COMMONWEALTH BALLET Annual Program

COMMONWEALTH BALLET Annual Program 2017-2018

Choreographingsuccessfulmiddle markettransactionssince1991 EvanRicker,PartyFather#2,DirectorM&AandValuation 890WinterStreet,Waltham,MA www.shieldsco.com 7818907033

F r o m t h e A r t i st i c D i r ec t o r Dear Audience Member, We humans thrive on telling stories. Facts and figures inspire some, but enlivening those details in the form of a story engages everyone. There is no escaping stories, or the urge to tell them. Classical ballet has for centuries been the source of stories told by dance. The first ballets were elaborate concoctions based on Greek mythology presented as allegories for the delight of aristocrats. As ballet matured the stories changed to those told by grandparents fairy tales and nursery rhymes. In the mid nineteenth century ballet turned to more literary inventions such as Giselle or Coppélia, adapted by clever choreographers to suit the tastes of the time. Only in the twentieth century did ballet abandon stories for the plotless ballet. As a contemporary company, Commonwealth Ballet yet remains beholden to the traditions of the story ballet. Our Nutcracker at Regis College s Casey Theatre presents a somewhat lurid story of a little girl s dream first written by E.T.A. Hoffmann. Our March performance at the same theater is a ballet re-telling of the eighteen-century French fairy tale by Gabrielle- Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve, Beauty and the Beast. Even our September performances of A Glimpse Beyond at Mt. Auburn cemetery celebrated the life story of the early American feminist, Margaret Fuller. Translating a work of literature into a ballet presents deep challenges. Our sources are often novels full of subplots, details and complications. One might think that a mere 90-minute dance, without the benefit of any spoken words, could hardly convey anything worthy of the original. But the sorcery of dance is to make concrete and visual some central element of its source. Abetted by memorable music, such as that by Tchaikovsky or Delibes, a ballet makes a visceral impression on its audience, allowing the dancers to express thoughts and emotions that, as the great dancer and choreographer Fred Astaire once noted, could never be spoken out loud. Commonwealth Ballet s mission is not only to enliven these stories for our audiences, but to bring to its young dancers a deeper understanding of the human narrative. A gesture, a breath, a glance, a burst of energy or a soft drop of an arm can convey in seconds nuances at which words merely hint. Join us this season to experience the old stories once again brought alive by dance. Chip Morris Cover photo: Liza Voll Photography C O M M O N W E A L T H B A L L E T 2 0 1 7-2 0 1 8 3

Louisa May Alcott s Home of Little Women 2017 HOLIDAY PROGRAM A Little Women Christmas December 2 & 3 / 9 & 10 / 16 & 17 Open year-round for Guided Tours Living History Events Youth & Scout Programs Adult & Teacher Workshops Please join us throughout 2018 to celebrate Little Women s sesquicentennial! 399 Lexington Road Concord, MA 01742 978.369.4118 www.louisamayalcott.org 4 C O M M O N W E A L T H B A L L E T 2 0 1 7-2 0 1 8

C o m m o n w e a lt h B a l l e t C a l e n d a r A Glimpse Beyond September 16-17, 2017 Mt. Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge MA Friends of CBC Members Reception October 21, 2017 Acton School of Ballet Studios The Nutcracker November 24-26, 2017 December 8-10, 2017 Casey Theatre, Regis College - Weston MA Gala February, 2018 Visit CommonwealthBallet.org for more details. Beauty and the Beast March 17-18, 2018 Casey Theatre, Regis College - Weston MA Acton School of Ballet Spring Performance: Coppélia May 26-27, 2018 Acton-Boxborough Regional High School - Acton MA C O M M O N W E A L T H B A L L E T 2 0 1 7-2 0 1 8 5

residential education performing arts historic preservation PetermanArchitects.com 978.341.0900 Concord, MA 6 C O M M O N W E A L T H B A L L E T 2 0 1 7-2 0 1 8

