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DETROIT OPERA HOUSE • HOME OF MICHIGAN OPERA THEATRE
Spring 2013
EISENHOWER DANCE ENSEMBLE:
RED, HOT & BLUE
January 19
DANCE THEATRE
OF HARLEM
February 1-3
ALVIN AILEY AMERICAN
DANCE THEATER
March 21-24
FIDELIO
April 13-21
AIDA
May 11-19
General Motors Foundation and Cadillac
— Spring Opera Season Sponsor
The 2012-13 Dance Season Home of Michigan Opera Theatre
is made possible by David DiChiera, General Director
Marlene Boll, Joanne Danto & Nora Moroun.
Turn your donation
into something lasting.
If you want to make parks greener, improve neighborhoods,
even support the arts, the Community Foundation for
Southeast Michigan can help. And keep your donation
giving for generations to come.
Visit CFSEM.org or call 1-888-WE-ENDOW for more information on how we can help.
Scan the QR Code
to find out more.
Contents Spring 2013
The Official Magazine
of the Detroit Opera House Welcome
BRAVO is a Michigan Opera Theatre
Letter from David DiChiera. ............................................. 4
publication.
Jeff Strayer, Editor
Mitch Carter, Contributing Editor
ON STAGE
Contributors Red, Hot & Blue. ..................................................................6
John Grigaitis
Publisher Dance Theatre of Harlem. .............................................. 10
Echo Publications, Inc.
Royal Oak, Michigan
www.echopublications.com Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. .................................16
Tom Putters, President
Toby Faber, Advertising Sales Director
Fidelio. ................................................................................ 22
Physicians’ services provided by
Henry Ford Medical Center. Beethoven’s dream of freedom & justice. ..................... 24
Pepsi-Cola is the official soft drink
and juice provider of the Detroit Opera Aida................................................................................ 26
House.
Family Operation......................................................... 28
Cadillac Coffee is the official coffee of
the Detroit Opera House.
MOTCC: The Happy Prince................................................. 35
Sanders Fine Chocolates is the official
chocolatier of the Detroit Opera House.
Steinway is the official piano of the
Detroit Opera House and Michigan MICHIGAN OPERA THEATRE
Opera Theatre. Steinway pianos are
provided by Steinway Piano Gallery Board of Directors and Trustees....................................................... 5
of Detroit, exclusive representative for
Steinway and Sons in Michigan. Artist Profiles................................................................................. 29
President Tuxedo is the official Chorus and Orchestra................................................................... 33
provider of formalwear for the Detroit
Opera House. Administration and Staff................................................................ 34
Eclipse Creative is the official media Community Programs and Dance Education................................. 36
production company of the Detroit
Opera House.
Michigan Opera Theatre is a nonprofit cultural CONTRIBUTORS
organization, whose activities are supported
in part by the Michigan Council for Arts and Avanti Society................................................................................ 38
Cultural Affairs, the National Endowment for
the Arts, and other individuals, corporations Preserve the Legacy Campaign...................................................... 39
and foundations. Michigan Opera Theatre is
an Equal Opportunity Employer. Michigan Opera Theatre Contributors........................................... 43
Volunteer Information................................................................... 49
General Information...................................................................... 50
Detroit Opera House www.MichiganOpera.org BR AVO 3
from the director
Welcome to Michigan Opera Theatre’s
42nd spring season
O ur 17th season of “Dance in the D” continues in January with
the return of metro Detroit’s own Eisenhower Dance Ensemble
and their production of Red, Hot & Blue. In February, we’re thrilled to
welcome back the esteemed Dance Theatre of Harlem, after its recent
revitalization. In March, we present the ever-popular Alvin Ailey
American Dance Theater, rounding out another year at the home of
dance in Detroit.
Our season of “Drama in the D” continues this spring with the company
premiere of Beethoven’s only opera, and Verdi’s grand masterpiece.
In April, we bring you Beethoven’s Fidelio. With themes of courage,
Ameen Howrani
justice and freedom, it continues to be relevant even in the modern
age, and I’m happy to present our premiere of this work. We welcome
a number of artists to the company for this production, including tenor
Erik Nelson Werner and soprano Christine Goerke in the leading roles.
In May comes one of the most grand and dramatic spectacles in all
opera, Verdi’s Aida. Soprano Latonia Moore, our Aida, stepped into the
same role at the last minute at the Metropolitan Opera last spring, to
great acclaim. It’s my pleasure that she reprises that role with us, along
with Canadian soprano Yannick-Muriel Noah. We also have two real-
life couples as Amneris and Radames: Anita Rachvelishvili and Riccardo
Massi, and husband-and-wife Milijana Nikolic and Rosario La Spina.
We are ever grateful for the support of our spring opera season
sponsors, the General Motors Foundation and Cadillac. I also must
thank the three women who have made our dance season possible:
Marlene Boll, Joanne Danto and Nora Moroun. As always, it is our
individual donors and volunteers whose gifts of time and investment
allow us to present these world class programs each year.
Thank you for visiting, and enjoy this dramatic season!
4 BR AVO www.MichiganOpera.org Detroit Opera House
BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2012-2013
Mr. R. Jamison Williams, Mrs. William C. Brooks Mr. Richard G. Goetz Mr. W. James Prowse Directors Emeriti
Chairman Mrs. Frederick H. Clark Mr. David Handleman Mrs. Ruth Rattner Mrs. Donald C. Austin
Dr. David DiChiera, Mrs. Peter Cooper Mr. Gary E. Johnson Dr. Irvin D. Reid Mr. J. Addison Bartush
President Ms. Joanne Danto Mrs. Peter Karmanos Mr. Roy S. Roberts Mr. Frank W. Donovan †
Mr. Cameron B. Duncan, Julia Donovan Darlow Mrs. Michael Kratchman Ms. Elham Shayota Dr. Marjorie M. Fisher
Treasurer Mr. Lawrence N. David Mr. Thomas M. Krikorian Mr. Terry Shea Mr. James H. Gram †
