Grand Rapids Ballet presents The Nutcracker

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Yuka Oba-Muschiana in Yuri Possokhov’s Firebird; photo by Damion Van Slyke

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DEC. 13-15 & 20-22, 2019 | DEVOS PERFORMANCE HALL

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ON THE COVER Yuka Oba-Muschiana & Josue Justiz; photo by Ray Nard Imagemaker.

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR MESSAGE Welcome to Grand Rapids Ballet and our annual production of The Nutcracker! It would not be December without it and I thank you for making us a part of your holiday tradition. As the artistic director of the only professional ballet company in Michigan, I am proud of the world-class talent we attract to our city, bringing the best choreographers and dancers together for you, our audience.

Our very own production of The Nutcracker boasts a creative team including native Grand Rapidian illustrator and author Chris van Allsburg, Tony Award winning set designer Eugene Lee, and choreography from Val Caniparoli, whose works are performed by the world’s most esteemed ballet companies. We had the pleasure of having him in the studio the past few weeks tinkering with the production, including adding a new character, the Sugar Plum Fairy’s Cavalier. See if you can spot any other differences (there are a couple more).

One of my favorite things about The Nutcracker is the music, composed in 1892 by Pytor Tchaikovsky. We are so lucky to have our very own Grand Rapids Symphony perform this iconic score, inspiring our dancers and filling the theater with the magic of live performance. This is how The Nutcracker is meant to be experienced!

While The Nutcracker is one of our largest productions of the year, it is by no means the bulk of what we do as an organization focused on community. The professional company presents five programs a year, featuring classical and contemporary ballets from in-demand choreographers whose work is regularly seen in major cities around the world. Our School and Junior Company have a multitude of classes and performing opportunities to engage our youth and train the next generation of dancers, and our outreach programs bring the joy and love of dance to school children. Read about the therapeutic power of dance and our Moving with Parkinsons program on page 24.

In this, our 48th season, we are asking “What Moves You?” I invite you to discover the answer to this question by connecting with us throughout the year. Our upcoming performances of Eternal Desire, Jumpstart 2020, and Christopher Stowell’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, embody all ballet can be: strength, joy, passion, innovation, beauty, and more.

This is my life’s work, as it is for the dancers in the company. Thank you for being here to join us in lifting the human spirit through the art of dance. Happy holidays!

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James Sofranko, Artistic Director

PROGRAM NOTES GRAND RAPIDS BALLET presents

James Sofranko, Artistic Director

Original Story E.T.A. Hoffmann (translation by Michael Auer)

Lighting Designer Paul Miller

Choreographer Val Caniparoli

Costume Designer Patricia Barker

Composer Pyotr I. Tchaikovsky

Executive Producer Glenn Del Vecchio

Set & Production Designers Chris Van Allsburg & Eugene Lee

First Performed December 11, 2014 DeVos Performance Hall,

Presenting Sponsor

Production Sponsor

Media Sponsor

School Show Sponsor

Music Sponsor

The Wege Foundation

James & Mary Nelson Universal Forest Products

Approximate performance length is two hours including intermission.

OUT OF RESPECT FOR THE DANCERS, MUSICIANS, AND OTHER GUESTS, PLEASE SILENCE YOUR DEVICES. PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEO STRICLY PROHIBITED! 5

MEET THE MAGIC MAKERS CHRIS VAN ALLSBURG SET & PRODUCTION DESIGNER Van Allsburg is one of America’s most innovative picture book creators. He has twice received the Caldecott Medal (for The Polar Express and Jumanji) as well as a Caldecott Honor for his very first book, The Garden of Abdul Gasazi. He has also been awarded the Regina Medal for lifetime achievement in children’s literature, among other honors.

EUGENE LEE SET & PRODUCTION DESIGNER Lee received BFA degrees from the Art Institute of Chicago and Carnegie Mellon University, an MFA from Yale Drama School and three honorary doctorates. He has won Tony Awards for Candide, Sweeney Todd, and Wicked, as well as the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Set Design. He has been the production designer for Saturday Night Live since 1974.

VAL CANIPAROLI CHOREOGRAPHER Val Caniparoli is one of the most sought-after American choreographers contributing to the repetories of more than 45 companies throughout the world. He is most closely associated with San Francisco Ballet, his artistic home for over 40 years.