C o mmo n w e a l t h Bal l e t Chip Morris, Artistic Director Kathryn Anderson, Artistic Director Emerita Company Louisa Arnold, Rachel Conti, Kayla Edwards, Sarah Hoover, Ava Lublin, Sam Mayer, Nicole Miller, Una Oljaca, Alyona Osadcha, Ola Patykowski, Maris Ryba, Bronwyn Smith, Julia Solowey, Katrina Sousounis, Chloe Vernillet, Cecilia Villaseñor, Sadie Webster, Kate Zhong Board of Directors Martin Stevenson (President), Walter G. Morris (Artistic Director), Patricia M. Wilkey (Treasurer), Martin Arnold (Secretary), Stefano Caprara, Rustin I. Carpenter, Yang Liu, Christine Brault, Mara Bonde Ricker, Dawn Solowey Régisseuse Lindsay Moncrieff Scenic Design & Construction Pascale Belin-White Doug Macarthur Ewan Milne Tom Peterman Tom Sikina Eric Solowey Martin Stevenson Stage Managers Eric Solowey Geoff Webster Lighting Director Stephanie Howell Administrator Jeri Lee Commonwealth Ballet Company P.O. Box 892, Acton MA 01720 978-263-6533 CommonwealthBallet.org Commonwealth ballet is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization formed in 1992 to develop, foster and promote the performance and appreciation of classical and contemporary ballet. To this end, CBC endeavors to maintain strong ties with the communities it serves, provide a substantial educational opportunity for young dancers, and demonstrate the highest level of artistic quality. C O M M O N W E A L T H B A L L E T 2 0 1 7-2 0 1 8 7

8 C O M M O N W E A L T H B A L L E T 2 0 1 7-2 0 1 8 DBK MATH TUTORING DBK Math Tutoring provides individualized private lessons for high school students math courses, as well as for the ACT, SAT and SAT2. DBK s successful methods are evident in its website testimonials and references. Please visit DBKmath.com for more information. Debra Bieler Klein, Ed.M Mathematics Specialist 617-417-0393 debrabieler@gmail.com ut Math Tu DBK toring provides individualized p TUTOR TH K MAT DB or high d private lessons fo ING R and reference s successfu DBK school studen -4 617- Please visit DBKmath.com es. ssful methods are evident in i ts math courses, as well as f abieler@gmail -0393 debra 417- Mathematics Specialist a Bieler Klein, Ed.M Debra ormation. more info or fo m t in its website testimonials, SAT and SAT2 or the ACT, s fo r@gmail.com, Ed.M T2. Acton Orthodontic Associates Margherita Santoro, DDS. MA 418 Massachusetts Avenue, Acton, MA 01720 ActonOrthodonticAssociates.com Invisalign Certified since 1997 Orthodontics for Children, Teens & Adults

T h e C o m p a n y Back row, from left: Sadie Webster, Alyona Osadcha, Una Oljaca, Sam Mayer, Sarah Hoover, Louisa Arnold, Rachel Conti Middle row: Kate Zhong, Kayla Edwards, Ola Patykowski, Maris Ryba, Julia Solowey, Ceci Villaseñor, Chloe Vernillet Front row: Nicole Miller, Katrina Sousounis, Bronwyn Smith, Ava Lublin. B o a r d o f D i r ec t o r s Standing: Yang Liu, Rusty Carpenter, Christine Brault, Jeri Lee (Administrator) Seated: Martin Arnold, Chip Morris, Martin Stevenson (Not shown: Patricia Wilkey, Stefano Caprara, Dawn Solowey and Mara Bonde) C O M M O N W E A L T H B A L L E T 2 0 1 7-2 0 1 8 9

Thomas E. Sartini, III Attorney at Law (978) 621-0340 attorneysartini@verizon.net 179 Great Road, Suite 212 P..O. Box 702 www..sartinilaw.com Acto n, MA 01720 THANK YOU FOR ENRICHING OUR COMMUNITY H. Ivan Orup, Jr., D.M.D., M.M.Sc., P.C. Specialist in Orthodontics for Children &Adults 290 Baker Avenue, Concord, MA 01742 978.369.3690 drorup.com 10 C O M M O N W E A L T H B A L L E T 2 0 1 7-2 0 1 8

