New Orleans Ballet Association - 2019 Program by Renaissance Publishing

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Table of Contents 6 Welcome Letter 8 In Memoriam 12 Board of Directors and Staff 14 NOBA Will... 16 Season of Dance 18 Trinity Irish Dance Company 20 Pilobolus in Shadowland - The New Adventure 22 Houston Ballet 24 Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo 26 50th Anniversary Evening of Stars 28 Center for Dance 30 Dancing Through Generations 32 Partnerships for Youth 34 Summer Programs for Youth 38 Master Artist Series 40 Partnerships for Health 42 NOBA Faculty 46 BRAVO Letter 48 BRAVO's Annual Gala 50 Prix d’Elegance Awards Luncheon 52 Donors Cover photos: Houston Ballet Corps de Ballet Dancer Naazir Muhammad – Photo by Claire McAdams; Trinity by Kirk Richard Smith; Pilobolus Shadowland by Beowulf Sheeha; Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo by Sascha Vaughan

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

ART DIRECTOR

Jenny Hamilton

Ali Sullivan

EDITOR

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Lane Brocato

Brooke LeBlanc Brooke@MyNewOrleans.com Alyssa Copeland Alyssa@MyNewOrleans.com

PRODUCTION MANAGER

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES

Emily Andras

Colleen Monaghan

Topher Balfer TRAFFIC COORDINATOR

PRODUCTION DESIGNERS

Rosa Balaguer, Meghan Rooney

CEO

Todd Matherne

The 2019-20 New Orleans Ballet Association program is produced for the New Orleans Ballet Association by Renaissance Publishing, LLC New Orleans Ballet Association 935 Gravier St., Suite 800, New Orleans, La 70112 504-522-0996 | www.NOBAdance.com Copyright 2019 New Orleans Ballet Association and Renaissance Publishing, LLC. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the consent of the publisher. © New Orleans Ballet Association 4

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Welcome to NOBA’s 50th Season of Bringing Dance to Life! On this landmark anniversary, we reflect on the extraordinary strides made as an organization in continuing to produce exceptional dance from around the globe and to serve our community with programs that inspire, heal and change lives through the art of dance and movement. It is with great pride and gratitude that we bring back to the Main Stage four leading American dance companies. We open this fall with the debut of a new show by Trinity Irish Dance Company that will then tour the world and the Louisiana premiere of Pilobolus’ newest work, Shadowland – The New Adventure. In March, we will celebrate 100 collective years of dance with Houston Ballet in a special 50th Anniversary program of works created for the company, and close the season with the long-awaited return of Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo. In January, please join us for what has become NOBA’s signature evening of a performance by elite artists by companies such as New York City Ballet and dinner on the stage with the artists for BRAVO’s Gala! Throughout our history, NOBA has been at the vanguard nationally for creating partnerships that proactively respond to change and strive to meet the needs of our community through innovative programs that address challenges that our citizens face. Our groundbreaking public-private partnership with NORD established a path in 1992 for a child to enter a neighborhood center and receive the training necessary to pursue a career in dance – all completely tuition-free. The result was NOBA’s Center for Dance (CFD), which expanded to include many other partners and programs, including the St. Bernard Parish School Board and Chalmette Refining in 1995, Jefferson Parish churches and schools in 2006 and Broadmoor Improvement Association in 2010, among others. In 2014, the CFD’s Early Childhood Dance Program for ages 3-5 was founded. A gift from Chevron in 2012 to create the NORD/NOBA Center for Dance studio at the Lyons Rec Center and the continued generosity of Tulane University Department of Theatre and Dance have made possible the significant growth of the pre-professional program with year-round training by a phenomenal faculty of local and guest artists. In February 2019, NOBA students represented us for the 8th time on national stages when ten youth were invited by Complexions Contemporary Ballet Artistic Directors Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson to perform as part of their 25th Anniversary event at The Joyce Theater in New York. Last fall, four students appeared alongside Dance Theatre of Harlem in Dougla – both unprecedented opportunities for youth. In 2008, at the request of NORD to fill a void post-Katrina in programming for older adults, NOBA’s Arts Healing Programs for adults were launched with our Senior Dance Fitness Program, now at three rec centers. In 2013, open health and wellness weekly classes in yoga, tai chi, Pilates and ballet were created, and partnerships with Arc of Greater New Orleans and Strive were established for adults with disabilities. The Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust Dance for Parkinson’s Program, in partnership with the New Orleans JCC since 2017, has expanded this fall to include a second location at the Wally Pontiff Playground with Jefferson Parish Parks and Recreation. Our newest program – Freedom of Movement – launches fall 2019 at the New Orleans VA. With our motto of “heart first,” we remain humbled and privileged to serve this community every day. The progress we have made as an organization is due to many people’s tireless effort, compassion and commitment to the work NOBA strives to accomplish. We remain so grateful to the Board of Directors, members of BRAVO (Ballet Resource And Volunteer Organization), Men and Women of Fashion, donors and our staff for the leadership and extraordinary dedication that each has so freely and enthusiastically given. To every one of you – our audience members, subscribers, volunteers and partners – we express our deepest thanks for sharing our vision and passion. We pledge to you our continued efforts to keep dance in all of its forms alive in our community. It enriches our city, our culture and our very lives.

Dottie Belletto

Chair, Board of Directors 6

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Jenny Hamilton

Executive Director

“NOBA is truly life changing. We can only hope it will continue to be available for generations of participants to come!” –Johanna Mitchell, parent of Scarlett Mitchell-Yang

Scarlett Mitchell-Yang performs with NOBA participants at The Joyce Theater in New York in February 2019. Now a senior in high school, Scarlett began in NOBA’s program in 2012 in the cafeteria of Broadmoor’s Wilson Charter School, and was recently chosen to attend the LINES Ballet Summer Intensive on scholarship. PHOTO BY MILLETTE WHITE-LIN

NOBA students (front) and Dance Theatre of Harlem Dougla Cast PHOTO BY JEFF STROUT

BRAVO President Stephanie Burks, Hyatt Regency New Orleans General Manager Michael Smith, NOBA Lifetime Board Member Janée M. Tucker with NOBA Board Chair Dottie Belletto PHOTO BY JEFF STROUT

IN LOVING MEMORY OF

SARAH JANE DUAX (1967-2018)

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the NOBA Center for Dance, Sarah inspired her students for 18 years at Tulane University as well as for many other entities. Always fascinated with anatomy and how to help people (especially dancers) best care for their bodies, Sarah became a Licensed Massage Therapist. While undergoing chemotherapy, Sarah completed the second year of Franklin Method training, qualifying her as a licensed Franklin Method Level 2 Educator. NOBA celebrates Sarah’s tremendous talents as a performer, choreographer and teacher across a wide spectrum of dance, and her love of dancing — on stage, in the streets, and anywhere the music moved her.

PHOTOS BY PATTI PERRET

The New Orleans Ballet Association commemorates the passing of our beloved dance instructor Sarah Jane Duax. Sarah began her love affair with dance studying classical ballet under the tutelage of Cynthia Whiteway at Academy of Ballet and Maris Battaglia at American Academy of Ballet in New York. She also trained at the Joffrey Ballet School and at Pennsylvania Ballet and was a member of Buffalo Ballet Theatre. She graduated from SUNY-Buffalo with undergraduate and graduate degrees in math and was a member of the school’s dance company, Zodiaque. While living in New Orleans in the 1990s, Sarah performed with NOBA’s New Orleans Ballet Ensemble (NOBE) in productions such as A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Alice in Wonderland, as well as for thousands of schoolchildren throughout the region in NOBE’s lecture/ demonstrations. She also performed with Ballet Hysell, Renverser Repertory Ballet and other groups in the city. After earning an MFA in dance (choreography) from the University of Iowa, Sarah performed with Off Center Dance Theater in Manhattan and taught for several summers at Northwest Florida Ballet and at Dancers’ Workshop in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Shortly after returning to New Orleans, Sarah took classical ballet to a different level performing with the Southern Jeze-Belles as “Lady Taboo” at the Shim Sham Club. As the founding choreographer of the Pussyfooters, she helped to create the dancing krewe culture that is now so much a part of Carnival and New Orleans. Sarah was loved and admired by her students and highly respected throughout the dance community as a dancer and teacher. In addition to

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Board of Directors CHAIR Dottie Belletto VICE CHAIRS Monique Gougisha Doucette Cynthia LeBreton Pamela M. Williams SECRETARY Chad Berg TREASURER Cathy M. Green IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR John M. Duck LIFETIME MEMBERS Jacquelyn B. Clarkson M. Cecile Gibson Henrietta Ramirez Hall Bernard M. Jaffe, MD Dr. E. Ralph Lupin* Nancy O’Connell* Phyllis M. Taylor Janee M. Tucker Betty Wisdom*

MEMBERS Toni Van Zandt Bachmann Charlotte Bollinger Tiffa Boutté Guy P. Brierre Stephanie Burks Jacquee Carvin Sandra Stage Chaisson Gregory Curtis Rosalyn Ditta Terry A. DuFrene Ann Duplessis Elizabeth Ellison-Frost John M. Fox Teresa Guzzetta Carmen L. LaBrie-Brown, MD Mary Lakey Henry M. Lambert Theron Lewis Willis A. Lovell Pamela Lupin Carlos F. Mickan Max Moreno Holly S. Popham Constance Willems *deceased

1. Seated (l to r) Charlotte Bollinger, John Duck. Standing (l to r) Sandra Stage Chaisson, Max Moreno, Tiffa Boutté 2. Seated (l to r) Pamela Williams, Dottie Belletto. (Standing l to r) Chad Berg, Stephanie Burks 3. Seated (l to r) Ann Duplessis, Cynthia LeBreton. Standing (l to r) Monique Doucette, Terry DuFrene 4. Seated (l to r) Theron Lewis, Gregory Curtis. Standing (l to r) Elizabeth Ellison-Frost, Teresa Guzzetta, Mary Lakey

Staff EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Jenny R. Hamilton

PROGRAMMING/MARKETING Laura Burkhart

BOX OFFICE/AUDIENCE SERVICES Wanda W. Fulton

COMMUNICATIONS Laurie Constantinou Gambel Communications

FINANCE/OPERATIONS Nazarene Chatelain Sandra Fank DEVELOPMENT/EVENTS Francesca Martin Chris Frerichs

TECHNICAL/WARDROBE Joan Long PHOTOGRAPHER Jeff Strout GRAPHIC ARTIST Lauren Faustermann

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PHOTOS BY JEFF STROUT

EDUCATION Rosalyn Sanders Millette White-Lin

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NEW ORLEANS BALLET ASSOCIATION

ounded in 1969, the New Orleans Ballet Association (NOBA) cultivates understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of dance, health and wellness through performance, education and community service. NOBA’s inclusive, accessible and dynamic programs position it as a leading dance and service organization throughout the region, and one of very few presenting organizations in the United States dedicated solely to dance.

IN 2019–20, NOBA WILL…

PRODUCE

105 extraordinary concerts featuring over 2,000 artists 10 dance companies as artists in residence 65 pre-professional students in performance on local and national stages 2 new arts healing programs – Freedom of Movement with the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System at the New Orleans VA and Dance for Parkinson’s with Jefferson Parish Parks and Recreation at Wally Pontiff Playground

TRAIN

2,000 students ages 3-80+

PROVIDE

140+ weekly tuition-free classes and activities at 20 neighborhood sites 5,500+ tuition-free dance classes and activities annually 100,000+ contact hours with participants of education programs 40+ local artists’ employment and professional development

ENRICH

33,000 dance enthusiasts through more than 5,500 services

New Orleans Ballet Association 935 Gravier Street, Suite 800 New Orleans, La., 70112 T (504) 522-0996 | F (504) 595-8454 www.NOBAdance.com Follow us @nobadance on

1: A veteran participates in a special movement workshop led by DIAVOLO artists at the New Orleans VA Medical Center PHOTO BY JEFF STROUT 2: Houston Ballet Demi Soloist Mackenzie Richter PHOTO BY CLAIRE MCADAMS (2018), COURTESY OF HOUSTON BALLET

3: Students of the St. Bernard Parish After School Ballet Program in class PHOTO BY KENNY MARTINEZ 3 14

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Season of Dance 2019-20 Trinity Irish Dance Company

PHOTO BY LOIS GREENFIELD

Saturday, Oct. 19, 8 p.m. Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts “Trinity cast a spell on the audience. They had every man, woman and child on their feet!” – Irish American Magazine Since its founding in 1990, Chicago’s Trinity Irish Dance Company has been hailed as the birthplace of the progressive Irish dance movement, blending the virtuosity and rapid-fire rhythms of traditional Irish dance with contemporary American innovations that paved the way for commercial productions like Riverdance. Continuing to push boundaries and selling out performances around the world, this awe-inspiring company of champion dancers and musicians debuts its new show that dazzles and entertains with percussive power, lightning-fast agility and aerial grace that is simply irresistible and the “real deal.” —Chicago Tribune

Pilobolus in Shadowland – The New Adventure Friday, Nov. 22, 8 p.m. Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts “An amazing spectacle of inventiveness which is unclassifiable and inspiring.” – Le Parisien

PHOTO BY BEOWULF SHEEHA

50th Anniversary Evening of Stars Saturday, Jan. 25 Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts NOBA continues its golden anniversary celebration with a second starstudded evening of dance. This glittering event features performances by some of the world’s most distinguished artists from companies such as New York City Ballet and will pay tribute to visionaries who have supported NOBA’s mission. Following, audiences can take to the stage with the artists for BRAVO’s signature gala event of dinner, dancing and entertainment for a truly exhilarating, one of a kind evening!

