Sep 09

One Dark Night…, A Rock Symphony of the Macabre

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet Press Releases

CLEVELAND, OH (September 12, 2019) – One Dark Night…, A Rock Symphony of the Macabre, returns to the Akron Civic Theatre on Saturday, October 19, 2019 at 8:00pm. A terrifying orchestral exploration of all things evil and dark from the world’s greatest composers reimagined through the guitar of rock maestro Neil Zaza. This symphony of fear mixes dark, powerful arrangements of macabre classical masterpieces by Beethoven, Mozart, Chopin, Prokofiev, Saint-Saëns and others with the fury of a rock band and orchestra. Zaza accompanied by a string orchestra and a rock band will take audiences on a musical journey. The visually impressive stage set, light show and multi-media screens tell the evil tale of the monster within and add a whole new way to experience the music. Never before has Halloween and the season of the supernatural come to life like this!

Verb Ballets will make a guest appearance on the show performing the critically acclaimed Adagio Reimagined and two new choreographic works by Antonio Morillo and Daniel Cho. Choreographer Sabatino Verlezza choreographed Adagio Reimagined to Zaza’s rock score of Albinoni’s Adagio in G Minor. Verlezza was a soloist with the May O’Donnell Dance Company and served as co-artistic director/choreographer of Dancing Wheels. Verb Ballets dancers Morillo and Cho will bring visualize to the fiery interpretation of Zaza instrumental guitarist known for a keen melodic sense and technical fury. Together these artists will build upon these classic selections to demonstrate technical virtuosity with rock style that fit the dark spirt of the Halloween season.

The evening will feature a special appearance by the legendary Tim “Ripper” Owens. This Grammy nominated American hard rock singer from Akron first gained attention as the lead singer of Judas Priest and then Iced Earth and Yngwie Malmsteen. Tim currently tours the world as a solo artist and performs as the lead singer for the band Charred Walls of the Damned with Richard Christy plus he also sings with Dio Disciples. With his incredible tour schedule the stars have aligned to join Zaza on stage in One Dark Night.

Never before has Halloween and the season of the supernatural come to life like this! One Dark Night…, A Rock Symphony of the Macabre, on October 19, 2019 at 8:00pm at the Akron Civic Theatre. Single tickets are $25-35 an exclusive $75 VIP ticket includes a post meet and greet with a signed poster. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Akron Civic Box Office at 330-253-2488 or online at akroncivic.com. The Akron Civic Theatre is located at 182 South Main Street Akron, Ohio 44308.

Sep 09

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Tuesday Musical presents Verb Ballets and the Chamber Music Society of Ohio

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet Press Releases

CLEVELAND, OH (September 9, 2019) – Verb Ballets is honored to be presented on Tuesday Musical’s Fuze Series Thursday, October 10, 2019 at Akron’s E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall. Tuesday Musical is partnering with Verb Ballets and The Chamber Music Society of Ohio (CMSO) to celebrate two Akron arts legends: jazz pianist/composer Pat Pace and Ohio Ballet founder/choreographer Heinz Poll. Verb Ballets will perform Poll’s Rococo Variations in the original costumes, marking the piece’s first performance since Ohio Ballet closed following Poll’s passing in 2006. The concert will highlight jazz musician, Pace, with a new full ensemble ballet choreographed by Verb Ballets dancer, Kate Webb. That program also features Shéhérazade Retold; a reconceived tale of a woman inspired to warrior choreographed by Loretta Simon. The dancers will share the stage with live accompaniment by the musicians of the Chamber Music Society of Ohio.

Simon, a graduate of Youngstown State University has been working in Europe for the last eighteen years. An award-winning performer and choreographer, she is a passionate teacher who has been on faculty at Cleveland School of Arts and Cleveland State University. Most recently she has worked as a freelance choreographer. Simon restaged and adapted the work Shéhérazade Retold on the company August 12-16, 2019. In her version Shéhérazade is not just a fascination with the oriental and exotic culture, it is a story of forbearance, enlightenment, and heroism.

Webb will choreograph a new piece to Pace’s Excursions September 11-18, 2019. Poll created a work to the same music that first premiered by Ohio Ballet in 1982. Webb is inspired by the life cycle of a star in her new full ensemble ballet, Stellar Syncopations. Mirroring the voracious piano, the stars can be placidly smooth, or unexpectedly syncopated.

Richard Dickinson, Verb Ballets Associate Artistic Director and former Ohio Ballet dancer, will restage Rococo Variations the week of September 4-10, 2019. Rococo Variations is set to Tschaikovsky’s score titled Variations on a Rococo Theme. Choreographed by the late Heinz Poll the ballet features two principle female dancers and their partners with a corps de ballet of four female dancers. Costumed in English-style tutus this ballet highlights the technical virtuosity of the dancers and the beauty of the score on cello and piano.

