Vail Dance Magazine 2021

Artist-In-Residence

CALVIN ROYAL III

New York City Ballet

MOVES returns to Vail

EMPOWERING BOYS IN DANCE INVIGORATING

NEW WORKS

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BalletX. Photo by Erin Baiano.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Welcome Letter See you this summer: live and in-person

Festival Support We couldn’t do this without you

Festival Programs

Festival Fringe Events

Frequently Asked Questions

Artist Relief Fund

Calvin Royal III

Festival ArtistIn-Residence

BalletX

Festival Calendar of Events

Vail Valley Foundation Board of Directors & Life Trustees, & Vail Dance Festival Committee

Festival Patrons

Featured Companies & Quartet-InResidence

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Empowering Boys in Dance

NOW: Premieres

“Scene” at the Festival

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Celebrating Festival dancers

Preserving Dance for the Future

25 New York City Ballet MOVES Saturday, July 31 | 7:30pm

26 UpClose: Artist-In-Residence Calvin Royal III Sunday, Aug 1 | 6:00pm

27 BalletX: Sunset, o639 Hours Monday, Aug 2 | 7:30pm

28 UpClose Wednesday, Aug 4 | 6:00pm

29 Dancing in the Park: BalletX Thursday, Aug 5 | 5:30pm

30 International Evenings of Dance I

Festival Artists

Maria Kowroski

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Celebrate the Beat

Friday, July 30 | 7:30pm

New York City Ballet MOVES

24 Opening Night

Festival CompanyIn-Residence

25 44 46

Festival Luncheon Honorees

VAIL DANCE FESTIVAL OFFICIAL PROGRAM

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New York City Ballet star looks forward and back

Friday, Aug 6 | 7:30pm

31 International Evenings of Dance II Saturday, Aug 7 | 5:00pm Saturday, Aug 7 | 8:00pm

32 NOW: Premieres Monday, Aug 9 | 7:30pm

Thank You Festival Supporters & Staff

Photos by Erin Baiano, Gabriel Bienczycki, and Peter Hurley.

WELCOME LETTER

D

ear Friends,

For more than a year we have been waiting to write these words: Welcome back to the Vail Dance Festival: live and in-person!

Damian Woetzel Artistic Director, Vail Dance Festival

It is so wonderful to be together with all of you again. And yet, in some ways, we were never truly apart. Our 2020 Vail Dance Festival: Digital Edition delivered eight evenings of programming, two world premieres, and brought more than 100,000 viewers to experience the Festival virtually, with more than a billion media impressions across 19 nations!

In 2020 we also showed how powerful the Vail Dance Festival community can be when it unifies around a common cause — our generous donors contributed nearly $200,000 to our Vail Dance Festival Artist Relief Fund, providing sustaining grants to our Festival Artists and staff whose work was disrupted by the pandemic. Our bonds as a community were strengthened by the adversity of 2020, and we recognize the expansive new connections we can now make through digital mediums.

Sarah Johnson Senior Vice President of Philanthropy & Vail Dance Festival

Susan Campbell Committee Chair, Vail Dance Festival

But this is a year when we have all realized the importance of being together. Throughout this special Festival season you will find a spirit of reunion. From our Opening Night which so rightly features Jerome Robbins’ Dances at a Gathering, we will revel in our restored connection as human beings, and in our ability to gather again. As we all remember with sadness the terrible losses experienced during this health crisis, we know how fortunate we are to now join together safely, surrounded by the incredible power of the arts. Through dance and music and the Festival’s creative spirit, we will once again take to the stages, and the streets, and the classrooms, and now to the online world as well, united in purpose and the joy of reconnection.

We are grateful to share this Festival with you, resuming a more than three-decades-long tradition here in the exquisite mountain environment of the Colorado Rockies. We greatly anticipate all there is to look forward to, and we hope you enjoy the time that we are so fortunate to share with you, this season and beyond.

Onward!

The Vail Dance Festival is a project of the nonprofit Vail Valley Foundation.

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PUBLISHER

Mark Wurzer MANAGING EDITOR

Wren Bova

SENIOR EDITOR

Kristen Dudding

SALES MANAGERS

Sandie Aveil Mark Bricklin Chris Mathews

CONTENT & DIRECTION

Martha Brassel Sarah Johnson Cameron Morgan Kate Penner Damian Woetzel

CONTRIBUTORS

Kimberly Nicoletti Sarah Silverblatt-Buser PHOTO CONTRIBUTORS

Erin Baiano Gabriel Bienczycki Christopher Duggan Myesha Evon Sequoia Harris Peter Hurley Alexander Iziliaev Taylor James Photography Paul Kolnik Shervin Lainez John-Ryan Lockman Brian Maloney Jerry Metellus Jon Resnick Nina Robinson Pierre Wachholder

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COVER PHOTO

Calvin Royal III. Photo by Erin Baiano All programs and artists are subject to change.

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FESTIVAL SUPPORT

WE COULDN’T DO IT WITHOUT YOU

��� Ticket Sales

With your financial support, we can elevate the Vail Dance Festival to new heights year after year. There are many ways to help the Festival flourish! We hope you will review the information below and consider making a donation.

Ways to Give Annual Giving

Festival Funding Sources

The Festival offers a variety of annual giving levels to suit all donors. Donors receive access to special events, rehearsals, VIP parking, priority ticketing and more! Monthly payment options available.

�� Miscellaneous

Planned Giving Planned gifts have a lasting impact and ensure artistic excellence onstage and in the community for generations to come. There are a range of opportunities that allow you to fulfill your own financial and philanthropic goals while making a lasting gift. Visit vvf.planmylegacy.org for more information.

How to Give Stock Gifts Donation of stock is one of the most tax-smart ways to give, allowing you to avoid capital gains tax.

Donor Advised Funds (DAF) A DAF, like a charitable savings account, gives you the flexibility to recommend how much and how often money is given to the Festival. You can recommend a grant or recurring grants to make an immediate impact or use your fund as a tool for future charitable gifts.

IRA Charitable Rollover Are you 70 1/2 years of age or older? If so, the IRA Charitable Rollover is a tax-smart and increasingly popular way to support nonprofits. This permanent provision of the tax code allows you to transfer all or a portion of the required minimum distribution (RMD) directly to the Festival.

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��� Grants

��� Individual Donations

�� �� Sponsorships Government

Wire Transfer To make a donation via wire transfer, please contact the Vail Dance Festival at 970.777.2015.

Check or Online Make a donation by mailing a check to the Vail Dance Festival at PO Box 6550, Avon, CO, 81620 or online at vaildance.org/support.

To learn more, reach out to Sarah or Martha or visit vaildance.org/support.

Sarah Johnson Senior VP of Philanthropy & Vail Dance Festival sjohnson@vvf.org 970.748.5921

Martha Brassel Senior Director of Development mbrassel@vvf.org 970.748.5907

FESTIVAL PROGRAMS

Community Arts Access

Access to the arts for all

• Each year, we partner with local nonprofits to distribute complimentary tickets to the Vail Dance Festival.

• To keep the Festival affordable for families, we offer free lawn tickets for children 12 and under. Students and faculty may purchase discounted lawn tickets for $10.

Festival performance in 2019 at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater. Photo by John-Ryan Lockman.

Intern & Ambassador Programs Engaging the next generation of arts leaders

Ambassador Program The Ambassador Program provides a unique, hands-on opportunity for current 8th through 12th graders to be involved with the Festival.

Ambassadors work closely with the Festival staff and are an integral part of our overall success. The program includes a community service component as well as numerous educational offerings.

Underwritten by Barbara Scrivens, LIV Sotheby’s International Realty.

Intern Program Every year, over 20 ambitious graduate and undergraduate students from around the country serve as members of the Festival Intern Team.

Interns support a variety of areas including artist hospitality, media/ communications, education/outreach, venue/rehearsal management, transportation/logistics, food/beverage, and development. This is a unique opportunity to work behind-the-scenes alongside some of the world’s greatest dancers, choreographers, and artistic leaders, and has launched numerous professional careers in the arts.

Photo by Sequoia Harris.

YouthPower���’s Celebrate the Beat Pop Hop Camp A free week-long dance camp culminating in performances at the Festival Eagle County youth ages 9-14 have the opportunity to participate in Pop Hop Camp designed to foster teamwork, creativity, and joy of accomplishment through dance. Directed by Tracy Straus, the program was introduced in Eagle County in 2007 by Heather Watts and Damian Woetzel.

Underwritten by Donna & Donald Baumgartner and Nancy & Don Remey.

Celebrate the Beat with James Whiteside. Photo by Christopher Duggan.

Visit vaildance.org to learn more about Vail Dance Festival Programs! �VAILDANCE

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FRINGE EVENTS

Dancing in the Streets FREE FOR EVERYONE! We are thrilled to showcase our incredible performers and engage our community with these one-of-a-kind free performances taking place at Solaris Plaza in Vail Village.

Thank you to the Solaris Plaza and Town of Vail.

Ballet Hispánico. Photo by Brian Maloney.

Dancing in the Park FREE FOR EVERYONE! Company-InResidence BalletX will perform at Dancing in the Park on August 5th at 5:30 pm at the Avon Performance Pavilion at Nottingham Park. The performance will open with a curtain teaser by YouthPower365’s Celebrate the Beat.

Underwritten by the Town of Avon.

BalletX. Photo by Erin Baiano.

iny Dancer T Tea Party An event for the littlest dancers with the biggest dreams. Boys and girls ages 4-7 are invited to join us at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater Social Courtyard on Saturday, August 7 for crown and tiara decorating, a dance session, meet and greets with professional dancers, snacks, and fun! The ticket price includes a Festival t-shirt and a Boys Dance!, Katarina Ballerina, or Firebird book.

Hosted by Laura & Charlotte Parker and Anne Verratti.

Photo by Brian Maloney.

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FRINGE EVENTS

Conversations on Dance Festival Forums Join Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden from the popular podcast series Conversations on Dance, as they host nine intimate, in-depth discussions with Festival Artists from dancers to musicians to choreographers. Forums will take place at the Manor Vail Lodge Piney Ballroom. The ticket price will include light snacks and drinks.

Underwritten by the Town of Vail.

Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden. Photo by Brian Maloney.

Master Class Series Join the Vail Dance Festival for our expanded Master Class Series! Featuring two classes per day from July 29 to August 9, this is a wonderful opportunity to take classes from Festival Artists in ballet, tap, jazz, repertory and more. Classes will take place at the Vail Mountain School.

Isabella Boylston teaches a Master Class. Photo by Erin Baiano.

Watching Dance with Heather Watts Join us for Watching Dance with Heather Watts on Tuesday, August 3rd from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm at Vail Mountain School. Watts will explore a range of exciting repertory through video footage and live demonstrations with Festival Artists.

Heather Watts was a principal dancer at New York City Ballet, and is one of the last of the famed Balanchine Ballerinas.

Event proceeds will benefit YouthPower365’s Celebrate the Beat programming.

Tiler Peck, Herman Cornejo and Heather Watts. Photo by Erin Baiano.

Purchase tickets at vaildance.org and view the calendar on page 22 to see the full Festival schedule. �VAILDANCE

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FESTIVAL FAQs

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Where do the performances take place?

How do I buy tickets to the Vail Dance Festival?

Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater

IN PERSON at one of our Box Office locations: the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater in Vail or the Vilar Performing Arts Center in Beaver Creek

The Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater in Vail is a spectacular outdoor venue that seats 1,260 guests in covered pavilion seating and an additional 1,264 on its expansive grassy hillside with a breathtaking view of the Colorado Rocky Mountains.

Festival performances will take place rain or shine.

OVER THE PHONE at 970.845.TIXS (8497)

503 S Frontage Road East, Vail, CO 81657

Seating: Lawn Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Legless chairs are permitted. The Amphitheater is ADA compliant and provides special accommodations for those with limited mobility.

Parking: A complimentary express shuttle is available from the top levels of both Town of Vail parking structures. Limited paid parking is available on-site on a first-come, first-served basis.

Venue Policies: For more information, visit grfavail.com/policies

Avon Performance Pavilion at Nottingham Park 1 Lake Street, Avon, CO 81620

Located in Avon, the Performance Pavilion at Nottingham Park is a year-round cultural and entertainment venue for festivals, concerts, art exhibitions, theater performances, educational events and more.

Seating: Open-air seating is available on an expansive grass-covered lawn and is perfect for audiences of all ages. Limited bleacher seating is provided, however attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, umbrellas and picnics to make the experience even better!

Festival performances will take place rain or shine.

Parking & Restrooms: Public restrooms are located adjacent to the venue in Nottingham Park. Nearby free parking is available.

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ONLINE at vaildance.org

What should I wear?

Festival guests wear anything from mountain casual to semi-formal attire. It is up to you! Keep in mind that summertime in Vail is beautiful, but it does cool off quickly once the sun goes down. We recommend bringing layers and even a blanket for cooler evenings. Festival performances will take place rain or shine.

What is the Festival’s COVID-�� Policy?

As permitted by current State of Colorado and Eagle County guidelines, the Festival is operating at up-to-100% capacity, without any social distancing or mask requirements.* While masks are not required, the venue aims to welcome all guests with or without a mask and to provide an enjoyable experience for all. Please visit vaildance.org/covid-19-policy for the most up-to-date information. *Subject to change.

Still have questions? Contact us at info@vvf.org or visit our website at vaildance.org.

Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater. Photo by John-Ryan Lockman.

Supporting ARTISTS Vail Dance Festival’s Artist Relief Fund Provided �� Artist Grants

W

By Kimberly Nicoletti

hen the pandemic hit, Any artist cared for just Julian MacKay, a dancer or production by opening with the San Francisco professional up an email in Ballet, lost hope. He had who that moment always believed in chasing his dreams participated and seeing to see where they led, but COVID-19 in the 2018 or this generosity cancellations and the death of his father 2019 Festivals, meant the left him full of despair. or who was world.”