Caniparoli has worked with The Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera and Symphony, Chicago Lyric Opera, as well as with San Francisco’s esteemed American Conservatory Theater.

PYOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY COMPOSER (1840-1893) Tchaikovsky is widely considered the most popular Russian composer in history. Acclaim came readily in 1875 with his composition Symphony No. 3 in D Major. In 1876, he completed the ballet Swan Lake as well as the symphonic fantasy Francesca da Rimini.

His collective body of work constitutes 169 pieces, including symphonies, operas, ballets, concertos, cantatas, and songs. Among his most famed late works are the ballets The Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker.

E.T.A. HOFFMAN AUTHOR (1776-1862)

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Hoffman was a Prussian Romantic author of fantasy and horror, a jurist, composer, music critic, draftsman, and caricaturist. His stories form the basis of Jacques Offenbach’s famous opera The Tales of Hoffmann, in which Hoffmann appears as the hero. He is also the author of the novella The Nutcracker & The Mouse King, on which the famous ballet is based. The ballet Coppélia is based on two other stories that Hoffmann wrote, while Schumann’s Kreisleriana is based on Hoffmann’s character Johannes Kreisler. Hoffmann’s stories were very influential during the 19th century, and he is one of the major authors of the Romantic movement.

THE STORY OF OUR NUTCRACKER ACT I — Prologue —

It is Christmas Eve and the Stahlbaum’s house is decorated with ornaments, garlands, and a majestic Christmas tree.

Godfather Drosselmeier has snuck into the Great Room to prepare a few surprises for the enjoyment of his favorite godchildren, Fritz and Clara Stahlbaum.

— Street Scene and Party —

Guests hurry across the streets in preparation for the party. After Drosselmeier’s arrival at the Stahlbaum’s house, he presents the magical gifts that Fritz and Clara have waited so anxiously for. Drosselmeier presents dolls, trumpets, cannons, and more to all of the children at the party. He then presents Clara with a most wondrous gift – a dancing Nutcracker doll. Overjoyed with the doll, she dances with him.

The evening grows late, the children become sleepy and the guests depart.

Clara cannot resist sneaking downstairs to search for her beloved Nutcracker, which she finds safely standing on the fireplace mantel. She gathers him into her arms and falls asleep, dreaming of her handsome Nutcracker. At the stroke of midnight, Clara awakens to find her Nutcracker missing from her arms, and sees Drosselmeier. He greets her with a grand bow and she takes his hand as they journey under the tree.

— The Battle —

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The room begins to transform: The tree grows to gigantic proportions and, out of nowhere, menacing mice appear. A massive army of soldiers gather and a fierce battle erupts between the Mouse King and the Nutcracker. The Nutcracker becomes overwhelmed and Clara, desperate to save him, pulls at the Mouse King’s tail. The Nutcracker lands the fatal

blow and Clara runs to his side and stands weeping while the soldiers encircle them for protection.

— Snow Scene —

The Nutcracker is transformed into a human prince and Clara into a beautiful woman. They dance through a snowy forest where snowflakes turn and swirl around them as they begin their magical journey to the Capital City and Marzipan Castle.

* 20-Minute Intermission * ACT II — Marzipan Castle —

Clara and the Nutcracker Prince sail across Lemonade Lake. In the distance they can see Marzipan Castle. As Clara and the Nutcracker Prince arrive, they are greeted by the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier. Clara immediately recognizes her as the beautiful doll that came to life at the Christmas party. The Nutcracker Prince and Clara recount their tale of the fierce battle with the army of mice and the defeat of the ferocious Mouse King.

The Sugar Plum Fairy announces a special celebration to honor the brave young couple. Representatives with gifts from surrounding nations join the festivities, with chocolate from Spain, spice from Arabia, tea from China, pastilles from France, and from Russia, caviar. To the enjoyment of all, the Dew Drop Fairy leads a bouquet of flowers in a beautiful, mesmerizing waltz. The most wonderful dance of all is danced by the Sugar Plum Fairy and her gallant Cavalier.

