Cincinnati Ballet - Don Quixote 2024 by Cincinnati Magazine

REP 3 | FEBRUARY 16-25, 2024 MUSIC HALL

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R A FA E L Q U E N E D I T, M E L I S S A G E L F I N D E - P O L I | P H OTO G R A P H Y: R AC H E L N E V I L L E

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Thursday, May 9th, 2024 8:00 -10:00 PM Aronoff Center for the Arts Join us for this once-in-a-lifetime celebration event, featuring performances from every division of Cincinnati Ballet, including a special alumni performance by former principal dancer and current Interim Artistic Director Cervilio Miguel Amador!

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PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF TULSA BALLET; KATE LUBER PHOTOGRAPHY

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Thursday February 22 The Cincinnati Club 30 Garﬁeld Place

6–8:30 pm

LETTERS FROM LEADERSHIP Cincinnati Ballet

DEAR AUDIENCE,

am thrilled to welcome you to this incredible production of one of my personal favorites, Don Quixote. This sunny and entertaining trip through Spain is the perfect antidote for the winter blues! Don Quixote holds a special place in my heart, as I danced several roles in the production during my training and professional career in Havana at the National Ballet of Cuba. I performed corps de ballet roles as a young dancer and eventually performed the principal role of Basilio, the penniless barber in love with the beautiful Kitri. Don Quixote is a beloved work, both the Miguel de Cervantes epic novel and the ballet, originally choreographed by Marius Petipa to the music of Ludwig Minkus and ﬁrst presented by Moscow’s Bolshoi Ballet in 1869. Much as American audiences look forward to the annual production of The Nutcracker during the holiday season, Don Quixote is regularly performed in Latin countries—it is that important to our artistic identity. This classical work in two acts follows quintessential dreamer Don Quixote on a quest to restore chivalry as he roams the Spanish region of Castile-La Mancha. Don Quixote is also a very challenging ballet, which requires dancers to demonstrate precision, remarkable technique, stamina, and of course, amazing artistic ﬂair. The high-energy version you are about to enjoy was adapted from Petipa’s original work by choreographer Anna-Marie Holmes, much admired for her prowess in staging full-length story ballets. Her vision captures the swagger and sass of the story while combining challenging classical work with character dance, complete with all the stomps and claps you would expect. It embodies the joy of Latin culture, bursting with energy and color. Cincinnati Ballet’s artistic team and dancers have been hard at work creating this beautiful production for all of you. It has been an absolute delight to watch the growth of our dancers throughout this process. Enjoy! Sincerely,

CERVILIO MIGUEL AMADOR Interim Artistic Director

LETTERS FROM LEADERSHIP Cincinnati Ballet

DEAR FRIEND OF THE CINCINNATI BALLET,

elcome to the 2023–2024 Winter Series, Don Quixote. What an honor it is to be writing this ﬁrst letter to all of you in my new role as Interim CEO and President of Cincinnati Ballet. For those of you who do not know me, I would like to take a moment to introduce myself and tell you a bit about me. My name is Debbie Brant and for 13 years I have been a supporter of this incredible Company. My love of dance goes back to when I was a child, taking ballet classes in my hometown of Akron, Ohio. While I did not pursue a professional dance career, I have enjoyed working for many arts organizations including The Kennedy Center, New York City Ballet, and Paul Taylor Dance Company. Philanthropy became my passion and when my family moved to Cincinnati, I volunteered my time and talents as a fundraiser for Cincinnati Ballet, most recently leading the Capital Campaign that raised $32 million dollars to build our new home, the iconic Margaret and Michael Valentine Center for Dance. I am also a former Chair of the Cincinnati Ballet Board of Trustees and Chair of the Cincinnati Ballet Foundation. I am also a dance mom! I have two grown daughters, one of whom was a student of the Cincinnati Ballet Otto M. Budig Academy. Ballet staff used to joke that with all the time I spent with the Company, I should have my own office! As luck would have it, now I do. It is truly humbling to lead this revered Company of artists, even more so during this 60th Anniversary Season. For six decades, Cincinnati Ballet has been the cornerstone ballet company of the region and has been an important leader in elevating Cincinnati arts. This season is no exception, with a standard of excellence and artistry that is truly world class. That dance virtuosity is on full display for this performance of Don Quixote. I had the pleasure of seeing Tulsa Ballet perform this version, choreographed by Anna-Marie Holmes, a few months ago. It is truly one of the most entertaining ballets I have ever experienced. It is colorful and energetic, and its challenging choreography gives our dancers incredible moments to shine. The story of Don Quixote is a person’s quest to ﬁnd meaning in life through discipline and passion. He creates a world of beauty and vision from his imagination, much as our dedicated artists will create on stage today. I hope you enjoy Don Quixote as much I do. Sincerely,

DEBBIE BRANT Interim President and CEO

A proud sponsor of the musical arts

2023–2024 SEASON SPONSORS Cincinnati Ballet

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Grantee Spotlight: CINCINNATI BALLET Two of Cincinnati Ballet’s principal dancers, Sirui Liu and Rafael Quenedit, performing Diamonds from George Balanchine’s Jewels. Image credit: Rachel Neville

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PRODUCTION SPONSORS

Kitty and Dick Rosenthal

Cincinnati Ballet

PRESENTING SPONSORS

PRODUCTION SPONSORS

David W. Cook and Loretta Motz Cook SUPPORTING SPONSOR

Susan and John Tew PRODUCTION HOST

Official sports medicine partner

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF TULSA BALLET; KATE LUBER PHOTOGRAPHY

The Austin E. Knowlton Foundation is a proud season partner of Cincinnati Ballet

DON QUIXOTE

MUSIC

Ludwig Minkus arranged by Ramona Pansegrau and performed by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra STAGING

Cincinnati Ballet

CHOREOGRAPHY

Anna-Marie Holmes after Marius Petipa

Christine Spizzo with Cervilio Amador, Yoshihisa Arai, Allison Evans, Dale Shields, and Carlos Quenedit COSTUMES AND SCENERY

Desmond Heeley LIGHTING DESIGN

Sharon Huizinga PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER

Carissa Gandenberger

Set and Costumes courtesy of Tulsa Ballet

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF TULSA BALLET; KATE LUBER PHOTOGRAPHY

Thank you to our Sponsors PRESENTING SPONSOR

SUGAR PLUM SPONSORS

Bailey Lamson Family Foundation

Barrett Family Edelweiss Foundation

Sheakley Family

SNOWFLAKE SPONSORS Peggy Johns Family The Fogarty Family Julia Heidt Family The Hernandez Family

Frances Lindner Family Martha Lindner Family TEDDY BEAR SPONSORS

Acklen Family Bernard and Pamela Barbash Family Foundation Jim Brun Family Andrea Costa Cindy Crilley Family Dinsmore & Shohl LLP Vallie C. Geier and Family

Geiser Family Horan Family Kris Kalnow and Dr. Tamela Zimmerman Dean and Anne Kereiakes Family Katie Lawrence Mark and Stacey Miller Family Jack Miner and Brian Dozer

Oyler Family Dr. Stephen + Penny Pomeranz + Family Dawn Schiff Family Sibcy Cline Realtors Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP Terry and Bill Tobler Family Williams and Frisbie Families

CUPCAKE SPONSORS All Occasions Event Rental Shannon Carter Family Ariella and Andrew Cohen Family Lisa Damico Geiser Family

Hudepohl Family Sienna Jaeger Kinney Family D. Lachlan and Cassie McLean The Mott Family

Gregg & Emily Pancero Jean Robson & Family Lizzy Blum Vollmer Family Special Friends of the Whitcomb Family Amahle White-Dragon Yeung/Gould Family

NUTCRACKER LUNCHEON CO-CHAIRS Rhonda Sheakley Eileen Barrett Carly Byer Chrissey Haslam KATHERINE OCHOA | PHOTOGRAPHY: RACHEL NEVILLE

SYNOPSIS Cincinnati Ballet

PROLOGUE Don Quixote, a valiant and eccentric mature gentleman, lies ill at his castle in Barcelona surrounded by dust-covered books that tell the tale of the heroic knight-errant. He dreams of the Lady Dulcinea, heroine of one of the stories. In his delirium, he vows to save her from her persecutors. His trusted conﬁdante, Sancho Panza, interrupts Don’s delusions. Don Quixote enlists him as his squire and together they set out on a chivalrous adventure.

ACT I – THE PORT At the port of Barcelona, the lovely Kitri seeks out her sweetheart, the gallant young barber Basilio. Their happy meeting in the square is interrupted by her father, the innkeeper Lorenzo, who tries to force her into accepting Gamache, a rich nobleman. She refuses and with Basilio takes part in the festivities with the town folk. The joyful dancing is interrupted by the arrival of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, who becomes the target of some horseplay by the villagers until Don rescues him. As Kitri dances with Basilio, Don Quixote imagines her to be Dulcinea and invites her to be his partner. Gamache is furious, but reluctantly joins with the crowd in supporting Don’s hallucination. In the confusion that follows, Kitri and Basilio run off and get married, with Lorenzo and Gamache in hot pursuit. Don Quixote and Sancho Panza set out after them to right all the wrongs.

