Raising the Barre with Boulder Ballet Live: Recent Episodes
George Thomas
Matthew Helms have partnered for years but this is the first time they've partnered for The Nutcracker!
Boulder Ballet company dancers Gabi Lukasik and Gavin Hounslow join us for the first in our 2022 Nutcracker series!
Who doesn't love the classic annual holiday tradition of taking your family to see The Nutcracker? It has been the pleasure of Boulder Ballet for more than 35 years to produce The Nutcracker with a professional company along with over eighty aspiring young dancers from our community to present this magical show.
Unfortunately, due to the current COVID-19 environment, the Nutcracker performances with the Boulder Philharmonic and Boulder Ballet, to be held at Macky Auditorium November 26-28, have been canceled. We look forward to returning to Macky together for an incredible Nutcracker in 2022!
The good news is that Boulder Ballet still has an opportunity to perform The Nutcracker at Vance Brand Auditorium in Longmont, December 3-5. To make this production with the Longmont Symphony Orchestra (partners of over two decades) possible, we need your help. Due to the revenue loss from the Macky performances we need your support to help offset the costs of this production. Should we fail to raise these funds The Nutcracker will be put on hold altogether until 2022.
The good news? We have several generous foundations that want to see this productions happen and have offered a $25,000 match - our goal is a total of $50,000 so we are already halfway there!
Please consider making a donation today and help us bring the Boulder and Longmont communities together to experience the joy of The Nutcracker live, in-person after a year and a half of canceled seasons, shuttered venues, and furloughed artists. We humbly thank you for your support and look forward to celebrating with you in December!
https://www.coloradogives.org/theNutcracker?step=step1
Meet choreographer Amy Hall Garner who joins us to discuss her background, development as a choreographer, positives takeaways from the past year and what she's looking forward to in the future!
Meet one of the newest members of the Boulder Ballet Professional Company - Ross Freeman! Boulder Ballet Artistic Director Lance Hardin also joins us to discuss the 2021 season!
Ana Clair and Claudia Anata Hubiak discuss Boulder Ballet's upcoming virtual Nutcracker Suite! Photo by Lexi Evans
Boulder Ballet Executive Director Claudia Anata Hubiak and Boulder Ballet Artistic Director Lance Hardin discuss the upcoming Colorado Gives Day and its importance to Boulder Ballet
Noah Slade Yarnell joins us to discuss dealing with the wide variety of changes that COVID 19 has brought to her life - the negatives, the silver linings and the positives!
Colorado Ballet's Kevin Gael Thomas joins us to discuss the value of improvisation while training at home!
Choreographers Amy Earnest and Lance Hardin join Composter Michael Schulze to discuss the work that goes into their unique collaborations. The three have combined to create some truly amazing performances with the Boulder Ballet Company Dancers.
Boulder Ballet Executive Director Claudia Anata Hubiak discusses taking on the challenges facing the Company and School during social distancing times as well as the many activities, performances, interactive presentations and much more that we have to look forward to with BB!
Emma discusses her season as a Company apprentice dancer and how it has motivated her to continue her career in ballet. Covid 19 may have interrupted her professional progression but it certainly hasn't stopped her!
Kelly Dornan discusses how the shut down affected her and how she has been able to make this as positive an experience as possible. Kelly is working hard and determined to be ready to go when the season returns.
Lance Hardin and Amy Earnest discuss the importance of keeping in touch and engaged with both the Boulder Ballet School and Company. They talk about the challenges and learning curve of teaching online and what we, as parents, can do to make this an effective learning time for our dancers.
Ana Claire and Claire Davison discuss the challenges of both teaching and learning online. The two make a wonderful combination for both Boulder Ballet School and the Boulder Ballet Company!
Carly Hambridge is staying as busy (and positive) as possible with a full teaching schedule during our shut down. She looks for the silver lining to the forced time off and is ready to come back even stronger than before. Photo by Gene Schiavone
Melissa Heslep was enjoying a highly successful season when Covid brought it to an immediate halt. Melissa is making the best of a tough situation through teaching, work and working out at home. Melissa discusses the challenges she's currently facing with an uncertain season and how she maintains her positive attitude. Photo by Amanda Tipton
Dancing and working out are Matthew Helms' life. Covid 19 took both of those away from him on the same day. Matthew maintains a positive outlook and is keeping himself moving and active. He discusses how he's dealing with a life turned upside down and sideways. Photo by Amanda Tipton
Following graduation, Katherine Codrescu decided to pursue her dream of dancing professionally and postpone college for a year. Katherine was having a fantastic year until recent events cut the season short. Katherine discusses what this year has meant for her and how she remains fit and focused on being at her best when the season begins again. Photo by Amanda Tipton
Kate Adams joins us to discuss life during coronavirus. Kate has overcome many obstacles to become a professional dancer. One of these has left her immunocompromised so she's facing some especially nervous times. Kate talks about maintaining a positive attitude, studying to be a nurse and how she's dealing with strict quarantine. Photo by Amanda Tipton
Phoebe Magna discusses the impact of COVID-19 on the ballet season. She talks about mental and physical preparation so she's ready to go when the Company is able to start rehearsals again. Photo by Amanda Tipton
Teacher/Coach at Paul Taylor American Modern Dance shares some of his history as both a performer and coach. He also discusses his time working with the Boulder Ballet Company.