Tuesday Musical’s Fuze concert Akron Legends of Jazz and Dance begins at 7:30pm. Single concert tickets for Fuze are for $45. Student tickets are free for all Tuesday Musical concerts. Tickets can be purchased by calling 330-761-3460 or online tuesdaymusical.org. E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall is located at 198 Hill St Akron, OH 44325. Before the performance: Enjoy intimate “Concert Conversation” with creators of this special evening at 6:30pm in E.J.’s Flying Balcony.

Sep 09

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Kate Webb to bring stars through the music of Pat Pace

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet News

Verb Ballets is proud to have dancer Kate Webb step into a different role as choreographer in the studio the week of September 11-18, 2019. Kate Webb has danced with Verb Ballets since 2015. She grew up in Richmond, Virginia where she danced both as a student and as a trainee with Richmond Ballet. This is her fourth work she has choreographed on the company.

In this new work she is creating a new full ensemble ballet to the music of Akron Jazz icon, Pat Pace. Webb’s new work is titled Stellar Syncopations and is inspired by the life cycle of a star. Mirroring the voracious piano, the stars can be placidly smooth, or unexpectedly syncopated. The company premiere will feature live accompaniment by the musicians of the Chamber Music Society of Ohio. The Akron premiere will take place at Tuesday Musical’s Fuze Series on October 10, 2019 at EJ Thomas Performing Arts Hall. This piece was curated with the show honoring the work of Heinz Poll because he also created a work to the same music that premiered by Ohio Ballet in 1982.

Don't miss the premiere!

Tuesday Musical Fuze Series: Akron Legends of Jazz and Dance
Thursday, October 10, 2019 EJ Thomas Hall

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Interview with the choreographer

How are you working with the music?
The music has been especially challenging. The best I can squeak out on the piano is chopsticks, so I am no match for the score of Pace Pace’s “Excursions”. However, I am a dancer who appreciates a strong connection between music and movement, so I must know phrasing intimately to generate choreography that naturally responds to the musical accents. This is particularly difficult with “Excursions” because it has so many meter changes and seemingly random overlaying melodies—it has taken me dozens and dozens of hours to map out the music so that I can understand it. I write a lot of notes, make a lot of mistakes, do lots of scratching and erasing, but eventually figure it out. Once I finally internalize a section of music, the movement easily comes to mind!

Your piece is about stars. Where did the inspiration come from?
Ever since I was a little girl I have always taken an interest in astronomy. My dad and I frequented the science museum and used to read “Scientific American” together, so I probably have a bit more knowledge about celestial objects than your average ballerina. When I first heard the music, I couldn’t help but notice the tings and chimes and how they reminded me of a star’s glinting in the night sky. After that thought came to mind, I began visualizing how the various musical movements each seemed to reflect a certain stage of a star’s lifecycle. It was an astronomical idea to abstract a stellar lifecycle, but one that I kept coming back to.

This show features live music—how has that impacted your process?
As a dancer, it is a gift to perform to live music because you collaborate in every moment to make stage magic even richer and more dynamic for the audience. As a choreographer, it is exciting to know that your work will be brought to life in that way, but it also forces you consider other details like cuing (i.e. how the musicians know when to start playing a certain section), tempos, where the musicians are placed in relationship to the dancers, etc. I have attended the musicians’ rehearsals as well as had phone conversations with the flautist, George Pope, to make sure that our line of communication is clear. We will have one rehearsal together at Verb’s studios before moving to the theater.

What is your process in developing a new work?
Usually, I find music that inspires me and see what general theme or idea naturally spawns from it. Then I start playing around with improv while listening to the music, noticing when certain steps or motions are palatable and jot them down in my notebook. I’ll also use my phone or iPad to capture some of my improvisation so I can go back and pull ingredients from it later. Once I have a solid idea of my theme and a well stocked pantry of steps, I get to work cooking them up into phrases of choreography. Once I give the meal to the dancers, I sometimes make tweaks based on what best suits their needs so I can cater to their taste and aesthetic.

What do you always do while stepping into the choreographer role?
I try to be both humble and prepared to lead. I work diligently outside of the studio to make the best use of the company’s rehearsal time leading up to and throughout the rehearsal process so I can create the best work possible in the time given. I also keep my mind open to changes—what you see in your head is often not what comes out in the studio…and sometimes that is for the best!