— Conclusion —

To say goodbye to Clara and the Nutcracker Prince, everyone returns for one last farewell as, alas, all dreams must come to an end. Or was it a dream?

find your prince

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AMIDSUMMER

NIGHT’SDREAM April 24-26 & May 1-3, 2020 | Peter Martin Wege Theatre | 616.454.4771 x10 | grballet.com/midsummer-nights-dream Stowell’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream; photo by Blaine Truitt Covert courtesy Oregon Ballet Theatre

INSPIRE YOUR FAMILY! Interactive one-hour Saturday performances of our full company productions are tailored specifically to introduce your young ones to the professional ballet with dancer meet-and-greet, Q&A with James Sofranko, and more.

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LEARN MORE > GRBALLET.COM/ FAMILYMATINEE

NEW THIS SEASON!

FAMILY MATINEE SERIES

THE MUSIC OF THE NUTCRACKER GRAND RAPIDS SYMPHONY * Strings are listed in alphabetical order after the titled chairs • Supplemental musicians

*VIOLIN Christina Fong, Assoc. Concertmaster Grace Kim, Asst. Concertmaster Eric Tanner, Principal 2nd Steven H. Brook, Asst. Principal 2nd Louisa Blood | Haijin Choi Sunny Cirlin | Megan Crawford Christine Golden Diane McElfish Helle Sterling Jenkins | Patricia Kates Christopher Martin | Linda Nelson Joo Yun Preece | Joshua Schlachter David Wheeler VIOLA Leslie VanBecker, Principal Barbara Corbató, Asst. Principal Kristen A. Shoup Mary Jane Miller | Olga Ziabrikova CELLO Alicia Eppinga, Principal Andrew Laven, Asst. Principal Andrew Plaisier Steve Van Ravenswaay BASS Michael Hovnanian, Asst. Principal Mark Buchner | Kevin Flannery FLUTE Christopher Kantner, Principal Ruth Bylsma, Asst. Principal Judith Kemph | • Ed Clifford PICCOLO Judith Kemph OBOE Ellen Sherman, Principal Alexander Miller, Asst. Principal • Sarah Constable • Sarah Peterson ENGLISH HORN Kathleen Gomez | • Sarah Peterson CLARINET Suzanna Dennis Bratton, Principal Michael Kornacki, Asst. Principal Joel Schekman BASS CLARINET Joel Schekman • Stephanie Hovnanian

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BASSOON Victoria Olson, Principal Brigid Babbish, Asst. Principal HORN Richard Britsch, Principal Erich Peterson, Asst. Principal Mary Beth Orr | Paul Austin • David Denniston | • Tricia Ruffer TRUMPET Charley Lea, Principal • George Goad TROMBONE Christopher Houlihan, Principal Daniel Mattson, Asst. Principal • Ava Ordman BASS TROMBONE Robert Ward TUBA Jacob Cameron | • Phil Sinder TIMPANI Daniel Karas, Principal PERCUSSION William H. Vits, Principal David Hall, Asst. Principal

HARP Elizabeth Wooster Colpean, Principal

KEYBOARD • Helen Lukan Erich Peterson, Personnel Manager Steven Brook, Timekeeper Sarah Bowman Peterson, Principal Librarian Lenore D’Haem, Asst. Librarian Kyle Viana, Production Stage Manager ASSOCIATE CONDUCTOR John Varineau Now in his fourth decade on the podium, Associate Conductor John Varineau conducts concerts on nearly all of its series including the Fox Motors Pops, the Gerber SymphonicBoom, the DTE Energy Foundation Family, and the PNC Lollipop as well as the D&W Fresh Market Picnic Pops and a wide variety of educational and outreach concerts throughout the area.

The 2019-20 season marks his 35th anniversary season as a conductor with the Grand Rapids Symphony

and his 32nd as conductor of the Grand Rapids Youth Symphony and Classical Orchestra. Additionally, he conducts the Grand Rapids Symphony in performances with the Grand Rapids Ballet including the 2014 world premiere of a new version of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker, a production codesigned by Grand Rapids native Chris Van Allsburg, author and illustrator of The Polar Express.

Varineau’s guest conducting appearances have included the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, the Phoenix Symphony, the San Antonio Symphony, the Lansing Symphony Orchestra, the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra, and the Traverse City Symphony Orchestra as well as the Fort Wayne Philharmonic and Oklahoma City Philharmonic. He formerly served as music director of the Holland Symphony Orchestra.

