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Boston Ballet Jetés into Idaho's Heart

ONE OF THE COUNTRY'S MOST PRESTIGIOUS BALLET PROGRAMS INVITED TO SUN VALLEY

Article by Shasta Ockerberg

Photography by Boston Ballet

Boston Ballet, under Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen, will perform in Sun Valley for the first time this summer. As Artistic Director of Boston Ballet, Nissinen has defined the Company’s image, cultivating a dynamic collection of classical, neo-classical and contemporary repertoire. In 2016, Nissinen and Boston Ballet established a long-term partnership with choreographer William Forsythe, allowing the Company to cultivate a rich collection of his work. “I am thrilled Boston Ballet is invited to Ballet Sun Valley 2022 and eager to showcase two specially curated programs, demonstrating the range and versatility of our repertoire and Company,” Nissinen said.

Under the leadership of Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen and Executive Director Meredith (Max) Hodges, the Company maintains a diverse reputation, ranging from full-length ballets to new works by some of today's finest choreographers. The Company is composed of 69 dancers, representing the highest caliber of international talent on our Boston stage. Boston Ballet School, the official school of Boston Ballet, has a long-standing dedication to providing exceptional dance education and ballet training to more than 5,000 students a year across three studios in Boston, Newton, and the Professional Division at Walnut Hill. Boston Ballet’s Education and Community Initiatives provide programming, events, and activities that connect the community to dance. Community programs reach more than 4,000 individuals in Boston and the surrounding communities each year through Citydance, ECI on Location, workshops, and trainings.

Ballet Sun Valley is a non-profit organization, founded in 2011 to bring international ballet to the Sun Valley, Idaho area. Its founder, Robert Smelick, was a long-time member of the Board of San Francisco Ballet and part-time resident of Sun Valley. Performances have featured works from some of the ballet world’s most celebrated choreographers, including George Balanchine, William Forsythe, Helgi Tomasson, Christopher Wheeldon, and Justin Peck. Ballet Sun Valley festivals have featured dancers from the San Francisco Ballet, New York City Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, and The Paris Opera Ballet. 

Ballet Sun Valley's Festival 2022 will feature two very distinct programs.. Performance highlights include three world premieres from Boston Ballet’s Spring 2022 season. These new works include two from ChoreograpHER, a female-led program celebrating innovative women across creative fields such as: choreography, music, design, and visual arts. ChoreograpHER pieces to be performed at Ballet Sun Valley are Point of Departure by New York City Ballet Principal Dancer and choreographer Tiler Peck and Pulitzer Prize winning composer Caroline Shaw, and Chaptered in Fragments by Boston Ballet Principal Dancer and choreographer Lia Cirio. In addition, choreographer Stephen Galloway’s DEVIL’S/eye, to The Rolling Stones will be performed, which Boston Ballet world premiered in March 2022, as well as William Forsythe’s work Blake Works I. New York Times states, “[Boston Ballet] dancers are striking by national and international standards."

Tickets to Ballet Sun Valley’s performances on June 24th and 25th are on sale. Pavilion seating starting at $35. For more information, visit the Ballet Sun Valley website: BalletSunValley.org

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