Jewels, Kansas City Ballet, 2024

PRESENTED BY SPECIAL SUPPORT

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Wendy & George Powell Family Fund

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VanBrock proudly presents George Balanchine’s Jewels

TABLE OF CONTENTS JEWELS

May 10-19, 2024

LETTER FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

KANSAS CITY BALLET LEADERSHIP

KANSAS CITY BALLET BOARD & AUXILIARIES

EMERGENCY EXIT PROCEDURES

THEATRE INFORMATION & PATRON SERVICES

KANSAS CITY BALLET

MOVING INTO THE FUTURE CAMPAIGN

COMPANY BIOS

SECOND COMPANY

CASTING SYNOPSIS

NOTEWORTHY

ARTIST BIOS

PRODUCTION STAFF

SUPPORTER STORY

BALLET BUSINESS COUNCIL

THE TATIANA DOKOUDOVSKA LEGACY SOCIETY

THE KANSAS CITY SYMPHONY

KANSAS CITY BALLET CONTRIBUTORS

KANSAS CITY BALLET SCHOOL

KANSAS CITY BALLET STAFF

Dancers Amanda DeVenuta & Joshua Bodden. Cover Artwork | Dancers Kaleena Burks, Amaya Rodriguez and Taryn Pachciarz. Photography by Kenny Johnson.

Kansas City Ballet is an American Guild of Musical Artists company.

Dear Dance Enthusiast,

This is the 75th anniversary season for New York City Ballet, who incidentally opened their 2023-2024 season with Jewels. And we’re now closing our season with this iconic and incredible work.

When I was in NY recently, I did a little research on Jewels. The New York Public Library contains an archive for NYC Ballet and other performing arts groups. After completing a gauntlet that included registering for a library card, going through several layers of security, and entering a clean room, I was able to physically view the original New York City Ballet performance program from April 13, 1967. At its world premiere Jewels was yet unnamed by Balanchine. It was merely called “World Premiere”. NY Times critic Clive Barnes wrote a review and mentioned the word jewels in it. Eventually, Balanchine named the ballet Jewels. Perhaps he appreciated the nudge. Who really knows?

No matter how it got its name, Jewels holds a special place in my own heart. While I was a dancer with Boston Ballet, I was fortunate enough to perform in the Rubies section many times. Balanchine stager, Victoria Simon, taught it to me, and she has been here teaching the Company those same roles. It’s how ballet is passed down from one dancer to the next.

It’s a historic moment and a huge accomplishment for our Company to finally perform all three of these works – Emeralds, Rubies and Diamonds – together on one program.

It speaks to the quality of our dancers, and the strength of our Second Company, as well. Our performing artists will dance in the footsteps of the ballet greats like Edward Villella, Jacques d’Amboise, Violette Verdy, Suzanne Farrell and more. And they are ready!

As we close our historic 66th season we look forward to next season when Septime Webre’s audience favorite ALICE (in wonderland) returns, followed by our annual holiday spectacular, The Nutcracker; dynamic New Moves performances; the much-anticipated Kansas City premiere of Don Quixote; and we wrap up the season with Fusion, a unique combination of four ballets from four choreographers— William Forsythe, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Lila York and Caroline Dahm (world premiere).

Sincerely,

Devon Carney, Artistic Director

SUPPORT KANSAS CITY BALLET

Kansas City Ballet is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Your contribution is important to our mission. Contribute today at kcballet.org, 816.931.2232, or make checks payable to Kansas City Ballet, Todd Bolender Center for Dance & Creativity, 500 W. Pershing Rd., Kansas City, MO 64108-2430.

STAY CONNECTED WITH KANSAS CITY BALLET

For exclusive up-to-date information and presale notices on upcoming performances and special events, join our email list at kcballet.org. You can also visit our blog (kcballet.org/blog) and follow us on Facebook (facebook.com/kcballet, facebook.com/kcbschool), X/Twitter (@kcballet), Instagram (@kc.ballet, @kc.balletschool), TikTok (@kansascityballet), YouTube (@kansascityballet), and LinkedIn (Kansas City Ballet).

Moving with Kansas City since 1899.

Established 1899 | Kansas City’s Journal of Society

The first issue of The Independent was published on March 11, 1899. The magazine was the brainchild of Arthur Grissom and George Creel. Young Mr. Grissom soon returned to New York, where he was a founder of The Smart Set prior to his death at the age of 31. George Creel continued to run The Independent until 1909. (In later years, Mr. Creel would serve as chairman of the Committee for Public Information under President Woodrow Wilson. He devised much of the propaganda that encouraged Americans to support World War I.) The next owners of the magazine were Clara Kellogg and Katherine Baxter of the Kellogg-Baxter Printing Company, who lived and worked together. After Miss Baxter’s death from pneumonia at the age of 43 in 1924, Miss Kellogg published an annual tribute to her. Martha Nichols Gaylord (Mrs. Gleed Gaylord) became the editor and owner in 1939, a decade after she joined the staff. Mrs. Gaylord headed the magazine during a time when the arts were proliferating in Our Town: The Kansas City Ballet was founded in 1957, the Lyric Opera of Kansas City in 1958 and the Kansas City Repertory Theatre in 1964. Mrs. Gaylord sold The Independent to Robert P. Ingram in 1983. Laureen Ingram, Mr. Ingram’s daughter-in-law, purchased the magazine from him in 1996. Rachel Lewis Falcon became the new owner and publisher in 2017.

The Independent Magazine Publisher Director of Program Guide Operations Graphic Design

Rachel Lewis Falcon Christin Painter BurningStar Studios, LLC

The Independent Magazine 2400 West 75th Street, Suite 120 • Prairie Village, KS 66208 • 816.471.2800

Christin Painter • Christin@kcindependent.com

Copyright by The Independent magazine. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the publisher. kcindependent.com

Kansas City Ballet program guides are a publication of the Performing Arts Division of The Independent magazine. Information in this publication was carefully compiled to ensure accuracy. However, the publisher does not assume responsibility for accuracy. Editorial program content was provided by the Kansas City Ballet.

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KANSAS CITY BALLET LEADERSHIP

DEVON CARNEY ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Devon Carney joined Kansas City Ballet for the 2013-2014 season after spending the previous 10 years with Cincinnati Ballet as associate artistic director. His early training was with Harvey Hysell of New Orleans. He moved to Boston and was a Principal dancer with Boston Ballet for 12 of his 20 professional performing years. Mr. Carney has performed many leading roles in well-known classical ballets and in 20th century classical works, and in roles by cutting-edge choreographers such as Mark Morris, Maurice Bejart and Merce Cunningham. In addition, he performed a diverse Balanchine repertoire and toured extensively with greats such as Rudolf Nureyev, Fernando Bujones and Cynthia Gregory. With Boston Ballet, he was ballet master and artistic director of their Summer Dance Program for eight years. Mr. Carney’s teaching credits include Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, Pittsburgh Ballet and many others. He has choreographed for Boston Ballet, Ballet Met, Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati Opera, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Kansas City Symphony, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival and Kansas City Ballet. He has served as a judge for the premier dance competition Youth America Grand Prix. In the summer of 2011, Mr. Carney choreographed for the Cincinnati Opera for the opera A Flowering Tree by John Adams with a review in Opera News, “Devon Carney’s choreography was both athletic and exquisite.” With Cincinnati Ballet he created over 20 original works including Blue Rondo and World Citizen in March of 2009 with a review stating, “Carney’s work is not only well crafted but moody and intense with a palpable sense of loneliness. His work grows more confident and more skillful with every piece he creates” (David Lyman, Cincinnati Enquirer). He also created Boot It Up!. This was performed with the live musical accompaniment of rock and roll legend Peter Frampton and his entire band. Additionally, he created a full-length world premiere of Dracula and has created his versions of the great classics of Giselle, Sleeping Beauty, and the one-act ballet The Steadfast Tin Solder. He choreographed Die Fledermaus and La Traviata for the Lyric Opera of Kansas City With Kansas City Ballet, he created Opus I in 2013, Giselle in 2014, a brand new world premiere production of The Nutcracker in 2015, his full length Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty and his world premiere choreography of Romeo & Juliet in 2017, and his world premiere choreography of Peter Pan in 2018. Additionally his Nutcracker has been performed at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in 2017 and 2022. Most recently, he created his world premiere choreography of the full-length Cinderella in 2023.

KEVIN AMEY CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER

Kevin Amey’s service to Kansas City Ballet exceeds 40 years. He has served as the company and tour booking manager of Kansas City Ballet since 1983. He was promoted to general manager in 1998. Mr. Amey has had the pleasure of working at length with each of the company’s three Artistic Directors Todd Bolender, William Whitener and Devon Carney, as well as Executive Directors Michael Kaiser, Martin Cohen and Jeffrey Bentley, on producing more than 300 works. Additionally, he was instrumental in booking and executing the many tours the company embarked upon in the 80s and 90s, as well as the 11-year second-city residency in St. Louis. He counts the opportunity to play a significant role as the company’s project manager in the creation of the Todd Bolender Center for Dance & Creativity as his most rewarding achievement. Mr. Amey’s background in the arts began as a young performer, actor, singer, and dancer. He is a graduate of Avila College, where he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in acting and directing, and in design. He took his design skills into the professional ranks as lighting and sound designer for the Creede Repertory Theatre in Creede, Colorado, as well as production manager, for three seasons. While attending graduate school at the University of Missouri-Kansas City in Theatre Arts, Mr. Amey split his time between the design and scenic shops and as a special graduate assistant to the director, Dr. Patricia McIlrath. He then followed his interest in arts management by acting as company manager for three seasons of touring with the then Missouri Repertory Theatre. He also has served on a variety of local, state and regional panels, including the Missouri Arts Council Tour Advisory Panel and Touring Task Force, as well as the Steering Committee and Grant Awards Panel for the Kansas City Chapter of Young Audiences. He and his wife Mig Lillig have raised five children.

DAVID GRAY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

David Gray was raised in Princeton, NJ, and attended Johns Hopkins University. Following graduation, he moved to New York. He worked in the Publicity Department of Doubleday Publishing before joining the Press Office of New York City Ballet, where he soon became Press Director. He also met and married New York City Ballet Principal Dancer Kyra Nichols. Upon the birth of their first child, Mr. Gray became a full-time parent so that his wife could return to her performing career. He also pursued his passion for writing and published Escape From Verona: Romeo and Juliet Part Two, a novel that required years of research, including visits to Italy. After they moved to the town where he grew up, Mr. Gray became the Executive Director of American Repertory Ballet and their Princeton Ballet School. Mr. Gray then opened a consulting firm, Finance Arts LLC, where he combined his interests in finance and nonprofit management. He served as an itinerant Interim Executive Director for several nonprofits, including the New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault, The New Brunswick Cultural Center (where he was landlord for three theaters), and the Princeton Symphony Orchestra. In addition to teaching nonprofit management and finance classes, he wrote the Finance Arts Guide to Nonprofit Cash Flow, published in 2010. What began as an interim position with the Pennsylvania Ballet (now Philadelphia Ballet) became permanent until his wife was offered a tenured faculty position at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music. Gray returned to fulltime parenting as a trailing spouse when they moved to Indiana in 2017. He and his youngest son built a batting cage, and Mr. Gray spent many hours throwing baseballs for batting practice (sometimes even hitting the strike zone). During COVID lockdowns, Mr. Gray wrote screenplays, two of which were optioned, and a third, Chelsea and Charles, sold and is in production for release in 2023. Now empty-nesters, Mr. Gray returns to the energy and excitement of the ballet world and is overjoyed to have been chosen for his role at Kansas City Ballet.

RAMONA PANSEGRAU MUSIC DIRECTOR & CONDUCTOR

Ramona Pansegrau has been music director for Kansas City Ballet for 17 years. She came to Kansas City via the Boston and Tulsa ballet companies, where she held the positions of principal pianist, solo pianist, music director and conductor. She has been called one of the best ballet pianists in the world. Robert Joffrey said of her ballet class, “The perfect music for every combination.” She was principal pianist/solo pianist for 10 years at Boston Ballet and tenured keyboard for the Boston Ballet Orchestra for 15 years. Ms. Pansegrau was on the faculty at Aspen/ Snowmass Dance Festival for 11 years and was music director for the ballet school at Jacob’s Pillow for 16 years. She was music director for Tulsa Ballet for nine years, and conductor of the Tulsa Symphony orchestra for ballet performances before coming to Kansas City Ballet. As a piano soloist for ballet, she has performed the piano concertos of Tchaikovsky, Brahms, Gottschalk, Hindemith, and Chopin to name a few, performing with many symphony orchestras, including the Kennedy Center Opera Orchestra. Of her performances, the Boston Phoenix stated, “the music...brought to sublime heights by pianist Ramona Pansegrau, allow[ing] you to experience the music anew each time.” Her arrangements of ballets are now in the repertory of the Western Australia Ballet, Charleston Ballet Theatre, Tulsa Ballet, Louisville Ballet, Washington Ballet, Ballet West, the San Carlo Opera House in Italy, NBA Ballet in Tokyo, Japan, and the Finnish National Ballet. Her edited and compiled score of Penderecki, Gorecki, and others for Jekyll & Hyde, a ballet by Val Caniparoli, premiered in Finland in 2020 to great acclaim, and she will conduct the American premiere in Kansas City in October 2023. Her most recent score for the full-length ballet Aladdin and the Magic Carpet, with choreographer Jill Bahr premiered April 2022. Ms. Pansegrau conducted the premiere of the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra with a full-length Sleeping Beauty, starring Italian ballerina Viviana Durante. Her performances were hailed as “giving life to the music and energizing the dancers.” Conducting for the Ballet Across America Festival, The Washington Post stated, “There is a delicious tension between the outpouring of the strings conducted by Ms. Pansegrau and the hushed anxiety of the dancing.” The Kansas City Star said Ms. Pansegrau’s Symphony No. 5 by Gustav Mahler was conducted with “heartrending sensitivity.” The Orlando Sentinel commented regarding Swan Lake, “…Pansegrau, music director for the Kansas City Ballet, helps Tchaikovsky’s music breathe with emotion reflecting what’s onstage….That gorgeous sound is something I’ll remember.” Regarding Don Quixote, they said, “As conducted by Ramona Pansegrau, the Philharmonic captured each bit of Spanish flair in Ludwig Minkus’ score, as well as the longing in the characters’ hearts. The Phil’s contribution to the electricity in the air can’t be overstated.” Ms. Pansegrau’s other ongoing engagements include guest conductor for Orlando Ballet and performing with the Opus 76 string quartet.

