Spring Dance Concert: Limitless

Welcome to Limitless 2023! Our spring concert is designed to celebrate both the limitless potential of our students and the limitless possibilities of contemporary dance. This year’s program brings together works by four renowned artists, each known for their unique voice and aesthetic.

The evening opens with Grand Pas d’ Action from La Bayadère, reconstructed by faculty members Adriana Suarez and Gianni Di Marco. As part of our ballet repertory curriculum, this piece gives our ballet emphasis students the chance to perform a historical classical work.

Next is an undisputed masterpiece of 20th-century modern dance, D-Man in the Waters, choreographed by the indomitable Bill T. Jones. A showcase for our students, the piece pushes them to new levels of technical proficiency and performance. 

After intermission is The Constant Shift of Pulse, choreographed by the brilliant and revered Doug Varone. It’s a perfect blend of movement, music, passion, and physicality. 

We are thrilled and honored to present the world premiere of Ellipsis by Aszure Barton, one of the most sought-after contemporary choreographers working today. Her piece is uniquely original, challenging, and beautifully inspiring.

Closing the evening is an excerpt from Gustavo Sansano’s masterpiece 18+1, set to lively mambo music by Pérez Prado.

I am thrilled to share the work of these artists with you and to showcase the virtuosity, versatility, and artistry of our students. It’s a one-of-a-kind program that truly has something for everyone. Enjoy!

—Tommy Neblett, dean of dance

Choreography: Marius Petipa
Reconstruction: Gianni Di Marco and Adriana Suarez
Music: Ludwig Minkus (“Grand Pas d’Action” from La Bayadère); music score provided by Arthur Leeth
Costume Design: Penney Pinette
Lighting Design: Paul Marr
Student Rehearsal Assistance: Mar Rivero Carretero, Sammy Zane

Thursday/Saturday Evening Performers: Yazmine Akamine, Sabril Amin, Jackson Bradford, Halley Campo, Ava Grebe, Olivia Mozie, Mia Nolte, Christopher Stansell

Friday Evening/Saturday Matinee Performers: Yazmine Akamine, Sabril Amin, Jackson Bradford, Ana Delgado Cruz, Tess O'Riordan, Chistopher Stansell, Rhapsody Stiggers, Ysai Zamora

Friday/Sunday Matinee Performers: Sabril Amin, Jackson Bradford, Cammie Coleman, Campbell Colimore, Morgyn Crowley, Mia Nolte, Christopher Stansell, Makayla Williams

Orchestra: Conducted by Larry Isaacson

FLUTE
Shion Suzuki, G.P.D. '24, Principal
Chengmeng Li, B.M. '23

OBOE
Jesse Meyers, B.M. '26, Principal

CLARINET
Andrew Lee, B.M. '26, Principal
Simon Choi, B.M. '25

BASSOON
Jae Demers, B.M. '25, Principal

HORN
Jack Krugman, B.M. '23, Principal
Connor Strauss, B.M. '25

TRUMPET
Charlotte Berube-Gray, B.M. '26, Principal

TROMBONE
Brooke Thomson, B.M. '26, Principal

TIMPANI
William Shi, B.M. '23

PERCUSSION
Davis Nickles, M.M. '23
Harold Rivas, B.M. '24

HARP
Joy Li, M.M. '24

VIOLIN I
Anne McKee, M.M. '24, Concertmaster
Finnian Long, B.M. '26
Kristen Barrett, M.M. '24
Brittany Sterling Young, M.M. '23
Lauren Oeser, B.M. '23
Tian Tian, B.M. '26

VIOLIN II
Yinfei Li, M.M. '24, Principal
Gloria Fortner, B.M. '25
Christine Chen, G.P.D. '23
Mary Davis, B.M. '26
Yen-Yu Kuo, B.M. '26

VIOLA
Morgan Brown, B.M. '23, Principal 
Simon Daly, B.M. '26
Kaedyn Colton, B.M. '25

CELLO
Jerrel Martin, M.M. '23, Principal 
Hailey Brasser, B.M. '26
Jake Milburn, B.M. '26

BASS
Leonardo Martinez, B.M. '25, Principal
Enrique Perez, B.M. '26

Choreography: Bill T. Jones
Reconstruction: Germaul Barnes
Music: Felix Mendelssohn (“Octet for Strings in E-flat Major, op. 20”)
Original Costume Design: Liz Prince
Costume Reconstruction: Penney Pinette
Original Lighting Design: Robert Wierzel
Lighting Reconstruction: Paul Marr
Rehearsal Direction: Dean Vollick
Student Rehearsal Assistance: Teresa Castaneda

Friday Evening and Saturday/Sunday Matinee Performers: Sabril Amin, Jackson Bradford, Michael Braun, Cheyenne Carrington-Greene, Sonrisa Hubbard, Megan Prout, Adrian Ruiz, Christopher Stansell, Makayla Williams