Mr. C. Thomas Toppin, Mr. Ethan Davidson Mr. Charles E. Letts Jr. Dr. Lorna Thomas Mrs. William Johnston †
Secretary Mrs. Charles M. Endicott Mr. Harry A. Lomason II Mr. James Vella Ms. Jennifer Nasser
Mrs. Alex Erdeljan Mr. Alphonse S. Lucarelli Mr. George C. Vincent Mr. David Pollack †
Mrs. Robert A. Allesee Mr. Paul E. Ewing Denise Lutz Mrs. Irving Rose
Mr. Douglas F. Allison Mrs. David Fischer Mrs. Manuel Moroun Chairmen Emeriti Mr. Frank Stella †
Mr. Joseph Angileri Mrs. Barbara Frankel Dr. Stephen Munk Mr. Robert E. Dewar † Mr. Robert VanderKloot †
Mr. Lee Barthel Mr. Herman Frankel Mr. Daniel Pehrson Mr. Lynn A. Townsend † Mr. Richard Webb
Mr. Richard A. Brodie Mr. Dean Friedman Dr. Charlotte Podowski Mr. George M. Zeltzer †
Mr. Mort Zieve †
BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2012-2013
Mr. & Mrs. Kenn Allen Mr. Cameron B. Duncan Dr. & Mrs. Kim K. Lie Dr. & Mrs. Hershel Sandberg Mr. & Mrs. Robert Klein
Mr. & Mrs. Robert A. Allesee Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Mr. & Mrs. A. C. Liebler Mr. & Mrs. Donald Schmidt Mrs. Walton Lewis †
Mr. & Mrs. Douglas F. Eisenberg Mr. & Mrs. Harry A. Mr. & Mrs. Alan E. Schwartz Mrs. Jesse Mann †
Allison Mrs. Charles M. Endicott Lomason II Mr. & Mrs. Mark Shaevsky Mrs. Wade H. McCree Jr. †
Dr. Lourdes V. Andaya Mr. & Mrs. Alex Erdeljan Mrs. Lawrence LoPatin Mrs. Frank C. Shaler Mr. & Mrs. Jules L. Pollone
Julie Douse-Angileri & Dr. Fern R. Espino Mr. & Mrs. James H. LoPrete Ms. Elham Shayota Mrs. Ralph Polk†
Joseph Angileri & Mr. Thomas Short Mr. Alphonse S. Lucarelli Mr. Terry Shea Mr.† & Mrs.† David Pollock
Mr. & Mrs. Eugene Mr. & Mrs. Paul E. Ewing Mrs. Denise Lutz Mr. William H. Smith Mr. & Mrs. William Sandy
Applebaum Margo Cohen Feinberg Ms. Florine Mark Ms. Phyllis Funk Snow Mr. & Mrs.† Fred
Dr. Agustin Arbulu & Robert Feinberg Dr. & Mrs. Ronald Martella Mr. & Mrs. David Snyder Schneidewind
Dr. Harold M. Arrington Mr. & Mrs. Oscar Feldman The Hon. Jack Martin Mr. Anthony L. Soave Mr. † & Mrs. Richard
The Hon. & Mrs. Edward Mr. & Mrs. David Fischer & Dr. Bettye Arrington- Mr. Richard A. Sonenklar & Starkweather
Avadenka Dr. Marjorie M. Fisher Martin Mr. Gregory Haynes Mrs. Mark C. Stevens †
Mr. & Mrs. Lee Barthel Mr & Mrs. Carl B. Fontana Mrs. Richard McBrien Ms. Mary Ann Stella Mrs. Lynn Townsend
Mr. J. Addison Bartush Mrs. Elaine Fontana Mr. Patrick McGuire Dr. Calvin Stevens Mr.† & Mrs.† Robert
Mr. & Mrs. Mark Alan Baun Mrs. Barbara Frankel Mr. & Mrs. Eugene A. Miller Mrs. George Strumbos VanderKloot
Mrs. Ara Berberian & Mr. Ron Michalak Ms. Monica Moffat Dr. Jonathan Swift Mr. & Mrs. Paul Victor
Mr. & Mrs. Mandell Berman Herman & Sharon Frankel Dr. Ali Moiin Mr. Ronald F. Switzer Mr. & Mrs.† Alvin
Ms. Debra Bernstein-Siegel Mr. & Mrs. Dean Friedman & Dr. William Kupsky Mr. & Mrs. Joel Tauber Wasserman
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Bloch Mrs. James Garavaglia Mr. & Mrs. Theodore Dr. Lorna Thomas Mrs. R. Alexander Wrigley
Mr. & Mrs. John A. Boll, Sr. Ambassador & Mrs. Yousif Monolidis Mr. & Mrs. C. Thomas
Mr. & Mrs. Richard Bowlby Ghafari Mr. & Mrs. Manuel Moroun Toppin Founding Members
Betty J. Bright Mr. & Mrs. Richard G. Goetz Drs. Barbara & Stephen Mr. James Vella Mr. † & Mrs. Lynn A.
Mr. & Mrs. Richard A. Brodie Mr. & Mrs. Arnold Gordon Munk Mrs. Steven I. Victor Townsend, Founding
Mr. & Mrs. William C. Mr. & Mrs. Harvey Grace Mr. & Mrs. E. Michael Mr. & Mrs. George C. Chairman
Brooks Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Mutchler Vincent The Hon. & Mrs. † Avern
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Celani Haberman Mr. & Mrs. Allan Nachman Mrs. Amelia H. Wilhelm L. Cohn
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Chirco Mrs. Berj H. Haidostian Mr. & Mrs. Irving Nusbaum Dr. & Mrs. Christopher D. Dr. & Mrs. John DeCarlo
Mr. & Mrs. Frederick H. Mr. & Mrs. David Dr. Juliette Okotie-Eboh Wilhelm Dr. & Mrs. David DiChiera
Clark Handleman Ms. Linda Orlans Mr. & Mrs. R. Jamison Mr. † & Mrs. † Aaron H.
The Hon. & Mrs. Avern L. Mr. & Mrs. Eugene Hartwig Mr. & Mrs. Graham Orley Williams Gershenson
Cohn Mrs. David B. Hermelin Mr. &. Mrs. Richard Partrich Mrs. Sam B. Williams Mr. & Mrs. Donald C. Graves
Mr. Thomas Cohn Mr. & Mrs. Derek Hodgson Mr. & Mrs. Spencer Partrich The Hon. Joan E. Young Mr. † & Mrs. † John C.
Mr. & Mrs. Peter Cooper Mr. & Mrs. Alan Israel Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Pehrson & Mr. Thomas L. Griffin
Ms. Joanne Danto & Mrs. Una Jackman Dr. Robert E. L. Perkins Schellenberg Mr. & Mrs. Harry L. Jones
Dr. Arnold Weingarden Mr. Don Jensen & Mr. Leo Mr. & Mrs. Brock E. Plumb Mrs. Morton Zieve The Hon. † & Mrs. † Wade
Mr. & Mrs. Tarik S. Daoud Dovelle Dr. Charlotte & Mr. Charles McCree Jr.
Julia Donovan Darlow Mr. & Mrs. Kent Jidov Podowski Trustees Emeriti Mr. Harry J. Nederlander
& The Hon. John C. Mr. & Mrs. Gary E. Johnson Mrs. Heinz Prechter Dr. & Mrs. Donald C. Austin Mr. E. Harwood Rydholm †
O’Meara Mrs. William Kahn Mr. & Mrs. W. James Prowse Mrs. James Merriam Barnes† Mr. & Mrs. Neil Snow
Mr. & Mrs. Jerry P. D’Avanzo Mr. & Mrs. Peter Karmanos Mr. & Mrs. John Rakolta, Jr. Mr. † Mrs.† Robert E. Dewar Mr. & Mrs. Richard
Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence N. Mrs. Ruth Rattner Mr. Marvin A. Frenkel Strichartz
Mr. Patrick J. Kerzic &
David Mrs. Stephanie Germack Dr. Irvin D. Reid Dr. † & Mrs.† Robert Gerisch Mr. † & Mrs. † Robert C.
Mr. & Mrs. Ethan Davidson Kerzic & Dr. Pamela Trotman Reid VanderKloot
Mrs. Aaron Gershenson †
Mr. Thomas J. Delaney Mr. & Mrs. Michael Dr. & Mrs. James Rigby Dr. † & Mrs. Sam H. Williams
Mr. † & Mrs. † James Gram
Mr. Kevin Dennis Kratchman Mr. & Mrs. Roy S. Roberts Mr. † & Mrs. † Theodore O.
Mrs. Katherine Gribbs † Yntema
& Mr. Jeremy Zeltzer Mr. & Mrs. Thomas M. Ms. Patricia H. Rodzik Mrs. Robert Hamady †
Dr. David DiChiera Krikorian Mrs. Irving Rose Mr. & Mrs. Preston Happel
Mrs. Karen VanderKloot Dr. Melvin A. Lester Mr. & Mrs. Norman Mrs. & Mrs. E. Jan Hartmann
DiChiera Mr. Charles E. Letts Jr. Rosenfeld Mr.† & Mrs.† Maxwell
The Hon. & Mrs. John Ms. Linda Dresner Levy Mrs. Carolyn L. Ross Jospey
Dingell & Mr. Edward Levy Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Rugiero Dr. Zophia and Mr.† Mitchell
Ms. Mary Jane Doerr Kafarski
Detroit Opera House www.MichiganOpera.org BR AVO 5
Artistic Director
Laurie Eisenhower
Associate Artistic
Director
Stephanie Pizzo
Technical Direction
and Lighting Design
Kerro Knox 3
Please visit our website at
www.ede-dance.org and join us on
Facebook and Twitter.