CBC i n t h e C o m m u n i t y Culture4Kidz Within our broader community, we have a commitment to helping the widest possible audience experience the art of ballet. Our Culture4Kidz program enables a diverse range of young people to attend CBC performances. Regional Boys and Girls Clubs and other youth organizations assist by identifying children who would benefit from these donations, and Commonwealth Ballet provides them with tickets. To help the Culture4Kidz cause, mail a donation to Commonwealth Ballet, PO Box 892, Acton MA 01720-0892. CBC in the Community We are proud to be an active part of the Boston MetroWest community, striving to educate, engage and entertain. We interact with younger audiences during readings at local libraries and museums, provide backstage tours for Girl Scout groups, and present School Lecture demonstrations. In addition, our Outreach programs provide elderly adults and disadvantaged families with free tickets. Last season we distributed over 300 free tickets locally. C O M M O N W E A L T H B A L L E T 2 0 1 7-2 0 1 8 11

TELEPHONE (978) 443-6081 drmia@miafitzgerald.com www.miafitzgerald.com Mia Fitzgerald DR. MIA W. FITZGERALD, DMD, FAGD OFFICE HOURS BY APPOINTMENT 200 CONCORD ROAD SUDBURY, MASSACHUSETTS 01776 Bullfinchs restaurant 730 boston post road sudbury. ma. 01776 978.443.4094 www.bullfinchs.com bullfinchs@gmail.com 12 C O M M O N W E A L T H B A L L E T 2 0 1 7-2 0 1 8

Com m o n w e a l t h B a l l e t Staff Chair Costume Designer Makeup Wardrobe Property Coordinator Volunteer Coordinator Production Yang Liu, Martin Arnold Freda Bromberg, Veronica Diesl, Joanne Hiromura, Mary Laurion, Eva Macarthur, Jeanne Maguire, Yasuko Graham-Brown, Ken Mayer Dorota Patykowski Christine Brault, Ken Mayer, Paula Lublin Geoff Webster Jeri Lee Fundraising Friends of Commonwealth Ballet Martin Stevenson, Jeri Lee Annual Program Dawn Solowey, Martin Stevenson, Jeri Lee, Sue Peterman Culture4Kidz Jeri Lee Concessions Ellen Smith, Bonnie Hoover, Joan Miller, Agnes Quisumbing, Neda Oljaca Chair, Website Publicity Library Readings Graphic Design Photography Videography Marketing Martin Stevenson Beth Adams, Christine Brault, Dawn Solowey Kate Conti, Ginnie Webster Sue Peterman Mike Nyman Photography and Liza Voll Photography Spectron A.I. C O M M O N W E A L T H B A L L E T 2 0 1 7-2 0 1 8 13

Portraits for a Lifetime The Robbs www.robbportraits.com 14 C O M M O N W E A L T H B A L L E T 2 0 1 7-2 0 1 8

G A L A Benefit Gala February, 2018 Join us for a convivial evening, including a performance by Company dancers. Please visit CommonwealthBallet.org for more information. C O M M O N W E A L T H B A L L E T 2 0 1 7-2 0 1 8 15

c o m m o n w e a l t h B a l l e t The final moment of transcendence in Denise Pons s Passacaglia, from Commonwealth Ballet s EDGE performance, March 2017 16 C O M M O N W E A L T H B A L L E T 2 0 1 7-2 0 1 8

i n P e r f o r m a n c e Photo: Liza Voll C O M M O N W E A L T H B A L L E T 2 0 1 7-2 0 1 8 17

Frien d s o f C o mmo n w eal t h Bal l e t Friends of Commonwealth Ballet By becoming a Friend of Commonwealth Ballet, you can experience the special feeling that comes from being part of a remarkable artistic venture within our community. You ll help pass on to others the joy that you experience when attending our live performances. For as little as $40, you can become a member and share in the benefits reserved for the Friends of Commonwealth Ballet. All Friends of Commonwealth Ballet receive recognition in our annual program and on our website. Additional membership benefits are available based on your valued donation. Prima ($1,000 or more) Principal ($500 or more) Soloist ($250 or more) Two free reserved tickets to each production in the 2017-18 season, plus ticket exchange privileges and no handling fees. One free reserved ticket to each production in the 2017-18 season, plus ticket exchange privileges and no handling fees. One free reserved ticket to The Nutcracker, plus ticket exchange privileges and no handling fees. Corps de Ballet ($150 or more) Annual Program recognition, plus ticket exchange privileges and no handling fees. Junior Corps ($85 or more) Dancer ($40 or more) Annual Program recognition, plus ticket exchange privileges. Annual Program recognition. Please help us by sending your tax-deductible donation to: Commonwealth Ballet P.O. Box 892 Acton MA 01720 Become a Friend of CBC Today! For more information, please contact friends@commonwealthballet.org 18 C O M M O N W E A L T H B A L L E T 2 0 1 7-2 0 1 8