Boulder Ballet Company Dancer Melissa Heslep joins us to talk about her upcoming performances in Cinderella!
Kevin Gael Thomas discusses the upcoming Thomas Dance Project performance of Beyond Borders.
Boulder Ballet Company Dancer Ryland Early discusses his winning piece from "Faces" being performed at the upcoming New Horizons, his strength in choreography and performing as Gepetto with the BBS dancers in this Spring's Storybook Ballet.
Boulder Ballet School dancer Julia Curd joins us to talk about her incredibly busy schedule (in which she thrives!), her dance background, favorite roles to date and her upcoming performance as the Cricket in Boulder Ballet's Storybook Ballet.
Performances are: Friday, March 15, 2019 at 7pm Saturday, March 16, 2019 at 2pm Sunday, March 17, 2019 at 2pm Dairy ARTS Center – 2590 Walnut St. Boulder, Gordon Gamm Theater
BBS Dancer Katherine Codrescu talks about her beginnings in dance and her development through the years. As the Senior in high school nears graduation she's looking to explore her options as a professional dancer. Katherine will be performing in the upcoming Storybook Ballet of Pinocchio as the Blue Fairy!
Choreographers Amy Earnest and Lance Hardin have joined with composer Michael Schulze to produce magic during Boulder Ballet's "Stepping Out" the past two years. This year they have come together once again to create a piece for New Horizons based on the Seven Deadly Sins. Amy, Lance and Michael join us for a discussion about the upcoming performance.
Boulder Ballet Executive Director Wrenn Combs joins us for the first in our series on the upcoming Boulder Ballet Winter Show - New Horizons!
Phoebe Magna and Shane Powell discuss the upcoming Miami International Ballet Competition where they will be representing Boulder Ballet in the Pas competition January 23-27, 2019! Photo by Ashkan Roayaee
Clair Davison joins us to talk about the upcoming Boulder Ballet Winter Show - New Horizons and her original choreography to be performed in the show!
So fun to talk with Gabe and Roberta Brenza a unique mother - son pair who have performed the Nutcracker for the past several years. This one is special as it will be their last Nutcracker performance together. Gabe will be performing the roles of Rat and Russian. Roberta takes the stage as a wonderful Mother Ginger.
Anastasia Diener joins us to discuss her roles in Nutcrackers past as well as her performing as the Dragon during this year's Nutcracker!
Finlay Patterson discusses how exciting it was to not only find out he'd been cast in the role of Fritz but to face the added challenges the role brings to this, his second Nutcracker!
Boulder Ballet Company Dancers Lexi Evans and Kate Adams discuss the upcoming Nutcracker as well as Nutcrackers past.
Company Dancer Melissa Heslep discusses Nutcrackers past and present as well as her enthusiasm for performing the role of the Dew Drop Fairy this year!
Delfina Todd has been a Plumette the past two years and is excited to be a mouse this year - she's especially excited to be the mouse who has the scene with the cannon!
Rory Sweedler has been a part of Boulder Ballet's Nutcracker for 8 years! She joins us to discuss her roles this year as a Flower and understudy for Snow!
Hazel Rinehart and Audrey Philpott are performing as Clara in Boulder Ballet's 2018 edition of "The Nutcracker"! Appreciate them taking time out of their busy schedule to chat with us. In Part 1 of our Claras interview, Audrey and Hazel discuss the responsibility that comes with the role of Clara, character development, what it's like to change from Clara to Dignitary and much more.
Meet the Longmont Symphony Orchestra's Music Director & Conductor Elliot Moore. Some of the topics Elliot discusses include working with Ana Claire, how he watches the ballet while conducting the orchestra, his interest in music and much more.
Paul Mullikin - the Assistant Principal Percussionist for the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra joins us to discuss his love of performing, background in music and much more!
Gary Lewis - Principal Guest Conductor for the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra joins us to talk about the conductor's point of view during a performance, awareness of orchestra, dancers and audience, his musical background and much more!