The 2012-13 Dance Season is made possible by
Marlene Boll, Joanne Danto & Nora Moroun.
This activity is funded in part by the Michigan
Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the
Michigan Humanities Council.
The presentation of Eisenhower Dance Ensemble
is made possible by the MetLife Community
Connections Fund of the New England Foundation
for the Arts’ National Dance Project. Major
support for NDP is also provided by the Doris Duke
Charitable Foundation with additional support
from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
6 BR AVO www.MichiganOpera.org Detroit Opera House
RED, HOT & BLUE
PROGRAM Indiana is an excerpt from Encore,
which is an evening-length backstage
Dance Sport
Choreography: Harrison McEldowney
dance musical that the Daniel Music: Various
Unconditional
Gwirtzman Dance Company premiered Announcers: Joel Cory & Mark
Choreography: Stephanie Pizzo in 2007 at New York’s Joyce SoHo. The Swanhart
Music: Share Your Love, Lord Protect My choreographer set the work on EDE in Lighting: Kerro Knox, after an original
Child and Sweet Forgiveness by Susan Fall 2010. design by Todd Clark
Tedeschi
Dancers: Andrew Cribbett, Alicia
Costumes: M.E. Cameron-Scott and — INTERMISSION — Cutaia, Thomas Fant, Katharine Larson,
Shari Bennett
Molly McMullen, Matthew Schmitz,
Dancers: Andrew Cribbett, Alicia The Show Morgan “Mo” Williams, Emily Zatursky
Cutaia, Katharine Larson, Molly
Choreography:
McMullen, Morgan “Mo” Williams,
Laurie Eisenhower Dance Sport was originally
Emily Zatursky
Music: commissioned and performed
Burlesque and Arioso from Suite by Hubbard Street 2. Harrison
Stephanie Pizzo set Unconditional on
for Klezmer Band and Orchestra McEldowney set the work on EDE in
EDE during the 2007-08 season. It
by Sid Robinovitch November 2011. EDE premiered the
premiered at the Macomb Center for the
work at the Seligman Theatre in Beverly
Performing Arts in Clinton Township, Costumes: Leslie Littell
Hills, MI, in December 2011.
MI, in April 2008.
Dancers in order of appearance:
Ringmaster: Katharine Larson Laurie Eisenhower would like to
No Angels in my Kamikaze
Father: Matthew Schmitz acknowledge the dancers for their
Heaven
contribution to the choreographic
Choreographer: Michael Foley Child: Nina King
process. Artistic input in the studio is
Assistant to the Choreographer: Fallen Man: Thomas Fant vital to the creation and performance of
Courtney Smith Ingenue: Alicia Cutaia a new work.
Music: The Milky Bar Kid, A.R. Rahman Couple: Emily Zatursky,
and Manuel Wandji
Dancers: Andrew Cribbett, Alicia
Morgan “Mo” Williams
Sailor on Leave: Andrew Cribbett
HISTORY
Cutaia, Thomas Fant, Molly McMullen, Eisenhower Dance Ensemble,
Morgan “Mo” Williams, Emily Zatursky French Maid: Lindsay Chirio
Michigan’s premier contemporary
Ballerina: Molly McMullen dance company, is in the midst of its
Michael Foley created No Angels in my 22nd professional season. Artistic
Kamikaze Heaven in November 2007. It The Show was inspired by the work director Laurie Eisenhower founded
premiered at the Lake Orion Performing of Federico Fellini, whose films’ the company in the summer of 1991 in
Arts Center in Lake Orion, MI, in imagery often depicts life as a circus. metropolitan Detroit. Since its inception,
December 2007. This dance premiered at the Troy the Eisenhower Dance Ensemble has
Performing Arts Center in Troy, been dedicated to the performance of
Threads Michigan in January 2004. Nina King a diverse range of contemporary dance
Choreography: Laurie Eisenhower is a student at the EDE Center for works. Along with Ms. Eisenhower’s
Music: Primavera by Ludovico Einaudi highly acclaimed choreography, EDE
Dance in Birmingham.
Costumes: Shari Bennett showcases the works of young talented
Dancers: Andrew Cribbett, Alicia artists along with choreographers with
Cutaia, Thomas Fant, Katharine Larson, Love, Love, Love established reputations. The company
Molly McMullen, Matthew Schmitz, has boasted works by internationally
Choreography: Laurie Eisenhower known choreographers such as David
Morgan “Mo” Williams, Emily Zatursky Music: Sound mix including Lose Parsons, Lar Lubovitch, Stephen
Yourself by Eminem, Jeffrey Irwin & Koester, Michael Foley, Kiesha Lalama-
Threads premiered at the Forest Roberts Luis Edgardo — performed by Astrazz,
Theatre in Marquette, MI, in November White, Mark Dendy, Joel Hall, Lauren
Dragons by Caravan Palace, Daisy Bell Edson, Lila York, Colin Connor and Billy
2011. by Tin Hat Trio, Sleepwalk by Hapa, Siegenfeld, among others. The company
Tashweesh by Ramallah Underground — has produced several large-scale
Indiana performed by Kronos Quartet, and The productions. These include Motown in
Conception and Choreography: Daniel Book by Tin Hat Trio Motion, a visual salute to the tunes that
Gwirtzman Costumes: Leslie Littell, Shari Bennett made Motown records famous, Laugh
Music: Ballard MacDonald and James F. Dancers: Andrew Cribbett, Alicia Tracks, an evening of comedy in dance,
Hanley, recorded by the Dorsey Brothers Cutaia, Thomas Fant, Katharine Larson, Igor Stravinsky’s A Soldier’s Tale and The
Costumes: Shari Bennett Molly McMullen, Matthew Schmitz, Rite of Spring with Detroit Chamber
Dancers: Lindsay Chirio, Andrew Morgan “Mo” Williams, Emily Zatursky Winds & Strings as part of the Great
Cribbett, Thomas Fant, Katharine Lakes Chamber Music Festival, and
Larson, Molly McMullen, Matthew Love, Love, Love premiered at the Dances from the Heart of Rock and Roll,
Schmitz, Morgan “Mo” Williams, Emily Varner Recital Hall in Rochester, MI, in a heartfelt tribute set to folk and rock
Zatursky October 2010. music.