ACT I – SCENE II – THE GYPSY CAMP The lovers, seeking shelter in a windmill on the plain on Montiel, are interrupted by a troupe of travelers or Gypsies. The Gypsies offer shelter to the ﬂeeing Kitri and Basilio. Don Quixote arrives looking for Dulcinea. The Gypsies entertain their visitors with a puppet show that mirrors the lovers’ predicaments. Don Quixote, confusing reality and imagination, thinks his Dulcinea is in danger and attacks the windmill. He sees a vision of Dulcinea and falls down in exhaustion and defeat.

INTERMISSION ACT II – SCENE I – THE VISION As Don Quixote dreams, Cupid takes him to a magic garden, where the Queen of the Dryads (tree spirits) brings a grateful Dulcinea to him. He declares his love for her. The dream fades and the following morning, Don Quixote is awakened by Sancho Panza who has returned to his bewildered friend. Lorenzo, Gamache, and the villagers arrive in pursuit of the missing lovers. Don Quixote sets off to ﬁnd his lady once more with his faithful squire by his side.

A C T I I – S C E N E I I – T H E TAV E R N Kitri, Basilio, and their friends are celebrating their escape in a tavern. Lorenzo, Gamache, Don Quixote, and Sancho Panza arrive. Lorenzo is determined to marry his daughter to Gamache. Basilio pretends to kill himself and Kitri entreats Don Quixote to intercede with her father so that she may marry the dying Basilio. The ruse succeeds and Basilio springs to life again. Gamache endeavors to allay his own frustrations by challenging Don Quixote to a duel.

ACT II – SCENE III – THE WEDDING Wedding festivities are taking place. Kitri and Basilio are performing a wedding pas de deux. Don Quixote valiantly sets out, with Sancho Panza by his side, continuing his quest for the fair Dulcinea.

C I N C I N N AT I BA L L E T L E A D E R S H I P Cincinnati Ballet

CERVILIO MIGUEL AMADOR

INTERIM ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

The Cincinnati Ballet Board of Trustees appointed Cervilio Miguel Amador Interim Artistic Director in September 2023. A skilled artist, entrepreneur, and change agent for the world of dance, Amador received his education and training from the Vocational Ballet School in Camagüey, Cuba, and the National Ballet School of Cuba. He danced with the National Ballet of Cuba as a Corps de Ballet dancer and then as a Corifeo (demi-soloist) before joining Cincinnati Ballet in 2004 as a Soloist. In 2006, Amador was promoted to Principal Dancer, becoming one of the youngest Principals in the history of the Company. He remained a Principal for 15 years and performed in a number of world premieres by renowned choreographers Victoria Morgan, Adam Hougland, Travis Wall, Val Caniparoli, Jessica Lane, Luca Vegetti, and many more. Amador also represented Cincinnati Ballet dancers as a union delegate for more than 10 years. After retiring as a Principal Dancer in the 2019–2020

season, he transitioned to Rehearsal Director for Cincinnati Ballet and participated in the Cincinnati Ballet Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Task Force leading sustainable change for dancers now and future artists. Amador is very proud to be a part of the vibrant Cincinnati arts community. Over the years, he has collaborated with Cincinnati Opera, performed in the wildly popular Lumenocity events, and since 2018, also served as the Artistic Director/Co-Founder of Moving Arts. Amador was also honored to participate in an Emmy award-winning PBS documentary that chronicled his story of defecting from Cuba to pursue his love of dance. During his professional career, he has also performed as a guest artist in productions and galas all over the world as well as teaching for numerous schools. He has staged pieces for Victoria Morgan and Jennifer Archibald and judged several international ballet competitions such as Universal Ballet Competition (UBC), Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP), and Valentina Kozlova International Ballet Competition (VKIBC).

DEBBIE BRANT

INTERIM PRESIDENT AND CEO

The Cincinnati Ballet Board of Trustees named Deborah S. Brant Interim President and CEO of Cincinnati Ballet effective January 2024. She will assume the role from Scott Altman, who after more than seven years as the organization’s administrative leader, announced his departure at the end of the calendar year. For many years, Brant has fostered a deep and meaningful relationship with Cincinnati Ballet and has been one of the organization’s biggest supporters. Brant is the current Chair of The Cincinnati Ballet Foundation, former chair of the Cincinnati Ballet Board of Trustees, and led the capital campaign committee that secured funding to construct the 62,000 square foot, $32 million Cincinnati Ballet Margaret and Michael Valentine Center for Dance in Walnut Hills. Ballet has been an important part of Brant’s life since her childhood in Akron, Ohio. She started ballet lessons at age 9, beginning a life-long love of the artform. Brant stopped dancing in high school before attending Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts, where she studied American Studies

and Art History. She went on to create a successful fundraising career that included work in Washington, D.C., and New York City as a fundraiser and grants writer for The Kennedy Center | National Symphony Orchestra, as well as a fundraising consultant for New York City Ballet, Paul Taylor Dance Company, and Jacob’s Pillow, among others. Brant moved to Cincinnati in 1998 where she continued as a fundraising consultant for Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, Prospect House, and the Art Academy of Cincinnati. As much as Brant loves the arts, she also values the Cincinnati community. Philanthropy is a family tradition, one Brant learned from her parents and grandparents who were themselves dedicated volunteers. In addition to her tireless philanthropic work for Cincinnati Ballet, Brant is also a former Board Chair of the Mayerson JCC and Jewish Federation of Cincinnati and Member of the Board and Executive Committee for Most Valuable Kids of Cincinnati, Inc. (MVK). Brant is a past recipient of The Cincinnati Enquirer’s Women of the Year Award, the 2021 Volunteer of the Year Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Cincinnati Chapter, and Volunteer of the Year Award from the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati.

C I N C I N N AT I BA L L E T L E A D E R S H I P

Dale Shields trained at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and Butler University before joining Indianapolis Ballet Theatre, where she rose to principal dancer under Artistic Director George Verdak. Shields performed principal roles in productions including Giselle, The Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Romeo & Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Coppelia, Night Shadow, The Moor’s Pavane, and many original works. She served as Principal Bal-

let Mistress for Ballet Internationale, assisting with the original choreography of full-length ballets by Artistic Director Eldar Aliev and worked alongside Irina Kolpakova in staging many well-known classics. Accepting Artistic Director John McFall’s invitation to join Atlanta Ballet as Ballet Mistress gave her the opportunity to assist in mounting numerous full-length productions. She assisted on works by inspiring national and international choreographers including Alexander Ekman, Helen Pickett, Twyla Tharp, Liam Scarlett, David Bentley, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, and Amy Seiwert, among others. She is now in her third season with Cincinnati Ballet.

Cincinnati Ballet

DALE SHIELDS

REHEARSAL DIRECTOR

YOSHIHISA ARAI

REHEARSAL DIRECTOR/DIRECTOR SECOND COMPANY – CB2

Yoshihisa Arai began his ballet training at the International Ballet Academy in Japan before he was accepted to The Royal Ballet School in London in 2005. After graduating with honors and receiving the Achievement Award in 2008, Arai joined Northern Ballet in Leeds, UK, under the direction of David Nixon CBE and Ballet Mistress Yoko Ichino. He began his professional career performing in many original ballets by David Nixon. In 2011, Arai joined Tulsa Ballet where he performed works by William Forsythe, Jiří Kylián, Douglas Lee, and Edwaard Liang. The following year Arai joined The Joffrey Ballet Chicago under

the leadership of Ashley Wheater MBE. As a choreographer, Arai created several successful new works for The Joffrey Ballet such as Boléro, Élégie, and Afternoon Watch, which premiered at The Lyric Opera House and Auditorium Theater in Chicago. He has also choreographed a new Appalachian Spring for The Joffrey Ballet Studio Company in collaboration with the Illinois Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra. In 2023 Arai choreographed and directed his ﬁrst mini chamber opera Cåraboo: A Chamber Opera, composed by James M. Stephenson and librettist Matt Boresi and performed by International Chamber Artists. Arai joins the leadership team as a Rehearsal Director of Cincinnati Ballet and Director of Second Company – CB2.

CARLOS QUENEDIT

GUEST REHEARSAL DIRECTOR

Carlos Quenedit is an accomplished artist renowned for his captivating performances in classical and contemporary ballet productions. During his career, Quenedit was principal dancer with several companies including San Francisco Ballet, Miami City Ballet, Houston Ballet, as well as Principal Guest Artist with the Joffrey Ballet, and Soloist with the National Ballet of Cuba. He has graced the stage in a wide array of principal roles, including Albrecht in Helgi Tomasson’s Giselle, Romeo in Romeo & Juliet, and Basilio in Tomasson/ Possokhov’s Don Quixote. His repertoire extends

to the works of iconic choreographers, including a variety of George Balanchine pieces, Jerome Robbin’s In the Night (second movement), and Dances at a Gathering as the Purple Boy. Quenedit has also collaborated with world-renowned choreographers such as Helgi Tomasson, Yuri Possokhov, Christopher Wheeldon, Alicia Alonso, Justin Peck, Alexei Ratmansky, and Liam Scarlett, and danced in notable productions such as Rudolf Nureyev’s Raymonda Act III and Ashly Page’s Guide to Strange Places. Throughout his career, Quenedit has graced stages at venues worldwide, from San Francisco War Memorial Opera House, The Kennedy Center, and Lincoln Center to Sadler’s Wells and the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City, among others.