Is it hard to step out as a dancer and work with your colleagues in a different role?
It is and it isn’t. It throws my headspace off a bit because as a dancer, you are a team player, and it is rarely (if ever) your place to direct the room. I have to do a “mental quick-change” of sorts when I begin rehearsing my piece so that I switch gears to become an effective leader. My colleagues have been incredibly supportive of me in this choreographic role, so that definitely makes it easier. I can’t thank them enough for their patience and empowerment 🙂

Kate Webb

Kate Webb grew up in Richmond, Virginia where she danced both as a student and as a trainee with Richmond Ballet. She trained around the country at numerous intensive programs such as Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Boston Ballet, and Complexions Contemporary Ballet. Upon graduating from Appomattox Regional Governor’s School for the Arts, she attended Butler University on both dance and academic scholarships. While dancing with Butler Ballet, she performed in Poland, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. After fulfilling her degree in three years, she graduated cum laude in May of 2015 with a BS in Dance-Arts Administration and high departmental honors. Kate joined Verb Ballets in 2015 and has been featured in works such as Peter Pan and Aposiopesis.

Aug 15

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Loretta Simon to stage tale of Shéhérazade

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet News

Verb Ballet is proud to welcome guest choreographer Loretta Simon to the studio during the week of August 12- 16, 2019. Simon graduated from Youngstown State University, and after furthering her study with the Houston Ballet, she became a faculty member at Cleveland School of Arts & Cleveland State university; concurrently creating her own company: The Simon Dance Theatre. For the last eighteen years she has been living and working in Europe. Simon is an award-winning performer, choreographer, and a passionate teacher. In 2018, as a free lance choreographer, Simon created a modern piece to Ravel’s Shéhérazade, with the accompaniment of operatic singer Persephone Abbott. Simon returned this August from Europe especially to restage and adapt the work Shéhérazade Retold with the Verb Ballets.

Shéhérazade Retold is a reconceived tale, adapted from an original Arabic myth, about a highly cultured woman who is inspired to heroism. In the original myth, through an inner calling, Sheherazade sacrifices herself to abate the tragic suffering and killing of thousands of innocent young women. As a woman, Sherherazade embodies heroism, self-sacrifice and feminine empowerment. It is Shéhérazade’s instinctive will to survive and protect, that enables her to outwit the Sultan, successfully drawing upon her creative feminine wisdom, and guile – to prevent her own death, and so stops any future killings.

Sheherazade Retold is staged as the rousing prequel to the original myth; it shows Sheherazade viscerally bearing witness to the tragic deaths of the last innocent victims. However, it is through the poignant storytelling of the final girl’s life mercilessly cut short, that she is actively impelled to intercede on their behalf, rising up to fulfill her destiny. This powerful ancient myth now retold, resonates as strongly today as then.

The company premiere will feature live accompaniment by the musicians of the Chamber Music Society of Ohio. The Akron premiere will take place at Tuesday Musical’s Fuze Series on October 10, 2019 at EJ Thomas Performing Arts Hall.

Don't miss the premiere!

Tuesday Musical Fuze Series: Akron Legends of Jazz and Dance
Thursday, October 10, 2019 EJ Thomas Hall

GET TICKETS

Loretta Simon

A graduate of Youngstown State University with a minor in dance, Loretta studied at the American University Summer Dance (Wolf Trapp) program with members of both Merce Cunningham and Twyla Tharp companies. She continued her studies at Ballet Western Reserve and later the Houston Ballet. In Texas, she set up the Simon Dance Theater and created a dance video drama “Idol Time” inspired by a video dance workshop with Lynn Taylor-Corbette. A passionate teacher as well as performer and choreographer, she taught at the Cleveland School of Arts, chaired the dance department and also served as the assistant artistic director for the dance company of the Cleveland State University. During this period, she received a choreographic grant from the Ohio Arts Council for personal artistic development. She worked with Dr. Darwin Prioleau, now professor of Dance at Brockport College SUNY (“A Woman’s Thing”) and created two works with Courtney Laves Mearini, founder of City Ballet of Cleveland, and previously lead dancer at Atlanta Ballet, South Carolina Ballet Theater and Cleveland Ballet. One of those works – Through a Veil was performed at the Cain Park Outdoor Theater. After moving to Europe in 2001, Loretta set up Pilates for Everybody, offering training and therapy, but continued to work with dancers in the performing field. Her recent work includes choreography – Still Passings and coaching and choreography for Godinnen – an Asian dance group; coaching ballroom competitors in partnering and artistic interpretation. In 2018 she conceived and realized a piece for Ravel’s Shéhérazade, Shéhérazade Retold, with the vocal accompaniment of operatic singer Persephone Abbott.