KANSAS CITY BALLET BOARD & AUXILIARIES

BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS

Julia Irene Dennie-Kauffman, Chairman

Muriel McBrien Kauffman Family Foundation

Barbara Storm, President Community Leader

CiCi Rojas, Immediate Past President Tico Productions LLC / Tico Sports

Stephen Doyal, Vice President Hallmark Cards, Retired

Kathleen Nemechek, J.D., Vice President, Governance Berkowitz Oliver LLP

Jack D. Rowe, J.D., Vice President Lathrop GPM LLP

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEMBERS

Aviva Ajmera SoLVE

Charlotte Kemper Black Commerce Trust Company

Lucy Wells Coulson Community Leader

Derald Davis, Ed.D Kansas City Public Schools

Donna M. Davis, Ph.D University of MissouriKansas City

Anne Elsberry, J.D. Community Leader

Cindy Hampton DecoPac

John D. Hunkeler, M.D. Community Leader

Cyndi James Kansas City Ballet Guild President

Linda Lenza Bank of America

Patricia Macdonald HI-IQ – Healthcare Institute for Innovations in Quality

David Harris, Treasurer US Bank

Carolyn W. Parkerson, Secretary Community Leader

David Gray, Executive Director Kansas City Ballet

Devon Carney, Artistic Director Kansas City Ballet

Steve McDowell BNIM

Rachel Merlo Google Fiber Kansas City

Tracy Musolf Lockton

Sarah J. Nelson State Street Global Services

Joab Ortiz Burns & McDonnell

KANSAS CITY BALLET GUILD BOARD • KCBGUILD.ORG

Cyndi James President

Karen Yungmeyer President-Elect

Stephanie Eppler Vice President & Treasurer

Ron Fredman Recording Secretary

Penelope Vrooman Corresponding Secretary

Teresa McKinney Membership Vice President

Juliette Singer Membership Data Vice President

Angela Walker Special Projects Vice President

John Walker Education & Engagement Vice President

BARRE KC BOARD • BARREKC.ORG

Marissa Wickam President

Melanie Clark Vice President

Katie Abbott Secretary

Zakry Akagi-Bustin

Quinn Harrold

Angela Moore Marketing/PR Vice President

Cindy Wurm Social Activities Vice President

Lisa Hickok Archives Vice President

Melissa Ford Immediate Past President

Peggy Beal Governance Chairman

G. Mark Sappington, J.D. Community Leader

Suzanne Shank, J.D. Community Leader

Kent V. Stallard, J.D. Stinson LLP

Angela Walker Community Leader

Marissa Wickam BARRE KC President

Jo Anne Dondlinger Gala Vice President 2023

Lynne & Carl Weilert Gala Vice Presidents 2024

Michele Hamlett-Weith Gala Vice President 2025

Juliette Singer & Cyndi James Gala Vice Presidents 2026

Morgan Holecek

Madison Moore

Alexis Strauss

Jessica Whalen

Kansas City Ballet thanks our Board of Directors and leadership teams whose time, energy and generosity enhance our organization and make our performances and community programs possible.

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Emergency Evacuation Procedures

The Kauffman Center is equipped with advanced life-safety early alert systems. Each performance hall is designed with emergency exits in case of an evacuation. In the event of severe weather, shelter in place inside the hall, not in a lobby area, and await further instructions.

In the event of an emergency, the performance will be interrupted. Horns and strobes will sound. Emergency instructions will be delivered from the stage.

Please remain seated as staff use an appropriate amount of investigational time to verify the source of the alarm.* Should an evacuation be necessary, lighted red (Muriel Kauffman Theatre) and green (Helzberg Hall) exit signs will lead patrons to one of eight emergency exit paths.

Patrons with mobility limitations and/or those who are not able to navigate stairs should remain in the venue near one of the marked “Emergency Evacuation Assistance” areas. First responders will evacuate those requiring assistance immediately upon their arrival.

Elevators, primary entrances and the Brandmeyer Great Hall staircase are NOT used in the case of an emergency evacuation.

For more information on emergency evacuation procedures, visit kauffmancenter.org/policies

*

THEATRE INFORMATION & PATRON SERVICES

CAMERA POLICY

Due to contractual obligations and for the safety of the artists, the use of cameras and recording devices are strictly prohibited. Attendance at a Kansas City Ballet event gives the patron’s consent to be photographed or recorded.

CELL PHONES AND DEVICES

As a courtesy to the artists and audience members, please silence cell phones and other devices and refrain from texting for the duration of the performance.

SEATING POLICY

We know our patrons make every effort to be on time for events; however, traffic or weather problems can cause late arrivals. Latecomers may watch the performance on monitors in our lobby until the theatre has re-opened to allow guests into the auditorium. Seating or reseating once a performance has begun will be allowed at the discretion of the house manager as a courtesy to our audience and in consideration of everyone’s safety.

TICKETING POLICY/CHILDREN

At Kansas City Ballet, we encourage young audiences to attend our shows assuming the program content is appropriate. However, it is strongly suggested that no babies or toddlers be in attendance. Many children over the age of 5 can remain happily and quietly seated for a two-hour performance, but you know your child best. Parents will be expected to immediately remove children creating a disturbance during the performance. Please note that all patrons, regardless of age entering the theatre must have a ticket. No refunds will be available.

WEATHER POLICY

Kansas City Ballet seldom cancels performances due to inclement weather. An exception to this is an official citywide emergency that requires citizens not be on the streets. In the unlikely chance that Kansas City Ballet cancels a performance, such cancellation will be announced no later than 2 hours prior to the scheduled start of the show.

CONCESSIONS

Concession stands are located in the center of the Brandmeyer Great Hall, as well as on Levels 5 and 6. Food/ drink items are prohibited inside the theatre. Each bar offers options to preorder intermission drinks before the performance.

COAT CHECK

Complimentary coat check is available for guests year around. Coat check is located near the restrooms on Level 2 just east of the ticket office.

ELEVATORS

All levels of the building can be reached by elevator with the exception of Upper Grand Tier (Level 7) in Helzberg Hall. However, elevator access does not guarantee the absence of stairs to a seat. Please contact the Kansas City Ballet box office for more information.

PARKING

There are 1,000 parking spaces available at a $13 charge in advance or $16 the day of per car. Valet services are also available at $22 in advance or $24 the day of per car. There are three charging stations for electric cars.

RESTROOMS

Kauffman Center restrooms fully comply with disability requirements of both the city of Kansas City, Missouri, and the ADA. All family restrooms feature infant changing tables. The Mezzanine family restroom features a changing table suitable for children or adults. Patrons needing a universal changing table or an additional private space to tend to medical needs should contact a staff member or volunteer for directions to the First Aid Office.

SPECIAL SERVICES & ACCESSIBILITY

Kansas City Ballet is dedicated to providing an accessible and enjoyable experience to all patrons. The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts is an accessible facility. All performances of Kansas City Ballet are accessible to people with special needs. Adjacent companion seats also are available in the same area. Please consult with Kansas City Ballet Box Office at 816.931.8993 to determine your best and most accessible seating options.

SERENITY ROOMS

Patrons who would benefit from the use of a private, relaxing environment are invited to step into one of our two Serenity Rooms. These spaces offer comfortable seating and a monitor to view the live performance, plus sensory items, dimmable lights, and an electrical wall outlet. Patrons may contact a staff member or volunteer to access this space.

SENSORY KITS

Patrons who would benefit from comforting sensory resources are invited to exchange an ID card for a Sensory Kit from Coat Check on the Plaza Lobby Level. These kits contain resources such as noise-reducing headphones, weighted lap pads, and handheld sensory items.

LOST AND FOUND

Found items are immediately taken to the Security Console located at the Stage and Performers Entrance near the north entry. Kauffman Center Security will make every effort to identify and contact the owners of lost items. Items unclaimed after 90 days will be donated to a local charity. Cash and items of significant value left over 90 days will be treated as a donation to the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. To inquire about a lost item, contact Kauffman Center Security at 816.994.7222.

KANSAS CITY BALLET HOURS

Kansas City Ballet administrative and box office hours are Monday through Friday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Box office

hours are extended during performance weeks. To contact us, phone 816.931.8993, fax 816.471.1314, or email boxoffice@ kcballet.org. Please visit our website to purchase tickets at kcballet.org.

KAUFFMAN CENTER HOURS

The Kauffman Center box office opens 90 minutes prior to performances and remains open through the first intermission during Kansas City Ballet performances.

A New Day in

of Aretha

KANSAS CITY BALLET

Devon Carney Artistic Director

David Gray Executive Director

Kevin Amey Chief Operations Officer

ARTISTS

Gavin Abercrombie

Isaac Allen

Alladson Barreto

Joshua Bodden

Kaleena Burks

Angelin Carrant

Amanda DeVenuta

Aidan Duffy

KCB II

Ian Anderson-Conlon

Lauryn Brown

TRAINEES

Aysia Bates

Ava Bernardo

Emma Blake

Natalie Boese

Ramona Pansegrau Music Director & Conductor

Kristi Capps Rehearsal Director

Parrish Maynard Rehearsal Director

Christopher Ruud Second Company Manager & Rehearsal Director

Amy Taylor Director of Production

Laura Krus Stage Manager

Madeline Brasgalla Assistant Stage Manager

Jordan Voth Company Pianist

Georgia Fuller

Sidney Haefs

Chase Hanson

Kelsey Ivana Hellebuyck

Sophie Hod

Amira Hogan *

Whitney Huell

Olivia Jacobus *

Joshua Kiesel ‡

Gabriel Lorena

Brock Maye *

Amelia Meissner

Emily Mistretta ◊

Taryn Pachciarz

Amaya Rodriguez ∞

Elliott Rogers *

Naomi Tanioka

Cameron Thomas

Andrew Vecseri

Marisa DeEtte Whiteman

Kevin Wilson

Paul Zusi

Troy Monger-Levin

Malerie Moore

McKibben Needham

Gillian Yoder

Gordon Camplejohn

Sage Guillot

Jake Lapham

Laila Madison

◊ Sally and Thomas J. Wood Senior Dancer

∞ The John Hunkeler Senior Dancer

‡ Greg and Barbara Storm Emerging Dancer

Mei McArtor

Olivia Pearsall

Reagan Pender

Maya Sprague

Elena Victoria

Hannah Waldon

Aaron Williamson

Dylan Wills

* Company Apprentice, supported in part by the Estelle S. and Robert A. Long Ellis Foundation

Kansas City Ballet Dancers in George Balanchine’s Serenade . Photo by Brett Pruitt & East Market Studios.

Your investment in Kansas City Ballet will secure the future of dance in our community. Through a perpetual fund, legacy commitment, or sustaining program gift, you provide a strong future and ensure Kansas City Ballet’s forward momentum. Over the years you have helped us build this cultural treasure, we invite you to help us sustain it.

We gratefully recognize the Muriel McBrien Kauffman Family Foundation for their instrumental support and $5 million challenge grant, which matches gifts to this campaign.

The Ballet acknowledges the following supporters for their generous gifts and pledges totaling $5,000 or more across these funds (as of April 22, 2024).

LEADERSHIP

NAMED FUNDS

($100,000+)

Muriel McBrien Kauffman Family Foundation

The Thomas and Sally Wood Family Foundation (Senior Dancer)

The John Hunkeler Senior Dancer Endowment Fund

Susan Lordi Marker Fund for Excellence in Choreography

Greg and Barbara Storm Emerging Dancer Fund

Estelle S. and Robert A. Long Ellis Foundation (Company Apprentices)

Bill and Ginny Shackelford

The Stanley J. Bushman and Ann Canfield Fund for the Reach Out And Dance (R.O.A.D) Scholarship Program

Joan J. Horan Fund (Live Music)

Wendy and George Powell Family Fund (New Works)

Howard Rothwell and Kathy Stepp Rothwell Operations Fund

NAMED FUNDS

($50,000+)

Brad Allen & Gene Cooper: The GENEgerBRAD Boys Fund (Live Music)

Richard Belger and Evelyn Craft Belger

Carol Blum and Steven Wilson (School)

Brand Family Fund

Mike and Vicki Bray (Mixed Repertoire)

Dave and Dee Dillon Family Fund

Cathy and Steve Doyal (Live Music)

Sue Ann & Richard E. Fagerberg Ballet Performance Enhancement Fund (Live Music)

Shirley & Barnett Helzberg Foundation

Gay Dannelly and Richard Jensen Fund

George Hodges Langworthy, Jr., David Evans Langworthy, and George Hodges Langworthy, Sr. Fund

Linda Lighton and Lynn Adkins

Dr. Linda E. Mitchell

Dr. Robert and Barbara Clarke

Nash Fund (Dancers)

R and C Charitable Foundation Fund for Community Engagement

Tannye Shafran Fund (Audience Development)

Suzanne Shank

Derek and Linda Shoare

Gary A. and Kay M. Smith Fund (Dancers)

The John and Angela Walker Fund for Live Music

Dr. Michael J. and Cindy S. Wurm

POOLED FUNDS

(UP TO $50,000)

UNRESTRICTED FUND

The Beal Family Fund

Janis E. Brewster

Vince and Julie Clark

Ally, Dr. Jessie Ng, and Dr. Tom Curran

Don and Pat Dagenais

Jo Anne and Bill Dondlinger

Edie and Randy Downing

Joseph and Diana Eisenach

Susan and Zack Hangauer

Hank and Mary Beth Hershey

Dr. and Mrs. Edward and Kimbrough Higgins

Dr. Roger and Sandy Jackson

Colette and James Majerle

McDowell Family Fund

Siobhan McLaughlin Lesley

Miller Family Fund, in memory of Alan McMillan

Sarah Nelson and Jesse Pedraza

John and Linda Nobles

OCS Builders/Mike Nikolai, in honor of Marisa Whiteman

O’Dea Family FoundationCrystal O’Dea

George and Suzy Pagels

Carolyn and Bill Parkerson

Margot Patterson

Fred and Cindy Rock

Christopher and Lisa Sirridge

Stratus Group/Courtney and Peggy Jones

Chris and DeEtte L. Whiteman

Thomas F. and Loren Whittaker

Patricia Martin and Brian Woolley

Estate of Dr. Sonya Cornell

Yarmat

Rebecca and Ken Zandarski

JEFFREY J. BENTLEY FUND FOR INNOVATION & CREATIVITY

Peggy and Andrew Beal

Richard Belger and Evelyn Craft Belger

Joe and Claire Brand

Mike and Vicki Bray

Stanley J. Bushman and Ann Canfield

Vince and Julie Clark

Steve and Cathy Doyal

Anne and Howard Elsberry

Richard and Sue Ann Fagerberg

Sally Firestone

J. Scott Francis

Susan and Zack Hangauer

Haverty Family Foundation -

Michael and Marlys Haverty

Joan Horan

Linda Houston Foundation

John and Mary Hunkeler

Dr. Roger and Sandy Jackson

Kansas City Ballet Guild

Linda Lighton and Lynn Adkins

Estate of Billie Mahoney

P. Alan McDermott

Siobhan McLaughlin Lesley

Dr. Linda Mitchell

Gigi and Gary Rose

Suzanne Shank

Christopher and Lisa Sirridge

Kathy Stepp and Howard Rothwell

Greg and Barbara Storm

Angela and John Walker

Jennifer and Bryan Wampler

Thomas F. and Loren

Whittaker

TODD BOLENDER SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Joseph Appelt

Sally Firestone

TATIANA DOKOUDOVSKA SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Kim and Ted Higgins

John and Mary Hunkeler

William T. Laaser

Suzanne Shank

Jennifer and Bryan Wampler

Brian Weith and

Michele Hamlett-Weith

MARIE TAGLIONI POINTE SHOE FUND

Dr. Linda E. Mitchell

JAMES TAYLOR FUND FOR PRODUCTION EXPENSES

Estate of James Taylor

SHIRLEY WEAVER SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Mr. Robert H. Maynard, in memory of Heather Maynard

Shirley Weaver Trust

ARCHIVES FUND

Peggy and Andrew Beal

Carol Blum and Steven Wilson

Jo Anne and Bill Dondlinger

Joan Horan

Kansas City Ballet Guild

Zachary H. Shafran

Greg and Barbara Storm

Angela and John Walker

DANCER FUND

Elsberry Family Foundation

Charlotte Kemper Black

LIVE MUSIC FUND

Gigi and Gary Rose

Jennifer and Bryan Wampler

NEW REPERTOIRE FUND

P. Alan McDermott

BUILDING DIVERSITY IN BALLET SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Fred and Lucy Coulson

Sally Firestone

Dr. Linda E. Mitchell

GAVIN ABERCROMBIE | JOINED KCB IN 2018, +2 YEARS – SECOND COMPANY

Gavin Abercrombie was born in Acton, California, and began his ballet training at the age of 8 with the Antelope Valley Ballet. He continued his training at The Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School and the San Francisco Ballet School where he was taught by individuals such as Marjorie Grundvig, Andre Reyes, Patrick Armand, and Parrish Maynard. After joining Kansas City Ballet, Mr. Abercrombie has had the opportunity to perform leading roles such as Albrecht in Devon Carney’s Giselle, Jonathan Harker in Michael Pink’s Dracula, and Cavalier in Devon Carney’s The Nutcracker. Mr. Abercrombie also has had the opportunity to perform in ballets by choreographers such as; Jiří Kylián, Alexander Ekman, Val Caniparoli, Anabelle Lopez Ochoa, Septime Webre, Twyla Tharp, George Balanchine, and Devon Carney.

