Sep 26

Verb Ballets to offer classes seven days a week

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet News

Dance For Everyone will now offer classes seven days a week! Beginning October 15, 2018, Verb Ballets’ Dance For Everyone (DFE) program is launching an expanded roster of classes ! If you danced as a kid or always dreamed of dancing there is a class for you. Classes are available for a variety of different ability levels from beginner to advanced. Classes are ongoing and are open to anyone who shares the love of dance. The Verb Ballets Center For Dance features large open air studios located at 3558 Lee Road in the rear garages of The Dealership. You can find us near the intersection of Lee Road and Lomond Boulevard near Chagrin Boulevard. In addition to the expanded schedule we are excited to offer a diverse array of ballet classes and new classes in Stretch and Musical Theater Jazz.

New Studio Location Opens September 27th

3558 Lee Rd. Shaker Hts, OH 44120

Entrance to the studio is located in the garages behind The Dealership. Pull in north driveway on right hand side of the building. Ample free parking is available.

New Class Schedule Starting October 15th!

Dance For Everyone

Monday

6:00pm-7:30pm Int/Adv Ballet
7:30pm-8:30pm Adverb Project Rehearsal

Tuesday

6:00-7:00pm, New to Ballet
7:00-8:30pm, Intermediate/Adv Ballet
8:30-9:00pm, Intermediate/Adv Pointe

Wednesday

5:30-6:45pm, Beginning Ballet
6:45-8:15pm, Advanced Ballet

Thursday

5:30- 6:30pm, New to Ballet
6:00-7:30pm, Intermediate Ballet
7:30-8:00pm, Pointe

Friday

8:30-9:30am, Total Body Stretch
4:15-5:15pm, Musical Theater Jazz

Saturday

10:00-11:30am, Int/Adv Ballet
11:45-12:15pm, Pointe

Sunday

11:00-12:30pm, Int/Adv Ballet
12:45-1:15pm, Pointe

Read about class descriptions

Learn more

Affordable Class Pricing

Classes are available for a variety of different ability levels from beginner to advanced. Drop ins welcome. No pre-registration necessary please come 10 minutes early to fill out paperwork. Discount available for Shaker Heights residents: $13/class or $110 for a 10 class card.

Single Class

$16

10 Class Pass

$130

The Dealership is an initiative of the Shaker Heights Development Corporation has leasable office spaces as well as flexible, co-working space for entrepreneurs, freelancers, and small businesses. Verb Ballets’ administrative office are located the in the old showroom with other small businesses. The studios are built in the garage of the old dealership. The vast space in the garage allowed us to build two studios and expand the number of classes offered for the community every week!

Aug 30

Love0

Directors of Verb Ballets part of U.S. Delegation to the Internationale Tanzmesse NRW

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet Press Releases

CLEVELAND, OH (August 29, 2018) – Verb Ballets’ Directors, Dr. Margaret Carlson and Richard Dickinson are proud to be part of the American Dance Abroad U.S. Delegation attending the internationale tanzmesse NRW in Germany from August 28- September 1, 2018. They will be working with American Dance Abroad hosting the American Corner booth #38, which includes U.S. organizations: Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, Soham Dance Space, Heidi Duckler Dance, Verb Ballets, Palissimo, ChristineBonansea Company, BODYART, Valerie Green/Dance Entropy, Patricia Noworol Dance Theater, ODC, Clairobscur Dance, White Bird, zoe|juniper and inkBoat. The delegation consists of artists representing American dance. Visit Booth #38 to meet the Americans and talk with Verb Ballets!

While in Europe the Directors of Verb Ballets will talk to presenters and programmers from around the world seeking bookings for The Cleveland Havana Ballet Project for the 2019-20 season and beyond. The international collaboration that toured Cuba in 2018, led by Dr. Margaret Carlson of Verb Ballets and Laura Alonso of ProDanza will continue to highlight the technical virtuosity associated with Cuban ballet and the bold style of American contemporary ballet. The Cleveland Havana Ballet showcases uniquely Cuban story ballets and innovative American repertory. Touring programs of full-length classical ballets include Le Chevalier, The Black Mozart based on the life of Joseph Bologne-recognized as the first classical composer of African origin. Other tour packages can be customized featuring dynamic repertory programs of captivating artistry, unique styles and technical excellence. More information can be found online: www.verbballets.org/clevelandhavanaballet.

