Charleston Gaillard Center Announces Master Classes with American Ballet Theatre

FOR RELEASE WEDNESDAY, JULY 7, 2021 MEDIA CONTACTS: Kellie Lawson Director of Marketing 843-242-3105 klawson@gaillardcenter.org GAILLARD CENTER SOCIAL MEDIA: @gaillardcenter @gaillardcenter facebook.com/thegaillardcenter

Charleston Gaillard Center Announces Master Classes with American Ballet Theatre July 17, 2021 July 7, 2021 – Charleston, SC – The Charleston Gaillard Center is delighted to announce that in addition to presenting the free performance of ABT Across America on Saturday, July 17, we will also offer two master classes led by American Ballet Theatre dancers. The Gaillard Center’s Education & Community Program continuously seeks out opportunities to engage students of all experience levels with world class performers. On July 17, Lowcountry students will have two opportunities for unparalleled dance instruction.

ABT dancers, Abbey Marrison and Carlos Gonzalez, will first lead an Intermediate and Advanced master class designed for students ages 13 to 18, with at least three years of training. An introductory class for students ages 7-12, who are new to dance or those interested in trying dance, will be held from 12:30pm-1:30pm. Both classes will take place on the stage of the Martha & John M. Rivers Performance Hall. Space is available for 25 dancers for each class.

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Sterling deVries, Director of Education for the Charleston Gaillard Center, notes, “We are honored to give students of the Lowcountry the opportunity to participate in master classes with the esteemed American Ballet Theatre artists. It is important to us to offer classes to those who may have not danced before and perhaps spark a love of dance. ABT’s time in Charleston serves as an exciting springboard for the community to fall in love with dance.”

Furthermore, patrons attending the evening performance of ABT Across America may arrive early at 5pm to have the unique opportunity to view ABT’s on-stage warm-up before the full performance.

The Charleston Gaillard Center will present ABT Across America for an outdoor performance at The Citadel’s parade ground, Summerall Field, at 7:30pm. Repertory for ABT Across America will feature Lauren Lovette’s La Follia Variations, a work for eight dancers set to music by Francesco Geminiani, Jessica Lang’s Let Me Sing Forevermore, a pas deux blending ballet and jazz vocabulary set to songs sung by Tony Bennett, Darrell Grand Moultrie’s Indestructible Light, a celebration of American jazz music, and a classical pas de deux from ABT’s extensive repertoire.

Support for this program is made possible by generous donors who have committed time and resources to the Charleston Gaillard Center’s Dance Initiative.

Intermediate and Advanced Master Class Saturday, July 17 | 11am-12:15pm Ages 13-18 Charleston Gaillard Center Register here.

Beginner/Introductory Class Saturday, July 17 | 12:30pm-1:30pm Ages 7-12 Charleston Gaillard Center Register here.

ABT On-Stage Warmup Saturday, July 17 | 5pm-6:30pm The Citadel’s Parade Ground, Summerall Field ABT Across America Saturday, July 17 | 7:30pm The Citadel’s Parade Ground, Summerall Field RSVP here.

ABOUT ABBEY MARRISON Born in Markham, Ontario, Canada, Abbey Marrison began studying jazz, tap, lyrical, and contemporary dance at the age of four. She began her ballet training at Karpov Ballet Academy in 2012 under the instruction of Anna and Vladimir Karpov.

Her repertoire included leading roles in La Bayadère, Cinderella, The Fairy Doll, Giselle, and The Nutcracker.

Marrison attended summer programs at Bolshoi Ballet Academy, Ballet West, and IBStage. In 2014, she received first place (contemporary) and second place (classical) at the World Ballet Art Competition Grand Prix in Vaughan, Ontario. She was a finalist at the 2016 Youth America Grand Prix.

Marrison began training at the American Ballet Theatre Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School in September 2016 and joined ABT Studio Company in September 2017. She became an apprentice with the main Company in December 2018 and joined the corps de ballet in June 2019.

ABOUT CARLOS GONZALEZ Born in Madrid, Spain, Carlos Gonzalez began studying classical dance in 2005 at El Conservatorio Profesional de Danza Fortea. In 2012, he continued his training at the El Real Conservatorio Profesional de Danza Mariemma in Madrid. His repertoire included the peasant pas de deux from Giselle, Basilio in Don Quixote, Solor in La Bayadère, the Nutcracker Prince in The Nutcracker, Franz in Coppélia and roles in Le Corsaire, Paquita, Swan Lake, Majísimo, Jose Tirado’s A Bigas, Goyo Montero’s Alrededor no hay nada, Juan Carlos Santamaría’s Sounds, and Jean-Philippe Dury’s

Four Seasons. In 2013, Gonzalez placed third in the Junior Classical Dance category in the XVII International Dance Competition in Ribarroja del Turia, Spain.

Gonzalez joined American Ballet Theatre Studio Company in September 2015, became an apprentice with the main Company in December 2016, and joined the corps de ballet in June 2017. His repertoire with ABT includes Harlequin in Harlequinade, the peasant pas de deux in Giselle, the Spanish Dance in Swan Lake, a leading role in AFTERITE, and featured roles in Deuce Coupe and In the Upper Room.

He created featured roles in A Time There Was, Convivium, and Desire.

Gonzalez is an ABT NTC Certified Teacher. He taught at the ABT Summer Intensive in 2020 and became a faculty member at the ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School as the repertoire teacher for the 2020/2021 season.

ABOUT THE CHARLESTON GAILLARD CENTER The Charleston Gaillard Center is a 501c3 nonprofit performing arts organization in Charleston, South Carolina, committed to enriching lives through unforgettable experiences. Throughout the year, we provide exceptional programming and vibrant educational opportunities for the community.

Please consider a contribution as we continue to find innovative ways to connect, inspire, and entertain. Donate to support the arts in your community. You can learn more about our educational resources and programming at gaillardcenter.org. ###