NOBA Presents its Star-Studded 40th Anniversary Gala Performance, 4/17

The New Orleans Ballet Association celebrates 40 years of Bringing Dance to Life in New Orleans with a superstar-studded Ruby Gala des Etoiles (40th Anniversary Gala of Stars), April 17 at 6:30pm at the Mahalia Jackson Theater of the Performing Arts. Ten internationally renowned Principal and Etoiles ballet dancers from the most prestigious ballet companies in the world will perform at this once-in-a-lifetime event! These rock stars of the ballet include:

Paloma Herrera and Ethan Stiefel - American Ballet Theatre

Wendy Whelan and Albert Evans - New York City Ballet

Leanne Benjamin and Edward Watson - The Royal Ballet of London

Heather Ogden and Guillaume Côté - The National Ballet of Canada

Clairemarie Osta and Benjamin Pech - Paris Opera Ballet

This elegant evening dazzles with an exceptional program of classical masterpieces from Swan Lake and Don Quixote to masterworks by ballet legends George Balanchine, Sir Kenneth MacMillan, Jerome Robbins, John Neumeier, James Kudelka and Christopher Wheeldon.

The event will also honor NOBA's lifetime board member and community visionaries, Cecile Gibson, Henrietta Hall, Dr E. Ralph Lupin and Phyllis M. Taylor, who have supported and championed NOBA's mission for more than 20 years.

"This spring, the New Orleans Ballet Association proudly celebrates this organization's 40th Anniversary of providing dance in all its glorious forms to the region! It is a time to reflect upon our extraordinarily rich history and look forward to the possibilities of the future," said Executive Director Jenny Hamilton. "None of the successes NOBA has experienced would be possible without the leadership and dedication of these four individuals, whose selfless generosity during the many years of their involvement has been instrumental in making sure that the tradition of this beautiful art form flourish in this great city. We are honored that ten of the world's leading dancers will join us in the celebration of this incredible milestone for the Ballet."

Making their first New Orleans appearance are American Ballet Theatre Principal Dancers, Paloma Herrera and Ethan Stiefel. Herrera, who at the age of 19 became the youngest principal dancer in ABT history, and Stiefel, often recognized as Cooper Nielson from the Center Stage films, perform two of the most famous classical duets, the White Swan Pas de Deux (1895) from Swan Lake Act II and the Grand Pas de Deux from Don Quixote (1869). Swan Lake, one of the most popular Romantic ballets, features music by Peter Ilyich Tchiakovsky and choreography by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov. "Quite simply Herrera is sublime [as Odette]. Ethan Stiefel, a handsome Siegfried with clean lines and controlled landings, could not help but be enchanted by such an exquisite creature. Sympathetically in tune with each other, the couple formed an expressive partnership, high-lighting aspects of the ballet's drama that often get lost" (Dance Europe). The exciting Grand Pas de Deux from Act III of Don Quixote, with music by Ludwig Minkus and choreography by Marius Petipa and Alexander Gorsky, is one of the most iconic duets and known for its flair, stamina and bravura dancing.

The evening includes New York City Ballet Principal Dancers Wendy Whelan and Albert Evans, who performed at the reopening of the Mahalia Jackson Theater in 2009. This season marks retirement for Evans, one of the world's leading African-American male classical dancers, who will give his farewell performance for the New York City Ballet in June. As a young dance student in Kentucky, Whelan actually received much of her dance training from Cecile Gibson, one of the evening's honorees who currently serves as a NOBA board member and dance instructor at the NORD/NOBA Center For Dance. The couple performs the pas de deux from George Balanchine's neoclassical masterwork Agon (1957). Set to a landmark score by Igor Stravinsky, this pas de deux is a signature work for Whelan and Evans. "At the heart of Agon is an extraordinary duet, weird and erotic at the same time, and Wendy Whelan and Albert Evans deliver it like champions" (The Times-UK). The couple will also present a pas de deux from After the Rain (2005), a sensual work set to Arvo Part's haunting Spiegel im Spiegel that showcases the inventive partnering of one of today's hottest choreographers, Christopher Wheeldon. Cameron Grant, pianist for the New York City Ballet Orchestra since 1998, will provide live accompaniment for After the Rain.