A clarinetist, John Varineau presents solo recitals and plays in the contemporary music group, Ensemble Montage, and the woodwind trio, ma non troppo. For 38 years he taught at the college level at Cornerstone University, Grand Rapids Community College, Aquinas College, and Grand Valley State University. Most recently he was on the faculty at Calvin University where he conducted the college orchestra, taught academic courses and clarinet and also conducted the Calvin Community Symphony. He is now retired from college teaching.

LEARN MORE > GRSYMPHONY.ORG

GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY OPERA THEATRE SOPRANO Elise Alvaro MEZZO-SOPRANO Riley Wells LEARN MORE > GVSU.EDU/MTD

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DANCERS COMPANY

Isaac Aoki

James Cunningham

Ednis Gomez

Yuko Horisawa

Steven Houser

Josue Justiz

Sarah Marley

Madison Massara

Alexandra Meister-Upleger

Yuka Oba-Muschiana

Emily Reed

Branden Reiners

Gretchen Steimle

Nigel Tau

Julia Turner

Adriana Wagenveld

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Nathan Young

APPRENTICES

Emily Barrows

Akira Bischoff

Audra Cockrell

Yuri Rogers

Emily Sipnick

Logan Velasquez

Celeste Lopez-Keranen

LEARN MORE > GRBALLET.COM/DANCERS Dancer headshots by Isaac Aoki.

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ADULT CLASSES AVAILABLE! Attila Mosolygo, Director

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DANCE DOES A BODY GOOD We believe strongly in the therapeutic power of dance. That’s why we work to bring dance to the community through strategic partnerships and programs.

By Danielle Nelson for Grand Rapids Business Journal Holland Home is partnering with the Grand Rapids Ballet School to offer ballet classes at its Raybrook campus starting in October, once per week, over the course of the next year.

The 45-minute “Moving with Parkinson’s” dance class is geared toward residents with Parkinson’s disease, a neurodegenerative disorder that affects predominately dopamine-producing neurons in a specific area of the brain called substantia nigra, according to the Parkinson’s Foundation.

“The benefits of the class are dance, movement, flexibility, balance, strength,” Alisha Van Epps, fitness manager and personal trainer at Holland Home said. “All of those are things that people with Parkinson’s can really benefit from increasing. What is really nice about the dance piece of it is that not only they can incorporate the physical activity, like exercise, but there are also cognitive aspects. There is live music and the instructor does a nice job incorporating emotional expression and then there is a social interaction piece, as well. So, it is not just an exercise class.”

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GRAND RAPIDS BALLET SCHOOL ADULT CLASSES PILATES is an innovative and safe system of mind-body exercise that builds strength without excess bulk, creates a sleek toned body, and helps alleviate back pain. All you need to get started is a yoga mat and comfortable clothing. Beginners welcome!

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Attila Mosolygo, Director

DANCE DOES YOUR CHILD GOOD. From beginner to advanced ages 3-19, our students receive the nurturing instruction of our professional teaching faculty to develop a thorough knowledge of technique, the invaluable skill of self-discipline, and a lasting love of dance. Elements from the French, Italian, and Russian ballet techniques are incorporated into our well-rounded curriculum, giving your child a versatile and extensive dance education.

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GRAND RAPIDS BALLET STAFF COMPANY Artistic Director James Sofranko Executive Director Glenn Del Vecchio Development Director Elizabeth McCarthy Musil Marketing Director Michael Erickson Production Stage Manager Mellissa Slack Costume Shop Manager Ronald Altman Asst. Costume Shop Manager Brennan Smith Company/Facilities Manager John Ferraro Box Office Manager Kelly Herremans Artistic Coordinator/Ballet Master Dawnell Dryja Black Asst. Ballet Master Steven Houser Guest Services Manager Errol Shewman Pianists Lonnie Ostrander Margi Peterson SCHOOL Director & Junior Company Director Attila Mosolygo Curriculum Coordinator Mindy Mosolygo 25

Administrator SarahJean Bos Faculty Jimmy Cunningham Lara Faucher Jillian Gasper Kate Matlack Gina McFadden Claire Millard Yuka Oba-Muschiana Taryn Ortega-Furgeson Nicole Reehorst Kara Taylor Jessica Winter-Troutwine Pianists Ryan Blok Kenneth Creager Idalmira Lopez Mark Moran Lonnie Ostrander Night Receptionists Mary-Ann Carpenter Julie Lesniak PRODUCTION CREW Production Carpenter Jesse Phipps Asst. Production Carpenter Megan Claypool Production Flyman Andrew Steers Production Electrician Matt Taylor Asst. Production Electrician/L2 Glenn Gould Watchout Programmer/L3 Mark Neumann Production Properties Ben Knudstrup Assistant Stage Manager Molly Bea Goodman

