241018 DPAA Program Book - Ballet 1

COPPÉLIA VERDI’S AIDA

NEAL GITTLEMAN’S 30TH SEASON

THREE ART FORMS. ONE FREQUENCY.

Are you tuned in?

2024–2025 SEASON EDITION 1: SEPTEMBER – DECEMBER

Fall / Winter 2024 September Dvořák, Stravinsky, and Brahms September 13 & 14

Young People’s Concert: Pure Imagination October 30

November

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific

Broadway By Request

September 21 & 22

November 2

Chamber Music: Influences and Innovations

Beethoven, London, and a World Premiere

September 29

November 8 & 9

October

Elf in Concert

Dayton Ballet Studio Ensemble: Momentum

December

November 22 & 23

October 6

DPYO Winter Concert December 1

Coppélia

October 18, 19 & 20

Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors

Don’t Stop Believin’: The Music of Journey

December 6

October 26

Hometown Holidays December 7

Table of Contents

The Nutcracker

December 13, 14, 15, 20, 21 & 22

Handel’s Messiah

Audience Resources .................... 4

December 18

Artistic Directors ........................ 6

The Nutcracker: Sensory Friendly

Company Dancers ....................... 9

December 20

Today’s Program Philharmonic Musicians ........... 11 Our Members ............................ 16 Corporate/Foundation Partners... 18 Board of Trustees and Staff......... 19

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Dayton Performing Arts Alliance

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Visit our website for more information

To our beloved Greater Miami Valley community, We are pleased to be back with another season of performances that will exhilarate your mind, lift your spirit, and electrify your imagination!

We have collected your feedback— whether via survey, through a standing ovation, or in casual conversation at Starbucks. We have listened: there were performances you wanted to see; works that, perhaps, you weren’t crazy about; new ideas; and old favorites.

Our one-of-a-kind artistic team has taken this feedback and crafted a thrilling lineup specifically for you.

In addition to all the performances you see on stage, DPAA serves over 65,000 students and adults through our learning programs: the Dayton Ballet School, Dayton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, concerts for students downtown and performances in their schools, and so much more. Stay tuned this season as we announce some groundbreaking partnerships that will expand our Learning and Community Engagement work with students of all ages!

And finally, to add to the buzz, we celebrate Neal Gittleman in his 30th year at the helm of the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra. During Neal’s tenure, he’s led the orchestra to artistic heights and played an integral role in shepherding the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance into fruition. For his 30th and final season, we celebrate Neal through crowd-favorite artists, world premieres, and monumental classics. We hope that you will attend often this season!

Whether you’re with us for the first time or returning for the hundredth, welcome!

All Our Best, Patrick J. Nugent President and CEO

Joseph Zehenny DPAA Board Chair daytonperformingarts.org

(937) 228-3630

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Audience Resources Is this your first time at a DPAA event? If so, welcome! To ensure your visit is meaningful and enjoyable, we offer the following resources.

Box Office The Dayton Performing Arts Alliance proudly partners with Dayton Live for its box office services. Contact the box office at (937) 228-3630 or visit the office in the Schuster Wintergarden.

Restrooms Restrooms—and family restrooms—are available on each level of the Schuster Center and Victoria Theatre.

Accessibility DPAA is committed to providing easy access to the arts. If you have accessibility needs or questions, please contact the box office.

Audio description is available upon request for patrons who have vision loss. Describers provide a live, objective, descriptive delivery of the visual elements of a performance in between the dialogue and/or music via a small receiver.

Requests must be received two weeks prior to an event and are subject to the availability of the Describer. Please call the box office to make arrangements.

Assistive listening devices are available for all performances. Check out a device from the guest services kiosk or from a house manager in the lobby.

DPAA provides sign language interpretation upon request for performances at the Schuster Center and Victoria Theatre. Requests for sign language interpretation must be received two weeks prior to the event and are subject to the availability of the Interpreter. Please call the Box Office to make arrangements.

Age Recommendation Our events are recommended for age 6 and up.

Military Appreciation and Discount Programs In addition to our standard military discount, DPAA offers a Military Appreciation Program for active-duty military members, retired veterans with ID cards, and WPAFB government civilian employees in the region. Each household may

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Dayton Performing Arts Alliance

receive four free tickets annually. Contact the box office to redeem.

Group Sales Bring a group of 10 or more; share a one-of-akind experience; and save up to 30% on tickets!

Contact our Engagement & Patron Services Manager, Kate LaFollette, at (937) 535-5443.

Local Dining Make it a night on the town! We recommend the following dining options: Blind Bob’s, Figlio Wood Fired Pizza, Jay’s Seafood, Joui, Lily’s, Manna Uptown, Meadowlark Restaurant, Mudlick Tap House, Salar Restaurant and Lounge, Spaghetti Warehouse, Table 33, The Caroline, and Troll Pub at the Wheelhouse.

Lost and Found / Security In the event you lose an item at a performance or require assistance from the security team, call (937) 637-7366. For the safety of those in the audience, behind the scenes, and on stage, everyone who enters the performance space is required to pass through metal detectors.

Questions?

For additional ticket questions or information, contact our Engagement & Patron Services Manager, Kate LaFollette at (937) 535-5443.

‘24–25 Edition 1

Celebrating Dayton’s Artists.

Giving You Our Best Care

Great performances require elegance and strength. So whether you’re performing for a captivated crowd or an audience of one, know that we’re ready to give you our best to help you reach yours. Find care for your best health at ketteringhealth.org/beyourbest

daytonperformingarts.org

(937) 228-3630

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Artistic Directors

Neal Gittleman

Kathleen Clawson,

Artistic Director, Philharmonic

Artistic Director, Opera; Dr. Ron Anderson and Robb Sloan-Anderson Chair

The 2024–2025 season is my 30th on the DPO podium, following founder Paul Katz, Charles Wendelken-Wilson, and Isaiah Jackson. Next year Keitaro Harada takes over. Until then, I’ll be surrounded by fabulous musicians and fabulous music. Favorite pieces by favorite composers. A world premiere and a U.S. premiere. A ballet I’ve conducted more than a hundred times (The Nutcracker) and one I’ve never conducted before (Cinderella). One of my favorite operas (Amahl and the Night Visitors). And my first-ever concert of country music! But what keeps popping into my head again and again as I think about this last year as your conductor? Song titles by my favorite band, The Beatles: “The Long and Winding Road,” “Come Together,” “We Can Work It Out”. And again and again, these lines: “And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.” Except for me, it’s “… equal to the music you make.” And of course, “P.S. I Love You!”