“I felt like there wasn’t a way to change scheduled to The funds the situation I was in — no way to help my participate also helped —William Shaub, 2018 Festival Violinist sustain family, no way out,” MacKay said. last summer, Javier Cendejas felt “an incredibly was eligible the artists’ stressful economic burden” by losing to apply for a dedication to work as a rehearsal pianist. Chris Bloom, grant. their craft. a dancer with Ballet Hispánico, started “Artists are such an important part of our “Dance is essential, and I am committed delivering food in New York City on his community here,” said Sarah Johnson, Senior to continue using my background in bike to supplement the little money he had VP of Philanthropy and Vail Dance Festival. videography and media management coming in. Shutdowns hit Daniel Mayo, a In the end, $195,000 was raised and to keep it alive,” said Mason Chapello, a dancer with BalletX, hard, as he and his wife distributed among 66 artists. The money not Festival video intern. “Working at the struggled to support their two sons. only helped pay rent and other bills, but it Festival (in 2019) was life changing and The Vail Dance Festival leadership felt also provided hope and encouragement. affirmed my passion for what I do.” it was crucial to establish an Artist Relief “I am deeply grateful to have received this Savannah Harris, a percussionist, Fund in order to support the Festival’s support, as I am only now finding my footing summed up the appreciation felt by many valued community of dancers, musicians, again in a new city at a new job, and this will artists, “From the depths of my heart, thank choreographers, and performing arts greatly help me pay off debts that I owe due you so much. This grant has allowed me production professionals whose livelihoods to COVID. But most of all, it really brought to push forward with creative projects and were dramatically impacted by the me a sense of hope again — hope that the maintain my personal security. I have felt COVID-19 pandemic. From June 1 to Sept. future is bright and that there is a path to it,” supported and upheld in my few years at 30, 2020, ten percent of all donations to the MacKay wrote in an email in late 2020.

Vail, but the way you all campaigned and Vail Dance Festival were allocated to the William Shaub, 2018 Festival violinist, fundraised on our behalf really takes the Artist Relief Fund. The Vail Dance Festival expressed a similar sense of gratitude, cake. My heart is so full.”

Committee kicked off the campaign with “Besides the financial problems, the hardest a gift, and a generous donor tripled the thing has been feeling so dispensable and amount raised. non-essential,” he said. “To feel valued and

Savannah Harris with Festival Artists in we seem to be more than one. Photo by Erin Baiano.

“To feel valued and cared for just by opening up an email in that moment and seeing this generosity meant the world.”

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Artist-In-Residence:

CALVIN ROYAL III

By Sarah Silverblatt-Buser

He is the first Black man to reach the highest rank of American Ballet Theatre in over two decades, and only the third Black principal in the company’s history.

C

alvin Royal III “has an inner light,” remarked Kevin McKenzie, Artistic Director of American Ballet Theatre.

Royal’s recent promotion to principal dancer at the world-renowned company is historic: He is the first Black man to reach the highest rank of the company in over two decades, and only the third Black principal in the company’s history. Royal’s promotion, however, comes as no surprise for Vail audiences, who have witnessed his artistic rise in the Rockies since 2015.

The Vail Dance Festival regular was slated to be last year’s Artist-In-Residence and will fulfill his duties of teaching, performing new roles, and taking part in the Empowering Boys in Dance initiative during this year’s in-person Festival. Each summer, Artistic Director Damian Woetzel highlights an artist who has garnered attention from spectators and peers alike to offer them added opportunities of enrichment.

“Year after year, Calvin has become ever more himself onstage,”

Calvin Royal III’s Residency is underwritten by James & Shirley Cassing and LaDonna & Gary Wicklund.

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Calvin Royal III & Lauren Lovette in Jerome Robbins’ Afternoon of a Faun. Photo by Erin Baiano.

“Year after year, Calvin has become ever more himself onstage,” said Woetzel.

“His level of comfort in everything he does has become expansive.”

—Damian Woetzel

said Woetzel. “His level of comfort in everything he does has become expansive.”

The Florida native began his story at the Festival in a modern premiere by Doris Duke Artist Pam Tanowitz. Citing his “generous, virtuosic, and humble” qualities as a dance artist, Tanowitz later chose to work with Royal in each of her ensuing Vail creations.

That notable debut in a challenging and untraditional work confirmed Royal’s ability to tackle a wider variety of neoclassical and contemporary roles. He demonstrated agility, strength, and musical nuance in George Balanchine’s Agon, Apollo and Stars and Stripes and revealed an elegant subtlety in Jerome Robbins’ Afternoon of a Faun. His technical versatility and pure presence in Michelle Dorrance’s encompassing tap collaborations proved that Royal has merely scratched the surface of his artistic potential.

“It has been a tremendous joy to be a part of Calvin’s story,” remarked Balanchine ballerina Heather Watts, who coached Royal and New York City Ballet soloist Unity Phelan in both Agon and Apollo alongside Woetzel. “His extraordinary dance gifts and kind, strong, and true heart and mind have made this process unbelievably rewarding.”

After his Vail and subsequent New York debuts as Balanchine’s god of music Apollo, Royal was described by The New York Times as “a god stepping into his light.”

Whether his light radiates from inside or illuminates the path in front of him, the brilliance of this rising star will shine far this summer in Vail.

Calvin Royal III performs In Creases. Photo by Erin Baiano.

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BalletX honors unsung

HEROES The Company-InResidence depicts first mail service by air between New Zealand and Hawaii

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By Kimberly Nicoletti

aptain Edwin Musick was one of the world’s most famous pilots in the 1930s, setting 10 world flight records and landing on the cover of Time magazine. On Jan. 2, 1938, he embarked on an inaugural flight to deliver mail from New Zealand, via Samoa, to Hawaii. It was the first time the then-remote country of New Zealand received airmail service from the United States. Tragically, Musick’s plane crashed on the way home.

BalletX’s Sunset, o639 Hours interprets the story, complete with celebration, loss and paradise, in its 80-minute performance.

Choreographer Matthew Neenan partnered with award-winning New Zealand composer and musician Rosie Langabeer to tell a tale that people could relate to, and one that connected the U.S. and New Zealand, but

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it was quite an undertaking. To begin propellers. True to his style, he built the with, there aren’t many stories that remaining choreography upon those connect the two countries. When gestural and somewhat mechanical they found the movements. story of Captain Langabeer Musick, the composed the challenge lay in soundtrack, telling the tale which features through dance. sound effects, “It’s not a jazz music typical story for from the 1938 a ballet, but we nightclub era, thought, ‘no one and traditional else is going island music, to do this but including us,’” Neenan Samoan songs. said. “What’s The sound so important effects include about this story field recordings is he was such of native New a pioneer and Zealand birds, risk taker. He plane engines, was the first dancers’ —Rosie Langabeer, Composer pilot to go recorded overseas to the voices reading islands and New fictional letters Zealand. He’s just one of those true American transported by air, and an actual recording pioneers. He’s an unsung hero — one of those of Musick giving a speech about landing in heroes we need to celebrate. World War II New Zealand. Some sound effects employ happened right after his flight, so his life and invented instruments by renowned sound legacy was overlooked and forgotten.” mechanic Neil Feather — a bowling ball The first part Neenan choreographed was dangling from a long piano string with small the airplane section, in which ten dancers motors that sound like a plane flying far form a moving airplane and emulate rotating away, and a free spinning disk with magnets

“We’re telling the story of machines, nature, humans and feelings, so sometimes the dancers are the plane, sometimes they are the ocean waves and sometimes they are the human people at the cabaret having a good time.”

BalletX performs Sunset, o639 Hours. Photo by Erin Baiano.

that make a popping noise. “It’s taking different flavors from different regions and also having modern elements — some pieces have a pop element as we travel through time and space,” Langabeer said.

Four musicians join the dancers onstage, providing yet another way audiences can connect with the story, and the performance. “Rosie’s such a genius at taking you through a musical landscape of emotions,” Neenan said.

While Sunset, o639 Hours begins with Musick’s successful arrival in New Zealand from Hawaii, we know the story is doomed. And yet, the ballet pays homage to heroic acts, spousal love, and human celebrations: its nightclub scene depicts a New Year’s Eve party; scenes of Musick with his wife tell of romance and longing; and the Hawaiian and Samoan beach scenes pay tribute to the islands.

“There are so many heroes we don’t know about that died for us,” Neenan says. “They did it for us. In the end, it’s just about honor.”

Throughout the full-length ballet, dancers morph from depicting an airplane to floating like birds or ghosts to being quite human. “We’re telling the story of machines, nature, humans and feelings, so sometimes the dancers are the plane, sometimes they are the ocean waves and sometimes they are the human people at the cabaret having a good time getting drunk, and sometimes

they become birds,” Langabeer said.

The dance is both dreamlike at times and vividly evocative of New Zealand, Samoa and Honolulu in the 1930s. “We wanted it to be really beautiful and soft and exciting, like a comfortable experience,” Langabeer said. “We wanted to inspire the love of dance and the love of storytelling through dance.”

BalletX debuted Sunset, o639 Hours in Philadelphia in 2014 and delivered it to a sold-out house at the Vilar Performing Arts Center in 2015, but the company had always hoped to showcase it within the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater’s natural setting. BalletX hasn’t performed it since 2017, and Neenan not only sees this rendition as a new beginning, but also as “one of the most important things I’ve done in my life.”

“It turned out to be a gem for BalletX,” said Tara Keating, the company’s Associate Artistic Director.

“The world premieres that we create are about taking people on a journey, and I think this work really accomplishes that well.”

In addition to its performances at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, BalletX will perform at Dancing in the Park in Avon and Dancing in the Streets at Solaris Plaza in Vail.

BalletX will also participate in the Conversations on Dance Festival Forums, as well as other community engagement activities throughout the Festival.

BalletX performs Sunset, o639 Hours. Photo by Alexander Iziliaev.

BalletX performs Sunset, o639 Hours. Photo by Alexander Iziliaev.

BalletX: Company-In-Residence The first time BalletX was honored as Vail Dance Festival’s Company-In-Residence, the Philadelphia-based contemporary ballet company celebrated its 10th anniversary. Now in its 15th season, BalletX is the Festival’s Company-InResidence for a second time.

Even in its 10th year, “a lot of people didn’t know who BalletX was, and Damian took a chance with us,” said Tara Keating, Associate Artistic Director. “He appreciates the new work we do. He has been our guardian angel and shined a light on us.”

During this summer’s NOW: Premieres, BalletX and Artist-In-Residence Calvin Royal III will perform a world premiere choreographed by Jamar Roberts of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

“It’s an incredible opportunity to really engage with all the artists,” said BalletX Artistic and Executive Director Christine Cox. “Damian has established an incredible formula that inspires dancers, allows them to take risks, collaborate, and experiment with our form. He mixes and matches artists together and magic happens with those collaborations. The time dancers spend together taking classes, watching each other rehearse and collaborating — there’s nothing like that in the world. You have all these experts in their field coming together with a passion for building community through dance, and that’s what Damian has done — built community. It’s so joyful. It’s extraordinary.”

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New York City Ballet MOVES Returns to Vail

By Sarah Silverblatt-Buser

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ew York City Ballet MOVES returns to Vail after 9 years, beginning with a much-anticipated performance on Opening Night, July 30. The smaller touring branch of the 90-plus dancer and 62-musician company will also present an evening program dedicated entirely to New York City Ballet’s rich history on July 31.

Founded in 1948 by neoclassical ballet pioneer George Balanchine and impresario Lincoln Kirstein, the company sustains over 150 works: a repertory of “unequaled richness” and “the envy of the world,” as proclaimed by The New York Times. From pure dance to classic tales, these works have transformed the landscape of ballet and left a map for artists of tomorrow.

New York City Ballet MOVES brings four of these masterpieces to Vail. Dances at a Gathering serves as the marking motif of the Festival in its distillation of humanity in harmony. The quintessential piano ballet was choreographed by New York City

Unity Phelan and Joseph Gordon in Dances at a Gathering. Photo by Erin Baiano.

Ballet’s co-founding choreographer Jerome Robbins to 18 of Frédéric Chopin’s mazurkas, waltzes and études. The ten dancers weaving together a tapestry of movement is an intimate affirmation of community through music and dance.

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“New York City Ballet has the marriage of music and dance written into its constitution.” —The New York Times Robbins impression of human connection in Chopin’s timeless piano works continues during the following evening’s program on July 31. The company will present Robbins’ 1970 ballet In the Night.

The work for three contrasting couples expresses a spectrum of love and partnership, and is composed only of nocturnes, taking on the mood of midsummer at midnight.

The Festival is known for its commitment to reviving infrequently-seen works while showcasing current leading choreographers. This spirit endures with New York City Ballet MOVES performances of George Balanchine’s Sonatine and Alexei Ratmansky’s Pictures at an Exhibition. Balanchine’s Sonatine was choreographed to the radiant piano music of Maurice Ravel in 1975, and is known for its refined fluidity and emotional complexity.

Alexei Ratmansky’s 2014 Pictures at an Exhibition is set to Modest Mussorgsky’s famed score, and the ballet’s dynamic shapes and rhythms evoke a rich array of imagery.

New York City Ballet MOVES’ return to Vail marks the spirited revival of the Festival with dancers, musicians and audiences celebrating the art of life together at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater.

Lauren Lovette and Adrian Danchig-Waring in Pictures at an Exhibition. Photo by Paul Kolnik.

THE SOUND OF

SUMMER

SAVE THE DATES | JUNE 23 - AUGUST 4, 2022

FOUR ACCLAIMED ORCHESTRAS

STUNNING MOUNTAIN VENUES

RELAXED SOCIAL SETTING

Bravo! Vail is grateful to be part of the thriving arts community in Vail.

It is an honor to present live performances once again and fulfill our mission of enriching people’s lives through the power of music.

Thank you to the community partners, donors, supporters, sponsors, and music-lovers that bring Bravo! Vail to life each summer.

Learn More & Follow us BRAVOVAIL.ORG | 877.812.5700

JUNE 24 - AUGUST 4, 2021 VAIL, COLORADO

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

���� CALENDAR OF EVENTS Learn more and purchase tickets at vaildance.org COLOR KEY PERFORMANCES FRINGE EVENTS: Festival Forums Master Classes Donor Events Events for Children

LOCATION KEY AVON: Avon Performance Pavilion at Nottingham Park, Avon

� AUGUST

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Master Class 9:00am–10:20am | VMS Conversations on Dance 9:30am–10:20am | MVL Master Class 10:30am–11:50am | VMS FREE Dancing in the Streets 12:00pm | SP Summer Donor Reception 4:30pm–6:00pm | SC UpClose: Artist-In-Residence Calvin Royal III 6:00pm | GRFA

Master Class 9:00am–10:20am | VMS Master Class 10:30am–11:50am | VMS BalletX: Sunset, o639 Hours 7:30pm | GRFA

BFPP: Borgen Family Patrons Plaza at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, Vail GRFA: Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, Vail MVL: Manor Vail Lodge Piney Ballroom SC: Social Courtyard at Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater SP: Solaris Plaza in Vail Village VMS: Vail Mountain School Theater

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Master Class 9:00am–10:20am | VMS Conversations on Dance 9:30am–10:20am | MVL Master Class 10:30am–11:50am | VMS Donor Sparkling Brunch 10:30am | SC FREE Dancing in the Streets 12:00pm | SP

Master Class 9:00am–10:20am | VMS Conversations on Dance 9:30am–10:20am | MVL Master Class 10:30am–11:50am | VMS Pre-Performance Access 6:30pm | BFPP NOW: Premieres 7:30pm | GRFA Closing Night Party Post-Performance | GRFA

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Master Class 9:00am–10:20am | VMS Watching Dance with Heather Watts 11:00am-12:00pm | VMS

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

Master Class 9:00am–10:20am | VMS Conversations on Dance 9:30am–10:20am | MVL Master Class 10:30am–11:50am | VMS Pre-Performance Benefit Reception 4:30pm | GRFA UpClose 6:00pm | GRFA

SATURDAY

�� JULY

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Master Class 9:00am–10:20am | VMS Master Class 10:30am–11:50am | VMS FREE Dancing in the Streets Preview!