The gala marks the first performances in New Orleans by six more international ballet stars. From London's Royal Ballet, Principal Dancers Leanne Benjamin and Edward Watson debut the duet from Sir Kenneth MacMillan's Manon (1974) set to music by Jules Massenet and Qualia Pas de Deux (2004), choreographed by award-winning British choreographer Wayne McGregor and set to the electronic music of Scanner. MacMillan's rapturous Manon, a mainstay of the modern repertoire, tells the story of a young woman's tragic encounters with love and loss. Qualia (meaning a raw and sensory experience) marked Wayne McGregor's debut on the Royal Opera House stage. As Resident Choreographer for the Royal Ballet, McGregor often creates physically challenging works with hyper-speed, off-center balances and kooky details, including Qualia. Its highlight is a sensorial pas de deux created for Watson and Benjamin, which has been hailed as sublime dancing and used in various galas worldwide. "Anyone who watches them can see the rapport...Leanne Benjamin and Edward Watson shine" (Dance Europe).

Paris Opera Ballet Etoiles Dancers Benjamin Pech and Clairemarie Osta perform two pas de deux to music by Frederic Chopin. In the Night (1970), choreographed by Academy Award and Tony Award winner Jerome Robbins, portrays the feelings of three couples at three different moments in a loving relationship. Set to Chopin nocturnes, In the Night will also have live piano accompaniment from NYCB Orchestra's Cameron Grant. Originally created for Stuttgart Ballet in 1978, The Ladies of the Camellias is a sumptuous and elegant classical ballet based on the novel of the same name by Alexandre Dumas, Jr. This choreographic masterpiece by Hamburg Ballet's Director John Neumeier is based on true events in Alexandre Dumas's life when, at the age of 20, he fell in love with Marie Duplessis who was to die at the age of 23. Benjamin Pech is hailed by the French media as "one of the greatest dancers of the Paris Opera Ballet. His performance [in The Ladies of the Camellias] combines exquisite technique with an excellent portrait of the main character." The French media claims there is no other dancer like Clairemarie Osta in the world of classical ballet, and the New York Times praises her for her "impressive quicksilver virtuosity."

Partners both on the stage and off, National Ballet of Canada dancers Heather Ogden and Guillaume Côté perform the passionate Summer Pas de Deux from James Kudelka's The Four Seasons (1997), set to Antonio Vivaldi's score of the same name. This ballet, hailed as a modern masterpiece, was the first work Kudelka created for The National Ballet of Canada as Artistic Director and employs virtuosic solo and ensemble parts to brilliant effect. Ogden and Côté also dance the famed Black Swan Pas de Deux (1895) from Act III of Swan Lake. While the White Swan duet is the tender declaration of love between Odette and Siegfried, the Black Swan pas tells about the sinister deception of Siegfried by Odile. "Heather Ogden and Guillaume Côté are just such souls on fire. They offer such exquisite symmetry, such risk-taking daring" (The Hamilton Spectator). A classical favorite of ballerinas and audiences alike, this duet is brought to life by the technically savvy couple. "It almost feels like a lovers' showdown... A romantic pair offstage as well, they just keep bringing out the best in each other" (The National Post).

All repertoire and casting is subject to change.

Ticket prices for the 40th Anniversary Ruby Gala des Etoiles range from $20 to $100. Students and seniors (65 and older) receive a $7 discount off regular ticket prices of $40 and higher. Group discounts also are available. For tickets or information, call the New Orleans Ballet Association Box Office at (504) 522-0996. Tickets may be purchased online through www.nobadance.com or via Ticketmaster at (504) 522-5555 or www.ticketmaster.com.

After the performance, BRAVO (Ballet Resource And Volunteer Organization) hosts its largest fundraiser of the year, chaired by Toni Bachmann. Upon arriving for the evening, guests will be escorted down the red carpet into the theater, and after the performance, a limited number of patrons will join the rest of the stars on the stage of the Mahalia Jackson Theater for a gourmet three-course dinner prepared by Chef Donald Link of Herbsaint, Cochon and Butcher. Benefactors will enjoy a champagne intermission with white gloved personal service at their box seats, and a patron reception chaired by Charlotte Bollinger will be held in the lobby of the theater immediately following the performance. Jazz vocalist and trumpet player Jeremy Davenport will provide live entertainment, and guests will also enjoy live and silent auctions. Packages that include the performance and gala dinner are available through NOBA.
The Ruby Gala des Etoiles is sponsored by Chevron, Superior Energy Services, and Phyllis M. Taylor, with additional support by The Lupin Foundation, Peoples Health, and Regions Bank. Official Awards Sponsor is Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry. Official Airline is American Airlines and the Official Hotel is Sheraton New Orleans.