Mice Lexie Miller (age 8) and Ruth Clement (age 9) share their excitement of performing as mice in their first Nutcracker performance! For tickets go to www.BoulderPhil.org/nutcracker
Emily, Frances and Noah discuss their favorite roles, enjoyment of performing in The Nutcracker, importance of dance in their lives. Just a fun conversation with three great young ladies!
Artistic Director Ana Claire and Associate Artistic Director Lance Hardin discuss their future plans for Boulder Ballet going into the 2019-2020 season!
Meet 10 year old Sophia Siepmann who has been dancing for all but 2 of those years!! Level 4 dancer Sophia is cast as a Little Party Girl and a Cookie this year. She joins us to discuss her love of performing and her life of dance.
Boulder Ballet School's Lexi Zeilbeck tells how exciting it was to be cast as a mouse and being a part of the Nutcracker production. She also talks about her love of dance and how much she is looking forward to the performance.
Boulder Ballet School's Noah Slade-Yarnell shares her enthusiasm for being cast as a Dignitary in this year's edition of The Nutcracker. She also talks about what it was like to perform as Clara last year, her happiness for her friends being cast in the Clara role this year and her overall love of dance.
Company Dancer Melissa Heslep discusses the piece she is choreographing for "Faces". She talks about the inspiration for the piece and what it's like to work with others to convey her message. "Faces" takes place September 30 @ 4PM Gordon Gamm Theater at The Dairy Arts Center. Suggested admission is $10. In addition bring your dollars to vote for your favorite piece!
Apprentice Dancer Savannah Lee is choreographing and performing for the second time at the upcoming Boulder Ballet performance of "Faces". She discusses her inspiration for this year's piece and what it means to her. Bring your dollars to vote for your favorite piece! Faces takes place at the Gordon Gamm Theater located in The Dairy Arts Center, Sunday September 30 at 4PM. Suggested admission is $10.
Boulder Ballet Company Dancers Lexi Evans and Ryland Early discuss the upcoming performance of "Faces". The is the second year in a row the two have choreographed for the show. They talk about the amount of work and preparation that goes into this performance. Bring your dollars to vote for your favorite. Early's piece was the audience favorite last year! Faces will be performed Sunday September 30 at 4PM in the Gordon Gamm Theater at The Dairy Arts Center. Suggested admission is $10.
Artistic Director Ana Claire and Associate Artistic Director Lance Hardin discuss the upcoming season and the planning that goes in to putting the season together!
You seen Mihael in a number of performances with Boulder Ballet. The quiet, unassuming gentleman has an amazing story to share about his incredible journey to America (as well as his background in dance!).
Cliff Brody - CEO of National Performing Arts Funding Exchange - is working to change the way both the Performing Arts and potential sponsors view fundraising/sponsorships. Cliff brought his background in sports marketing to how he views the value performing arts bring to a sponsor.
Nan Streicher's last day at Boulder Ballet will be this Friday 7/27. Beth Litz will be stepping into Nan's shoes next Monday 7/30. Both join us for a discussion about Nan's time at Boulder Ballet as well as an introduction of Beth!
Ryland Early is coming off an extremely busy time with his new dance company Symbiosis. After weeks of preparation, the hard work paid off as Symbiosis performed to two sell out crowds over the weekend. Ryland discusses why he started his new company, what it's like to direct, choreograph and perform and his goals in the coming season. Dancers: Phoebe Magna, Kelsy Byrne and Danielle Beeman (Hannah Kahn Dance) Photo by Heather Walker
Julia Curd, Sydney Trebus, Siena DeSousa and Isabelle Lattimer check in with an update on their goals and experiences from the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet where they are currently attending a 5 week intensive camp!
Rory Sweedler joins us to discuss her interest in dance, choreography, musical theatre and much more!
Boulder Weekly Art & Culture Editor Caitlin Rockett joins us to discuss what makes a great story from both the reader and author point of view.
Boulder Ballet school dancer Finn Patterson has made great strides in the two years that he has been dancing. Finn discusses his early interests in dance, his favorite roles, juggling a schedule and much more!
Artistic Director Ana Claire and Assistant School Director Amy Earnest discuss ways to get the most out of Summer Intensives!
Boulder Ballet School dancer Evelyn Miller discusses her early interest in dance, what it was like to perform as Clara in The Nutcracker, her positive attitude, the joy of dance and Ballet in the Park.
Boulder Ballet Company dancers Phoebe Magna and Melissa Heslep stopped by to discuss Ballet in the Park following rehearsal for that very performance!