The internationale tanzmesse NRW encompasses parallel congresses of world meetings, a humanities program of workshops and professional development, a festival, and a marketplace. The marketplace is the core of the professional activities, as it includes numerous opportunities for professionals to meet, network, and exchange information. It is the largest single gathering devoted to contemporary dance in the world. American Dance Abroad gratefully acknowledges the U.S. Consulate General Düsseldorf’s generous support of the American booth at internationale tanzmesse NRW 2018.
Verb Ballets’ Directors, Dr. Margaret Carlson and Richard Dickinson are proud to be part of the American Dance Abroad U.S. Delegation attending the internationale tanzmesse NRW in Germany from August 28- September 1, 2018. They will be working with American Dance Abroad hosting the American Corner booth #38, which includes U.S. organizations: Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, Soham Dance Space, Heidi Duckler Dance, Verb Ballets, Palissimo, ChristineBonansea Company, BODYART, Valerie Green/Dance Entropy, Patricia Noworol Dance Theater, ODC, Clairobscur Dance, White Bird, zoe|juniper and inkBoat. The delegation consists of artists representing American dance. Visit Booth #38 to meet the Americans and talk with Verb Ballets!

Photos or interviews available upon request by contacting
Jennifer Garlando, Director of Marketing & PR at jgarlando@verbballets.org.

About Verb Ballets
Verb Ballets, a contemporary ballet company, presents dynamic programming through bold artistry, unique styles and technical excellence that captivates audiences. Under the direction of Dr. Margaret Carlson, Producing Artistic Director and Richard Dickinson, MFA, Associate Artistic Director, the company will present a season that ignites passion in the energy, beauty and athleticism of dance. Critics have hailed Verb Ballets for its abilities to, “Dashing preconceptions …with keen dramatic power.” -The Plain Dealer, “(Verb) is dance magnifique.” – The Examiner, “confident and polished, Verb’s dancers shone” – Dance International Magazine. Verb Ballets was named by Dance Magazine as one of 25 dance companies in America to watch. Internationally acclaimed, the company has toured Cuba and Taiwan. As one of the oldest dance organizations in Northeast Ohio we proudly produce high caliber work and continue to connect with our communities through performance and outreach. Additional information can be found at www.verbballets.org.

Verb Ballets performances are made possible through the generous support of The Cleveland Foundation, The George Gund Foundation, Cuyahoga Arts and Culture, Ohio Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts, Shah Capital, Millie Carlson Trust, Peg’s Foundation, Lubrizol Foundation, The Char and Chuck Fowler Family Foundation, The Akron Community Foundation, John P. Murphy Foundation, Nordson, Laub Foundation, Margaret Wong & Associates, St. Ignatius and Cedar Hill Communications.

NEW ADDRESS: Verb Ballets 3558 Lee Rd. Shaker Heights, OH 44120 • 216-397-3757 • www.verbballets.org
Facebook • Twitter • Instagram • YouTube @verbballets

About internationale tanzmesse NRW
The internationale tanzmesse NRW was created in the early ’90s by Anne Neumann, director of the Gesellschaftfür Zeitgenössichen TanzNRW (GZT), to facilitate international exchange and understanding among dance people worldwide. The GZT is a regional NGO that supports and provides service to the dance field of North Rhine Westphalia in Northwest Germany. Begun as a regional gathering, the internationale tanzmesse NRW has grown into an international meeting point of dance drawing professionals from over 40 countries. In 2002, Kajo Nelles and Carolelinda Dickey assumed leadership of the Tanzmesse. Kajo Nelles was named Director in 2004 and Carolelinda Dickey became the co-Director in 2006. In 2014, Felix Wittek became the Director of the Tanzmesse and with Carolelinda Dickey, Christian Wattyand Roman Arndt, a programming team was formed. Roman Arndt died in 2016.

