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closely. Because I had such a personal rapport with him I have always
felt so close to his ballets and choreography, and continue to study his
essence, meaning, intention, and goal of his ballets. I was also grateful
to his successor Peter Martins (Ballet Master in Chief of New York City
Ballet), who immediately took me under his wing after Mr. B’s passing
and offered me the opportunity to continue dancing and studying the
Balanchine ballets as well as Peter’s own work. Mr. B’s ballets have
certainly influenced my current work.
Q:
You’ve held the title of Artistic Director of Saint Louis Ballet for 15
years. How has this company changed in that time?
A:
In 2000, I started with seven company dancers and 40 ballet school
students. Despite my status and experience with New York City Ballet,
we were not even ready to perform in Saint Louis. Rather, we toured out-
of-town venues to gain performance opportunities for our dancers and
developing company. I established a new ballet school in
Chesterfield, MO and hired local ballet teachers to teach ages three
through adult. All the while, I strengthened and focused on the
management of the company’s activities, and built strong working
relationships with local corporations and foundations. Today, we have
27 professional dancers from all over the country, selected by auditions,
and 350 students in our ballet school with 20 faculty and office staff
members. Saint Louis Ballet now performs four series a year at the Touhill
Performing Arts Center, more than any other dance organization in town.
Q:
Where do you see Saint Louis Ballet’s growth in the coming years?
A:
I would like to continue to expand our audience and building our
supporters. I believe this city deserves a wonderful ballet company of its
own just like it has the St. Louis Symphony and Opera Theater of
St. Louis. Our total annual budget is approaching $2 million, which is
still small compared to companies in comparable cities. I would also like
to continue to attract wonderful young professional dancers and serious
ballet students by presenting world-class full-length ballets as well as
pieces by guest choreographers. It has been an adventurous roller-
coaster ride which I never could have imagined while I was living in
New York. I am absolutely grateful for everyone’s support and dedication
to this city’s foremost ballet organization for the past 15 years.