Fr ien d s D o n o r s We wish to thank the following private and public donors for their generous support of CBC s 2017-2018 season. P r i m a Anonymous Chip and Melissa Morris P r i n c i p a l Ralph and Elizabeth Aarons Bill and Nancy Meehan s o l o i s t Doug and Eva Macarthur Sue and Ian Moncrieff David and Karen Sirois The Solowey Family Quisumbing-Villaseñor Family The Zhong Family C o r p s d e B a l l e t Alkon & Levine, PC Carpenter Family The Edwards Family The Feit Family Steven and Michelle Lardizabal Tim Laurion Amy and Ewan Milne Neda and Miki Oljaca Sue and Tom Peterman Pamela and Martin Ryba J u n i o r c o r p s Kathy and Bill Bowen Bernadette and Neal Hampton Gie and Debby Lee Rheta A. Roeber d a n c e r Mallory Devlin Blaise and Daria Eckert Katherine Macarthur C u l t u r e 4 K i d z Joan and Andy Miller Sonmez-Poole Family Kathy and Bill Bowen Armand Diarbekirian Jessica Hoffman Irene Margolin-Katz Friends list reflects donations received from November 12, 2016 through November 5, 2017. C O M M O N W E A L T H B A L L E T 2 0 1 7-2 0 1 8 19

Acton School of Ballet Chip Morris, Director Classical Ballet Training for All Levels Pre-Ballet for Kindergarten & 1st Grade First Steps for Four-year-olds Creative Dance for Three-year-olds Pre-professional Program for the Serious Dancer Warm, Nurturing Environment Internationally Trained Faculty Beginning and Intermediate/Advanced Ballet for Adults Photos by Mike Nyman 3 SPRUCE STREET, ACTON, MA 01720 978-263-6572 ActonSchoolof Ballet.com 20 C O M M O N W E A L T H B A L L E T 2 0 1 7-2 0 1 8

A r t i s t i c D i r e c t i o n Artistic Director Chip Morris began his training in modern dance and ballet while pursuing his Ph.D. in Mathematics at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. While in Madison he taught advanced ballet classes at the Wisconsin School of Ballet, directed the Jazzworks Dance Company, co-founded the Choreographer s Consortium, and choreographed for the Madison Savoyards. Since coming to Boston, Mr. Morris has danced with Choreo Dance Company and as a soloist for the Dance Prism. He has choreographed for the Harvard-Radcliffe Dance Company, the Dance Prism, and Peanut Butter & Jelly Dance Company. He also choreographed The Winged Joy for the Wellesley College Choir, and was a guest performer and choreographer for the Wheaton College Dance Company. He was commissioned by them in 1994 to stage Hear Ye, Hear Ye, based on a score by Aaron Copeland. He has choreographed six original full-length ballets for Commonwealth Ballet, including its first major production, Dracula; its first story ballet with accompanying new music composition, Rappaccini s Daughter; the full length family ballets Beauty and the Beast, The Nightingale and The Secret Garden; and CBC s own production of The Nutcracker (with Kathryn Anderson). Other dances he has choreographed include Ta Voix dans la Nuit, Le Papillon, Chance Encounters, Shattered Ritual, Lost Concerto, Lunar Tides, Farewell, Three Brahms Intermezzi, Orton Dances and, most recently, a suite of dances to contemporary music: The Night Has Many Houses, This Marriage, The Handmaid s Dream and Night Terror. Mr. Morris is the Director of the Acton School of Ballet, a past member of the Board of Directors of the Boston Dance Alliance, and co-founder of Commonwealth Ballet Company. Artistic Director Emerita Kathryn Anderson trained at American Ballet Theatre in New York City, where she began her professional ballet career. As a soloist with the Boston Ballet Company, Ms. Anderson danced leading roles in such ballets as The Sleeping Beauty, Les Sylphides, Cinderella, The Nutcracker and The Four Temperaments. She toured extensively throughout the United States, Europe, and Israel, and had the honor of dancing with Boston Ballet when it became the first American ballet company to visit, and perform in, the People s Republic of China. Ms. Anderson choreographed many ballet works for Commonwealth Ballet, including At the Waterfall, The Fated, Icare, Rachmaninoff Opus #43, Hajamari-sozo and Countdown, and collaborated with Chip Morris on the full-length ballets Dracula, Beauty and the Beast and The Nutcracker. Ms. Anderson taught at the Boston Ballet School and was guest instructor at Alabama Dance Theater, the Walnut Hill School of Performing Arts, the Worcester Performing Arts Center and the Dance Complex in Cambridge. She also starred in the nationally acclaimed educational video Ballet for Children and Adults. She was co-founder of Commonwealth Ballet Company and is currently its Artistic Director Emerita. Ms. Anderson was the director of Acton School of Ballet from 1983 until her retirement in 2004. C O M M O N W E A L T H B A L L E T 2 0 1 7-2 0 1 8 21