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a tough

NUT to CRACK

By Megan Sarnacki for Revue Magazine

Over 75 years, The Nutcracker has become a holiday tradition and showcase of talent for ballet companies and families across the nation. Yet while nearly every dance company performs a production for the holidays, it’s no easy feat.

don’t get with Firebird,” Sofranko said.

“For a show that comes once a year or every so often like Firebird, there’s a bit of a learning curve — you don’t know the story or the music — but with The Nutcracker, you know the story and the music, so you can really start the first rehearsal on your artistry.”

Some returning dancers may be able to do some of the routines in their sleep, though that doesn’t mean The Nutcracker remains the same each year.

Caniparoli, who has contributed to the repertories of more than 50 dance companies around the world, returned to Grand Rapids Ballet for about two weeks to revise the production.

“It’s probably the hardest full-length performance any choreographer can do, especially in North America, because there’s such an anticipation behind it,” said Val Caniparoli, choreographer for the Grand Rapids Ballet rendition of The Nutcracker. “There’s so much riding on The Nutcracker because it’s yearly. You can’t go too crazy with the story since it’s got to appeal to children as well as adults, you’ve got to work with children’s schedules, and it’s something that everybody wants to come to every year and bring their children.”

James Sofranko, artistic director of Grand Rapids Ballet, notes that work for this show starts earlier than Halloween, even amid other performances. As the ballet simultaneously practiced The Nutcracker, and the recent Firebird, Sofranko was left with a deep appreciation for the artistic variation and balance these shows give the company.

“There’s a sense of urgency for a show like Firebird and an air of excitement around it. With The Nutcracker, you know it’s coming every year like clockwork. But that being said, there’s a familiarity with The Nutcracker that you

Yuka Oba-Muschiana & Josue Justiz; photo by Ray Nard Imagemaker

“When you’re practicing in the studio, you’re so close to it. But when you’re in the theater, you can look back at the whole picture and think of ways to tweak it and revamp different aspects,” Caniparoli said. “It’s not like it’s a ballet you do once every five years. This is a ballet done every year, so you have the opportunity to make it better and better every year.”

With the music of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky performed live by the Grand Rapids

Symphony, this year’s production adds the character of a male Cavalier to dance the pas de deux with the Sugar Plum Fairy. This new variation will move toward the end of the ballet, instead of its previous place at the beginning of Act 2.

“Every time you sit in the audience, you’re witnessing somebody’s entire lifetime of work up there onstage, whether it be the principal dancer in the front or the dancer in the row of Flowers,” Sofranko said.

“I’m using Lew Christensen’s base as a model, so there’s tradition and history in it, but there’s also my own stamp on it as well.” Caniparoli said.

Every year, the production and set design are a huge part of the show, joining the forces of Chris Van Allsburg, author of The Polar Express and Jumanji, and Tony Award-winner Eugene Lee. The set design utilizes innovative projected images that create special 3D effects, which are “downright magical and provide utterly seamless transitions and unprecedented narrative clarity in a rather complex story,” according to Revue’s own dance critic.

Working with Lee and Van Allsburg is a remarkable get for the ballet, though the latter grew up in Grand Rapids and even attended East Grand Rapids High School.

“It’s really nice when a production has a tie to its hometown,” Sofranko said.

“This is a perfect collaboration between this illustrator and The Nutcracker, since the story is so magical and fanciful.

There’s just so many theatrical elements and fantastic storybook elements that when you toss in really great dancing on top, it’s a show for everybody — both kids and adults.”

With an average of 75 to 80 student dancers and more than 30 professional company dancers, apprentices, and trainees, The Nutcracker is a unique opportunity where dancers of all ages achieve a culminating moment of validation for everything they’ve worked for.

Photo by Ray Nard Imagemaker

Between the dancers, symphony, chorale singers, choreography, costumes, and set design, the amount of effort, hard work, and talent it takes to produce a successful performance like The Nutcracker is vast. Yet the Grand Rapids Ballet understands the important impact a show like this can have on the local community.