ISAAC ALLEN | JOINED KCB IN 2022

Isaac Allen began his ballet training at the age of 8 at Stillpointe Dance Studio in southern Oregon. He spent many of his summers attending intensive training programs across the country including San Francisco Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet and Oregon Ballet Theatre. In 2015, Mr. Allen joined Oregon Ballet Theatre’s pre-professional program. The next year he was accepted into the HARID Conservatory in Florida where he trained for two years under Meelis Pakri before joining Milwaukee Ballet’s Second Company, performing in ballets such as Michael Pink’s Dracula, Val Caniparoli’s Lambarena, Bruce Wells’ A Midsummer Night’s Dream and many more. Mr. Allen spent three years in the second company before being promoted to the main company as an apprentice where he danced for two years. This is his second season with Kansas City Ballet

ALLADSON BARRETO | JOINED KCB IN 2022

Alladson Barreto was born in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. In 2015, he began his career in classical ballet at the Alberto Maranhão Theater Dance School (EDTAM) in Natal. While on full merit scholarship at The Rock School in Philadelphia between 2018 and 2019, he was instructed by Bo Spassoff, Stephanie Spassoff, Justin Allen, Telmo Moreira, Natalya Ziegler, and Jody Anderson. Mr. Barreto was a Só Dança Ambassador from 2018 to 2020 and was a Finalist for Youth America Grand Prix in 2018. From 2019 to 2022 he was a member of Ballet West II dancing The Nutcracker, Giselle, Chant du Rosignol, Dracula, Romeo and Juliet, Diamonds, Glass Pieces, Raymonda, Don Quixote, Divertimento and Sleeping Beauty. In October 2021 he began working with ballerina Kathryn Morgan, performing lead roles in The Nutcracker

JOSHUA BODDEN | JOINED KCB IN 2014

Joshua Bodden began his ballet training at age 10 at Miami City Ballet School, he also attended The HARID Conservatory and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. He also trained at the School of American Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and North Carolina School of the Arts. Mr. Bodden was a member of Miami City Ballet, Dance Theatre of Harlem’s Ensemble and Cincinnati Ballet. Mr. Bodden has the prestigious honor of being the first African American male to perform the role of a Ballet Boy in Twyla Tharp’s In the Upper Room with Cincinnati Ballet. With Kansas City Ballet, he has been featured in Alice (in wonderland), Giselle, Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, In The Upper Room, The Wizard Of Oz, The Four Temperaments, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Lady of the Camellias, Dracula and works by Mark Morris, Jiří Kylián, Edwaard Liang, Amy Seiwert, Yuri Possokhov, Adam Hougland, Jennifer Archibald, Stephanie Martinez, Gabrielle Lamb, Haley Kostas, Andi Abernathy and Stephanie Ruch. In 2022 Mr. Bodden was invited to The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C to be a part of the “Reframing The Narrative” project highlighting the contributions of dancers of color to classical ballet

KALEENA BURKS | JOINED KCB IN 2010

Kaleena Burks was raised in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, where she received training from Magda Auñon and Magaly Suarez. In 2005, she was awarded first place in the pre-professional division of the American Ballet Competition and has since been invited to perform in many galas, including the International Ballet Festival of Miami as well as Moving Arts Dance Festival. Ms. Burks has danced with Cincinnati Ballet, Columbia Classical Ballet, and the Cuban Classical Ballet of Miami. With Kansas City Ballet, she has been featured as the title role in Giselle, Odette/Odile in Swan Lake, Juliet in Romeo & Juliet, Marguerite in Lady of the Camellias, Chosen One in Rite of Spring, Sugar Plum in The Nutcracker, Lilac Fairy in Sleeping Beauty, along with principal roles in Diamonds, Dracula, In the Upper Room, Interplay, Serenade, Tulips and Lobster, and The Wizard of Oz.

ANGELIN CARRANT | JOINED KCB IN 2018, +1 YEAR – SECOND COMPANY

Angelin Carrant, originally from Paris, France, began his training at the age of 6. As a child he was chosen to perform in Le Songe de Médée by Angelin Preljocaj with the Paris Opera Ballet. In 2013, Mr. Carrant was offered a full scholarship with the San Francisco Ballet School, under the leadership of Patrick Armand. He trained there for four years where he danced in productions such as Helgi Tomasson‘s The Nutcracker, Christopher Wheeldon‘s Cinderella and John Neumeier‘s Yondering. He joined the Kansas City Ballet Second Company in 2017 and the following year was promoted to the main company. As a dancer with KCB, Mr. Carrant has danced leading roles in William Forsythe’s In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated, Elegy in George Balanchine’s Serenade and Snow King in Devon Carney’s The Nutcracker. He has also danced in many productions such as Septime Webre’s The Wizard of Oz, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s Tulips and Lobster, Michael Pink’s Dracula and Edwaard Liang’s Wunderland among many others.

AMANDA DEVENUTA | JOINED KCB IN 2014

Amanda DeVenuta is from New York. At the age of 13 she trained with Fabrice Herrault in New York City. She made the move to Boston Ballet’s pre-professional program until becoming a trainee in 2012. There, she performed in The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Symphony In C, Fanfare, and Coppelia. Ms. DeVenuta apprenticed with Minnesota Dance Theatre where she performed in Nutcracker Fantasy and other works. With Kansas City Ballet, she has performed in Cacti, Petite Mort, Rite of Spring, Diving Into The Lilacs, The Three Musketeers, Alice (in wonderland), Giselle, Wunderland, The Four Temperaments, Interplay, Theme and Variations, Diamonds, The Uneven, Play and Romeo & Juliet along with featured roles in Cinderella, Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, The Lottery, The Sleeping Beauty, Peter Pan and as Dorothy in Septime Webre’s world premiere of The Wizard of Oz. In 2017, she was named one of Dance Magazine’s Top 25 Dancers to Watch.

AIDAN DUFFY | JOINED KCB IN 2023

Originally from Philadelphia, Mr. Duffy began his training with the School of Pennsylvania Ballet and the Rock School. He then joined Boston Ballet School’s Professional Division as a Pao Scholarship recipient, before being invited into Boston Ballet’s Graduate Program. His training was supplemented by coaching with Chérie Noble and summers at School of American Ballet, San Francisco Ballet School, Miami City Ballet School, and Ellison Ballet. Mr. Duffy’s repertoire includes George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker, Angel Corella’s Don Quixote, and Ben Stevenson’s Cinderella (Pennsylvania Ballet), Mikko Nissinen’s The Nutcracker and Petipa/Ashton’s Sleeping Beauty (Boston Ballet), and Coppélia Act 3 (Franz), Le Corsaire pas de trois, and various new works (Boston Ballet School), as well as performances alongside the Philadelphia and Cleveland Orchestras.

GEORGIA FULLER | JOINED KCB IN 2020, +3 YEARS – SECOND COMPANY

Georgia Fuller was born in Cincinnati, Ohio and trained at Cincinnati Ballet Academy since the age of 7. Starting at the age of 15, she performed corps de ballet roles in many productions including The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Raymonda, and Coppélia. Ms. Fuller was a 2017 National YoungArts Winner, and performed in Miami and New York City. Ms. Fuller joined Kansas City Ballet’s Second Company in 2017 where she performed in works such as Romeo & Juliet, The Nutcracker, The Wizard of Oz, and Lady of the Camellias. She was featured in works by Price Suddarth, Edwaard Liang, and Marika Brussel as an apprentice. Ms. Fuller was promoted to the Kansas City Ballet Company and has performed in Alexander Ekman‘s Cacti and Jiří Kylián‘s Petite Mort. She is also a teacher for the Kansas City Ballet School. In addition, she is currently pursuing a degree in Secondary Education with a focus in English, and is a National Merit Scholar. In her free time, she volunteers for local Kansas City Public School organizations that focus on inner city education.

SIDNEY

HAEFS | JOINED KCB IN 2019, +1 YEAR – SECOND COMPANY

Sidney Haefs was born in Los Angeles, California. She began her training at the Santa Clarita Ballet Academy. Participating in Royal Academy of Dance Exams, she holds her Advanced 2 certificate with distinction. Ms. Haefs graduated magna cum laude from University of Utah with a BFA in Ballet and a Minor in Human Development and Family Studies. From there, she was offered a traineeship with Kansas City Ballet where she spent a year before joining the company as an apprentice in 2019. With KCB, she has performed featured roles in Devon Carney‘s The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and Giselle, and Emerald Ballerina in Septime Webre’s The Wizard of Oz. She has also danced in Val Caniparoli’s Lady of the Camellias, Adam Hougland’s Carmina Burana, George Balanchine’s Serenade, Edward Liang’s Wunderland, Jirí Kylián’s Petite Mort, Mark Morris’ Sandpaper Ballet, and Alexander Ekman’s Cacti.

How toys, scouting and storybooks taught a clear lesson: loyalty and commitment will win the war.

CHASE HANSON | JOINED KCB IN 2023

Chase Hanson began his dance training at the Connecticut Ballet Center and Greenwich Ballet Academy. In 2019, he received a full scholarship to attend the ABT JKO school, where he trained for 3 years. After competing in the 2022 Prix de Lausanne in his final year at the JKO school, Mr. Hanson joined the San Francisco Ballet Trainee program under the direction of Patrick Armand, where he performed works by Val Caniparoli, Miles Thatcher, Davide Occipinti, and Dana Genshaft. He also performed with the Corps de Ballet in The Nutcracker, Giselle, Romeo and Juliet, and Christopher Wheeldon’s Cinderella. Mr. Hanson is looking forward to his first season with the Kansas City Ballet.

KELSEY IVANA HELLEBUYCK | JOINED KCB IN 2016

Kelsey Ivana Hellebuyck received her ballet training at San Francisco Ballet School, spending 11 years there. At age 16, she joined the Corps of Boston Ballet, performing not only in Boston but also touring the world. Then joined Philadelphia Ballet where she was featured in works by William Forsythe, Jiří Kylián, Alexei Ratmansky, Jerome Robbins & Angel Corella. In 2016 she joined KCB, some of her favorite roles being Dark Angel in George Balanchine‘s Serenade, Yoomi in Helen Pickett‘s Petal, Petite Mort, Brown Couple in Lila York‘s Celts, Arabian and Snow Queen in Devon Carney‘s The Nutcracker. Ms. Hellebuyck has appeared in Pointe Magazine & The Ballerina Project amongst others. Follow her Instagram (@IvanaDance) for a from the wings view into her life.

SOPHIE HOD | JOINED KCB IN 2022, +3 YEARS – SECOND COMPANY

Sophie Hod was born in Great Neck, New York, and began her dance training at Studio Maestro. In 2007, Ms. Hod began training at The School of American Ballet, the official school of the New York City Ballet. In 2013, Ms. Hod began training at Ballet Academy East and in 2017, she went on to dance with Miami City Ballet School. Ms. Hod joined Cincinnati Ballet as a trainee for the 2018-2019 season, where she performed corps de ballet roles in many of the company’s productions. In 2019, Ms. Hod joined Kansas City Ballet’s Second Company. She spent two years as a Trainee, and one year as a KCB II dancer. In 2022, she was promoted to Company Apprentice, and in 2023, she was promoted to a full member of the Main Company. Over the years she has performed in many ballets with the company. As an apprentice, Ms. Hod performed in Alexander Ekman‘s Cacti and Jiří Kylián‘s Petite Mort. She also choreographed her first work for the Main Company during New Moves, and co-choreographed a work on the Second Company the year prior.

WHITNEY HUELL | JOINED KCB IN 2014

Whitney Huell trained at the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities under the tutelage of Stanislav Issaev and Robert Barnett. She attended Indiana University earning a B.S. in Ballet and Psychology before joining Ballet West. With Ballet West, Ms. Huell performed featured roles in Paquita, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Petite Mort, and Jewels. In January 2011 she was one of Dance Magazine’s Top 25 to Watch and was also featured in Pointe Magazine‘s September 2012 issue. With Kansas City Ballet, she has performed works by Amy Seiwert, Adam Hougland, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Monique Meunier, Stanton Welch, Edwaard Liang, Val Caniparoli, Helen Pickett, Septime Webre, Mark Morris, Jirí Kylián and Jerome Robbins and has been featured as The Lead Woman in The Man in Black, In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated as Jeté Woman, Dark Angel in Serenade and Myrtha in Giselle. In 2018 she was featured as the Sugar Plum Fairy in Devon Carney’s The Nutcracker becoming the first African American in KCB history to perform the role.

JOSHUA KIESEL | JOINED KCB IN 2021, +2 YEARS – SECOND COMPANY

Greg and Barbara Storm Emerging Dancer

Joshua Kiesel began his professional training in Hanover Park, Illinois at the Faubourg School of Ballet. In 2017 he competed in Youth America Grand Prix and received a full scholarship to train at the Washington School of Ballet. He spent two years there as a student and a trainee before joining Kansas City Ballet as a KCB II dancer in 2019. Mr. Kiesel spent two years in the Second Company before being promoted to apprentice. While an apprentice, Mr. Kiesel performed featured roles such as Green Man in Celts and Center Russian in The Nutcracker. This past June Mr. Kiesel won third prize among senior males at the Helsinki International Ballet Competition in Finland. This season will be Mr. Kiesel’s third with the company.