Detroit Opera House www.MichiganOpera.org BR AVO 7
RED, HOT & BLUE
Considered by many critics to be one of grants and honors for her choreography. International Competitive Figure Skaters.
the finest contemporary dance companies She has been awarded several Creative
in the nation, Eisenhower Dance Artists grants from state arts foundations, MARY DEVITT, EDE Rehearsal Director,
Ensemble has received overwhelming the Michigan Dance Association from Sterling Heights, Michigan, first
critical acclaim along with enthusiastic Choreographers Festival Award, the performed with EDE as a student at
audience support: “stunning” (Gloria Women in Art Award for Choreography, the EDE Center for Dance. Ms. Devitt
Shay, Holland Sentinel), “intelligently ArtServe Michigan Governor’s Arts continued her training on scholarship
crafted repertoire” (Susan Isaacs-Nisbett, Award for Outstanding Michigan Artist at Oakland University where she earned
Dance Magazine), “dance that touches and, most recently, the prestigious 2012 her BA in Dance. She graduated magna
the soul” (Susan Hall-Balduf, Detroit Free Kresge Artist Fellowship. Her work has cum laude and was the recipient of the
Press), “an eye-popping production” also been supported through grants from Jacob S. Decker Award for Outstanding
(David Lyman, Detroit Free Press), “a the National Endowment for the Arts, the Achievement in Dance. She also trained
hearty, no-nonsense way of moving Community Foundation for Southeast at the Limón Institute in NYC as a Maggie
(Jack Anderson, The New York Times), Michigan, the Skillman Foundation, the Allesee Summer Study Scholarship
and “a finely interwoven company” Kresge Foundation, the National Dance recipient. Ms. Devitt has performed
(California, Beverly Hills Outlook). The Project, and the Michigan Council for with Oakland Dance Theatre and OU
company’s 2012-13 touring season Arts and Cultural Affairs. Repertory Dance Company and, prior to
includes residencies and performances Ms. Eisenhower is also well known joining EDE, appeared as a guest dancer
in California, Arizona, New Mexico, for her teaching and is a former Dance and apprentice with the Company. She
Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Ohio, Illinois, Program Director and Professor of Dance has performed dance roles in Aida at
New York and Virginia at Oakland University in Rochester, the Detroit Opera House and in Motor
Michigan. At OU, she was awarded a City Lyric Opera’s Amahl and the Night
Eisenhower Dance Travis Professorship and was honored Visitors. Ms. Devitt is also the Director of
twice by the OU Board of Trustees. She the EDE Center for Dance where she is in
Ensemble also received an OU Research Fellowship, her ninth season as an instructor.
25 faculty research grants, and the Faculty
Artistic Direction
Recognition Award for her outstanding
LAURIE EISENHOWER, EDE Artistic contributions in the field of dance. In COMPANY DANCERS
Director, received her BAE and MFA 2012, she was appointed the status of ALICIA CUTAIA earned her BFA with
degrees in dance from Arizona State Professor Emerita. honors from Point Park University
University where she received the with a double major in Ballet and
Wanda Turk Choreography Award and STEPHANIE PIZZO, EDE Associate Jazz. Her previous training included
the Faculty Excellence Award. In the Artistic Director, is a native of Clinton scholarships at Hubbard Street Dance,
early years of her career, she danced Township, Michigan where she began her North Carolina Dance Theatre, and River
professionally in both California and training with Orchid Diane and Denise North Dance Company. She has worked
New York City with various dance Boucke and continued on with Evelyn with and performed pieces by many
companies and choreographers, most Kreason. She danced with the Michigan renowned choreographers, including:
notably, Pilobolus Dance Theatre, David Ballet Theatre, Oakland Dance Theater Lar Lubovitch, Louis Falco, Michael
Parsons, Chen and Dancers, Harry Streep and Harbinger Dance Company. She has a Foley, Keisha Lalama-White, Joel Hall,
III, and Mel Wong. Bachelor of Arts with an emphasis in Dance Lou Conte, Lynn Taylor-Corbett, Daniel
Ms. Eisenhower began her professional from Oakland University. As a student, she Ezralow, Choo-San Goh, Alan Hineline,
choreographic career when she set a work received the Jacob S. Decker Award for Harrison McEldowney, Kevin O’Day,
for the Prospect Park Dance Festival in Outstanding Achievement in Dance and Frances Patrelle, David Storey, Margo
Brooklyn, NY. Since then, she has set her a scholarship from the American College Sappington, and Christian Holder. Ms.
works on numerous professional and Dance Festival to study with the Ririe Cutaia previously danced with Hubbard
university dance companies including Woodbury Dance Company in Utah. In Street and Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago.
BalletMet Columbus, Desert Dance 2009, she received a Distinguished Alumni Her choreography has been chosen as a
Theatre, State Street Ballet and Harbinger or “MaTilDa” award from the Department finalist in the Jazz Dance World Congress
Dance Company, to name a few. of Music, Theatre and Dance at Oakland “Leo’s Choreography Competitive Event”,
In 1991, she formed the Eisenhower University. As a founding member of EDE, the “Maggie Allesee New Choreography
Dance Ensemble, which, with the help Ms. Pizzo currently teaches company class, Award”, “Michigan Youth Arts Festival”
of committed and talented dancers, has rehearses the company, and choreographs. and the “NSAL Mid-Michigan Chapter.”
become the premiere dance company in She has staged works by Laurie Ms. Cutaia’s teaching credits include
the state of Michigan. Since the founding Eisenhower on numerous companies the Lou Conte Dance Studio, Oakland
of EDE, the company has grown from and universities including Desert Dance University, the ABT Summer Intensive,
a small ensemble of four dancers on a Theatre, Scottsdale Community College, and the EDE Center for Dance. She also
pay-per-performance basis to the current Collin County Community College enjoys teaching master classes and setting
company with an extensive schedule of and Alma College. She has set her own choreography. Ms. Cutaia is sponsored by
rehearsals, performances and touring. choreography at Illinois Wesleyan Jennifer & Dan Gilbert for the 2012-13
The company has traveled as far as St. University and numerous works on Season.
Petersburg, Russia, tours nationally, and Eisenhower Dance Ensemble. Ms. Pizzo
is now in the midst of its 22nd season. is a special lecturer in dance at Oakland
Ms. Eisenhower has created over 100 University and also enjoys teaching ballet
dances for EDE and has received frequent at the Detroit Skating Club to National and
8 BR AVO www.MichiganOpera.org Detroit Opera House
RED, HOT & BLUE
MORGAN WILLIAMS began his dance 2010-2011 season. She has danced works ballet festivals and in 2006 received the
training at the Joel Hall Dancers & by Antony Tudor, Jose Limon, and Emery Jeraldyne Blunden Award, which allowed
Center and the Hyde Park School of Ballet LeCrone. her to attend the national Craft of
in Chicago. He attended the Chicago Choreography Conference at Utah Valley
Academy for the Arts, where he studied THOMAS FANT grew up in Norfolk, State College with a full scholarship. Ms.
under Randy Duncan, Guillermo Leyva, Virginia where he was exposed to the arts McMullen graduated from Point Park
and the late Anna Paskevska. He has at a young age through various musical University magna cum laude in 2012
received scholarships to attend summer theatre productions. In high school he with a BFA in dance. She has had the
intensives at Alvin Ailey American Dance began classical dance training at the age of great opportunity of performing works
Theater, Deeply Rooted Productions, fifteen. Later, he attended the Governor’s by Daniel Marshall, Jonathan Phelps,
and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. He School for the Arts under the direction of Doug Varone, George Balanchine, Darrell
has performed works by Lar Lubovitch, Deborah Thorpe. There, he studied ballet Grand Moultrie, Kiesha Lalama, and Alan
Randy Duncan, Troy Powell, Joel Hall, and modern dance with Todd Rosenlieb, Hineline.