C R E AT I V E T E A M Cincinnati Ballet 18

ANNA-MARIE HOLMES

CHOREOGRAPHER

Anna-Marie Holmes has appeared as a ballerina and has taught in more than 30 countries on ﬁve continents. Born in Canada, she trained with Heino Heiden, Lydia Karpova, and Wynne Shaw. In New York she continued her ballet studies with Felia Dubrovska and trained in Leningrad with Natalia Dudinskaya, Alexander Pushkin, and Alla Shelest of the Kirov Ballet. Homes was the ﬁrst North American invited to perform with the Kirov Ballet in Russia. In addition, choreographers such as Brian MacDonald, Agnes de Mile, Ruth Page, Rudi Van Danzig, Juan Corelli, and Peter Darrell created many works for her. Holmes joined Boston Ballet as Ballet Mistress in 1985 and in 1997 was named Artistic Director of the company as well as Dean of Faculty for the Boston Ballet Center for Dance Education. During her tenure with Boston Ballet, Holmes created new stagings of many ballets, including Giselle, Don Quixote, La Bayadère, Swan Lake, and The Sleeping Beauty. Holmes was Artistic Director of

the School of the International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Mississippi, in 1990 and 1994 and, in 1997, she received the Dance Magazine Award for extraordinary and lasting contributions to the art form. Holmes founded the International Academy of Dance Costa do Sol in Portugal and served as its co-artistic director. In addition, Holmes staged The Nutcracker, Cinderella, Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, Paquita and other major classics when she served as co-artistic director of the Tennessee Festival Ballet. Known for her interpretations of the Russian classics, Holmes has produced or set these great works, in addition to many others, in Lisbon, Oslo, Helsinki, Antwerp, Naples, Florence, London, Oslo, Tokyo, and throughout America. Holmes has been very active in her work as a judge for Youth American Grand Prix, traveling throughout the United States for their preliminary and ﬁnal competitions. Holmes directed the program of classical dance at Jacob’s Pillow for 18 years and had commissioned 21 original creations for the program. She has also done master classes all over the globe via Zoom.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF TULSA BALLET; KATE LUBER PHOTOGRAPHY

C R E AT I V E T E A M

Born in Belleville, Illinois, dancer Christine Spizzo trained at the San Francisco Ballet School, the NC School of the Arts (now UNCSA), and at the School of American Ballet in New York. Upon graduation, she joined the National Ballet of Washington (DC), and the Ballet Repertory Company (NY), ultimately joining American Ballet Theatre in 1975. A soloist with ABT, Spizzo appeared in numerous Live From Lincoln Center and Dance in America telecasts, as well as the Herbert Ross ﬁlms “The Turning Point” and “Dancers,” and in Baryshnikov’s “The Nutcracker” and “Don Quixote” video ﬁlms. She later performed in Phoenix with Ballet Arizona as a principal dancer from 1988 to ’90. Also in 1990, she performed with the Nureyev & Friends North American tour, dancing with Nureyev himself in “The Moor’s Pavane,” among other repertory pieces.

Returning to New York, she joined the Broadway company of Phantom of the Opera from 1990 to 2000. Also during that period, Spizzo was an adjunct professor of ballet at New York University and at SUNY/Purchase. In 2000, Spizzo, along with her husband, Raymond Serrano, moved to Winston-Salem, when she joined the dance faculty at UNC School of the Arts. She taught at UNCSA for 10 years, receiving the Excellence in Teaching Award in 2006. Spizzo has been actively engaged as a guest teacher and stager of classical ballet repertoire at various schools throughout North Carolina, as well as in New York, New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas. She has been on the ballet faculty of several Regional Dance America Festivals, both Southeast and Southwest, since 2003. In the summer of 2023, Christine returned to New Mexico, where she lived as a young girl. She currently resides in Santa Fe, and continues to teach ballet classes in the SW area—and beyond!—on an “as-needed” basis.

Cincinnati Ballet

CHRISTINE SPIZZO

STAGER

DESMOND HEELEY

COSTUME AND SET DESIGNER

Desmond Heeley was born in England in 1932 and grew up near Stratford-on-Avon. He died June 10, 2016 in Manhattan at the age of 85. He has been called “one of the pre-eminent designers of the 20th century—a master of elegance, wit, and theatricality.” His sets are typically elaborate and imaginative. Heeley began his career at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre Company and then in 1955 at the Shakespeare Memorial (now Royal Shakespeare) Theatre (Titus Andronicus with Laurence Oliver and Vivien Leigh, dir. Peter Brook). He created 40 set and costume designs for the Stratford Festival since 1957, including the inaugural production of Hamlet (1957), The Tempest (1962), and Troilus and Cressida (1963). More recent credits include Amadeus, Measure for Measure, The School for Wives, Phaedra, The Merchant of Venice, and London Assurance

(2006). He designed for opera companies around the world, including the Metropolitan Opera (Donizetti’s Don Pasquale, 1978; Brigadoon, 1986). For the National Ballet he designed costumes for Giselle in 1952, and The Merry Widow in 1986. He is the winner of two Tony Awards for costume and set design for The Importance of Being Ernest (Broadway 2011), a reprise of the Stratford production in 2009 (with Brian Bedford as Lady Bracknell in a bright red dress), and the Broadway production of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead (1968). In 1994, he was the ﬁrst recipient of the prestigious Irene Sharaff Lifetime Achievement Award for his work in the performing arts. His work is in museums, archives, and private collections across Canada, the United States, and Britain.

C R E AT I V E T E A M Cincinnati Ballet 20

SHARON HUIZINGA

LIGHTING DESIGNER

Sharon Huizinga has been a lighting designer, programmer, and educator for over 20 years, living and working around the world and in many different areas of our industry. She has just relocated to Cincinnati after living in Amsterdam for the last four years where she was up to various things including working for the Dutch National Opera & Ballet, for ETC as the Field Project Coordinator for Northern Europe, lecturing for the Academy voor Theatre en Dance Amsterdam and Yrgo School Gothenburg, and designing lighting, projection, and scenery for multiple European/ Russian tours with Deva Pre-mal & Miten. There

were also American and Canadian chapters that included lots of lighting design for theatre and dance, some Olympics and Paralympics, some NYC and Broadway, some Detroit Auto show, one tiny house built, and (sigh) Lighting Director for the Home States Ball at the 2009 Presidential Inauguration. Touring Credits include Designs for Diana Krall, Jesse Cook, Lighting Direction for Norah Jones, Ballet British Columbia, more technical things for Cirque Du Soleil, some production management, some years as a booking agent covering U.S./Canada/Mexico and enough experience on the promoter’s side to know that those guys work really hard. She is currently head of the MFA lighting program at University of Cincinnati’s CCM.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF TULSA BALLET; KATE LUBER PHOTOGRAPHY

T H E C O M PA N Y

Melissa Gelﬁn De-Poli

Sirui Liu

Alejandro Olivera

Rafael Quenedit

FIRST SOLOISTS Chandler Proctor

Minori Sakita

Cincinnati Ballet

PRINCIPALS

Maizyalet Velázquez

SOLOISTS Maine Chernjavsky

Katherine Ochoa

Marcus Romeo

Joshua Stayton

CORPS DE BALLET Nikita Boris Taylor Carrasco Sasha Chernjavsky Luca De-Poli

Thomas Dilley Samantha Griffin Jhaelin McQuay Tatiana Melendez

Simon Plant Bella Ureta Lenai A. Wilkerson

Michael Mengden Amanda de Jesus Pérez Duarte Caroline Perry

NEW DANCERS Llonnis del Toro Cintra

Julia Gundzik

APPRENTICES Simone Muhammad

Scott Reed

SECOND COMPANY – CB2 Annie Fitzpatrick Giovanny Garibay Kannen Glanz

Amber Harper James Jobson-Larkin Eileen Kim Ramsay Miller

Nicholas Motley Gavin Nicholson Salomé Tregre

The Artists of Cincinnati Ballet are represented by the American Guild of Musical Artists, AFL-CIO.