GABRIEL LORENA | JOINED KCB IN 2022

Born in São Paulo, Brazil, dancer, choreographer and photographer Gabriel Lorena started his ballet training at the Municipal Theater of São Paulo at age 13. In 2016, he received a full scholarship to train as a pre-professional student at Miami City Ballet School under the direction of Arantxa Ochoa. In 2019, he joined Sarasota Ballet as an apprentice and in 2020 he joined Boston Ballet II. Mr. Lorena has created works for Kansas City Ballet’s New Moves, Boston Ballet II, Moving Arts featuring dancers from Cincinnati Ballet and Kansas City Ballet, BostonBallet@yourhome: The Gift, Miami City Ballet School, Boston Ballet School and for companies in Brazil. Mr. Lorena’s repertoire includes Alexander Ekman’s  Cacti, Jiří Kylián’s  Petite Mort, Jorma Elo’s  Ruth’s Dance, Andonis Foniadakis’s  Someone Else, Mikko Nissinen’s  Swan Lake, Lia Cirio’s  Lenore, Sir Frederick Ashton’s  Les Rendezvous, George Balanchine’s  A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Theme and Variations, and Western Symphony, and Paul Taylor’s  Brandenburgs.

AMELIA MEISSNER | JOINED KCB IN 2023

Amelia Meissner was born in San Antonio, Texas, and began her ballet training with the Ballet Conservatory of South Texas. She attended multiple summer intensives at Houston Ballet Academy and was invited to join the professional training division in 2017 at 15. She progressed through the academy levels and joined Houston Ballet II in 2020 under the direction of Claudio Muñoz. During her time in the second company, Ms. Meissner performed in featured roles with the academy, including Kitri in excerpts of Ben Stevenson’s Don Quixote and Raymonda in Claudio Muñoz’s Raymonda and Corps de Ballet roles with the company. Ms. Meissner was promoted to apprentice with Houston Ballet in 2022 and performed corps roles in Stanton Welch’s The Nutcracker and Romeo and Juliet, Trey Mcntyre’s Peter Pan, and more. In 2022, she traveled with the company to Tokyo to tour Stanton Welch’s Swan Lake. When she is not dancing, Ms. Meissner is an avid reader, enjoys travel, the outdoors, and following the PGA Tour. She is pursuing her bachelor’s degree.

EMILY

MISTRETTA | JOINED KCB IN 2016 • Sally & Thomas J. Wood Senior Dancer

Emily Mistretta began her training at Inland Pacific Ballet Academy in Montclair, California. In 2005, Emily attended Boston Ballet’s Summer Dance Program, where she was asked to join the Boston Ballet School and received a tuition scholarship with generous funding from Jack Rugheimer. In 2006, Ms. Mistretta joined Boston Ballet II, and she was promoted to Corps de Ballet in 2008. Ms. Mistretta was featured in several works throughout her career with Boston Ballet, including various works by George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins, Florence Clerc’s La Bayadère, Michel Fokine’s Les Sylphides, The Sleeping Beauty, Jirí Kylián’s Bella Figura, Wings of Wax, Tar and Feathers and Symphony of Psalms and Alexander Ekman’s Cacti

TARYN PACHCIARZ | JOINED KCB IN 2012

Taryn Pachciarz was born in Kansas City, Missouri and received a majority of her training on full scholarship at the Kansas City Ballet School and the School of American Ballet. Ms. Pachciarz was given a Corps de Ballet contract with the New York City Ballet and performed numerous Balanchine and Robbins ballets. Ms. Pachciarz is in her 12th season with the company and has been featured in The Nutcracker, The Four Temperaments, Jiří Kylián’s Petite Mort, Twyla Tharp’s In the Upper Room, Wendy in Peter Pan, Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Sylvie Pas from William Forsythe’s In The Middle, Somewhat Elevated, and as the Lead Woman in James Kudelka’s The Man in Black, Myrtha in Giselle, Russian Girl in Serenade and the Principal Girl in Balanchine’s Theme and Variations and Diamonds.

AMAYA RODRIGUEZ | JOINED KCB IN 2016 • John Hunkeler Senior Dancer

Amaya Rodriguez began her ballet training in Cuba in 1997 under the direction of Laura Alonso. In 2003, she entered the National School of Ballet of Cuba and graduated in 2006. She immediately joined the National Ballet of Cuba under the artistic direction of Alicia Alonso. In 2013, she was promoted to principal dancer. Ms. Rodriguez has performed in Europe, the Americas, Egypt, and Australia. In 2012, she toured throughout Spain, and in 2014, she was a guest artist at the International Gala of Augsburg, Germany. In 2015 she joined the Ballet of Monterrey. She has performed leading roles in Giselle, Swan Lake, Nutcracker, Don Quixote, Sleeping Beauty, Coppelia, Cinderella, Le Corsaire, and in many contemporary works.

NAOMI TANIOKA | JOINED KCB IN 2019

Naomi Tanioka, originally from Sapporo, Japan, started her training with Chida Toshiko Ballet Studio. Ms. Tanioka was accepted to the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School in Canada, where she concluded her 6 years of professional ballet training, and one year of the Aspirant Program. In 2014, Ms. Tanioka joined Ballet Arizona, where she performed many Balanchine and Bournonville ballets. She then joined Cincinnati Ballet in 2016, where she was pushed out of her box with a variety of repertoire performed there. Since joining Kansas City Ballet in 2019, she has been featured as Cinderella in Devon Carney’s Cinderella, Lucy in Michael Pink’s Dracula, Sugar Plum and Snow Queen in The Nutcracker, and performed works by Adam Hougland, Alexander Ekman, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Edwaard Liang, George Balanchine, Helen Pickett, Jiří Kylián, Lila York, Mark Morris, and Septime Webre.

CAMERON THOMAS | JOINED KCB IN 2017, +1 YEAR – SECOND COMPANY

Cameron Thomas began his dance training in his hometown of Rochester, NY. In 2013, he began performing regularly with the Rochester City Ballet. In 2015, Mr. Thomas received a full scholarship to attend the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at American Ballet Theatre. He then joined Kansas City Ballet II for the 2016-2017 season and was promoted to the company the following season. Now in his sixth season with Kansas City Ballet, Mr. Thomas has performed featured roles in William Forsythe’s In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated, Septime Webre’s The Wizard of Oz, Val Caniparoli’s Lady of the Camellias, and Devon Carney’s The Nutcracker and Swan Lake.

ANDREW VECSERI | JOINED KCB IN 2022

Andrew Vecseri was born and raised in Houston, Texas. He began his training in 2010 at Houston Repertoire Ballet under the direction of Victoria Vittum before he joined the Houston Ballet Academy in 2013. In 2015 he was promoted to Houston Ballet’s second company in which he performed ballets such as Yondering, A Garden of Mirth, Flower Festival, and as Prince Desire in Sleeping Beauty. In 2017 he was chosen to compete in the Prix De Lausanne, where he was offered a company contract with the Houston Ballet. While there, he was promoted to Demi Soloist and performed roles in La Bayadere, Swan Lake, Marie, Sleeping Beauty, and Stanton Welch’s The Nutcracker before joining Kansas City Ballet in 2022.

MARISA DEETTE WHITEMAN | JOINED KCB IN 2018, +4 YEARS - SECOND COMPANY

Originally from St. James, New York, Marisa DeEtte Whiteman began classical training at Seiskaya Ballet, until joining Next Generation Ballet in 2010, and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Pre-Professional Program in 2012. Ms. Whiteman spent a year training privately before joining Kansas City Ballet in 2014. She has moved through the ranks of Trainee, KCB II, and Apprentice, to Main Company. Some of her favorite roles have included Twyla Tharp’s In the Upper Room, George Balanchine’s Diamonds, William Forsythe’s In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated, and Alexander Ekman’s Cacti. She has spent summers performing at the Hermitage Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia, and was featured in the Gala Performance at Jacob’s Pillow. She is thrilled to be celebrating her 10th season with KCB.

KEVIN WILSON | JOINED KCB IN 2016

Kevin Wilson studied at The HARID Conservatory where he was awarded the dance achievement award for two consecutive years. Upon graduating he joined the Colorado Ballet where he had the opportunity to dance a number of roles. Some of Mr. Wilson’s favorites include Quincy in Dracula, Puss in Boots in Sleeping Beauty and Glen Tetley’s Rite of Spring.

PAUL ZUSI | JOINED KCB IN 2021

Paul Zusi began his training at Southold Dance Theater at the age of 6, inspired by his mother’s lifelong love of dance. Mr. Zusi attended summer programs at The School of American Ballet in 2018 and Boston Ballet School in 2019. Following the summer of 2019, he joined Boston Ballet as a member of their second company, working closely with renowned choreographers and teachers such as Jorma Elo, Peter Stark, Kathleen Mitchell, Larissa Ponomarenko, and Mikko Nissinen. Mr. Zusi’s professional repertoire includes Jorma Elo’s Carmen, Jerome Robbins’ Glass Pieces, Mikko Nissinen’s The Nutcracker, and other classics including Giselle, Swan Lake, Serenade, The Little Humpbacked Horse, and Don Quixote. Mr. Zusi would like to thank his family and friends for their continued love and support.

AMIRA HOGAN | APPRENTICE, JOINED KCB IN 2023

Texas native Amira Hogan began her dance journey at age 6 at the YMCA and fell in love with ballet. She continued her training at Robert Underwood’s School for dance, TKB Center for Ballet & Dance and graduated from Vitacca Vocational School for Dance in 2023

Ms. Hogan is a Youth America Grand Prix Hope Award recipient, a three-time YAGP Finalist, two-time YAGP Final Round participant, YAGP Champion and YAGP Nervi Intensive Festival participant. Ms. Hogan was also selected as an ADC/IBC Finalist and advanced to the final round twice. She received the World Ballet Competition’s Promise Award and was awarded Emerging Artist. She has received numerous scholarships and offers worldwide. Ms. Hogan is excited and honored for her newest chapter as a company member of Kansas City Ballet.

OLIVIA JACOBUS | APPRENTICE, JOINED KCB IN 2022

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Olivia Jacobus discovered her love for ballet at age 9. She trained with Romy and Zippora Karz of New York City Ballet, and continues to work with them today, professionally. At age 15, Ms. Jacobus was accepted into Colburn Dance Academy’s pre-professional program where she performed works from George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins, including Valse Fantasie, The Four Temperaments, Sleeping Beauty, Who Cares?, and Antique Epigraphs. In 2020, she joined Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Professional Division where she performed Swan Lake, Beauty and the Beast, Divertimento No. 15, and George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker. Some of her favorite moments from the 22/23 season were the classical challenges of Devon Carney’s Giselle, the creative process that came with dancing a brand new production of Cinderella, and learning iconic works like Cacti, Petite Mort, and Sandpaper Ballet. Ms. Jacobus is working towards a degree in business, and in her spare time, enjoys reading, baking, photography, video editing, and creating ballet-themed social media content that resonates.

BROCK MAYE

| APPRENTICE, JOINED KCB IN 2022

Brock Maye began his ballet training under the direction of Stanislav Issaev at the Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington, D.C. and CityDance School and Conservatory in Maryland. He then received a full scholarship to attend the HARID Conservatory in Boca Raton, Florida, under the direction of Meelis Pakri. In 2019 he was accepted into John Cranko-Schule in Stuttgart, Germany where he graduated from Akademie A in 2021. He danced with Boston Ballet II for the 2021-2022 season. There he performed in Mikko Nissinen’s Nutcracker and Swan Lake, George Balanchine’s Allegro Brilliante, and Pas de Six from Giselle

ELLIOTT ROGERS | APPRENTICE, JOINED KCB IN 2023

Elliott Rogers is a native Chicagoan and began dancing at the age of 2. He trained with Ruth Page where he received many opportunities such as participating in an exchange program with the Cuban National Ballet School and a partner Spanish school. At 14, he moved to Houston and began training with the Houston Ballet Academy’s Professional Division for 4 years. After his time in the Professional Division, he joined Houston Ballet II for 2 years. He widely expanded his repertoire and in 2023 he was selected to represent HB II in “Assemblé International”, a program where 37 schools from all over the world come together to perform hosted by the National Ballet School of Canada. Completing his training with the HBA, he joins the Kansas City Ballet as an apprentice as his first step as a professional dancer.

Kansas City Ballet Company Apprentices are supported in part by the Estelle S. and Robert A. Long Ellis Foundation.

KANSAS CITY BALLET SECOND COMPANY

IAN ANDERSON-CONLON

JOINED KCB II IN 2022

MALERIE MOORE

JOINED KCB II IN 2022

LAURYN BROWN

JOINED KCB II IN 2022

MCKIBBEN NEEDHAM

JOINED KCB II IN 2023

TROY MONGER-LEVIN

JOINED KCB II IN 2023

GILLIAN YODER

JOINED KCB II IN 2022

TRAINEES

Sage Guillot

Gordon Camplejohn

Dylan Wills

Elena Victoria

Reagan Pender

Maya Sprague

Jake Lapham

Mei McArtor

Natalie Boese

Aaron Williamson

Emma Blake

Laila Madison

Ava Bernardo

Hannah Waldon

Olivia Pearsall

Aysia Bates

KCB’s Second Company includes KCB II and the Trainee Program, both products of KCB School. These programs are for emerging professionals to give extraordinarily talented young dancers a professional company experience as prelude to their joining a professional company. The Second Company performs throughout the region at public performances, lecture demonstrations, residencies and workshops, enabling the community to experience live dance in a public setting. Those interested in learning more and/or booking them for a performance, email KCBII@kcballet.org.

All photography by Tom Styrkowicz/53TOM

JEWELS

Choreography by GEORGE BALANCHINE © THE GEORGE BALANCHINE TRUST

Music for Emeralds by GABRIEL FAURÉ

Music for Rubies by IGOR STRAVINSKY

Music for Diamonds by PETER I. TCHAIKOVSKY

Original Costume Design by KARINSKA

Lighting Design by TRAD A BURNS

Emeralds staged by JENIFER RINGER

Rubies staged by VICTORIA SIMON

Diamonds staged by DEBORAH WINGERT

Conducted by RAMONA PANSEGRAU

Music performed by KANSAS CITY SYMPHONY

Solo Pianist JORDAN VOTH

Costumes courtesy of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre

Kansas City Ballet Premiere: Friday, May 10, 2024 Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts

World Premiere: April 13, 1967, New York City Ballet, New York State Theatre

For the most up-to-date casting, please scan the QR code above.