Aug 29

Love6

Verb Ballets attends Internationale Tanzmesse NRW 2018

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet News

Verb Ballets’ Directors, Dr. Margaret Carlson and Richard Dickinson are proud to be part of the American Dance Abroad U.S. Delegation attending the internationale tanzmesse NRW in Germany from August 28- September 1, 2018. They will be working with American Dance Abroad hosting the American Corner booth #38, which includes U.S. organizations: Agatha Wright, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, Soham Dance Space, Heidi Duckler Dance, Verb Ballets, Palissimo, ChristineBonansea Company, BODYART, Valerie Green/Dance Entropy, Patricia Noworol Dance Theater, ODC, Clairobscur Dance, White Bird, zoe|juniper and inkBoat. The delegation consists of artists representing American dance.

Visit Booth #38 to meet the Americans and talk with Verb Ballets!

Booth #38 American Dance Abroad

Verb Ballets seeking bookings for The Cleveland Havana Ballet Project

While in Europe the Directors of Verb Ballets will talk to presenters and programmers from around the world seeking bookings for The Cleveland Havana Ballet Project for the 2019-20 season and beyond. The international collaboration that toured Cuba in 2018, led by Dr. Margaret Carlson of Verb Ballets and Laura Alonso of ProDanza will continue to highlight the technical virtuosity associated with Cuban ballet and the bold style of American contemporary ballet. The Cleveland Havana Ballet showcases uniquely Cuban story ballets and innovative American repertory. Touring programs of full-length classical ballets include Le Chevalier, The Black Mozart based on the life of Joseph Bologne-recognized as the first classical composer of African origin. Other tour packages can be customized featuring dynamic repertory programs of captivating artistry, unique styles and technical excellence. More information can be found online here.

American Dance Abroad is a national organization that seeks equitable cultural engagement among American dance artists and companies and their international counterparts. It facilitates introductions and creates opportunities for artistic discovery and dialogue. Acknowledging that international dance currently has a broad presence in the United States, American Dance Abroad’s primary mandate is to expand international visibility for American dance, fostering parity by increasing opportunities for individual artists and companies.

Aug 26

Love1

Verb Ballets unveils plans to relocate to The Dealership in Shaker Heights

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet News

Verb Ballets unveils plans to relocate to The Dealership in Shaker Heights

Zachary Lewis, The Plain Dealer, August 16, 2018

”"We have been exploring how we can elevate the company and expand our programs to the community,"
Dr. Carlrson CarlsonProducing Artistic Director

CLEVELAND, Ohio -In keeping with its active name, Cleveland’s Verb Ballets is moving.

Earlier this week, the troupe headed by Margaret Carlson announced that it is relocating a few blocks west and entering The Dealership, a cooperative workspace in a former automobile outlet and repair shop on Lee Rd. near Chagrin Blvd.

“Shaker Heights is a cross section of all walks of life similar to the styles of dance that Verb Ballets presents,” said Carlson, in a written statement. “[B]y establishing ourselves at [The Dealership] we position ourselves in a place for inclusion and connection.”

The new space affords the company significantly more room and outreach opportunity than its current home of nearly 10 years, the lower level of Christ Episcopal Church, Carlson said.

In addition to space for rehearsal, the new 6,000-square foot studio includes dressing, storage, reception, and office space. The new space also will allow the company to present work on site, instead of renting space for performances, and launch a series of classes in dance, creative movement, and wellness.

Aug 24

Love1

Cleveland Havana Ballet

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet News, Performances

Verb Ballets and ProDanza of Cuba have joined forces in an international collaboration to form The Cleveland Havana Ballet Project. Lead by Dr. Margaret Carlson of Verb Ballets and Laura Alonso of ProDanza the project is seeking bookings for the 2019-20 season. The Cleveland Havana Ballet showcases uniquely Cuban story ballets and innovative American repertory. The Cleveland Havana Ballet highlights the technical virtuosity associated with Cuban ballet with the bold style of American contemporary ballet. View available customizable tour packages below.