T H E C O M PA N Y Cincinnati Ballet

PRINCIPALS

MELISSA GELFIN DE-POLI

SIRUI LIU

(SHE/HER) PENNSYLVANIA | 2014

(SHE/HER) CHINA | 2011

ALEJANDRO OLIVERA

RAFAEL QUENEDIT

(HE/HIM) CUBA | 2023

(HE/HIM) CUBA | 2021

FIRST SOLOISTS

CHANDLER PROCTOR

(HE/HIM) NORTH CAROLINA | 2021

MINORI SAKITA

(SHE/HER) WASHINGTON, D.C. | 2019

MAIZYALET VELÁZQUEZ

(SHE/HER) PUERTO RICO | 2012

PHOTOGRAPHY BY HIROMI PLATT

T H E C O M PA N Y Cincinnati Ballet

SOLOISTS

MAINE CHERNJAVSKY

KATHERINE OCHOA

JAPAN | 2023

(SHE/HER) CUBA | 2022

MARCUS ROMEO

JOSHUA STAYTON

(HE/HIM) PENNSYLVANIA | 2017

(HE/HIM) OHIO | 2019

CORPS DE BALLET

NIKITA BORIS

(SHE/HER) NEW JERSEY | 2020

LUCA DE-POLI (HE/HIM) FLORIDA | 2014

TAYLOR CARRASCO (HE/HIM) NEW MEXICO | 2015

THOMAS DILLEY (HE/HIM) AUSTRALIA | 2023

SASHA CHERNJAVSKY NEW YORK | 2023

SAMANTHA GRIFFIN (SHE/HER) NORTH CAROLINA | 2023

T H E C O M PA N Y Cincinnati Ballet

CORPS DE BALLET

JHAELIN MCQUAY (HE/HIM) CALIFORNIA | 2019

AMANDA DE JESUS PÉREZ DUARTE (SHE/HER) CUBA | 2023

TATIANA MELENDEZ

MICHAEL MENGDEN

FLORIDA | 2023

(HE/HIM) TEXAS | 2016

CAROLINE PERRY

SIMON PLANT

(SHE/HER) CALIFORNIA | 2022

BELLA URETA

(SHE/HER) WASHINGTON | 2017

(HE/HIM) AUSTRALIA | 2022

LENAI A. WILKERSON (SHE/HER) WASHINGTON, D.C. | 2022

PHOTOGRAPHY BY HIROMI PLATT

T H E C O M PA N Y

LLONNIS DEL TORO CINTRA (HE/HIM) CUBA | 2022

Cincinnati Ballet

NEW DANCERS

JULIA GUNDZIK (SHE/HER) OHIO | 2021

APPRENTICES

SIMONE MUHAMMAD (SHE/HER) MISSOURI | 2022

SCOTT REED (HE/HIM) GEORGIA | 2019

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S E C O N D C O M PA N Y – C B 2 Cincinnati Ballet ANNIE FITZPATRICK GIOVANNY GARIBAY

KANNEN GLANZ

AMBER HARPER

EILEEN KIM

RAMSAY MILLER

NICHOLAS MOTLEY

GAVIN NICHOLSON

SALOMÉ TREGRE

(SHE/HER) MASSACHUSETTS | 2023

(HE/HIM) WASHINGTON | 2023

JAMES JOBSONLARKIN (HE/HIM) NEW YORK | 2023

(SHE/HER) ILLINOIS | 2023

(HE/HIM) FLORIDA | 2023

(HE/HIM) WYOMING | 2023

(SHE/HER) ILLINOIS | 2020

(SHE/HER) OHIO | 2021

(HE/HIM) MARYLAND | 2023

(SHE/HER) OHIO | 2021

PHOTOGRAPHY BY HIROMI PLATT

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING DIVISION Cincinnati Ballet

PTDS Frances Bennett, Gianna Brace, Sanaa Brown, Claire Daley, Jenna Daugherty, Madeline Flythe, Katie Stuckenschneider, Julianna Varner, and Catherine Voorhees.

TRAINEES Fiona Allen, Ciarán Barlow, Anna Doggett, Brianne Falanga, Andrew Fung, Noah Gnes, Engler Gonzalez, Charlotte Gularson, Elizabeth Jacobson, Helen Jardon, Caroline Love, Fiona Murphy, Taylor Petrowski, Jenna Renﬁeld, Sierra Severt, Elizabeth Swisher, Madison Taylor, and Anneliese Welsh.

2023-2024

REP 4

MERCURIAL LANDSCAPES

APRIL 5-7, 2024 | ARONOFF CENTER FOR THE ARTS

FAMILY SERIES

THE LITTLE MERMAID

APRIL 11-14, 2024 | ARONOFF CENTER FOR THE ARTS

REP 5

PLAYLIST

MAY 10-12, 2024 | ARONOFF CENTER FOR THE ARTS

MARGARET AND MICHAEL VALENTINE

Celebrating 60 Years of

BA L L E T I N C I N C I N N AT I A look back at six decades of dance excellence. Since 1963, Cincinnati Ballet has been the cornerstone professional ballet company of the region, commended for presenting an internationally acclaimed repertoire of classical masterworks and premieres of provocative contemporary pieces. The Company was founded on a desire to create a diverse community of dance enthusiasts by sharing the beauty of the artform with full-length ballets and innovative world premieres. Cincinnati Ballet has brought the world to the region through exceptional collaborations with acclaimed artists and choreographers, becoming a creative force within the larger dance community.

1970s 1960s Cincinnati Ballet began officially when 41 dancers were chosen from auditions at the YMCA in 1963. Early performances were held at the University of Cincinnati’s Wilson Auditorium. In 1966, the head of UC’s College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), David McLain, became Artistic Director. In 1968, the Company was renamed the ‘Cincinnati Ballet Company’ and Carmon DeLeone became Music Director.

In 1974, The Nutcracker premiered at Cincinnati Music Hall. Beginning in 1978, additional mainstage performances were also held at the iconic Cincinnati venue. By 1980, the Company’s name was shortened to ‘Cincinnati Ballet.’

1980s With McLain’s passing in 1984, the legendary Frederic Franklin was named interim Artistic Director. In 1986, Hungarian dancer and former American Ballet Theatre star Ivan Nagy assumed leadership and recruited experienced, international dancers, raising the Company’s performance standards.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY CINCINNATI BALLET

1990s The 1990s brought three artistic directors in quick succession— Richard Collins, Nigel Burgoine, and Pater Anastos. Thanks to the Kaplan and Budig Foundations, the Company moved into a stable home in the West End in 1994. Two years later, Cincinnati Ballet Otto M. Budig Academy was founded. That same year, the Company performed choreographer George Balanchine’s Jewels. In 1997, Victoria Morgan was named Artistic Director, one of the ﬁrst women to lead an American ballet company.

2000s The 2000s were a time of collaborative growth, during which the Company partnered with Columbus’ BalletMet on several productions, including Stars and Stripes in 2006 and Swan Lake in 2009. The Company also expanded its reach, touring Europe and several U.S. states including Alaska, Michigan, and Indiana.

A BOLD AND BRIGHT FUTURE In 2021, Cincinnati Ballet completed a $30.8 million dollar fundraising campaign for the Cincinnati Ballet Margaret and Michael Valentine Center for Dance in Walnut Hills. The 62,000-square-foot Center for Dance features nine studios and iconic, stunning architecture. The perfect home for our dancers, students, and community.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY PETER MUELLER (TOP AND MIDDLE); FEINKNOPF (BOTTOM)

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C I N C I N N AT I S YM P H O N Y O R C H E S T R A

FIRST VIOLINS Stefani Matsuo CONCERTMASTER ANNA SINTON TAFT CHAIR Felicity James ASSOCIATE CONCERTMASTER TOM & DEE STEGMAN CHAIR Philip Marten FIRST ASSISTANT CONCERTMASTER JAMES M. EWELL CHAIR++ Eric Bates SECOND ASSISTANT CONCERTMASTER SERGE SHABABIAN CHAIR Kathryn Woolley NICHOLAS TSIMARAS– PETER G. COURLAS CHAIR++ Anna Reider DIANNE & J. DAVID ROSENBERG CHAIR Mauricio Aguiar§ ANNE G. & ROBERT W. DORSEY CHAIR Minyoung Baik Jo Ann & Paul Ward Chair James Braid MARC BOHLKE CHAIR GIVEN BY KATRIN & MANFRED BOHLKE Rebecca Kruger Fryxell CLIFFORD J. GOOSMANN & ANDREA M. WILSON CHAIR Gerald Itzkoff JEAN TEN HAVE CHAIR Charles Morey† Luo-Jia Wu SECOND VIOLINS Gabriel Pegis PRINCIPAL AL LEVINSON CHAIR Yang Liu* HAROLD B. & BETTY JUSTICE CHAIR Scott Mozlin** HENRY MEYER CHAIR Kun Dong Cheryl Benedict Evin Blomberg§ Rachel Charbel IDA RINGLING NORTH CHAIR Chika Kinderman Hyesun Park Paul Patterson CHARLES GAUSMANN CHAIR++ Stacey Woolley BRENDA & RALPH TAYLOR CHAIR++