Kevin Iega Jeff, Harrison McEldowney, Lorraine Graves, Kathy Brenner-Lasakow,
and Joseph Holmes. He has danced and Joni Petre-Scholz. Upon graduating MATTHEW SCHMITZ graduated with
professionally with Dance Kaleidoscope in 2008, he joined Todd Rosenlieb a BFA in Dance from Webster University
and Joel Hall & Dancers, and is now in Dance as a company member where he where he received departmental and
his third season with Eisenhower Dance danced the works of Bill Evans, Erick general academic honors. He was a
Ensemble. Mr. Williams also dances in Hawkins, Ricardo Meléndez, and Yuki scholarship recipient at The Boston
commercial projects and has danced Ozeki (after Jerome Robbins). He has Ballet, Joffrey Ballet (Chicago), Kansas
for music artist Ginuwine and JQ. In danced professionally with Virginia Ballet City Ballet, and Hubbard Street Dance
addition, he has choreographed for Theatre, Lyric Opera Virginia, Virginia Chicago. He has performed choreography
Ginuwine and assisted Charles Lawrence, Musical Theatre, and The Virginia Arts by Antony Tudor, Alvin Ailey, Iyun
and is on faculty with Dance Rogue Festival, and has been featured as a guest Harrison, Eddy Ocampo, Michael Uthoff,
Intensive Workshops. Mr. Williams is artist with Hampton Roads Civic Ballet. Antonio Douthit, Kirven Boyd, Maggi
sponsored by Precision Print & Label for Dueker, and Christine Kardell. Mr.
the 2012-13 Season. KATHARINE LARSON, originally from Schmitz’s professional credits include
Kingwood, Texas, grew up dancing Dawn Karlovsky and Dancers, Ashani
ANDREW CRIBBETT, originally from under the direction of Sheryl Rowland. Dances (Seattle), and the Municipal
Thomasboro, Illinois, began his dance She graduated summa cum laude from Theatre Association of St. Louis (MUNY).
training at the age of six. He trained with the University of Arizona with a BFA
Christine Rich and Luciana Rezende in Dance and a minor in Chemistry. APPRENTICE
at the Christine Rich Studio Dance At U of A, she was the recipient of the
LINDSAY CHIRIO began her training at a
Academy and Performing Arts Center in Costume Manager Triple Threat Award
young age as both a dancer and a gymnast.
Savoy, Illinois. He also guest starred in and the Gertrude Shurr Modern Dance
She trained at Big City Dance Center in
Champaign-Urbana Ballet productions. Award. Ms. Larson has worked with and
Wixom, Michigan under the direction
At the age of 16, Mr. Cribbett received performed pieces by Ann Reinking, Mia
of Lisa Fruchey. She is a scholarship
a full scholarship to the Washington Michaels, Bella Lewitsky, James Clouser,
student at Oakland University, where she
School of Ballet in D.C. to further his Michael Williams, Sam Watson, Amy
is working toward her BA in Dance. She
training while attending Duke Ellington Ernst, Elizabeth George, Susan Quinn,
has performed as a member of Oakland
School of the Arts to finish his senior year and Ronn Stewart. She has previously
Dance Theatre and OU’s Repertory Dance
of High School. Mr. Cribbett has received trained at the Juilliard School, Alonzo
Company and has had the honor of
scholarships to attend summer intensives King’s LINES Ballet, and Thodos Dance
working with numerous choreographers,
at Washington School of Ballet, Hubbard Chicago. Ms. Larson also has a love for
including Daniel Gwirtzman, Luis Piedra,
Street Dance Chicago, The Rock School choreographing and has had several
Rodney Brown, Laurie Eisenhower,
of Ballet in Philadelphia, and Faubourg works selected to perform at Conder
Dusan Tynek, and Meg Paul. She has
Ballet Chicago. Mr. Cribbett is sponsored Dance’s Breaking Ground, UA Dance
studied with professional companies,
by an anonymous donor for the 2012-13 Student Spotlight, and RDA’s Southwest
such as Dayton Contemporary Dance
Season. Festival.
Company, Complexions Contemporary
Ballet Company and Eisenhower Dance
EMILY ZATURSKY was raised in MOLLY MCMULLEN began her dance
Ensemble. In addition, she has trained
Killingworth, Connecticut where training at South Dayton School of
and attended workshops with many
she received her early dance training Dance in Dayton, Ohio. She was a ten-
commercial choreographers, such as
with Starship Dance Theatre, Eastern year member of South Dayton Dance
Sonya Tayeh, Dennis Caspary, KC Combs,
Connecticut Ballet and New Haven Ballet. Theatre, where she danced frequently
Mandy Moore, and Pamela Boling. She
After graduating high school in 2007, with Dayton Contemporary Dance
is currently a teacher at Big City Dance
Ms. Zatursky attended The Hartt School Company members. Ms. McMullen
Center and guest teaches at other studios
at the University of Hartford where she has attended various summer intensive
throughout the Detroit Metro area.
graduated summa cum laude with a BFA programs including Cincinnati Ballet,
in Dance. She has spent summers dancing Ballet Chicago, DCDC, Parsons Dance,
with American Ballet Theatre, Joffrey Paul Taylor and Hubbard Street Dance
Ballet School and Alonzo King Lines Chicago. She also danced for Pittsburgh’s
Ballet School. Ms. Zatursky danced with Attack Theater in the 2011 Dirty Ball.
Full Force Dance Theatre during their She has performed in several RDA
Detroit Opera House www.MichiganOpera.org BR AVO 9
FOUNDERS
Arthur Mitchell
Karel Shook
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Virginia Johnson
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Laveen Naidu
BALLET MASTER
Keith Saunders
GENERAL MANAGER
Elizabeth England
DANCE ARTISTS
Michaela DePrince
Chyrstyn Fentroy
Jenelle Figgins
Emiko Flanagan
Alexandra Jacob
Ashley Murphy
Lindsey Pitts
Gabrielle Salvatto
Ingrid Silva
Stephanie Rae Williams
Fredrick Davis
Da’ Von Doane
Taurean Green
Jehbreal Jackson
Dustin James
Francis Lawrence
Anthony Savoy
Samuel Wilson
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
EMERITUS
Arthur Mitchell
Dance Theatre of Harlem is supported in
part by public and private funds from
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
Thompson Family Foundation
The Ford Foundation
Bloomberg Philanthropies
The Carl & Lilly Pforzheimer Foundation
Comerica supports The Rockefeller Foundation NYC
Opening Night Sponsor Student Performance Sponsor
Dance Theatre of Harlem Cultural Innovation Fund
The Shubert Foundation
NYC Department of Cultural Affairs in
Afterglow, Adopt a School Host Committee & Adopt a School Sponsor, Partnership with City Council
& Host Committee Sponsor Student Row Sponsor Student Performance New York State Council on the Arts with
the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo
and the New York State Legislature
The 2012-13 Dance Season is made possible by
National Endowment for the Arts
Marlene Boll, Joanne Danto & Nora Moroun.
Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone
10 BR AVO www.MichiganOpera.org Detroit Opera HouseDANCE THEATRE OF HARLEM
About Dance Theatre Johnson began her training with Therrell MacArthur Foundation Fellowship, the
of Harlem Smith and studied with Mary Day at New York Living Landmark Award, the
the Washington School of Ballet. She Handel Medallion, the NAACP Image
Dance Theatre of Harlem is a leading graduated from the Academy of the Award, and more than a dozen honorary
dance institution of unparalleled global Washington School of Ballet and went on degrees.
acclaim that uses the art form of classical to be a University Scholar in the School
ballet to change people’s lives. Through of the Arts at New York University before THE DANCE THEATRE OF
performances by our internationally joining Dance Theatre of Harlem. HARLEM COMPANY
acclaimed Company, training in our Virginia Johnson is universally Fredrick Davis, Brooklyn, New York
world-class school, and participation in recognized as one of the great ballerinas Born in New York City, Fredrick Davis
our multi-faceted arts education program, of her generation and is perhaps best moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee and
Dance Theatre of Harlem has made a known for her performances in such started his training at the age of 11 with
difference in the world for 43 years. ballets as Giselle, A Streetcar Named a full scholarship for Ballet Tennessee. In
Inspired to bring new opportunity Desire, and Fall River Legend. She has 2004, he graduated from the Chattanooga
to the lives of the young people in the received such honors as a Young Achiever High School Center for Creative Arts and
Harlem neighborhood in which he grew Award from the National Council of moved back to New York City to continue
up by the example of Dr. Martin Luther Women, Outstanding Young Woman of his training with the Joffrey Ballet School.