Le Chevalier, The Black Mozart

Touring programs of full-length classical ballets include Le Chevalier, The Black Mozart based on Joseph Bologne-recognized as the first classic composer of African origin. The ballet highlights his life known as much for his symphonies as his swordsmanship.

Custom Repertory Programs

Other tour packages can be customized featuring dynamic repertory programs of captivating artistry, unique styles and technical excellence. Including works by Adam Houghland, Antonio Brown (Bill T Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company), and Tommie-Waheed Evans (Philadanco!).

Interested in booking? Let's Talk!

International Tanzmesse NRW 2018 Booth #38
August 29 – September 1, 2018 Düsseldorf, Germany

Ohio Arts Presenters Conference Both #1
October 14-16, 2018 Dayton, Ohio, USA

APAP: Association of Performing Arts Professionals Booth #408 Rhinelander
January 4-8, 2019

To arrange a meeting at APAP please contact Jen Garlando, Director of Marketing & PR at email

Contact

Dr. Margaret Carlson

Producing Artistic Director, Verb Ballets

Producing Artistic Director of Verb Ballets, Dr. Carlson has been with the organization for 15 years leading the company to national prominence. Having completed a successful tour of Taiwan in 2017, the company will be toured Cuba in early 2018. The company has been recognized as one of 25 dance companies to watch in America. Dr. Carlson had a long career as a performer, working as a principal ballet dancer with Cleveland Ballet and performer in numerous musical theatre tours across America. Later, she was a university professor, and was Dean of Dance at the Hong Kong Academy. She is currently working on a film called, No Dominion. Her doctorate is from Durham University, UK.

Laura Alonso

Directora General, ProDanza of Cuba

Laura Alonso, daughter of world famous ballerina Alicia Alonso is known as a teacher, coach and an expert at staging the classics. Ms. Alonso had a 25 year performing career with Ballet Nacional de Cuba. As an award winning teacher and coach she travels the world teaching and staging the classics. Ms. Alonso has served as an international coach, jury member and teacher at the Jackson International Ballet Competition, the Concours Internationale de Dance de Paris, France, the Alicia Alonso International Ballet Competition and other competitions. Alonso founded the international dance school, Centro Pro Danza.

Aug 10

Love5

Announcing Verb Ballets New Home

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet News

Verb Ballets is proud to announce it is moving to a new home at 3558 Lee Road in Shaker Heights. Located near the corner of Lee and Chagrin Boulevard, the more than 6,000-square-foot studio space will serve as the base for the Verb Ballets professional dance company, in addition to providing ample room for classes and workshops for the community. After a yearlong search for the right location, Verb Ballets selected the garages at The Dealership, a co-working community and initiative of the Shaker Heights Development Corporation.

The new home will include two studios, dressing rooms, costume wardrobe, set storage, a reception area and offices inside the showroom. The studio space features high ceilings and unique configurations that will enable Verb to present performances to the community in-house. Construction has begun on the build out of the studios in the new space and are planned to open this fall. The administrative offices are moving into The Dealership mid August. The new studio space was designed by Cleveland-based Vocon and the initial capital to convert the facility is made possible by the Cleveland Foundation, the City of Shaker Heights and the Shaker Heights Development Corporation.

Construction Underway

Verb Ballets has been ingrained in the Shaker Heights community for nearly a decade. In the search for a new home, one of the major points of emphasis was a focus on staying in the community.

“Shaker Heights is a cross section of all walks of life similar to the styles of dance that Verb Ballets presents. Our vision is to ignite passion and participation in contemporary ballet, and by establishing ourselves at the intersection of Lee and Chagrin we position ourselves in a place for inclusion and connection,” said Dr. Margaret Carlson, Producing Artistic Director for Verb Ballets.

Community engagement through movement is an important part of Verb’s philosophy. The new home will offer classes to the community to nurture wellness, create a sense of identity and expression through dance. The availability of multiple studios will enable the company to significantly expand its educational offerings.

“We have been exploring how we can elevate the company and expand our programs to the community. Designing our own space allowed us to envision a home base that can support future growth. The vast space in the garage will allow us to create a multi-use space including presentation of performances. We are thrilled to move forward in the new home and are honored by the support of the community in creating this vision,” said Dr. Carlson.