G u e s t A r t i s t s James Kopecky (Cavalier) Born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, James grew up dancing at Dancenter North in Libertyville, IL. He trained in ballet, jazz, tap, modern and musical theater. After high school, James studied at Butler University under Marek Cholewa, Susan McGuire, Derek Reid, Cynthia Pratt, Tong Wang, Stephan Laurent and Michelle Jarvis. In 2010, he graduated with a BFA in Dance and was offered an apprenticeship at Ballet San Jose under the artistic leadership of Dennis Nahat. In his second season, James was promoted to Corps de Ballet. During his five years with Ballet San Jose, he was featured in a number of works including Paul Taylor s Piazzolla Caldera, Twyla Tharp s In The Upper Room and Jorma Elo s Glow/Stop. Last year, James moved to Charlotte to be a part of the Charlotte Ballet, where he has enjoyed dancing numerous Principal roles. This will be James s second season with the company. Cameron Morgan (Cavalier) Born and raised in south Alabama, Cameron Morgan began dancing at Andalusia Ballet under the direction of Meryane Murphy. He attended the University of Oklahoma, where he graduated in December 2016 with dual degrees in Ballet Performance and Public Relations. While at OU, Cameron danced with Oklahoma Festival Ballet (OFB) and Contemporary Dance Oklahoma (CDO). Cameron has performed internationally with OFB at the Internationale Haydntage in Eisenstadt, Austria, and with CDO at Cita con la Danza XVIII in Benicássim, Spain. Cameron enjoys performing classical and contemporary works. His classical credits include The Nutcracker, Raymonda, Coppélia, Cinderella and Ilya Kozadayev s Romeo and Juliet and his contemporary credits include pieces choreographed by Uwe Scholz, Raimondo Rebeck, Sonia Dawkins, Ilya Kozadayev, Austin Hartel, Viktor Plotnikov and Jock Soto. This is Cameron s first season with Commonwealth Ballet. 22 C O M M O N W E A L T H B A L L E T 2 0 1 7-2 0 1 8

G u e s t A r t i s t s Lindsay Moncrieff (Sugar Plum Fairy) Lindsay is a graduate of Butler University with a B.S. in Dance Arts Administration and a Marketing minor. While at Butler she performed soloist and principal roles including Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty, as well as in George Balanchine s Walpurgisnacht Ballet and Nacho Duato s Por Vos Muero. She received four different performance awards during her time at Butler in addition to the Eileen Poston Dance Scholarship given to one ballet student each year. She also had the opportunity to study and perform internationally at the Polish National Ballet School in Warsaw, Poland and at the Rimsky-Korsakov Music Conservatory in St. Petersburg, Russia. Upon graduation, she joined Colorado Ballet where she performed several Corps de Ballet roles and worked with world-renowned choreographer Steven Mills on Light, The Holocaust and Humanity Project, as well as Glen Tetley s Rite of Spring, and George Balanchine s Theme and Variations. Lindsay was a member of the Commonwealth Ballet Company from 2003-2008 and returned as a Guest Artist in the role of Sugar Plum Fairy with American Ballet Theatre s Vitali Krauchenka for CBC s production of The Nutcracker. Lindsay worked for several years in Donor Relations at Walnut Hill School for the Arts and has now returned to the dance field full time. She joined North Atlantic Dance Theater as a company member this summer where she performed in Bournonville s Napoli and continues to teach at several local studios throughout the area. Bradley Rhoton (Harlequin, Arabian) has performed by invitation with ballet and contemporary dance companies in Georgia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Massachusetts. He has performed lead roles with Performing Arts School of Central Pennsylvania, Georgia Metropolitan Dance Theatre, City Ballet of Wilmington and Urbanity. He enjoys training with many special instructors at Arts Conservatory of Central Pennsylvania, Atlanta Ballet, City Ballet of Wilmington, Boston Ballet and Green Street Studios. His professional photography may be seen at OpulentEagle.com. Bryce Mitchell (Arabian, Neapolitan) hails from Dallas, Texas, where he began his formal training at Texas Ballet Theatre School under the direction of Lyndette Galen and Jan Miller. He continued at the HARID Conservatory and, following his graduation from high school, he entered the Boston Ballet School as a Trainee. He received the Lowell Smith Scholarship Award at the Dance Theatre of Harlem summer program. Bryce is currently dances with Festival Ballet of Providence. C O M M O N W E A L T H B A L L E T 2 0 1 7-2 0 1 8 23

