Variations/Collaborations 2019

March 18, 2019  |  Posted in Variations/Collaborations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                        Contact: Margie Gorman, 856.979.3721

February 26, 2019                                                                            margie@margiegorman.com

                                                                                       

San Francisco Ballet School Trainee Program dance company to perform at Variations/Collaborations—an annual evening of dance and music presented by Metropolitan Ballet Company and Settlement Music School:

 Saturday, March 23, 7:00 pm at Kurtz Center, William Penn Charter School, 3000 West Schoolhouse Lane, Philadelphia, PA  19144

 

 Featuring vibrant choreography and brilliant young artists

Jenkintown, PA—Metropolitan Ballet Company will host guest artists from the prestigious San Francisco Ballet’s Trainee Program for Variations/Collaborations, an evening of Dance and Music at 7:00 pm on Saturday, March 23, 2019, at Kurtz Center, William Penn Charter School, 3000 West School House Lane, Philadelphia.  Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door; purchase tickets at www.metropolitanballetcompany.org.

The Variations/Collaborations program is a rare opportunity to see the 12-member San Francisco (SF) Ballet troupe perform on the East Coast, under the tutelage of SF Ballet School Director Patrick Armand. Metropolitan’s Artistic Director, Lisa Collins Vidnovic, says, “We are delighted to present the gifted young dancers of SF Ballet School’s Trainee Program and Metropolitan Ballet Company, along with the supremely talented young musicians of Settlement Music School, in an exciting, high quality performance for the community. Variations/Collaborations is an accessible way for people of all ages to enjoy the thrill of a dynamic, live performance.”

This unique dance collaboration continues the relationship that began when Kamryn Baldwin, a dancer trained by Vidnovic at Metropolitan Ballet, won a scholarship to SF Ballet School and in 2015 became one of the youngest dancers invited to join the San Francisco Ballet Company, directed by Helgi Tomasson. Armand says, “We’re so happy to take our SF Ballet School Trainees to perform in Philadelphia. It’s a great opportunity to showcase our dancers and to share the stage with the talented dancers from Metropolitan Ballet Company. Many thanks to Lisa Collins Vidnovic for inviting us!”

Metropolitan Ballet dancers will perform contemporary ballet works by three innovative and award-winning choreographers: Jessica Lang, Sarah Mettin, and Ashley Walton. Lang has created dances for American Ballet Theatre, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and the San Francisco Opera. Mettin, a Metropolitan Ballet alumna, has danced both nationally and abroad; she won a full scholarship to study at the National Choreography Conference and led her company, Mettin Movement, to acclaimed performances, including at the renowned Jacob’s Pillow. Walton has danced professionally with both Atlanta Ballet and Dayton Ballet and has been commissioned to create works for numerous professional companies, including Sacramento Ballet & Cincinnati Ballet. Since 2009, she has received awards for her choreography, most recently including National Choreographic Recognition Awards for her work in the Northeast and Pacific regions.

San Francisco’s dancers will perform Concerto Grosso, choreographed by SF Ballet Company Artistic Director and Principal Choreographer, Helgi Tomasson; Paquita Pas de Trois, by Marius Petipa; and a contemporary work, quicksilver, choreographed by Marc Brew, Artistic Director of AXIS Dance Company, based in Oakland, CA.

The highly accomplished young musicians who will perform in Variations/Collaborations study at various branches of Settlement Music School and will include The Myer Schwartz Advanced Study Piano Trio, coached by faculty member Sandra Carlock; a solo pianist, also coached by Ms. Carlock; and The William A. Loeb Chamber Ensemble coached by violin faculty member Jean Louise Shook.

Purchase tickets now for Variations/Collaborations on March 23, 2019, online at www.metropolitanballetcompany.org. For additional information or group sales contact the Metropolitan office at 215-663-1665.

 

ABOUT THE PERFORMING ARTISTS

Metropolitan Ballet Company, founded 2001, provides scholarships, performance training for pre-professional dancers, and outreach programs designed to promote a love and appreciation of dance in our community. The Company presents three major performances annually and is known for its groundbreaking Boys’ Scholarship Program. Metropolitan alumni are currently dancing with Pennsylvania Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, Colorado Ballet, and other professional companies. www.metropolitanballetcompany.org 

San Francisco Ballet School offers a challenging curriculum, taught by faculty members drawn from the ranks of SF Ballet and companies around the world. The School benefits from its close relationship with the Company. In fact, the School is a fundamental part of the institution—nearly 65% of the Company’s dancers are graduates. The School emphasizes strong classical technique, a flow of movement and athleticism that suggests a sense of energy, freedom, and joy. This style—which reflects the kind of dancing favored by SF Ballet—adapts to meet the demands of any choreographer, any company, and any type of movement.

 

Under the combined leadership of SF Ballet School Director Patrick Armand and SF Ballet Artistic Director Helgi Tomasson, the School has a dual mission: to train classical ballet dancers capable of joining the ranks of SF Ballet and other world-class companies; and to offer young children and adults in the Bay Area an introduction to classical ballet and the joy of moving to music. www.sfballet.org/school

 

For more than 100 years, Settlement Music School has been a resource for excellence, providing music, dance and the related arts for all – regardless of age, skill level, background, or financial means. At its six locations in South and Northeast Philadelphia, Germantown, Wynnefield, Willow Grove and Camden, Settlement offers 10,000 weekly services and awards $2 million in financial aid each year. www.smsmusic.org