Jul 26

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Meet the conductor

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet News

Verb Ballets performs with the Lakeside Symphony Orchestra conducted by Daniel Meyer at Lakeside Chautauqua in the Hoover Auditorium on Saturday, August 3, 2019, at 8:15 PM. The Lakeside Symphony Orchestra is made up of more than 90 musicians from across the country that have devoted many years of service to Lakeside community. This season Lakeside Chautauqua welcomes New Music Director & Conductor Daniel Meyer to the Lakeside Symphony Orchestra.

Witness the timeless tale of Carmen: The Story of Passion as it unfolds with a new interpretation of the classic characters choreographed by Associate Artistic Director, Richard Dickinson. Accompanied by the Lakeside Symphony Orchestra, the music drives the tale of obsession in desperate acts of desire in this love saga. Also, on the program Kay Eichman’s neo-classical ballet, Mendelssohn Italian Symphony, brings music visualization in the exuberant Allegro that will sweep you off your feet with the dancers’ technical virtuosity.

Daniel Meyer

A native of Cleveland and current resident of Pittsburgh, Meyer has reinvigorated orchestras with his innovative programs, engaging presence and keen musical intellect. As Music Director of the Erie Philharmonic, Meyer has built the ensemble into one of the finest and most vibrant orchestras of its kind. He was recently named Artistic Director of Cleveland’s BlueWater Chamber Orchestra, and also serves as Artistic Director for the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra and is Director of Orchestral Activities at Dusquesne University. Recent guest appearances include the Detroit Symphony, Rochester Philharmonic, Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, Württembergische Philharmonie, Staatsorchester Darmstadt and the Nuremberg Symphony in Germany. As part of his highly-acclaimed tenure as Music Director of the Asheville Symphony, Meyer created the Asheville Amadeus Festival featuring pianist Emanuel Ax and violinist Midori. He has led the symphony orchestras of Fort Worth, San Antonio, Syracuse, Tallahassee, Youngstown, Lexington, Portland, Santa Barbara, Lansing and Wheeling. Upon the invitation of Mariss Jansons, Meyer was named Resident Conductor of the Pittsburgh Symphony and Music Director of the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony, where he served until 2009. As Music Director of the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony, Meyer led the symphony on their first ever tour to China and an international tour to Vienna, Prague, Leipzig and Budapest. He studied conducting at the Hochschule für Musik in Vienna as a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar and is a graduate of Denison University and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. At Boston University, Meyer received the Orchestral Conducting Honors Award and was awarded the prestigious Aspen Conducting Prize from David Zinman. He received an honorary doctorate last year from Edinboro University.

Lakeside Symphony Orchestra Conductor Daniel Meyer approaches first season with passion.

By Laura Johnston, cleveland.com

Brought to you by Lakeside Chautauqua and rockthelake.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Daniel Meyer traveled to Lakeside Chautauqua as a boy, performing in Hoover Auditorium as a member of the Singing Angels children’s choir.

He distinctly remembers the hall, how huge the 2,600-seat space felt. He also remembers the community, a quaint and peaceful place, perched on the Lake Erie shore.

“I had very fond recollections of what lakeside was all about,” he said.
So when the Lakeside Symphony Orchestra last year searched for its first new conductor in 47 years, Meyer was intrigued.

Meyer, a 47-year-old Brunswick native and Denison University graduate, tried out last summer, along with five other guest conductors. He won the gig as music director and conductor and will lead the Lakeside Symphony Orchestra as it opens its 56th season July 31.

Read full article

For more than 140 years, Lakeside Chautauqua has welcomed families to the Lake Erie shore to take part in a summer Chautauqua experience dedicated to nurturing mind, body and spirit. Lakeside Chautauqua is an historic community in Ohio that offers an abundance of spiritual opportunities, educational lectures, cultural arts performances and recreational activities during its 10-week summer programming season. It is also a year-round destination for groups of all sizes. The performance is included with day passes to Lakeside Chatauqua. Day passes to the Lakeside Chautauqua are available for $23.50 for Adults and as always, kids age 12 & under and guests over age 90 are always free. Parking is an additional fee.

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Jul 17

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The Adagio Reimagined Project

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet News, Neil Zaza

Verb Ballets has commissioned The Adagio Reimagined Project in partnership with Jane Startzman featuring collaborating artists Neil Zaza and Sabatino Verlezza. The Adagio Reimagined Project will honor the legacy of Heinz Poll while presenting a bold new reinterpretation of the work featuring musical accompaniment by renowned instrumental rock guitarist, Zaza. The company will remount Poll’s Adagio for Two Dancers with permission of Jane Startzman. The original work was created in 1973 to the music Albinoni’s Adagio in G Minor for Strings and Organ. The ballet was danced in gold unitards and features striking sculptural poses with meticulous partnering giving the dancers a deity like quality.