King, Jr., Arthur Mitchell and the late America and the Dance Magazine Award, After completing three years with Joffrey,
Karel Shook founded the Dance Theatre a Pen and Brush Achievement Award, the he was able to study with a full scholarship
of Harlem in the basement of a church in Washington Performing Arts Society’s at summer intensives by American Ballet
1969. Mitchell, who had found success 2008-2009 Pola Nirenska Lifetime Theatre, Boston Ballet, North Carolina
as a principal dancer with the renowned Achievement Award and the 2009 Martha Dance Theatre, Ballet Academy East,
New York City Ballet, understood the Hill Fund Mid-Career Award. Magnus Midwest Dance and Ballet
power of training in a classical art form to Tennessee. Mr. Davis then joined Roxey
bring discipline and focus to a challenged ARTHUR MITCHELL (Co-Founder and Ballet Company, dancing in works such as
community. Dance Theatre of Harlem’s Artistic Director Emeritus) Othello, Carmen, Diana and Actaeon and
unprecedented success, as a racially Arthur Mitchell is known around Sleeping Beauty. Soon after finishing his
diverse company, school and source of arts the world for creating and sustaining season with Roxey, Mr. Davis joined the
education was built on creating innovative the Dance Theatre of Harlem, the Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble. He
and bold new forms of artistic expression. internationally acclaimed ballet company has also worked as a freelancer with Ballet
Through these varied artistic interactions, he co-founded with Karel Shook in 1969. Fantastique, Benjamin Briones Ballet,
our ambassadors have helped to build Following a brilliant career as a principal Staten Island Ballet and Ajkun Ballet
character and have provided valuable life artist with the New York City Ballet, Mr. Theatre. Mr. Davis has participated in
skills to countless people in New York Mitchell dedicated his life to changing the Dance for America Tour, DTH Vision
City, across the country and around the perceptions, and advancing the art form Gala, The Kennedy Center Honors, the
world. of ballet through the first permanently Donald McKayle Tribute performance
As Dance Theatre of Harlem traverses established African American and racially in Irvine, California and the Paramount
its fifth decade, we remain committed to diverse ballet company. Theatre Gala in Seattle, Washington.
the excellence that has sustained us over Born in New York City in 1934,
the years. At the same time, we dedicate Mr. Mitchell began his dance training Michaela DePrince,
ourselves to reaching new audiences with at New York City’s High School of Sierra Leone, West Africa
a message of self-reliance, self-expression the Performing Arts, where he won Michaela DePrince was born in Sierra
and individual responsibility through the the coveted annual dance award and Leone, orphaned by the civil war there
relaunch of the Dance Theatre of Harlem subsequently a full scholarship to the and adopted by an American family
Company. School of American Ballet. In 1955, he in New Jersey when she was 4 years
Now under the leadership of a second became the first African American to old. She began dancing at the age of 5,
generation of artists inspired by Arthur become a permanent member of a major studying ballet, modern, tap and jazz at
Mitchell’s vision, Artistic Director Virginia ballet company when he joined New York Dalia Hay’s Dance Academy in Cherry
Johnson, founding member/former City Ballet. Mr. Mitchell rose quickly to Hill, New Jersey. She began her formal
prima ballerina and Executive Director the rank of Principal Dancer during his ballet studies at The Rock School for
Laveen Naidu, former school director/ fifteen-year career with New York City Dance Education, where she continued
choreographer, our goal for the 21st Ballet and electrified audiences with her interest in other dance forms as well.
century is to build community, inspire his performances in a broad spectrum While at The Rock School, she won
and uplift through the power of art. of roles. Upon learning of the death of both the Hope Award and the Junior
Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Grand Prix at the Philadelphia Regional
VIRGINIA JOHNSON (Artistic Director) with financial assistance from Mrs. Alva Youth America Grand Prix. From ages
Virginia Johnson was a founding member B. Gimbel, the Ford Foundation and his 11 to 13, Ms. DePrince studied ballet in
of Dance Theatre of Harlem and its own savings, Mr. Mitchell founded Dance Northern Vermont with Vanina Wilson,
principal ballerina over a career that Theatre of Harlem with his mentor and Alaina Albertson-Murphy and Alexander
spanned nearly 30 years. After retiring ballet instructor Karel Shook. Nagiba. She also had the good fortune to
in 1997, Ms. Johnson founded Pointe With an illustrious career that has study with Daniel Seillier in Montreal and
Magazine where she was editor-in-chief spanned over fifty years, Mr. Mitchell Arthur Mitchell at the Dance Theatre of
for 10 years. is the recipient of the Kennedy Center Harlem’s Summer Intensive. She attended
A native of Washington, D.C., Ms. Honors, a National Medal of the Arts, a the American Ballet Theatre’s Summer
Detroit Opera House www.MichiganOpera.org BR AVO 11DANCE THEATRE OF HARLEM
Intensive in New York City when she was Pas de Trois, In the Mirror Of Her Mind and Program. She has performed in works
13 and was named a National Training Contested Space. by choreographers such as George
Scholar. Ms. DePrince was a participant in Balanchine, William Forsythe, Salvatore
the 2010 International Ballet Competition Chyrstyn Fentroy, Aiello, Jodie Gates, Alexei Kremnev, and
in Jackson, Mississippi. As a finalist at the Los Angeles, California Keelan Whitmore.
Youth America Grand Prix in New York Chyrstyn Mariah Fentroy was born and
City, she was awarded a scholarship to The raised in Los Angeles, California, where Taurean Green, Portland, Maine
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School of the she trained with her mother Ruth Fentroy Taurean Green returned to Dance
American Ballet Theatre. She is also a two- until the age of 17. She then moved Theatre of Harlem in 2011 after eight
year recipient of The Beverly G. Smith to New York City after being offered a seasons dancing with companies
Scholarship at ABT and was featured in scholarship to the Joffrey Ballet School such as Pacific Northwest Ballet, City
the documentary First Position. She has trainee program. During her first year Ballet of San Diego and, most recently,
danced for Darrell Grand Moultrie, the there, she was asked to join the Joffrey Company C Contemporary Ballet. At
Harlem School of the Arts Dance Benefit, Ballet School Performance Company DTH, Mr. Green danced featured roles in
the Francesca Harper Project in the 2011 in which she danced several principal George Balanchine’s Agon and The Four
Denise Jefferson Memorial, Ballet Vérité roles in works such as Gerald Arpino’s Temperaments, Michael Smuin’s A Song
in The Levi HaLevi Memorial Concert, Birthday Variations and Davis Robertson’s for Dead Warriors and St. Louis Woman
Daniel Ulbricht’s Dance Against Cancer UnEquilibrium. Ms. Fentroy competed in and Jerome Robbins’ Fancy Free, among
Gala, De Dutch Don’t Dance’s production the Youth America Grand Prix finals in others. At PNB, Mr. Green was featured
of Abdallah en de Gazelle van Basra, and New York in 2010 and 2011, where she in many Balanchine ballets as well as
the South African Ballet Theatre, as well was then asked to compete in the Beijing original works created for the company.
as the TV program Dancing with the Stars. International Ballet and Choreography In San Diego, he performed leading roles
Competition. She has also had her in Don Q, Apollo, A Midsummer Night’s
Da’ Von Doane, Salisbury, Maryland contemporary choreography recognized Dream, The Four Seasons and La Bayadère,
Da’ Von Doane began his training at the in other competitions. just to name a few; and in San Francisco,
Salisbury Studio of Dance (now Salisbury Mr. Green had several original works set
Dance Academy) where he trained with Jenelle Figgins, Washington, D.C. on him as well as reprised older works
Betty Webster, Tatiana Akinfieva-Smith Jenelle Figgins began her training at by noted choreographers such as Twyla
and Elena Manakhova. As a member of the Jones-Haywood School of Ballet, Tharp and Lar Lubovitch.