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For over 45 years, Pilobolus has tickled the imagination and entertained the world with its breathtaking physicality that defies what is humanly possible. Named after a sun-loving fungus, this playful ensemble of gravity-defying, shape-shifting dancers returns with the Louisiana premiere of the fullevening Shadowland — The New Adventure. Using mixed media, animation, dance and shadow theater, this charming, madcap adventure to save a magical bird is full of visual surprises that will enchant audiences of all ages!

Houston Ballet

HOUSTON BALLET PRINCIPAL YURIKO KAJIYA AND HOUSTON BALLET DEMI SOLOIST BRIAN WALDREP PHOTO BY CLAIRE MCADAMS (2018), COURTESY OF HOUSTON BALLET

Saturday, Mar. 28, 8 p.m. Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts “One of the nation’s best ballet companies…” – The New York Times Celebrating its 50th anniversary, Houston Ballet returns for the first time in over a decade with a beautiful performance that spotlights the company’s legacy as “a leading force in the dance world.” (Pointe Magazine) Looking to the future and honoring the past, this exquisite company of elite artists presents an evening of ballets that have all been created especially for Houston Ballet, including spectacular revivals and brand new premieres.

Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo

PHOTO BY SASCHA VAUGHAN

Saturday, Apr. 18, 8 p.m. Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts “Their technique is superb, their timing faultless and their regard for the traditions of classical ballet beyond reproach.” – Scotsman For “the funniest night you will ever have at the ballet,” (The Sunday Times, UK), don’t miss the long-awaited return of Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo in a hilarious new program. Affectionately called The Trocks, this lovable all-male ballet company performs delightful parodies of great ballet classics from Swan Lake, Giselle and the Dying Swan to the dances of George Balanchine and Martha Graham. This company of technically proficient male ballerinas on pointe and in tutus is a worldwide dance phenomenon and “one of the great comic creations of the American stage.” – San Francisco Chronicle

The Nutcracker Suite

PHOTO BY JEFF STROUT

Sunday, Dec. 8, 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Dixon Hall, Tulane University Experience the magic of Tchaikovsky’s classic holiday adventure in a special one-hour production perfect for the entire family. From an enchanting party, a dramatic battle and dancing dolls to a whimsical journey to the Land of Sweets, this magical tale is uniquely brought to life by over 200 participants ages 6-80+ of NOBA’s tuition-free programs for youth and senior citizens from the greater metropolitan area.

PHOTO BY JEFF STROUT

Spring Concert

Summer Concert

Sunday, May 17, 7 p.m. Dixon Hall, Tulane University

Tuesday, July 28, 7 p.m. Freda Lupin Memorial Hall, NOCCA

This inspirational evening of dance features the remarkable talent and accomplishments of over 100 local artists performing new works by renowned local and guest artists.

Recognized as one of the world’s greatest dance companies, Limón Dance Company has been at the vanguard of PHOTO BY KENNY MARTINEZ American dance from its inception in 1946. Kicking off its global 75th anniversary in July 2020, artists from the company will join with a talented local cast of youth ages 12-19 and NOBA alumni to celebrate this extraordinary American legacy. N E W O R L E A N S B A L L E T A S S O C I AT I O N 2 0 1 9 - 2 0

PHOTO BY LOIS GREENFIELD

Saturday, Oct. 19, 8 p.m. Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts

rinity Irish Dance Company (TIDC) has significantly changed the direction and scope of Irish dance, re-introducing the art form as the phenomenon it is today. TIDC is constantly in search of original means of expression while maintaining a high regard for tradition. This innovative, nonprofit company was created to celebrate the pioneering work of Founding Artistic Director Mark Howard. Howard’s uniquely Irish-American company was the birthplace of progressive Irish dance, which opened new avenues of artistic freedom that led directly to commercial productions such as Riverdance.

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By using Irish dance as an instrument and a metaphor, TIDC redefines the medium with passion, flair and precision. Through the years, TIDC has collaborated with many noted contemporary choreographers, which has led to an increased vocabulary of movement and the development of a new genre of dance. Considered an American treasure by critics and enthusiasts worldwide, TIDC has performed sold-out tours in Europe, Asia and North America, appearing in distinguished venues such as New York’s The Joyce Theater, Washington D.C.’s Kennedy Center, UCLA’s

Royce Hall, Princeton’s McCarter Theater, Ottawa’s National Arts Center of Canada, Tokyo’s Orchard Hall and Chicago’s Auditorium Theatre, among many others. The Company has travelled to entertain dignitaries as varied as Monaco’s royal family, Irish and American presidents, Japanese royalty and Indian meditation masters. TIDC holds an important place in the dance world, offering both a highly skilled presentation of traditional Irish step dance and a brilliantly engaging interpretation of contemporary world vision.

PHOTO BY CHELSEA HOY

Mark Howard Founder, Artistic Director, Choreographer

For more than three decades, this Emmy Award-winning choreographer has been striving for and achieving that which is profoundly significant and equally difficult to attain—the transcendence of craft to art and the synthesis of forms to create something that is forwardlooking and new. His work maintains integrity while simultaneously going beyond the framework of ethnicity to carve new traditions. Born in Yorkshire, England, and raised in Chicago, Howard began his dancing career at eight years old at the Dennehy School of Irish Dance.

He began teaching when he was only 17 years old, and by 19 he had launched the Trinity Academy of Irish Dance, subsequently leading them to unprecedented World Championship team titles for the United States—the first when he was only 25. Howard’s pioneering work in the late 80’s led to his unique transition from the competitive stage to the performing arts stage and began his gradual evolution from coach to artistic director. By 1990, these formative years led to the creation of a nonprofit forum, Trinity Irish Dance Company (TIDC), to celebrate and further his work. From its

inception, TIDC has been met with great critical acclaim at renowned venues across the world. Howard has been named three times as one of Irish American Magazine’s Top 100 IrishAmericans. In 2011, he was honored by BAM! and in 2015 by Chicago’s Lawyers for the Creative Arts for his outstanding contribution to the performing arts. His work has led to numerous Choreographer’s Fellowships awarded by the National Endowment for the Arts. From PBS and ABC specials, to extensive film work for Disney, Touchstone, Universal and Dream Works, Howard has worked with the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Ron Howard and Sam Mendez. He was the personal dance coach for actors Tom Hanks and Daniel Craig while working on the film “Road to Perdition.” Howard was a regular guest on “The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson” from 1989 until 1991 and has accumulated a multitude of national and international television credits including “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “CBS This Morning,” “The Today Show,” “Live with Regis,” “Good Morning America,” “MARTHA,” “CONAN” and “1st Look,” to name a few. Howard continues to choreograph new works, as well as expand his independent career to work in theater, television, concert and film. The feature film screenplay “SOLES,” which focuses on Howard and Trinity, is currently in the works.

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PHOTO BY BEOWULF SHEEHA

PILOBOLUS IN SHADOWLAND – THE NEW ADVENTURE Friday, Nov. 22, 8 p.m. Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts ABOUT SHADOWLAND — THE NEW ADVENTURE Shadowland —The New Adventure uses exploration of mixed media to tell a love story about two people and their quixotic quest to save an imaginary bird. Employing animation, video and shadow-theater, this madcap adventure dips its toe into the genres of science fiction, film noir and romantic comedy. The New Adventure has toured the globe but has rarely been seen in the U.S., making this a special treat for local audiences.

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ABOUT PILOBOLUS For 47 years, Pilobolus has tested the limits of human physicality to explore the beauty and the power of connected bodies. They continue to bring this tradition to global audiences through post-disciplinary collaborations with some of the greatest influencers, thinkers and creators in the world. Now, in the digitally driven and increasingly mediated landscape, the company also reaches beyond performance to teach people how to connect through designed live experiences. They bring decades of expertise telling stories with the human form to show diverse communities, brands and organizations how to maximize group creativity, solve problems, create surprise and generate joy through the power of nonverbal communication. Pilobolus has created and toured over 120 pieces of repertory to more than 65 countries. They currently perform for over 300,000 people across the U.S. and around the world each year. In the last year, Pilobolus was featured on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” NBC’s “TODAY Show,” “MTV

Video Music Awards,” “The Harry Connick Show,” ABC’s “The Chew,” and the CW Network’s “Penn & Teller: Fool Us.” Pilobolus has been recognized with many prestigious honors, including a TED Fellowship, a 2012 Grammy® Award Nomination, a Primetime Emmy® Award for Outstanding Achievement in Cultural Programming and several Cannes Lion Awards at the International Festival of Creativity. In 2015, Pilobolus was named one of Dance Heritage Coalition’s “Irreplaceable Dance Treasures.” Pilobolus has collaborated with more than 25 brands and organizations in finance, retail, media, fashion, sports and more to create bespoke performances for television, film and live events.

PHOTO COURTESY OF PILOBOLUS

Renée Jaworski Co-Artistic Director

Itamar Kubovy Executive Producer Itamar Kubovy oversees the many moving parts of Pilobolus. After joining in 2004, he founded Pilobolus’s acclaimed International Collaborators Project, a program that invites artists and thinkers from diverse fields to participate in Pilobolus’s collaborative choreographic process. He also grew the business of Pilobolus Creative Services, collaborating with clients to develop custom movement and storytelling for film, advertising, publishing and corporate events. Kubovy was born in Israel and grew up in New Haven, where he studied philosophy at Yale. Prior to joining Pilobolus, he ran theaters in Germany and Sweden, directed plays by John Guare, co-directed the 2002 season finale of “The West Wing” and made a film, “Upheaval,” starring Frances McDormand.

Renée Jaworski received her BFA from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Upon graduating, she began work with MOMIX, performing and teaching throughout the world as well as creating her own work in Philadelphia. She began performing with Pilobolus in 2000. Jaworski has served as choreographer and creator for exciting projects and collaborations such as the 79th Annual Academy Awards, the Grammy® nominated video for OKGo’s “All is Not Lost,” Radiolab Live: In the Dark and has worked with myriad outside artists through the International Collaborator’s Project. In 2010, her alma mater honored her with the University’s Silver Star Alumni Award for her work as an artist in the field of dance. Jaworski lives in Connecticut with her husband and daughter.

Matt Kent Co-Artistic Director  Matt Kent has worked with Pilobolus since 1996 as a dancer, collaborator, creative director and choreographer. Past Pilobolus projects include head choreographer for Andre Heller’s Magnifico, a large-scale circus production; choreographer for a Sports Emmy-nominated teaser created in collaboration with the NFL network; and choreographer for a television appearance on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien.” His work for Pilobolus on Shakespeare’s The Tempest, co-directed by Teller and Aaron Posner, was nominated for Best Choreography by the L.A. Drama Critics Circle. Outside of Pilobolus, he has worked as zombie choreographer for AMC’s hit series “The Walking Dead,” as movement consultant on the Duncan Sheik musical Whisper House, as well as created family and children’s performances with Rob Kapilow. Kent lives in Connecticut with his wife and two sons.

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HOUSTON BALLET Saturday, Mar. 28, 8 p.m. Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts

ARTISTS OF HOUSTON BALLET IN JORMA ELO'S ONEENDONE. PHOTO BY AMITAVA SARKAR (2014)

n February 17, 1969, a troupe of 15 young dancers made its stage debut at Sam Houston State Teacher’s College in Huntsville. Since that time, Houston Ballet has evolved into a company of 60 dancers with a budget of $33 million, making it the country’s fifth largest ballet company with an endowment of just over $79 million (as of August 2018). A stateof-the-art performance space, Wortham Theater Center, was built especially for the company, and the largest professional dance facility in America. Houston Ballet’s $46.6 million Center for Dance opened in April 2011. Australian choreographer Stanton Welch AM has served as artistic director of Houston Ballet since 2003, raising the level of the company’s classical technique and commissioning works from dance makers such as Christopher Bruce,

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Jorma Elo, James Kudelka, Alexander Ekman, William Forsythe, Jiří Kylián, Trey McIntyre, Julia Adam, Edwaard Liang, Justin Peck and George Balanchine. Executive Director James Nelson serves as the administrative leader of the company, a position he assumed in February 2012 after serving as the company’s general manager for more than a decade. Houston Ballet has toured extensively both nationally and internationally. Over the past fifteen years, the company has appeared in renowned theaters in London, Paris, Moscow, Spain, Montréal, Toronto, Ottawa, Melbourne, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Dubai, Germany, New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Kansas City, Minneapolis, New Orleans and in cities large and small across the United States. Houston Ballet has emerged as a leader in the

expensive, labor-intensive task of nurturing the creation and development of new full-length narrative ballets. Houston Ballet Orchestra was established in the late 1970s and currently consists of 61 professional musicians who play all ballet performances at Wortham Theater Center under music director Ermanno Florio. Houston Ballet’s Education and Community Engagement Program reaches more than 60,000 individuals in the Houston area annually. Houston Ballet Academy teaches more than one thousand students every year, and approximately 50 percent of the current company was trained by the Academy. Five academy students have won awards at the prestigious international ballet competition, the Prix de Lausanne, with one student winning the overall competition in 2010.