The Dealership is an initiative of the Shaker Heights Development Corporation has leasable office spaces as well as flexible, co-working space for entrepreneurs, freelancers, and small businesses. Conference room and special event space use is also available. Verb Ballets administrative office will be in the in the old showroom with other small businesses. The studios are being built in the garage of the old dealership. The vast space in the garage will allow us to create a multi-use space including presentation of performances and the ability to expand in the future.

Aug 10

Love0

Verb Ballets finds new home in Shaker Heights

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet Press Releases

CLEVELAND, OH (August 9, 2018) – Verb Ballets is proud to announce it is moving to a new home at 3558 Lee Road in Shaker Heights. Located near the corner of Lee and Chagrin Boulevard, the more than 6,000-square-foot studio space will serve as the base for the Verb Ballets professional dance company, in addition to providing ample room for classes and workshops for the community. After a yearlong search for the right location, Verb Ballets selected the garages at The Dealership, a co-working community and initiative of the Shaker Heights Development Corporation.

Verb Ballets has been ingrained in the Shaker Heights community for nearly a decade. In the search for a new home, one of the major points of emphasis was a focus on staying in the community.

Verb Ballets is one of the oldest dance company in the region with a rich 30-year history. In addition to critically acclaimed performances the company cultivates dance appreciation and nurtures wellness through movement, achieved through community classes, school residencies, senior movement classes, library programs and college course partnerships. The company has been named one of Five Great Tiny Troupes in America by Dance Magazine and was one of the 25 dance companies in America to watch. With two international tours under its belt the company has shared a piece of the Cleveland community with the world.

Photos or interviews available upon request by contacting
Jennifer Garlando, Director of Marketing & PR at jgarlando@verbballets.org.

NEW ADDRESS: Verb Ballets 3558 Lee Rd. Shaker Heights, OH 44120 • 216-397-3757 • www.verbballets.org
Facebook • Twitter • Instagram • YouTube @verbballets

Aug 02

Love1

Meet the conductor

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet News

Verb Ballets is excited to perform with the Lakeside Symphony Orchestra on Saturday, August 4, 2018 at 8:15pm. 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 concert is part of the Lakeside Symphony Orchestra 55th season at Lakeside Chautauqua. Established in 1963, the Lakeside Symphony Orchestra is one of Lakeside’s most cherished traditions. Bringing classical music to the Chautauqua community, the orchestra performs seven concerts during its month-long residency. This performance welcomes guest conductor John Gordon Ross retired conductor of the Western Piedmont Symphony in North Carolina and Interim Music Director of the Lakeside Symphony Orchestra during 2018. He has been Second Trombonist for the orchestra since 1978 and is grateful to Lakeside as the place where he met his wife of 37 years, Sarah Rocco Ross, who has also performed with the orchestra for more than 40 years. Ross is currently a faculty member at Lenoir-Rhyne University where he teaches music history and instrumental conducting. Maestro, John Gordon Ross and Producing Artistic Director, Dr. Margaret Carlson have prepare an exciting evening of music and dance for this exciting collaboration.

John Gordon Ross

John Gordon Ross (Conductor) – Ross has led the Western Piedmont Symphony in Hickory, N.C. since 1991, and their current season is his 27th and final year as Music Director and Conductor. In 2018, Ross will serve as Interim Music Director of the Lakeside Symphony Orchestra, where he has played 2nd Trombone since 1978. Lakeside is the place where he met his wife of 37 years, Sarah Rocco Ross, who has also performed with the orchestra for more than 42 years. He serves as a faculty member at Lenoir-Rhyne University where he teaches music history and instrumental conducting. From 1981-1991, he was Music Director and Conductor of the Kingsport (TN) Symphony Orchestra (now known as Symphony of the Mountains) including the Symphony Chorus and Youth Orchestra. He also served in a variety of conducting capacities with the Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestra, and guest conducting engagements include the Cleveland Philharmonic and Johnson City Symphony (TN).

Conductor and music director, John Gordon Ross

Video comments from the Board of Directors and Members of the Western Piedmont Symphony on the retirement of conductor and music director, John Gordon Ross.