“When you’re in the audience, you feel the focus of each dancer up on the stage and you know that what you’re seeing is a performance created specifically for this night, for this performance and for this community,” Sofranko said.

“It not only binds you with the dancers, but it also binds you with the whole community when you’re sitting shoulderto-shoulder with people from your city who are also wanting to celebrate culture, music, art and dance.”

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the 40th season

THEATRE AT GRAND VALLEY

201920SEASON 2019 - 2020

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM SEP 27–OCT 6

Sunday, Oct 20, 3:00pm COMMUNITY CHOIR CONCERT Fountain Street Church

Saturday, Nov 30, 7:30pm & Sunday, Dec 1, 3:00pm SOUNDS OF CHRISTMAS with EMBELLISH The Basilica of St. Adalbert

Sunday, Dec 15, 7:30pm MESSIAH SING-A-LONG Trinity Lutheran Church

Sunday, Apr 26, 3:00pm SOUNDS OF SPRING with CCGR ALUMNI

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WORKING FEB 7–16

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The Basilica of St. Adalbert

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For more Information visit

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When people love what they do, you feel it, because it matters to them. From the 31,000+ people who are Spectrum Health, to the talented performers at the Grand Rapids Ballet, working in rhythm improves well-being and brings communities together.

Improve health, inspire hope and save lives.TM 45

OUR DONORS ARE PART OF THE ART ROND DE JAMBE ($10,000+) Wege Foundation James & Mary Nelson Beusse & Porter Family Foundation Meijer PNC Bank Spectrum Health Daniel & Pamella DeVos Foundation Rosemary & David Good Family Foundation Wes & Judy Harpold J. Lee* & Susan B. Murphy Foster Swift Forest Hills Foundation Jon & Carol Muth James H. Schindler Valerie B. Nelson Amway Dick & Betsy DeVos Foundation DÉGAGÉ ($5,000+) Joy DeBoer Tim & Juliet Kraal Mary Yurko & Mark Gurney Lynn & Stuart White The Baldwin Foundation The Catholic Foundation Dean & Sheri Estes Marilyn Titche Norris Perne & French Patrick McConeghy A.K. Rikks Varnum Steelcase Keller Foundation John & Christine Willig TENDU ($2,500+) Jim Shafer & Leah Voigt Karlis & Anda Vizulis Mary Loupee John Nienhuis & Jerry Nardin Robert Beasecker & Erika King Sally Kotani & David Armbrecht Giselle & Peter Sholler 46

Experience Grand Rapids Grand Valley State University Honigman Wolverine Worldwide Founders Brewing Co. PLIÉ ($1,000+) Andrea Jeane Darling John Hunting Twink Frey Luis Tomatis & Gretchen Minnhaar* Leslie Dickinson Charles Behler Lynn & John O’Donnell Patti & Karl Betz Donald J. Bruggink Jeff & Theresa DeVries John Petrovich & Lorraine Miles Steve Frykholm Michael & Beth Kling Meredith Ervine Admir & Brooke Lugonjic Al & Pam McQueen Dale & Mary Schriemer Darcy J. Dye J.C. Huizenga Independent Bank Jeff Gurney & Xuesi Li Gurney Tamara Reeves Kirk & Jennifer Wiley Mary & Richard Panek Brian & Susan Lennon Meg & Greg Willit Melike Winkworth Till & Bernice Peters Win & Kyle Irwin Dickinson Wright Jonathan & Kelly Opdyke Crowe LLP Michael & Deecy Smith Charlevoix County Community Foundation Joan Dykstra Marcus & Helle Haw Michael & Tina Kanis Ian Hunter Mimi Cummings Robert Oracz & Dave Schmidt

