Oregon Ballet Theatre Promotes Dancer Martina Chavez to Soloist

Oregon Ballet Theatre provided no shortage of memorable moments throughout Saturday evening's performance of OBT 25 at the Keller Auditorium. With appearances by supporters and dancers from the Ballet's first 25 years, excerpts of work from Trey McIntyre, Christopher Stowell, and founding Artistic Director James Canfield, as well as an iconic Balanchine ballet and a fun-filled 40 minute premiere from Nicolo Fonte that paired 18 dancers with Portland's beloved Pink Martini, it was a big evening. Many stand-out moments were provided by Martina Chavez, a dancer with the company since 2006, who performed leading roles in both Balanchine's Agon and Fonte's Never Stop Falling (In Love). During his speech at the celebration following the performance, Artistic Director Kevin Irving announced that these performances earned Chavez a promotion to the rank of Soloist. Characteristically humble, Chavez said the following day, "I am so grateful for the opportunities Kevin has given me and I'm excited to continue to learn and grow as an artist with OBT".

Of the decision, Irving said, "Martina's statuesque beauty and sophisticated glamour have never been in doubt - it is her recent blossoming into a thoughtful and compelling artist on stage that has prompted me to make this well-deserved promotion." Nicolo Fonte opens his new work with a solo for Chavez that takes full advantage of her long limbs and pliable quality. He shares, "Martina was an incredible joy to work with - her beautiful line and sweet, hard-working sensibility never failed to bring out the best in me. I'm so happy for her well-deserved promotion!"

OBT 25 continues this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings at 7:30 at the Keller Auditorium. Chavez is slated to dance featured roles in Never Stop Falling (In Love) and Agon in every performance. Tickets are still available by calling the OBT Box Office at 503.222.5538 or visiting www.obt.org.

ABOUT MARTINA CHAVEZ

Originally from San Antonio, Texas, Martina Chavez trained with Buddy and Susan Trevino and Maryland Youth Ballet. She joined OBT as an apprentice in 2006 and was promoted into the company in 2007. Recently, Chavez has danced featured roles in Nacho Duato's Por Vos Muero, James Kudelka's Almost Mozart, Helen Pickett's Petal, and Matjash Mrozewski's The Lost Dance. She was promoted to Soloist in 2014.