The Adagio Reimagined Project was conceived as a unique way to commemorate the work of Heinz Poll and allow the work to be brought into the present with a modern interpretation. The idea came about when Festival Director, Jane Startzman heard Akron rock guitarist, Zaza performing a musical interpretation of Albinoni’s Adagio in G Minor at the Akron Civic Theatre. She found the reconstructed score breathtaking and was reminded of her time dancing Poll’s Adagio for Two Dancers. Startzman is the regisseur for the work and brought together Zaza and the Producing Artistic Director of Verb Ballets, Dr. Margaret Carlson, to the bring with work and music back to the stage.

Photos Kolman Rosenberg

Choreographer Sabatino Verlezza will create the new work to Neil Zaza’s rock score of Albinoni’s Adagio in G Minor. Verlezza was a soloist with the May O’Donnell Dance Company and has danced with among many other prominent artists. With fiery technical brilliance and breathtaking musical interpretation, Zaza has defined himself as the instrumental guitarist with an unparalleled ability to combine solid, catchy songwriting with a keen melodic sense and technical fury. Together these artists will reimagine the classic to demonstrate classical prowess with rock virtuosity. The Adagio Reimagined Project will be featured on the program at the Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival on July 26 and 27, 2019.

Neil Zaza

Not only has guitarist Neil Zaza helped to define the genre of melodic instrumental guitar, he has become a worldwide ambassador for the instrument itself. His melodic compositions have changed the way musicians play, and what audiences worldwide demand out of their guitar heroes. With fiery technical brilliance and breathtaking musical interpretation, Neil Zaza has defined himself as the instrumental guitarist with an unparalleled ability to combine solid, catchy songwriting with a keen melodic sense and technical fury. From his virtuoso rock solos, to laying a funk groove, to demonstrating his classical prowess by performing Bach and Mozart compositions, Zaza’s extreme versatility has been showcased worldwide in concerts, clinics, festivals, as well as on his own solo instrumental albums. Zaza has shared the bill with Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Dweezil Zappa, Steve & Mike Porcaro (Toto), Yngwie Malmsteen, Vinnie Moore, and Andy Summers among countless others. He has performed on albums by Dweezil Zappa, Eric Carmen, Michael Stanley and also supplied guitar tracks for a Stewart Copeland-produced movie soundtrack.

It all began… in Akron, Ohio, where Neil Zaza was born, and still resides. Zaza started playing guitar at the age of 10 and went on to study classical guitar at The University of Akron under renowned educator and performer Stephen Aron. Zaza began to teach guitar, and in 1987 he formed the rock band Zaza, which quickly became one of the hottest U.S. touring bands at that time. After a successful run and even a hit song “Maybe Tomorrow”, the band disbanded, and a brilliant solo career began.

Sabatino Verlezza

Sabatino Verlezza danced with the May O’Donnell Dance Company (soloist) and Joyce Trisler Danscompany, Sophie Maslow, Norman Walker, Glenn-Lund Dance, and Dances/Janet Soares, among other artists. He has choreographed for numerous companies/individuals including the Joyce Trisler Danscompany, Joffrey II, Christopher Walken, Ben Vereen, and Billy Idol. He served as co-artistic director/choreographer of Cleveland-based Dancing Wheels, a company of professional dancers with and without disabilities. Since 1988, he has been Founder/Artistic Director of Verlezza Dance presenting his works nationally and internationally. Recently, Sabatino created a dance opera, ICARUS RISING with composer Elliot Sokolov, and co-choreographed Carmina Burana at Montclair State University. He currently performs with Verlezza Dance, Claire Porter/Portables, Meredith Fages and Heidi Lasky Dance. He is a certified Pilates Instructor and with Nancy Lushington and Barbara Allegra Verlezza is a Certifier of the May O’Donnell Dance Technique and Repertory. Sabatino is co-founder of ILLUMINATIONS Dance Company, an ensemble of multi-generational and nontraditional dancers based in St. Louis; and with certified dog trainer Suzanne Kalafian, 6 Hairy Legs, a dance-fitness platform for dogs and their human pets based in NC and OH. Sabatino is honored to work with Verb Ballets.

Jul 12

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New Company Manager

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet News

Verb Ballets is pleased to welcome Nakiasha Moore-Dunson to the newly created position of Company Manager for the 2019-20 season. In this new role she will assist Dr. Margaret Carlson, Producing Artistic Director, in coordinating business administration and development while managing the artists. “With the move into our new Center for Dance the increase in business necessitates the need to develop administrative capacity. Moore-Dunson’s experience and enthusiastic attitude will help drive Verb Ballets forward. I am pleased to welcome Nakiasha to Verb Ballets in her new capacity,” says Carlson.