Jeff & Margaret Beusse The Korff Foundations John Varineau Don & Ellen Arlinsky Steffany Dunker & Jay Harsevoort Jack & Marcia Hall David & Nancy Field Warner Norcross + Judd Elizabeth Tinney Donley JETÉ ($500+) Sean Patterson Peter & Carroll Perez Deane & Norman E. Horne John & Penelope Collins Connor Verkerke Daniel & Sabrasue Miller Frederick A. Bogaert Michael & Melissa Lojek Nicholle Costello Rob & Kelly Knecht The Brooks Family Mark & Diane Sevald Thomas & Patricia Macholan David Leonard Elizabeth Welch & Brian Schwartz Rebecca Lemon Pat & Bill Waring SAUTÉ ($250+) Marcella Beck Kathleen & Ken Nelson James R. & Norma Jean McCormick Jo Kidd Peter M. Turner Thomas Moore & Jan Winters Tom & Melissa Aaberg Mary Appelt Urs & Martha Waldvogel Brenda S. Teegardin Catherine B. Haney Frances Hall Joan DuBois Matthew & Kara Taylor Wallson & Rebecca Knack Brewery Vivant The Mitten Brewing Company

City Built Brewing Company Arend & Nancy Lubbers Cynthia Conway Denise Overbeek Douglas & Anne Poortenga Dr. Mark & Lorraine Newberry James & Bonnie Scarlett Jeff & Anita Avery Lori Reineke, Ph.D. Mike & Mary Yoak Milt & Barbara Rohwer Thomas J. & Marcia Haas Rhonda Huismann RELEVÉ ($100+) Dana & Mary Nell Baldwin Timothy & Cynthia Schad Curtis & Constance Jones Doug Coulter & Pamela Hoppe Ghayas & Joy Uddin Henry Matthews & Timothy Chester Janice R.F. Snyder Melissa Massara Gloria Yff Scott & Rebekah Wierenga Nancy Bailey Abby Dilley Bari Johnson Michael & Nancy Dodge Ann Houser & Nancy Field Arthur & Gail Besteman Barbara O. Fisk Christine & Peter Albertini Clarice Geels Douglas & Patricia Klein Douglas & Rachel VanStrien Frank Kwiatek & Karen Maczuga Glen & Betsy Borre Susan Wold Thomas & Alexis Boyden Heather Monroe Thomas A. Wysocki Roy Brown Catherine Southwick Greg Carnevale & Diane Mahon Harvey & Phyllis Gendler James & Mary Kay Wemple Jean Enright Jennifer McManus & Matt Borgula Joan Wilson

JoAnn Abraham Joe & Linda Kirpes John R. Martino Jerry & Cheryl Bentley Julie Otterbein Karl & Joanna Van Harn Vander Mill Cider Laura Kozminski Linda Campbell Thompson Mark Chancey & Thomas Owens Nancy Yagiela & Peter Spring Revs. Maurice & Sara Fetty Robert Heidenreich Chris Musil & Elizabeth McCarthy Musil Kathleen S Ponitz Adam McKeague Kevin J. Patterson Ben Tobar Jordan Hill * Deceased

IN MEMORY OF Rebecca Woods (Frank Woods) Cyndi Ruffer (Nancy & Carter Huffman, Camilla & Maggie Martin) Joseph Aaron Wojczynski (Jim & Sandra Wojczynski) Clare D. Snyder (Janice R. F. Snyder) Robert Wepman (Barbara Wepman) MAKE AN IMPORTANT INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE OF DANCE $25 Gives one Grand Rapids Public School student the opportunity to experience the enchantment of The Nutcracker $50 Improves the mobility and balance of an adult with Parkinson’s Disease using the transformative power of dance in our Moving with Parkinson’s Program (two classes)

$100 Educates a child with Down syndrome in our Explorer Dance Program where they learn concepts of rhythm, coordination, balance, and spatial awareness (one semester) $250 Introduces dance to an entire class at a Grand Rapids Public School through our Dance Immersion Program $500 Provides an opportunity for one boy to attend our Free Boys’ Ballet Class for one year $1,000 Funds a scholarship for one Grand Rapids Public School student to attend Grand Rapids Ballet’s Young Dancer Summer Program $2,500 Provides pointe shoes for one Company dancer for one season $5,000 Underwrites an entire Grand Rapids Ballet School Junior Company production $10,000+ Funds six practicing artists in the field of dance to participate as guest teachers in our Summer Intensive Program To make a gift, contact Development Director Elizabeth McCarthy Musil at 616.454.4771 x11 or elizabethm@grballet.com.

Thank you!

