School of Dance
2023-24 Awarded Amount: $10,000
Title: The Balanchine Experience
Given the number of times each year that Balanchine’s works are presented in professional ballet companies, experience with the greater Balanchine repertoire is essential for students wishing to pursue professional performing careers. During the 2024-25 academic year, The Balanchine Experience was a wonderful opportunity for both students and faculty at the School of Dance to engage with the “Balanchine style” of ballet training, while thinking critically about George Balanchine, the artist, and his legacy.
Throughout the year, the School of Dance hosted Michele Gifford, an experienced repetiteur for the Balanchine Trust. During the Fall semester, Ms. Gifford had the opportunity to teach master classes for all the students in the ballet program. She instructed them in the “Balanchine style” and thoughtfully explained the nuances that would be required to dance a Balanchine work. In the Spring semester, Ms.Gifford staged and coached Balanchine’s ballet, Serenade. In the performing arts, rehearsals are our “lab” setting, and they represent a significant portion of our students’ learning and education as they prepare for careers after graduation. Therefore, this type of experiential learning is invaluable for students.
Gifford’s residency culminated with a fully produced performance of Serenade that was part of the School of Dance’s regular production season. Approximately thirty-five (35) students were engaged in the performance. The decision was made to double-cast the ballet so that as many students as possible could have the opportunity to engage deeply with the work. Funds from the Dee Grant also allowed the School of Dance costume shop to build a full set of original costumes for the Serenade production at the School of Dance.
In addition, the School of Dance held two other events as a part of The Balanchine Experience. The first event, an informal discussion about Serenade, was held in November, just before the students auditioned for Serenade. This discussion was an opportunity for our students to ask questions about our decision to perform a Balanchine work. It also gave faculty a chance to help prepare our students to dance this beautiful and demanding ballet by sharing their own experiences.
Finally, a second event was held just prior to the February production of Serenade. The School of Dance offered a special presentation by James Steichen, author of Balanchine and Kirstein’s American Enterprise. The event, titled The Stories of Serenade, Balanchine’s “First” Ballet in America, aimed to contextualize Balanchine’s work in the landscape of the greater United States dance scene. Following the presentation, School of Dance faculty member Dr. Joselli Deans facilitated a Q&A discussion session along with Dr. Steichen and students.
Overall, The Balanchine Experience was a huge success, and the School of Dance is grateful for the Dee Grant funds that enabled us to offer this amazing opportunity to our students and faculty.