MAY 10, 12 & 18

I EMERALDS

Set to music by Gabriel Fauré, from “Pelleas et Melisande” and “Shylock”

AMAYA RODRIGUEZ and PAUL ZUSI EMILY MISTRETTA and ANGELIN CARRANT

AMANDA DEVENUTA MARISA DEETTE WHITEMAN JOSHUA BODDEN

Aysia Bates, Emma Blake, Lauryn Brown, Sage Guillot, Laila Madison, Malerie Moore, Olivia Pearsall, Reagan Pender, Maya Sprague, Hannah Waldon

15-MINUTE INTERMISSION

II RUBIES

Set to music by Igor Stravinksy: Capriccio for Piano and Orchestra

(By arrangement with Boosey & Hawkes, Inc., publishers and copyright owners)

Piano Solo: Jordan Voth

TARYN PACHCIARZ CAMERON THOMAS

KELSEY IVANA HELLEBUYCK

Isaac Allen Alladson Barreto Gabriel Lorena Kevin Wilson

Ava Bernardo, Georgia Fuller, Sidney Haefs, Olivia Jacobus

Mei McArtor, Amelia Meissner, Marisa DeEtte Whiteman, Gillian Yoder

15-MINUTE INTERMISSION

III

DIAMONDS

Set to music by Peter I. Tchaikovsky from Symphony No 3 in D Major

KALEENA BURKS ANDREW VECSERI

Amanda DeVenuta, Georgia Fuller, Whitney Huell, Naomi Tanioka

Gavin Abercrombie, Joshua Bodden, Angelin Carrant, Kevin Wilson

Ava Bernardo, Emma Blake, Natalie Boese, Lauryn Brown, Amira Hogan, Olivia Jacobus, Laila Madison, Mei McArtor, Amelia Meissner, Malerie Moore, Olivia Pearsall, Gillian Yoder

Isaac Allen, Ian Anderson-Conlon, Alladson Barreto, Aidan Duffy, Chase Hanson, Joshua Kiesel, Jake Lapham, Gabriel Lorena, Brock Maye, Troy Monger-Levin, McKibben Needham, Elliott Rogers

MAY 11, 17 & 19

EMERALDS

Set to music by Gabriel Fauré, from “Pelleas et Melisande” and “Shylock”

AMANDA DEVENUTA and

ANDREW VECSERI

OLIVIA JACOBUS AMELIA MEISSNER AIDAN DUFFY

Aysia Bates, Emma Blake, Lauryn Brown, Sage Guillot, Laila Madison, Malerie Moore, Olivia Pearsall, Reagan Pender, Maya Sprague, Hannah Waldon

15-MINUTE INTERMISSION

II

RUBIES

Set to music by Igor Stravinksy: Capriccio for Piano and Orchestra

(By arrangement with Boosey & Hawkes, Inc., publishers and copyright owners)

Piano Solo: Jordan Voth

NAOMI TANIOKA GAVIN ABERCROMBIE

WHITNEY HUELL

Joshua Bodden Angelin Carrant Aidan Duffy Elliott Rogers

Ava Bernardo, Amira Hogan, Olivia Jacobus, Mei McArtor, Amelia Meissner, Olivia Pearsall, Marisa DeEtte Whiteman, Gillian Yoder

15-MINUTE INTERMISSION

III

DIAMONDS

Set to music by Peter I. Tchaikovsky from Symphony No 3 in D Major

SIDNEY

HAEFS PAUL ZUSI

Ava Bernardo, Emma Blake, Lauryn Brown, Georgia Fuller, Amira Hogan, Olivia Jacobus, Laila Madison, Mei McArtor, Malerie Moore, Olivia Pearsall, Elena Victoria, Gillian Yoder Isaac Allen, Ian Anderson-Conlon, Alladson Barreto, Gordon Camplejohn, Aidan Duffy, Chase Hanson, Jake Lapham, Gabriel Lorena, Brock Maye, Troy Monger-Levin, McKibben Needham, Elliott Rogers I

GEORGIA FULLER and ALLADSON BARRETO

Amelia Meissner, Emily Mistretta, Amaya Rodriguez, Marisa DeEtte Whiteman

Joshua Bodden, Joshua Kiesel, Cameron Thomas, Kevin Wilson

Balanchine distilled the brilliant facets of precious stones into a grand display: Emeralds moves at Fauré’s mesmerizing pace, while Rubies races like lightning through Stravinsky’s jazz-inflected capriccio. With its symphonic Tchaikovsky score, Diamonds venerates the regality of Balanchine’s classical heritage.

Jewels, a work in three parts choreographed by George Balanchine, had a forerunner in the first production of Balanchine’s Symphony in C at the Paris Opera in 1947. In it, each movement of the ballet, then called Le Palais de Cristal, was costumed in a different jewel color. After being inspired by a visit to famed

jewelers Van Cleef and Arpels, Balanchine took up this concept again and selected emeralds, rubies, and diamonds for his parure, having also considered pearls and sapphires. But Jewels is really not so much about gems as about some facets of classical dancing, and while it has been considered the first threeact story-less ballet, the jewel motif, sustained by Karinska’s costumes and the decor, is actually a device to unify sections that would otherwise be disparate; each act is quite distinct in style and has music by a different composer: Fauré for Emeralds, Stravinsky for Rubies, Tchaikovsky for Diamonds.

Notes provided courtesy of and adapted from New York City Ballet Online Repertory index.

NOTEWORTHY

RAMONA PANSEGRAU MUSIC DIRECTOR/CONDUCTOR

Jewels, George Balanchine’s 1967 plotless fulllength ballet, is made up of three radically different musical selections. The first, Emeralds, often thought of as a tribute to his French dancers Mimi Paul and Violette Verdy, uses the elegant music of Gabriel Fauré. It is comprised of selections from “Pelleas and Melisande” as well as incidental music to the play “Shylock.” It is the only section of the evening-length ballet to use a compilation of pieces. Emeralds premiered without the final Elegy, which was added in a later staging, and completely changed the feeling of the work. Instead of the vibrant upbeat finale from “Shylock,” it changed the demeanor of the piece with the quiet, introspective “La Mort de Melisande.” The next work, Rubies, is to Stravinsky’s “Capriccio for Piano and Orchestra.” Balanchine said this was the

“American section,” meant to portray the jazzy energetic world of New York, danced by Edward Villella and Patricia McBride. We are fortunate to have Dr. Jordan Voth playing the piano solo. The Stravinsky work is a huge contrast to the opening section of the ballet and is the most performed as a stand alone piece. The energy and syncopated rhythms lend vitality to the entire ballet. Finally, we close with Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 3, performed without the opening movement. Balanchine harkens back to the imperial majesty of his homeland, portrayed by his opening cast of Suzanne Farrell and Jacques d’Amboise. The Tchaikovsky, with its glorious final polonaise, is a fitting end for a true masterpiece in the ballet canon.

The position of music director is generously supported by a gift from Bill and Ginny Shackelford.

THE ARTISTS

GEORGE BALANCHINE CHOREOGRAPHER

Mr. Balanchine (1904-1983), born Georgi Melitonovitch Balanchivadze in St. Petersburg, Russia, is regarded as the foremost contemporary choreographer in the world of ballet. At the age of 9, he was accepted into the ballet section of St. Petersburg’s rigorous Imperial Theater School and was soon appearing on the stage of the famed Maryinsky Theater in such spectacles as The Sleeping Beauty (his favorite). He graduated in 1921 and joined the corps de ballet of the Maryinsky. In 1970, U.S. News and World Report attempted to summarize Balanchine’s achievements: “The greatest choreographer of our time, George Balanchine is responsible for the successful fusion of modern concepts with older ideas of classical ballet.” Balanchine changed classical ballet and in doing so changed the history of modern culture. He founded two American cultural institutions, The School of American Ballet and New York City Ballet, and is credited with having a profound influence on the cultural history of New York City. His contributions to dance are directly responsible for developing and solidifying the art form’s place in American society and establishing ballet as a twentieth century art form.

JENIFER RINGER EMERALDS STAGER

A former principal dancer with New York City Ballet, Jenifer Ringer is now a répétiteur for both the George Balanchine Trust and the Jerome Robbins Trust. She has worked in this capacity with professional companies around the world, including San Francisco Ballet, PaciFic Northwest Ballet, Royal Danish Ballet, National Ballet of Canada and the Bolshoi Ballet. While she was dancing, Jenifer performed many featured roles in works by Balanchine and Robbins and also had the opportunity to originate principal roles in ballets by numerous choreographers, including Alexei Ratmansky, Christopher Wheeldon, and Peter Martins. In 2011, Jenifer received the Jerome Robbins Award and the Dance Magazine Award, and was presented with the Dance Teacher Magazine Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015. With her husband James Fayette, Jenifer founded the Colburn Dance Academy within the Colburn School in Los Angeles in 2014, where they both eventually served as the Deans of Dance from 2017-2021. Jenifer graduated summa cum laude from Fordham University with a B.A. in English and is the author of Dancing Through It: My Journey in the Ballet. She currently resides in Charleston, SC and is on faculty for the Dance Conservatory Charleston.

VICTORIA SIMON RUBIES STAGER

Victoria Simon was one of the first dancers selected by George Balanchine to restage his ballets. Now, as ballet mistress for The George Balanchine Trust, she has staged over 25 of the master’s ballets for more than 80 companies all across the world. Her love for

the ballets and her respect for the choreography are evident in her stagings. With her eye for detail and her emphasis on musicality, she is one of the most soughtafter and respected re-creators of George Balanchine’s masterpieces. Ms. Simon began her study of ballet in New York City at the School of American Ballet and was a candy cane in Balanchine’s original production of The Nutcracker. At age 17, she became an apprentice with the New York City Ballet and a few months later, two days after her 18th birthday, she was invited to join the company. Ms. Simon went on to become a soloist before taking on the challenging role as Balanchine’s representative around the world. She is also in great demand as a teacher of the Balanchine style and technique.

DEBORAH WINGERT DIAMONDS STAGER

Deborah Wingert began her training at the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet under Marcia Dale Weary and became a scholarship student at the School of American Ballet in New York. At the age of 16, she was selected by George Balanchine to join New York City Ballet. During her thirteen years with the company, Ms. Wingert danced over twenty-five principal, soloist, and featured roles in productions that include Balanchine’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Coppelia, Orpheus, Symphony in C, Jewels, Who Cares?, Stars and Stripes,The Nutcracker, The Four Temperaments, and Mozartiana, Jerome Robbins’ The Concert and Antique Epigraphs, and Peter Martins’ The Sleeping Beauty. A principal and soloist with numerous nationally acclaimed companies, her film and television credits include The Nutcracker (Time-Warner), PBS “Great Performance” Dinner With Balanchine, “Dance in America,” Balanchine - Serenade and Western Symphony, Peter Martins’ Concerto for Two Solo Pianos and “Live from Lincoln Center” A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Deborah Wingert is one of a small group of artists selected by the Balanchine Trust to set his choreography. In this capacity she has traveled throughout the United States, setting and staging the Balanchine repertoire for Joffrey Ballet Chicago, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Indiana University, Baltimore School for the Arts, and Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, to name a few. Ms. Wingert is Co-Artistic Director and Head of Faculty at Manhattan Youth Ballet, and on faculty at the Juilliard School. She has been a guest instructor for Princeton University and Harvard University, as well as Interlochen, Jessica Lang Dance, Kyle Abraham: AIM, Sarasota Ballet, and New York City Ballet.

TRAD A BURNS LIGHTING DESIGNER

Trad A Burns has been designing scenery and lighting professionally since 1989 for theatre, dance, and amusement parks. Recent dance credits include the world premiere of What’s Going On, choreographed by Val Caniparoli for Richmond Ballet, Soar!, choreographed by Jennifer Archibald, Hearts, choreographed by

TRAD A BURNS cont.

Julia Feldman for Sacramento Ballet, Romeo & Juliet, choreographed by Malcom Burn for Richmond Ballet, Tulsa Ballet’s world premiere Nutcracker, choreographed by Val Caniparoli and Ma Cong, and the world premiere of Sacramento Ballet’s new Nutcracker, choreographed by Colby Damon, Julia Feldman, and Nicole Haskins. Recent theatre designs include Gloria, directed by Jess Fiene at Texas State University, Assasins, directed by Dr. Martin Friedman at Lakeland Theatre, and The Ballad of Georgia McBride, directed by Eric Schmiedl at the Beck Center for the Arts. Trad has had the privilege of designing world premiere ballets for such notable choreographers as Trey McIntyre, Val Caniparoli, James Kudelka, Edwaard Liang, Matthew Neenan, Adam Hougland, Garrett Smith, Jessica Lang, Alejandro Cerrudo, Kirk Peterson, Donald Byrd, Jodie Gates, Gina Patterson, Amy Seiwert, Ma Cong, Andrea Schermoly, Jennifer Archibald, Penny Saunders, Septime Webre, Devon Carney, Victoria Morgan, Robert Curran, and Sarah Slipper. Over the years his dance lighting has been seen at American Ballet Theatre, National Ballet of Canada, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, The Joffrey Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, Colorado Ballet, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Alberta Ballet, Ballet X, BalletMet, Louisville Ballet, Tulsa Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Grand Rapids Ballet, Sacramento Ballet, Hubbard Street, and 21 seasons with Cincinnati Ballet. As a theatre designer, Trad’s designs have been seen at New York Theatre Workshop (NYC), The Public Theatre (NYC), La Mama ETC (NYC), HERE (NYC), Classic Stage Company (NYC), North Shore Music Theatre, Cleveland Play House, Cleveland Public Theatre, Great Lakes Theatre Festival, Cain Park, Beck Center for the Arts, Dobama, Indiana Repertory Theatre, Cedar Point, Valleyfair, Knott’s Berry Farm, Kings Island, Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disneyland Japan, Disney Sea, Disney Cruise Lines, Carnival Cruise Lines, Universal Studios Florida and Japan, Woodstock Ice Productions and The Family of Charles M. Schulz.

KRISTI CAPPS

REHEARSAL DIRECTOR

Kristi Capps began her professional career with the Atlanta Ballet and then joined Cincinnati Ballet. Rising quickly through the ranks to principal, Ms. Capps delighted audiences performing the principal role in ballets such as Coppelia, Don Quixote, Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, Swan Lake, Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Cinderella and many of George Balanchine’s ballets. She performed the leading role in George Balanchine’s Chaconne with The Suzanne Farrell Ballet at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. She was a guest artist with many ballet companies and galas such as the Chautauqua Ballet Company, International Ballet Festival of Miami, Florida, International Dance Festival in Vail, Colorado, and with Angel Corella and Stars of American Ballet in Spain. Ms. Capps performed original works by Luca Veggetti at New York City’s Guggenheim Museum “Works in Process” series as well as additional works of Veggetti’s with the Morphoses dance company in Paris, France. She was part

of the faculties of the Cincinnati Ballet Academy and Colorado Ballet Academy, as well as a guest teacher at numerous universities and ballet academies throughout the country. Ms. Capps served as ballet mistress in residence for Kansas City Ballet’s 2013-2014 season during the production of Dracula as well as a repetiteur for its spring production of Cinderella before joining the artistic staff permanently.

PARRISH MAYNARD REHEARSAL DIRECTOR

Parrish Maynard danced with American Ballet Theatre, where he was invited to join by Mikhail Baryshnikov, and as a principal dancer at The Joffrey Ballet and San Francisco Ballet. In addition to being a recipient of the Princess Grace Award and the Presidential Scholar Award, he was a silver medalist in the International Ballet Competition. Mr. Maynard has performed in Dance in America’s American Ballet Theatre Now, danced Nacho Duato’s Romanso, and danced in Lar Lubovich’s Othello at San Francisco Ballet in the role of Iago which was created on him. In 2005

Mr. Maynard joined the faculty of San Francisco Ballet School. In his 10 years at San Francisco Ballet, Mr. Maynard choreographed more than 20 ballets for the San Francisco Ballet School, some of which have been danced by companies around the world including Royal Ballet School, Royal New Zealand Ballet and National Ballet of Canada.