6:00pm | SP

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FRIDAY

Master Class 9:00am–10:20am | VMS Conversations On Dance 9:30am–10:20am | MVL Master Class 10:30am–11:50am | VMS VIP Donor Tent During Performance | AVON FREE Dancing in the Park: BalletX 5:30pm | AVON

Master Class 9:00am–10:20am | VMS Conversations on Dance 9:30am–10:20am | MVL Master Class 10:30am–11:50am | VMS Pre-Performance Access 6:30pm | BFPP Opening Night 7:30pm | GRFA

Master Class 9:00am–10:20am | VMS Conversations on Dance 9:30am–10:20am | MVL Master Class 10:30am–11:50am | VMS Pre-Performance Access 6:30pm | BFPP International Evenings of Dance I 7:30pm | GRFA

Master Class 9:00am–10:20am | VMS Conversations on Dance 9:30am–10:20am | MVL Master Class 10:30am–11:50am | VMS Pre-Performance Access 6:30pm | BFPP New York City Ballet MOVES 7:30pm | GRFA Sparkling On Stage Post-Performance | GRFA

Master Class 9:00am–10:20am | VMS Conversations on Dance 9:30am–10:20am | MVL Tiny Dancer Tea Party 10:00am–11:30am | SC Master Class 10:30am–11:50am | VMS FREE Dancing in the Streets 12:00pm | SP Pre-Performance Access 4:00pm | BFPP International Evenings of Dance II 5:00pm | GRFA Pre-Performance Access 7:00pm | BFPP International Evenings of Dance II 8:00pm | GRFA Sparkling On Stage Post 8:00pm Performance | GRFA

If you are interested in attending exclusive donor events, please contact Martha Brassel at mbrassel@vvf.org.

*Schedule is subject to change

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FRIDAY, JULY �� Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, Vail | �:��pm

OPENING

NIGHT

Performance underwritten by Lisa Tannebaum & Don Brownstein.

Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater. Photo by John-Ryan Lockman.

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The season begins with an evening featuring appearances by Festival stars including Artist-In-Residence Calvin Royal III, and in its return to Vail after almost a decade, New York City Ballet MOVES. The peerless company will open the Festival with Jerome Robbins’ masterpiece Dances at a Gathering, embodying the spirit of reunion as we begin to gather again as a community of artists and audiences.

SATURDAY, JULY �� Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, Vail | �:��pm

NEW YORK CITY BALLET

MOVES

New York City Ballet MOVES in an evening of masterpieces. New York City Ballet MOVES, the dynamic touring arm of New York City Ballet, shares the company’s incomparable repertory with audiences around the world. NYCB MOVES will present George Balanchine’s expressive Sonatine set to music by Maurice Ravel, Jerome Robbins’ timeless In the Night set to nocturnes by Frederick Chopin, and Alexei Ratmansky’s acclaimed Pictures at an Exhibition to Modest Mussorgsky’s extraordinary music of the same title.

REPERTORY:

Pictures at an Exhibition

Music by Modest Mussorgsky Choreography by Alexei Ratmansky

Sonatine

Music by Maurice Ravel Choreography by George Balanchine © The George Balanchine Trust

In the Night

Music by Frédéric Chopin Choreography by Jerome Robbins

Performance underwritten by Storr Family Foundation in memory of Carol Storr.

New York City Ballet in Pictures at an Exhibition. Photo by Paul Kolnik.

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SUNDAY, AUGUST � Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, Vail | �:��pm

UPCLOSE:

Artist-InResidence Calvin Royal III This first UpClose rehearsal-style performance for 2021 celebrates American Ballet Theatre principal dancer and Vail Dance Festival Artist-In-Residence Calvin Royal III. Hosted by Artistic Director Damian Woetzel, Royal will be joined by partners including Isabella Boylston, Unity Phelan, and Melissa Toogood, in repertory that will include works by George Balanchine, Merce Cunningham, and Christopher Wheeldon, as well as a first looks at the new ballets being created for Royal this season by Tiler Peck and Jamar Roberts.

Performance underwritten by Jill & Kevin Plancher and Debbie & Fred Tresca.

Calvin Royal III in Apollo. Choreography © The George Balanchine Trust. Photo by Christopher Duggan.

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MONDAY, AUGUST � Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, Vail | �:��pm

BALLETX: SUNSET, o639 HOURS

Following a sold-out performance at the 2015 Festival, Sunset o639 Hours returns to Vail for one night only. This critically acclaimed story ballet transports audiences through a poignant narrative of loss, longing, and resolution, through extraordinary choreography by Matthew Neenan and music performed live onstage by a cabaret-style band.

Performance underwritten by Priscilla Brewster.

BalletX in Sunset, o639 Hours. Photo by Alexander Iziliaev.

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST � Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, Vail | �:��pm

UPCLOSE

In this rehearsal-style performance, audiences take a step into the dancers’ worlds through a unique behind-the-scenes look at how they prepare for International Evenings and NOW: Premieres performances. UpClose is hosted by Artistic Director Damian Woetzel and features Festival luminaries.

Performance underwritten by Jill & Kevin Plancher and Susan & Jeff Campbell.

Justin Peck and Herman Cornejo rehearsing at the 2018 UpClose performance. Photo by Erin Baiano.

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THURSDAY, AUGUST �

FREE PERFORMANCE

Avon Performance Pavilion at Nottingham Park | �:��pm

DANCING

IN THE PARK:

The Festival welcomes Company-In-Residence BalletX to Avon for a free, family-friendly performance on the outdoor stage of the Avon Performance Pavilion at Nottingham Park. The performance will open with a curtain teaser by YouthPower365’s Celebrate the Beat.

BalletX

Performance underwritten by Town of Avon.

Avon Performance Pavilion at Nottingham Park. Photo by Brian Maloney.

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FRIDAY, AUGUST � & SATURDAY, AUGUST � Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, Vail Friday �:��pm | Saturday �:��pm & �:��pm

INTERNATIONAL EVENINGS OF DANCE I & II A brilliant cast of dancers and musicians take the stage in these signature Festival performances. Celebrating artistic collaboration and innovation, these unique evenings feature new partnerships and role debuts by a selection of today’s premier dancers. With live music performed by musicians including Kurt Crowley, Kate Davis, Cameron Grant, Caroline Shaw, and Brooklyn Rider.

Friday’s performance underwritten by Judy & Howard Berkowitz.

Roman Mejia in Alexei Ratmansky’s Fandango. Photo by Christopher Duggan.

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FEATURED ARTISTS: Isabella Boylston

American Ballet Theatre

Underwritten by Pam & Ernie Elsner

India Bradley

New York City Ballet

Underwritten by Nancy & Richard Lubin

Lil Buck

Movement Art Is

Underwritten by Lisa & Bruce Goldman

Herman Cornejo

American Ballet Theatre Underwritten by Dhuanne & Doug Tansill

Michelle Dorrance Dorrance Dance

Underwritten by Martin Waldbaum

Roman Mejia

Philip Duclos

Underwritten by Laura & Tim Parker

School of American Ballet Underwritten by Senenne & Marc Philippon

Robbie Fairchild

Former Principal, New York City Ballet

Underwritten by Martin Atkin & Reid Balthaser

Joseph Gordon

New York City Ballet

Underwritten by Martha & Terry Allen Perl

Christopher Grant New York City Ballet Underwritten by Jean & Tom McDonnell

Maria Kowroski

New York City Ballet

Underwritten by Virginia Gold, Alexia & Jerry Jurschak, and Victoria Morris

Lauren Lovette

New York City Ballet Underwritten by Malo & John Harrison

New York City Ballet

Ron Myles

Memphis Jooker

Underwritten by The Cangelosi and Chramosta Families

Mira Nadon

New York City Ballet

Underwritten by Deborah & David Boillot

Dario Natarelli Tap Phenom

Underwritten by Marcy & Gerry Spector

Tiler Peck

New York City Ballet

Underwritten by Donna & Donald Baumgartner

Cory Stearns

Melissa Toogood

Underwritten by Irene Shen

Underwritten by The Marvin Naiman and Margery Goldman Family Foundation

American Ballet Theatre

Unity Phelan

Devon Teuscher

Underwritten by Tina & Colby Wilson

Underwritten by Mary Lujack & Gracie Johnson

New York City Ballet

Calvin Royal III

American Ballet Theatre

Underwritten by James & Shirley Cassing and LaDonna & Gary Wicklund

American Ballet Theatre

Byron Tittle

Pam Tanowitz Dance

James Whiteside

American Ballet Theatre

Underwritten by Sheika Gramshammer

Dorrance Dance

Underwritten by Jeffrey Byrne

Saturday’s 5pm performance underwritten by Marge & Phil Odeen. Saturday’s 8pm performance underwritten by Jill & Kevin Plancher.

Tiler Peck in Tschaikovsky Pas de Deux. Choreography © The George Balanchine Trust. Photo by Erin Baiano.

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MONDAY, AUGUST �

NOW: Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, Vail | �:��pm

PREMIERES

On closing night, the Festival will present an entire evening of new works choreographed by a selection of today’s most inspiring creative voices including Lil Buck and Lauren Lovette, Michelle Dorrance, Justin Peck, Tiler Peck, Jamar Roberts, Cleo Parker Robinson, and James Whiteside, with new music composed by Christina Courtin, Rhiannon Giddens, Caroline Shaw, and Tyshawn Sorey, performed by musicians including Quartet-In-Residence Brooklyn Rider.

FEATURED NEW WORKS BY: Lil Buck and Lauren Lovette

Underwritten by Malo & John Harrison

Michelle Dorrance

Underwritten by Anonymous

Justin Peck

Underwritten by Paul Repetto & Janet Pyle

Tiler Peck

Underwritten by Donna & Donald Baumgartner

Jamar Roberts

Underwritten by Wendy Williams & Noel Kullavanijaya

Cleo Parker Robinson

Underwritten by Jane & Skip Netzorg

James Whiteside

Underwritten by Jonna Mackin

New music composition underwritten by Betsy & George Wiegers. Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation supported new works by Tiler Peck, Michelle Dorrance, and Cleo Parker Robinson as well as compositions by Caroline Shaw and Rhiannon Giddens.

Lil Buck, Michelle Dorrance, Robbie Fairchild, and Melissa Toogood perform 1·2·3·4·5·6. Photo by Erin Baiano.

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The Vail Dance Festival is a project of the nonprofit Vail Valley Foundation.

VAIL VALLEY FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS Andy Arnold John Arnold Carrie Besnette Hauser Sam Bronfman Linn Brooks Susan Campbell Charlene Chen Will Cook Alejandra Cortés de Milmo Steve Coyer Johannes Faessler

Tim Finchem Margie Gart Sheika Gramshammer Nadia Guerriero Beth Howard Al Hubbard B.J. Hybl David Hyde Mike Imhof Chris Jarnot Cheryl Jensen

Susanna Johnson Shannon Alexia Jurschak Anne-Marie Keane Mike Krupka Sarah Millett Ellen Moritz Kaia Moritz Dan Pennington Jill Plancher Chris Romer David Salvin

Ken Schanzer Rod Slifer Ann Smead, Chairman Hap Stein Kristin Tang Fred Tresca Melina Valsecia Gary Woodworth Kristy Woolfolk

VAIL VALLEY FOUNDATION LIFE TRUSTEES Adam Aron Judy Berkowitz Marlene Boll Bjorn Erik Borgen Andy Daly Bill Esrey Harry Frampton Steve Friedman John Garnsey

George Gillett Donna Giordano Steve Haber Martha Head Mike Herman William Hybl Elaine Kelton Kent Logan Peter May

Eric Resnick Doug Rippeto Mike Shannon Stanley Shuman Oscar Tang Stew Turley Betsy Wiegers

In Memoriam

Berry Craddock Jack Crosby President Gerald R. Ford Pete Frechette John Galvin Pepi Gramshammer

THANK YOU TO OUR VAIL DANCE FESTIVAL COMMITTEE Susan Campbell, Chair Jill Plancher, Vice Chair Judy Berkowitz* Priscilla Brewster

Allie Coppeak Stacey Gillett Lisa Goldman Sheika Gramshammer

John Harrison Alexia Jurschak Jonna Mackin Jane Netzorg

Senenne Philippon Fred Tresca Betsy Wiegers Damian Woetzel

*Committee Chair 1998-2018 Active members as of April 30, 2021.

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FESTIVAL PATRONS

���� VDF PATRONS

The Vail Valley Foundation and the Vail Dance Festival extends its sincere gratitude to our patrons. Due to your generosity, we are fortunate enough to welcome a live, in-person Vail Dance Festival to the stage this year. Thank you for your financial support, encouraging words, and lasting commitments. The list that follows represents patrons who gave a gift between September 1, 2019 and April 30, 2021.

MARQUEE PRESENTER JODY & JOHN ARNHOLD Jody and John Arnhold are major supporters of the arts in New York City, longtime admirers of Vail Dance Festival’s Artistic Director Damian Woetzel, and are proud to support the Vail Dance Festival again this year. John is committed to making a positive impact serving with organizations important to him, including the Mulago Foundation, International Tennis Hall of Fame, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Conservation International, and WNET. Jody is a former public school dance teacher for over 25 years in NYC, and a luminary in dance education, and an advocate for making dance accessible for all children. She is a former chair of the board of Ballet Hispánico, the founder of the renowned Dance Education Laboratory at 92Y, and the Executive Producer of PS Dance!, a New York Emmy-nominated documentary about dance education in public schools that has excited educators around the country. The Arnholds’ visionary support for dance education has brought countless opportunities to a broad audience through Hunter College’s Arnhold Graduate Dance Education Program as well as the Doctorate in Dance Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. The Arnhold Institute for Dance Education Research, Policy & Leadership at Teachers College generates valuable thought leadership for dance education in public policy, ensuring that dance is central to the conversation wherever education is discussed. Photo by Patrick McMullan. Courtesy of Ballet Hispánico (2013).