Boulder Ballet School dancers Julia Curd and Rory Sweedler discuss their beginnings in ballet and their prize winning choreography pieces (Sweedler won 'Peoples Choice' last year and Curd won 'Critics Choice' this year). Julia, Rory and two other school dancers will be performing Julia's 'Critics Choice' piece this weekend at Ballet in the Park!
Join us Saturday 6/2 at 7pm for the Boulder Ballet presentation of Ballet in the Park! Our podcast features 7 Boulder Ballet School students, guest performer Kevin Gael Thomas and Artistic Director Ana Claire
Erin Tunbridge (T2 Dance Project)and Kevin Gael Thomas their upcoming collaboration "Home" being performed June 8-9 at Colorado Ballet's Black Box Theatre.
Former Boulder Ballet apprentice dancer Savannah Lee's lifelong dream was to be a ballet dancer. As she worked toward her goal she happened upon the opportunity to try the lyra (aerial hoop). She loved the experience and has now combined her passions for dance and aerial. Savannah sat down with us to share her story.
We caught up with some of the Giselle cast members following the opening night performance!
Meet Artistic Director and Choreographer of the Thomas Dance Project Kevin Gael Thomas! Kevin was contacted a week ago to fill in for an injured performer. He took some time to chat with us following the final dress rehearsal for Giselle about a number of topics including his beginnings in dance and why you should never ask him to sing.
Boulder Ballet company dancers Ryland Early and Phoebe Magna check in after wrapping up today's rehearsal for the upcoming performance of Giselle!
Ana Clair, Lance Hardin, Ryland Early, Phoebe Magna, Carly Hambridge and Matthew Helms talk about the final two weeks of preparation heading into their performance of Giselle.
Boulder Ballet Faculty Staff member Becky Jancosko discusses why "Giselle" is such an important performance for the company dancers as well as those in the school. She also talks about her background as a dancer and how this effects her work as an instructor.
Company Dancers Matthew Helms and Carly Hambridge discuss developing trust when pairing with a new partner including lifts, catches, release and pas de deux.
Boulder Ballet's Assistant Director Lance Hardin and Company Dancer Matthew Helms joins us to discuss the importance of acting during a ballet performance and the huge role acting plays in "Giselle"
Boulder Ballet Company Dancer Carly Hambridge is winding up her first year with the Company in the title role of Giselle! Carly discusses why she came to Boulder, the physicality required for a full length ballet, building trust with a dance partner and more. Photo credit Rachel Neville Photography
Boulder Ballet Company Dancer Ryland Early will be performing as Albrecht in the upcoming performance of "Giselle". Ryland joins us this evening to discuss Stepping Out and Giselle!
Boulder Ballet Apprentice Dancer Lexi Greenberger joins us to discuss her roles in the upcoming performance of "Giselle".
Boulder Ballet Company Dancer Melissa Heslep joins us for the second episode in our series Giselle series. Melissa will perform multiple roles in the upcoming performance and discusses her preparation and what she brings to this performance.
Boulder Ballet Company Dancer Matthew Helms joins us to discuss the upcoming performance of "Giselle". Helms, who will dance the role of Albrecht, tells why this is one of his favorite ballets and why it has such meaning to him.
Elizabeth Barnes recently dazzled us with her performance as the Evil Queen in Boulder Ballet's Storybook Ballet "Snow White". Elizabeth joins us to discuss her beginnings in dance, some of her favorite roles and plans for the future.
Wrenn Combs and Ana Claire discuss the benefits of contributing to the new Boulder Ballet Dancers Fund!
Meet Snow White! Mia Lochhead, who you recently saw as the Nanny in Boulder Ballet's presentation of The Nutcracker, brings her considerable talent to the lead role in the Storybook Ballet performance of Snow White.
Meet Grumpy! Noah Slade-Yarnell (who's roles, among many others, include Toto in last year's Wizard of Oz and young Clara in The Nutcracker) brings her love of dance to the stage as 'Grumpy' in this year's performance of Snow White.
Snow White is based on the German fairytale by the Brothers Grimm. It tells the classic story of the princess and her stepmother, the evil queen, who is envious of Snow White’s beauty. This production will also feature the well-known cast of characters including the seven dwarfs, the huntsman, and the handsome prince as well as the magic mirror and poisoned apple. Snow White is choreographed by Amy Earnest and features the students of Boulder Ballet School.
Friday, March 9 at 7PM Saturday, March 10 at 2PM Sunday, March 11 at 2PM Dairy ARTS Center – 2590 Walnut St. Boulder
Composer Michael Schulze joins us to discuss the inspiration for his Stepping Out score. We also delve into the creative process of this incredibly talented musician! For a free download of his score please go to https://soundcloud.com/michaeljschulze/sets/deprogramme
Boulder Ballet Company Dancer Ryland Early will not only be performing at the 2018 Stepping Out - he also will be directing, choreographing (and dancing!) in one of the portions as well!