VIOLAS Christian Colberg PRINCIPAL LOUISE D. & LOUIS NIPPERT CHAIR Gabriel Napoli ACTING ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL GRACE M. ALLEN CHAIR Julian Wilkison** Rebecca Barnes§ Christopher Fischer Stephen Fryxell MELINDA & IRWIN SIMON CHAIR Caterina Longhi Denisse Rodriguez-Rivera Dan Wang Joanne Wojtowicz CELLOS Ilya Finkelshteyn PRINCIPAL IRENE & JOHN J. EMERY CHAIR Daniel Kaler ACTING ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL ONA HIXSON DATER CHAIR Norman Johns** KARL & ROBERTA SCHLACHTER FAMILY CHAIR Drew Dansby§ Nicholas Mariscal Hiro Matsuo LAURA KIMBLE MCLELLAN CHAIR++ Theodore Nelson PETER G. COURLAS– NICHOLAS TSIMARAS CHAIR++ Alan Rafferty RUTH F. ROSEVEAR CHAIR [OPEN] MARVIN KOLODZIK & LINDA S. GALLAHER CHAIR FOR CELLO BASSES Owen Lee PRINCIPAL MARY ALICE HEEKIN BURKE CHAIR++ Luis Arturo Celis Avila * THOMAS VANDEN EYNDEN CHAIR Stephen Jones** TRISH & RICK BRYAN CHAIR Boris Astaﬁev§ Gerald Torres Rick Vizachero HARP Gillian Benet Sella PRINCIPAL CYNTHIA & FRANK STEWART CHAIR FLUTES Randolph Bowman PRINCIPAL CHARLES FREDERIC GOSS CHAIR Henrik Heide* Haley Bangs JANE & DAVID ELLIS CHAIR PICCOLO Rebecca Pancner PATRICIA GROSS LINNEMANN CHAIR

§ Begins the alphabetical listing of players who participate in a system of rotated seating within the string section.

OBOES Dwight Parry PRINCIPAL JOSEPHINE I. & DAVID J. JOSEPH, JR. CHAIR Lon Bussell* STEPHEN P. MCKEAN CHAIR Emily Beare ENGLISH HORN Christopher Philpotts PRINCIPAL ALBERTA & DR. MAURICE MARSH CHAIR++

BASS TROMBONE Noah Roper

CLARINETS Christopher Pell PRINCIPAL EMMA MARGARET & IRVING D. GOLDMAN CHAIR Joseph Morris* ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL AND E-FLAT CLARINET ROBERT E. & FAY BOEH CHAIR++ Ixi Chen VICKY & RICK REYNOLDS CHAIR IN HONOR OF WILLIAM A. FRIEDLANDER BASS CLARINET Ronald Aufmann BASSOONS Christopher Sales PRINCIPAL EMALEE SCHAVEL CHAIR++ Martin Garcia* Hugh Michie CONTRABASSOON Jennifer Monroe FRENCH HORNS Elizabeth Freimuth PRINCIPAL MARY M. & CHARLES F. YEISER CHAIR [OPEN]* ELLEN A. & RICHARD C. BERGHAMER CHAIR Molly Norcross** ACTING ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL SWEENEY FAMILY CHAIR IN MEMORY OF DONALD C. SWEENEY Lisa Conway SUSANNE & PHILIP O. GEIER, JR. CHAIR Duane Dugger MARY & JOSEPH S. STERN, JR. CHAIR Charles Bell DONALD & MARGARET ROBINSON CHAIR TRUMPETS Anthony Limoncelli PRINCIPAL RAWSON CHAIR Douglas Lindsay* JACKIE & ROY SWEENEY FAMILY CHAIR Alexander Pride† OTTO M. BUDIG FAMILY FOUNDATION CHAIR++ Christopher Kiradjieff

* Associate Principal ** Assistant Principal † One-year appointment

TROMBONES Cristian Ganicenco PRINCIPAL DOROTHY & JOHN HERMANIES CHAIR Joseph Rodriguez** SECOND/ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL TROMBONE SALLIE ROBINSON WADSWORTH & RANDOLPH L. WADSWORTH JR. CHAIR

Cincinnati Ballet

LOUIS LANGRÉE, Music Director Louise Dieterle Nippert & Louis Nippert Chair JOHN MORRIS RUSSELL, Cincinnati Pops Conductor Louise Dieterle Nippert & Louis Nippert Chair Matthias Pintscher, CSO Creative Partner Damon Gupton, Pops Principal Guest Conductor Samuel Lee, Associate Conductor Ashley and Barbara Ford Chair Daniel Wiley, Assistant Conductor Ashley and Barbara Ford Chair

TUBA Christopher Olka PRINCIPAL ASHLEY & BARBARA FORD CHAIR TIMPANI Patrick Schleker PRINCIPAL MATTHEW & PEG WOODSIDE CHAIR Joseph Bricker* MORLEEN & JACK ROUSE CHAIR PERCUSSION David Fishlock PRINCIPAL SUSAN S. & WILLIAM A. FRIEDLANDER CHAIR Michael Culligan* Joseph Bricker MORLEEN & JACK ROUSE CHAIR Marc Wolﬂey+ KEYBOARDS Michael Chertock JAMES P. THORNTON CHAIR Julie Spangler+ JAMES P. THORNTON CHAIR CSO/CCM DIVERSITY FELLOWS~ Lucas Braga, violin Melissa Peraza, violin Manuel Papale, cello Caleb Edwards, double bass Wendell Rosa, double bass LIBRARIANS Christina Eaton PRINCIPAL LIBRARIAN LOIS KLEIN JOLSON CHAIR Elizabeth Dunning ACTING ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL LIBRARIAN Cara Benner INTERIM ASSISTANT LIBRARIAN STAGE MANAGERS Brian P. Schott Phillip T. Sheridan Daniel Schultz Mike Ingram Andrew Sheridan

+ Cincinnati Pops rhythm section ++ CSO endowment only ~ Funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation

2023–2024 BOARD OF TRUSTEES Cincinnati Ballet

2023–2024 GOVERNING BOARD Joel Stone

Emerson Moser

Kristin Fishbaugh

Faith Whittaker

CHAIR

VICE CHAIR

TREASURER

SECRETARY

Sergio Arreola Fran Carlisle Smokey Clay David Cook Andrea Costa Judy Dalambakis Zahki Davis

Sarah Frank Fogarty Jodi Geiser Rico Grant Linda Greenberg Kateri Moll Haskett Patti Heldman Lydia Jacobs-Horton

Marcie Kinney Peter Laffoon Megan McCarthy-Wolf Jack Miner Shekhar Mitra Katy Moeggenberg

Alexandra Ollinger Alandes Powell T. Quinn Lisa Riccardi Toilynn O’Neal Turner Brenden Zenni

2023–2024 SUSTAINERS Michael Bailes Bernie Calonge Sheila Cohen Connie Dow Sandra Eisele Jerry Ewers Kathryn Harsh Edmond Hooker Beth Levy

Leon Loewenstein Madelynn Matlock Larry McGruder Skip Merten Alex Munoz Cathy Nwankwo Jim Papakirk Joselyn Pfeil Julie Richardson

Kitty Rosenthal Morleen Rouse Diane Rumpke Keke Sansalone Tom Schiff Beth Snyder Chris Sprecher Brett Stover Mary Talbott

Heather Theders Pamela Thompson Serena Tsuang Kelly Vanasse Catherine Vernon Gary West Barbara Weyand George Wilkinson

2023–2024 EMERITI Debbie Brant Kelly Brown Laura Brunner Trish Bryan Otto Budig Nancy Clagett William Cordes

Lynn Good Lorrence Kellar+ Charles MacDonnell Richardson McKinney Tom Neyer Carol Duane Olson

Paul Ose Melody Sawyer Richardson Michael Rozow James Sammarco Kathleen Selker Rhonda Sheakley

Russell Shelton Shelly Sherman Julie Shifman Linda Smith Ronna Willis

2023–2024 FOUNDATION BOARD

Jen Stein

Madelynn Matlock

Kelly Brown

INTERIM CHAIR

TREASURER

SECRETARY

Debbie Brant Jennifer Damiano Joe Dehner

Kristin Fishbaugh Emerson Moser

Alex Munoz Rhonda Sheakley

HONORARY TRUSTEES Craig F. Maier Rhoda Mayerson+

* Ex Officio + In Memoriam

Joel Stone Joe Carolin*

C I N C I N N AT I BA L L E T S TA F F Cervilio Miguel Amador INTERIM ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE Joe Carolin VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE AND CFO Melissa Santomo CONTROLLER Tiffany Whitcomb, SHRM-SCP VICE PRESIDENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES Tyler Parker SENIOR EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT AND BOARD LIAISON Laura Linneman EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT Chuck Beatty DIRECTOR OF EVENTS Mary French ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF DATA SERVICES Stacey Rich, CPA STAFF ACCOUNTANT Thomas E. Johnston, CCI, CHI™ INTERPRETER

ARTISTIC Dale Shields REHEARSAL DIRECTOR Carlos Quenedit GUEST REHEARSAL DIRECTOR Yoshihisa Arai REHEARSAL DIRECTOR / DIRECTOR SECOND COMPANY – CB2 Allison Evans YOUNG PERFORMERS COACH Jacqueline Damico Amador Kannen Glanz Julia Gundzik Amber Harper Gavin Nicholson Salomé Tregre YP REHEARSAL ASSISTANTS Angelika Bonyhati-Kovacs Brian Cashwell Janet Langhorst Ted Seaman BALLET ACCOMPANISTS