PRINCIPALS MELODY MENNITE AND CONNOR WALSH IN JUSTIN PECK’S REFLECTIONS. PHOTO BY AMITAVA SARKAR (2019) HOUSTON BALLET SOLOIST ALYSSA SPRINGER. PHOTO BY CLAIRE MCADAMS (2018), COURTESY OF HOUSTON BALLET

Stanton Welch Artistic Director In July 2003, Australian Stanton Welch AM assumed leadership of Houston Ballet, America’s fifth-largest classical ballet company. Since he took the helm of the company, Welch

has revitalized Houston Ballet, bringing in new dancers, commissioning new works and attracting a top-flight artistic staff. Welch has created works for such prestigious international companies as Houston Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, The Australian Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet and the Royal Danish Ballet. Welch was born in Melbourne to Marilyn Jones OBE and Garth Welch AM, two of Australia’s most gifted dancers of the 1960s and 1970s. In 1989, he was engaged as a dancer with The Australian Ballet, where he rose to the rank of leading soloist, performing various principal roles. He has also worked with internationally acclaimed choreographers such as Jiří Kylián, Nacho Duato and Maurice Bejart. For his contributions to the world of dance, he was awarded the Order of Australia (AM) in June 2015. Welch was recognized for his significant service to the performing arts as a ballet dancer, mentor, choreographer and artistic director. Welch’s choreographic career developed during

his time with The Australian Ballet. In 1990, he received his first choreographic commission from the company, marking the beginning of a series of commissioned works over the next fourteen years and developing his diverse choreographic style. For The Australian Ballet, he has created The Three of Us (1990); Of Blessed Memory (1991), for which he was voted best new choreographer in 1992 by readers of the British magazine Dance & Dancers; Divergence (1994), which has been performed at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. and City Center in New York; full-length productions of Madame Butterfly (1995) and Cinderella (1997); Red Earth (1996); X (1999) and Velocity (2003). In 1995, Welch was named resident choreographer of The Australian Ballet. For Houston Ballet, he has choreographed more than 20 works, including a new full-length narrative ballet Marie (2009), inspired by the life of the legendary Marie Antoinette, and spectacular stagings of Swan Lake (2006), La Bayadère (2010), Romeo and Juliet (2015), Giselle (2016), The Nutcracker (2016) and Sylvia (February 2019). Welch has been extremely active internationally, receiving numerous commissions from the world’s leading companies.

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PHOTO BY ZORAN JELENIC

Saturday, Apr. 18, 8 p.m. Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts

es Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo was founded in 1974 by a group of ballet enthusiasts for the purpose of presenting a playful, entertaining view of traditional, classical ballet in parody form and en travesti. The Trocks, as they are affectionately known, first performed in the late-late shows in Off-Off Broadway for small audiences who appreciated the iconoclastic humor of it all, and by mid-1975, their loving knowledge of dance, their comic approach and their commitment to the notion that men can, indeed, dance en pointe without falling flat on their faces, was already garnering attention beyond the Company’s New York home. Since those beginnings, the Trocks has been established as a major dance phenomenon 24

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throughout the world, with their numerous tours being both popular and critical successes. Their frenzied annual schedule has included appearances in over 35 countries and over 600 cities worldwide since the company’s founding, as well as television appearances and a 2017 feature documentary “Rebels on Pointe.” The company has won the prestigious Critics Circle National Dance Award (UK) and the 2007 Positano Award (Italy), and its dancers have been nominated for a Critics Circle National Dance Award (UK) and a New York Dance and Performance Award. Revered by ballet aficionados as well as the uninitiated—those who don’t know a plié from a jeté—the Trocks have been called by the Sydney Star Observer “a guaranteed hoot for people who

know nothing of ballet, and an absolute must for those who think they know the originals.” The original concept of Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo has not changed in its 45 years: it is a company of professional male dancers performing the full range of the classical ballet and modern dance repertoire. The comedy is achieved by incorporating and exaggerating the foibles, accidents and underlying incongruities of serious dance. For the future, there are plans for new works; for performances in new cities, states and countries; and for the continuation of the Trocks’ original purpose—to bring the pleasure of dance to the widest possible audience. They will, as they have done for fortyfive years, “Keep on Trockin’.”

PHOTO BY ALICE BANGERO

LES BALLETS TROCKADERO DE MONTE CARLO

PHOTO BY SASCHA VAUGHAN

Each artist in the Trocks portrays two personas (one female and one male), who dance the roles in each performance. Any given performance may have up to 60 different named characters, as well as nameless gypsies, fairies and swans.

Most Trockadero roles are women’s, but the company has no female dancers. When the company began, they had women playing men’s roles, but audiences didn’t find them as funny as the male dancers. All full-time technical staff are women, though.

61,859

The number of the Trocks’ travel miles in the United States, Europe and Asia last year. Multiply that distance by the numbers of dancers, and the Trocks could have sent a dancer to the moon and back twice!

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Like most ballet companies, the Trocks use a lot of pointe shoes in a season. Sizes are a little different though: Eugenia Repelskii (aka Joshua Thake), for example, needs a size 12 1⁄2 shoe, while the average ballerina wears size 7 pointe shoes.

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Be prepared! Along with the 60 costumes they need (including some for understudies who are a different size than the lead dancer), the Trocks carry 80 pairs of earrings and 110 false eyelashes on tour, all in only fifteen cases! It takes the dancers 60 to 90 minutes to get into their makeup and costumes.

The Trocks have only two degrees of separation from the Queen of England, having met Prince Charles after taking part in a Royal Variety Performance in 2008. They enjoy the same proximity to both Gonzo the Great and the late Rudolf Nureyev—the company has danced with Miss Piggy and Kermit on their “Muppet Babies” show (and the glamorous puppet duo performed with Nureyev on “The Muppet Show”).

Tory Dobrin Artistic Director Tory Dobrin has been the director of Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo since 1992. He joined the company as a dancer in 1980 and performed until 1996.  Dobrin trained at the Stanley Holden Dance Center in Los Angeles, the Houston Ballet Academy and Harkness Dance Center in New York. He has danced with the Dallas Ballet, Radio City Music Hall Ballet, New Jersey Ballet and American Dance Machine.

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Honorary Chairs Governor John Bel Edwards & First Lady Donna Hutto Edwards Saturday, Jan. 25

Evening of Stars

Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts

The celebration continues! Following last year’s tremendous success, the Evening of Stars performance and gala event returns for a highly-anticipated encore in honor of NOBA’s 50th anniversary season. This star-studded program features a mixed classical and contemporary repertoire with performances by some of the world’s most distinguished artists from companies such as New York City Ballet. Following the performance, the stage will again magically transform for BRAVO’s elegant annual gala. With a grand seated dinner by 1718 Catering by Hyatt Regency New Orleans, a raffle and gifts generously provided by Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry, a silent auction, music, dancing and more, what has become a signature event brings guests and artists together in a stunning tribute to NOBA’s incredible past while looking forward to further growth and impact in our community. Benefactors of the gala will also be invited by The Windsor Court Hotel to an exclusive dinner to honor their progressive vision, power of perseverance and unwavering support. *The performance time and program artists to be announced. 26

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Bringing Dance Into the Community Center for Dance Celebrates 28 Years

n 1992, visionary leaders of multiple institutions — New Orleans City Council, Office of the Mayor, New Orleans Recreation Department (NORD), and NOBA — united in a common goal: to touch the lives of every member of our community through dance. Through the collective vision of this dedicated group, the unique and groundbreaking partnership between NOBA and NORD — the Center for Dance — was formed to ensure children, regardless of economic means, would have access to high quality dance instruction. Over the past 27 years, the Center for Dance has provided more than $7 million of free classes to over 24,000 people through over 60,500 classes and activities, many of whom would not otherwise have the opportunity to study this art form. The program has garnered national recognition and awards along the way, including the Coming Up Taller Award by the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, the National Endowment for the Arts and others. Starting with just 30 students at one NORD site, the program has grown to now serve over nearly 2,000 participants ages 3-80+ each year at a record 20 sites in partnership with NORD and other community organizations. Weekly, more than 140 tuition-free classes and activities are offered by a professional faculty who brings a wealth of knowledge, care and experience. Participants study ballet, tap, hip hop, modern, jazz, yoga, tai chi, dance fitness and other movement forms. These classes are regularly filled to capacity on a first come, first served basis, and if a child has a specific need, the Center for Dance provides shoes, leotards and tights. Pre-Professional students ages 8 and up receive additional intensive training and classes by world renowned dancers and choreographers through the

Master Artist Series at Lyons Rec Center and at Tulane University; internships; advanced summer training locally; scholarships to study at prestigious national summer programs; free or reduced tickets ($5) for Main Stage performances through The Helis Foundation Ovation Program and more. In 2008, NOBA, at the request of NORD, expanded its reach in the community by providing participants ages 55 and up a dance fitness program. This year, the Center for Dance proudly continues to grow, including the expansion of the Early Childhood Development Program for ages 3–5 at Lyons, St. Bernard, Gernon Brown, Rosenwald and Treme Rec Centers, as well as the Relevé Program for young students ages 8-11 with the focus and talent to potentially transition into the rigors of the pre-professional intensives. For a packed house of family and friends, students ages 3–80+ take part in fully produced performances with costumes, professional stage management and lights at Tulane University’s Dixon Hall, as well as presentations at each partner site. The pre-professional students annually receive opportunities for advanced study and guest artist residencies, in addition to invitations to perform throughout the community and appear on regional and national stages and venues such as New York City’s Joyce Theater and Plaza Hotel, Kennedy Center and Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival. Last season, a cast of ten Center for Dance youth were chosen by Complexions Contemporary Ballet Artistic Director and renowned choreographer Dwight Rhoden to perform alongside the company as part of their 25th Anniversary Gala performance at The Joyce Theater in New York, one of the most prestigious stages for dance in the world.

“NOBA’s after-school programs are a beacon in underserved communities, and as a single parent, I’m so grateful to its donors for investing in our community and giving our kids a chance to dream big!” – Center for Dance Parent

PHOTOS BY EMILY APPLE, JEFF STROUT, AND MILLETTE WHITE-LIN

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“NOBA provides you with everything you need to be the best dancer, artist and human you can be.” – Center for Dance Student

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Dancing Through Generations “The Senior Dance Fitness Program is a gift and has enriched my life. A joyful time, Aline takes us on a journey to a place where our heart, body and spirit can dance.” – NOBA Senior Dance Fitness Participant Through an extension of the Center for Dance’s award-winning, innovative programs, over 1,200 community members will participate in 2019-20 in a variety of weekly sessions, including adult dance technique, senior dance fitness, yoga, tai chi, Pilates, Dance for Parkinson’s and more — all tuition-free. Following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina and at the request of NORD for the development of crucial programming for seniors, NOBA’s Senior Dance Fitness Program launched at St. Bernard Rec Center in 2008 and continues to positively impact the lives of countless participants ages 55+. Currently offered twice a week at three centers, this completely free program includes stretching, cardio and dance set to fun music; dance workshops with visiting Main Stage artists; performance opportunities; social events; discounted tickets to select Main Stage performances and more! For many participants, the Senior Dance Fitness Program is more than just fun. The program equips them with the ability to combat chronic health conditions through active measures such as reducing stiffness, arthritis pain, respiratory problems, blood sugar levels, blood pressure and losing weight. In addition, others share that involvement in the Senior Dance Fitness Program helps break isolation and form friendships and social support networks.

“NOBA’s Senior Dance Fitness program is beyond wonderful. Each session is like a long, invigorating drink from the fountain of youth! Not only does the program get us moving, it also improves our balance and makes our stiff bodies more flexible. Those things are important for seniors. But the program does much more than just the physical; it brings together a true cross section of New Orleans people who might never meet in other circumstances. It reinforces community and establishes friendships. We are seniors encouraged to get out, make friends, move and learn new things. That’s better than any medicine!”