Paloma Herrera, American Ballet Theatre
Born in Buenos Aires, Paloma Herrera began her ballet studies with Olga Ferri at age seven. As a young dancer, she was a first prize winner at several major competitions in South America, and, at the age of 11, studied at the Minsk Ballet School in Russia before returning to Buenos Aires to dance the role of Cupid in Don Quixote at the Teatro Colon. Herrera was a Finalist at the Fourteenth International Ballet Competition in Varna, Bulgaria in 1990. After the competition, she was invited by Natalia Makarova to take class with the English National Ballet in London and by Hector Zaraspe to continue her studies at the School of American Ballet in New York. After just six months, Herrera was selected to dance the leading role in Raymonda at SAB's annual workshop performance. She joined American Ballet Theatre as a member of the corps de ballet in June of 1991, was promoted to Soloist in June of 1993, and to Principal Dancer in March of 1995.

Ethan Stiefel, American Ballet Theatre
Ethan Stiefel, born in Pennsylvania, is a Principal Dancer with American Ballet Theatre and Dean of The School of Dance at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. He began his dance studies in Wisconsin, and was awarded a full scholarship at the School of American Ballet, where he studied under Stanley Williams before studying with Mikhail Baryshnikov at his School of Classical Ballet. Ethan began his performing career at age 16 with the New York City Ballet where he quickly rose to the rank of Principal Dancer. He starred in the feature film Center Stage, and returned to play the role of CooPer Nielsen in Center Stage 2- Turn It Up. He received the prestigious Dance Magazine Award in 2008, was a juror for the Prix de Laussane in 2001 and will serve on the selection committee for the 2010 International Ballet Competition held in Jackson, Mississippi.

Wendy Whelan, New York City Ballet
Wendy Whelan was born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, where at the age of three she began taking dance classes with Virginia Wooton, a local teacher. At age eight she performed as a mouse with the Louisville Ballet in its annual production of The Nutcracker. Joining the Louisville Ballet Academy that year, she began intense professional ballet training. In 1981 she received a scholarship to the summer course at the School of American Ballet (SAB), the official school of New York City Ballet, and a year later, became a full-time student there. In 1984, Ms. Whelan danced as an apprentice with New York City Ballet. Ms. Whelan became a member of New York City Ballet's corps de ballet in January 1986. She was promoted to the rank of soloist during the 1989 spring season and to the rank of principal dancer in the 1991 spring season.

Albert Evans, New York City Ballet
Albert Evans was born in Atlanta, Georgia. He began his ballet training at Terpsichore Expressions in Atlanta. In 1986, he was awarded a full scholarship to the School of American Ballet (SAB), the official school of New York City Ballet. Mr. Evans was made a member of New York City Ballet's corps de ballet in the spring of 1988, and was immediately given leading roles in two American Music Festival ballets: William Forsythe's Behind The China Dogs, and Eliot Feld's The Unanswered Question. He was promoted to soloist in the spring of 1991, and to principal in the winter of 1995.

Leanne Benjamin, The Royal Ballet of London
Leanne was born in Australia, where she trained with Valerie Hansen in Queensland until the age of sixteen, when she was accepted by the Royal Ballet Upper School in London. Whilst at the School, she won the Adeline Genée Gold Medal in 1980 and the Prix de Lausanne in 1981. She danced the title role in Giselle at the School's annual performance in 1982 and joined Sadler's Wells Royal Ballet in 1983. She was promoted to Soloist in 1985 and to Principal in 1987. In 1985 she was invited to be the British representative at the World Ballet Festival in Tokyo. In 1988 she joined London Festival Ballet as a Principal, and then the Deutsche Opera Ballet in Berlin under the direction of Peter Schaufuss in 1990. She joined The Royal Ballet as a First Soloist in September 1992. She was promoted to the rank of Principal immediately after making her Royal Ballet debut as Odette/Odile in Swan Lake in 1993. In January 2005 she was awarded an OBE for services to dance.