“

The orchestra,…was in mid-season form as it played the William Schumann “American Festival Overture”. It played with crispness and snap and precision. Ross has the players listening carefully to one another with the result that the intonation was especially commendable…
Cleveland Press

“

The Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestra under Ross’s direction contributed a great deal of intensity and dramatic continuity to the Berlioz’ drama - The orchestra’s basically fine and full sound showed up on Sunday. It was a good beginning for a new season.
Cleveland Sun Press

“

With great vision, John Gordon Ross, music director and conductor, has ably guided a group of gifted musicians through a demanding season of performances that featured a wide spectrum of concerts and guest artists.
Hickory Daily Record

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.

GET TICKETS

Jul 30

Love0

Review: Verb Ballets pays tribute to Heinz Poll, late dancer in Firestone Park program

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet News

Review: Verb Ballets pays tribute to Heinz Poll, late dancer in Firestone Park program

By Kerry Clawson, The Akron Beacon Journal, July 30, 2018

”"Verb thrilled the crowd"
Kerry ClawsonProducing Artistic Director

Photos Dale Dong

AKRON, Ohio – Verb Ballets of Shaker Heights offered a nicely varied program of contemporary ballet to kick off the 12th annual Heinz Poll Dance Festival last weekend at Firestone Park.

On opening night Friday, the company paid tribute to late dance teacher Kate Lieberth Lytton, daughter of festival co-founder David Lieberth, by remounting Aposiopesis, which Verb performed two years ago for the Heinz Poll Dance Festival. Lytton, who died in April from breast cancer, danced the lead role in the work by Charles Anderson with Company C, partnering with husband Alec Lytton in 2007 or 2008, Alec Lytton said.

Jul 11

Love1

Richard Dickinson promoted to Associate Artistic Director

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet News

Verb Ballets announces the promotion of Richard Dickinson, MFA to Associate Artistic Director. Dickinson has been with the company for over eight years in different capacities. In addition to his professional work, Dickinson had an extensive dance career including principal and soloist roles at Ohio Ballet, Boston Ballet, Chicago Ballet, Honolulu City Ballet and various regional companies. Previously, he served as Artistic Associate for Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and the Artistic Director of Ballet Western Reserve, Great Lakes Festival Ballet, Chamber Dance Theatre. He has also directed Boston Ballet II and has a Master of Fine Arts degree in Contemporary Dance from Case Western Reserve University.

In the new role he will assist Dr. Margaret Carlson, Producing Artistic Director, in maintaining the highest possible presentation for the company and be a key part in the development of the community class program. “Richard’s contribution to Verb Ballets has been valuable for many years, dating back to his initial role as Rehearsal Director” says Carlson. “During my tenure at Verb Ballets, he has been a key to developing the company dancers to support a high-quality level of production for the company. I am honored to announce Richard’s promotion to the role of Associate Artistic Director and for Verb Ballets to continue to provide him with an artistic home.”

“I’m honored to work with Verb Ballets who I consider unparalleled in commitment to dance in Northeast Ohio and beyond,” Dickinson commented. “We’re in the middle of a growth opportunity to promote ballet to the next generation in the region. I’m grateful to be a part of a company that carries on the legacy of ballet in our community while fostering the development of the art form. I feel lucky to be a part of Verb Ballets, in the company of so many memorable dancers, audience members and colleagues.”

”“When the dancers go onstage you will not be in the wings yelling at them, what you give them in rehearsal has to stay with them, and become part of them, so when they perform, it is theirs, not yours.”

Interview with Richard Dickinson

What road led you to your current position?
I feel like my whole dancing life has led to this moment. I am a constant learner, a curious person who wants to experience everything. I am always striving to know what is current, with an eye to the past. I believe that in order to be a dancer/artist you need to know, of course, dance and performance technique, but also theater, literature, art history, opera and yourself. All of this experience I bring to the table in my new position at Verb Ballets.