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Dayton Performing Arts Alliance

Kathleen Clawson begins her fifth season as Dayton Opera Artistic Director and Dr. Ron Anderson and Robb Sloan-Anderson Chair. Clawson began directing for the Opera in 2009 and has directed 19 productions since, including serving as dramaturg and stage director for the world premiere of Finding Wright.

An acclaimed opera director, she directed The Santa Fe Opera’s world premiere of Shoes for the Santo Niño (2011) and was stage director and dramaturg for their world premiere of UnShakeable (2016).

A mezzo-soprano, Clawson’s credits include soloist with the Dayton Philharmonic, productions with The Santa Fe Opera and Dallas Opera, recording de Falla’s “El Amor Brujo” for Maria Benitez’ Teatro Flamenco tour, and singing “Mother Abbess” in Debby Boone’s international tour of The Sound of Music.

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> Read more at daytonperformingarts.org

Brandon Ragland

Keitaro Harada

Brandon Ragland has more than a decade of professional experience as a dancer, choreographer, and educator. He trained in Birmingham, AL, and has a bachelor’s degree in Dance-Arts Administration from Butler University. After graduation, Ragland danced with Alabama Ballet, followed by Louisville Ballet in 2010, spending 13 years as a leading artist.

A respected choreographer, Ragland choreographed works for Louisville Ballet, Alabama Ballet, Ballet Arkansas, AROVA Contemporary Ballet, Next Generation Ballet, Sedona Chamber Ballet, and The Perla Ballet. In 2017, Ragland was honored to perform with the Black Iris Project at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., as part of the Kennedy Center’s Dance Across America Program. He has received numerous awards, including “Best Artist” in Louisville Magazine and The Lift a Life Foundation’s “Emerging Leader in the Arts Award” from The Fund for the Arts.

Named Music and Artistic Director Designate for Dayton Philharmonic for the 2024–25 season, Keitaro Harada will begin a five-year tenure as Music and Artistic Director with the 2025–26 season. As Music and Artistic Director of the Savannah Philharmonic since the 2020–21 season, Harada has transformed the orchestra and energized its audiences throughout the community with his imaginative programs and charismatic presence.

Artistic Director, Ballet; Sponsored by Dr. Troy Tyner and Dr. Ingrid Brown

Music and Artistic Director Designate, Philharmonic; Sponsored by Barbara O’Hara

Harada is a recipient of the 2023 Sir Georg Solti Conducting Award. In 2024, he was named Permanent Conductor of the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra and Principal Guest Conductor and Artistic Partner for the Aichi Chamber Orchestra. Harada was Associate Conductor for four years at the Cincinnati Symphony and Pops, where he regularly assisted Music Director Louis Langrée and collaborated with James Conlon and Juanjo Mena at the orchestra’s annual May Festival.

daytonperformingarts.org

(937) 228-3630

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Dayton Performing Arts Alliance

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Company Dancers New Dancer Photo to come

Connor Barak

Claire Bergman

Nicolas Bierwagen

Erin Blair

Harrison Broadbent

Emma Duncan

Alyssa Eyster

Hailey Flanagan

Jasmine Getz

New Dancer Photo to come

Tomasin Corrente

New Dancer Photo to come

Katy Gilliam

Isaac Jones

Patrick Lennon

Tarique Logan

Kyan Park

New Dancer Photo to come

Lukas Pringle

Francisco Rivera

Studio Company Dancers

Belle Urben

Catherine Voorhees

Jalen Williams

Xochitl Atienza Sara Beth Austin Daniela Bennetti Analiese Capponi Ryan Norman Elizabeth Sabol Amber Huggett

daytonperformingarts.org

(937) 228-3630

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The AES Ohio Foundation is a long-standing sponsor of the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance.

Powering Community in the Performing Arts

aes-ohio.com/community

DAYTON AEROSPACE 4141 Colonel Glenn Hwy, Ste 252 Dayton, Ohio 45431 937.426.4300 www.daytonaero.com info@daytonaero.com

Experience that matters...

Solutions that count!

DAYTON AEROSPACE

Proudly Supporting National Defense Our wide range of technical skills and capabilities have helped government and industry customers worldwide create innovative solutions to tough defense acquisition, logistics and sustainment challenges since 1984.

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Dayton Performing Arts Alliance

‘24–25 Edition 1

Coppélia October 18–20, 2024 • Victoria Theatre ARTISTS Robert Curran, choreographer Brandon Ragland, Artistic Director, Dayton Ballet Léo Delibes, composer

Dayton Ballet Dayton Ballet Studio Company Dayton Ballet School Ensemble

CAST Swanhilda (October 18 & 19) ......................................................................................................... Belle Urben (October 20) ............................................................................................................... Katy Gilliam Franz (October 18 & 19) ..................................................................................................... Lukas Pringle (October 20) ................................................................................................................ Isaac Jones Dr. Coppélius (October 18 & 19) ......................................................................................................... Isaac Jones (October 20) .................................................................................................. Nicolas Bierwagen Coppélia (October 18 & 19) ......................................................................................... Catherine Voorhees (October 20) .......................................................................................................... Emma Duncan Swanhilda’s Friends Amelia (October 18 & 19) ........................................................................................................ Katy Gilliam (October 20) ................................................................................................ Catherine Voorhees Anna .................................................................................................................................... Erin Blair Gertrude ............................................................................................................... Hailey Flanagan Johanna ..................................................................................................................... Jasmine Getz Emma ................................................................................................................. Tomasin Corrente Sophie .................................................................................................................... Claire Bergman Franz’s Friends Karl ........................................................................................................................... Patrick Lennon Albert ................................................................................................................................ Kyan Park Friedrich ........................................................................................................ Harrison Broadbent Hans .................................................................................................. Francisco Rivera Bermudez Ernest ....................................................................................................................... Jalen Williams Jacob (October 18 & 19) ........................................................................................... Nicolas Bierwagen (October 20) ............................................................................................................ Lukas Pringle Today's Program