PRESENTERS CIRCLE SUSAN & JEFF CAMPBELL Susan and Jeff Campbell started coming to the Vail Valley from Dallas when their children were first learning to ski. They continued visiting as they moved to London, San Francisco and most recently to the West Village in New York City.

They are avid dance lovers and longtime supporters of the Vail Dance Festival and the Vilar Performing Arts Center. Susan serves on the board of the Vail Valley Foundation and the New York City Ballet, and also chairs the Vail Dance Festival Committee. Jeff serves on the board of New York’s Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, in addition to his full-time job as CFO of American Express. The Campbells and their three children are avid skiers, mountain bikers and outdoor enthusiasts, and their Beaver Creek home has become the center of family life. Since the pandemic, it has gratefully become their refuge.

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JILL & KEVIN PLANCHER Jill and Kevin Plancher first enjoyed the Vail Dance Festival in 1993 when Kevin was a fellow at the Steadman Clinic in Vail. They have attended and supported the Festival each and every year since.

Jill and Kevin now live in Greenwich, Connecticut, and have three grown children: Brian, Jamie and Megan; daughter-in-law Annie Knickman Plancher and son-in-law Cezar Babin. The Planchers welcomed Tess, their first grandchild this year – a future ballerina perhaps! Kevin has a private orthopedic practice in New York City and Greenwich. Jill is a family lawyer with Connecticut Legal Services. Jill also serves on the Vail Valley Foundation Board of Directors. They are delighted to once again support the International Evenings of Dance and this year’s UpClose Performances.

FESTIVAL PATRONS STORR FAMILY FOUNDATION, IN HONOR OF CAROL STORR Carol Storr, of Greenwich, CT, along with her husband, Hans G Storr was a proud supporter of the Vail Dance Festival. She enjoyed attending performances with her daughter, Tina Wilson, and granddaughter, Colby Wilson, and planned her summer visits to her Vail home around the Festival.

Carol passed down her love and appreciation of dance to her family and they are proud to honor her memory with the New York City Ballet MOVES performance on July 31.

OSCAR TANG FAMILY The Tang Family has supported the Vail Valley Foundation at a leadership level since its inception and has been a vital sponsor of the Vail Dance Festival for all 30 years. Oscar was one of the original visionaries and catalysts of Vail Valley Foundation’s (VVF) early focus on education in Eagle County. Many of the first educational programs continue to have a positive, transformational impact today. Oscar served on the VVF’s Board of Directors from 1987 to 2015 at which time he became a Board Life Trustee. In New York, Oscar has been a Trustee of the Metropolitan Museum of Art for almost 30 years and is Co-chair of the New York Philharmonic.

Trained as an art historian and archaeologist, Dr. Agnes Hsu-Tang is an international policy advisor who has advised UNESCO and President Obama’s Cultural Property Advisory Committee, including two UNESCO World Heritage designations and an international treaty with China on the prevention of looting and commercialization of looted cultural objects. In 2018, she was elected a Distinguished Scholar to the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. Her TV credits include two documentary series on the Discovery and History Channel networks. Formerly trained as a classical musician, Agnes made her debut at the Kennedy Center at age 18. Agnes is a trustee of the New-York Historical Society and the Metropolitan Opera.

UNDERWRITERS CIRCLE Anonymous (1) Priscilla Brewster Malo & John Harrison Wendy Williams & Noel Kullavanijaya Donna & Donald Baumgartner For more than 30 years, Donna & Donald Baumgartner have enjoyed their mountain home in the Lake Creek Valley. They have been active supporters of both the visual and performing arts in their hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and have shared their passion locally with their support of the Vail Dance Festival. As long-time fans of the Festival they have missed only two seasons. Donald is a car buff and together they have spent many hours honing their skills on tracks in the US, Canada, and Europe. Donald has a pretty nice collection of hot cars.

Judy & Howard Berkowitz Howard was a founding partner of Steinhardt, Fine and Berkowitz, one of America’s first hedge funds. He recently retired as Managing Director of BlackRock and serves on the advisory board of BlackRock’s Private Equity Partners. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Howard is the Chairman Emeritus of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and now serves as Chairman of its South Florida Advisory Board. He also served as Chairman of the Anti-Defamation League and currently sits on the Board of the New York City Ballet. Locally, he serves on the Board of the Steadman Philippon Research Institute. In New York, Judy serves on the Board of the New-York Historical Society, chairs The Center for Educational Innovation Board, and is a Board Emeritus member for Rockefeller University. Judy and Howard have been supporters of the Vail Valley Foundation (VVF) since its inception.

Judy chaired the Vail Dance Festival committee for 20 years, cultivating it to the critically acclaimed festival it is today. They are longtime members of the Friends of Vail program, and Judy is a Board Life Trustee of the VVF. Lisa Tannebaum & Don Brownstein Lisa Tannebaum and Don Brownstein are longtime supporters of the performing arts and education in Vail and Connecticut. Lisa has a career as a harpist. Don is an investor.

Jonna Mackin Jonna Mackin and her family skied Vail for 15 years. Her husband, the late H. Carroll Mackin, co-founded Assurant, Inc. She was a professional fundraiser for Rutgers University, and Director of Development at the largest state college in New Jersey, now called Kean University. With a PhD in American Literature, she was a professor for 15 years at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire.

Jonna currently resides in Hanover, New Hampshire and makes frequent trips to New York City where she enjoys watching and supporting several ballet organizations including New York City Ballet and the Paul Taylor Dance Company. Every year since she first discovered it, Jonna has attended the Vail Dance Festival and as of this spring is serving on the Vail Dance Festival Committee.

Marge & Phil Odeen Marge and Phil Odeen have had a home in Vail for more than 40 years. When not in Vail they live in McLean, Virginia, and North Palm Beach, Florida. They have supported the Vail Dance Festival for several years and both have been active in numerous cultural and charitable activities in the communities in which they live.

RUBY DRESS CIRCLE Nancy & Richard Lubin Jane & Skip Netzorg The Netzorgs have enjoyed their mountain home in East Vail for 25 years. They are active supporters of the performing arts and education in Denver, CO. They are true lovers of dance and Jane serves on the boards of Colorado Ballet and The Denver Ballet Guild and is a member of the Vail Dance Festival Committee. Together they serve on the capital campaign committee for Cleo Parker Robinson Dance. Jane and Skip have loved seeing some of the finest dancers in the world at the Vail Dance Festival each year. They are

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FESTIVAL PATRONS grateful to Damian Woetzel and Heather Watts for the creativity and excitement they bring to the Vail Valley.

Lisa & Bruce Goldman Margery Goldman General Motors Corporation Sheika Gramshammer Martha Head* Paul Repetto & Janet Pyle Michael Krupka* Paul Repetto and Janet Pyle Anne Kubik* are enthusiastic supporters Mary Lujack of the Vail Dance Festival and Jean & Tom McDonnell the performing arts in general.

Martha & Terry Allen Perl Janet was a very involved Board Senenne & Marc Philippon Member of the Colorado Music Rella & Monroe Rifkin Festival in Boulder; Paul later Pixley & Ken Schiciano became Chairman of that Board. Mary Sue & Michael Shannon* Paul is currently a Board Member Irene Shen of the Boulder Ensemble Theatre Marcy & Gerald Spector* Company, and a former member Dhuanne & Doug Tansill of the Board of the Dairy Arts Debbie & Fred Tresca* Center in Boulder.

Martin Waldbaum LaDonna & Gary Wicklund Betsy & George Wiegers Tina & David Wilson Ardent supporters of the * VVF Cornerstone Patron arts in New York City and Denver, the Wiegers are also PLATINUM DRESS CIRCLE extraordinarily generous in the Anonymous (1) Vail Valley, particularly to the Mary Ellen Anderson Vail Dance Festival, Bravo! Vail Christine & John Bakalar and YouthPower365, and most Barbara Baldrey recently to the Vail Interfaith Deborah & David Boillot Chapel renovation. Betsy is a Margo & Terry Boyle long-time member of the Vail Barbara & Christopher Brody Dance Festival Committee and James & Shirley Cassing is a former trustee of Bravo!

The Cangelosi and Vail and life trustee of the Vail Chramosta Families Valley Foundation. George Ms. Arlene Harris and is the founder and creator of Mr. Martin Cooper the University of Colorado Rebecca & Samuel Eden Depression Center at the Susan & Harry Frampton Anschutz Medical Center in Virginia Gold Denver and is also a founder Lorraine^and Harley^Higbie of the Deisseroth Laboratory Family via The Denver for Brain Research at Stanford Foundation University. Their philanthropy Judith Hoffman in New York includes support Alexia & Jerry Jurschak of the New York Philharmonic, Emily Mead American Ballet Theatre and Victoria Morris the New-York Historical Society.

Melanie & Allan Nelkin In Denver they support the Laura & Tim Parker Denver Art Museum and also Nancy & Donald Remey contributed to the Liebeskind Michael L. Ritchie wing at the museum.

Nancy Sands Ann Smead & Michael Byram DIAMOND DRESS CIRCLE Genie & Robert Stine Anonymous (1) Karen & John Arnold* GOLD DRESS CIRCLE Martin Atkin & Reid Balthaser Anonymous (1) The James & Janet Averill Jill Hamilton Anschutz & Charitable Fund Christian Anschutz Bacca Foundation* Dierdre & Ronnie Baker Gina Browning & Joe Illick Dr. Marie Rotunno & Jeffrey D. Byrne Dr. Arthur Bertelsen Pam & Ernie Elsner Colleen Curran & Stephen Boane

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Lourdes Rosado & Jan Boswinkel Rebecca & Howard Braverman Robert J. Croteau & Karen A. Nold Greg & Keala Dickhens Lois & Stephen Eisen Caryl & Ken Field Kim & Andrew Fink Vicky & John Garnsey Stacey & Foster Gillett Neal Groff Michael Guthrie Pam & Duke Hartman Jane & Ray Heller Raydean Acevedo & Walter Jenkins Elaine & Arthur Kelton Mark & Holly Kirschner Deb & Jeff Lamb Dr. Henry & Pam Levine Ellen & Harry Levitt Janet & Paul Lewis Philip Livingston Eugenia Lubell Helen McIntyre Jill & Dean Mitchell Elizabeth G. Chambers & Ron Mooney Karen R. Nagel Carolyn & Steve Pope Ronnie Potter Janet Robinson Elise & Jay Rossiter Maria Luisa Santos Fran Schulman SJS Investment Services

Joe Illick & Gina Browning.

Photo by Brian Maloney.

SILVER DRESS CIRCLE Anonymous (1) Nancy Adam Brenda & Joe Adeeb Amy Allen Ellen Arnovitz William & Linda Aylesworth Wendy & Warren Blumenthal Martha & John Chamberlin Maggie & Clayton Chessman Mary Lynn Cohagan Allie Coppeak Richard Corton Debra Devereaux Holly & Buck Elliott Renee & Jeffrey Epstein The Fabos Family Kathy & Bill Farley Diane & Larry Feldman Miriam & Morris Futernick Margie & Tom Gart

Gary Wicklund, Shirley Cassing & Jim Cassing, and LaDonna Wicklund.

Photo by Brian Maloney.

Martha Tyler Anne & Robert Verratti David Williams Ellen & James Wiss Glen & Margaret Wood Barbara & Peter Wright Sharon & Robert Yoerg

Alex Goldsmith Lisa Green Roberta Levin & Gilad Gordon Maryalice Cheney & Scott Goldman Ami Hudgins Kaye & Bud Isaacs Sarah & Tait Johnson

FESTIVAL PATRONS Donna & Ward Katz Bonnie Lee & Lawrence Kivel David Lakari Beth & Todd Leonard Gretchen & Charles Lobitz Jennifer & Philip Maritz Ferrell & William McClean Paul S. Mesard Deborah Nunez

Jacqueline & Jerome Chaves Jennifer & George Coloney Katherine & Hassan Dayem Elizabeth & Warren Dean Doris Dewton Marjorie & Lawrence Feinberg Becky & Bob Ford Colleen Forrest & Christopher Forrest

Marty Waldbaum & Michelle Dorrance. Photo by Brian Maloney.

Rosie & Roger Oberg Renée Okubo Sandy & Fred Pack Eileen Friars & Scott Pyle Etty & Alberto Rimoch Dr. Bill Rodkey April & James Schink Marlene & Eugene Shapiro Stan & Carol Shapiro Charlotte Shifrin Marla Steele Carrie & Brian Thomas Laurian Unnevehr & Jerry Nelson Joan Whittenberg VAIL VALLEY CIRCLE Anonymous (2) Janet & Bill Adler Jannice Alvaney Sheila & James Amend Alejandro Diez Barroso Linda Benaderet Mary Bird Kathy & Jack Blair Linda Boyne Diana Bradley Judy Schwartz & Mike Brizel Steve Brint & Mark Brown Kathe & Morris Brown Christine & George Burns Wendy Rudolph & Graeme Bush Erica Keisling & James Callan T. Ruth Chang

Jim Francis Nancy & Gary Freedman Susan & Don Freedman Elisabeth & Alvin Goldman Rhondda Hartman Sharon & Thomas Haverstock Diane Hockstader Loyal & Jill Huddleston Pamela Jadlos Barbara & Paul Jenkel Susan Kasser Lynn & Andrew Kaufman Amy Kennedy & Steve Miller Joanna Kerwin Kinnin Family Amy Kristof-Brown Cynthia & Robert LeBreton Fund Augusta Molnar & Kent Lupberger Karen Marisak & Gerard Lynch Beth Barbre & John Mangan Lynn McGowin Jill & Mark Meyer Marka Moser Daniel Murphy The Nalbantoglu Family Kathryn Norton Kathi Renman & Jim Picard Michele Prosser Jane A. Risser Carey & Tim Romer Patsy Rowe Elaine & Steven Schwartzreich Ronald Sege

Deborah Simmons Amy & Leonard Slosky James Smith Linda & Timothy Stancliffe Joan Nissman & Judith Nissman Taylor Sandra & Thomas Thomas Aimee & Bart Valls Tina & Steve Vardaman Patty & Ed Wahtera Hanna Warren Bruce Wilson Luanne & James Wright FAN CLUB Anonymous (7) Laura Abramson-Pritchard Jane Allaman Catherine & Truman Anderson Rosemary Watt & Charles Arnao Carol Atha Jesse & Susan Beasley Beauchamp Family Amy Becher Gish Alan Bell Elizabeth Benish & Charles Powell Susan & Lee Berk Nancy & Peter Berkley Karla & David Berman Linda Bernhard Jordan & Alison Biggers Bendy Bodies Kate Boniface & Kenneth Sauerberg W. Jean Bowers

Carolyn & James Chamness Marie Chong Dr. Cathy Cohn Anna-Lisa Conners Gretchen Corey Richard Corton Joyce Costa Maureen & David Cross Glen Dawson Alejandra De La Lama Chus De La Llama Nancy & Kenneth DeLine Nancy & Craig Denton Lee DePaolo Diane Carney Devon Jeannie Dickman Lynn Bolinske Dolven Dawn Doty Vawter Kristin Dura Sharon Dwinnell Jana Edwards & Rick Poppe Heidi & Stephen Elzinga Marguerite & James Emshoff James Eng Mary Anne Fantauzzi Leslie & Howard Farkas Carole & Peter Feistmann Larry and Barbara Field Donna & James Fisher Robin Fitzpatrick Sharon James & Charles Ford Becky & Bob Ford Carolyn & C. Reed Ford Lauren Freedman Sigrid H. Freese Ann Frick

Martin Atkin & Reid Balthaser. Photo by Brian Maloney.