PHILANTHROPY Adrijana Kowatsch VICE PRESIDENT OF PHILANTHROPY Katharine Nemeth MAJOR GIFTS OFFICER Payton Field DONOR RELATIONS MANAGER

Ilona Piaskowy INDIVIDUAL GIVING MANAGER Alexandria Wright INSTITUTIONAL GIVING MANAGER

MARKETING AND BRAND STRATEGY Nicole Doll VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING AND BRAND STRATEGY Louanna Wyatt ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF PATRON EXPERIENCE Nicholas Peltz SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER AND CONTENT MANAGER Katie Daly GRAPHIC DESIGNER Dan Wood VIDEOGRAPHER Eli Frances SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Pam Taylor PATRON EXPERIENCE SUPERVISOR AND MARKETING PROGRAM COORDINATOR Eline Bauwens PATRON EXPERIENCE SUPERVISORS Ja’Nay Brown Addie Carter Butch Hamm Lisa Malsom Brian Miller Neehar Phadke PATRON EXPERIENCE ASSOCIATES

OTTO M. BUDIG ACADEMY AND EDUCATION Ginger Johnson VICE PRESIDENT OF ACADEMY AND EDUCATION Blanca Huertas-Agnew ACADEMY DIRECTOR Carolyn Guido Clifford DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION Maura Korn STUDENT SERVICES MANAGER Elizabeth Metz REGISTRATION SERVICES MANAGER

David Morse PRINCIPAL, PROFESSIONAL TRAINING DIVISION Jennifer Rutherford RESIDENT FACULTY AND PRINCIPAL, ENSEMBLE Sirui Liu ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL, ENSEMBLE Kara Louis YOUTH PROGRAMS COORDINATOR Kate Stark CB MOVES COORDINATOR Kelly Daley Emily Schau Wynn White YOUNG PERFORMERS COORDINATORS Donna Anderle Oliver Arana Ja’Nay Brown Alison Cole Rosa Compostella Jacqueline Damico Amador Kiersten Edwards Isabele Elefson Kerry Enders Jackie Engelkamp Jeri Gatch Donna Grisez Julia Gundzik Sasha Hart Nicole Hershey Andrew Hubbard Helen Jardon Julius Jenkins Qi Jiang Mary Kamp Eileen Kim Tina LaForgia Morse Sirui Liu Daimy McInroe Mae Miller Victoria Morgan Shane Ohmer Patty Pille Carlos Quenedit Cynthia Riesterer Rowan Salem Maggie Silverstein Joshua Stayton Cassidy Steele Shauna Steele Kimberley Stewart Rose Sunila Brittany Taylor Rebecca Walther Michelle Ziegler Missy Lay Zimmer ACADEMY AND EDUCATION INSTRUCTORS

Frances Bennett Iliana Rich Sierra Severt STUDENT EXPERIENCE REPRESENTATIVES

Cincinnati Ballet

Debbie Brant INTERIM PRESIDENT AND CEO

PRODUCTION Brian R Sherman VICE PRESIDENT OF PRODUCTION Carissa Gandenberger PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER Dena D’Andrea COMPANY MANAGER Brooke Arthur COSTUME MANAGER Laura Hofmann WARDROBE SUPERVISOR Cherl Beyersdoerfer FIRST WARDROBE ASSISTANT Jackie Andrews SECOND WARDROBE ASSISTANT Scott Berkley MASTER CARPENTER Kevin Barth PROPERTY MASTER Chanelle Dau Pino MASTER ELECTRICIAN Derek Lee ASSISTANT ELECTRICIAN James Geier WIG AND MAKE-UP CONSULTANT Annalee Crosser Quinn Nicole Morgan Morgan Piper ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGERS Eli Suarez CCM LIGHTING INTERN

SPORTS MEDICINE Kelly Jo Rodrigo, MS, LAT, ATC COURTESY OF TRIHEALTH AND BEACON ORTHOPAEDICS & SPORTS MEDICINE

ARTISTIC EMERITI Victoria Morgan ARTISTIC DIRECTOR EMERITA Carmon DeLeone MUSIC DIRECTOR EMERITUS

DONOR HONOR ROLL Cincinnati Ballet

FOUNDER Donald Beck and Lawrence E. Eynon MD David W. Cook and Loretta Motz Cook+ Harry and Linda Fath Susan S. Friedlander+

Linda and Gary Greenberg Debby and Jim Mason Halle and T. Quinn Dianne and J. David Rosenberg

Kitty and Richard Rosenthal Rhonda and Larry Sheakley Jennifer and John Stein

Susan and John Tew Heather and Jonathan Theders Margaret and Michael Valentine

DIRECTOR Fran and Dan Bailey Eileen and John Barrett Susan Brenner and Steven A. Mombach Debbie and Jody Brant Susan Domonkos Dianne Dunkelman and Peter Schwartz Jerry Ewers and Brian L. Tiffany

Kristin and Chris Fishbaugh Arna and Bobby Fisher Sarah Frank Fogarty and Timothy Fogarty Jodi M. Geiser and James Miller III Arielle Goldberg Suzanne and J. Frank Hall Lauren Hannan Shafer

Kateri Moll Haskett Lydia Jacobs-Horton and Jeff Horton John and Peter Laffoon Betsy and John LaMacchia Lane and Skip Merten Mitzie and Emerson Moser Barbara K. Myers

Jack and Marilyn Osborn+ Martha and Nick Ragland Julie and Steven Shifman Lisa and Joel Stone Dr. William and Mrs. Therese Tobler Elizabeth Yntema

PRINCIPAL Sergio Arreola Amy and Michael Bailes Sue and Ben Blaney Kelly J. Brown Fran and Wayne Carlisle Jennifer Conklin Paula and William Cordes Andrea Costa Bobbi and Aaron Crary

Judy and Christopher Dalambakis Noël Julnes-Dehner and Joseph Dehner Connie and Buzz Dow Helen Dupree Peter M. Frey Dr. and Mrs. Robert Heidt Patti and Fred Heldman Cynthia E. Henderson

Sally D. Hernandez Peggy Johns Dr. Khurram and Zofeen Khan Jeffrey and Jody Lazarow Frances and Craig Lindner Martha and Carl Lindner Anne and Craig Maier Madelynn and Raymond Matlock

Megan McCarthy and Steve Wolf Jack Miner and Brian Dozer Anu and Shekhar Mitra Mary Lou Motl Susan Murray Marianne and Randall Olson Kristen and Scott Oyler

+ In Memoriam

DREAM BIG, PLAN SMART Explore potential growth avenues with Bahl & Gaynor’s expert guidance.

513.287.6100 | 800.341.1810 | www.bahl-gaynor.com 34

DONOR HONOR ROLL Morleen Rouse Keke and Tony Sansalone Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Schlagheck

Alice Schneider Kelly and Guy Vanasse Diane and Gary West

Michael G. Williams Faith Whittaker

SOLOIST Laurie and John Acklen Pam and Bernard Barbash Bonnie and Charles Bensonhaver Elaine and David Billmire Ruth E. Bley Jane and Robert Bohinski James H. Brun Mary Kay and Bernardo Calonge Louise and Lanthan Camblin Daniel Cifuentes Cindy Crilley Jennifer W. Dakers

Lisa and Richard Damico Maureen and John Doellman Martha and Stuart Dornette Vallie and Rodney Geier Ralph Ginocchio Kim Good Edmond and Theresa Hooker Jane Hopson Christine and Terence Horan Esther and Steven Johnson

Janet Baker Jacklyn and Gary Bryson Michael L. Cioffi Ariella and Andrew Cohen Renee Combs Jennifer and Vito Damiano

Peggy Dossman Marcus and Amy Eddy Greta Elenbaas Jennifer and Ron Erdmann Michele and Garth Finch Valerie Folger Kristine and David Freitas

Daphne and Jason Jurgensen Kristin and Carl Kalnow Barbara Kellar and Lorrence Kellar+ Anne and Dean Kereiakes Katherine and Robert Lawrence Stacey and Mark Miller Hanna Minor Valerie L. Newell and Timothy Smith Dr. Stephen and Penny Pomeranz Kathryn J. Pratt Dawn and Robert Schiff

Susan and Russell Shelton Gayle and William Sherman Rick Staudigel and Kelly M. Dehan Nydia C. Tranter Barbara M. Weyand Tiffany and John Whitcomb Angela J. White Jo Ann Wieghaus Kathy and George Wilkinson Ronna and James Willis Ann B. Wissman Dr. Tamela Zimmerman

Cincinnati Ballet

Susan and Joseph Pichler Amy and Bradley Resch Jack Rouse

CORPS Ricardo Grant Allison and Justin Greiwe Bill and Christy Griesser Lindsey R. Gutierrez Jessica Hall Jennifer Heis Margaret and Edmund Hess

Sally Kelsall Marcene Kinney Jean Knuth Christine and Rick Lefever Lizbie and Lynn Lin David Martin Alexa and Jack Oliver

IN-SCHOOL RESIDENCIES Cincinnati Ballet is delighted to provide elementary schools in the greater Cincinnati area with FREE residency experiences sure to inspire your students to move and to develop an appreciation for the art of dance. Focus: Second Grade Available: September - December The CincyDance! program starts in the classroom using a combination of physical education curriculum and dance training to activate a student’s desire to express themselves through movement. Following the residency, students are invited to audition for scholarships to continue their training at Cincinnati Ballet. Focus: Pre-K Available: January - April The CincyDance! Pre-K program activates a student’s imagination while introducing them to the joy of creative movement and ballet. Students will explore locomotor movement, balance and other key coordination skills with highly skilled Cincinnati Ballet teaching artists.