– NOBA Senior Dance Fitness Participant

Year-round, the Center for Dance also offers classes open to all adults and teens in ballet and other dance forms, along with fitness and wellness classes in tai chi, yoga and Pilates. Taught by master guest artists and NOBA instructors, these sessions provide participants the opportunity to enhance their dance skills or explore dance and movement for the very first time. 1. Senior Dance Fitness participant Dr. James B. Ewers Jr. during a class at Joe W. Brown PHOTO BY CELESTE JUPITER 2. Dance Theatre of Harlem community ballet master class at Lyons Rec Center PHOTO BY MILLETTE WHITE-LIN 3. Senior Dance Fitness participants perform in a spring concert at Lyons Rec Center PHOTO BY MILLETTE WHITE-LIN 4. Instructor Nanette Ledet leads a community tai chi class at Lyons Rec Center PHOTO BY MILLETTE WHITE-LIN 30

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Bringing Dance into the Community Partnerships for Youth

“My daughter has experienced the reward that comes from committing to a craft.” – Broadmoor Arts & Wellness Center Parent 1

NOBA’s comprehensive programs reach deep into the community, bringing dance to neighborhood centers and schools in three parishes. NOBA is honored to collaborate with these institutions to enrich the lives of hundreds of youth ages 6–18 through quality tuition-free training, performances, family field trips to Main Stage performances through The Helis Foundation Ovation Program, workshops with guest artists and successful auditions for NOBA’s pre-professional programs and more.

ST. BERNARD PARISH AFTER-SHOOL BALLET PROGRAM In its first expansion for training programs beyond Orleans Parish, NOBA began a partnership in 1995 with Chalmette Refining, LLC and the St. Bernard Parish School Board. With unwavering dedication and support, this collaboration has fulfilled thousands of dance dreams and today provides instruction twice a week in the beautiful dance studios of the Chalmette High School Cultural Arts Center, which also houses the program’s performances. JEFFERSON PARISH AFTER-SCHOOL BALLET PROGRAM In 2007, NOBA began classes in Jefferson Parish and, for the sixth year, is proud to partner with Kenner Discovery Health Sciences Academy to offer ballet technique classes twice a week open to any child ages 6–18 in the parish.

BROADMOOR ARTS AND WELLNESS CENTER AFTER-SCHOOL BALLET PROGRAM NOBA and the Broadmoor Education Corridor are built around a common vision: affordable and quality programming opportunities for New Orleans youth. NOBA’s partnership since 2010 with the Broadmoor Improvement Association has provided children ages 6–18 a year-round program of ballet classes twice a week, which for the fifth year are being housed at the Broadmoor Arts and Wellness Center. 1. Students from the Broadmoor Arts and Wellness Center perform in a December showcase PHOTO BY JEFF STROUT 2. St. Bernard After-School Ballet Program students rehearse in class PHOTO BY KENNY MARTINEZ

3. Jefferson Parish After-School Ballet Program students perform in a spring concert PHOTO BY MILLETTE WHITE-LIN

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When School is Out, Dance is in! Summer Programs for Youth

“This program is truly amazing! I love that the program is diverse, and each child feels welcomed and loved.” – Parent

NOBA’s tuition-free programs for youth extend beyond the school year into a kaleidoscope of summer dance and fitness camps in partnership with NORD and other community organizations. Led by a faculty of passionate and highly qualified local and visiting artists, these summer sessions engage body and mind through health educationrelated activities that foster life skills such as self-confidence, teamwork, discipline, focus and commitment. Motivated students ages 8-18 may also audition for NOBA’s summer intensives, which provide opportunities to study and perform with top dance artists.

ADVENTURES IN DANCE THREE-WEEK DAY CAMP for 35+ children ages 8–10 of all experience levels is held in the NORD/NOBA Center for Dance Studio at Lyons Rec Center in July. This comprehensive, popular camp offers: • Daily technique classes in ballet, jazz, modern and hip hop, as well as global dance workshops • Educational activities in nutrition, health, dance history, sewing, craft arts, arts integration and literacy • A children’s dance book for each participant to add to their home library • Nutritious breakfast and lunch in partnership with The Fresh Food Factor • Fully costumed culminating studio performance for family and friends JUNE PREPARATORY DANCE PROGRAM for ages 3–18 of all experience levels offers evening technique classes in ballet, modern, tap, hip hop and more at partner sites. YOUNG DANCER DAY AND EVENING INTENSIVES by audition for ages 8–12 feature a rigorous schedule of technique classes, choreography workshops, sessions in nutrition and conditioning, dance history and more. TEEN DANCE INTENSIVES by audition for ages 11–18 foster an emphasis on building technical proficiency, confidence and selfexpression through classes in conditioning, ballet, modern and world dance workshops.

THREE-WEEK JULY SUMMER DAYTIME INTENSIVE by audition for ages 12-18 provides rigorous training with prestigious guest faculty, culminating in a fully produced concert at NOCCA’s Freda Lupin Memorial Hall.

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PHOTOS BY JEFF STROUT AND MILLETTE WHITE-LIN

JUNE MASTER ARTIST SERIES INTENSIVES by audition for ages 12-18 bring master artists from all over the country for week-long technique and repertory sessions, culminating with a showcase for family and friends.

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NOBA Master Artist Series

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“NOBA is an incredibly progressive and positive organization that is unparalleled in its reach, and sets a standard for excellence through diversity on all levels…using the art of dance to create unity within a community that is an example of a world we all hope to live in.” – Dwight Rhoden, Complexions Contemporary Ballet Artistic Director

hrough NOBA’s year-round Master Artist Series, aspiring young dancers receive innovative and unprecedented opportunities to learn, perform and be mentored by world-renowned artists from some of the top companies in dance including Ballet Hispánico, San Francisco Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, The Joffrey Ballet and many more. NOBA students have performed throughout the community and in major theaters with top names in the industry, such as Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Limón Dance Company, Parsons Dance and Martha Graham Dance Company. Michelle Manzanales of Ballet Hispánico has had a relationship with NOBA since 2002, first as a dancer and rehearsal director, and now as a school director. “Every time I come here, I’m always inspired by how wonderfully dedicated these students are. It’s really a testament to what a wonderful program NOBA is because they have created an environment where these students are eager and excited to learn about dance, art and self-discovery,” Manzanales shares. In fall 2018, eight advanced NOBA students were hand-selected by Dance Theatre of Harlem Artistic Director Virginia Johnson to join the company as cast or understudies in an historic restaging and performance of Geoffrey Holder’s seminal work Dougla. In addition, Johnson invited 13 NOBA youth to 38

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perform DTH choreographer Darrell Grand Moultrie’s work Invigorated Heights as part of a Young People’s Concert for 2,000 K-12 students at the Mahalia Jackson Theater. Even at a young age, NOBA students are savvy enough to recognize and appreciate the rarity and value of these kinds of experiences. As NOBA pre-professional student and Dougla cast member Amari Patterson states, “Being able to dance on stage alongside Dance Theatre of Harlem gets me that much closer to achieving my dream of being a professional dancer!” In February 2019, ten NOBA students traveled to New York to perform two works by Complexions Contemporary Ballet Artistic Director Dwight Rhoden as part of the company’s 25th Anniversary Gala at The Joyce Theater. As Rhoden comments, “NOBA is an incredibly progressive and positive organization that is unparalleled in its reach, and sets a standard for excellence through diversity on all levels…using the art of dance to create unity within a community that is an example of a world we all hope to live in.” Donald Williams, an original Complexions company member, has served as an academic year NOBA Master Artist in Residence since 2013 as part of NOBA’s pre-professional program. “It was an honor to return to New York with my incredibly talented New Orleans students for Complexions’ Gala,” he states. “I hope to bring the idea to these dancers that what they bring to

1. Purple Track students perform Quixote Jubilee by Rebeca Maso PHOTO BY JEFF STROUT 2. NOBA students perform with Complexions at The Joyce Theater

6. NOBA students with board members and sponsors following the Complexions performance PHOTO BY MILLETTE WHITE-LIN 7. Purple Track students Aalaila Jenkins PHOTO BY MILLETTE WHITE-LIN performs in Sweet Blessings/Oshun by Rebecca Bliss PHOTO BY JEFF STROUT 3. Amari Patterson rehearses with Dance 8. Green Track students in Eleggua by Rebecca Bliss Theatre of Harlem at Lyons Rec Center PHOTO BY MILLETTE WHITE-LIN 9. Green Track students perform Rebeca Maso’s 4. July Summer Intensive students and faculty Mozart in Movement PHOTO BY JEFF STROUT backstage at NOCCA PHOTO BY JEFF STROUT 10. NOBA student Manon Scialfa with Michelle 5. NOBA and Dance Theatre of Harlem Manzanales backstage at NOCCA PHOTO BY JEFF STROUT Dougla Cast PHOTO BY JEFF STROUT

the performance is something special.” Williams continues, “One of the things Arthur Mitchell would always say to us is, ‘You’re representing something bigger than yourself!’” For NOBA students, summer is prime time to tune-in, be challenged and think and dance “outside the box” with some of the industry’s most notable artists. McKayla Dixon, a participant in NOBA’s summer intensives since the age of ten, recognizes the value and potential for growth summer dance training provides. “It is important for me to participate in the summer intensive as a year-round student because it helps me keep my technique sharp, so that I don’t slack off during the summer. It also helps me to make closer bonds with my classmates,” she shares. In total, NOBA’s 2019 Summer Intensive Programs served over 875 participants and audience members through nearly 400 total activities from May – August, and featured artists representing Ballet X, BODYTRAFFIC, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Dance Theatre of Harlem and more. Unique to 2019, NOBA partnered with premier Latino dance organization Ballet Hispánico to offer a “Celebration of Cuban Dance” for the July Summer Intensive, including classes and choreography in Cuban ballet technique, Afro-Cuban Dance and Latin Rhythms. In addition to rigorous, top-rate dance instruction, summer students are encouraged to develop versatility and expand knowledge of dance and cultures across the globe. As long-time NOBA student and

Summer Intensive participant Georgia Parsons suggests, “It was definitely a challenge to switch from a very classical Cuban ballet class to an unfamiliar dance style like Afro-Cuban in the same day, but it was definitely something that I will carry for the rest of my dance career – to know how to switch my brain like that – but I also feel like the two very much came together. I was able to bring my ballet training into AfroCuban dance, and learning Afro-Cuban has also now brought something very different into my classical ballet training.” As part of NOBA’s “Celebration of Cuban Dance,” Ballet Hispánico guest faculty included Michelle Manzanales, Rebeca Maso, Rebecca Bliss and Georgina Greenleaf. Company artists Dandara Veiga and Jared Bogart joined 30 CFD students in the fully produced Summer Concert in August. “After this summer, I’ve learned that it’s not always about competing with your peers, but about growing together as a whole and making special connections with your fellow performers and instructors,” concludes Dixon. N E W O R L E A N S B A L L E T A S S O C I AT I O N 2 0 1 9 - 2 0

NOBA Partnerships for Health “I believe movement heals!” -Kelly Harp Haber, NOBA Instructor 1

Year after year, NOBA continues its commitment to delivering inclusive, accessible and transformative dance, movement, wellness and fitness activities for over 2,000 participants ages 3-80+ through more than 5,500 free classes in a variety of dance forms, yoga, tai chi, Pilates and fitness at neighborhood partner sites. Ongoing collaborations with an expanded network of partners such as the Jefferson Parish Department of Parks and Recreation, New Orleans Recreation Development Commission, New Orleans JCC, Arc of Greater New Orleans, New Orleans Council on Aging, Tulane Dance Medicine, as well as area schools through the national Kennedy Center Partners in Education program, continue to increase NOBA’s capacity to deliver positive health outcomes and build vibrant, creative communities. Michelle Lane, a Jefferson Parish resident, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s over 18 years ago at the age of 31 and now serves as local Parkinson’s support group leader and advocate. “After inviting NOBA to present a Dance for Parkinson’s sample class at our support group, I realized this program would be a hit with the Parkinson’s community. If there is anything that sidelines you, exacerbates your sense of constriction and inhibition, it is Parkinson’s. If there is anything that calls for expression, movement and liveliness, it is dance. The class is not only physically therapeutic but often gives us a psychological boost. People struggling with movement and speech because of the disease say the sessions are liberating, providing a new way to express themselves.” Since its inception in October 2017 and thanks to generous sponsorship from the Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust, NOBA’s Dance for Parkinson’s Program at the New Orleans JCC has reached a total attendance of over 1,000 through free, specialized, ongoing weekly classes that empower people with Parkinson’s disease to creatively explore movement and live music, all in a safe, welcoming and fun environment. The classes are modeled after the Mark Morris Dance Group’s internationally renowned Dance for PD® program, and take place each Wednesday morning at the New Orleans JCC. With grants from the Parkinson’s Foundation, Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson’s and the Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust, NOBA’s Dance for Parkinson’s Program expanded to a second location in Metairie on Monday mornings at Pontiff Playground gym, through a partnership with the Jefferson Parish Department of Parks and Recreation. This fall, NOBA was honored to begin a new partnership with the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System (SLVHCS) to provide a new, weekly “Freedom of Movement” adaptive dance program for veterans and servicemembers with disabilities. As Dr. Robert C. Mipro, Jr., SLVHCS Chief of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation shares, “NOBA is the ideal partner for this new program, given NOBA’s many ongoing, successful programs for people with differing abilities and needs and its previous dance and movement residencies for veterans at the VA New Orleans.”