Nakiasha Moore-Dunson

Company Manager

Nakiasha currently serves as the new company manager for Verb Ballets. Growing up in Akron, Ohio she danced with several studios and schools in the area. In 2010, she earned a B.A in Psychology and French from Washington and Jefferson College. “Kiasha” spent nearly a decade as a choreographer for musical theatre and choral productions for Hoover High School in North Canton, Ohio. She is currently working towards earning her master’s degree in Arts Administration from the University of Akron which she hopes to obtain by the end of the year. Nakiasha believes remaining curious as a life-long learner will always lead to positive results. She has non ironic love for movie musicals and can often be found spending time with her family.

Interview with Nakiasha Moore-Dunson

What road led you to your current position?
I would have to say my journey to company manager has been a life split between the creative and the administrative. A resident of Akron, Ohio, I grew up dancing at various studios and schools in the area. I loved the creative process but I was not interested in a professional performance career. In 2010 I earned my bachelor’s degree in Psychology and French from Washington & Jefferson College while occasionally taking dance classes back home. Afterwards, I spent 9 years as a choreographer for North Canton’s Hoover High School while working as a verbatim hearing reporter. “My kids” helped me realize how much I wanted to spend the rest of my life working in and helping connect people to the Arts. I found the UA Arts Admin graduate program where I also served as a summer intern with DanceCleveland for their Summer Dance Festival and as well as a grant writer and audience engagement fellow with the National Center for Choreography at the University of Akron.

In addition to working at Verb you are finishing up your masters in arts administration at the University of Akron. What are you doing your thesis on?
My thesis is titled “Arts Engagement and the African American community in Summit County. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion has become an important topic within the Arts and Culture field and the topic came from wanting to understand how organizations interact with this community and how the African American community engages with the arts as a whole on a local level. Every locality has its own unique history, culture and challenges and is deserving of study in my opinion.

What drew you to the opportunity to work with Verb Ballets?
I spoke to Dr. Carlson for an informational interview I did as a part of my colloquium in the arts course for college. My task was to speak with an executive/artistic director of an arts organization to understand their career path and how they manage their organizations. When I heard the position was available, I sent my resume and I was lucky enough to get the job. Dr. Carlson is a great administrator and I wanted to work closely with someone for whom I could learn as an administrator just entering the field.

What are you looking forward to most in your job?
I am most excited to help support Verb Ballets expanding efforts in reaching out to the surrounding community in its new location! I am also looking to learning as much as I can from everyone so that I may be an asset to the organization.

What project or choreographer are you looking forward to working with this season?
I have been fascinated with two projects actually: The Cleveland Havana Ballet Project and Moving Connections.

In addition to working at Verb you are finishing up your masters in arts administration at the University of Akron. What are you doing your thesis on? You have a background in musicals and choral. Are you also a singer?
I’m actually not a singer. You wouldn’t want to hear me sing 🙂 Choreographing came about as one of those happy accidents. Extra help was needed for large production of Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat and I fell in love with it. It allowed me to be creative and learn new skills through teaching and being a part of a production team. However, the most rewarding part was seeing kids gain self-confidence through dance.

Jun 07

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Summer Series Kicks Off The 2019-20 Season

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet News, Performances

Verb Ballets will delight audiences this summer with performances throughout Northeast Ohio with entertaining programming and brilliant dancing. The featured works will range from story ballets to instrumental rock ballets. The contemporary ballet company’s Summer Season includes return appearances at the Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival on July 26-27th at a brand-new location, Lakeside Chautauqua on August 3rd with the Lakeside Symphony Orchestra and Tremont’s Arts in August on August 10th. And, for the first time, the company will open its doors to the studio and welcome the community in for a family series, Ballet Under the Stars, on July 19th and August 16th.

Ballet Under the Stars
July 19, 2019 7:30pm

Verb Ballets kicks off the summer season by opening the doors to its studio and welcoming the community in with the original series, Ballet Under the Stars. The evening will feature a free all-ages dance class and performance of Mowgli’s Jungle Adventures. The ballet is based on Rudyard Kipling’s classic tale of an Indian boy abandoned by his parents and raised by a pack of wolves. Shah Capital Management is proud to be the Producer and Exclusive Sponsor for Mowgli’s Jungle Adventures choreographed by Associate Artistic Director, Richard Dickinson. Ballet Under the Stars is made possible by RPM and Dominion. A 30-minute ballet class and a 45-minute performance. An additional performance and class has been added due to popular demand. Guests are invited to bring blankets and/or a chair and a picnic dinner. The Verb Ballets Center for Dance is located at 3558 Lee Rd., Shaker Heights, OH 44120.

Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival
July 26-27, 2019 8:45PM

Verb Ballets returns to The Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival at the new West Akron location of Forest Lodge Park on July 26 & 27, 2019. The performances at Forest Lodge will mark the company premier of the Cuban Ballet Majisimo, as part of the Cleveland Havana Ballet Project! Also premiering on the program will be The Adagio Reimagined Project; fusing the work of Heinz Poll and rock guitarist Neil Zaza and choreographer Sabatino Verlezza. Back by popular demand, Carmen: The Story of Passion, choreographed by Associate Artistic Director, Richard Dickinson returns to the stage. Witness the timeless tale as it unfolds with a new interpretation of the classic love saga of obsession and desire. Guests are invited to bring blankets and/or a chair. On stage children’s activities lead by Dance Institute start at 7:45pm. Forest Lodge Park is located at 260 Greenwood Ave, Akron, OH 44313.

Lakeside Chautauqua
August 3, 2019 8:15pm

Verb Ballets performs with the Lakeside Symphony Orchestra conducted by Daniel Meyer at Lakeside Chautauqua in the Hoover Auditorium on Saturday, August 3, 2019, at 8:15 PM. Witness the timeless tale of Carmen: The Story of Passion as it unfolds with a new interpretation of the classic characters choreographed by Associate Artistic Director, Richard Dickinson. Accompanied by the Lakeside Symphony Orchestra, the music drives the tale of obsession in desperate acts of desire in this love saga. Also on the program, Kay Eichman’s neo-classical ballet, Mendelssohn Italian Symphony, brings music visualization in the exuberant Allegro that will sweep you off your feet with the dancers’ technical virtuosity. The performance is free with day passes to the Lakeside Chautauqua which are available for $23.50 for Adults and kids age 12 & under and guests over age 90 are free. Lakeside Chautauqua is a gated community located at 236 Walnut Avenue Lakeside, Ohio 43440.

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Tremont Arts in August
August 10, 2019 8:30PM

Verb Ballets returns to perform at Tremont’s Arts in August on Saturday, August 10, 2019. This free community performance at Lincoln Park will feature, Majisimo, a thrilling new ballet staged by Cuban dance legend, Laura Alonso as part of the Cleveland Havana Ballet Project. First created in 1965 for the National Ballet of Cuba this fan snapping Spanish-infused ballet is in the repertory of major ballet companies across the hemisphere. Paganini Rhapsody, choreographed by Associate Artistic Director, Richard Dickinson will showoff the speedy footwork and inventive partnering of the Verb Ballets dancers. Guests are invited to bring blankets and/or a chair. The performance will start at 8:30pm. Lincoln Park, located at W. 14th and Starkweather in the heart of Tremont.

Ballet Under the Stars
August 16, 2019 7:30pm

Join us for our second performance in the new series and welcome the community in with, Ballet Under the Stars. The evening begins with a free children’s dance class followed by a performance featuring highlights from the summer repertory. Ballet Under the Stars is made possible by RPM, Inc and Dominion. The class begins at 6:30pm followed by the performance at 7:30pm. Guests are invited to bring blankets and/or a chair and a picnic dinner. The Verb Ballets Center for Dance is located at 3558 Lee Rd., Shaker Heights, OH 44120.

Jun 01

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2019-20 Summer Series

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet Press Releases

CLEVELAND, OH (June 1, 2019) – Verb Ballets will delight audiences this summer with performances throughout Northeast Ohio with entertaining programming and brilliant dancing. The featured works will range from story ballets to instrumental rock ballets. The contemporary ballet company’s Summer Season includes return appearances at the Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival on July 26-27th at a brand-new location, Lakeside Chautauqua on August 3rd with the Lakeside Symphony Orchestra and Tremont’s Arts in August on August 11th. And, for the first time, the company will open its doors to the studio and welcome the community in for a family series, Ballet Under the Stars, on July 19th and August 16th.