CHRISTOPHER RUUD SECOND COMPANY MANAGER & REHEARSAL DIRECTOR

Christopher Ruud has been a part of the performing arts since birth. Growing up backstage at San Francisco Ballet he was immersed in the art of professional dance, performance and stagecraft. Receiving the majority of his dance training at San Francisco Ballet School he began his performing career on the War Memorial Opera House stage at the age of 9. Mr. Ruud was hired into Ballet West in 1998. Quickly moving through the ranks he was named Principal Dancer in 2004. He spent 21 years as a leading artist for Ballet West performing a huge range of classical and contemporary repertoire. Ruud is grateful to have seen sold out houses in Utah, all over the United States, and internationally most notably in China, Cuba, New York and at the Kennedy Center. He has directed his own small company, RUUDDANCES, which was a regular attraction in the Annual Utah Arts Festival and toured to Jacobs Pillow. Having retired from being a professional dancer in 2019, he is thrilled to have joined the artistic team at Kansas City Ballet that same year. Since taking the position of KCB Second Company Manager and Rehearsal Director for the company, he has created, and rehearsal directed the creation of many new and existing works while also spending time in the Kansas City community educating children about ballet and performance with the Lecture Demonstration program “Studio to Stage”.

THE ARTISTS

JORDAN VOTH COMPANY PIANIST/PRINCIPAL ACADEMY PIANIST

Kansas native Jordan Voth joined the accompanist staff of the Kansas City Ballet in the summer of 2015. Before arriving in Kansas City for graduate studies at the University of MissouriKansas City in 2013, Jordan won the piano division of the 2010 Yamaha Young Performing Artists Competition

PRODUCTION STAFF

AMY TAYLOR DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION

Amy Taylor’s design credits for Kansas City Ballet include Giselle, Suite Kander, The Scarlatti Dances, Carmina Burana, Coppélia and On the Boulevard. Locally, she has also worked with Wylliams/Henry Contemporary Dance Company and the Kansas City Symphony. Before joining Kansas City Ballet, Ms. Taylor received her M.F.A. from the University of Missouri – Kansas City.

LAURA KRUS STAGE MANAGER

Laura Krus is a graduate of Oklahoma City University’s Dance Management Program. Laura worked with Adams Davy Media as a Production Intern for productions like Batman Live and Arts for Autism. She also has worked with various professional dance companies as a Production Stage Manager for the American Dance Festival. Laura began working with Kansas City Ballet in 2021. Laura wants to thank her family and friends for always believing in her and helping get her to where she is now.

JENNIFER CARROLL COSTUME SUPERVISOR

Jennifer Carroll came to Kansas City Ballet in 2008 after touring with Broadway Shows for eight years. She toured with shows such as Victor, Victoria, Jekyll & Hyde, Cabaret, Oklahoma!, and Twyla Tharp and Billy Joel’s Movin’ Out. Her design credits for Kansas City Ballet include Concerto Grosso, Mercy of the Elements, Energy Made Visible, Vesna, and Klein Perspectives. Ms. Carroll received her M.F.A. in Costume Design and Technology from the University of Arkansas. She is a member of Kansas City’s IATSE Theatrical Wardrobe Union, Local #810.

and studied at the International Keyboard Institute and Festival at Mannes College in New York City. As a class accompanist, Jordan has played for masterclasses taught by Wendy Whelan, Victoria Simon, Robert Garland, Peter Stark, and Daniel Ulbricht. After graduating from UMKC with a Doctorate of Musical Arts in 2020, Jordan joined the full-time staff of Kansas City Ballet in 2022, where he accompanies classes, rehearsals, and performances as Company Pianist / Principal Academy Pianist.

BETTI JO DIEM ASSISTANT COSTUME SUPERVISOR

Betti Jo Diem came to Kansas City Ballet after touring with the Radio City Christmas Spectacular Arena Tour and the First National Tour of Rock of Ages. She is a member of the IATSE Theatrical Wardrobe Union, Local #810 here in Kansas City. She began her theatrical wardrobe career in Branson, Missouri while working for Silver Dollar City’s Opera House theater and the Radio City Rockettes at the Grand Palace Theater. She feels extremely lucky to have a career she is passionate about and that allows her to learn something new every day!

MADELINE BRASGALLA ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER

Madeline Brasgalla was born and raised in El Paso, Texas. She has an M.F.A. in Theatre: Design and Technology from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and has a B.A. in Dance from Agnes Scott College in Atlanta, Georgia. Maddie has experience stage managing concert dance, ballet, opera, and theatre. She has previously worked with EPIC Arts and the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival. Maddie is excited to be part of the Kansas City Ballet full-time after working on previous season shows (The Nutcracker, The Wizard of Oz).

You can support aspiring ballet dancers by contributing to any of the four distinctive scholarship funds created exclusively for the KCB School. At the same time, your gift honors some of the Ballet’s most cherished leaders and their incredible legacies.

Tatiana Dokoudovska Scholarship Fund

Todd Bolender Scholarship Fund

Shirley Weaver Scholarship Fund

Building Diversity in Ballet Fund

SUPPORTER STORY

Linda Mitchell Ensures Dancers’ Artistry Shines Bright

When Dr. Linda Mitchell learned of Kansas City Ballet’s endowment campaign, she immediately thought of pointe shoes.

“People don’t really understand how important, expensive and fragile they are,” she says.

A lifelong ballet enthusiast, Linda founded the Marie Taglioni Pointe Shoe Fund as an endowment for the Ballet because of her special appreciation for pointe technique. “Pointe work strengthens the feet, aids balance, and enables a unique aesthetic experience.”

Inspired by the first ballerina to dance a complete ballet on pointe in the 1830s, the Marie Taglioni Pointe Shoe Fund ensures a steady revenue stream for these critical instruments.

“The more we can support the purchase of pointe shoes for the dancers, the more they can focus on their beautiful and brilliant artistry,” adds Linda.

Custom-crafted from satin, glue and leather, pointe shoes allow the dancers to create the breathtaking moments cherished on stage.

Kansas City Ballet invests $90,000 annually in the dancers’ essential footwear, which can last only a single performance or a few weeks depending on roles.

Our heartfelt appreciation to Linda for preserving ballet’s beauty, one pointe shoe at a time.

BALLET BUSINESS COUNCIL

Kansas City Ballet thanks the following corporations and corporate foundations for their support from January 1, 2023 to April 10, 2024.

DIAMOND

($50,000-$99,999)

Bank of America

Cumulus Media

Hallmark Corporate Foundation

PLATINUM

($25,000-$49,999)

Encore

The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center, Partner Hotel of Kansas City Ballet

YMCA of Greater Kansas City, Healthy Living Partner of Kansas City Ballet

GOLD

($10,000-$24,999)

Belger Cartage Service, Inc.

H&R Block Foundation

JE Dunn Construction Company

Performance Rehab

KCOI, the Official Performance

Rehabilitation Provider of Kansas City Ballet State Street

Stepp & Rothwell, Inc.

VanBrock

SILVER

($5,000-$9,999)

ArtsKC

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City

Bluefox Live Event Production

Capital Federal Foundation

Cboe Global Markets

CIGNA Healthcare of Kansas and Missouri Commerce Bank

Elevé Dancewear, Kansas City Ballet’s School Uniform Partner

Lockton Companies Inc.

Mark One Electric Company, Inc.

Panache Chocolatier

Parisi Coffee, Official Coffee Provider for Kansas City Ballet

SS&C Technologies, Inc.

BRONZE

($2,500-$4,999)

Aetna Assured Partners

BlueScope Steel

BNIM Architects

BNSF Railway Foundation

Craig Sole Designs

Delta Dental of Kansas East Market Studios -

Brett Pruitt Evergy

Henderson Engineers, Inc.

Kansas City Foot & Ankle, The Official Podiatry Treatment Provider to Kansas City Ballet

Lathrop GPM LLP

OCS Builders - Mike Nikolai, in honor of Marisa Whiteman

Tito’s Handmade VodkaFifth Generation, Inc.

UMB Financial Corporation

United Healthcare

PATRON

($1,000-$2,499)

The Big Biscuit Crossroads Hotel

Dance Shoppe Inc.

FORVIS

Gill Studios, Inc.

Google Fiber

Kansas City Bone & Joint Clinic

Kansas City Life Insurance Company

Kansas City Orthopedic Alliance

MC Realty Group, LLC

Carol MeierottoMeierotto Jewelers

New York Life

Insurance Company

Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company

Sanofi

The Standard - Standard Insurance Company

Strauss Peyton Photography

US Bank Foundation

Wells Fargo Foundation

PRINCIPAL

($500-$999)

Aristocrat Motors

Back On Track

Chiropractic + Acupuncture

Kendra Scott

Meritage Portfolio Management

Microsoft Matching Gifts

MTI Security

Oberheiden P.C.

Scotwood Industries

Uhl Engineering, Inc.Mr. Terry Uhl

Whittaker Fine Art Appraisals LLC

SOLOIST

($250-$499)

Chevron Matching Gifts

Macquarie Asset Management

State Farm - Emmett Thompson Agency

T-Mobile

A Kansas City Ballet Business membership offers companies of all sizes the opportunity to join other leaders with a commitment to their community to help Kansas City Ballet fulfill its vision and mission.

To become a member, please contact Jennifer Wampler, Chief Philanthropy Officer at 816.216.5585 or jwampler@kcballet.org

PARTNER PROFILE: VANBROCK

VanBrock is thrilled to be the Presenting Sponsor for Jewels!

Since 2007, VanBrock has been Kansas City’s premier destination for exceptional jewelry and impeccable service. Inspired by owner Bonne Illig’s passion for jewelry and fashion, VanBrock is sure to impress you with our diverse collections, attention to detail, and extraordinary gallery suite. Our graceful and relaxed gallery is the perfect setting to view the latest creations, try on your favorite pieces, and learn the inspiration behind each one.

We look forward to exceeding your expectations and making your visit both fun & educational whether you are a long-cherished friend or a new acquaintance. We note your dream pieces on a wish list for your future reference, or to assist family and friends who might be in search of the perfect gift for you. When a new piece arrives that suits your unique style, we’ll send you an email. VanBrock also offers services to ‘repurpose, reuse, and recycle’ jewelry and loose stones.

Learn more and schedule an appointment!

LEGACY SOCIETY

You can impact future generations through a legacy gift to Kansas City Ballet. Legacy giving does not require a large income or vast estate. Legacy giving only requires a thoughtful intention to make a difference by remembering Kansas City Ballet in your will or estate plans.

Thank you to the following Legacy Society members:

Mary Ann and Bill Allen

The Amelia Fund/

Nancy L. Murdock, Ph.D.

Leslie G. Anderson

Anonymous (3)

Peggy and Andy Beal

Jeffrey J. Bentley

Brand Family Fund

Mike and Vicki Bray

Jerry and Meghan

Carpenter Family Trust

Melissa Kelly Cavanaugh

Robert J. Cody

Don and Pat Dagenais

Dickerson Family Trust

Vicki Erickson

J. Scott Francis

Dr. Michael Frost

Norman E. and

Marilyn A.W. Gaar

David and Beth Harris

John and Mary Hunkeler

Dr. Richard Jensen and

Gay Dannelly

Estate of Lothar P. Krause

Art Lafex

Estate of Billie Mahoney

Julia Malter

Hazel Deana McClure

P. Alan McDermott

Lindsay Meyer

Dr. Linda E. Mitchell

Marcy Nelson

Bill Pallucca and Kevin Deen

Estate of Marilyn Pierson Patterson

Wendy and George Powell, III

Jean and Jack Rosenfield Trust

Jack and Paula Rowe

G. Mark Sappington

Dr. Richard Schupp

Suzanne Shank

Estate of James E. Taylor

Angela and John Walker

Jacquie and Kyle Ward

Estate of Shirley Weaver

Thomas F. and Loren Whittaker

Estate of Dr. Sonya

Cornell Yarmat

Rebecca Zandarski

If you have included Kansas City Ballet in your estate plans, please let us know. We would like to thank you now for your thoughtful gift.

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urban spaces

racial steering

property values • east of Troost • urban renewal • demolition

blighted areas • bulldozer’s path

• CITIES

• SUBURBS • SEGREGATION

slum clearance

highway construction

• Shelly v. Kraemer • all deliberate speed • Civil Rights Movement

demonstrations • grassroots • libuster • Civil Rights Act • the Great Society • War on Poverty

disinvestment

• uprisings • Fair Housing Act • racial equality • Kerner Commission

Model Cities

systemic

ghetto system • Proposition 14 • freedom of choice

Good Neighbor Pledge

predatory inclusion

Gentri cation

tree cover

straw buyers

foreclosure • Urban Crisis

a ordability

temperatures

generational wealth

panic selling

triage

public transportation

green spaces

Investment Zone

pollution

citizen-led

property taxes

planned shrinkage

commutes

food deserts

reparations

Jenkins v. Missouri

Section 235

empty lots • subprime mortgages

not welcome

racialization

social vulnerability

HUD

isolation

life expectancy

Community Involvement

resilience

War on Drugs

rehabilitate

loan denial

inequity

lending institutions

complex

previously redlined communities

Civil War

Jim Crow

Reconstruction

threats

violence

sharecroppers

segregation

separate but equal

• Great Migration • cityscape

Streetcar Suburbs

deed restrictions

intervention

welfare

racial boundaries

lynched

National Association of Real Estate Boards

racially restrictive covenants

The Great Depression

scienti c appraisal

investment risk

White Flight

racial violence

The New Suburbs

homes association

bombings

renewing restrictions

Home Owners’ Loan Corporation (HOLC)

Residential Security Maps

government drive

racial turnover

American Dream

suburbanites

installment contracts

Plessy v. Ferguson

The Progressives

Jesse Clyde “J.C.” Nichols

the New Deal

redlining

Better Housing Campaign

invisible lines

postwar

overcrowding

blockbusting

large-scale

commu-

amortized loans

Federal Housing Administration (FHA)

Underwriting Manual

Urban Land Institute

G. I. Bill

Veterans Administration

special hazard

decentralization

adverse

expandable

Black veterans

exploitative terms

dilapidated

school boundaries

race tax

school segregation

Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka

urban spaces

racial steering

integration

neighborhood attendance zones

urban renewal

demolition

slum clearance

highway construction

blighted areas

property values

east of Troost

bulldozer’s path

public housing

ESTABLISHED 1899 | KANSAS CITY’S JOURNAL OF SOCIETY

THE CENTER OF IT ALL ENJOY THE BEST OF KANSAS CITY PERFORMING ARTS

Trailblazing Talks

SAVING OUR BLUE PLANET

One Hope Spot at a Time

May 21, 2024 | 7:30 P.M.

Punch Brothers

June 18, 2024 | 7:30 P.M.

Future Stages Festival

FREE FAMILY-FRIENDLY EVENT

June 9, 2024 | 12 - 5 P.M.

Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs

June 24, 2024 | 7:30 P.M.

Donny Osmond

June 11, 2024 | 7:30 P.M.

Bluey’s Big Play

THE STAGE SHOW

Aug. 17 & 18, 2024 | 12:30 & 3:30 P.M.