T h e C ompan y LOUISA ARNOLD lives in Westford and joined the Company in 2015. She has enjoyed summer programs at Bolshoi Ballet in NYC, Boston Ballet, Southern New Hampshire Dance Theater, Kaatsbaan and Ellison Ballet, and during the year she studies with Acton School of Ballet. Since the age of nine, she has danced non-company roles in Commonwealth Ballet s production of The Nutcracker; since joining the Company she has also performed in A Glimpse Beyond, The Nightingale and Edge. RACHEL CONTI resides in Boylston and started training with the Acton School of Ballet in 2007; she joined the Company for the 2015-2016 season as an apprentice. Rachel has attended summer programs at the Acton School of Ballet and Ballet Arts Worcester. In addition to dancing with this year s company, Rachel also dances with the Graceful Dancers, the worship dance team at Grace Baptist Church in Hudson, Massachusetts. She has performed non-company roles in The Nutcracker, Beauty and the Beast, and The Secret Garden, in which she performed the role of Mary Lennox. With Commonwealth Ballet, she has danced in The Nutcracker, The Nightingale and Edge. KAYLA EDWARDS lives in Concord, MA and has been training at Acton School of Ballet since 2006. She has attended summer intensive programs at The Washington Ballet, Houston Ballet, Next Generation Ballet, Burklyn Ballet Theatre, Walnut Hill School for the Arts and Acton School of Ballet. Kayla joined Commonwealth Ballet in 2014 and has performed in The Nutcracker, Circadian Rhythm, The Nightingale and Edge. SARAH HOOVER lives in Concord, MA and joins the Company for the 2017-18 Season. She has enjoyed summer programs at Walnut Hill School for the Arts, Burklyn Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet, Kaatsbaan Extreme Ballet, and Charlotte Ballet. During the school year, Sarah studies at Acton School of Ballet. She has danced non-company roles in Commonwealth Ballet s production of The Nutcracker, The Secret Garden, and The Nightingale. 24 C O M M O N W E A L T H B A L L E T 2 0 1 7-2 0 1 8

T h e C ompan y AVA LUBLIN began studying ballet at Acton School of Ballet in 2015. Previously, she was a competitive gymnast at Brestyan s American Gymnastics and danced at Setting the Barre Dance Academy in Concord, MA. She has attended American Repertory Theatre s Summer Intensive in Princeton, NJ and the Back to Ballet summer program at Acton School of Ballet. Recently, Ava danced in the non-company role of Lead Angel during Commonwealth Ballet s 2016 production of The Nutcracker. Ava resides in Concord, Massachusetts and is thrilled to join the Company this season. SAMUEL MAYER lives in Acton and has been dancing with Commonwealth Ballet since 2014. In 2009 he began dancing at the Acton School of Ballet, where he still dances along with additional training at the Brookline Ballet School. Sam has attended summer intensives at Charlotte Ballet, Ballet Austin, American Repertory s Princeton Ballet School, Burklyn Ballet Theatre, Walnut Hill School for the Arts, Back to Ballet Bootcamp, and Acton School of Ballet. Since joining the Company he has danced roles in The Nutcracker, A Glimpse Beyond, Circadian Rythmn, The Nightingale, and Edge. NICOLE MILLER lives in Acton and began dancing at the age of three. Since 2005, Nicole has studied ballet at Acton School of Ballet where she is currently a Teaching Assistant for Level 1. She has attended summer intensive programs at American Academy of Ballet, Festival Ballet Providence, The American Repertory Ballet at Princeton Ballet School, and Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. Prior to joining Commonwealth Ballet in 2015, Nicole performed non-company roles in Commonwealth Ballet s productions of The Nutcracker, The Nightingale, Secret Garden and Beauty and the Beast. Nicole has performed Company roles in productions of The Nutcracker, The Nightingale, A Glimpse Beyond, and Edge. UNA OLJACA lives in Concord, MA and began dancing with Commonwealth Ballet in 2016. She has attended summer intensive programs at Acton School of Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet in Connecticut, Back to Ballet Boot Camp, Princeton Ballet, and Houston Ballet. Una began her training in New Mexico before joining Acton School of Ballet in 2014, and she has performed several non-company roles. In addition, she has danced Company roles in Edge and The Nutcracker. C O M M O N W E A L T H B A L L E T 2 0 1 7-2 0 1 8 25