I

Townspeople ..................................... Xochti Atienza, Sara Beth Austin, Daniela Bennetti, ................................................................. Ryan Norman, Analiese Capponi, Amber Huggett, ....................................................................... Connor Barak, Tarique Logan, Jonathan Foster, ........................................................................... Gaven Stevens, Sameer Rhodes, Ezra Paisley Mayor ........................................................................................................................ Tim Crommes Mayor’s Wife ........................................................................................................ Elizabeth Sabol Priest ...................................................................................................................... David Hochwalt City Officials .............................................................................. Jessie Etling, Jenna Mumford, .............................................................................................. Raeanne Richard, Annabelle White Children Elka .......................................................................................................................... Ruby Rotramel Lina ........................................................................................................................... Poppy Kitchen Wolfgang ..................................................................................................................... Jack Tolbert Henry .............................................................................................................................. Ben Forney Dr. Coppélius’s Dolls Bisque ........................................................................................................................ Connor Barak Attila the Hun .................................................................................................................. Kyan Park Queen Victoria ................................................................................................... Sara Beth Austin Romani Dancer ........................................................................................................ Ryan Norman Otto Von Bismarck ............................................................................................... Jalen Williams Napoleon .................................................................................................................. Tarique Logan Dick Blick ........................................................................................................ Nicolas Bierwagen Dawn, a vaudeville sensation .............................................................................. Alyssa Eyster Hope, a nurse ......................................................................................................... Emma Duncan

PRODUCTION/ARTISTIC STAFF Jacob Heustis, scenic designer Dan Fedie, costume designer Jesse AlFord, original lighting designer Matthew P. Benjamin, lighting designer

Kimberly Aycock, production stage manager Kelly DeLisle, resident stage manager

Synopsis Act I A German Neighborhood in the Midwest, Fall of 1917 Dr. Coppélius, an eccentric German immigrant, returns home in the early hours, crankily dismissing the greetings of two soldiers returning from training at Camp Taylor. Swanhilda arrives and tries to engage with Coppélia, but she is unsuccessful.

When Swanhilda’s fiancé Franz arrives, he is also unable to get Coppélia’s attention and Swanhilda becomes irritated, as she thinks Franz is flirting with Coppélia.

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Today's Program

The Germantown residents, proudly American, enter for an American flag-raising ceremony at St. Boniface Church’s School to support young German-Americans who have enlisted to serve in WWI. Dr. Coppélius bursts from his house and is invited to join the flag-raising, but he refuses to acknowledge the American flag and quickly retreats into his house. Swanhilda, Franz, and their friends, all intending to marry the following day, prepare to say goodbye to their loved ones as they leave for war. Swanhilda and Franz struggle with the security of their relationship— something they want to resolve before Franz leaves to serve. The young townsfolk, not yet enlisted, dance a Czardas in honor of the enlisted men. As evening falls, everyone heads home. Dr. Coppélius leaves his workshop and is confronted by youths, losing his key during the scuffle. Swanhilda and her friends find the key and decide to find out more about the mysterious Coppélia. Franz returns to make amends with Swanhilda, but when he sees Dr. Coppélius’ door is open, he is tempted to find out more.

Act II Dr. Coppélius’ Studio Swanhilda and her girlfriends enter the workshop, and the adventure distracts Swanhilda from her trouble with Franz. Swanhilda discovers Coppélia reading her book and is delighted to find that she is only a doll. She and her friends then discover and activate Dr. Coppélius’ collection of dolls, all representing important figures in German history, but are interrupted by his unexpected return. He chases them out, not noticing Swanhilda hiding behind the curtain. Dr. Coppélius tidies his studio only to be disturbed by Franz. Realizing an opportunity, Dr. Coppélius offers Franz a drink, but the drink is drugged and Franz soon passes out. While Franz is unconscious, Dr. Coppélius revels in his pagan mysticism by trying to bring Coppélia to life with Franz’s spirit. However, Swanhilda has exchanged places with the doll and deceives Dr. Coppélius by pretending to come to life. Dr. Coppélius is overjoyed by his “magical” success but “Coppélia” becomes unmanageable, obsessed with the drugged Franz. When Franz recovers, Swanhilda reveals her true identity and the two are reconciled. They depart together, leaving Dr. Coppélius to his broken dolls, his studio ruined, his German history and culture irreparably destroyed.

Act III The German Neighborhood The next morning, everyone returns from the weddings of Swanhilda and Franz and their friends. The newlyweds celebrate their love for each other, acknowledging the hours that will pass before they see each other again once the men leave for war. The unenlisted young men bring Dawn, a local vaudeville sensation, to dance for the enlisted men. A nurse, Hope, passes through on her way to Camp Taylor, reminding everyone of the gravity of what is about to change their lives forever.

Swanhilda and Franz celebrate their love for each other, forgetting their concerns from the day before. The entire community celebrates together before saying farewell to the enlisted men as they depart for Europe.

Today's Program

III

A Note from the Choreographer Louisville Ballet premiered this reimagined version of Coppélia in October 2015—the first season I fully programmed as the Company’s Artistic Director. I had dreamt of creating my own interpretation of this ballet classic for many years. Coppélia has such a special story to tell, with so many levels and details to dive into over and over again as a director, a dancer, or an audience member. And there I was, a new Artistic Director and new member of the Louisville community, taking on the challenge of creating an updated classic; driving the development and construction of new sets and costumes; and breathing new life into the story and choreography.