Boulder Ballet's Artistic Director Ana Claire joins us to discuss the upcoming Stepping Out!
Boulder Ballet Company Dancer Phoebe Magna joins us to discuss the upcoming performance of Stepping Out!
Boulder Ballet company dancer Phoebe Magna joins us for a post Nutcracker wrap up as well as to talk about the upcoming fundraiser for Boulder Ballet - The Nutty Nutcracker!
Cobin Tonsmeire performs the character Fritz as I've never seen. He brings an empathetic, human side to mischievous Fritz that allows us to identify with him. Cobin combines his dance with acting skills that belie him only performing for three years to date!
Kate Adams, who will be dancing Maid, Snow, Flower and Arabian in each performance of Boulder Ballet's The Nutcracker this season, joins us!
Meet Boulder Ballet company dancer Phoebe Magna who will be performing this year as Adult Clara, Doll and Marzipan!
Matthew Helms Company Dancer Matthew Helms joins us to discuss dance and a new athletic pursuit for him as he recently entered a body building competition!
Boulder Ballet Artistic Director Ana Claire joins us to discuss rising to the challenge of working through a cast member's recent injury as well as some exciting changes to the choreography this year! Brought to you by Mike's Camera
Associate Artistic Director Lance Hardin joins us for a discussion of the 2017 performance of The Nutcracker. He talks about directing as well as performing, cast selection and much more!
Master Class instructor Victoria Schnieder discusses her background in both dance and teaching. She also touches on development at different phases for the dancers and how she maintains a fun (and successful) learning environment
Claire Davison joins us in Studio 2 to discuss the arts in her life, goals with ballet, auditions, acting, the upcoming Nutcracker auditions and growing up with the talented Ana Claire as her mother.
Artistic Director Ana Claire discusses Boulder Ballet's upcoming Master Classes during which Victoria Schneider and Ana Claire will daily 2.5 hour lessons (August 7-10) for levels 4A-7/Adult. Master Class is filling quickly so sign up as soon as possible!
Artistic Director Ana Claire joins us to talk about Boulder Ballet's upcoming Summer Intensive Showing. Dancers have been putting in full days of hard work for the past three weeks and will demonstrate some of what they've learned this Friday. The Summer Intensive Showing takes place from 3:00PM-4:00PM Friday July 28 at The Dairy. It is free and open to the public!
Lance Hardin discusses the upcoming Ballet in the Park which takes place June 17th at Highlands Ranch and June 18th - Father's Day - at Central Park in Boulder.
Boulder Ballet company dancer Ryland Early discusses his beginnings in dance, favorite performances and the upcoming Ballet in the Park
Kelsey Byrne discusses her beginnings in dance, keeping a positive attitude through the audition process, joining Boulder Ballet and the upcoming Ballet in the Park and Brainsong performances.
Ballet in the Park will be Martin Justo's final performance with Boulder Ballet. He's looking forward to a great event to wrap up his time with us in Colorado!
Julie Marshall and Ana Claire join us to discuss the upcoming "Brainsong" performance which will be held this Father's Day.
Boulder Ballet's Artistic Director Ana Claire joins us to discuss the upcoming Year End Gala!
Boulder Ballet's Artistic Director Ana Claire joins us to discuss the upcoming Choreographer's Showcase and BB2
Melissa Heslep joins us to discuss the upcoming Boulder Ballet production of 2 Witches & a Prince
Dionysios Mitsios joins us to discuss the upcoming Boulder Ballet production of 2 Witches & a Prince
Matthew Helms joins us to discuss the upcoming production of Boulder Ballet's 2 Witches & a Prince.
Creative Director Ana Claire joins us to discuss the upcoming Boulder Ballet production of 2 Witches & a Prince
Director Ana Claire joins us just before Dress Rehearsal for a preview of this weekend's Storybook Ballet: The Wizard of Oz!
Matt Helms joins us post performance to talk about Stepping Out 2017. Composer Michael Schulze joins in as well!
Ana Claire joins us to discuss the upcoming fundraiser at the Governor's Mansion as well as a preview of Stepping Out!
Boulder Ballet's Kate Adams joins us to discuss her visit to The Children's Hospital during Nutcracker Season. The visit was especially poignant to Adams as she spent so much time as a patient at The Children's Hospital.
Lance Hardin joins us to discuss Boulder Ballet's involvement with the University of Colorado Football Team's off season training. Lance and Matthew Helms are instructing 95 football players in the art of ballet!