Steven Bragg Drs. Steven Brenman & Donna DeSimone Marc Brombert Jean Kutner & Robert Brown Maryanne Brush Bobbi Bryson Amy Cantor Julie Carr

Terry Galpin-Plattner Jane & Gerald Gamble Jane Gamble Katherine Garon Debra & Rick Geddes Peter & Mike Gilbert Glackin Family Robin Glazer Merrily Glosband �VAILDANCE

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FESTIVAL PATRONS Serge Goldberg Norma Grant Linda & Richard Greene Suzanne Greene Susan & Allie Gruber Sharon Gurwitz Dale & Rebecca Hahs Kathi Hall Emy & Michael Halpert Douglas Hamilton Joann & James Hammel Debbie Hand Whitney Harper Mary Ann Hartigan Wendy Helker Milt Sleeter & Joel Herman Debra Herz Brenda & Alan Himelfarb Mary Holt Marilyn & Matthew Horween Adele & Roy Igersheim Leslie & Stephen Isom Alice & Steve Jennison Alberta & Reese Johnson Pam & Bruce Johnson Alice Kaderlan Karlin Keller Tom Kennedy Geneva Kerstein Ellen Keszler Ann Kiley Julie & Mike Kirk Rosalind Kochman Ivy & Frederick Kushner Audrey LaFehr Lawrence LaFevre Laine & Merv Lapin

Jonna Mackin & Jared Angle.

Photo by Brian Maloney.

Laraine Lasdon Sarah Lash Laura Leitzinger Alaine & Joey Lerner Ann & William Lieff Anita & Allan Lubarsky Elspeth MacHattie Sara Magaletta Leslie & John Manes

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Judy Margolis & Joede Schoeberlein Lona & Joe Maslowski Margaret Mastrianni Kay Maune & David Elmore Mrs. Joni May Lyra Mayfield & Charles Stein Pat McFarland Sheila McInerney Nancy & Michael McKeever Anne McKinnon Sarah & Peter Millett Val Milshtein Leslie & Charles Mishner Charles Mize Emorene Morris Bonnie Nash Gudrun Lange & Benjamin Natelson Gay Neilson & GMJ Susan Stearns & Frank O’Loughlin Paula & Terrill Parker Amy Paul Ali & Paul Peters William Pierce Denise Pietrzak David Portillo Family Lorraine Prentis Amanda & Adam Quinton Greg Reed Barbara Reed, MD Michelle & Lewis Ribner Sandy & Bob Righter Alexander & Jane B. Roberts Joan Robinson Ken Robinson Margaret & Rick Rogers Coralie & Bruce Rogers Constance & Dennis Rojo Nancy & Robert Rosen Merle & Philip Rosenfeld Stephanie Rudnick Jim & Bobbie Ruh Jill & Robert Rutledge Nina Saks Susan Salomon Becky & David Schamis Susan & Eric Schneider Carole Schragen Christina Shane Andrea & Stuart Shatken Donna Whittington & Charles Singer Connie & Rodney Smith Ms. Barbara M. Smith Ms. Tecla E. Smith Terry Snyder Linda & Stephen Sparn Spencer Stanford Jeanne & Terry Startzel Wendy Steele

Mindy Stern Maureen & Mark Stevenson Judy & Robert Stiber Kathryn & Brian Stoffers Judy & Charles Stoopack Debra Wilcox & Alexander Strickland Kimberlee & Mark Sullivan Selma & Harvey Sweetbaum Jill & Alan Tanenbaum Susan Telage Peggy Thompson Michael Tocci Tom & Sharon Trumble Leanne Tyler Bonnie Utley Lois & John Van Deusen Eli Wald Abigail Wallach Andrew Watson Hope Webb Elizabeth & James Webb Doreen & Martin Weisfuse Karen & John Weslar Bella & Dan Whelan Marshall Whiting Daniel Wilkinson Lorie Williams Mary Wolf Rosalind & Larry Wolff Risa Lynn Wolf-Smith Rosalie Wooten Alexandra Zelinskaya SUPPORTER Anonymous (4) Helen & Paul Anbinder Theresa Jimenez-Anders & Paul Anders Tony Arn Kelli & Jeff Bailey Berniel Bannon Whitney Bardwick J Benton Carrie Benway Deborah Webster & Stephen Blanchard Erin Hall & Eric Blitzstein Comelia Boylston Marjorie & Michael Brassel Susan & Robert Burton Tamara Coatney Barbara & Mark Cohen Stephanie & Brian Cramer Charles Crowley Christin Crampton Day, Center Stage LLC Joan & Stacy Deck Taylre Derby Krista & John Dias Cari and Matt Dietz Andrew Donaldson

Sharron Dorward Joyce Dulin Dr. Kelsey K. Dworkis and Mr. Zachary Dworkis Mary Louise Edwards Amy Ewing Renee Forrest Ingie & Rol Franberg Linda & Norbert Frueh Lauren Gary Heather Gehring Michele Gersten Robin Gersten Nancy Gladstone Carol & Ronnie Goldman Mari Jo & Gene Grace Ann Hartley Daun & James Hashbarger Jan Hiland Susan Depue & William Hughes Insel Family Myra & Frank Isenhart Rosalie Isom Jayne & George James Paul Johl Malin Johnsdotter Elena Jones Amy Jones Karen & Jay Keany David Kellogg Debora Klein Kristine Kreilick Patrick Leader Karen Lindenberg Teresa Madigan Maeva & Dan Marcus The Maurer Family Emily & Roddy McGavin Tracy & Timothy McKenzie Leslie McKinney Linda McKinney Janet & John Meck Alexandra Metzl Laurie Mooney Michele & Alfonso Natarelli Michael Normandy Ilena Norton Judy & Denny O’Brien Paul & Irene Oppenheim Janna Otto Kenneth Pastusek Michael & Marsha Portelance Patricia & Steven Reininger Whitney & Adam Rudner Rachel & Ken Samoil Ricki & Steve Sherlin Marcia Sherman El-Baz Nancy Sievers Teak Simonton Kati & Michael Smith Wendy Smith Mikelsons Nancy & C. John Snyder

FESTIVAL PATRONS Pat Spitzmiller Lisa & Jeffrey Babb Nancy Alexander & David Staat Martha Brassel & Chris Anderson Judy Stevens Patricia & Todd Duty Jane Ellen Stone Marsha Landesman Maureen O’Shea-Stone & Jennifer Mason Daniel Stone Heather Watts & Damian Woetzel Lisa Strachan Stephanie & Arthur Strasburger ���� SUSTAINING FUND Lynn Swanson Sustaining Fund donations helped Ellen Tanner sustain the Vail Dance Festival through Maurine Taufer the COVID 19 Pandemic, underwrite Jennifer Tower the 2020 digital festival, and support Angela & Scott Tucker our festival family of artists with Artist Carroll Tyler Relief Fund Grants.

Rosanna D’Orazio & Kent Wagner Anonymous (6) Carol & Peter Walker Allan Abramson

Elizabeth Benish & Charles Powell Judy & Howard Berkowitz** Linda Bernhard Mary Bird Kathy & Jack Blair Kate Boniface & Kenneth Sauerberg Ruth Botwinik Linda Boyne Martha Brassel & Chris Anderson Rebecca & Howard Braverman Marilyn Bredar Priscilla Brewster** Kathe & Morris Brown Doe Browning & Jack Hunn

Adji Cissoko, Jason Moran, Jody Arnhold, Shuaib Elhassan & Lili Gottfried. Photo by Brian Maloney.

Paula Wegert Jill & Don Wilson Janice & Dee Wisor Linda & Dean Wolz FOUNDATION SUPPORT Arts in Society, a project of Redline Contemporary Art Center Community First Foundation Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Eagle Valley Community Fund The Jerome Robbins Foundation Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation National Endowment for the Arts The New York Community Trust ARTE DAVIES MEMORIAL FUND Katrina Ammer

Ben Allen Amy Allen Sheila & James Amend Helen & Paul Anbinder Beth Anderson & Robert Bethke Shawn Anderson Barbara Annett Jody & John Arnhold** Enid Austin Marilyn Averill William & Linda Aylesworth Lisa & Jeffrey Babb Karen Backstein Christine & John Bakalar Dierdre & Ronnie Baker Harley Balzer Tiffany Batifort Judith McBride & Bruce Baumgartner Donna & Donald Baumgartner**

Lisa Tannebaum & Don Brownstein** Wendy Rudolph & Graeme Bush Carolyn Butler Ellen Cahill Susan & Jeff Campbell** Martha & John Chamberlin Helen Chao Catherine Cheney Viola Cheung Donae & Rob Chramosta Ginnine Cocuzza Mary Lynn Cohagan Bruce Colbath Jennifer & George Coloney Allie Coppeak Gretchen Corey Lelia Coveney Susan Cox & Camilo Martinez Stephanie & Brian Cramer

Ellie Craven Sheila Cross Dana Cummings Brenda & Thomas Curnin Angela Daye-Lobenhofer Amy Dell Ellen Dehaven Diane Carney Devon Krista & John Dias Carol & Gregory Dobbs Paul Docktor Andrew Donaldson M’Liss Dorrance Margaret Doyle Jill & Stuart Drury Darlene & Lee Ebert Andrea Eddy Rebecca & Samuel Eden Tracy & Michael Ehlers Renee & Jeffrey Epstein Carolyn & Don Etter Amy Ewing Patti Eylar & Charles Gardner The Fabos Family Ann Feldman Caryl & Ken Field Holly & Tim Finchem Caroline Fisher & Robert Knous Erika & Matt Fitzgerald Colleen Forrest & Christopher Forrest Veronique Foster Jim Francis Nancy & Gary Freedman Eileen Friars & Scott Pyle Ian Friedland Gallegos Corporation Lauren Gary Heather Gehring Jennifer & Richard Geisman Holly & Ben Gill Stacey & Foster Gillett Nancy Gladstone Lisa & Bruce Goldman Margery Goldman Mari Jo & Gene Grace Sheika Gramshammer** Norma Grant Lisa Green Susan & Ronald Gruber Jennifer Hakim Elizabeth Harris Malo & John Harrison** Daun & James Hashbarger Sharon & Thomas Haverstock Jane & Ray Heller Cynthia Anne Hennessy & Robert Barr Allen Robert Herrick Brenda & Alan Himelfarb Pamela & Richard Hines Linda & Eric Hofschire �VAILDANCE

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FESTIVAL PATRONS Lisa Hofsess Loyal & Jill Huddleston Ami Hudgins Kristel & B.J. Hybl Margaret Ida Daryl James Jayne & George James Paul Johl Carol Johns Connie & James Johns Sarah & Tait Johnson Nita & James Johnston Alexia & Jerry Jurschak Nancy Kaye Nina Kazazian Erica Keisling & James Callan David Kernahan Kinnin Family Julie & Mike Kirk Linda & Robert Kirscht Doug Kridler Amy Kristof-Brown Lawrence LaFevre David Lakari Laine & Merv Lapin Margaret Larcade Laraine Lasdon Cheri & Steven Lasky Kara Leaman Cynthia & Robert LeBreton Fund Terrel Lefferts Julie Leibert Julia Leifeste Laura Leitzinger Ellen & Harry Levitt Autumn Lew Ann & William Lieff Marina Liem Karen Lindenberg Philip Livingston Mary Lujack Jessie Macdonald Jonna Mackin Margaret Maguire Myra Malkin Michelle & Brian Maloney Maeva & Dan Marcus Jennifer Mason MaryAnn Masterson Margaret Mastrianni Donald Mathes Lyra Mayfield & Charles Stein Pat McFarland Anne & Thomas McGonagle Helen McIntyre Linda McKinney Betty Jane & Harold Meadows Jean & Thomas Merrick Ursula Merz Paul Mesard & Larned Waterman Mary Messenkopf Jill & Dean Mitchell

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Priscilla Brewster, Judy Berkowitz, Damian Woetzel, Jill Plancher & Susan Campbell. Photo by Brian Maloney.