KANSAS CITY SYMPHONY

FIRST VIOLINS

Jun Iwasaki, Concertmaster Miller Nichols Chair

Stirling Trent, Associate Concertmaster

Sunho Kim, Assistant Concertmaster

Anne-Marie Brown

Michael Brown

Betty Chen

Anthony DeMarco

Susan Goldenberg*

Tomoko Iguchi

Dorris Dai Janssen

Filip Lazovski ∆

Chiafei Lin

Vladimir Rykov

Alex Shum*

SECOND VIOLINS

Tamamo Someya Gibbs, Principal

Kristin Velicer, Acting Associate Principal

Minhye Helena Choi, Acting Assistant Principal

Arianna Brusubardis^

Mary Garcia Grant

Kazato Inouye

Rena Ishii

Paul Kim^

Stephanie Larsen

Jinyou Lee^

Sodam Lim

James Zabawa-Martinez ∆

VIOLAS

MingYu Hsu, Principal

Duncan Steele^, Associate Principal

Jessica Nance, Assistant Principal

Kent Brauninger

Sean Brumble

Marvin Gruenbaum

Jenifer Houck

Duke Lee

Jesse Yukimura

CELLOS

Mark Gibbs, Principal

Robert A. Kipp Chair

Susie Yang, Associate Principal

Richard Hill Chair

Alexander East, Assistant Principal

Matt Beckmann ∆

Maria Crosby

John Eadie

Lawrence Figg

Meredith McCook

Allen Probus

DOUBLE BASSES

Evan Halloin, Acting Principal

Richard Ryan, Acting Associate Principal

Nils Aardahl

Lena Goodson ∆

Joseph Nunez

Keith Wymer ∆

Caleb Quillen‡

FLUTES

Michael Gordon, Principal Marylou and John Dodds

Turner Chair

Shannon Finney, Associate Principal

Kayla Burggraf

PICCOLO

Kayla Burggraf

OBOES

Kristina Fulton, Principal Shirley Bush Helzberg Chair

Alison Chung, Associate Principal

Matthew Lengas

ENGLISH HORN

Matthew Lengas

CLARINETS

Raymond Santos, Principal

Bill and Peggy Lyons Chair

Silvio Guitian, Associate Principal

John Klinghammer

E-FLAT CLARINET

Silvio Guitian

BASS CLARINET

John Klinghammer

BASSOONS

Ann Bilderback, Principal Barton P. and Mary D. Cohen Chair

Thomas DeWitt, Associate Principal

Maxwell Pipinich

CONTRABASSOON

Thomas DeWitt

HORNS

David Sullivan, Acting Principal Landon and Sarah Rowland Chair

Alberto Suarez‡, Principal Elizabeth Gray, Acting Associate Principal

David Gamble

Stephen Multer, Associate Principal Emeritus Benjamin Bacni ∆

TRUMPETS

Julian Kaplan, Principal James B. and Annabel Nutter Chair

George Goad, Acting Associate Principal

Steven Franklin‡, Associate Principal

Shea Kelsay ∆

TROMBONES

Evelyn Carlson^, Principal Porter Wyatt Henderson, Associate Principal

Jahleel Smith ∆

BASS TROMBONE

Jahleel Smith ∆

TUBA

Joe LeFevre, Principal Frank Byrne Chair

TIMPANI

Timothy Jepson, Principal Michael and Susan Newburger Chair

PERCUSSION

David Yoon, Acting Principal

Justin Ochoa ∆, Acting Associate Principal

HARP

Katie Ventura ∆, Acting Principal

LIBRARIANS

Elena Lence Talley, Principal

Fabrice Curtis

Justin White, Director of Orchestra Personnel

Kirsten Loynachan, Assistant Personnel Manager

Tyler Miller, Stage Manager

* Non-Rotating Musician

^ New Member

‡ On Leave of Absence

∆ One-Year Member

offers 11 convenient locations to serve you. Scan the QR code to request an appointment or free consultation today!

The KANSAS CITY ROSE SOCIETY offers:

A FREE, World-Class Rose Garden in Loose Park

Affordable Memberships • A Network of Gardening Enthusiasts • Rose Care & Tips

Annual Rose Show • Seasonal Garden Parties

love is a rose program

Have a rose bush planted and dedicated to your loved one! A truly unique gift or memorial.

LEARN ABOUT ALL THAT WE OFFER AT

kansascityrosesociety.org

“The

- Dwight D.

"The

- John Lasseter

BARRE KC is the leading group for young professionals interested in supporting Kansas City Ballet

Share your love of ballet with other like-minded individuals at a variety of social, educational, and networking events year-round.

INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP – $75/ANNUALLY or $6/MONTH

• Discounted pricing for performances up to 50% off

• Invitation to all BARRE KC events

• 5 free KCB School Dance & Fitness classes

SIGN UP TODAY AT

• Drink tickets at BARRE KC pre- and post-parties

• Discounted pricing for BARRE KC’s Soiree fundraising event

• Open rehearsals to meet dancers

At KC Ballet School, we believe dance is for everyone, including adults with little or no dance experience. Our dance & fitness classes are drop-in style and meet weekly.

ALL ABILITY LEVELS START ANYTIME! CLASSES START AT $15

Todd Bolender Center for Dance & Creativity

W. Pershing Rd., Kansas City, MO 64108

South Campus at Meadowbrook 9415 Nall Ave Ste 101 Prairie Village, KS 66207

SIGN UP TODAY AT KCBALLET.ORG

KCB’s premiere philanthropic support group with a monthly gift of $200 or an annual gift of $2,500.

Photos by Mark McDonald & Brian Rice.

Kansas City Ballet Comes to You! An exciting, interactive lecture demonstration that offers a range of classic and contemporary ballet excerpts in a 50-minute program that includes a Q & A. Narration is provided by KC Ballet directors and dancers from Kansas City Ballet’s Second Company, who also perform.

Great for schools, libraries, and community organizations! KC Ballet’s Studio to Stage Lecture Demonstrations are offered on specific dates in October and November 2023 and in January- April 2024.

FOR QUESTIONS AND TO PURCHASE: If you are a community organization, school, library, or senior center, and want more information or bring this program to your venue, email aberry@kcballet.org or call 816.216.5583.

Photo by Andrea Wilson.

PARK INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR MUSIC

When Stanislav loudenitch first started the Park International Center for Music, he began with a simple concept. Find exceptional music teachers, and give them the time, tools, focus, and dedication needed to transform exceptional students into masters themselves. An internationally-recognized Van Cliburn gold medalist, Ioudenitch assembled a team that shared his world-class skills and his passion for teaching. Other outstanding programs have great master instructors. But no other American conservatory lets those masters devote the time to their students like they do at Park ICM. Not even storied programs like Juilliard, Curtis, or Eastman.

Come experience the birth of our international stars. Visit ICM.PARK.EDU for our concert schedule today.

“These featured soloists from Park University’s International Center for Music represent not only the quality of performance in Kansas City, but the future of it, too.”

– THE KANSAS CITY STAR

DECEMBER 7, 2024

Celebrate the holiday season at Kansas City Ballet Guild’s annual gala, the Nutcracker Ball at the Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center. Proceeds from the Nutcracker Ball provide essential support for Kansas City Ballet.

BENEFACTOR SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE

NOW • KCBALLET.ORG

Single tickets on sale September 3, 2024.

KANSAS CITY BALLET GUILD PRESENTS

Photography by Kenny Johnson.

KANSAS CITY BALLET CONTRIBUTORS

Thank you to the 2023-2024 Bolender Society Members for their dedication and transformational support.

BOLENDER SOCIETY

LEADERSHIP

($100,000+)

Estelle S. and Robert A. Long Ellis Foundation

Francis Family FoundationJ. Scott Francis

Marilyn A.W. Gaar and Norman E. Gaar, Esq. Hall Family Foundation

John and Mary Hunkeler

Kansas City Ballet Guild

Julia Irene Dennie-Kauffman

Dennis and Susan Lordi Marker

Missouri Arts Council

Muriel McBrien Kauffman Family Foundation

Richard J. Stern Foundation for the Arts - Commerce Bank, Trustee

The Seeley FoundationDana Seeley

Bill and Ginny Shackelford

BOLENDER SOCIETY

DIAMOND

($50,000-$99,999)

Evelyn R. Craft Belger and C. Richard Belger

Carol Blum and Steven R. Wilson

R and C Charitable Foundation

The Shubert Foundation

Dr. Michael J. and Cindy S. Wurm

BOLENDER SOCIETY

PLATINUM

($25,000-$49,999)

Anonymous

Mr. and Mrs. A. Joseph Brandmeyer

Innes and John Hale

Ms. Joan Horan

Bonne and Clifford W. Illig

The Estate of Billie Mahoney

National Endowment for the Arts Sosland Foundation

Greg and Barbara Storm

Angela and John Walker

William T. Kemper Foundation - Commerce Bank, Trustee

BOLENDER SOCIETY GOLD

($10,000-$24,999)

Brad Allen and Gene Cooper

Anonymous

Arvin T. Gottlieb Charitable Foundation - UMB Bank, Trustee

Bruce and Vicki Baxter

Peggy and Andrew Beal

Mr. Blair Bieser

Anne and Jerry Blatherwick

Joe and Claire Brand

Mike and Vicki Bray

Janis E. Brewster

Stanley J. Bushman and Ann Canfield

Karen and Stephen Clegg

Fred and Lucy Coulson

Daniel Keating Foundation

Bill and Jo Anne Dondlinger

Cathy and Steve Doyal

Elsberry Family FoundationAnne and Howard Elsberry

Richard and Sue Ann

Fagerberg

Mr. and Mrs. Barnett

C. Helzberg, Jr.

Linda Houston Foundation

J.B. Reynolds Foundation

Jackson and Gamble Family

Dr. Roger and Mrs. Sandy Jackson

Dr. Richard Jensen

Jerome Robbins Foundation

Kao Family Foundation

Kirk FoundationJulie and Mike Kirk

William T. Laaser

George H. Langworthy, Sr.

The Lighton FundLinda Lighton and Lynn Adkins

Louis & Elizabeth Nave

Flarsheim Charitable Foundation - Bank of America, Trustee

The Edward G. and Kathryn E. Mader Foundation

Mary Anne and Steve McDowell

Teresa and Bruce McKinney

Miller Nichols Charitable Foundation

Dr. Linda E. Mitchell

Barbara Clarke Nash

Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund

Sarah Nelson and Jesse Pedraza

Oppenstein Brothers Foundation - Commerce Bank, Trustee

Leslie A. Pfriem

George and Wendy Powell Fund of The Kuehn Foundation

Paula and Jack Rowe

Suzanne Shank

Dr. Christopher and Mrs. Lisa Sirridge SkillBuilders Fund

Ms. Kathy Stepp and Mr. Howard Rothwell

Mr. and Mrs. William D. Sullivan

The Thomas and Sally Wood

Family Foundation

Mr. Bill Weaver and

Ms. Crystal O’Dea

Michele Hamlett-Weith and Brian Weith

William T. Kemper

Charitable Trust, UMB Bank

Patricia Martin and Brian Woolley

Sarah Ye

BOLENDER SOCIETY

SILVER

($5,000-$9,999)

Andy and Kathy Anderson

Dr. Lillard and DeVette Ashley

Dr. Stephen and Susan Bubb

Ms. Lisa Choules

Vicki and Mark Dickerson

Dee and Dave Dillon

Edie and Randy Downing

Joseph and Diana Eisenach

Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation

Carol and Tony Feiock

Mr. Michael D. Fields

Sally Firestone

Ms. Melissa Ford and Dr. Eric

Molloy - Park University

Drs. Nicholas and Stephanie Golda

Susan and Zack Hangauer

David and Beth Harris

Haverty Family FoundationMichael and Marlys Haverty

Rudy and Deb Herrmann

Kim and Ted Higgins

Ingram Family Foundation -

Beth Ingram

Cynthia James

Melanie Jones and

Susan Johnson

Mr. Jerry T. Katlin and

Mr. Dan DeLeon

Charlotte Kemper Black

Jonathan and Nancy Lee

Kemper

Ms. Victoria Lamkey

Christopher and Gretchen Leff

Colette and James Majerle

Julia and Greg Malter

Maria Manosa

Rachel and Matt Merlo

Edward P. Milbank

Troy and Angela Moore

Ms. Sherrill Mulhern

Dr. Dan and Rev. Jeanie Murphy

Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Musolf

Kathy and Justin Nemechek

John and Linda Nobles

George and Suzy Pagels

Carolyn and Bill Parkerson

Ms. Margot Patterson

Ms. Julie Phillips

R.A. Long Foundation

Gigi and Gary Rose

Mr. and Mrs. Glen Sands

Zachary H. Shafran

Mr. Ian Spinks and

Ms. Juliette Singer

Stratus Group LLC -

Courtney and Peggy Jones

Suhor Family Foundation -

Joe and Carol Suhor, Trustees

Deb and Tom Swenson

Jennifer and Bryan Wampler

Lynne and Carl Weilert

Dr. Loren and Thomas Whittaker

Raelee Wright

Dr. John and Karen Yungmeyer

BOLENDER SOCIETY BRONZE

($2,500-$4,999)

Ms. Jane Abildgaard

Chris Ahrens

John and Anna Allen

Anonymous (2)

Marina and Matthew Bell

Sarah Bent and

Craig Thompson

Dr. Angelo and Mrs. Joan Brisimitzakis

Lynne and Peter Brown

Mrs. Melinda Burke

Devon Carney and Pamela Royal Carney

Ms. Patricia A Chasnoff

Dennis and Marilyn Christopher

Dr. Akin and Ms. Ayca Cil

City of Kansas City, MO

Dr. Robert Claassen

Vince and Julie Clark

Robert J. Cody

Gene and Joy Cota

Dr. Suzanne C. Crandall

Don and Patricia Dagenais

Kyle Danner

Drs. Charles and Donna Davis

Peggy and Terrence Dunn

Julia Kirk and John Duty

Vicki Erickson and Ron Keel

Melanie and Mike Fenske

A Friend of Kansas City Ballet

Mark and Nancy Gilman

Susan Gilmore and Barry Loughrige

Bruce and Kathy Gordon

David Gray and Kyra Nichols

Ms. Cynthia L. Hampton

George and Sharon HarterA Night on the Town

Theater Trips

Mary Beth and Hank Hershey

Lisa Merrill Hickok

Robert and Cindy Hisle

Ms. Jill Ingram Reynolds

Dr. Karen Jordan

Mr. Steve Joss

Dr. and Mrs. Howard Kilbride

Dana M. Koehn

Dr. and Mrs. William Kruse

Siobhan McLaughlin Lesley

Bill Lindsay and Jan Foletta

Mrs. Bobbie A. Mathes

Mr. Robert H. Maynard, in memory of Heather Maynard

P. Alan McDermott

Julia and Dennis Meyer

Katherine A. Miller

Denise Minet

Barbara Nicely

Drs. Charles and Susan Porter

Kathy and Michael Rainen

Mr. Mark Sappington and Dr. David S. McGee

Mark and Janice Schonwetter

Dr. Richard Schupp and Dr. Marilu Goodyear

Sherman Family FoundationMarny and John Sherman

Mrs. Sunday Siragusa

Craig Sole

Marya and Kent Stallard

Jody Shelton Stephen

Michele and Jim Stowers

Bradley and Cynthia Strecker

Aviva Ajmera and Wayne Strickland

Fr. Paul Turner

Mr. Jeff Van Slyke

Dr. and Mrs. Charles

W. Van Way III

Linda Weber

Keith and Margie Weber Foundation

Chris and DeEtte L. Whiteman

Mr. Ronald Wilson, in memory of Barbara Baer, PhD

Darlus M. Wolff

Mrs. Margaret Wurst

Andy Zaborny and Karyn Clewes Zaborny

KANSAS CITY BALLET CONTRIBUTORS

Many thanks to the following individuals and charitable foundations for their support from January 1, 2023 to April 10, 2024.