Photography: Hiromi Platt

TO JOIN THE RESIDENCY EXPERENCE

EMAIL: education@cballet.org CALL: 513.562.1124 VISIT: cballet.org/cincydance

DONOR HONOR ROLL Cincinnati Ballet

CORPS Carol and Robert Olson Lois and Steve Oyler John Pape Sara and Sid Pomeroy Marilyn and Paul Porcino

Jennifer and Jake Ragland Amanda and Craig Rassi Rosemary and Mark Schlachter Linda Siekmann Amy Thomas

Susie Tweddell Nancy and Christopher Virgulak Christine and John Willig Andrea Wilson and Clifford Goosmann

Blythe and Tyler Winslow Jennifer Yeung and John Gould Karen Zaugg Ph.D.

THIRD POSITION Anonymous (2) Lois and Ken Allen Jane S. Anderson John Back Carolyn Barham Marianna B. Bettman Jennifer Bolton Neil Bortz Otto M. Budig Jr. Angelia and Gary Butterbaugh Debbie Campbell Diane C. Carney Shannon and Lee Carter Tracy D. Cheever Paula I. Comisar Kathleen A. Compton and Raymond C. McNeil Kristin and David Coppage

Sarah Corathers and James Anthony Robert Corgan Kate Costlow and John D’Amore Natalia Cristo Eric Dauer Mark Dauner Zahki Davis Cynthia and Stephen DeHoff Stacey Devlin and Chris Bergman Barbara Doviak Brian A. Doyle Joyce Elkus Merry Ewing Risa and Stephen Feagins Courtney Fox Michael Frabetti Kenneth Frey

Judith and Samuel Gilardi Theodore J. Grassmick Dr. and Mrs. Jack Hahn Eloise and Howard Hamilton Amy Hanley Genita and Rob Heidenreich Beth Hudepohl Valerie Jacobs Elaine Jaeger Heidi B. Jark and Steven T. Kenat Brenda Jones Patricia Joseph Carole and Bradley Kindem Kathryn E. Kipp Renee and Michael Kreeger Carol L. Kruse

Kristin and Tom Lamarre Joanie and Louis Lauch Susan Lauf Geoffrey Leder Becky and Thomas Long Sean Luther Emily Mathews Sophia McAllister Kim and Barbara McCracken Jill and Larry McGruder Cassie and Lachlan McLean Emily and Steven Morgan Holly and Mike Mott Leslie and Larry Newman Mardie and Robert Off Alexandra and S. Cole Ollinger Nan L. Oscherwitz Sandy and Gregg Pancero

Cincinnati Magazine’s

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Hiromi Platt Photography

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www.artacademy.edu

Celebrating 30 Years!

8958 Blue Ash Road, Cincinnati, OH 45242 (513) 792 0970 www.dianasdancewear.com Info.DianasDancewear@gmail.com

DONOR HONOR ROLL Maria and James Papakirk Patel-Curran Family Kathy Perry Joselyn Pfeil Alandes Powell Beth Plummer Ellen Rieveschl Carole and Edwin Rigaud Rachel and Luke Robinson Jean S. Robson Priya and Dave Rolfes Elyse M. Roth Judith Roth

Janet and William Sarran Thomas Schiff Martha and Lee Schimberg Janet Schultz and Russell Lascelles Marianne Schwab and George Stricker Stephen Schwartz Barbara Seiver Kathryn and Vishnoo Shahani Elizabeth Shaughnessy and James Stapleton Susan and David Smith

Gale D. Snoddy and Alan L. Margulies Debbie and Michael Snyder Paul Spitz Diane M. Spitznagel Dee and Thomas Stegman Mary M. Stein Sandra Stern John U. Tan Amy and William Thaman Pamela F. Thompson Rob Thornton Katrina Trimble

Heather and Andrew Vecellio Elizabeth B. Vollmer Barbara Wagner and William Partin Tamara Weik Anne Warrington Wilson John Yacher Jody Yetzer and Alexander Kayne Jaclyn and Brenden Zenni Marcia and Robert Ziek

Cincinnati Ballet

THIRD POSITION

SECOND POSITION Janice M. Amatulli Pamela Ashmore William Banks Mr. and Mrs. Michael Barron Helene and John Bentley Pam Biederman Onassis A. Caneris Anne Charles Phil and Katharine Clayton Lisa Cohen

Madison and Yvonne Cuffy Regina and Dan Daily April and Harry Davidow Thomas M. Deutsch M. Patricia and T. Patrick Donnelly Heather A. Fischer Mary Ann Gardner William Gracie Bridget and Brian Hoffman

Becky Hogya Nelson Horseman Francy Hughes Kara and Guido Jackson Jan and Randy Johnson Isabel Jones James Kaya Misty Keeton Crystal L. Kendrick Carol Kerr Mary and John Kmet Stephen Lord

Laura and Phil Lucas Anne Maddox and John Berninger Janet McDaniel Lori and Jeff Miller Roberta and Neal Montour Christine Moran Alice Palmer Barbara Sferra and Herbert Robinson Gabriella Scacchetti

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DONOR HONOR ROLL Cincinnati Ballet

SECOND POSITION Julie and Charles Scheper Vivian and Jim Schwab Sandra Wittman-Shell and Keven Shell Shelly Sherman Joanne and John Smale

Philip Smith Linda and Nicholas Spadaccini Jennifer and Chad Taylor Marcia and Robert Togneri Torey and Tom Torre

Elizabeth and Chad Warwick Gregory and Deborah Wright Lisa Zaring Michelle and Nick Ziegler

Robert and Lindsay Zierolf Betsey Zinn

*Funds held at the Greater Cincinnati Foundation + In Memoriam Thank you to the donors whose gifts we received by November 29, 2023. The above donor pages represent the information available at the time of print. If you ﬁnd that you are listed incorrectly or we did not recognize you appropriately, we apologize and want to include you. Please contact our Donor Relations Manager, Payton Field, at pﬁeld@cballet.org or 513.562.1136.

SCAN QR CODE For More Information

PHOTOGRAPHY: Feinknopf

PHOTOGRAPHY: Mikki Schaffner

The Margaret And Michael Valentine Center For Dance is now open for private events! Host your next meeting, party, or dream wedding in the 62,000 square feet of space with spectacular views. The Center for Dance offers a variety of unique indoor and outdoor options.

To Book Your Next Event Contact Chuck Beatty | Director of Events events@cballet.org

ACADEMY AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS Cincinnati Ballet’s Otto M. Budig Academy serves the greater Cincinnati area through world-class dance education programs and unparalleled performance opportunities. Whether students aspire to dance as a profession or pursue it as a personal passion, we believe dance training allows them to unleash potential that proves impactful in all aspects of their lives. Led by nationally recognized faculty, our guiding principles are to teach, challenge, and inspire the whole student to achieve their highest goals in a nurturing and positive environment.

CHILDREN’S AND YOUTH DANCE PROGRAMS Ages 2 – 17 Enrollment based on age with beginning and progressing levels Designed to inspire a lifelong love of dance, the Academy’s Children’s and Community Divisions offer entry-level and advancing classes in creative dance, ballet, and a wide array of dance styles.

Photography: Angie Lipscomb

PRE-PROFESSIONAL TRAINING Ages 8 – 18 Enrollment based on experience with an accelerating curriculum Our highly regarded ballet training, coupled with well-rounded versatility in other dance styles, elevates the potential of aspiring young dancers who have found their passion in dance.

Photography: Angie Lipscomb

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING DIVISION Ages 16 and Up Enrollment by invitation For students on the cusp of careers in dance, the Professional Training Division provides dancers with a full-day immersive training program and opportunities to perform alongside Cincinnati Ballet’s professional Company.