Laurie Mooney Emorene Morris Anne & Shirish Mulherkar Nancy Myers Karen R. Nagel Andrea Nash Michele & Alfonso Natarelli National Endowment for the Arts** Cynthia Neil Charles Nelson Jane & Skip Netzorg** New York Community Trust Julia Nicolas Susan & Howard Noble Deborah Nunez Joyce O’Brien Eileen O’Neill Janna Otto Sandy & Fred Pack Susan Painter Laura & Tim Parker Paula & Terrill Parker Mary Celene Parris Ali & Paul Peters Peter Petropulos

Senenne & Marc Philippon** Donald Pinals Jill & Kevin Plancher** Nancy Porter Wendy Powell Elizabeth Radachi Nancy Raines The Redel Foundation Barbara Reed, MD Donna Reed Patricia & Steven Reininger Harriet Reisen Susan Reiter Pamela Richard Sandy & Bob Righter Jane A. Risser Michael L. Ritchie Jerome Robbins Foundation Debbie & Rohn Robbins Joan Robinson MaryPat Roggenburg Alison Romer Elise & Jay Rossiter Sue & Michael Rushmore Nina Saks Nancy & Rod Sanders

Ilene & Michael Schechter Carol Schepp Sandra Scheuber Susan & Eric Schneider Fran Schulman Lynn Schwendiman Jennifer & Irene Seda Lorraine Shapiro Nel Shelby Marcia Sherman El-Baz Charlotte Shifrin James Sigman Janet Silva Joel Simon Holly & Denny Simonton Milt Sleeter & Joel Herman Barbara Slifka Ann Smead & Michael Byram Haruko Smith Linda & Stephen Sparn Pat Spitzmiller Linda & Timothy Stancliffe Marianne Stegeland Judy Stevens Judy Stewart Judy & Robert Stiber

FESTIVAL PATRONS Genie & Robert Stine Maureen & Allan Stiner Robert Stone Storr Family Foundation** Kimberlee & Mark Sullivan Ellen Tanner Dorothy Thompson Town of Vail Susan & William Tracy Debbie & Fred Tresca Angela & Scott Tucker Carol Tweedy Leanne Tyler Donna Une Laurian Unnevehr & Jerry Nelson Sarah Valente Lois & John Van Deusen Leonora VanSchaack Julie Walker Cynthia & Christopher Wasco Linda Waterhouse Hope Webb Carol Weil Ruth Whitmore Joan Whittenberg Betsy & George Wiegers** Wendy Williams & Noel Kullavanijaya** Jeffrey Willis Tina & David Wilson Bruce Wilson Janice & Dee Wisor Jayne & Dennis Withers Elizabeth & Richard Witten Heather Watts & Damian Woetzel Harriet Wolf Christene Woodward Rosalie Wooten Larry Yaeger Karen Zeller Helene Zimmer-Loew Edward Zinbarg *Gifts received June 1, 2020 – September 30, 2020 **Leadership Support at $10K & higher

Vail Valley Foundation Leadership Circle CORNERSTONE Anonymous Karen & John Arnold Bacca Foundation Martha Head Michael Krupka Anne Kubik Mary Sue & Michael Shannon Marcy & Gerald Spector Debbie & Fred Tresca FRIENDS OF VAIL Anonymous (2) Kathy & Bjorn Erik Borgen Devon & Peter Briger Lisa & Ronald Brill Kelly & Sam Bronfman Angela & Peter Dal Pezzo Israel Englander

Sarah & Peter Millett Michele Mittelman Kaia & Misha Moritz Amanda Precourt & Andrew Jensdotter Mary & Steven Read Amy & Jay Regan Sara & Eric Resnick June & Paul Rossetti Didi & Oscar Schafer Lisa & Kenneth Schanzer Susanna Johnson Shannon & Timothy Shannon Sydney & Stanley S. Shuman Ann Smead & Michael Byram Sue & Martin Solomon Bill Stolzer^, Ellen & Dan Bolen, Mary Kevin & Tom Giller Oscar Tang Family

Tina Wilson, James Whiteside & Colby Wilson. Photo by Brian Maloney.

Julie & Bill Esrey Stephanie & Larry Flinn Susan & Harry Frampton Margie & Tom Gart Donna Giordano Georgia & Donald Gogel Lisa & Bruce Goldman Lyn Goldstein Mrs. Kim Hackett and Dr. Thomas Hackett Georgia & Robert Hatcher Karen & Michael Herman Kathy & Al Hubbard Susu & George Johnson Cynnie & Peter Kellogg Shelby & Scott Key Ruth & Sidney Lapidus Nicole & Steven Lucido Leni & Peter May

James W. Taylor Denise O’Leary & Kent Thiry Debra & Ken Tuchman Barbara & Richard Wenninger Kristy & Bill Woolfolk MEDALLION CIRCLE Anonymous (1) Judy Hart Angelo John & Marlene Boll Jeff & Susan Campbell Mary Beth & Philip Canfield Leslie & Blaise Carrig Karen & Gerard Diffley Diane & Brad England Cindy & Christopher Galvin Heather & Glenn Hilliard Shelly & Chris Jarnot Roberta & Michael Joseph

Anne-Marie & John Keane Janet & Mark Levy Shirley & William S. McIntyre Richard McVey Senenne & Marc Philippon Marina & Christopher Scanlan Liz Logan Sterett & Bill Sterett Marjorie A. Swig Leanne & Richard Tavoso Betsy & George Wiegers Jan & Greg Winchester CHAMPIONS CIRCLE Patricia & Sergio Arguelles Ann Newman & Andy Arnold Kay & Thomas Clanton Holly & Tim Finchem Joan Francis Laura & William Frick Elizabeth & Michael Galvin Kiwi & Landon Hilliard Hughes Family Foundation Alexia & Jerry Jurschak Amy & Mike Kazma Marlene & Ben Krell Alejandra & Tomas Milmo Vicki & Trygve Myhren Kathy Neustadt Sissel & Richard Pomboy Carlos Rojas Suzanne & Bernie Scharf Elaine & Steven Schwartzreich Katherine Clayborne & Thomas Shoup Harvey Simpson & Sheila Sullivan Elizabeth & Rodney Slifer Brooke & Hap Stein Mark & Becca Stupfel Jacqueline & Norman Waite Laura & Stephen Wehrle Joan Whittenberg ^ recently deceased *Gifts received between September 1, 2019 and April 30, 2021

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FEATURED COMPANIES

BALLETX

Company-In-Residence BalletX, led by Artistic & Executive Director Christine Cox, is recognized as a “place of choreographic innovation” (The New Yorker) for producing over 100 world premieres by more than 50 choreographers in its 15-year history, a record “few companies can match” (The New York Times). The company’s streaming platform, BalletX Beyond, which launched in September 2020, has produced dance films by choreographers from around the world, reaching subscribers in 20 states and 7 countries, and earning a reputation for “revolutionizing virtual performance” (Harper’s Bazaar). In addition to commissioning new works for stage and film, BalletX offers a number of education and community programs designed to bring its home city of Philadelphia and the nation closer to dance. BalletX is grateful to have performed for the incredible Vail Dance Festival community over the last decade, thanks to the leadership of Damian Woetzel. Photo by Erin Baiano.

DANCERS: Shawn Cusseaux Jonah Delgado Francesca Forcella Stanley Glover

Savannah Green Zachary Kapeluck Blake Krapels Skyler Lubin

Ashley Simpson Richard Villaverde Pete Leo Walker Andrea Yorita

CLEO PARKER ROBINSON DANCE Founder, Artistic Director, Producer & Director: Cleo Parker Robinson

Currently celebrating its 51st Season, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance is an international, cross-cultural, dance-arts and educational institution rooted in African-American traditions and the Diaspora, dedicated to excellence in performance, instruction, and community programming.

The renowned Cleo Parker Robinson Dance holds the works of some of the most iconic choreographers of American modern dance in its repertoire, including Katherine Dunham, Donald McKayle, Eleo Pomare, and Alvin Ailey. Cleo Parker Robinson Dance views dance as a universal language of movement which transforms the world and transcends boundaries of culture, class and age. Cleo Parker Robinson Dance is committed to honoring diversity and inclusiveness throughout the global community. Photo by Pierre Wachholder.

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FEATURED COMPANIES

NEW YORK CITY BALLET MOVES

Composed of a select group of NYCB dancers and musicians, New York City Ballet MOVES returns to Vail for the first time in nine years.

New York City Ballet is one of the foremost dance companies in the world. The Company was founded in 1948 by George Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstein, and quickly became world-renowned for its athletic and contemporary style. Jerome Robbins joined NYCB the following year and, with Balanchine, helped to build its unparalleled repertory. Now under the direction of Artistic Director Jonathan Stafford, Associate Artistic Director Wendy Whelan, and Executive Director Katherine Brown, NYCB is committed to promoting creative excellence and nurturing a new generation of dancers and choreographers. New York City Ballet MOVES provides an opportunity to showcase NYCB’s extraordinary artists and repertory for new audiences. Photo by Paul Kolnik.

DANCERS:

Adrian Danchig-Waring, Principal Dancer Joseph Gordon, Principal Dancer Ashley Hod, Corps de Ballet Anthony Huxley, Principal Dancer Russell Janzen, Principal Dancer Lauren Lovette, Principal Dancer

Sara Mearns, Principal Dancer Roman Mejia, Corps de Ballet Tiler Peck, Principal Dancer Unity Phelan, Soloist Andrew Scordato, Corps de Ballet Gretchen Smith, Corps de Ballet Andrew Veyette, Principal Dancer

Peter Walker, Soloist Indiana Woodward, Soloist

MUSICIANS:

Elaine Chelton, Solo Pianist Stephen Gosling, Solo Pianist Susan Walters, Solo Pianist

QUARTET-IN-RESIDENCE

BROOKLYN RIDER

Hailed as “the future of chamber music” (Strings), the veteran string quartet Brooklyn Rider presents eclectic repertory and gripping performances that continue to draw rave reviews from classical, world and rock critics alike. NPR credits Brooklyn Rider with “recreating the 300-year-old form of string quartet as a vital and creative 21st century ensemble.”

The quartet released Dreamers in 2018 on Sony Music Masterworks with Mexican jazz vocalist Magros Herrera, adding to their extensive list of collaborative projects. The group also regularly performs with Anne Sofie von Otter, Béla Fleck, Kinan Azmeh and Maeve Gilchrist. A second album of Philip Glass quartets is expected later this year; the first was released in 2011. Photo by Shervin Lainez.

Underwritten by the Vail Valley Foundation Board of Directors.

MUSICIANS:

Johnny Gandelsman, Violin Colin Jacobsen, Violin

Nicholas Cords, Viola Michael Nicolas, Cello

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FESTIVAL DANCERS

Isabella Boylston

India Bradley

Lil Buck

Memphis Jooker

American Ballet Theatre

Herman Cornejo

Michelle Dorrance

Philip Duclos

Robbie Fairchild

Joseph Gordon

Christopher Grant

Maria Kowroski

Lauren Lovette

Roman Mejia

Ron Myles

Mira Nadon

Tiler Peck

Unity Phelan

American Ballet Theatre

New York City Ballet

Festival Scholar-In-Residence, Former Principal, School of American Ballet New York City Ballet

New York City Ballet

New York City Ballet

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New York City Ballet

New York City Ballet

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New York City Ballet

Memphis Jooker

Calvin Royal III

American Ballet Theatre Festival Artist-In-Residence

New York City Ballet

New York City Ballet

Cory Stearns

American Ballet Theatre

Dorrance Dance

New York City Ballet

Dario Natarelli

Tap Dancer

Devon Teuscher

American Ballet Theatre

FESTIVAL DANCERS

Byron Tittle

Dorrance Dance

Melissa Toogood

Pam Tanowitz Dance

James Whiteside

American Ballet Theatre

FESTIVAL MUSICIANS

Nicholas Cords

Viola, Brooklyn Rider

Colin Jacobsen

Violin, Brooklyn Rider

Kurt Crowley

Vocalist, MultiInstrumentalist

Michael Nicolas

Caroline Shaw

Cello, Brooklyn Rider

FESTIVAL CHOREOGRAPHERS Lil Buck Michelle Dorrance Lauren Lovette Justin Peck Tiler Peck Jamar Roberts Cleo Parker Robinson James Whiteside

Artists confirmed as of May 24, 2021

Kate Davis

Piano, Music Director Underwritten by Anonymous

Johnny Gandelsman

Violin, Brooklyn Rider Underwritten by Gina Browning & Joe Illick

Cameron Grant Pianist Underwritten by Michael L. Ritchie

Leonard Bernstein Composer-In-Residence

FESTIVAL COMPOSERS Christina Courtin Rhiannon Giddens Caroline Shaw Tyshawn Sorey

FESTIVAL ILLUSTRATORS Kenneth E. Parris III Andrea Selby, Underwritten by Marty Head

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MARIA KOWROSKI takes a last bow New York City Ballet star retires in October

C

By Kimberly Nicoletti

hoosing to retire is never easy for a dancer, and for New York City Ballet (NYCB) Principal Dancer Maria Kowroski, the decision has been complicated by injuries and a global pandemic.

Throughout her illustrious career, Kowroski always assumed she’d retire at age 42. But as 42 came and went, she felt great and continued on to the delight of her audiences, but less than two years later, in December 2019, she tore a tendon. And just as she was recovering from that injury, she then tore her meniscus. She figured it was her body’s way of telling her it was time to retire, but “I didn’t just want to walk away,” she said. “I thought of it, but when you’re dedicated to your art form, you want to have some closure.”

So she set a retirement date for May 2020, but COVID-19 canceled the season. With a desire to say farewell on a high note, she has decided to retire this October at age 45. But before that, she will happily be back in Vail again after several years absence.

REACHING THE PINNACLE

Kowroski’s journey to NYCB Principal Dancer is a testament to her mental and physical strength, as well as her extraordinary ability to interpret works.

She began ballet at age seven in Michigan, and when she entered the School of American Ballet, the official school of NYCB, at age sixteen, she felt a little behind in terms of technique.

“I had a lot of flexibility and mobility, but all I heard was, ‘you have to get stronger,’” she said.

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Maria Kowroski and students of the School of American Ballet in New York City Ballet’s production of George Balanchine’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Photo by Paul Kolnik.

So that’s exactly what she did. In less than two and a half years, she joined NYCB’s corps de ballet and was promoted to Principal Dancer four years later.

From her solid technique, she began focusing on more fully expressing herself: she used her personal experiences, such as the death of her mother and giving birth to her son, to bring more life — and more of her own essence — to her work.

Kowroski’s ability to translate her emotions, passion, and life experience into dance has made her truly extraordinary.

“Everyone gets caught up in the technique, and they forget to dance. When you get caught up in technique, you do lose that dancing quality and it becomes not as special,” she said. “I was — and still am — such a perfectionist and was very hard on myself. I couldn’t appreciate the moments on stage that were wonderful and glorious.

Throughout the years, I have really tried to enjoy myself and forget about technique.”

Woetzel, who danced with Kowroski over many years in New York. “The quality of illuminating new work is something that has been central to Maria’s career, but she also has been a unique voice in reinterpreting roles that are part of the classic repertory at New York City Ballet.”

Collaborating with dancers from international companies at Vail Dance Festival helped her develop artistically.

VAIL “When you’re in small groups, there’s “Maria has always brought to her dancing more inspiration because everyone is a distinctive authority and conviction,” supporting each other,” she said. “You get said Vail Dance Festival Artistic Director to take the time and work on things, take and former NYCB Principal Dancer Damian more chances and present yourself in a new Maria Kowroski in New York City Ballet’s production of George Balanchine’s Chaconne. Photo by Paul Kolnik.

way. I felt like I danced more like myself [in Vail] than I did when I danced in the company. Then, I could take that back to the company and try to recreate that.”