The original ballet, based on the writings of E.T.A. Hoffman, depicts a community celebrating a fall harvest a time of romance, weddings, and the promise that love provides light—just before the cold darkness of winter. And the rich history of Louisville’s own Germantown, especially at the start of the twentieth century, offered the perfect setting to bring this story to life in a new way.

The turn of the 20th century was a time of rapid, intense change, but no event was more universally felt than World War I. This war had a profound effect on the global psyche and changed the way we perceived the world; its effects were keenly experienced here in Louisville.

Camp Zachary Taylor, one of the five major training camps for the United States military at that time, was located just outside the city—making the fall of 1917 in Louisville a time of intense patriotic fervor.

Reflecting on my decision now, I can see what a challenge I had given myself.

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Today's Program

Who was I, as an Australian only just putting down roots in this community, to tell the story of German-Americans in this place during that time? Fortunately I knew, as I know now, to go to the experts and to trust their knowledge and insights. I started my work at The Filson Historical Society, diving into their archives, listening to their guidance, and tying the threads between this community I was getting to know and the ballet I knew so well.

Much like a harvest celebration and the preparations for winter, this country and community busily prepared for a cold and challenging time of war. Louisville’s German-American community was deeply affected by these preparations.

Second and third-generation German families faced challenges to both defend and prove their identities, particularly from wide-spread propaganda attacking their American loyalty. The CourierJournal’s Pulitzer Prize winning editor, Henry Watterson, was especially harsh in his public judgment. A battle of words waged between The Courier-Journal and the Louisville Anzeiger, the local German-language newspaper of the time, and clearly captured the struggle of this community.

This struggle is at the core of this production of Coppélia. But so is the joy and the resilience at the heart of this vibrant community and this ballet. Our production is indeed joyful, funny, and visually beautiful. The choreography is still very much rooted in classical ballet and pays homage to all those who have both created and refined this ballet since its first performance in 1870, including Arthur Saint-Leon, Marius Petipa, Enricho Cecchetti, Dame Ninette de Valois, and Peggy Van Praagh.

About the Artists This Coppélia’s sets were designed

by Jacob Heustis, a Louisville-based visual artist, and based on the dramatic changes in the world of visual art during that time. Just before the United States joined World War I, the famous Armory Show of 1913 brought Modernism to the country with Cubism and Futurism at the vanguard. The juxtaposition of our then Costume Master Dan Fedie’s beautifully designed, constructed, and historically accurate costumes within the world of this set still makes me catch my breath.

I’m so proud of this work, and of the artists, designers, and artisans who helped make this production possible.

I’m glad that I trusted their skills and their vision, and that they trusted mine.

None of this would have been possible without them.

Now on its third outing, I hope this Dayton community enjoys this production as much as I have enjoyed bringing it to life here with this wonderful Dayton Ballet. I am so grateful for the opportunity!

– Robert Curran

Robert Curran Choreographer

Trained at The Australian Ballet School and having enjoyed a thrilling and fulfilling career with The Australian Ballet as a Principal Artist, Robert Curran took his passion and discipline developed as a dancer and set his sights on diversifying his knowledge, skills and abilities in service of the art form. Education and experience continually expanded his ability to move his own body on stage and, through this, to move an audience to experience a wide range of emotions.

Beyond his dancing career, Curran has continued the work in professional roles, including choreographer, instructor, artistic director and more, in the continuing effort to move people through a satisfying encounter with dance.

Curran is motivated by the form that a dancer gains from training in the traditions of classical ballet, where respect and discipline can facilitate breathtaking strength and freedom. He is also inspired by the innovation that forms the function of any artist—to bravely and boldly express oneself through art for the greater good of a community. Curran is excited by, and committed to, the full fabric of the dance community, from the local to international. Through the collaborative work of weaving these threads together, Curran brings an abundant respect for the art form, and to the entire artistic community, and maintains an exciting perspective on its future.

Today's Program

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Léo Delibes Composer

Léo Delibes was a French opera and ballet composer who was the first to write music of high quality for the ballet. His pioneering symphonic work for the ballet opened up a field for serious composers, and his influence can be traced in the work of Tchaikovsky and others who wrote for the dance. His own music—light, graceful, elegant, with a tendency toward exoticism—reflects the spirit of the Second Empire in France.

Delibes studied at the Paris Conservatoire under the influential opera composer Adolphe Adam, and in 1853, became accompanist at the Théâtre-Lyrique. He became accompanist at the Paris Opéra in 1863, professor of composition at the Conservatoire in 1881, and a member of the French Institute in 1884. His first produced works were a series of amusing operettas, parodies, and farces in which Delibes was associated with Jacques Offenbach and other lightopera composers.

He collaborated with Ludwig Minkus in the ballet La Source (1866), and its success led to commissions to write his large-scale ballets, Coppélia (1870), based on a story of E.T.A. Hoffmann, and Sylvia (1876), based on a mythological theme. In the meantime, he developed his gifts for opera. The opéra comique Le Roi l’a dit (1873; The King Said So) was followed by the serious operas Jean de Nivelle (1880) and Lakmé (1883), his masterpiece.

Delibes also wrote church music (he had worked as a church organist) and some picturesque songs, among which “Les Filles de Cadiz” (“The Girls of Cadiz”) suggests the style of Georges Bizet.

Source: Brittanica

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Today's Program

Dan Fedie

Costume Designer

Dan Fedie was Costume Master for Louisville Ballet for 27 seasons. A native of Durand, Wisconsin, Fedie earned his BS in speech and theatre from the University of Wisconsin- LaCrosse, and an MFA in costume design from the University of Illinois, Champaign/ Urbana. Fedie has also served as costume shop manager for StageOne and the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival; he has worked for such organizations as Studio Arena Theatre, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Utah Shakespeare Festival, Colorado Shakespeare Festival, and Kentucky Opera. Fedie has designed costumes for StageOne, Kentucky Shakespeare Festival, Louisville Ballet, and 1900 Productions in Chicago.