July 19, 2019 7:30pm
Ballet Under the Stars
Verb Ballets Center for Dance located at The Dealership
Verb Ballets kicks off the summer season by opening the doors to its studio and welcoming the community in with the original series, Ballet Under the Stars. The evening will begin with a free all-ages dance class followed by a performance of Mowgli’s Jungle Adventures. The ballet is based on Rudyard Kipling’s classic tale of an Indian boy abandoned by his parents and raised by a pack of wolves. Shah Capital Management is proud to be the Producer and Exclusive Sponsor for Mowgli’s Jungle Adventures choreographed by Associate Artistic Director, Richard Dickinson. Ballet Under the Stars is made possible by RPM and Dominion. A 30-minute ballet class for all ages at 6:30pm is followed by the performance at 7:30pm. Guests are invited to bring blankets and/or a chair and a picnic dinner. The Verb Ballets Center for Dance is located at 3558 Lee Rd., Shaker Heights, OH 44120.

July 26-27, 2019 8:45PM
Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival
Forest Lodge Park
Verb Ballets returns to The Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival at the new West Akron location of Forest Lodge Park on July 26 & 27, 2019. The performances at Forest Lodge will mark the company premier of the Cuban Ballet Majisimo, as part of the Cleveland Havana Ballet Project! Also premiering on the program will be The Adagio Reimagined Project; fusing the work of Heinz Poll and rock guitarist Neil Zaza and choreographer Sabatino Verlezza. Back by popular demand, Carmen: The Story of Passion, choreographed by Associate Artistic Director, Richard Dickinson returns to the stage. Witness the timeless tale as it unfolds with a new interpretation of the classic love saga of obsession and desire. Guests are invited to bring blankets and/or a chair. On stage children’s activities lead by Dance Institute start at 7:45pm. Forest Lodge Park is located at 260 Greenwood Ave, Akron, OH 44313.

August 3, 2019 8:15pm
Lakeside Chautauqua
Verb Ballets performs with the Lakeside Symphony Orchestra conducted by Daniel Meyer at Lakeside Chautauqua in the Hoover Auditorium on Saturday, August 3, 2019, at 8:15 PM. Witness the timeless tale of Carmen: The Story of Passion as it unfolds with a new interpretation of the classic characters choreographed by Associate Artistic Director, Richard Dickinson. Accompanied by the Lakeside Symphony Orchestra, the music drives the tale of obsession in desperate acts of desire in this love saga. Also on the program, Kaye Eichman’s neo-classical ballet, Mendelssohn Italian Symphony, brings music visualization in the exuberant Allegro that will sweep you off your feet with the dancers’ technical virtuosity. The performance is free with day passes to the Lakeside Chautauqua which are available for $23.50 for Adults and kids age 12 & under and guests over age 90 are free. Lakeside Chautauqua is a gated community located at 236 Walnut Avenue Lakeside, Ohio 43440.

August 10, 2019 8:30PM
Tremont Arts in August
Lincoln Park
Verb Ballets returns to perform at Tremont’s Arts in August on Saturday, August 10, 2019. This free community performance at Lincoln Park will feature, Majisimo, a thrilling new ballet staged by Cuban dance legend, Laura Alonso as part of the Cleveland Havana Ballet Project. First created in 1965 for the National Ballet of Cuba this fan snapping Spanish-infused ballet is in the repertory of major ballet companies across the hemisphere. Paganini Rhapsody, choreographed by Associate Artistic Director, Richard Dickinson will showoff the speedy footwork and inventive partnering of the Verb Ballets dancers. Guests are invited to bring blankets and/or a chair. The performance will start at 8:30pm. Lincoln Park, located at W. 14th and Starkweather in the heart of Tremont.

August 16, 2019 7:30pm
Ballet Under the Stars
Verb Ballets Center for Dance located at The Dealership
Join us for our second performance in the new series and welcome the community in with, Ballet Under the Stars. The evening begins with a free children’s dance class followed by a performance featuring highlights from the summer repertory. Ballet Under the Stars is made possible by RPM, Inc and Dominion. The class begins at 6:30pm followed by the performance at 7:30pm. Guests are invited to bring blankets and/or a chair and a picnic dinner. The Verb Ballets Center for Dance is located at 3558 Lee Rd., Shaker Heights, OH 44120.

May 18

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Dance Showcase

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet Performances, News

Dance Showcase

Join us for a celebratory evening of dance, Dance Showcase presented by Terry and Sheldon Adelman, featuring many of Northeast Ohio’s finest dancers. This year, Playhose Square is thrilled to present Dance Showcase as part of the Dance/USA 2019 Annual Conference and to showcase these fine artists in front of industry leaders from across the country! Featured Companies ABREPASO Flamenco/Alice Blumenfeld, Cleveland State University Dance Program, ELEVATED, GreeneWorks Project, GroundWorks DanceTheater, Inlet Dance Theatre, Neos Dance Theatre, Shri Kalaa Mandir and Verb Ballets. Plus a special guest appearance from BalletMet. Dance Showcase is an official event of the Dance/USA 2019 Annual Conference.