The Colorado Ballet Promotes Two Soloists and Adds Six New Corps de Ballet Dancers

Colorado Ballet promotes two of its Soloist dancers to Principals and adds six new Corps de Ballet dancers, for a total of 30 Company dancers.

Artistic Director Gil Boggs promoted Dana Benton and Domenico Luciano to Principals.

Benton is now in her 14th season with Colorado Ballet. In 2001, she joined Colorado Ballet as a Corps de Ballet member and was promoted to Soloist in 2007. Her notable roles include Belle in Beauty and the Beast, Swanilda in Coppélia, Cow Girl inRodeo, Ave Maria Pas de Deux, Clara and the Sugarplum Fairy in The Nutcracker, Gulnara in Le Corsaire, Tinker Bell in Peter Pan, Lucy in Dracula, Princess Florine and Diamond Fairy in The Sleeping Beauty, Pas de Trois in Swan Lake, Peasant Pas inGiselle, Flower Girl and Cupid in Don Quixote, Hermia and Peaseblossom in A Midsummer Night's Dream, and the featured role in Amy Seiwert's Traveling Alone.

Luciano is in his second season with Colorado Ballet. He joined Colorado Ballet as a Soloist during the 2013-2014 season after serving as a Principal dancer with Dominic Walsh Dance Theater in Houston. His repertoire includes many of the classical principal leads including Romeo, Paris, and Benvolio in Romeo & Juliet, Solor in La Bayadere, The Prince in The Nutcracker, Albrecht in Giselle, Onegin in Onegin, and Don Jose in Carmen, as well as several contemporary works.

Colorado Ballet's new Corps de Ballet dancers include: Joshua Allenback, Ariel Breitman, Emily Dixon, Oliveira Fernanda, Emily Speed and Melissa Zoebisch.

In addition to the new Corps de Ballet dancers, 20 Studio Company dancers will join the 30 professional Company dancers this season for the productions at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House. Colorado Ballet's Studio Company is a pre-professional training opportunity for dancers with the potential and desire to become professional dancers.

Colorado Ballet's preview and repertory performance of An Evening Under the Stars will take place on August 16 at the Arvada Center Outdoor Amphitheater. The company will officially open the 2014-2015 season with A Midsummer Night's Dream onSeptember 26 at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House.

About Colorado Ballet

Established in 1961 by Lillian Covillo and Freidann Parker, Colorado Ballet is a non-profit organization celebrating 54 years of presenting world-class classical ballet and superior dance in Denver. Under the direction of Artistic Director Gil Boggs, Colorado Ballet presents more than 50 performances annually. Colorado Ballet enhances the cultural life of Colorado through performances of the professional company, training at the Academy, and Education & Outreach programs. Visit www.coloradoballet.org.

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