Jacob Heustis Scenic Designer

Jacob Heustis uses painting, drawing, sculpture, installation, sound and photography to question and explore value and class systems, vanity and desire, and the nature of art and aesthetics within the context of contemporary society.

Heustis’ large-scale works consist of a minimal but expressive application of medium and materials often combined with self-referential phrases and appropriated pop-culture lexicon in the form of hand-written text.

Since 2004, he has exhibited at Quappi Projects, Swanson Contemporary, Zephyr Gallery, Actors Theatre, The Brown Theatre, Kentucky School of Art, Hite Art Institute, The Speed Art Museum, And the KMAC museum. Select works from Debutantes, portraits of

famous American heiresses engraved on glass mirrors using a diamond ring, have been exhibited in 21c Museum Hotels across the country. Heustis lives and works in Louisville, KY.

Jesse AlFord Original Lighting Designer

Jesse AlFord is a Freelance Lighting Designer, proudly based in Louisville.

Recent designs with Louisville Ballet include Sleeping Beauty, Vibes, Swan Lake, Rite of Spring, and more. He also regularly designs with Kentucky Shakespeare, Kentucky Opera, Louisville Orchestra, The Va Va Vixens, Circus Flora, and Pandora Productions. Other past collaborators include The Big Apple Circus, The Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis, The Mary Shelley Electric Co., and others across the country. Working primarily in dance, circus, and theatre, AlFord specializes in the moments and productions that happen in between those disciplines.

Matthew P. Benjamin

Lighting Designer

Matthew P. Benjamin is a lighting designer with over thirty years of experience, having designed professionally in the areas of dance, opera, concerts, corporate events, theatre, musicals, casinos, theme parks, and trade shows.

He a proud member of the United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829.

the Head of the Theatre Design and Technology Program. In addition to his tenure at Wright State, he has taught at the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, the Interlochen Center for the Arts, the University of Cincinnati, and the New Jersey Governor’s School for the Arts.

Benjamin has designed lighting for a wide variety of genres, as well as concert lighting for The Doobie Brothers and other national recording artists.

He is also a theatrical consultant to educational programs and professional organizations, having recently designed lighting systems for a tap room, a municipal library, and a new performing arts center.

He is an active freelance designer whose professional credits include seven seasons as the resident lighting designer for the Opera Theater of Lucca, Italy, along with design work for Luna Negra Dance Theatre, the Alley Theatre, Human Race Theatre Company, Aspen Music Festival, TriCities Opera, Muse Machine, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Opera at Florham, New Horizon Theater Company, South Jersey Regional Theater, Little Theater of the Rockies, Children’s Ballet Theater of New Jersey, Taj Mahal Casino, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Dayton Opera, and the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences-Eastern Regional Emmy Awards, among others.

Benjamin received his M.F.A. in theatrical design and production from the University of Cincinnati CollegeConservatory of Music. His B.F.A. in lighting design is from the North Carolina School of the Arts.

Benjamin is also a professor of theater and the resident lighting designer for Wright State University’s Theatre and Dance Programs. He also serves as Today's Program

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Make Your Holidays Magical with The Nutcracker!

With the holidays right around the corner, invite your friends and family to the world premiere of Dayton Ballet’s new production of The Nutcracker!

FRI Dec 13 at 7:30pm SAT Dec 14 at 2:30pm & 7:30pm SUN Dec 15 at 2:30pm

FRI Dec 20 at 7:30pm SAT Dec 21 at 2:30pm & 7:30pm SUN Dec 22 at 2:30pm

From the creative minds of Artistic Director and choreographer Brandon Ragland, costume designer Lyn Baudendistel, and scenic designer Ray Zupp, the timeless story of Clara’s magical Christmastime journey returns to the stage, set to Tchaikovsky’s gorgeous score performed live by the Dayton Philharmonic.

Buy Tickets (937) 228-3630 • DaytonPerformingArts.org

Philharmonic Musicians VIOLIN I

David Goist

Kirstin Greenlaw, Acting Concertmaster1

Aurelian Oprea Associate Concertmaster2

Youjin Na, Acting Assistant Concertmaster3

Elizabeth Hofeldt

Mikhail Baranovsky

Louis Proske

Sean Klopfenstein

John Lardinois

Kara Camfield, Acting Principal4

Ann Linn Baer, Acting Assistant Principal

Nick Naegele*

Lynn Rohr*

VIOLIN II The Peter and Patricia Torvik 2nd Violin Section Philip Enzweiler*

Janet George

Scott Moore

Gloria Fiore

Maggie Niekamp

VIOLA

Yoshiko Kunimitsu

Bill Slusser

Yein Jin*

daytonperformingarts.org

Sheridan Currie, Principal5

(937) 228-3630

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Colleen Braid, Assistant Principal

Karen Johnson6

Scott Schilling

Lori LaMattina

Mark D. Reis

Jonathan Lee, Principal

Christina Coletta, Assistant Principal7

Mark Hofeldt

Nadine Monchecourt

Oleg Babkov

Deborah Taylor, Principal10

Jon Pascolini, Assistant Principal

Donald Compton

CELLO

Leslie Dragan

Belinda Burge

Molly Castrucci8

Lucas Song9

BASS

Zoë Moskalew

FLUTE AND PICCOLO

Stephen Ullery

Christopher Roberts

James Faulkner

Bleda Elibal

OBOE AND ENGLISH HORN

Rebecca Andres, Principal11

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Jennifer Northcut

Dayton Performing Arts Alliance

Janet van Graas

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Eileen Whalen, Principal12

CLARINET

Robyn Dixon Costa

BASSOON

John Kurokawa, Principal13

Rachael Young, Principal14

HORN

Kristen Smith15

Aaron Brant, Principal16

Lotti Ropert

Todd Fitter

Charles Pagnard, Principal17

Alan Siebert

Richard Begel

Chad Arnow19

TRUMPET

Amy Lassiter

Sean Vore, Assistant Principal

TROMBONE

New Musician Photo to come

Eric Knorr

Tyler Bentley, Acting Principal18

TUBA

TIMPANI

Timothy Northcut, Principal20

PERCUSSION

Gerald Noble, Acting Principal21

HARP

Michael LaMattina, Principal22

Davi Martinelli de Lira23

Leslie Stratton, Principal24

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(937) 228-3630

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KEYBOARD

Joshua Nemith25

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MEMBERS MAKE THE

MAGIC DPAA Members keep the classical arts thriving in Dayton with their annual donation—join the community now!

