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Ballet Interviews
Learn about the people behind the art. Find out each artist’s unique story, why they love dance and what inspires them.
James Sofranko, Grand Rapids Ballet Artistic Director, Photo by Andrew Weeks
Interview: Grand Rapids Ballet Artistic Director James Sofranko and 2018-19 Season details
Grand Rapids Ballet is known for performing some of the most artistic and thought-provoking dance productions in the Midwest. Dancers and choreographers come from all over the nation and world to bring high dance art to the West Michigan community. The Grand Rapids-based company has gained international critical acclaim for their performances. Now Grand Rapids Ballet enters a their 2018-19 Season with a new artistic director, James Sofranko. Get to know James Sofranko and his exciting plans for the 2018-19 Season…More>>
Val Caniparoli, Photo Courtesy of Grand Rapids Ballet
Grand Rapids Ballet: The Magic of Val Caniparoli’s ‘Nutcracker’ Choreography
Choreography is the heart of a ballet. During a ballet production, the choreography is one of the most important ways to tell the story and communicate emotion. Choreographer Val Caniparoli of the San Francisco Ballet brings a fresh voice to the beloved ballet, “The Nutcracker,” by creating choreography for the Grand Rapids Ballet production that stirs both the imagination and the senses…More>>
Penny Saunders, Photo Courtesy of Grand Rapids Ballet
‘Movemedia’ to feature work of award-winning choreographer Penny Saunders
When Grand Rapids Ballet choreographer-in-residence Penny Saunders won the Princess Grace Award Choreographic Fellowship in 2016, Saunders’ choreography was recognized on an international scale as an emerging talent to watch. Penny Saunders has forged an impressive path in contemporary dance expression. This year, Saunders is one of the featured choreographers in Grand Rapids Ballet’s “Movemedia World Premieres,” which opens next Friday, March 10… More>>
Bruce Wells working with Grand Rapids Ballet dancers, Photo Courtesy of Grand Rapids Ballet
Choreographer Bruce Wells shares his vision for ‘Cinderella’
“Cinderella” is a classic fairy tale, loved by both children and adults for generations. To bring the beloved story to life in dance requires paying homage to the romance, magic and pageantry of French author Charles Perrault’s tale. Grand Rapid Ballet’s world premiere of “Cinderella,” featuring the work of world renowned choreographer Bruce Wells, opens. The ballet based on the life of the legendary music composer was a world premiere event that ran for six shows on May 8-17. The critically acclaimed production is a fitting end to a highly successful season…More>>
Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Photo Courtesy of Grand Rapids Ballet
Choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s artistic vision for ‘Dangerous Liaisons’
Ballet is so much more than a set of beautifully executed movements. It also can tell a story and convey emotion through the choreography and dancing. These elements are very important to Grand Rapids Ballet’s new production of “Dangerous Liaisons,” and they are a specialty of world renowned choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa. The ballet is based on classic novel “Les Liaisons Dangereuses” by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos and the popular 1988 movie that showcased the steamy battle of wills between Vicomte de Valmonte and the Marquise de Merteuil as they play a complex game of seduction and betrayal. More>>
Photo Courtesy of High Strung
Keenan Kampa talks about the joy of dance and her movie ‘High Strung’
West Michigan ballet fans can now see ballerina Keenan Kampa dance on the big screen in movie theaters. Kampa, who taught classes at Grand Rapids Ballet’s “2014 Summer Intensive,” is starring in the dance movie, “High Strung.” The former Mariinsky Ballet dancer’s innovative dance instruction was one of the highlights of the “2014 Summer Intensive,” where students were inspired by her technique and her success story. She now has a chance to inspire a larger audience…More>>
Mario Radacovsky, Photo Courtesy of Grand Rapids Ballet
Mario Radacovsky’s ‘Beethoven’ choreography
Dance and music are two art forms that can tell engaging stories and evoke powerful emotions.Ballet is one of dance’s most artistic forms of movement, and Ludwig van Beethoven is one of history’s greatest music composers. Grand Rapids Ballet ended their 2014-15 Season on Sunday, May 17, with “Beethoven The Man and His Music: a tale of drama and conflict” by choreographer Mario Radacovsky. The ballet based on the life of the legendary music composer was a world premiere event that ran for six shows on May 8-17. The critically acclaimed production is a fitting end to a highly successful season for Grand Rapids Ballet, and creates excitement for the upcoming 2015-16 Season…More>>
Susan Jaffe, Photo Courtesy of Grand Rapids Ballet
ABT star Susan Jaffe’s dance journey and her inventive choreography
Grand Rapids Ballet’s “Movemedia” contemporary dance series is all about exploring the art of dance. For the past four years, the popular contemporary dance series has drawn some of the industry’s leading and most creative choreographers. “Movemedia II” will open today and feature the works of female choreographers Susan Jaffe, Andrea Schermoly, Penny Saunders and Yuka Oba. Grand Rapids Ballet will present three shows on Thursday, April 16, Friday, April 17, and Sunday, April 19 at the Peter Martin Wege Theatre. One of these choreographers, Susan Jaffe, was a principal dancer for American Ballet Theatre (ABT) for 20 years and is now the Dean of Dance at University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA). Get to know choreographer Susan Jaffe, her artistic process, and find out more about her “Movemedia II” piece….More>>
Val Caniparoli, Photo Courtesy of Grand Rapids Ballet
Val Caniparoli’s ‘Nutcracker’ choreography style
During a ballet production, the choreography is one of the most important ways to tell the story and communicate emotion. This year, Grand Rapids Ballet is reimagining “The Nutcracker” with the creative team of children’s book illustrator/author Chris Van Allsburg and set designer Eugene Lee for set and production design, and Val Caniparoli for choreography. Grand Rapids Ballet’s new version of “The Nutcracker” will be a unique production for West Michigan, which stays true to the original story. Grand Rapids Ballet chose Val Caniparoli of the San Francisco Ballet, who is known for his innovative choreography, to choreograph and create a new “Nutcracker” voice…More>>