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1. Participant in a Dance for Parkinson’s class at the New Orleans JCC PHOTO BY MILLETTE WHITE-LIN 2. A Veteran participates in a special movement workshop PHOTO BY JEFF STROUT 3. Veterans participate in a special movement workshop led by DIAVOLO artists at the New Orleans VA Medical Center PHOTO BY JEFF STROUT 4. Schoolchildren participate in a movement workshop led by Dance Theatre of Harlem at Einstein Charter School at Sherwood Forest PHOTO BY JEFF STROUT

NOBA

Faculty

Christina Andrini is the founder, CEO and board chair of Jai Bhakti Yoga Foundation (JBYF). She is also a 200hr E-RYT, YACEP yoga instructor and Reiki Level 1 practitioner, founder of the Day of Yoga Festival and owner of the Jai Bhakti Yoga Foundation School of Yoga 200 RYS. Andrini has studied various forms of yoga worldwide and has been teaching since 2011. Her vision of making yoga accessible to underserved communities became the driving force for founding JBYF. Teaching participants of all abilities at assisted living facilities, fitness centers and public community centers, Andrini also hosts outdoor classes/events and leads global yoga volunteerism and wellness retreats.

Dena Borman has been a dedicated yoga practitioner for over a decade. She received her 200-hour teacher certification in 2016 through Wild Lotus Yoga in New Orleans under the guidance of Sean Johnson and Mitchel Bleier, and has continued to develop as a teacher and practitioner by studying the Bowspring Method with Desi Springer and John Friend. In class, Borman encourages students to move mindfully and intuitively, to approach each practice with curiosity and playfulness, to coordinate movement with breath, and to find connections between asana practice and everyday life.

Carly Sistrunk Bourgeois started training at age three at Sandra Dottolo’s Dance Etc. By 11, she was taking instruction in classical ballet and competed in regional and national competitions in various genres of dance until 2011. She has been a teacher’s assistant since 2005 in general dance classes and classical ballet. In 2012, she began assisting with the Loyola University New Orleans’ Ballet Preparatory Program. Sistrunk has performed with D’Project, Inc. and Storytellers Dance Project, and toured nationally and internationally with Komenka Ethnic Dance and Music Ensemble. Sistrunk joined the NOBA faculty in 2013.

Rebecca Delery Chauvin began her ballet training in 1986 under Kathy Gamble and continued her instruction at Ballet Hysell, where she has performed for over twenty years. She has danced with the Anne Burr Dance Company since 1993 and has also performed with Monique Moss in Drama Rama, Confederacy of Dances, Tsunami Dance Company, d’Project and many others. Chauvin has been a NOBA faculty member since 2006.

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT Aline Neves de Souza’s expertise, energy and “heart first” approach continue to positively impact hundreds of participants ages 6-80+ each year as part of NOBA’s tuition-free dance training and arts healing programs. For 2019-20, de Souza will represent NOBA as one of only five National Visiting Fellows selected by New York City Ballet’s prestigious School of American Ballet (SAB), where she will travel twice to observe a range of SAB classes, attend demonstrations, and engage in discussions about relevant topics in dance education.

April Dayok earned a Bachelor of Arts in dance from Point Park University. After relocating to New York, she danced with Becky Radway Dance Project, Counter Tides Dance, Mark Dendy Dance and Theater Projects, and also worked with the Mark Morris Dance Group’s Dance for PD® program. Dayok has toured nationally and internationally with Lightwire Theater, currently performs with Mélange Dance Company and ELLEvate Dance and works for Pamela Quinn, a dancer, Parkinson’s patient, and movement specialist for Parkinson’s Disease patients. She began working with NOBA in 2017.

Aline Neves de Souza, a native of Brazil, holds a degree in physical education from the Universidade Castelo Branco and is a graduate from Escola Estadual de Danças Maria Olenewa of the Municipal Theatre of Rio de Janeiro. She performed and toured with the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus as a dancer and an aerialist. De Souza has danced and choreographed for Komenka Ethnic Music and Dance Ensemble, performing nationally and internationally. She has served as the local rehearsal director for Center for Dance student projects with Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Ballet Hispánico, Parsons Dance and Limón Dance Company and is the founding and lead instructor for the Senior Dance Fitness Program. Also the director for The Nutcracker Suite and Spring Concert productions, de Souza joined the NOBA faculty in 2007. Most recently, she was selected to be part of the prestigious School of American Ballet’s National Visiting Fellows Program for 2019-20.

“What motivates me the most about teaching all of the different classes and ages is being with the people, and feeding off of their energy…there’s just so much in this community that the more you give, the more you get back. For over a decade at NOBA, I’ve learned so much and been part of many extraordinary opportunities to grow as a person and as a professional. Having the support of a team that believes in your potential and is always striving to better serve and build community is truly inspiring. I’m so proud to be part of an organization that has created a nurturing environment while holding high standards and expectations. I’m really grateful to have found at NOBA my happy place!” – Aline Neves de Souza NOBA Faculty since 2007 42

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PHOTO BY JEFF STROUT

Alice Pascal Escher is an associate professor of dance in the Newcomb Dance Program, Tulane Department of Theatre and Dance and was the founder and artistic director of the Newcomb Dance Company for 35 years. Escher is a native of Baton Rouge, where she studied ballet with Elisa Minet Fuchs. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance from Florida State University, a Master of Fine Arts in dance from Temple University, and is a Certified Movement Analyst (CMA). Escher has been instrumental in the development of the dance major program at Tulane. She enjoys teaching in the Center for Dance Pre-Professional program and is constantly inspired by the energy, enthusiasm and dedication of the students and staff.

Kelly Harp Haber began dancing in Monroe, Louisiana, with Twin City Ballet. Haber also studied modern dance at Louisiana Tech University while earning her degree in elementary education, and later received a Master of Education at Vanderbilt University. She has worked with Encore Ballet Company in Madison, Mississippi and Ballet Mississippi as an instructor, teaching all levels and served as director of the lower school. Haber brings her experience in working with residents, many of whom had Parkinson’s disease, of The Blake, an assisted living facility, to her role with NOBA as lead instructor for the Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust Dance for Parkinson’s Program at the New Orleans JCC, as well as for the new Metairie Dance for Parkinson’s Program. Haber’s additional training includes workshops in Dance for PD® at the Mark Morris Dance Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Chanice Holmes, a New Orleans native, graduated from Lusher Charter School with a certificate of artistry in dance. She is a 2015 dean’s list graduate of Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance and two certificates in arts administration and leadership. She was also awarded the Lisa Lindsey Award for Outstanding Achievement in Theater Arts. Holmes has worked and trained with such notable artists as Urban Bush Women, Abraham.In.Motion,

National Dance Institute, Ballet Hispánico and Complexions Contemporary Ballet, among others. A Center for Dance alumna, Holmes joined the NOBA faculty in 2015.

Elle Ciccarone Jones, from State College, Pennsylvania, grew up training and performing with a preprofessional company before receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance from Belhaven University in Jackson, Mississippi. In 2014, Jones was awarded the Bezalel Award for outstanding artistic achievement. After traveling and choreographing nationally and internationally, she eventually settled in New Orleans. Along with directing ELLEvate Dance, which she founded in 2018, Jones performs with Mélange Dance Company and The Marigny Opera Ballet, and teaches dance and yoga locally.

Chelsea Knipp, originally from Houston, Texas, began her ballet training with Houston Repertoire Ballet. She also trained with Tulsa Ballet. She is a Tulane University graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in dance and a Bachelor of Science in psychology. Knipp was awarded the Jill Karp Prize in Dance Performance from Tulane University. She began working with NOBA in 2018.

Nanette Ledet attended Tulane University before relocating to New York to pursue her career as a dancer, choreographer and percussionist. She studied on scholarship at the José Limón School and with Finis Jhung, and performed with DanceBrazil, Solaris Dance Theater, Stephen Petronio, New York Shakespeare Festival, Djoniba Mouflet’s Drum and Dance Ensemble, among others. Her choreographic achievements include being awarded the prestigious Louisiana Division of the Arts’ Artist Fellowship for Choreography in 2004 and choreographing the first season of the Disney TV show “The Imagination Movers.” Ledet joined the NOBA faculty in 2000.

Tess Losada earned a double Bachelor of Arts in dance performance and recreation management from Illinois State University in 2014 before relocating to New Orleans to pursue a career as a dancer, choreographer and certified Pilates teacher. In 2018, Losada became a third generation classical Pilates teacher by completing the comprehensive program with Alycea Ungaro’s Real Pilates NYC. She continues to pursue further education in the science of movement and hopes to give her students a better understanding of the world around them through dance. Losada joined the NOBA faculty in 2015.

Katharine Sanders Parsons earned a Bachelor of Science in therapeutic recreation with a minor in dance from the University of Alabama. She danced professionally with the Lynda Martha Dance Company in Evanston/ Chicago. Parsons has taught ballet and modern dance at CCPAC, a Magnet Arts high school in Montgomery, Alabama, as well as at Lusher High School and Tulane University in New Orleans. She has been the recipient of several teacher and choreography awards including White House Distinguished Teacher by the White House commission on Presidential Scholars. Parsons began working with NOBA Dance for Parkinson’s programs in 2019.

Rosalyn Sanders, a New Orleans native, attended the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts. During her junior year in high school, she was invited to attend the dance program at The Juilliard School, where she obtained her Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance. In 1999, Sanders joined Ailey II, and after one season became a member of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. She has toured extensively throughout the U.S. and the world. In 2011, she began her dance teaching career in Miami, Florida with the Thomas Armour Youth Ballet and New World School of the Arts. She was also the dance magnet director at Norland Middle School’s Center for Visual & Performing Arts for three years. During summer 2019, Sanders worked at Jacob’s Pillow Dance while pursuing her Master of Arts in arts management from the University of New Orleans. Sanders joined the NOBA faculty in 2018 and, in 2019, assumed the position of education coordinator. N E W O R L E A N S B A L L E T A S S O C I AT I O N 2 0 1 9 - 2 0

NOBA

Faculty

Tai Ashley Teamer has studied with the NORD/ NOBA Center for Dance, Lusher Charter School, NOCCA and New Orleans Dance Academy. She has trained with artists from Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ballet Hispánico, Paul Taylor Dance Company and Complexions Contemporary Ballet. A recent graduate of Loyola University New Orleans with a Bachelor of Business Administration, Teamer is a former cheerleader for the Arena Football League’s New Orleans VooDoo Dolls and currently serves as an instructor for Loyola Group Fitness, Dancing Grounds, Lusher Cheer Coach, and director of Spotlight Dance Company. Teamer joined the NOBA faculty in 2013.

Millette White-Lin acquired a Bachelor of Arts in anthropology from the University of New Orleans. She formerly danced with Sandra Organ Dance Company, Michele Brangwen Dance Ensemble, Ballet Hysell, and Ballet Apetrei. Her training includes the Atlanta Ballet Center for Dance Education, Joffrey Ballet School, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School, NOCCA, and Apetrei Dancenter, and has taught at the New Orleans Dance Academy, Body Expressions Center of Performing Arts, the Conservatory of Ballet Aviv, Main Street Dance and Activity Center, and Apetrei Dancenter. White-Lin began working with NOBA as a teaching artist in 2010, and now serves as Education Manager. Under her leadership, NOBA’s Dance for Parkinson’s Program was created in 2017, modeled after the internationally renowned Dance for PD® program.

Donald Williams (Master Artist in Residence), a Chicago native, became a member of Dance Theatre of Harlem in 1977 and ended a 27-year career with the company as premier danseur in 2004. Known for his versatility, Williams’ repertoire encompasses ballet, jazz, African and contemporary idioms. As a principal guest artist, Williams has performed with London’s Royal Ballet at Covent Garden, International Ballet Festival in Cuba, and starred in many other international galas. He has worked with Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Dances Patrelle, and Fugate/ Bahiri Ballet NY, creating critically acclaimed, original roles with them. Williams made his film debut in “The Cotton Club,” starred in numerous award-winning films, and has made television appearances and commercials. In 1998, Williams made his Broadway debut in the Tony Award

winning musical Ragtime. In 2000, he was guest artist in the New York City Ballet/Dance Theatre of Harlem collaboration for the Diamond Project, dancing the principal roles in Robert Garland and Robert LaFosse’s Tributary and Balanchine’s Agon. He was featured in the national tour of The Phantom of the Opera and most recently with Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular at the Venetian Resort and Casino. Williams’ teaching credits include company teacher for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Celine Dion: A New Day, Nevada Ballet Theater, and Las Vegas Contemporary Dance Theater, among others; school instructor for Dance Theatre of Harlem, The Ailey School, Ballet Academy East (NYC), and The Rock Center for Dance (Las Vegas); and guest teacher for Marymount College, Florida State University, Tulane University, among others. He was also personal trainer for Keanu Reeves for the film “Devil’s Advocate.” Williams began working as a Master Artist-in-Residence with the Center for Dance Pre-Professional Program in 2013.

