tulsa Ballet. 2008-2009 season. Archived from the original on March 2, 2009. Retrieved February 5, 2012. Corps de Ballet, joined Tulsa Ballet last season from Royal New Zealand Ballet
  62. "Daiva Preston". Tulsa Ballet. 2007-2008 season. Archived from the original on August 2, 2007. Retrieved February 5, 2012. Corps de Ballet, joined us from the Royal Winnipeg Ballet
  63. "Kirk Robison". Tulsa Ballet. 2007-2008 season. Archived from the original on August 2, 2007. Retrieved February 5, 2012. Corps de Ballet, joins Tulsa Ballet this season from The Royal Ballet School in London
  64. "Avichai Scher". Tulsa Ballet. 2007-2008 season. Archived from the original on July 17, 2007. Retrieved February 5, 2012. Corps de Ballet, comes to Tulsa Ballet from the Joffrey Ballet
  65. "Francesco Sorrentino". Tulsa Ballet. 2007-2008 season. Archived from the original on July 17, 2007. Retrieved February 5, 2012. Corps de Ballet, arrives in Tulsa this season from Italy where he danced with Balletto del Sud
  66. "Joshua Trader". Tulsa Ballet. 2007-2008 season. Archived from the original on August 2, 2007. Retrieved February 5, 2012. Corps de Ballet, joined Tulsa Ballet in 2002 from Eugene Ballet
  67. "Marit van der Wolde". Tulsa Ballet. 2007-2008 season. Archived from the original on July 17, 2007. Retrieved February 5, 2012. Corps de Ballet, joined Tulsa Ballet in 2004
  68. "Meet the Dancers: Iseda Yuki". Tulsa Ballet. 2008-2009 season. Archived from the original on March 2, 2009. Retrieved February 5, 2012. Corps de Ballet, joins Tulsa Ballet this season
  69. "Meet the Dancers: Zhang Kai". Tulsa Ballet. 2008-2009 season. Archived from the original on March 2, 2009. Retrieved February 5, 2012. Corps de Ballet, joins Tulsa Ballet this season