T h e C o m pan y ALYONA OSADCHA lives in Acton, MA and began dancing with Commonwealth Ballet in 2014. She has attended summer intensives at the Acton School of Ballet, Koltun Ballet, American Repertory s Princeton Ballet, and Charlotte Ballet. Alyona has performed in several Commonwealth Ballet productions including; The Nutcracker, Circadian Rhythm, The Nightingale and Edge, along with non-company roles in The Secret Garden. OLA PATYKOWSKI lives in Stow, MA and began her ballet studies at Acton School of Ballet in 2004. Her summer intensive programs include Ballet Summer School in Poland, Chautauqua School of Dance, Acton School of Ballet, and Walnut Hill School for the Arts, where she just concluded her seventh summer. She joined Commonwealth Ballet in 2013 and has performed in The Nutcracker, The Secret Garden, Circadian Rhythm, The Nightingale and Edge. MARIS RYBA lives in Acton, MA and began training at Acton School of Ballet in 2009. She joins Commonwealth Ballet for the 2016-2017 season. She has attended summer ballet intensives at Bolshoi Ballet Academy, Walnut Hill School for the Arts, Kaatsbaan, and Acton School of Ballet. Maris has performed in non-company roles in Commonwealth Ballet s productions of The Nightingale, The Secret Garden, Beauty and the Beast and The Nutcracker, in which she appeared as Clara in 2014. BRONWYN SMITH lives in Acton, MA and began dancing at Acton School of Ballet in 2005 at the age of four. She has attended summer programs at Koltun Ballet Boston, The Brookline Ballet School, Back to Ballet Boot Camp, and Acton School of Ballet. Bronwyn joins the Commonwealth Ballet Company for the 2017-2018 season. She has performed non-company roles in Commonwealth Ballet s productions of The Secret Garden, and Beauty and the Beast, in addition to the lead roles of the Kitchen Maid in The Nightingale, and Clara in The Nutcracker. 26 C O M M O N W E A L T H B A L L E T 2 0 1 7-2 0 1 8

T h e C o m pan y JULIA SOLOWEY lives in Sudbury, MA and began her ballet studies at the age of three. She has trained at Acton School of Ballet since 2005. Julia has attended summer intensive programs at American Ballet Theatre, Bolshoi Ballet, Walnut Hill School for the Arts, Burklyn Ballet Theatre, and Acton School of Ballet, and now joins the Company for the 2017-2018 season. She has danced non-company roles in The Nightingale, The Secret Garden, Beauty and the Beast, and The Nutcracker. KATRINA SOUSOUNIS lives in Acton, MA and began dancing at the age of three. She has trained at Acton School of Ballet since 2007 and joins Commonwealth Ballet for the 2017-2018 season. Katrina s summer ballet intensives include: Boston Ballet School, Central School of Ballet in London, Bolshoi Ballet Academy, Walnut Hill School for the Arts, Jose Mateo Ballet Theatre, and Acton School of Ballet. Katrina has performed non-company roles in Commonwealth Ballet s productions of The Secret Garden, The Pharaoh s Daughter, Sleeping Beauty, Beauty and the Beast and The Nutcracker, in which she appeared as Clara in 2014. CHLOE VERNILLET lives in Acton, MA and joins the Company this season. Having danced at Acton School of Ballet since she was 8 years old, she has performed non-company roles in The Nutcracker (as Lead Angel and in the Arabian corps) and in The Nightingale. In the summer of 2017, Chloe attended Bolshoi Ballet Academy s Summer Intensive in New York City. CECI VILLASEÑOR resides in Acton, MA and began studying ballet at Acton School of Ballet in 2007. She has attended summer intensive programs at Bolshoi Ballet, Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Ballet, Walnut Hill School for the Arts, and Acton School of Ballet. Ceci joined Commonwealth Ballet in 2014 and performed in productions of The Nutcracker, Circadian Rhythm, The Nightingale and Edge. C O M M O N W E A L T H B A L L E T 2 0 1 7-2 0 1 8 27