ASK ABOUT OUR: ► EXCLUSIVE PRE-SALES & OFFERS ► BEHIND-THE-SCENES ACCESS ► DONOR LOUNGE ► VALET PARKING ► MEMBERS-ONLY NEWSLETTER

Denotes leave of absence J. Ralph Corbett Chair Huffy Foundation Chair Sherman Standard Register Foundation Chair 4 Jesse Philips Chair 5 F. Dean Schnacke Chair 6 Grace Counts Finch Chair 7 Edward L. Kohnle Chair in Memory of Andra Lunde Padrichelli, Principal Cellist 2003–2018 8 Gilbert and Patricia Templeton Chair 9 Paul and Susanne Weaver Chair 10 Dayton Philharmonic Volunteer Association/C. David Horine Memorial Chair 11 Dayton Philharmonic Volunteer Association Chair 12 Catharine French Bieser Chair 13 Rhea Beerman Peal Chair 14 Robert and Elaine Stein Chair 15 David and Lois Gribler Chair 16 Frank M. Tait Memorial Chair 17 John W. Berry Family Chair 18 John Reger Memorial Chair 19 Bill and Wanda Lukens Chair 20 Zachary, Rachel and Natalie Denka Chair 21 Rosenthal Family Chair in Memory of Miriam Rosenthal, In Honor of Donald Donnett, Principal Timpani 1966–2023 22 Miriam Rosenthal Chair 23 Richard A. and Mary T. Whitney Chair 24 Daisy Talbott Green Chair 25 Demirjian Family Chair

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Our Members Make the Magic!

Special thanks to all our DPAA Members who keep the classical arts thriving in Dayton with their annual donation.

President’s Circle DIAMOND ($100,000+) Mr. and Mrs. Paul R. Anderson Martha DeBold* Mr. and Mrs. Steven C. Mason Barbara N. O’Hara Jesse and Caryl Philips Foundation Dr. Troy Tyner and Dr. Ingrid Brown EMERALD ($50,000-$99,999) John and Kathy Beran Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Hone Mrs. Linda W. Lombard and Mr. Paul W. Marshall Dale and Karen Medford Mrs. Betsy B. Whitney SAPPHIRE ($25,000-$49,999) Mr. and Mrs. Thomas W. Bankston Mr. Neal Gittleman and Ms. Lisa M. Fry ELM Foundation Mrs. Judy D. McCormick Raymond and Sue Merz Mr. and Mrs. C. Miles Schmidt Mr. and Mrs. William J. Schneider Larry and Abbie Trittschuh RUBY ($10,000-$24,999) Anonymous Dr. Ron Anderson and Mr. Robb Sloan-Anderson Mr. and Mrs. Thomas E. Bettcher Jim Crosset Mr. Eugene D. Kurtz and Ms. Janice L. Culver John and Allyson Danis Mr. Richard M. DeLon Dr. Grace L. DeVelbiss Ms. Jane A. Dunwoodie Ms. Debra Edelman Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Fernandes Mr. Michael A. Houser Mr. and Mrs. Michael and Judith Kreutzer

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Mr. and Mrs. William E. Lukens Barbara and Leib Lurie Dr. and Mrs. Michael L. Manchester Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth F. May Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. McQuiston Dr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Mikutis Dr. Thomas G. Olsen and Mrs. Mary Boosalis Mr. and Mrs. Richard W. Schwartz Dr. and Mrs. Peter J. Torvik Mr. Philip G. Wise and Dr. Joe Law Mr. and Mrs. Walter D. Wood

Producing Partners ENCORE ($5,000-$9,999) Anonymous Mrs. Mary L. Arnett Mr. and Mrs. David S. Battle Mr. and Mrs. David M. Berry Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bridgman Dr. Gwen L. Brubaker Mr. and Mrs. Thomas E. Burkhardt Jr. Mrs. Catherine Clark Dr. Ann W. Clutter Mr. and Mrs. Patrick De Naples Mr. and Mrs. Daniel P. Deitz Mr. Donald and Mrs. Janet Grieshop Mr. and Mrs. Jonas J. Gruenberg Mr. Charles J. Hardwick Mr. and Mrs. Stanley C. Herr Mr. and Mrs. Luke Lovell Mr. Christopher Mason Miss Constance A. McKale Mr. James S. Nathanson Dr. David H. Ponitz Kenneth Quinter Mr. and Mrs. James M. Ratti Mr. and Mrs. Milton C. Ross Mr. Matthew J. Scarr Mr. and Mrs. William J. Schaff Mr. Thomas F. Skelley and Mrs. Sharon Lindquist-Skelley Mrs. Cynthia Uhl