Edward Watson, The Royal Ballet of London
Edward was born in Bromley and started his training locally. He was a Junior Associate of The Royal Ballet School before training at the Lower School, White Lodge, and Upper School. He danced the pas de deux in Matthew Hart's Simple Symphony and appeared in Ninette De Valois' Checkmate in the 1993 school's performance, as well as Frederick Ashton's Monotones II and the pas de six from Napoli Act III in the 1994 school's performance. He joined The Royal Ballet in December 1994 and was promoted to First Artist at the end of the 1997/98 Season, Soloist in 2001, First Soloist in 2002 and Principal in August 2005.

Clairemarie Osta, Paris Opera Ballet
Clairemarie Osta began dancing at the Conservatoire of Nice. At 17, she joined the Paris Opera Ballet School and entered the Corps de Ballet a year later in 1988. Clairemarie was quickly promoted to Coryphée in 1989, Sujet in 1990, and Première Danseuse in 1999. At the end of a performance of Paquita in 2002, she was promoted to Étoile. She has won many prizes, including a champion of France in tap dancing, Premier Prix du CNSM de Paris, a bronze medal at Varna, and a Prix de l'AROP. Clairemarie is also a Chevalier des Arts et Lettres.

Benjamin Pech, Paris Opera Ballet
Benjamin Pech attended a jazz dance school from the age of eight, and began his classical ballet training two years later, in Montpellier in1985. He joined the Paris Opéra Ballet School in 1986 and attended all its school years, taking part in the annual performances and tours (in Japan and U.S.A.). After joining the Paris Opéra Ballet in 1992, he was promoted to Coryphée in 1994 and Sujet in 1997. He was promoted to Premier Danseur in 1999. At the end of an evening performance in 2005, Benjamin was promoted to Étoile. He danced at the Bolshoi and the Kirov Theatre on the occasion of the Maïa Plissetskaïa galas in 1995 and at the New York City Center for three exceptional galas in 1996. In July 2004 he was appointed Dancer of the Year by the Etoiles de Ballet 2000.

Guillaume Côté, The National Ballet of Canada
Guillaume Côté is a native of Lac-Saint-Jean, Québec. He studied at Canada's National Ballet School, joined The National Ballet of Canada in 1999 and has been a Principal Dancer since 2004. Mr. Côté is in demand as an international guest artist and has danced with American Ballet Theatre, English National Ballet, Teatro Colón de Buenos Aires, Berlin's Staatsoper and Teatro alla Scala. He has also performed at Covent Garden in London, the Metropolitan Opera in New York City and New York State Theater. Mr. Côté is also an accomplished musician and composer and has composed music for a number of dance and theatre productions internationally. Mr. Côté was awarded a Gemini Award as well as the Galileo 2000 "A life for music" Prize for his dance and musical collaboration in the documentary Moving to His Music: The Two Muses of Guillaume Côté. He also recently performed in "Kings of the Dance," a live eight-dancer program presented by Ardani Artists Management at New York's City Center that showcased some of today's top male dancers in various programs.

Heather Ogden, The National Ballet of Canada
Heather Ogden was born in Toronto and trained at the Richmond Academy of Dance in British Columbia before joining The National Ballet of Canada in 1998. She was promoted to Principal Dancer in 2005. Ms. Ogden's repertoire with the National Ballet includes principal roles in Swan Lake, Romeo and Juliet, The Nutcracker, The Sleeping Beauty, The Merry Widow, La Bayadère and Cinderella. In 2005, she travelled with The Suzanne Farrell Ballet to perform the role of Dulcinea in Balanchine's Don Quixote in Edinburgh and danced in the National Ballet's company premiere of the work in 2007. Ms. Ogden represented the National Ballet at The Sixth International Competition for The Erik Bruhn Prize with Guillaume Côté in 2002. In 2007, she performed in the Stars of the 21st Century gala performance in New York City and was a guest performer at the Banff Centre's 60th Anniversary Gala. Ms. Ogden also performed in Montréal's Gala des Étoiles in 2006 and 2007.

Photo courtesy of NOBA

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