Summers in Vail help refresh dancers with new input and inspiration. “The life of a dancer in New York City Ballet or at other companies can be very insular, and you can really feel at times that you are in a bubble. So getting to perform outside the company, even if it’s sometimes in the same roles, can be very important in developing as an artist,” Woetzel said. “I think Maria capitalized on that possibility in her time in Vail. That growth away from the company would become a part of her development across the whole repertory.”

Meeting her husband, former Royal Ballet dancer Martin Harvey, in Vail also changed her life, and having their son helped her become more playful, on and off stage.

“Over the years, we build up worries,” Kowroski said. “Watching my son love life helps me connect to my inner child.”

JUN 27 The Allman Betts Band

AUG 5 Amy Grant

JUL 2 Randy Rodgers Band

AUG 15 NOT OUR FIRST GOAT RODEO Yo-Yo Ma + Stuart Duncan + Edgar Meyer + Chris Thile

JUL 15 Comedian Rob Schneider

— with guest — Aoife O’Donovan

JUL 22 Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder

AUG 21 Del McCoury Band

JUL 25 LeAnn Rimes Acoustic

AUG 28 Keb’ Mo’ Acoustic

JUL 31 A NEW WORLD RECORD

SEPT 3 DOUBLE HEADLINERS: Sierra Ferrell + The East Pointers

A Tribute to the Music of the Electric Light Orchestra

LOOKING FORWARD

During the pandemic, Kowroski spent time exploring her relationship to teaching dance and found that she loved giving back. “You realize how much information you have inside and how much you have to say,” she said. “I want to encourage my students not to make my mistakes with perfectionism and injuries. I don’t have any regrets, but I really wish I hadn’t been so hard on myself.”

Fortunately, she gave herself permission to be carefree on stage, whether it was performing George Balanchine’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream nearly five months pregnant with her son or tearing it up with Woetzel as a cowboy’s gal during Western Symphony. “We still smile and laugh when we run into each other on the street and recall counting off in the wings and getting ready to go on stage,” Woetzel said. “I can’t wait to have her back at the Festival this summer and to celebrate her and all she has brought to the world through her dancing.” For her part, Kowroski recalls partnering with Woetzel at his 2008 retirement performance at New York City Ballet as “such an honor.”

Beyond teaching, Kowroski isn’t sure what retirement will bring, but she looks forward to reliving cherished memories in Vail this summer, and making new ones.

“I still want to learn and absorb everything I can [here],” she said. “Damian and Heather [Watts] take the time to share their knowledge, and that’s very precious.

You never know; one little thing they say can open your eyes to a whole other world.”

UNDER THE ICE RINK IN BEAVER CREEK | FREE Parking Available

Squash Blossom

198 GORE CREEK DRIVE, VAIL | 970.476.3129 WWW.SQUASHBLOSSOMVAIL.COM �VAILDANCE

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THANK YOU FESTIVAL SPONSORS Cambria Wines Pacifico The Gallegos TIAA Bank Corporation Town of Avon GMC Town of Vail Moving Mountains Vail Resorts Nature Valley Vail Honeywagon

LODGING PARTNERS Christiania at Vail Grand Hyatt Vail Manor Vail Vail Realty Sonnenalp Vail Management The Tivoli Lodge SPECIAL CONTRIBUTORS Alonzo King LINES Ballet Kansas City Ballet, James Jordan The Keith Haring Foundation The George Balanchine Trust VAIL DANCE FESTIVAL STAFF Mike Imhof, President & CEO, Vail Valley Foundation

Sarah Johnson, Sr. VP of Philanthropy & Vail Dance Festival

Damian Woetzel, Festival Artistic Director Roya Abab, Guest Lighting Designer & Lighting Director

Sierra Adams, Education & Arts Grant Director Harper Addison, Sr. Development Coordinator Lexa Armstrong, Social Media Marketing Assistant

Betsy Ayer, Guest Stage Manager Lisa Babb, Sr. Manager of Hospitality & Volunteer Relations

Sarah Bahr, Costume Director Brandon Stirling Baker, Resident Lighting Designer

Tricia Bancker, Controller Greg Bloom, Sponsorship Sales Director Martha Brassel, Senior Director of Development Lisa Briner, Transportation & Lodging Coordinator

Amber Brown, Costume Assistant Dionne Drugan Brown, Office Manager Erik Brown, Director of Special Projects & Infrastructure

Javier Cendejas, Pianist Amy Cochran, VDF Volunteer Coordinator Kurt Crowley, Music Director Stacey Davila, Costume Assistant Jacqueline Deveric, Assistant Controller Colton Dodd, Asst. Music Director

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Dave Dressman, VP of Sponsorship Sales Kristen Dudding, Sr. Marketing Manager Christopher Duggan, Festival Photographer Heidi Elzinga, Asst. to the President Bob Ford, Chief Financial Officer Sarah Franke, VP of Marketing & Operations Kyle Grant, Director of Production Erin Hall, Accounting & Finance Manager Joseph Van Harn, Operations Assistant Russell Kaiser, Head of Artistic Planning & Rehearsal Director

Joanna Kerwin, VVF Volunteer Coordinator John Kolbinski, Audio Assistant Lisa Leonhardt, Production Stage Manager Alexa Maestranzi LPC, Empowering Boys in Dance Program Consultant

Olivia Maggi, Sr. Development Coordinator Nicole Mitchell, Asst. Director of Production Carlos Molina, IT Manager Cameron Morgan, Festival & Operations Manager

Melissa Meyers, Development Events Manager Brian Muller, Sr. Director of IT & Special Projects Liz Nguyen, Carpenter/Stagehand Becky Nussbaum, Electrician Heather Olcott, Asst. Stage Manager Angelina Pellini, Asst. Stage Manager Kate Penner, Social Media Manager Kendra Powell, Donor Relations Manager Stefanie Price, Sr. Director of HR Tatyanna Rodriguez, Carpenter/Stagehand Kevin Romero, Technical Director Gail Russell, Accounting & Finance Manager Joe Samala, Audio Head Chris Sannino, Audio Assistant Gabe Shalley, Development & Data Admin Joel Solari, PR Contractor Jessica Stevens, Sponsorship Sales Director Nel Shelby Productions, Festival Videographer

Michael Sheridan, Asst. to the Artistic Director Mia Silvestri, Festival Coordinator Timothy Smith, Master Electrician Tricia Toliver, Production Consultant Margaret Tracey, Teacher and Repetiteur Liz Tsurusaki, Electrician Angela Tucker, Sr. Development Manager Peggy Wolfe, Director of Operations A special thanks to James Leitner, the Production Lighting Designer that has extraordinarily illuminated our stages for 23 years!

GERALD R. FORD AMPHITHEATER (GRFA) & BOX OFFICE STAFF Peter Blosten, GRFA House Manager Tom Boyd, Senior Director of PR, Communications & GRFA Operations

Tim Felton, GRFA Box Office & Front of House Asst. Manager

Lauren Gary, Senior Box Office Manager & Asst. Director of the GRFA

Jake De Valle, GRFA Production Manager FESTIVAL INTERNS Hanna Bailey, Marketing Intern Lauren Carmen, Costume Intern Chyna Clark, Artist Services Intern Nadia Conway, Venue Management Intern Sydney Cox, Venue Management Intern Sydney Dietz, Development Intern Harry Jaffe, Marketing Intern Sara Komatsu, Marketing Intern Serena Kozusko, Venue Management Intern Charlotte Parker, Food & Beverage Intern Gillian Reinhard, Development Intern Emmy Wildermuth, Artist Services Intern Colby Wilson, Marketing Intern Liv Wymbs, Artist Services Intern FESTIVAL AMBASSADORS Tricia Swenson, Ambassador Program Advisor Kimberly Mayorga, Co-Coordinator Emmie Urquhart, Co-Coordinator Addie Strickler Jillian Lee Azul Meza Jordan Biggers Breanna Hayes Lauren Walker Charlotte Frampton Paige Rosener Gracie Johnson JUNIOR AMBASSADORS Avery Begg Kylie Kirkham Cooper Dozois Serra Nalbantoglu Deniz Nalbantoglu Willow Uzdavinis Emma GarciaZoe Larese Harrison YOUTHPOWER���’S CELEBRATE THE BEAT STAFF Kris Ashley, Celebrate the Beat Manager, YouthPower365

Tracy Straus, Artistic Director Tony Kieraldo, Musical Director Hannah Finnegan, Teaching Artist Joslyn Sanchez, Teaching Artist Emma Stedman, Teaching Artist Gerald Watson, Teaching Artist

On behalf of the Vail Dance Festival and Vail Valley Foundation, thank you to our dedicated team of volunteers!

*This list is current as of May 31, 2021

FESTIVAL LUNCHEON LEGACY

Festival Continues Tradition to Toast Annual Honorees This year we raise our glasses to Donna & Donald Baumgartner at the 2021 Brunch

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resident Gerald R. Ford once said he “never attended luncheons,” and yet he never missed this special event that was first hosted

by Joan Whittenberg in 1991. In 2021, we will carry the event’s great history forward in new ways, but alas will say goodbye to the luncheon originally held at the Lodge at Vail’s Wildflower Restaurant, and more recently hosted by Lourdes and Paul Ferzacca at La Tour. Laughs, memories, good food and long-time friendships have all been part of this special afternoon. Tradition has also included the creation of unique gifts by Barb and Rob De Luca, owners of Currents Fine Jewelers, that are bestowed upon the honoree, season presenters and artistic director. As we conclude our tradition this year, we are overjoyed to honor Donna and Donald Baumgartner for the lasting impact they have made on the Vail Dance Festival.

HONORING DONNA & DONALD BAUMGARTNER

For more than 30 years, the Baumgartners have enjoyed their mountain home in the Lake Creek Valley. They have been active supporters of both the visual and performing arts in their hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and have shared their passion locally with their support of the Vail Dance Festival. Donald is a car buff and has a pretty nice collection of hot cars. Together they have spent many hours honing their skills on tracks in the US, Canada, and Europe.

Over the years Donna & Donald have provided unwaivering support and enthusiasm for new works produced at the Festival and the Celebrate the Beat program.

Linda Waterhouse being honored at the 2018 luncheon and receiving her signature gift from Barb De Luca.

PAST HONOREES First Lady Betty Ford* Mme Sophia Golovkina Giordano Family John Paul and Eloise DeJoria Paul Mitchell Systems Jane & Phil Smiley

Marlene & John Boll Allie Coppeak Katherine Kersten Judy Berkowitz Damian Woetzel Oscar Tang Joan Whittenberg Joanne & Jack Crosby Sheika & Pepi Gramshammer Lourdes & Paul Ferzacca Town of Vail Leni & Peter May Betsy & George Wiegers Susan & Harry Frampton Priscilla Brewster Linda & Stephen (posthumously) Waterhouse Pam & Ernie Elsner Donna & Donald Baumgartner All Vail International Dance Festival Patrons

Mme Sophia Golovkina, President Ford, Joan Whittenberg, and Mrs. Ford at the 1992 luncheon.

*First ever honoree, 1999

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CELEBRATE the BEAT

Tapping into the joy and possibility within kids through dance

By Kimberly Nicoletti

Every child has a powerful beat within.

We teach them to find it, hear it, feel it, embrace it, express it and celebrate it so they can be empowered by it in every aspect of their lives.

This is the guiding principle of Celebrate the Beat (CTB), a national nonprofit introduced

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to the Vail Valley by Heather Watts and Damian Woetzel in his first year as director of the Vail Dance Festival. In 2020, the Vail Valley Foundation brought the local CTB branch under its wing as an official program of YouthPower365.

A quality arts education program, CTB impacts children of all abilities through movement and dance. The program embraces the heartbeat of YouthPower365’s mission to “inspire, educate, and empower youth and families.”

Vail Valley Foundation’s YouthPower365 strives to serve “Every Child, Every Day” through academics, social-emotional learning, and enrichment. From the Magic Bus preschool to afterschool programs, from mentoring to scholarships, YouthPower365 walks hand in hand with youth until they launch into college

Ron Myles performs with Celebrate the Beat in 2016. Photo by Erin Baiano.

or career. CTB is now a shining star among the YouthPower365 opportunities, available in every public school in the Vail Valley.

YouthPower365’s commitment to youth and their success never wavered during the pandemic, and CTB embraced that commitment this past year, reaching more than 1,000 students through virtual programming. In partnership with CTB in Colorado, the

program hosted online classes focused on dance, yoga, fitness, music lessons and brain breaks to kids ages 3 through 12.

Aligned with YouthPower365’s education and enrichment, CTB intertwined learning into these activities on everything from the solar system to math.

The program will return to the stage for the first time this summer and dance its way into schools this fall. Professional

Bill Irwin performs with Celebrate the Beat in 2017. Photo by Erin Baiano.

dance instructors will be back to dancing with elementary students in person, accompanied by live musicians.

“The ability to connect with the body is so important to the learning process,” said Sarah Johnson, Senior Vice President of Philanthropy and the Vail Dance Festival. “It raises the level of engagement through the day and may spark a passion for dance or music they might not otherwise have access to.”

CTB curriculum incorporates math, science, and history and revolves around such themes as persistence, systems of the body, poetry and rhythms of the world.

CTB AT VAIL DANCE FESTIVAL

For more than a dozen years, CTB has hosted a free five-day camp, called Pop Hop, open to all 9- to 14-year-olds in Eagle County (including kids who are visiting for the summer). The camp culminates with the kids performing at the Vail Dance Festival.

“It’s the kids’ favorite week of the summer. They get to feel nervous excitement, pride from performing — all those elements of emotion,” said Kris Ashley, Celebrate the Beat Manager at YouthPower365.

It’s also a hit with audiences.

“It’s a favorite night,” Johnson said.

“The energy level that comes from CTB is like nothing else during the festival.

It’s just pure joy and magic.”

A professional dancer from the Festival traditionally joins the camp for a day, then performs with CTB, allowing the students to interact, ask questions, and share the stage with a professional dancer.

This summer’s CTB piece is particularly special because it celebrates the 20-year-anniversary it could not showcase last year, due to COVID-19.

All CTB alumni are invited — grades 9 through college age — to be featured during the Festival.

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EFFECT ON LOCAL YOUTH

Whether through its summer camp or classes during the school day, CTB has a strong impact.