PATRON

($1,000-$2,499)

Mary Cade Allen

Ms. Leslie G. Anderson

Anonymous (3)

Ivan and Karla Batlle

Mr. and Mrs. Jack Beal

Melinda Beal

Lillian Berry

Cynthia J. Bleck

Ms. Tessa Bodnar

Diana and Mike Brady

Dr. Robert and Pamela Bruce

Dr. Kenneth and Mrs. Norma Buchwach

Robert Butler

Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Carpenter

Copaken Family Foundation

Dale and Loire Cowen

Creative Planning Foundation

Mr. and Mrs. James C. Cusser

Mary and John M. EdgarEdgar Law Firm LLC

Ericson Family

Michelle and William Fasel

Ron and Tricia Fredman

George and Ada Ultch Memorial Fund

Frances and George Gerritz

Ann and Douglas Ghertner

Thomas Gillespie

Lisa E. and Steven B. Glassman

Ellen R. and John R. Goheen

Gayle Gotcher

Ms. Pamela Hancock

George Helmkamp

Henry E. Wurst Family Foundation

Gary and Liddell Hobin

Sharon and John Hoffman

Ms. Angela Hudson

Linda and Topper Johntz

Jessica Joseph and Vivek Dubey

Regina and Bill Kort

Art Lafex

Laura T. Landmann

Monica and Peter Lane

Linda Lenza

Ken and Nan Lippincott

Mr. Wayne E. Lippman

Louis and Frances Swinken

Supporting Foundation

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Lyon

Patricia Macdonald

Martha Lee Cain Tranby Music Enrichment Fund

Donna and Rex Martin

Mr. G. Dale Mathey

McAnany Construction

Martina and Patrick McLarney

Mr. and Mrs. William McVay

Joshua and Abigail Millan

Miller-Mellor Association - Mr.

JoZach Miller and Mr. Peter Bali

Dr. and Mrs. Robert E. Moffat

Ms. Kelly L. Muehlberger

Marcy Nelson

Mr. Joab Ortiz

Park University

Diana and Rick Poccia

Mr. Hal Douglas Quinn

Emilia Ann Rivera

Connie and David Ross

John Rufenacht Associates

Lisa and Charles Schellhorn

Ms. Carol Nelson Shifflett

Pam and Gary Smedile

Rebecca and Phil Smith

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas and

Sharon Soetaert

Ms. Alexis Strauss

Pamela and Terrence Sullivan

Don and Robin Sumple

Peter Sunderman and Curt Thomas

The Trudy Foundation

Unified Government-Hollywood

Casino of Wyandotte County

Michael and Mandy Velder

Lauren Vohland

Myron and Nicole Wang

Sandy and Byron Whitaker

Jeff and Danielle Whitman

Marissa Wickam

PURE Workplace SolutionsJean-Paul Wong

Mrs. Peggy Jean Younger

Sophia C. Zetmeir

PRINCIPAL

($500-$999)

Ms. Kathryn Abbott

Tricia Adolphson

Anne Allen

David and Jennifer Anderson

Anonymous

Mr. Joseph Appelt

Mr. Roger Arwood and

Ms. Marcelle Cooper

Pamela Bachman

Thomas and Karen Badgett

Margaret Perkins-McGuinness

and Nathan Benjamin

Cathy Bennett and Mike McGuire

Ms. Laura Bentley

Joan and Bert BerkleyBlue Heron Foundation

Lt. Graham G. Boswell

Tom and Judy Bowser

Cynthia Bray

Mr. Charles E. Bruffy and

Mr. Donald Loncasty

Dr. Joan and Mr. David Brunfeldt

Ms. Norma Butler

Kirk and Tamara Carson

Michael and Michelle Castagno

Brenda Cauthen

Craig and Jill Connell

Dr. Patricia Cox

Emily Csik

The DeBruce FoundationPaul and Linda DeBruce

David Donovan, PhD

Stephen Eads

George and Mary Edwards

Michelle Ekstam Jones

Dr. and Mrs. Jason W. Eppler

Ana C Espinosa

Joni and Chuck Etherington

Dan Flanigan

Bonnie Frederick

Darold and Melinda Frenzen

Kent Galley

Ms. Astra Garner

Mr. Ervin Gina

Ms. Anita Toby Grow and Dr. Jon Scheinman

Matt and Haley Haar

Craig and Gina Harrison

Quinn Harold and Madison Moore

Karen and Judy Haynes

Dr. Victoria Haynes

Jim Hoenscheidt

Lesley and Peter Holt

Humboldt Sax

William and Margo Humenczuk

Diana Ice

Harold and Vicki James

Jessica and Malik James

Christina and Chris Johnson

Demetria Johnson

Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Johnson

Dr. and Mrs. Steven Joyce

Renate Julian

Mollie Keeler James, in loving memory of Lois and Elisha Keeler

Mr. Alex Keiffer

Randee and Will Krumwiede

Skylar Povala Linn and Aaron Linn

Thomas and Joyce Lohmeyer

Mrs. Frances Judge Longbottom

Dallas Marie Lowell

Jenny Manka

Robert and Terri Marx

Jill and Sean McCarthy

Carol and Dan McCartney

Mrs. Samantha Mockaitis

Kathleen and David Moore

Phyllis Naragon

Fielding and Janice Norton

Emily and Todd Novicoff

Mr. Andrew Osman and

Mrs. Deb Feder

Bill Pallucca

Jo Beth Paradis and Bill Steeb

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Parizek

Eastin Pecota

Mr. and Mrs. Joel Pinkston

Mr. and Mrs. Adam Pontier

Ms. Joan Priolo

Dick and Sharyl Roady

Ruthie Russell

Marsha Schieber

Anastasia and Max Schlesinger

Mrs. Latrica R. Schnepf

Mrs. Shirley Schoenlaub

Veronica and Jere Sellers

Ms. Penny Shand and

Marissa Lyons

Ms. Mary Shearer

Kristine Sheridan-Harris

Steve and Joan Sherman

Debbie and Tom Sherrer

Linda Singer and Louis Klein Jr.

Will Stroman

Dan and Karen Toughey

Kyle and Jacquie Ward

Brad Warden

Mr. and Mrs. Steve Watson

Mrs. Barbara Weary

Ms. Kristi Weaver Rowe

Ms. Paula Weber

Joyce and Gregory Wolfe

Mary Ruud Wood & Lance Wood

Gregory Woodhams and Julia Gargallo

Kansas City Ballet could not function without the generosity of you, our Family of Supporters. For more information or to become a member of The Bolender Society, contact Chris Roady, Associate Director of Individual Giving at 816.216.5582 or croady@kcballet.org.

KANSAS CITY BALLET SCHOOL

KIMBERLY COWEN

INTERIM SCHOOL DIRECTOR, PRINCIPAL & KCYB DIRECTOR

Kimberly Cowen, a native of St. Louis, Missouri, received most of her ballet training from Nathalie LeVine. She also has studied at St. Louis Ballet under Ludmilla Dokoudovsky and Antoni Zalewski, at Pacific Northwest Ballet with Fleming Halby and Nina Danilova and at The Joffrey Ballet with Francesca Corkle and Winthrop Corey. She studied at the Kansas City Ballet School with Todd Bolender, Una Kai, and Lisa Dillinger before joining the Kansas City Ballet in 1991, where she danced for 20 years. Ms. Cowen has danced as Swanilda in Coppélia, Odette in Swan Lake, Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty, the title role in Giselle, Carmen and Romeo & Juliet. She has had the pleasure of dancing a wide variety of styles by famous choreographers such as George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, Anthony Tudor, Todd Bolender, David Parsons, Paul Taylor, Merce Cunningham, Twyla Tharp, Vincente Nebrada, Nacho Duato, Margo Sappington, Trey McIntyre, Jessica Lang, Val Caniparoli, Mary Wigman and William Whitener. Ms. Cowen began teaching at the Somerset

KANSAS CITY BALLET SCHOOL | STAFF

Kimberly Cowen

Interim School Director, Principal & KCYB Director

Lauren Fadeley Veyette Daytime Principal & Competition Coordinator

Taryn Ouellette Principal, South Campus at Meadowbrook

KANSAS

Dmitry Trubchanov Men’s Program Coordinator & KCYB Associate Director

Courtney Collado School Operations Manager

Sean Duus

R.O.A.D. Residency Coordinator

Rachel Grisi Dugan Summer Intensive Coordinator

CITY BALLET SCHOOL | FACULTY

Iyonna Barris

Joshua Bodden

Chelsea Brown

Tara Burgat

Nora Burkitt-Davis

Christina Burton

Kristi Capps

Devon Carney

Pamela Carney

Tamara Carson

Courtney Collado

Mary Kay Cottrill

Kimberly Cowen

Caroline Dahm

Rachel Dugan

KANSAS

Ballet in 1998 and joined the KCBS staff in 2002. Ms. Cowen is responsible for the students of the Upper School and is the director of the Kansas City Youth Ballet. She is dedicated to teaching the next generation of dancers and passing on all she has learned in her time as a student and a professional.

KANSAS CITY BALLET SCHOOL

Kansas City Ballet School is the Official School of Kansas City Ballet and offers two tracks of study: the Academy for the career-minded student who aspires to be a professional dancer; and the Studio for youth and adults who wish to study for recreation. Classes are offered in ballet, pointe, men’s technique, tap, flamenco, modern, jazz and more. All classes are taught by highly-qualified professionals with the experience and dedication to guide, inspire and nurture all students in their dance training. The School uniform partner is Elevé Dancewear. Kansas City Ballet School was named “Outstanding School” by Youth America Grand Prix 2017-2022. There are two convenient locations: the Todd Bolender Center for Dance & Creativity in downtown Kansas City and the South Campus at Meadowbrook at 95th & Nall. Call 816.931.2299 for more information or email school@kcballet.org.

Nora Burkitt-Davis Children’s Program & Adaptive Dance Coordinator

Megan Robinson Bolender Center Administrator

Quinse Thompson South Campus Administrator

PART-TIME ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS/RECEPTION

Miana Abramson

Adrienne Anderson

Iyonna Barris

Allaylu Freeman

Katherine Jackson

Aspen Ross

Sarah Wilczewski

Susan Williams

Dylan Wills

Sean Duus

Stephanie Eppler

Lauren Fadeley

Veyette

Melissa Ford

Georgia Fuller

Tess Gadwood

Sidney Haefs

Maureen Hall

Michele HamlettWeith

Jeremy Hanson

Debbie JacobsHuffaker

Macy Jordan

David Justin

Joshua Kiesel

Elaine Kimble

Haley Kostas

Kramer Kreiling

Hannah Lareau

Susan Lewis

Skyler Linn

Gabriel Lorena

Michael Martin

Parrish Maynard

Troy Monger-Levin

Brittany Moss

Erin Muenks

Tempe Ostergren

CITY BALLET SCHOOL | ACCOMPANISTS

Jordan Voth

Principal Academy Pianist

Brian Bates

Samuel Beckett

Nina Cherry

John Currey

Inna Daniels

Phillip DeWalt

Jonathan Doram

Ian Evans Guthrie

Noila Ortega

Andrew Ouellette

Taryn Ouellette

Jennifer Owen

Logan Pachciarz

Taryn Pachciarz

Andrew Parker

Nadine Price-Rojas

Tina Ray

Megan Robinson

Amaya Rodriguez

Aspen Ross

Christopher Ruud

Suzanne Ryanstrati

Jenny Schmidt

Emily Simpson

Lisa Sirridge

William Puckett

Angie Roustio

Jaclyn Rylee

RJ Schultze

Cameron Thomas

Toinette Tamayo

Dmitry Trubchanov

Laura Vernaci

Francis Veyette

Lynley Von Engeln

Paula Weber

Marisa DeEtte

Whiteman

Susan Williams

Latra Wilson

Jacob Thomas

Yee-Sik Wong

Xiangyu Zhao

ARTISTIC

Devon Carney Artistic Director

Kristi Capps Rehearsal Director

Parrish Maynard Rehearsal Director

Christopher Ruud Second Company Manager & Rehearsal Director

PHILANTHROPY

Jennifer J.E. Wampler, MBA, CFRE Chief Philanthropy Officer

Rebecca Zandarski, CFRE, CSPG Director of Gift Planning

Chris Roady Associate Director of Individual Giving

Grace Ingham Manager, Events & Philanthropy

PRODUCTION

Amy Taylor Director of Production

Laura Krus Stage Manager

Jennifer Carroll Costume Supervisor

Betti Jo Diem Assistant Costume Supervisor

Kimberly Cowen Interim School Director

Ramona Pansegrau Music Director & Conductor

Jordan Voth Company Pianist

KANSAS CITY BALLET STAFF

ADMINISTRATIVE

David Gray Executive Director

Kevin Amey Chief Operations Officer

George Hans Chief Financial Officer

Gregg Markowski Finance Director

Mary Allen Office Manager/Executive Assistant

MARKETING

Kelly Leahy Manager, Philanthropic Communications

Natalie Sextro Manager, Research & Stewardship

Maya Momon Philanthropy Assistant

David Anderson Director of Marketing

Andrea S. Wilson Associate Director of Marketing

Savanna Daniels Design & Digital Marketing Manager

Beeh Becvar Creative Content Producer

Nicole Dolan Marketing Coordinator

Ellen McDonald Publicist

Mark Volk Patron Services Manager

Kim Toigo Assistant Patron Services Manager

April Madden Costume Shop Assistant

Madeline Brasgalla Assistant Stage Manager

IATSE LOCAL #31, STAGE CREW

Greg Brown Head Electrician Emeritus

Margaret Spare Head Electrician

Josh Beasley Head Carpenter

Dale Klamm Head Properties

Rick Knapp Programmer

Ryan Lewis Steward & Head Flyman

Phil Rebel Audio Engineer

IATSE LOCAL #810, WARDROBE ATTENDANTS

Desiree Story Head of Wardrobe

Kansas City Ballet acknowledges the following professional service providers:

Lathrop GPM, Legal

Stinson Leonard Street LLP, Legal Husch Blackwell LLP, Legal BKD, LLP, Auditors Commerce Trust Company, Investment Advisors

SRA Benefits, Insurance

KC Foot & Ankle Dr. John J. Riley, DPM

Kansas City Orthopedic Alliance

Lead physicians - Dr. Michael Khadavi, Dr. JP Halloran and Dr. Fermin Santos

The Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Clinic of Kansas City

Lead physician - Dr. Kirk McCullough

Dr. Nancy L. Murdock, PhD, Psychological Consultant

Performance Rehab, Kansas City Ballet's Physical Rehabilitation Provider (Lead Physical Therapist, Kendra Gage) Extraordinary Machine Massage, Stephen Jacoby, LMT

Lois Kauffman, Kansas City Ballet Archivist

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