Photography: Aaron M. Conway

ADAPTIVE DANCE PROGRAMS Ages 4 – Adult Placement determined by student support resources Cincinnati Ballet’s CB Moves program, developed in partnership with Cincinnati Children’s Department of Physical Therapy, fosters a love of dance and creative expression for students with speciﬁc needs. Photography: Hiromi Platt

For more information or to register connect with us at: Email: cbacademy@cballet.org | Phone: 513.562.1111 | Website: cballet.org/academy Address: 1801 Gilbert Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio

Western & Southern is proud to support the Cincinnati Ballet Western & Southern is with you through it all. We help our customers and communities feel at ease knowing you’re ﬁnancially prepared for whatever comes your way. WesternSouthern.com/Community

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BUSINESS CIRCLE Cincinnati Ballet

$100,000+

$50,000–$99,999

$25,000–$49,999

$10,000–$24,999

$5,000–$9,999

$2,500–$4,999

$1,000—$2,499 OMNIA TRENDPRESCIENT ART + INTERIOR DESIGN

F O U N DAT I O N , G OV E R N M E N T, AND INSTITUTIONAL DONORS Cincinnati Ballet

$100,000 +

$50,000–$99,999

The Kaplan Foundation

The Louise Taft Semple Foundation $15,000–$49,999

Bailey Lamson Family Trust

Thomas J. Emery Memorial

Wohlgemuth Herschede Foundation

$5,000–$14,999 Parkinson Support and Wellness

Joni Herschede Fund of The Greater Cincinnati Fdtn

Chemed Foundation Crosset Family Foundation

Peter T. Joseph Foundation

Morgan Judd Memorial Fund

Edelweiss Foundation

Mueller Family Foundation

$1,000–$4,999 Charles Scott Riley III Foundation

Lewis and Marjorie Daniel Foundation

Ez & Lynn Housh Family Foundation

Willow Hill Foundation

Andrew Howe Scholarship Foundation

Innovative Worthy Projects Foundation

Nabama Foundation

Johnson Foundation OFFICIAL SPORTS MEDICINE PARTNER

A R T S WAV E PA R T N E R S

P&G Fifth Third Bank and Fifth Third Foundation altafiber GE Aerospace

Great American Insurance Group

Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation

The H.B., E.W. and F.R. Luther Charitable Foundation, Fifth Third Bank, N.A., Trustee

Greater Cincinnati Foundation

Cincinnati Business Courier Cincinnati Reds

The Kroger Co.

Duke Energy

Messer Construction Co.

The E.W. Scripps Company and Scripps Howard Foundation

PNC

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center The Cincinnati Insurance Companies

Western & Southern Financial Group

Cincinnati Ballet

Cincinnati Ballet acknowledges the following partner companies, foundations and their employees who generously participate in the annual ArtsWave Campaign at the $100,000+ level.

U.S. Bank

The Enquirer | Cincinnati.com

*Listed in order of size of donation

YOUTH

SUMMER PROGRAMS Youth Summer Intensive June 17 – 28 and July 8 – 19, 2024 Ages 9 – 14

Summer Dance Workshop June 3 – 7, June 10 – 14 and July 29 – August 2, 2024 Ages 8 – 11

Kids Dance Camp

SCAN

June 3 – 7, June 10 – 14 and July 29 – August 2, 2024 Ages 4 – 8

FOR MORE

INFORMATION OR CALL 513.562.1111

PHOTOGRAPHY: HIROMI PLATT

Join Barbara Kellar as she showcases artists and cultural leaders from the Greater Cincinnati community.

SATURDAY 6:30PM CET SUNDAY 8:30PM CET ARTS

www.CETconnect.org Emmy Award Win nneer R gionaal - Inter Re ervieew/D Discu ussio on Program m

Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine and TriHealth have teamed up to transform orthopedic care in the Greater Cincinnati region by offering break-through advancements in the quality, affordability, and accessibility of superior orthopedic care. The partnership supports over 30 high schools, universities, club programs, professional teams and is proud to now be the Official Sports Medicine Partner of the Cincinnati Ballet.

TriHealth.com/Ortho

beaconortho.com

E X P LO R E C I N C I N N AT I BA L L E T

Cincinnati Ballet is pleased to offer Meet the Artist, a pre-performance discussion series connecting audiences to select dancers, choreographers, and members of the creative team who bring our performances to life. Admission to Meet the Artist is included in your ticket to the current production.

Cincinnati Ballet

MEET THE ARTIST

ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES Throughout the year Cincinnati Ballet offers dynamic and interactive experiences to deepen your love of the art form. This season, we are pleased to present family-friendly activities at the Margaret and Michael Valentine Center for Dance, including Trick or Treat at The Ballet and Nutcracker Sampler. Please check cballet.org for details.

BALLET & BEER Ballet & Beer is an event series providing an insider’s view into Cincinnati Ballet while enjoying drinks, light bites, and socializing. This season we will host these happy hour–style events at the new Margaret and Michael Valentine Center for Dance in Walnut Hills. Due to space limitations for the rehearsals, advanced reservations are necessary. Events include a cash bar.

COMMUNITY PERFORMANCE SERIES Cincinnati Ballet is excited to open the Margaret and Michael Valentine Center for Dance to the community for an inviting introduction to ballet and dance performance. These performances are designed to welcome new audiences to dance through accessible storytelling, relatable themes, fun choreography, and community partnerships. Join us at the new Center for Dance on select Sunday afternoons with your family and friends for these hour-long performances.

VOLUNTEER Cincinnati Ballet offers a variety of volunteer opportunities. Get involved and support Cincinnati Ballet while meeting new people and learning more about ballet. Volunteering for Cincinnati Ballet is fun, educational, and a great way to support the arts. Volunteers are vital in supporting the mission of Cincinnati Ballet.

F O R YO U R I N F O R M AT I O N AT MUSIC HALL FOOD AND BEVERAGES are available at various lobby locations throughout Music Hall. All concessions and drinks sold at Music Hall should be consumed in designated areas throughout the hall. Only bottled water can be taken into Springer Auditorium. RESTROOMS can be found on every level of Music Hall. Companion care restrooms can be found in these locations: • Western & Southern Lobby • North side of the Orchestra level of Springer Auditorium • South side of the Balcony level of Springer Auditorium • West side of the Ballroom

GUEST SERVICES is located in the northeast corner of the Lindner Grand Foyer. Services include assistive listening devices, coat check, courtesy phone, taxi service, and lost and found. IF YOU LOSE AN ITEM while attending an event at Music Hall, check with the Guest Services attendant before leaving. If they are unable to locate the item, call the Administrative Office at (513) 744-3344, 9 am–5 pm, Monday to Friday. YOUR PARTICIPATION IN OUR RECYCLING effort is appreciated! A digital version of the program is available at cballet.org. Recycling containers are located near every concession stand. If you don’t want to keep your program you may simply leave it on your seat or hand it to an usher when you leave.

PLEASE NOTE THE FOYER AT MUSIC HALL opens 60 minutes prior to curtain—admission to the auditorium (and late seating) may vary, depending on the policies and requirements of the production. Ushers will be available to assist with any seating questions. LATE SEATING is at the discretion of the house manager. Due to the demands of the production, late seating might occur as late as intermission or may be accommodated in the Gallery. Should you need to leave the auditorium during the performance, re-admittance and seating will also be at the discretion of the house manager.

PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEO of Cincinnati Ballet performances is strictly prohibited. SMOKING IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED at Music Hall. TO SCHEDULE A TOUR OF MUSIC HALL, contact the Administrative Office at (513) 7443344. Tours last approximately one hour, and guides are available through the Friends of Music Hall for a nominal charge.

ACCESSIBILITY All event spaces in Music Hall are fully accessible, and many services are available for guests with mobility challenges. Our patron experience team and staff strive to provide everyone with a quality experience when they visit, and accommodations are available for persons with speciﬁc needs. All guests are encouraged to contact us for additional information.

ASSISTIVE LISTENING DEVICES designed to enhance sound are available at Guest Services.

WHEELCHAIRS are available upon request for guests needing assistance from the curb or lobby to their seats. Access Ambassadors are available at the southeast entrance on Elm Street. All levels of the theater have elevator service and offer wheelchair accommodations.

FIRST AID services are available in the North Concourse on the Orchestra Level. For assistance, speak with a Music Hall staff member.

SPECIAL SEATING is available for guests unable to transfer out of their mobility devices or with other special seating needs. When possible, contact our Patron Experience Office in advance. On the day of a performance, we will make every effort to meet the needs of the guests.

SERVICE ANIMALS are always welcome at Music Hall.

For more information about Cincinnati Ballet please visit our website www.cballet.org, call (513) 621-5282, or visit us at 1801 Gilbert Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45202.

Larry, you will be missed. IN MEMORY OF LARRY KELLAR Cincinnati Ballet celebrates the life and impact of one of our greatest supporters – Larry Kellar. For 50 years, Larry gave his time and treasure to keep the Ballet resilient in lean times and helped to propel the Cincinnati Ballet to become a cornerstone in our community’s arts scene. Larry served as Cincinnati Ballet Board Chair, Board Trustee, Ballet Foundation Trustee, and Chair of the most recent Capital Campaign. Simply put, Larry Kellar’s leadership was the very heart beat of Cincinnati Ballet. Cincinnati Ballet sends its love and strength to Larry’s family during this difficult time. May his memory be for a blessing; an indelible testament to a purpose-driven life.

Roberta & Don Hawley, residents since 2017