the schools’ regional dance company, Dance Institute of Washington and Duke
the Eastern Shore Ballet Theatre, he Ellington School of the Performing Arts. Jehbreal Muhammad Jackson,
performed various roles in annual While training, she received scholarships Dallas, Texas
productions of The Nutcracker, Coppélia, to attend Dance Theatre of Harlem’s Jehbreal Muhammad Jackson began his
Scheherazade and the Polovtsian Dances, Kennedy Summer Intensive. She went formal training in ballet at 10 years old,
among others. Mr. Doane has attended on to attend SUNY Purchase New York being placed accidentally into the wrong
summer intensives at the Kirov Academy on partial scholarship and in 2011 classroom by an afterschool program
of Ballet (Washington, D.C.) and the received her B.F.A. with honors in dance. advisor. He found his heart in classical
Atlantic Contemporary Ballet Theatre. At Following graduation, she attended and contemporary dance and continued
age 15, he returned to ACBT as a full-time Springboard Danse Montreal in 2011. to study at the Dallas Black Dance
academic student and trained there for Ms. Figgins has been featured in works Academy, W. E. Greiner Middle School of
four years. In 2008, Mr. Doane moved to by Sarah Mettin, Kevin Thomas, Emily the Exploratory and Performing Arts, and
New York City to join the Dance Theatre Molnar, Twyla Tharp, Paul Taylor, George the Booker T. Washington High School
of Harlem Ensemble and performed at Balanchine, Nora Reynolds and Hinton for the Performing and Visual Arts. Mr.
the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival that Battle. She has danced professionally with Jackson is a graduate of The Juilliard
summer. In 2009, Mr. Doane performed Mettin Movement Collective, Collage School in New York under the direction
with Ballet Noir at East River Park as part dance Collective and Les Grands Ballet of Lawrence Rhodes, where he performed
of SummerStage and with Jacob’s Pillow Canadiens de Montréal. the works of Alexander Ekman, Stijn
once again. In the fall of 2009, he danced Celis, Mark Morris, Jerome Robbins,
as part of the Dance Theatre of Harlem Emiko Flanagan, William Forsythe and Ohad Naharin.
with roles in the Joplin Dances, New Bach, Westlake Village, California Recently, Mr. Jackson performed as a guest
the excerpt “Mother Popcorn,” Concerto Emiko Flanagan received her early dance with Ballet Noir NYC, sharing the stage
In F, Fete Noir and South African Suite. training from California Dance Theatre with performers from American Ballet
And in the winter of 2009, he began and attended summer programs at Pacific Theatre and the Polish National Ballet for
touring with DTH as a part of its Dance Northwest Ballet, Boston Ballet, and San their Chopin festival. In October 2010,
for America Tour. As a guest artist, Mr. Francisco Conservatory of Dance. She he performed with Keigwin + Company
Doane has performed with the Classical continued her studies at UC Irvine as a at the annual Fall for Dance festival at
Contemporary Ballet Theatre and with BFA student in Dance Performance. After New York City Center. He has also been a
choreographer Ja’ Malik in 2009’s E-moves her sophomore year, she took a leave featured vocalist with various jazz bands
Emerging Choreographers Showcase. In of absence from school to be a trainee at Juilliard and embarked on a concert
the summer of 2010, Mr. Doane performed with the Joffrey Ballet in Chicago. The tour to Brazil.
once again with Ballet Noir in the 200th following year Emiko was an apprentice
Anniversary Chopin Celebration and the with the Richmond Ballet for their 2010- Alexandra Jacob, Oakland, California
2010 World Dance Gala in Kielce, Poland. 2011 season and then spent one year in Alexandra Jacob began her first formal
In 2011, Mr. Doane danced roles in Glinka the Alonzo King LINES Ballet Training Vaganova ballet training at the age of
12 BR AVO www.MichiganOpera.org Detroit Opera HouseDANCE THEATRE OF HARLEM
8 at Berkeley City Ballet. Ms. Jacob also Ashley Murphy, Shreveport, Louisiana that was commissioned for Dancers
attended summer programs at the Dance Ashley Murphy began her dance training Responding to AIDS.
Theatre of Harlem and Alonzo King LINES at age 3. She was enrolled in the pre-
Ballet on scholarships. After graduating professional division at Carol Anglin Lindsey Pitts, Midland, Texas
high school, she pursued an architecture Dance Center from 1993-2002, where Lindsey Pitts began her formal ballet
degree at the California College of the she became a member of Louisiana Dance training at Coleman Academy under
Arts. Three years into her college career, Theatre, an Honor Company of Regional the direction of Susan Clark and
she rediscovered her love for ballet and Dance America. She has also performed Judy Coleman. She continued her
decided to return to New York in the fall for Shreveport Opera and Moscow studies during summer intensives with
of 2004 to attend the Joffrey Ballet School. State Ballet as well as in the premiere of Milwaukee Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, Orlando
She joined the Dance Theatre of Harlem William Joyce’s The Leaf Men and The Ballet, Ballet Austin and The Ailey School.
Ensemble in January 2005 under the Brave Good Bugs. She represented LDT in Following high school, she attended
direction of Arthur Mitchell. Ms. Jacob the Regional Dance America performance Butler University, where she received dual
toured with the ensemble throughout at the International Ballet Competition degrees in dance arts administration and
the United States and internationally, in Jackson, Mississippi and attended strategic communications. Ms. Pitts began
performing featured roles by Peter Pucci, summer programs at New York’s Joffrey her professional career with Nashville
Donald Byrd, Christopher L. Huggins, Ballet School and The Ailey School. In Ballet’s second company, performing
Lowell Smith and Arthur Mitchell. 2002, Ms. Murphy went on to train and under the direction of Paul Vasterling
perform with Dance Theatre of Harlem’s in full-length ballets that included The
Dustin James, Houston, Texas Dancing Through Barriers® Ensemble. Nutcracker, Giselle and Swan Lake.
Dustin James began his dance training at The following year, she was accepted
age 11 in Houston and later attended the into the DTH Company and toured with Gabrielle Salvatto, New York, New York
city’s High School for the Performing and them throughout the United States and Gabrielle Salvatto, a native New Yorker
Visual Arts. While attending HSPVA, he to foreign countries that included Great born and raised in the Bronx, studied
also began studying at Houston Ballet’s Britain, Germany, Italy and Greece. Ms. at The School of American Ballet and
Ben Stevenson Academy and became Murphy has also taught for the DTH Pre- received her high school diploma from
a member of Houston Ballet II for two Professional Residency at the Kennedy La Guardia H.S. of Music & Art and
years. While there, Mr. James was trained Center. White House special, appearing Performing Arts. She went on to graduate
and coached by Claudio Muñoz as well on BET’s 106 & Park and the game show from the Juilliard dance B.F.A. program,
as Lázaro Carreño, Phillip Broomhead Jeopardy, and representing the U.S. in a where she performed repertoire by Ohad
and Priscilla Nathan-Murphy. After cultural exchange program in Kingston, Naharin, Jerome Robbins, Nacho Duato,
completing his training, Mr. James joined Jamaica. In 2011, she was chosen for a Eliot Feld and José Limón, among others.
BalletMet Columbus, where he danced new work by Christopher L. Huggins Ms. Salvatto has since danced for Austin
for four seasons and performed works by
such choreographers as Stanton Welch,
Darrell Grand Moultrie and Ma Cong.