Friday Matinee Performers: Pandora Bassett, Tamia Blackwell, Michael Braun, Demetrius Lee, Dafna Melamoud, Ben Moleta, Pete Pierantozzi, Jocelyn Scullion, Christopher Stansell

Thursday/Saturday Evening Performers: Tamia Blackwell, Michael Braun, Demetrius Lee, Ben Moleta, Hannah Morris, Pete Pierantozzi, Jocelyn Scullion, Christopher Stansell, Yadi Zhang

Orchestra: Conducted by Alex Polyakov

VIOLIN I
Anne McKee, M.M. '24, Concertmaster
Finnian Long, B.M. '26

VIOLIN II
Yinfei Li, M.M. '24, Principal
Gloria Fortner, B.M. '25

VIOLA
Morgan Brown, B.M. '23, Principal
Simon Daly, B.M. '26

CELLO
Jerrel Martin, M.M. '23, Principal
Hailey Brasser, B.M. '26

Program Note: “In a dream you saw a way to survive and you were full of joy.” —Jenny Holzer (1989)

Choreography: Aszure Barton
Collaborative Assistance: James Gregg
Music: Caroline Shaw (“In Motion Keeps,” “Plain & Elevation: I. The Ellipse”)
Costume Design: Penney Pinette
Lighting Design: Paul Marr
Rehearsal Direction: Kurt Douglas

Thursday/Saturday Evening and Friday Matinee Performers: Drew Allen, Ali Cederholm, Nigel Clifford, Somer February (understudy), Shaun Ferren, Emma Hourigan, Raxel Kempenaar, Lila Kushner, Derek Lee, Amber Lew, Daede Ott, Nicaya Wiley, Dawvyn Winters, Monica Zesch

Friday Evening and Saturday/Sunday Matinee Performers: Drew Allen, Ali Cederholm, Nigel Clifford, Somer February, Shaun Ferren, Emma Hourigan, Raxel Kempenaar, Lila Kushner (understudy), Derek Lee, Amber Lew, Daede Ott, Nicaya Wiley, Dawvyn Winters, Monica Zesch

Choreography: Doug Varone
Reconstruction: Aya Wilson and Ryan Yamauchi
Music: John Adams (“Hallelujah Junction”)
Original Costume Design: Fritz Masten
Costume Reconstruction: Penney Pinette
Original Lighting Design: Nicole Pearce
Lighting Reconstruction: Paul Marr
Rehearsal Direction: Leslie Koval
Student Rehearsal Assistance: Emily Winkelbauer

Performers: Valerie Abegg, Natalia Andrade, Chloe Bland, Bianca Brown, Penn Burrall, Halley Campo, Ana Delgado Cruz, Tricia Dietrick, Trea Dipkin, Hailey Fleming, Hannah Laski, Macy McCann, Olivia Mozie, Mia Muntu, Ana Perez Yudin, Uma Roberts, Justine Schmaltz, Rhapsody Stiggers, Alana Stubbs

Program Note: The Constant Shift of Pulse premiered in 2006 and was created and commissioned by the Juilliard School. 

Choreography: Gustavo Ramírez Sansano
Reconstruction: Chris Emile
Music: Pérez Prado (“Ida Sweet as Apple Cider,” “Beautiful Margaret,” “Patricia,” “Mamá Teach Me to Dance,” “Solamente una Vez,” “Guaglione,” “Mambo Jambo”)
Original Costume Design: Ghabriello Fernando
Costume Reconstruction: Penney Pinette
Original Lighting Design: Savannah Bell and Caitlin Brown
Lighting Reconstruction: Paul Marr
Rehearsal Direction: Russell Clarke
Student Rehearsal Assistance: Mackenzie Bessner

Thursday/Saturday Evening and Friday Matinee Performers: Kasey Aguilar, Tatum Backer, Eliana Balzano, Rowan Casillas, Kayenne Charles-Pierre, Molly Jane Dunne, Ava Grebe, Angela Hamlin, Swathi Maddi, Demi Mutz, Emersyn Novach, Kylah Walker

Friday Evening and Saturday/Sunday Matinee Performers: Amanda Bacallao, Sam Blanton, Cara Breeding, Cammie Coleman, Emily Crone, Paige Doku, Jayda Escobar, Amanda Fitzgerald, Anna Keklak, Solana McGonagle, Aja Simms, Bella Soo-Hoo

Program Note: “The work was created nineteen years ago, when I was commissioned to create choreography on stage for the very first time. This work is a little birthday party of my work as a choreographer, and I have the opportunity to thank all the people and experiences that have been a significant inspiration to help and support me.” —Gustavo Ramírez Sansano, choreographer

Germaul Barnes, reconstructor, is a former principal dancer and currently a repetiteur for the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company, where he received the New York Dance & Performance Bessie Award. He has worked with Bill T. Jones since the mid-'90s, sharing his expertise in movement with countless students and companies globally. In addition to his work with the company, he is a full-time contemporary and modern dance instructor at the Alabama School of Fine Arts and artistic director of Southern DanceWorks. Learn more about Barnes. 