Dayton Performing Arts Alliance

‘24–25 Edition 1

Mr. and Mrs. William R. Winger Kathleen and Joseph Zehenny OVATION ($2,500-$4,999) Anonymous (2) Dr. Nirmala Abraham and Mr. Scotty Blackburn Mrs. Margy Anderson Mr. and Mrs. Ted Angel Dan and Vicky Archibald Mr. and Mrs. Karl C. Ayers Ann Barr Mr. Ronald Bernard and Dr. Judith E. Woll M.D. Dr. Robert L. Brandt, Jr. Michael and Frieda Brigner Ms. Kathleen L. Clawson Mr. Christopher Coombs Suzanne and Patrick Crippen Mr. and Mrs. John H. Culp Dr. and Mrs. Robert Custer Pat and David Diven Dr. John C. Duby and Dr. Sara Guerrero-Duby Mr. and Mrs. David B. Dutton Doug and Bethany Einstein Ms. Susan M. Falter Don and Andrea Fineberg Ms. Marilyn R. Fischer Mrs. Carol Graff Mr. Thomas P. Gratto and Dr. Sharon D. Gratto Mr. and Mrs. Craig Jennings Mrs. Leora K. Kline Mr. and Mrs. Paul H. Lamberger Mr. and Mrs. Raymond W. Lane Dr. and Mrs. William Lindahl Ms. Susan B. McCoy and Mr. Allen Kennedy Pat and David McDonald Anna and John Monnett Theodore Nelson and Ixi Chen Patrick J. Nugent and Mary Kay Rehard Mr. Mark Olson and Ms. Barbara Furyk-Olson Dr. C. Daniel and Mrs. Kathy Raisch Tim Riordan

Mr. and Mrs. Greg Robinson Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Seboldt Heber and Liz Short Mr. and Mrs. William J. Sibbing Mr. Michael Sieveking and Mr. Jeffrey Trzeciak Mr. and Mrs. Richard L. Smythe Lois and Roger Sutherland Dr. and Mrs. Frederick A. Tokarz Dr. and Mrs. Edward Tomme Dr. Byron and Mrs. Theresa Wade Paul and Susie Weaver James and Tami Whalen Hon. and Mrs. William H. Wolff Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Tim S. Wood Dr. Teresa Zryd BRAVO ($1,000-$2,499) Anonymous (3) Mr. Joshua E. Adams Dr. and Mrs. Walter W. Adams The Albert and Nancy Freudenberger Fund Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Anderson Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Anderson Mr. Patrick Arnold The Honorable Bill and Karen Beagle Mr. Zachary J. Beck Mr. and Mrs. Donald N. Bigler Ms. Mary R. Bowman The Brenda and David Jones Memorial Fund Mr. and Mrs. Allen Byrum Mr. Joseph Cable Drs. Alejandro Calvo and Veronica Camacho Mr. and Mrs. John M. Campbell Ms. Martha Monica CorradineAltman Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence M. Corson Mr. Kelly H. Dalton Susan and Bryan Daly Ms. Susan DeLuca William DeVenzio and Linda Short Mr. C. Bruce Driver Susan and Robert Ellefson Mr. Larry Forman Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Gardner Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Gaudion Dr. David and Pamela Griffith Mr. Michael and Brig. Gen. Mary Kathryn Haddad Dr. and Mrs. Bruce Hall Mr. John C. Halpin and Ms. Dorothy B. Dick Mr. and Mrs. Richard Harstad Mr. and Mrs. Donald M. Heinrich

Mr. and Mrs. Delbert Herbeck Holland Family Trust Mr. Jeffrey Huntington Dr. Michael A. Jaffe M.D. Sandi Simmons and Tom Jonak Ms. Shannon Joyce Neal Mrs. R. Jean Judge Ms. Norma Keefer Michael and Janet Kelly Dr. and Mrs. Myron R. Kem Dr. and Mrs. Brian Kent Dr. R. Alan Kimbrough Dr. and Mrs. Emil P. Kmetec Chuck Knickerbocker Kathryn A. Lamme Dr. James T. Lehner and Hon. Peggy Lehner Cheryl and Franklin Lewis Robyn Lightcap Morgan Andrew Taylor* Dr. Tom Maher The Margaret and Paul C. Magill Fund* Drs Jerry Clark and Barry McCorkle Mr. and Mrs. Thomas W. Meyer Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Bill Perry and JT Rusch Robert Pohl and Susan Strong Mr. Todd Press Mr. and Mrs. Dominick A. Rinaldi Mr. Joshua Roch and Mrs. Sarah Enterline Roch Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Roedersheimer Mr. and Mrs. Donald L. Routson Ms. Colleen M. Ryan Dr. Burton R. Saidel and Mrs. Alice L. Saidel Sanchez Family Mr. Richard B. Saphire Mr. And Mrs. Richard Schaefer Mr. and Mrs. Alan B. Schaeffer Mrs. Winnie Scholl Sigma Boule Fund Charles V. Simms Mrs. Catherine J. Skardon Lt. Col and Mrs. Michael H. Taint Mr. John Tate Thomas E. And Sharon P. Williamson Fund Mrs. Mary T. Tymeson Mr. Michael Tyrchniewicz and Ms. Rachael Courtney Jeanie Vickroy Malte and Pan Von Matthiessen Dr. and Mrs. Andreas M. Walchner Andrew and Julie Wallner Jud and Julie Wallner Fund

Mark White Ms. Katherine Wiedeman Mr. and Mrs. John J. Winch Mr. and Mrs. Brian W. Woodruff Mr. and Mrs. David Wrazen Dr. Daniel L. Zehringer Dr. David Zelmon and Dr. Mojgan Samardar

Friends FELLOW ($750-$999) Anonymous Shirley Ark Drs. Charles and Mary Bane Mr. Charles W. Bradford Carla Cameron Mrs. Rebecca Dianis Dr. Margaret M. Dunn and Dr. William A. Spohn Lt. Col. Frank and Diane Gentner, USAF Ret. Dr. and Mrs. Douglas N. Goetz Mr. Anthony Haugrud Jeremy Holtgrave Charles and Karen Kronbach Kenji and Misao Kurokawa Larry Mullins Les and Dianne Niemi Ms. Ellen Noble Jeaunita Ìfewándé Château Olówè Greg and Michele Palmer Mr. Harold Poppe and Mr. Dale Schmidt Mr. William C. Quinn Mary Yerina and Bob Redfield Beverly and Bradley Smith Rick and Tawnya Stover Phyllis Strayer Kevin and Micki Torres Nancy and John Woeste Dr. Roberts and Mrs. Lynn Wood Dr. Virginia C. Wood Carol Jean Yegerlehner

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Corporate and Foundation Partners We thank our corporate and foundation partners for their support of DPAA’s mission, programs, and artists.