Francis Lawrence, Melbourne, Australia
Francis Lawrence studied at The
Australian Ballet School where he
Supporting the ArtS
graduated with a diploma in dance.
While at the school, he danced with The Where We Work, Live,
Australian Ballet and with its regional
Dancers Company for two years. Upon
arriving in the states, Mr. Lawrence joined And pLAy
New York Theatre Ballet for their 30th
season in Cinderella and Dance/Speak: The
Life of Agnes de Mille and has danced for
Honigman is pleased to support the Michigan Opera Theatre.
the Grand Rapids Ballet Company under
We believe the arts bring vibrancy, growth and culture to our
the direction of Patricia Barker. During
his time in the company, he performed lives. Honigman is a premier business law firm, working in perfect
repertoire by George Balanchine, Twyla harmony with our communities and our clients in Detroit and
Tharp, José Limón, Paul Taylor, Ulysses throughout the world.
Dove, Lew Christensen, David Parson
and Mario Radacovsky. In the states he For more information, visit www.honigman.com.
has studied under programs offered by
The Ailey School, Complexions and
Hubbard Street, getting to work with
choreographers like Pedro Ruiz, Dwight Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP
Rhoden and Desmond Richardson. Mr.
Lawrence most recently worked with detroit LAnSing oAkLAnd County Ann Arbor kALAmAzoo
Olivier Weavers on Fragments, as well as a
new work, The Couch.
Detroit Opera House www.MichiganOpera.org BR AVO 13DANCE THEATRE OF HARLEM
McCormick’s Company XIV and Sarah professional debut with Ben Stevenson’s with Boston Repertory Ballet, Maryland
Berges Dance. Further training includes Texas Ballet Theater in 2006-07, and Ballet, Eglevsky Ballet, Ballethnic Dance
Hubbard Street, Complexions and she most recently danced as a company Company, and the David Parsons
Springboard Danse Montreal. member with the Francesca Harper Company, among others. He has been
Project and Ballet Black. Ms. Williams was a faculty member of the Dance Theatre
Anthony H. Javier Savoy, Jr., an apprentice with Complexions in 2009, of Harlem School, the BalletMet Dance
Annapolis, Maryland and has also studied during summers at Academy (where he also served as
Anthony Javier Savoy was born in The Juilliard School, Alonzo King LINES Education Director), the New Ballet School
Annapolis, Maryland and began his formal Ballet and Houston Ballet’s Ben Stevenson (now Ballet Tech), and the 92nd Street Y.
training at the age of 15 studying at schools Academy. She was a fellowship recipient In 2003, Mr. Saunders was Guest Artist-
in Maryland and Washington, DC. In 2006, at The Ailey School, a 2006 National in-Residence in the Dance Department at
Mr. Savoy was awarded the title, Maryland Foundation on the Arts award winner, a the University of Wyoming, and he taught
All State Dancer by the Congressional 2006 Youth America Grand Prix Finalist and choreographed at their Snowy Range
House Representative. He continued and a 2004 Texas Commission on the Arts Dance Festival from 2003 – 2008.
his studies at Point Park University. In Young Master. Keith Saunders was appointed Dance
the spring of 2008, he attended Anne Theatre of Harlem’s assistant ballet
Arundel Community College working Samuel Wilson, Bremerton, Washington master in 1994 and ballet master in 1996.
towards a degree in Fine Arts and Samuel Wilson started dancing ballet at From 2004 - 2010, Mr. Saunders was
Biology. Savoy has attended summer the age of 15 with the Peninsula Dance director of Dancing Through Barriers®,
intensives at Earl Mosley’s Institute of the Theatre. Since then, he has danced in Dance Theatre of Harlem’s international
Arts, Point Park University, The Kirov summer programs such as Summer education and outreach initiative, in
Academy, American Ballet Theatre and Dance Lab in Walla Walla, Washington addition to directing the DTH Ensemble.
Dance Theatre of Harlem. He spent two and American Ballet Theatre in Austin,
years with the Dance Theatre of Harlem Texas. It wasn’t until 2003, when Mr. ROBERT GARLAND
Ensemble performing works by George Wilson came to Dance Theatre of Harlem (Resident Choreographer)
Balanchine, Arthur Mitchell, Donald that he started his professional career and Robert Garland was a principal dancer
Byrd, and Robert Garland. In 2011, while joined the Dancing Through Barriers® with the Dance Theatre of Harlem, and
a member of the ensemble, he had the Ensemble. DTH has provided Mr. Wilson is now Resident Choreographer. He has
opportunity to work with choreographer with the opportunity to perform in venues created works for the Dance Theatre
Christopher Huggins on “In the Mirror such as the White House, BET’s 106 & of Harlem Company, and their School
of her Mind” a piece commissioned in Park, Fox 5 News, The Kennedy Center Ensemble. He has also choreographed for
collaboration with Dancers Responding and The Joyce Theater in New York. He New York City Ballet, The Royal Ballet,
to AIDS and Broadway Cares. In 2012 Mr. has also had the opportunity to work and Oakland Ballet, among many others.
Savoy acted as a cultural ambassador for with world-renowned choreographers After creating a work for the Dance
the United States while performing and and study under influential teachers like Theatre of Harlem School Ensemble,
doing community outreach in Kingston, Arthur Mitchell and Eva Evdokimava. Arthur Mitchell invited Robert Garland
Jamaica. Mr. Wilson has also developed into a high to create a work for The Dance Theatre
caliber teacher and dance coach himself, of Harlem Company. Upon his retirement
Ingrid Silva, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil working in ballet schools and summer from the stage, he was appointed by Arthur
Ingrid Silva began her formal ballet programs such as Usdan Center for the Mitchell and became the organization’s
training at the age of 8 at Dançando Para Creative and Performing Arts and the first Resident Choreographer.
Não Dançar, the Deborah Colker school Voorhees Ballet. His commercial work has included
and Escola de Dança Maria Olenewa. music videos, commercials and short
She has also apprenticed with Company COMPANY ARTISTIC STAFF films, including the children’s television
Grupo Corpo in Brazil. After entering show Sesame Street, a Nike commercial
the Univercidade da Cidade College, she KEITH SAUNDERS (Ballet Master) featuring New York Yankee Derek Jeter,
decided to follow her passion and traveled Keith Saunders, a native of Baltimore, the NAACP Image Awards, a short film for
to New York in 2007. That summer, Maryland, began dancing in 1971 while a designer Donna Karan, and the “Charmin
she attended the Dance Theatre of student at Harvard University. He began Cha-Cha” for Proctor and Gamble.
Harlem Summer Intensive Program, and his ballet training in 1973 at the National
afterwards joined the school’s Professional Center for Afro-American Artists in
Training Program. She became a member Dorchester, Massachusetts. Mr. Saunders
of the Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble joined Dance Theatre of Harlem in 1975
in 2008. Ms. Silva has also performed and continued his development under
with Armitage Gone! Dance performing the tutelage of Arthur Mitchell, Karel
GAGA-Gaku at the Joyce Theater in 2011. Shook and William Griffith. He became a
principal dancer with DTH and performed
Stephanie Rae Williams, a wide range of roles throughout the
Salt Lake City, Utah company’s repertoire for more than 17
Born in Utah and raised in Texas, years. He also danced with France’s
Stephanie Rae Williams received her early Ballet du Nord (1986) and BalletMet of
training at Dallas Dance Academy with Columbus, Ohio (1987-1989).
Fiona Fairrie. Ms. Williams made her As a guest artist, Mr. Saunders appeared
14 BR AVO www.MichiganOpera.org Detroit Opera HouseYou can also read