Aszure Barton, choreographer, received her formal dance training from Canada’s National Ballet School. She has been making dances for over 25 years and has collaborated with celebrated dance artists and companies, including Mikhail Baryshnikov, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, English National Ballet, Nederlands Dans Theater, and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, among many others. Her works have been performed on countless international stages, and she is the founder and director of Aszure Barton & Artists.

Gianni Di Marco, reconstructor, is a professor of dance at Boston Conservatory at Berklee. Learn more about Di Marco. 

Chris Emile, reconstructor, is based in Los Angeles and is an active director, choreographer, educator, and performer. Emile’s directorial and choreographic work oscillates between the experiential, film, stage, and commercial worlds. His work has been presented by the Getty Museum, NOWNESS, 4:3 Boiler Room, Art + Practice, Solange Knowles, the Kennedy Center, Sao Paolo Opera, Anderson Paak, Moses Sumney, San Francisco Symphony, Opera Omaha, the University of Southern California, the Institute of Contemporary Art, Museum of Contemporary Art (LA), and LA Opera, for the Pulitzer Prize-winning opera p r i s m, which he also assistant directed.  

Bill T. Jones, choreographer, is the artistic director/co-founder/choreographer of the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company and artistic director of New York Live Arts. Jones received a 2014 Doris Duke Performing Artist Award; a 2013 National Medal of Arts; a 2010 Kennedy Center Honor; a 2010 Tony Award for Best Choreography of the critically acclaimed Fela!; a 2007 Tony Award, 2007 Obie Award, and 2006 Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation Callaway Award for his choreography for Spring Awakening; and the 2010 Jacob’s Pillow Dance Award.

Gustavo Ramírez Sansano, choreographer, has been artistic director of Luna Negra Dance Theater, and now combines his work as a freelance choreographer with the direction of his company, TITOYAYA. Sansano has been the recipient of numerous awards for his choreography, including first prize at the Ricard Moragas Competition in Barcelona, Prix Dom Perignon Choreographic Competition in Hamburg, and the Valencian performing arts awards for best dance show and choreographer. He has been commissioned to create works for companies such as Alvin Ailey, Nederlands Dans Theater, Compania Nacional de Danza, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Luzerner Tanz Theater, Ballet BC, Atlanta Ballet, and Ballet Hispánico.

Adriana Suarez, reconstructor, is an associate professor of dance at Boston Conservatory at Berklee. Learn more about Suarez. 

Doug Varone, choreographer, is an award-winning and internationally renowned choreographer who has created a body of work over the past 35 years that explores the blurred lines between human movement and dancerly prowess. Learn more about Varone. 

CREATIVE TEAM:
Artistic Director – Tommy Neblett
Costume Designer – Penney Pinette
Lighting Designer – Paul Marr

PRODUCTION STAFF:
Director of Performance Services – Hanna Oravec
Production Stage Manager – Bethany Rachel
Assistant Stage Manager – Emily Hanson
Technical Director – Taylor Kaufman
Technical Directing Consultant – Audrey Kimball
Costume Shop Manager – Alison Pugh
Assistant Costume Shop Manager – Leah Foley
Draper/Stitcher – Caroline Seeley, Sam Martin
Stitcher – Lindsey Weaver
Costume Shop Intern – Natasha Newcomb
Wardrobe Manager – Blue Barber
Wardrobe Assistant – Kiara Escalera, Emily Keebler
Audio Engineer – Maddy Poston
Lighting Supervisor – Matthew Martino
Production Electrician – Gabe Goldman
Props Manager – Larry Dembski
Stage Supervisor – Steve Toren

STUDENT PRODUCTION STAFF:
Assistant Stage Manager – Lexie Brown
Light Programmers – Julia Kelley, Olivia Monarch
Light Board Operator – Lori Newsom
Slide Operator – Annabella Hunt
Run Crew – Aleah Rose Mireles
Production Assistants – Evelyn Dumeer, Meghan Hoey, Julia Kelly, Olivia Monarch, Brogan Nelson, Lori Newsom, Kalika Reece, Aidan Rufer, Cooper Sheehy, Trisha Soo, Preston Milne
Costume Assistants – Maya Boyce, Penn Burall, Jacob Fincannon, Oliva Martinez, Emily O’Connor

CONCERT OPERATIONS STAFF:
Senior Manager for Concert Services – Luis Herrera
Senior Manager of Performance Technology – Wes Fowler
Performance Technology Technicians – Goran Daskalov, Sara Pagiaro
Production Manager – Kendall Floyd
Concert Operations Coordinator – Matthew Carey