T h e C ompan y SADIE WEBSTER resides in Sudbury, MA and began her ballet studies with the Washington School of Ballet in Alexandria, Virginia. She has continued her training at Acton School of Ballet since 2010. Sadie has attended summer intensives at Walnut Hill School for the Arts, Chautauqua Institute, and the School of American Ballet. Sadie has performed non-company roles in The Nutcracker and The Secret Garden, in which she performed the role of Mary Lennox, and Company roles in The Nutcracker and Edge. KATE ZHONG lives in Acton, MA and started to dance at the age of three. She has studied at Acton School of Ballet since 2006. Her summer intensive training includes: Houston Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet in NYC, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Kaatsbaan Extreme Ballet, Walnut Hill School of Arts, Back to Ballet Boot Camp, and Acton School of Ballet. Kate joined Commonwealth Ballet Company in 2014, and has performed in The Nutcracker, Circadian Rhythm, The Nightingale and Edge. World-class care for dancers Innovative injury prevention and treatment for dancers of all ages. Call for an appointment 617-355-3501 bostonchildrens.org/dance Boston Lexington Peabody Waltham Weymouth 28 C O M M O N W E A L T H B A L L E T 2 0 1 7-2 0 1 8

650 Massachusetts Avenue Boxborough, MA 01719 Phone: (978)635-0044 Fax: (978)264-0448 Email: kerry@boxboroughinsurance.com Complete design, renovation and installation services. www.kitchenassociates.com C O M M O N W E A L T H B A L L E T 2 0 1 7-2 0 1 8 29

I n d e x t o Ad ve r t i s e r s Please join CBC in thanking our Annual Program advertisers, whose sponsorship enables us to tell our audience members about the dancers, volunteers and work of the Commonwealth Ballet Company. We encourage your patronage of these generous businesses and cultural organizations. ABRHS Proscenium Circus.........6 Acton Coffee House..............10 Acton Orthodontic................8 Acton School of Ballet............20 Boxborough Insurance Agency.....29 Bullfinchs Restaurant.............12 Caprara Law.....................12 C.E. Floyd, Contractor............14 Childrens Sports Medicine........28 DBK Tutoring.....................8 Dr. Mia Fitzgerald, Dentist........12 Kitchen Associates...............29 H. Ivan Orup, D.M.D..............10 Jamie Gossels College Consulting...12 Louisa May Alcott s Orchard House..4 Museum of Russian Icons.........29 Peterman Architects, Inc...........4 Robb Portraits...................14 Shields & Company...............2 Sutherland Realty.................8 Sven Supplies, Orthodontist.......14 Thomas Sartini, Attorney.........10 Top Dog Design..................30 PROUDLY PROVIDING GRAPHIC DESIGN SERVICES TO THE COMMONWEALTH BALLET COMPANY CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR 26TH SEASON! Sue Peterman 978.844.4362 Sue@TopDogDesign.com 30 C O M M O N W E A L T H B A L L E T 2 0 1 7-2 0 1 8

G r a d u a t i n g S e n i o r s At the end of the 2017-18 season six seniors will graduate from Commonwealth Ballet. Back row, left to right: Lousia Arnold, Samuel Mayer, Julia Solowey Front row: Ceci Villaseñor, Ola Patykowski, Nicole Miller

C O M M O N W E A L T H B A L L E T P R E S E N T S Beauty and the Beast March 17 & 18, 2018 Casey Theatre, Regis College Weston, MA Tickets $20 - $28 Order online at CommonwealthBallet.org or call 978-263-7794