Opening its second full season by celebrating “the father of American ballet,” presented by arrangement with The George Balanchine Trust, Indianapolis Ballet’s An Evening of Balanchine features three of the choreographer’s iconic works: Allegro Brillante, Sonatine, and Who Cares?
Taken from the official website of The George Balanchine Trust, Allegro Brillante is characterized by what Maria Tallchief (the ballerina on whom the bravura leading role was created) calls “an expansive Russian romanticism.” Sonatine was presented as the opening ballet of the New York City Ballet Ravel Festival during the 1975 Spring Season, which marked the 100th anniversary of the composer’s birth. Balanchine choreographed Who Cares? to 16 songs Gershwin composed between 1924–1931, including “Strike Up the Band” and “‘S Wonderful.”
Touring with the company is former South Bender Indiana Coté. Coté began dancing with Southold Dance Theater under the direction of former Joffrey Academy Artistic Director Alexei Kremnev. Additional early training included American Ballet Theatre and with Michael Vernon, Chair of the Ballet Department at Indiana University Bloomington.
In 2010 as a 12-year-old, Coté began competing internationally in Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) where she won various awards and multiple invitations to compete in the New York City Finals. At the 2012 YAGP, she was awarded an Interlochen Center for the Arts scholarship. In 2014, after placing first with the Bluebird Pas de Deux from Sleeping Beauty, she was the only ballerina in the world invited to compete in all four categories of YAGP Finals (Classical & Contemporary Solo, Pas de Deux & Ensemble), which included dancing on stage at Lincoln Center.
At age 17, Coté was invited to attend the Margaret Barberi Conservatory in Sarasota, Florida. She worked up through the ranks of Sarasota Ballet becoming the youngest member of the Corps de Ballet. Throughout her career, Indiana has developed a special love for George Balanchine’s works and is thrilled to be back home in Indiana furthering her Balanchine repertoire as an Indianapolis Ballet Company Dancer for the 2019–2020 season.
Indianapolis Ballet is one of a handful of professional companies in the U.S. that champion the technique and works of George Balanchine. As such, the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center is pleased to host the young company’s inaugural tour performances as the Presenting Series’ first dance of the 2019–2020 season. On October 3–4 at 7:30 p.m., Indianapolis Ballet performs an all-Balanchine program. Guests are encouraged to stay for a meet and greet following the October 3 opening night performance.
Related:
INDIANAPOLIS BALLET
Making its debut in 2018, the Indianapolis Ballet is the first professional ballet company in the state’s capital in more than a decade. Affiliated with the Indianapolis School of Ballet the company brings us a top-notch program of works by George Balanchine, the “father of American ballet.”
Thursday, October 3–4, 2019 at 7:30 p.m.