IMPRESARIO AES Ohio Foundation The Charles D. Berry Foundation Virginia W. Kettering Foundation Schiewetz Foundation Harry A. Toulmin, Jr. and Virginia B. Toulmin Fund of The Dayton Foundation MAESTRO Kettering Health VIRTUOSO Dayton Freight The Mary H. Kittredge Fund of The Dayton Foundation Bill and Jackie Lockwood Fund to Support Opera LEGATO AES Ohio The Berry Family Foundation Cox First Media Dayton Aerospace Marriott University of Dayton Miriam Rosenthal Foundation for the Arts The Shubert Foundation The Troy Foundation The Nick and Edna Weller Charities, Inc.

SONATA The Dayton Hydraulic Co. Enterprise Roofing Harlamert Foundation Heidelberg Distributing Company Johnson Investment Counsel The Kuntz Foundation Levin Family Foundation LION Nova Creative NPS Cares Foundation PNC INTERMEZZO Coolidge Wall Sam Levin Foundation Omega Baptist Church Pickrel, Schaeffer, and Ebeling OVERTURE Barnes Dennig Houser Asphalt and Concrete Requarth Lumber Company Voss Auto Network

CONCERTO 10 Wilmington Place Arts Consulting Group Bob Ross Auto Group The Charles F. Kettering Foundation Discover Classical 88.1 WDPR/89.1 WUSO/89.9 WDPG The Kettering Family Foundation iHeartMedia Mathile Family Foundation

ADDITIONAL MAJOR SUPPORT BY: Culture Works Montgomery County Arts and Cultural District National Endowment for the Arts Ohio Arts Council

ARIA The Iddings Foundation Victory Wholesale Group

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Dayton Performing Arts Alliance

‘24–25 Edition 1

Board of Trustees and Staff OFFICERS Joseph Zehenny, Chair Patricia McDonald, Vice Chair Dr. Ed Tomme, Chair Emeritus Tom Burkhardt, Treasurer Timothy Riordan, Assistant Treasurer Rev. Joshua Ward, Secretary Rodney Veal, Assistant Secretary BOARD OF TRUSTEES Dr. Ron Anderson Libby Ballengee Dr. Zachary Beck Ashley Bethard Jim Butler Christopher Coombs Allyson Danis Courtney Ditmer Dr. Samuel Dorf Deborah Gross Col. Mary-Kathryn Haddad Michael Howard Xavier Johnson Dr. G. Scott Jones Robyn Lightcap Patrick Martin Peggie McQuiston Shannon Joyce Neal Barbara O’Hara Todd Press Burt Saidel Dori Spaulding John Tate Rick Thie Abbie Trittschuh Katie Wahl Dr. Daniel Zehringer ARTISTIC DIRECTORS EMERITUS Thomas Bankston, Opera ADMINISTRATION Patrick J. Nugent, President and CEO Michael Sieveking, Managing Director Teri Warwick, Chief Financial Officer Sue Martin, Accounting Manager ARTISTIC Kathleen Clawson, Artistic Director, Opera Neal Gittleman, Artistic Director and Conductor, Philharmonic Brandon Ragland, Artistic Director, Ballet Patrick Reynolds, Associate Conductor, Philharmonic; Conductor, Philharmonic Youth Orchestra Steven Hankle, Director, Philharmonic Chorus Carolyn Sweezy, Manager, Philharmonic Chorus

Maureen Hickey Haitch, Conductor, Philharmonic Youth Strings Michelle Mastin, Conductor, Philharmonic Junior Strings Jeffrey Powell, Chorus Master, Opera Chorus Sharon Neumeister, Company Teacher and Rehearsal Assistant Rachel Cahayla Wynne, Rehearsal Director and Dayton Ballet Studio Company Manager DEVELOPMENT Bill Perry, Vice President for Philanthropy Lynnette Ivey, Director of Institutional Giving Allie Haines, Membership Manager Anne O’Hara, Development Operations Manager LEARNING AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Jeaunita Ìféwándé Château Olówè, Vice President for Learning and Community Engagement Jacqueline Griffin, Learning Programs Manager Melissa McCoy, Engagement Programs Manager Megan Forney, Dayton Ballet School Education Manager; Co-Director of Dayton Ballet School Ensemble Gabrielle Sharp, Co-Director of Dayton Ballet School Ensemble Elizabeth Sabol, Ballet School Registrar Vicky Archibald, Ballet School Receptionist MARKETING Brittany Laughlin, Vice President for Marketing and Audience Development Olivia Budde, Marketing Coordinator James Mikolajewski, Marketing and Patron Acquisition Manager Kate LaFollette, Engagement and Patron Services Manager OPERATIONS Theodore Nelson, Vice President for Operations and Artistic Planning Milena Treer, Director of Production Tim Crommes, Company Manager Patrick Keough, Technical Director Sean Vore, Orchestra Personnel Manager Lyn Baudendistel, Wardrobe Supervisor Eric Knorr, Orchestra Librarian Kelly DeLisle, Resident Stage Manager Lloyd Bryant, Recording Engineer The stagehands of IATSE Local 66 The wardrobe members of IATSE Local 886

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G E N E R O U S LY S U P P O R T E D B Y

HARRY A. TOULMIN JR. AND VIRGINIA B. TOULMIN FUND OF THE DAYTON FOUNDATION BILL AND JACKIE LOCKWOOD FUND TO SUPPORT OPERA THE MARY H. KITTREDGE FUND OF THE DAYTON FOUNDATION ADDITIONAL MAJOR SUPPORT PROVIDED BY