“CTB makes me feel like anything is possible and that everyone is a star. It also taught me to dream big and that I can do anything I put my mind to,” said Avery Burgund, a fifth grader at Edwards Elementary School. “CTB gave me hope in this past year.” �VAILDANCE

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EMPOWERING EMPOWERING

BOYS in DANCE

in dance

By Sarah Silverblatt-Buser

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ublic perceptions of boys dancing are still too frequently plagued by judgment. While superheroes and sports stars remain the expected role models, boys dreaming of expressing themselves differently can feel lost and left out. The Vail Dance Festival is taking action towards these outdated perceptions. In partnership with Arts In Society, a project of Redline Contemporary Art Center, the Festival recently launched the Empowering Boys in Dance initiative.

“There is still a real need for role models and mentorship to counter negative stereotypes in this area,” said former New York City Ballet star and Vail Dance Festival Artistic Director Damian Woetzel. “As a boy dancing in Boston, my dreams of a future on the stage were fortified by heroes like Edward Villella, who pioneered a positive image of being a male dancer in America.”

The Empowering Boys in Dance initiative directs a needed spotlight on the richness that dance can offer anyone, regardless of gender stereotypes. Calvin Royal III, an American Ballet Theatre principal dancer, describes his excitement in spearheading the project to “help young guys know that there is a place for them.”

“As a Black man in ballet, pursuing this dream was not always fully understood by everyone in my community growing up. It brings me joy to be part of educating and inspiring the next generation of young male dancers to be brave in exploring their interest in dance, too,” remarked Royal.

Royal will be joined by fellow modern-day dance heroes American Ballet Theatre principal James Whiteside and Coloradonative tap dancer Dario Natarelli throughout a series of interviews, master classes and in-person outreach events prior to and during the Festival.

In addition, a choreography challenge will take place for nonprofessional dancers, ages 8-18, who identify as boys, to create an opportunity for them to share their story through the art of dance. The winning choreographer will be invited to Festival performances and directly interact with Festival Artists to further advance their dance training.

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James Whiteside performs Macmillan’s Romeo and Juliet pas de deux in 2016. Photo by Erin Baiano.

“As a Black man in ballet, pursuing this dream was not always fully understood by everyone in my community growing up. It brings me joy to be part of educating and inspiring the next generation of young male dancers to be brave in exploring their interest in dance, too,”—Calvin Royal III

“I am so happy that with this program and the participation of a selection of today’s male dance stars, we are able to answer that call for the new generation of boys who dream of dancing,” said Woetzel. “Navigating the social terrain of young life in the 21st century poses many challenges. Vail Dance Festival believes that expressing yourself should not be one of them.

THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNER

Left to right: Calvin Royal III performs Ex Pluribus One in 2018. Dario Natarelli performs I Have a Dream in 2016. Photos by Erin Baiano.

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NOW: Premieres Choreographers and composers come together for invigorating new works

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By Sarah Silverblatt-Buser

ew has always been the normal for NOW: Premieres, an entire evening dedicated to presenting never-before-seen work. Commissioned musical compositions accompany a host of new dances, ranging in genre from neo-classical and contemporary ballet, to tap, modern, and jookin. This year promises an invigorating celebration of creative collaboration to close the Festival on August 9.

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Herman Cornejo rehearsing Justin Peck’s rise wait climb through in 2018. Photo by Erin Baiano.

In response to the many hardships of 2020, Festival regular and Grammy-award winning violinist Johnny Gandelsman commissioned a project to highlight the rich cultural tapestry of America’s United States. “This Is America” features twentytwo new works for solo violin produced by twelve presenters nationally, including the Vail Dance Festival. Gandelsman interprets intimate reflections on the state of our country with composers from across the country. He will perform three of these works to accompany premieres by Michelle Dorrance, Jamar Roberts, and a collaboration by Lil Buck and Lauren Lovette.

Building on musical partnerships established during past Festivals, Justin Peck and Tiler Peck (no relation) will each create new dances to music by Pulitzerwinning Leonard Bernstein Composer-In-Residence Caroline Shaw. Cleo Parker Robinson and James Whiteside will also present world premieres.

Tap dancer extraordinaire Michelle Dorrance will choreograph in collaboration with her dancers to music by Rhiannon Giddens, the Grammy-award winning cofounder of the Carolina Chocolate Drops.

Both MacArthur “genius” grant recipients, Dorrance and Giddens work in performance mediums that are uniquely American in their complex histories - tap dance and Americana music have long represented a legacy of resiliency and transformation.

Both artists work to amplify forgotten voices and to honor those who paved the way before them. Giddens describes her art as a means to “excavate the past and reveal bold truths about our present.” Dorrance, whose “crux of inspiration is music,” affirms tap as a “powerful vehicle for social and

Lil Buck and Caroline Shaw rehearsing backstage in 2019. Photo by Erin Baiano.

political change.” The new work will feature dancers of various genres, affirming the artists’ commitment to creating space for unexpected harmonies.

Fellow MacArthur “genius” grant recipient, Tyshawn Sorey, will compose music for

Christina Courtin’s “This Is America” composition will accompany a collaboration between Lil Buck and Lauren Lovette. Both dancers are known for their virtuosity and emotional depth on stage. As choreographers, they each attend to the power of dance to uplift, question, and potentially transform our experience of the world. Courtin, a Juilliard-trained singersongwriter and violinist, describes guiding her listeners through a landscape of emotions, from “somber plains and heartbreak” to feelings of “warmth, joy, and hope.”

Lovette demonstrates an “urgency” in her “desire to turn ballet inside out,” (The New York Times). The versatile principal dancer recently announced her upcoming departure from New York City Ballet in order to further pursue her choreographic career. Lil Buck’s creative career has also expanded as co-founder of Movement Art Is. The nonprofit uses dance to address issues of social injustice and was recently featured on the Netflix series Moves. “When someone is speaking to your spirit through dance, that sticks,” he says. “It’s knowing that it’s not just for entertainment, but that dance can really be used as a tool to help bring change about the world.”

Dance as a mechanism to change society has driven Denver-based choreographer Cleo Parker Robinson for 51 years. The highly lauded Colorado cultural figure will create a new work around the theme of unity and renewal in the face of a year of isolation and polarization. Parker Robinson’s illustrious career includes a collaboration with renowned poet Dr. Maya Angelou and receiving the Colorado Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts.

“When someone is speaking to your spirit through dance, that sticks. It’s knowing that it’s not just for entertainment, but that dance can really be used as a tool to help bring change about the world.”

—Lil Buck, Memphis Jooker Jamar Roberts, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s first resident choreographer. The rapidly rising dance maker will create work on Company-In-Residence BalletX with Artist-In-Residence Calvin Royal III as guest.

Cooped, a recent work created by Roberts and commissioned by Guggenheim Works and Process, was praised as “one of the most powerful artistic responses yet to the COVID-19 crises” (The New York Times).

Roberts describes his relationship to music as essential to his creative process.

After “feeling the score on a deep level,” he continues by “looking at the world in which we live, and then looking at how we as a society are getting along in it.” It is fitting that his premiere will be joined by Sorey, whose new searching meditations on society are hailed as his “most expressive and powerful music yet” (The New York Times Magazine).

Opposite page: Lauren Lovette and Patricia Delgado rehearsing in 2017. Photo by Erin Baiano.

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“Let the world dance,” Parker Robinson top of a remarkably prolific year despite American Ballet Theatre principal James says after recalling the similarities theater closures. In March 2020, Whiteside is another dancer who refused to of today’s struggles to the days she had just returned from a slow down during the pandemic. Known for growing up under segregation as potentially career-ending neck his technical prowess as much as his drama the daughter of a White injury. Within weeks, the and humor, the dancer, choreographer, singer, woman and a Black ballerina found herself and drag queen constantly pursues new ways man. Rooted in dance teaching Instagram of expressing himself. By the end of 2020, honoring the African classes to thousands he recorded an album and wrote a book in Diaspora, she describes of students across addition to extensively training his body for the function of dance “to the world, producing the rigorous demands of ballet. celebrate and to renew, to online performances, Whiteside, who is part of the Festival’s stop any regression,” and working with renowned Empowering Boys in Dance project, is asserts that the “joy of choreographers William vocal in supporting young people embrace life is really discovering who they are and the passions they love.

—Cleo Parker Robinson Forsythe and Alonzo the harmony together.”

King, choreographed, Dance Magazine described him as having Committed to and even making social “redefined the modern male principal by collective discovery, media dance videos with simply being himself.” His dances are Tony-award winning choreographer Justin actress Jennifer Garner. “I couldn’t miss at once athletic and tender, and often Peck makes work that creates space anything again!” says Peck, when describing question assumptions around gender and for processing contemporary life. Peck her mindset over the past year. relationships. has choreographed over 40 new works, Peck used music by Caroline Shaw Despite a year of global crisis and including dances for Steven Spielberg’s for her last work in Vail after being accompanying darkened theaters, upcoming film adaptation of West Side introduced the artists of Story. As resident choreographer of New

by Artistic the Vail Dance York City Ballet, Peck refers closely to his Director Festival have roots in classicism while pushing ballet Damian persisted in forward to better represent the 21st century. Woetzel. She creating work The choreographer returns to Vail to also credits to reflect on the create a new work on New York City Ballet Woetzel, world in which principal Tiler Peck and American Ballet along with we live. NOW: —Tiler Peck, Theatre principal Herman Cornejo to Balanchine Premieres on music by Caroline Shaw. His architectural ballerina New York City Ballet Principal Dancer August 9 is an creations seem to physically synthesize Heather Watts, opportunity Shaw’s musical compositions; Shaw was for encouraging to hear these a student of architecture herself. Striving her to take varied voices to reflect current times and propose new her first choreographic leap. Peck’s from across the United States. It is a chance possibilities, Peck’s premiere reimagines famously nuanced dancing is reflected to join together in celebration of creativity the concept of the traditional pas de deux. in her intuitively musical choreography, with hope for the future.

Tiler Peck joins the evening not only drawing her again to Shaw’s music. “It’s like as dancer, but also as choreographer. a puzzle…,” she says, “It’s music that needs to The ever curious collaborator builds on be danced to.”

“The joy of life is really discovering the harmony together.”

“It’s like a puzzle…It’s music that needs to be danced to.”

Ron Myles, Michelle Dorrance, and Lil Buck rehearsing in 2017. Photo by Erin Baiano.

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Festival Artists rehearse Tiler Peck’s Thousandth Orange in New York City in 2019. Photo by Erin Baiano.

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“SCENE” AT THE FESTIVAL

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2 4

5

7 Every year we eagerly anticipate debut performances and fresh collaborations.

This year is no different, but first we pause to enjoy a few scenes from past Festivals!

1. Tiler Peck at a New York City Ballet MOVES rehearsal in 2011. Photo by Erin Baiano.

2. Maria Kowroski and Edwaard Liang in Christopher Wheeldon’s Fools’ Paradise at the 2008 Festival. Photo by Erin Baiano.

*Choreography © The George Balanchine Trust.

3 6

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8 3. Devon Teuscher and Cory Stearns in Todd Bolender’s The Still Point at the 2019 Festival. Photo by Christopher Duggan.

7. Ron “Prime Tyme” Myles at the 2012 Festival. Photo by Erin Baiano.

4. Carla Körbes and Calvin Royal III in

8. Misty Copeland and Matthew Prescott in Falling at the 2011 Festival. Photo by Erin Baiano.

5. Fang-Yi Sheu and Tyler Angle rehearse for

9. Unity Phelan in Balanchine’s Serenade* at the 2019 Festival. Photo by Erin Baiano.

rehearsal with Pam Tanowitz at the 2019 Festival. Photo by Erin Baiano. the 2013 Festival.

6. Robbie Fairchild in George Balanchine’s

Stars and Stripes* at the 2013 Festival. Photo

by Erin Baiano.

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Nothing Compares.

What’s NEXT?

By Sarah Johnson

W

e often look back and reminisce on past Vail allows you to enjoy the fruits of your gifts, a legacy gift helps ensure Dance Festival performances. And there have that arts, and open access to the arts, continue well into the future. As been so many! During Artistic Director Damian we plan for the future, we are engaging with donors who have made Woetzel’s tenure alone, 86 new works have been the Vail Dance Festival part of their legacy. commissioned from over 50 artists. The interplay between Like so many residents, Jill and Loyal “Hud” Huddleston music and dance has been at the forefront of Woetzel’s cherish the Vail Valley for its rich arts and culture. “From artistic programming in recent years with collaborations the moment Arte Davies introduced us to the Vail between composers and choreographers Dance Festival, we recognized how adding a fresh dimension to what we important it would be to preserve it see on stage. for future generations to enjoy,” said While we embrace the past, we are the Huddlestons, Vail Dance Festival also looking forward. What is in store for supporters since 2005, who have the Vail Dance Festival in years to come? provided for a gift in their will. “We love How will artistic voices grow? Who to dance ourselves, we love the Festival, will choreograph the next integrative and we love the idea of investing in this work that defies categorization in a way wonderful event for the next generation.” that only happens in Vail? How will the And the Huddlestons are not alone.

Vail Dance Festival continue to be the Martha and Terry Perl, supporters of the hallmark of arts and culture, not only Vail Dance Festival since 2008, share in the Vail Valley, but well beyond our that “It was important to us to allocate beautiful geography? a gift from our estate to ensure future These are questions that can only generations are exposed to the arts be answered in partnership with —Jill & Loyal Huddleston, and the world of dance. The Vail Dance you — our community that surrounds Festival has brought us so much joy over and supports the Vail Dance Festival.

Vail Dance Festival the years. We encourage those who feel We know that the Vail Dance Festival the same to consider a gift that will have will remain dedicated to the highest supporters since 2005 a lasting impact on the future of the caliber of artistry while also continuing Festival.” our community commitment. As “Your planned gift to the Vail Dance Woetzel often comments, “Art Festival simply and truly creates the cannot and should not live in exclusivity.” Our doors must be future. It is a commitment to the next generation of artists and open to audiences who are as diverse as the works we create. audiences, and to their ability to take dance forward with the creative We are incredibly grateful for the generosity that has allowed the spirit we have build together at the Festival,” said Woetzel.

Vail Dance Festival to reach its current peak. And we hope you will continue to support what’s next. As we look to the future, we are To learn more about planned giving, visit vaildance.org, or contact inspired by our legacy donors whose impact will be felt for decades to Martha Brassel at mbrassel@vvf.org or Sarah Johnson at come. While financially supporting a current Festival is essential and sjohnson@vvf.org.

“From the moment Arte Davies introduced us to the Vail Dance Festival, we recognized how important it would be to preserve it for future generations to enjoy,”

Colorado Ballet performs Serenade. Choreography © The George Balanchine Trust. Photo by Erin Baiano.

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