You have had a long career dancing. How has that shaped the way you work in the studio?
I have had the good fortune to work with some of the most amazing artists of our lifetime: Baryshnikov, Nureyev, Violette Verdy, Bruce Marks, Mark Morris, Lar Lubovitch, Yoko Morishita, David Howard, Heinz Poll, on and on. It gives me a very wide canvas to draw on, different styles of dance technique, including variations on ballet training from the Russian, English, and French schools, as well as, modern techniques based on Graham, Taylor and even Mark Morris. And of course, there is the always developing new style of “American” technique. All of this feeds the “melting pot” of my experience that allows me to direct the rehearsals of Verb Ballets. One of my guiding principles was given to me by Lou Conte, former artistic director of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, he said, and I am paraphrasing, “When the dancers go onstage you will not be in the wings yelling at them, what you give them in rehearsal has to stay with them, and become part of them, so when they perform, it is theirs, not yours.” Good advice, I say to myself daily.

In your new role you will play the key part in the development of the community class program? What is your vision about dance education and outreach?
People acquire a love for what they enjoy later in life at adolescence. Basically, we learn the rules that govern our future path…like, baseball, or basketball, we learn the rules of the game and how to play. The same is true for the arts, we begin to understand what the ideas behind dance, painting, singing, etc. are when we are young, so they can develop as we grow up. Childhood is the time to plant the seeds for further growth. The mighty oak was once just a seed, the same is true for art appreciation and development. Plant the seed. Skill and confidence come from doing, knowing and watering (feeding the seed).

What is your favorite part of your job?
I love to “coach” a role. Meaning, bringing a ballet to a larger understanding, for the dancers and the audience. This takes time and nurturing, allowing me to impart the treasure chest of knowledge given to me over the years by others to share with the future generation of great dancers.

What you are you looking forward to this season?
Seeing the new group of dancers gel and become a “company”. They have already started, and I say the same thing every year, “I love these dancers.” Let’s go!

In addition to running rehearsals you teach. What does your typical day look like?
Monday looks like this:
7:00am I get up and read the NY Times, answer emails, write to nursing homes or other places to get bookings for The Adverb Project, which I direct.
10:00am-11:30am Teach company class at the studio
12:00-4:00pm Rehearse and coach the company in studio
4:00-5:00pm Coach trainees
5:30-6:30pm Rehearse the The Adverb Project
5:30-6:30pm Teach community classes at the studio
6:30-8:00pm End of day go home, make dinner then watch The Food Network to decompress. Head to bed to sleep and get up do it all over again.

When you are not in the studio what do you like to do?
I like to cook, it is therapeutic, I am teaching myself how to bake, not so therapeutic. Take walks, go to Cleveland Museum of Art, gardening, jigsaw puzzles, (problem solving 101) is a hidden stress reliever.

What are you reading these days?
I have a lot of books I am reading, or have read, lately. One of my students, Pauline A. Chen, wrote; “The Red Chamber”, I loved it, everyone should read it. Before going to Cuba last season I read, “Lost and Found in Cuba” by Jeanne Parr Lemkau. I am currently reading Ruth Reichl’s book “Garlic and Sapphires, The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise”, Helen Macdonald’s “H is for Hawk”, Yasunari Kawabata’s “Thousand Cranes” and Julian Barnes’s “The Noise of Time”.

Richard Dickinson, MFA

A former dancer with Ohio Ballet Dickinson’s association with that company began in 1988. He later became ballet master and director of company touring.  Dickinson was also a soloist with Boston Ballet for eight years. At age fifteen, he joined the Pasadena Dance Theatre and was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts Emerging Choreographer Award for a work premiered by the same company. He performed in the PBS television production of “Frankie and Johnny” with the Chicago Ballet. and danced principal roles in Asian, European and American tours with Rudolf Nureyev and the Boston Ballet. In addition to his professional work, Dickinson had an extensive dance career including principal and soloist roles at Chicago Ballet, Honolulu City Ballet and various regional companies. Previously, he served as Artistic Associate for Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and the Artistic Director of Ballet Western Reserve, Great Lakes Festival Ballet, Chamber Dance Theatre. He has also directed Boston Ballet II and has a Master of Fine Arts degree in Contemporary Dance from Case Western Reserve University.