“One of the things that really inspires me to push these kids forward is the way they approach work and their openness. They’re getting to work with companies such as Complexions, Parsons and Limón. All the different types of dance and choreographers that they’re exposed to give them experiences that some college students or even professional dancers don’t have access to. It’s a pleasure to work with them, and I’m really proud of them! The discipline, focus and tenacity dance instills translate into all parts of life, and that is something that NOBA’s program strives to teach these youth.” – Donald Williams, Master Artist in Residence

Brittney Williams, a native New Orleanian, began her formal dance training at the NORD/NOBA Center for Dance. She has also studied at New Orleans Dance Academy, NOCCA, Dance Theatre of Harlem and The Ailey School. Williams has worked with choreographers including Daniel Catanach, Monique Moss, Nanette Ledet, Joya Powell, Rebecca Stenn and Eduardo Vilaro. In 2009, she received her Bachelor of Arts in natural science from Fordham University and has been educating students on the connection between the art of dance and the science of movement. Williams joined the NOBA faculty in 2012. 44

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Donald Williams and NOBA students with Complexions Contemporary Ballet Artistic Director Desmond Richardson at the Joyce Theater

Donald Williams PHOTO BY MILLETTE WHITE-LIN

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BRAVO

Ballet Resource and Volunteer Organization

e warmly welcome you to join BRAVO, the Ballet Resource and Volunteer Organization, as we continue to celebrate NOBA’s 50th Anniversary Season! Each volunteer’s time and talents are integral to making every year a great success by providing support and promotion of NOBA’s nationally award-winning dance education and wellness programs for ages 3-80+. As I enter my second term as BRAVO president, my foremost aspiration is to ultimately engage each member with various meetings, fundraising activities and events that will help support NOBA’s incredible programs, the result of unique, highly successful partnerships with many institutions in Orleans, St. Bernard and Jefferson Parishes. Each year, the 200+ members help NOBA provide over 5,000 tuition-free classes and activities, concerts, workshops and lectures at numerous community sites so that more than 33,000 participants of all ages and abilities in the community can participate in the healing art of movement. In addition to our fun membership meetings and annual Holiday Social, BRAVO presents a magnificent annual Gala that has become one of New Orleans’ most highly anticipated premier fundraisers. Following a successful anniversary season kickoff event last winter, BRAVO will again shift Gala attendees from the audience to center stage for the 50th Anniversary Evening of Stars on January 25, 2020, at the Mahalia Jackson Theater. Plus, BRAVO is honored once again to be the recipient of the proceeds of the Men and Women of Fashion’s Prix d’Elegance Luncheon scheduled for March 31, 2020. We hope that you will join us with your time and your talents as we plan for the 50th Anniversary Season’s exciting fundraising events to support these unparalleled programs. NOBA has been serving and helping to advance the dance field for 50 years with its mission to cultivate understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of dance through performance, education and community service. Together, we can close out this Golden Anniversary year by ‘Honoring Our Past, Impacting Our Present and Shaping Our Future.’” We invite you to become a member of our outstanding group and contribute to NOBA’s important mission in the greater New Orleans area! Please email bravo@ nobadance.com or call the office at (504) 522-0996 x 208 for more information. Sincerely,

Stephanie Burks President, BRAVO 46

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BRAVO Officers (diagonal, l to r, back to front) Sandra Stage Chaisson, Diane Hollis, Sandra Herman; Deborah Alciatore-Empey, Jacquee Carvin, Stephanie Burks; Renee Carrere, Carol V. Hall; Martine Chaisson Linares. Not pictured: Mary Katherine Lonatro-Tusa, Gail Barnes McKenna, Jean Rice, and Pam Williams.

BRAVO Deborah Alciatore-Empey Natasha Bush Alveshire Toni Bachmann Penny L. Baumer Laura M. Badeaux Dottie Belletto Gayle Benson Vanessa Berg Donna Kay Berger Walda Besthoff Constance E. Blair Jo Ann Bohm Charlotte Bollinger Virginia Boulet and Alvin R. Albe, Jr. Kerry and Tiffa Boutté Deborah Buchler Stephanie and Ryan Burks Renee Carrere Joel and Sandra Chaisson Shellond D. Chester Cindy Ory Dance Studio Jacquelyn B. Clarkson Jane Clayton, M.D. Dr. Chuck and Lorraine K. Cucchiara Gregory Curtis Henson P. Davis Rosalyn Ditta John and Renea Duck Lynette and Terry DuFrene Dr. Charles L. and Mrs. Diane S. Dupin

Extends its deep appreciation to the 2019-20 Sustaining Members.

Virginia Eckholdt Deborah Augustine Elam and Cary Grant Elizabeth Ellison-Frost Ellen English Patricia Fullmer Leon Giorgio, Jr. Joanna Giorlando Laurie Guimont Guillaume Teresa Guzzetta Terence and Henrietta Hall Jenny R. Hamilton Deborah D. Harkins Diane Hollis Linda R. Inglés Ida James Mrs. Carlie Meyer Kahn Millie and Robert Kohn Lana W. Konrad Cynthia and Robert LeBreton Rusty Levy Martine Chaisson Linares Mary Katherine Lonatro-Tusa Barbara Louviere Mary and Andy Lovell Pamela Halter Lupin Jamie M. Manders, DDS Mrs. Warren P. McKenna, Jr. (Gail) Dr. Jane Cagan Miller Cynthia Mistrot Gail West Moore

Max Moreno Dr. Lynne Neitzschman Dr. Denise L. Newman Suzanne L. Parker Patricia Paternostro Helen G. Roy Janet L. Schmid Dr. Byron and Suzanne Scott David R. Silvers, M.D. Olga G. Smoak Tiffany Soles R. Sonda Stacey Paulette Stewart Leslie S. Stokes Eleanor Straub Teri Sutterfield Judith (Jude) B. Swenson Phyllis M. Taylor LaVerne (Saulny) Toombs Janée M. Tucker Nina C. Tyler Gerri Valene Sunae Villavaso Vanessa G. Whipple Pamela Williams Karen Kraak Wood Joan Zaslow *Members as of September 16, 2019

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BRAVO’s Annual Gala

ince BRAVO’s inception in 1989, its dedicated members have organized some of the community’s most anticipated annual galas and fundraising events to raise much-needed operating support for NOBA’s programming. NOBA extends its sincere gratitude to all BRAVO members, and especially the incredible chairmen, who have offered countless hours, hard work, creativity and boundless support to continually create unforgettable, magical evenings over the past thirty years — from the debut of the Nuts to Suites gala to the first awe-inspiring stage-flip event, the 40th Anniversary Ruby Gala des Etoiles. The success of these events would not have been possible without the diligent commitment and hard work of the volunteer members. On January 26, 2019, BRAVO returned to the Mahalia Jackson Theater stage to kick-off NOBA’s Golden Anniversary celebrations. The Evening of Stars event opened on a commemorative note with a lifetime board member induction ceremony and presentation featuring youth from NOBA’s tuitionfree dance program to honor Center For Dance Founders Hon. Jacquelyn Brechtel Clarkson and Janée Michelle Tucker, and former NOBA Board Chair Bernard M. Jaffe, M.D. Following, patrons experienced an extraordinary

full performance of masterworks danced by some of the world’s preeminent artists. Gala patrons enjoyed a post-performance patron reception and then shifted to the transformed stage with magnificent gilded centerpieces by Dunn and Sonnier, a spectacular three-course dinner sponsored by 1718 Catering by the Hyatt Regency New Orleans, music by Julio and César, a silent auction, a Lee Michaels shopping spree raffle and more. Honorary Chairs Governor John Bel Edwards and First Lady Donna Hutto Edwards, along with honorary guests New York City Ballet Associate Artistic Director Wendy Whelan and Complexions Contemporary Ballet Artistic Director Desmond Richardson, joined the patrons for the unique evening. On February 6, 2019, Benefactor Dinner Chairs Charlotte Bollinger and Gregory Curtis welcomed patrons to the exclusive dinner sponsored by the Windsor Court Hotel in the Chinoiserie Ballroom. The evening celebrated NOBA’s 50 year history of presenting diverse, dynamic and world-renowned productions. Prior to dinner, guests enjoyed cocktails and entertainment by Anaïs St. John. During dinner, guests participated in live auctions for gifts from Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry and the Windsor Court and enjoyed music by Rachel Van Voorhees.

Don’t Miss Your Chance to Take the Stage! Please Save the Date for BRAVO’s 2020 Gala, the second annual grand seated dinner by 1718 Catering by Hyatt Regency New Orleans on the stage of the Mahalia Jackson Theater following NOBA’s Evening of Stars performance. Guests will celebrate with some of the world’s most distinguished artists from top companies such as New York City Ballet and more. Artists and program to be announced at a later date.

Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020 Mahalia Jackson Theater For more information or to become involved, please contact (504) 522-0996 x 208 or fmartin@nobadance.com

4 48

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PHOTOS BY JEFF STROUT

1: Warner and Pamela Williams, Ralph Mahana and Charlotte Bollinger 2: Gregory Curtis, Cecile Gibson, Wendy Whelan and Desmond Richardson 3: Ashley Stagg and Stephen Sonnier with NOBA students 4: Robin Bordelon Borne, Chad and Vanessa Berg, and Scott Borne at the Benefactor Dinner

PHOTOS BY JEFF STROUT

5: NOBA Center for Dance Students help introduce Board Chair John Duck with Hon. Jacquelyn Brechtel Clarkson, Carlos Mickan with Janée M. Tucker, and Cecile Gibson with Bernard M. Jaffe, M.D. 6: Jon Teeuwissen, Gayle Dellinger, and Dr. Bernard Jaffe 7: Janée Tucker with Joseph and Sue Ellen Canizaro 8: Jacquee Carvin, Teresa Guzzetta, Deborah Alciatore-Empey and Rosalyn Ditta

13 9: Governor John Bel Edwards and First Lady Donna Hutto Edwards with Sandra and Joel Chaisson 10: Carlos Mickan, Jessica Tandardini, Stephanie Burks, and John Duck 11: Russ and Sandra Herman, Diane Hollis and Bill Goldring 12: Tiffa Boutté and Henrietta Hall at the Benefactor Dinner 13: Toni Bachmann, Karen Wood and Gerri Valene at the Benefactor Dinner N E W O R L E A N S B A L L E T A S S O C I AT I O N 2 0 1 9 - 2 0

Prix d’Elegance Awards Luncheon

Women of Fashion Board (standing l to r) Gerri Valene, Carol V. Hall, Donnell Zeringue, Laurie Guillaume, Marian Gibbs, Charlotte Reiss, Kathleen Mix, Natasha Lamarque (seated l to r) Sonda Stacey, Rhonda Eckholdt, Sandra Stage Chaisson, Deborah Alciatore-Empey, Tiffa Boutté, Virginia Eckholdt, Lana Konrad

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future creations of new, innovative concepts to elevate support. The best is yet to come.” The 2020 luncheon will be chaired by immediate past president and current chairman of the Women of Fashion board, Deborah AlciatoreEmpey. “Along with our selfless and gracious volunteers, I feel proud and humbled to bring together this extraordinary event that helps provide so much education and joy in our community. NOBA’s dance education programs are hailed as one of this country’s premier programs!” says Alciatore-Empey. “By raising funds for NOBA, the Men and Women of Fashion help provide our children the opportunity to study and achieve their dreams.” Through signature New Orleans style and generosity, this year’s Prix d’Elegance Awards Luncheon will again showcase the Men and Women of Fashion’s fashion-forward brand of giving back. For more information about attending or donating to this event, please contact the NOBA office at 504-522-0996x208 or fmartin@nobadance.com.