LEARN MORE > GRBALLET.COM/ DONATE

WE LOVE OUR EN POINTE VOLUNTEERS! Mary Ackert Lisa Allen Betsy Bakeman Mary Nell & Dana Baldwin Phyllis Ball Brian & Judy Beer Family Richard & Kathy Benoit Cheryl Bentley Tanya Bernes Donna & Roger Betten Adrianne Braun Thomas & Barbara Brege Mary Carol Brouwer Roy Brown Julie Bukrey Timothy Bunchman & Norma Maxvold Robyn Carlson Pam Clark Anna & Brandon Conner Family Bruce & Julia Conroy Bonnie Conway Nicki Costello Kay Courtney Gary Crispin Bill & Heidi Dani Daniels Family Robert Diamond & Sheila Kinney Dr. Matthew M. & Mattie Douglas Veronica Dubois Joan Dykstra Rosalind Ebrom Julie Eilenberg Patricia & Carl Falkenstern Greg, Shari & Alli Farr Jamal Fisher Roselda Gardner Robin & David Gast Barbara Groat David & Karen Hadsall Marcia & Jack Hall Kathleen Hansen Abby Harrison Lawrence B. & Rosie Haywood Carol & Greg Heath

Cynthia Hibler Janelle Hill Stephanie Hughes Robert, Kelly & Hannah Jacobsma Aimee Jarchow Susan Jennelle Ronald & Sandra Jones Sharon Karam Judith Kiebler Ray King Jr. Brian & Susan Lennon Family Melissa Lojek Salvador, Sarah, Amadeo & Celeste Lopez-Keranen Carla Ludwig Laura Martin Kris, Joni, Elizabeth, Emily & Erin Mauren McCabe Family Yvette & Dennis McClain Family Jacky McGill Katie McNinch Robert Mieras Heather Monroe Carole Mueller-Brumbaugh Cindy Napolitan Wayne & Brigitte Nelson Steve & Stephanie Nicklow Raeanne Niemer Gary & Karen Paul Mary Quiroz Robert “RJ” Regan Beth Rice Pauline Sandoval Kim, Chris, Clare, Seth, & Paul Schellenberg Nancy Schenck David Schmidt & Robert Oracz Richard Schwallier Pamela & Paul Schweitzer Jim Schafer Giselle, Peter, Becca, & Chloe Sholler Carol Sinke Paul, Amy & Arianna Skentzos

Paul & Barbara Slack William C. Spagnuolo Mary Sumners Corsair Switzerlord Yuichi & Hiroko Takagi Elaine Teat Mark & Heidi TenElshof Randy & Joanne Terrian Leslie VanBecker & Ed Clifford Colleen Mahon, Douglas & Aidan Van Doren Karen Verway Urs & Martha Waldvogel Joyce Walker DeAnna Westerbeek Jim & Connie Winter-Troutwine Wolbert Family Cheryl & Steve Wouch Noel Young Join En Pointe, a group of volunteers committed to lifting the human spirit through the art of dance.

To learn more about the benefits of membership or to join, contact Errol Shewman, Guest Services Manager, at 616.454.4771 or guestservices@grballet.com.

LEARN MORE > GRBALLET.COM/ VOLUNTEER

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#loveGR #grballet @GRapidsBallet #steelcase

BALLET BY THE NUMBERS • 1 professional ballet company in Michigan (us!)

• 7 full-size semi-trucks are needed to move the entire production of The Nutcracker to DeVos Hall • 5 Grand Rapids Public Schools Dance Immersion visits every season • 30+ crowns and tiaras are worn in The Nutcracker • 7 GRBS Moving with Parkinson’s classes per week • 20 different states and countries from which our dancers originate • 31 dancers in the Company • 50 students in GRBS Junior Company • 55 Grand Rapids Ballet School (GRBS) classes every week • 80 GRBS students who perform in The Nutcracker • 175 dancers who attend GRBS’s Summer Intensive every year • 436 pairs of pointe shoes and slippers required every season • 2,000 GRPS students who participate in Dance Immersion every season • 3,500 GRPS students who attend our free performances of The Nutcracker • 68,000 dollars we award in GRBS scholarships every year • 149 original costumes in The Nutcracker with 58 tutus which require over 5,000 yards of tulle • Only 56 percent of our season budget comes from ticket sales.

The remaining amount comes from generous donations and sponsorships. Visit grballet.com/donations to learn more.

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From Vienna: The New Year’s Celebration 2020 Wednesday, January 1, 2020, 9:00-10:30 p.m. on 35.1 / 52.1 52

A SERVICE OF GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY