First week back

When August 16th finally arrived, it brought a wave of excitement and anticipation for the 2010-11 Season at the Richmond Ballet. Filing into the studio like students on the first day of school, all of the dancers greeted one another with huge hugs and kisses on the cheek, a reminder that we have all missed one another during the nearly three months we were apart over the summer. A few new faces stood out in the room, and of course it is custom at Richmond ballet to make everyone feel welcome and at home.

We began each day with an hour and a half technique class taught by Stoner, Malcolm, or Jerri; a warm up and salutation for our bodies before the rigors of a six hour rehearsal day.

We are so excited this year to have Salvatore Aiello's witty ballet, Clowns and Others, for our Studio One performances. Complete with white gloves, mime, jugglers, and a tight rope, this is a ballet that is just as much fun for the audiences as it is for the dancers. We have spent so much time laughing in the studios at one another and at our selves as we kiss, wiggle our hips, and even roar like lions. This is sure to be a new Richmond favorite.

Ma Cong returns this year to complete the staging of his ballet, Ershter Vals. Set to rhythmic Klezmer music, this ballet brought audiences to their feet almost every night last year during the New Works Festival. The dancers are all very excited to see what new and exciting components Ma will add to this luscious piece of choreography.

We have also begun our annual staging of lecture demonstrations for elementary school students throughout the state of Virginia. Our theme for the year is “perseverance.” A quality that dancers and successful human beings rely on throughout much of their student and professional lives, we wish to show students through dance how important perseverance can be in achieving one’s dreams. Lecture demonstrations are always a fun and easy way for us to get back into the swing of things and also to learn how to project our voices.

While sore muscles hint that last week has been rather strenuous, the dancers are all immensely happy to be back and working on what appears to be a fun and exciting 2010-11 season. I hope to see you all at our upcoming Studio One performances where I am sure you will leave inspired and uplifted by your very own Richmond Ballet.