2020 Sponsorship Chairs (l to r) Byron and Suzanne Scott, Murray and Gerri Valene, Russ and Sandra Herman

PHOTOS BY JEFF STROUT

n March 31, 2020, one of the year’s most prestigious giving events takes its choice cause to the catwalk for the 48th annual Prix d’Elegance Luncheon and Fashion Show in the Grand Ballroom of the Hilton New Orleans Riverside Hotel. Each year, the Men and Women of Fashion organizations honor 20 individuals in our community who exemplify unique personal style as well as excellence and generosity through business, civic and charitable endeavors. Additionally, two honorees — one man and one woman from the memberships of both organizations — are inducted into the Hall of Fame for their sustained contributions to the mission. Women of Fashion President Sandra Chaisson comments, “The 2019 Prix d’Elegance Luncheon award recipients are not only stylish but also provide charitable service and community involvement in the Greater New Orleans area. Our event is open to the public and showcases our Men and Women of Fashion recipients and a fantastic fashion show generously produced by Rebecca Nordgren of Chatta Box and Jeff Chouest of Jeff’s Haberdashery.” From 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., nearly 700 top business and community leaders mix-and-mingle at a champagne reception and also enjoy an upscale silent auction, a raffle, a savory three-course lunch and a performance by students of the Center for Dance. “For fourteen years, the Women and Men of Fashion have contributed the proceeds from the annual spring Prix d’Elegance luncheon to BRAVO, the Ballet Resource and Volunteer Organization, of NOBA to support its programs that provide thousands of tuition-free dance classes for young people as well as provide arts healing and movement classes with a Senior Dance Fitness program, Dance for Parkinson’s program, open adult community classes and more,” says Chaisson. Men of Fashion President Ray Seamon adds, “It’s been an honor to have served on the Men of Fashion board for the past several years. As the newly elected president this year, the honor has been taken to a new high. NOBA and BRAVO continue to exceed our expectations as we push harder each year to raise the financial bar. I look forward to encouraging our board to continue support and for

Men of Fashion Board (standing l to r) Todd Murphy, Steven Trotter, Murray Valene, Kenneth Rubenstein, Carl Panebiango, Jeff Chouest, Jr., Brett Patrick Bauman, Roger Javier, Leo Palazzo (seated l to r) Kenneth Pickering, R.K. Hoddinott, III, Ray Seamon, R.Ph., Leon L. Giorgio, Joey DiFatta, Bobby Asaro

PHOTOS BY JEFF STROUT

1. Charlotte Bollinger, Marian Gibbs, Elizabeth Ellison-Frost 2. Hall of Fame Recipients Sandra Stage Chaisson (left) and Sidney Torres, IV with Luncheon Co-Chairs Debbie Buchler and Kathy Pastorek 3. Jeff Chouest, Jr. and Rebecca Nordgren

6 4. Lee Giorgio, Teresa Guzzetta, Deborah Alciatore-Empey, R.K. Hoddinott, III 5. Martine Chaisson Linares, Honoree Henson Davis, and Charlotte Reiss 6. Stephen Sonnier, Honoree Ann Duplessis, Kathleen Mix, Chad Berg

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Institutional Investors

he New Orleans Ballet Association gratefully acknowledges the following contributions received from July 1, 2018, to July 31, 2019. Due to the limitations of space, we unfortunately are not able to acknowledge all supporters. Please know that each and every gift is equally appreciated. We make every effort to ensure an accurate listing. Should you find an error, please contact the Development Office at 504-522-0996 or fmartin@nobadance.com. Thank you! *Contributions include the value of both cash and in-kind gifts.

PREMIERE CIRCLE ($100,000+) Ballet Resource And Volunteer Organization (BRAVO) Bloomberg Philanthropies Arts Innovation and Management (AIM) Program Foxmor, LLC Friends of NORD, Inc. Hyatt Regency New Orleans Lois & Lloyd Hawkins, Jr. Foundation Louisiana Economic Development Men of Fashion National Philanthropic Trust Pan-American Life Insurance Group Women of Fashion

PRINCIPALS ($50,000-$99,999) Chevron City of New Orleans Edward Wisner Donation Entergy Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust Patrick F. Taylor Foundation United States Department of Veterans Affairs

UNDERWRITERS ($25,000-$49,999) Adams & Reese, LLP Chalmette Refining, LLC The Helis Foundation National Endowment for the Arts The Pamela and Warner Williams Charitable Fund Renaissance Publishing, LLC Windsor Court Hotel

BENEFACTORS ($10,000-$24,999) Arts Council of New Orleans Capital One Clayton-Royer Family Fund Greater New Orleans Foundation/GiveNOLA Day Laureus Sport for Good Foundation USA Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry Louisiana Division of the Arts Newcomb Dance Program, Tulane University Department of Theatre and Dance

NOCCI New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Foundation, Inc. Ogletree Deakins South Arts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Louisiana Division of the Arts St. Charles Avenue Wells Fargo

LEADERS ($5,000-$9,999) The Andrea H. Bollinger Fund of the Baton Rouge Area Foundation Charlotte Bollinger through the Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana Chatta Box Boutique Davis Phinney Foundation Dunn & Sonnier Antiques and Flowers The Gayle and Tom Benson Charitable Foundation Goldring Family Foundation Jeff’s Haberdashery IBERIABANK Liberty Bank New Orleans Center for Creative Arts Parkinson’s Foundation RosaMary Foundation Strout Photography United Way of Southeast Louisiana

PARTNERS ($2,500-$4,999) The Audubon Group at Morgan Stanley BCS Dental, LLC Be Jé Belle Chasse Marine Transportation Centerplate—Steven Trotter The Chatwal Hotel, New York Diageo Brands Dorignac’s The Edgar “Dooky” Jr. and Leah Chase Family Foundation Gambel Communications Herbsaint Bar & Restaurant Integrated Logistical Support, Inc. (ILSI Engineering) —Iam C. Tucker IV Waste/Sidney D. Torres, IV

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ASSOCIATES ($1,000-$2,499) Alford & Associates Bank of America NA Brennan’s Brown-Forman Desi Vega Restaurants First Bank and Trust Galerie Rue Royale/French Art Network Gauthier Family Foundation Gibbs Construction, LLC Harrah’s Community Support Grant —Councilmember Joseph I. Giarrusso, III Harrah’s Community Support Grant— Councilmember Jason Rogers Williams Hotel Monteleone J. Edgar Monroe Foundation JP Morgan Chase Bank Longue Vue House and Gardens Maloney Productions Merrill Lynch Moyse Family Foundation New Orleans Pelicans Omega Production Resource, LLC Peoples Health Petricia Thompson Antiques Planetguide.com Renee & Rusty Levy Family Donor Advised Fund though the Jewish Endowment Foundation Select Properties, Ltd Terrance Osborne Art Van der Linden Family Foundation Westin Savannah Harbor Golf & Resort Spa

Carlos Mickan, Dance Theatre of Harlem Artistic Director Virginia Johnson, and Patty Riddlebarger backstage following the performance

PHOTO BY JEFF STROUT

Michael Smith, Tiffany Taffaro, Jessica Tandardini and John Duck at the NOBA Board Dinner

Jefferson Parish Department of Parks and Recreation Jones Walker, LLP Ketel One Marcello’s Restaurant & Wine Bar One Cleaners Palmisano Rubensteins

Prix d’Elegance Honorees Ralph Mahana, Wes Palmisano and Nick Karl PHOTO BY JEFF STROUT

SUSTAINERS ($500-$999) The Ace Hotel, New Orleans Aurora Church Bailey Institute of Muscular Therapy Basics Underneath Fine Lingerie | Swim & Gym Burkedale Foundation Chateau Golf and Country Club Elizabeth Arden Makeup Elliott Gallery FELLOW Menswear FUEL Center of Fitness Hilton New Orleans Riverside-PSAV Interior Motives Design Keils Antiques Le Petit Théâtre Du Vieux Carré Majestic Filatures Martinez Custom Clothier Mignon Faget, Ltd Nanette LoCoco, DDS NCIS New Orleans—CBS Studio and Shawna Da Silva New Orleans Friends of Music The Roosevelt, New Orleans Royal Sonesta New Orleans Saks Fifth Avenue Southern Reportory Theatre St. Maria Goretti Church Studio K Lee Weinstein’s

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Cynthia LeBreton with Andy and John Lovell at the Benefactor Dinner PHOTO BY JEFF STROUT

CONTRIBUTORS ($100-$499)

Adler’s American Luxury Limousines Andrea’s Restaurant & Catering Ann Hartley-Alys Beach Antiques on Jackson Antoine’s Restaurant Anytime Fitness—Lakeview Artwork by J. Bateman Audubon Dermatology—Dr. Deidre Hooper & Dr. Sarah Jackson Audubon Nature Institute Ballin’s LTD Beatriz Ball Bebe Marchal and The Carlisle Collection Benay and Shelly Bernstein Donor Advised Fund of Jewish Endowment Foundation of Louisiana Biba Isla Salon Boutique Bonomolo Limousines Café Amelie Café Equator Charvet’s Garden Center The Columns Hotel Commander’s Palace Contemporary Arts Center Cranfill, Sumner & Hartzog David Falcon Salon Dillard’s Department Store Dominique Giordano Jewelry Design Drew Eckl & Farnham, LLP English Turn Golf & Country Club Estella’s

Friend and Company Michael Gabriel Gallery Rinard Garry S. Salvaggio, DDS The Harmonie Group Katie Koch Home Kendra Scott Kightlinger & Gray, LLP Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra Lynne Uhalt Interiors Marty’s At Dunn & Sonnier Metairie Small Animal Clinic Muriel’s Jackson Square Restaurant National WWII Museum New Orleans Museum of Art New Orleans Opera Association New Orleans Silversmiths Norman, Wood, Kendrick & Turner Attorneys At Law Ogden Museum of Southern Art Paris Parker Salon & Spa Pat Garin Photography, LLC Pepper Leaf Perlis, Inc. Pharmavite The Red M Studio The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans Rock ‘n’ Bowl & Ye Olde College Inn Starlight Ballroom Lizzie Uddo Randol—Uddo Fine Art West London Boutique Yogurtland

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Individual Donors NOBA

extends its gratitude to its Presenters Club — those donors who contribute a minimum of $1,000 toward the annual campaign above and beyond all other designated funds. Presenters Club members receive special perks, including VIP parking and invitations to the VIP Wine Intermission Receptions at all Main Stage season shows at the Mahalia Jackson Theater. Dottie Belletto, Ann Duplessis, Ashley Stagg and Deborah Alciatore-Empey

ETOILES ($10,000+)

CHOREOGRAPHERS ($2,500-$4,999)

Dottie Belletto Chad and Vanessa Berg Charlotte Bollinger Ryan and Stephanie Burks Mr. and Mrs. Joel T. Chaisson, II Kerry Clayton and Paige Royer Gregory Curtis Gayle B. Dellinger Mr. and Mrs. John M. Duck John (Gregor) M. Fox and Camille Patti Mr. and Mrs. Terence E. Hall Hon. Henry Lambert and Mr. Carey Bond Mr. and Mrs. Carlos Mickan Jeff Strout Phyllis M. Taylor Mr. and Mrs. Warner Williams

John and Paulette Battaglia Maurice and Dr. Carmen LaBrie-Brown Tiffa and Kerry Boutté Renee Carrere Rosalyn Ditta and Rusty Gaudé Terry and Lynette DuFrene Ann Duplessis Elizabeth Ellison-Frost Larry and Marian Gibbs Charles and Cathy Glaser Laurie Guimont Guillaume Dr. and Mrs. Don Guzzetta Russ and Sandra Herman Bill and Kathy Hornsby Bernard M. Jaffe, MD Robert and Millie Kohn Lana W. Konrad Mr. and Mrs. Robert LeBreton Pamela Halter Lupin Robert Ripley and Thom Beaty LeeAnne Leopold Savoie Philip and Eleanor Straub Murray and Gerri Valene Janis Van Meerveld Karen Kraak Wood and Jim Ward

PLATINUM CIRCLE ($5,000-$9,999) Deborah Alciatore-Empey Toni and Richard Bachmann Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Canizaro Jacquee Carvin Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Chouest Mr. and Mrs. Timber Floyd Cathy M. Green Jenny R. Hamilton Juan and Martine Linares Dr. Byron and Suzanne Scott Mr. and Mrs. Casey Willems Dr. and Mrs. Lawrence Zaslow

PATRONS ($1,000-$2,499) Jennifer Amedee Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan B. Andry Mr. and Mrs. Brett Bauman C. Devon and Toni Becnel Henry Bernstein Forrest L. Bethay, III

Robin Bordelon Borne Debbie Buchler Mauricio Burns and David Travis Hon. Jacquelyn B. Clarkson and Mr. Arthur Clarkson, Jr. Joey DiFatta Monique Gougisha and Jason Doucette Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Falk Dr. Jerry and Carolyn Fortino Marie-Cécile Gibson Leon L. Giorgio Dr. Kenneth Habetz and Mr. Henson Davis Dr. Byron Hammer Mr. and Mrs. Harold C. Harper Karen R. Humphrey Hon. Vanessa Guidry-Whipple Roger Javier Nick Karl Dr. Donald Kern Dr. B. Benjamin Lowry and Shelly Gullender Jamie M. Manders, DDS and James R. Riopelle, MD Stephen and Ellen Manshel Dr. and Mrs. Warren P. McKenna, Jr. Carl Panebiango Kathy Pastorek Dorothy “Dottie” Reese Gregory Reggio Shelley Hoddinott Richardson S. Ashley Stagg Carol Stone Michael A. Thomas Cathie Choppin Weinstein George Van Wormer, DC

Jim Blanchard and Jacquee Carvin with Complexions Contemporary Ballet Artistic Director Desmond Richardson

John Duck, Cathy Green, and Andrew and Jeanne St. Germain

Marja and Ray Falk with Casey and Conny Willems

Monique and Jason Doucette 56

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Terry and Lynette DuFrene with Larry and Marian Gibbs

Theron Lewis, Mary Lakey and Warner Williams PHOTOS BY JEFF STROUT

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BENEFACTORS ($500-$999) Cynthia Aucoin Marshall Bennett C.J. Blanda Nick Blatchford/UA Dr. David Boudreaux and Mr. Richard Nesbitt Anne Burr Nicole Charbonnet Patricia Fullmer Betsie Gambel Joanna Giorlando Leslie Henry H. Daniel Hughes, II Annette Knapton Theron Lewis Kathleen N. Mix Jamie Moreau Max Moreno Judy Norwalt Jeffrey Pounds Sally Richards Mark Schneider Tiffany Soles Mr. and Mrs. Alfred E. Stacey, IV Mr. and Mrs. Frank B. Stewart, Jr. Raymond and Lisa Washington

