Minnesota State Arts Board & National Endowment for the Arts:   "This activity is made possible in part by a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature and a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts."



Government Funding
Metropolitan Regional Arts Council
Minnesota State Arts Board
Nattional Endowment for The Arts
St Paul Cultural STAR Program

Corporate Sponsors
Allied Vaughan
Barsuhn
Cynthia Betz - Edina Realty
Fratallone's Ace Hardware
Jerry's Printing
Grand Jete
Minneapolis / St Paul Magazine
Minnesota Public Radio
Nordstrom
Parallel Technologies, Inc
Pioneer Press
Roger Beck Florist
St Paul Hotel
Target
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NEWS UPDATES


August 31 , 2008

SPARK25
     Spark25 was an event set up to present Arts Organizations for viewing during the RNC. It was a 24 hour non stop event beginning Saturday Evening held at Peavy Plaza on Sunday, August 31at 1:30pm. Ballet Minnesosta performed River Songs, a collection of songs by international folksinger Charlie Maguire. The audience was very responsive and appreciative of the dancers and the works as evidenced by the loud and spontaneous applause. Ballet Minnesota would like to thank the St Paul Cultural Partnership for inviting the company to perform. Dancers included Julia Heggernes, Rebecca Pelletier, Allen Gregory, David Schmidt, Marisha Johnson, Maren Gray, Megan Simon, Rachelle Horowitz, Anna Betz and Madeline Klein. The songs performed were 'Light the River', "Towboat', "Fall is Here'. 'Reverend Hickman's Hand', 'BC Rail' and 'Roll River Journey'.

Rehearsals underway for Beethoven's 9th Symphony
     Rehearsals are in full swing, since the company returned August 18. Last week, August 25-29, Robert Cleary (who will be dancing the role of Beethoven) came in from Madison to rehearse with the company. During his first stay most of the third movement was completed. Work has been underway on the 2nd and 4th movements and the 1st movement will be get serious attention in the coming weeks.
      Cheryl Rist will design the costumes, Jim Arnold & Cynthia Betz with create the sets and Andrew Rist will choreograph the ballet.
      The work will be presented at Ballet Minnesota's 3rd Annual Fall Concert at the Fitzgerald Theater in St Paul. THE PERFORMANCE IS FREE TO THE PUBLIC. Tell friends and family, spread the word and get ready for a great night of entertainment, art and dance.

BMN Company member return for the 2008-09 season
     Ballet Minnesota company members Julia Heggerness, Allen Gregory and David Schmidt will be returning for the 2008-09 season as will apprentice Garvin Jellison. New company members include Jennifer Bennet and Rebecca Pelletier.

BMN Company member Erin Warn
     Erin is on a leave of absence from Ballet Minnesota, expecting her 2nd child. During her absence she will continue teaching at Classical Ballet Academy, teaching BMN company class and assisting with rehearsals.

New Ballet Minnesota Company member Jennifer Bennet
     Jennifer moved to the Twin Cities last year and danced with Ballet Minnesota in Swan Lake at the Fitzgerald Theater. Jennifer is a graduate of the Kirov Academy in Washington DC. She was asked to join Ballet Minnesota for the 2008-09 season which she accepted. We are very pleased to have Jennifer dance for Ballet Minnesota.

New Ballet Minnesota Company member Rebecca Pelletier
     Rebecca graduated from Classical Ballet Academy in May 2008. Rebecca is a first year company member with Ballet Minnesota. As a pre-professional dancer at CBA Rebecca performed in Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Giselle, Black Dog Cafe and Italian Symphony.

CBA Graduate Karmyn Grant
     Karmyn Grant was asked to join the San Franciso Ballet School as a level 8 student, the highest level in the school on full scholarshp. Karmyn will be missed at CBA & Ballet Minnesota but we are happy for her success.

CBA student Marisha Johnson
     Marisha was asked to remain at the North Carolina Dance Theater as a traineee but she has decided to return to CBA for the 2008-09 school year.

Robert Cleary to perform the role of Ludwig van Beethoven
     Robert Cleary known to Ballet Minnesota audiences as Godfather Drosselmeyer in the Nutcracker will perform the lead role of Ludwig van Beethoven in Ballet Minnesota's production of Beethoven's 9th Symphony (choreographed by artistic director Andrew Rist). Robert is co-director fo Kanopy Dance Company in Madison, Wisconsin.

ONLINE Store
     Ballet Minnesota / Classical Ballet Academy now has an online store. The store will be open to buy Nutcracker & CBA apparel during the month of October.


July 8, 2008

MInnesota Dance Camp
     The 15th Annual Minnesota Dance Camp is in its final week. Dancers took class in ballet technique, pointe, variation, men's class, jazz and Graham modern. Teachers included Oksana Konobeyeva (formerly Bolshoi & American Ballet Theater ), Lisa Thurell (formerly Martha Graham Dance Company), Gregory Drotar (formerly Pennsylvania Ballet, Broadway and films), Stephanie (Ballet of The Dolls), Cheryl Rist (director Classical Ballet Academy) and Andrew Rist (artistic director Ballet Minnesota). Ballet classes were accompanied by Deborah Hanna.

Minnesota Dance Festival
     The 20th Anniversary MINNESOTA DANCE FESTIVAL was a great success. Swan Lake, restaged by Cheryl Rist and featuring Oksana Konobeyeva was back by popular demand for the second year and was drew big crowds than last year's production.