SUSTAINERS ($250-$499) Dallas Alleman Bobby Asaro Mr. and Mrs. Alvin A. Baumer, Jr. Donna Kay Berger Cameron Bonnett Mark Caldwell Melanie Cannatella Kathy M. Christian Nancy L. Claypool Freddie Delaune Marilyn V. Dittmann Dolores Dufour Dr. Mary Fazekas-May Julie Livaudais George KaTrina Griffin Leslie Gottsegen, DDS Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Grundmeyer Carol V. Hall Jennifer Heebe

Diane Hollis Beverly Katz, Landscape Designer Dropadi Kewalramani Yvonne LaFleur Beth Lambert Kay McArdle Laurie Miller Barbara Motley Ronald Lee Nichols, MD Nell Nolan and Robert Young Suzanne L. Parker Patricia Paternostro Jovanna Paulson Kenneth Pickering Sharon Richardson David R. Silvers, MD Dr. Nia Terezakis Janée M. Tucker Dr. Hugh Uhalt and Ms. Susan L. Krinsky Eugenia Uhl Mr. and Mrs. D. Brent Wood Donnell B. Zeringue

CONTRIBUTORS ($100-$249) Jean-Luc Albin Natasha Alveshire Paul Aucoin Dr. Laura Badeaux Thomas C. and Rosalie S. Bailey Larry Barabino Lou James Bartolo Anna Marie Bastian JoAnn Bohm Dianne Breaux Fort Bridgforth Hon. Paula Brown Janet Bruno-Small Jaime Carbajal Amy Carbonette Marie Carpenter Mr. and Mrs. Colin J. Carroll Hon. Kevin J. Centanni Dawn Grazier Chadwick Lisa Conrad Judith Darensbourg Betty M. Davidson Charmaine Davis Germaine Davillier

Renee Carrere shares dinner conversation with Evening of Stars artist Sterling Baca at the BRAVO Gala 58

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Patricia Denechaud Ellen Dornier Yolanda Doucette Mr. and Mrs. William L. Duax Heidi Dugan Dr. Charles L. and Mrs. Diane S. Dupin Marlene Duronslet Janis Eckert Rhonda Eckholdt Virginia Eckholdt Denise Estopinal Dr. Blackwell Evans, Jr. Andrew and Sandra Fank Nicole Ferrier Millie Fuller Lois Gioe Holly Gordon Rebecca Gottsegen Kim Hasney Dr. Rick Henderson and Mr. James Bruce Brenda Higgins Cappy Johnson Mrs. Carlie Meyer Kahn Mr. and Mrs. Davis S. Kellogg Alice E. Kraemer Betsy Becker Laborde Joyce W. Laporte Gladys LeBreton Mary Katherine Lonatro-Tusa Andy and Mary Lovell Sharon Marchand Linda Geisaka Martin Sue McNabb Mr. and Mrs. C. G. Melville Gus Mendoza Mr. Bruce and Dr. Jane C. Miller Edna Moore Mr. and Mrs. Brian M. Murray Dr. Lynne Neitzschman Jan Oreck Chris O’Sullivan Faith Peperone Kristi Post Charlotte Lee Reiss Jean Rice D. Patricia Riddlebarger Pamela Rogers Madalyn Schenk Janet Schmid

Ryan and Stephanie Burks, LeeAnne Savoie, Rosalyn Ditta and Jean Rice

Sunae Villavaso, Ida and Floyd James at the Benefactor Dinner

Jamie Moreau, Hall of Fame Honoree Sidney D. Torres, IV, Gail Barnes McKenna and Hall of Fame Honoree Sandra Stage Chaisson

Joan Zaslow, Kathy Singleton, Gayle Dellinger, and Jackie Clarkson

Laurie Carriere and Holly Popham at the Benefactor Dinner

Tiffa and Kerry Boutté with Teresa and Don Guzzetta at the Benefactor Dinner PHOTOS BY JEFF STROUT

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Helen Schneidau Carol Short Mary Sigrist Kathy Singleton Gary Snodgrass Adam Stierwald Henry Sullivan Lillian Uhl Maurer Van Voorthuysen Jolanda Walter Mrs. Thomas R. Wartelle Camille Whitworth Elizabeth Williams C. Michael Winters Joann B. Wisdom Patricia Wright Amy Zeringue

NOBA students perform on the Prix dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Elegance Luncheon runway

Jaqueline Simon (left) and Gregory Curtis (right) with Evening of Stars artists Denys Drozdyuk and Antonina Skobina at the BRAVO Gala

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Carlos and Jan Mickan & Pam and Warner Williams at the Benefactor Dinner.

Stephanie Burks, Michael Smith, JanĂŠe M. Tucker and Dottie Belletto at the Board Dinner.

PHOTOS BY JEFF STROUT

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NUTCRACKER LEGACY FUND DONORS —Snowflake Donors—

—Holiday Tree Donors—

—Holiday Stocking Donors—

Toni Bachmann Lou James Bartolo Penny L. Baumer Kerry and Tiffa Boutté Stephanie and Ryan Burks Jacquee J. Carvin Joel and Sandra Chaisson John and Renea Duck Lynette and Terry DuFrene Dr. Charles L. and Mrs. Diane S. Dupin Elizabeth Ellison-Frost Joanna Giorlando Teresa Guzzetta Martine Chaisson Linares Mary and Andy Lovell Dr. Byron and Suzanne Scott Janée M. Tucker Pamela Williams Joann B. Wisdom

Deborah Alciatore-Empey Constance E. Blair Gail West Moore R. Sonda Stacey

Lisa Fullmer Lois B. Gioe Mrs. John Hall (Carol) Kathryn Hill

—Candy Cane Donors—

*Nutcracker Legacy Fund donations received between July 1 – September 18, 2019

COMMEMORATIVE GIVING In Honor of Sandra Stage Chaisson Laurie Miller In Honor of Rosalyn Ditta Mr. and Mrs. Timber Floyd In Honor of Gerri Valene Women of Fashion In Memory of Michael Birtel, Lisa Brener, and James M. Baldwin, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Casey Willems In Memory of James R. Sutterfield Benay and Shelly Bernstein Donor Advised Fund of Jewish Endowment Foundation of Louisiana Cranfill, Sumner & Hartzog Drew Eckl & Farnham, LLP Betsie Gambel The Harmonie Group H. Daniel Hughes, II Hurwitz & Fine, P.C. Kightlinger & Gray, LLP Mr. and Mrs. Harry L. Mohre Norman, Wood, Kendrick & Turner Attorneys At Law Michael E. Psarellis Mr. Melvin Rodrigue Susan Roos Gary Snodgrass Dr. and Mrs. Lawrence Zaslow Zimmer Kunz

Barbara Ballard Kathy M. Christian Diane Hollis Tiffany Soles Vanessa G. Whipple Karen Kraak Wood Joan Zaslow

—Holiday Bow Donors— Shellond D. Chester Marlene R. Duronslet Millie and Robert Kohn Mrs. Warren P. McKenna Suzanne L. Parker Joan Lisso Rogers LaVerne (Saulny) Toombs Gerri Valene

In Memory of Sarah Jane Duax Mr. and Mrs. G.W. Adema Thomas C. and Rosalie S. Bailey Deborah E. Bucki Mr. and Mrs. Colin J. Carroll Mr. and Mrs. William L. Duax Mr. and Mrs. Dan Healan Mr. and Mrs. Davis S. Kellogg Mr. and Mrs. Peter P. Kost Mr. and Mrs. Brian M. Murray Emily M. Paulson

BRAVO President Stephanie Burks is thanked on stage at The Nutcracker Suite by Jenny Hamilton and Center for Dance student Angelle Brown for The Nutcracker Legacy Fund

In Memory of John D. Lambert, Jr. Hon. Henry Lambert and Mr. Carey Bond In Memory of Marie Jeanne Trauth Shirley Laska In Memory of Elaine Van der Linden Van der Linden Family Foundation In Memory of Don Ronketty Annette Knapton, on behalf of Maurer Van Voorthuysen

Dr. Warren and Gail McKenna with Murray Valene at the BRAVO Gala

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NOBA Guest Master Artist Theresa Ruth Howard with Carmen and Maurice Brown PHOTO BY JEFF STROUT

Janis Van Meerveld and Michelle Craig PHOTO BY JEFF STROUT

PHOTO BY JEFF STROUT

Davis Phinney and the Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson’s present a gift to NOBA at the 2018 LA Walks for Parkinson’s 62

Percy and Elsie Rose Olga G. Smoak Eleanor Straub Raymond Washington

Prix d’Elegance Award Recipients Billy Gaudet and Christian Pendleton with Laurie Guillaume and Lana Konrad PHOTO BY JEFF STROUT

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Invest in the Future “NOBA is a force for dance in New Orleans. It makes a difference in the lives of so many, especially children, through its programs that serve this community, completely free of charge. NOBA brings exceptional companies from around the world to New Orleans, allowing us to experience dance of diverse cultures and styles. Through the commissioning of new works, facets of New Orleans culture are captured and seen by audiences around the country. We are proud to support NOBA and to be a part of the NOBA family.” – Kerry Clayton and Paige Royer

our investment in NOBA’s programs directly touches the lives of all those whom we serve. With your support, we will continue (1) to fulfill our vital role in the international dance community by presenting, producing, commissioning and providing resources to artists and (2) to sustain our nationally recognized education, health and wellness programs of over 5,500 tuition-free activities by a phenomenal faculty of local and guest artists annually.

GIFTS OF ANY AMOUNT TRULY MAKE A DIFFERENCE. $20 will supply a pair of ballet or tap shoes to a child $50 will provide a student’s full uniform of leotard, tights and shoes $100 underwrites the cost of a new costume for The Nutcracker Suite.

SUSTAINING GIFTS Become a NOBA Monthly Sustainer and join the growing number of supporters who have generously decided to make easy, convenient and automatic monthly gifts of any amount that provide a sound foundation for each season and for NOBA’s future.

MEMORIAL/IN HONOR OF GIFTS Whether a gift in memory of a friend or a loved one, or a commemoration of a birthday, anniversary or an important milestone, these gifts are a wonderful way to pay tribute to those whom we hold dear. NOBA will send a beautiful card to the honored person or family notifying them of your thoughtfulness.

BRAVO

Paige Royer, NOBA Alumna and senior dance major at SUNY Purchase Cori Lewis, Kerry Clayton PHOTO BY JEFF STROUT

PLANNED GIFTS A planned gift represents the ultimate gift from one’s estate, including simple bequests in one’s will, charitable remainder trusts, unitrusts, charitable lead trusts and gifts of insurance. These gift vehicles offer attractive benefits that might include an income for life for the donor or a designated beneficiary, a significant charitable tax-deduction or the ability to reduce the taxable portion of one’s estate while having the satisfaction of making a charitable gift. NOBA recommends you speak with your financial advisor to develop the best method of planned giving that will complement your estate’s needs.

NAMING OPPORTUNITIES AND ENDOWMENT Your gift can keep giving through major gifts in your name to a capital campaign for bricks and mortar, commissions of new artistic works, dedicated scholarships for youth programs, and investments in NOBA’s endowment held at the Greater New Orleans Foundation.

GIFTS OF STOCK NOBA gratefully accepts gifts of stock valued at any amount. Often times, a gift of appreciated stock may significantly reduce your capital gains tax while creating a larger charitable deduction. Please help us continue our work and efforts to make sure that dance remains a vital part of the cultural fabric of this great city. For more information or to make your donation, contact us today at 504-522-0996 or fmartin@nobadance.com.

The Ballet Resource And Volunteer Organization is a powerful force of 200+ who “FUN-raise” for NOBA. Find out how you can become involved on pages 46-49.

GIFTS IN-KIND Help us reduce our costs through the donation of non-cash gifts delivered in the forms of goods, services or expertise. Some examples include office supplies; bottled water and healthy snacks for students; art, jewelry and accessories, or restaurant gift certificates for silent auctions or raffles at BRAVO’s fundraising events and pro bono services such as catering, photography or graphic design.

CORPORATE MEMBERSHIP Demonstrate your company’s commitment to the community and boost your marketing efforts with a winning sponsorship. NOBA offers a variety of special benefits for our corporate partners, and opportunities are available at many levels.

MATCHING GIFTS The impact of your gift to NOBA may be doubled or possibly tripled! Many companies sponsor matching gift programs that will match any charitable contributions made by their employees, retirees and/or spouses.

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Chalmette Refining representatives Elizabeth Dauterive, Lisa Borne Kott, Jessica Defraites, Dorothy Hills, Kerri Callais, Mindy Nunez Airhart, Elizabeth Ellison-Frost, Scott Frost and Joy Bruce at the Prix d’Elegance Luncheon