In this seventh Session, a junior couple from Colorado made the cut with a tender rendering of the Coppelia pas de deux, two USA senior women, and a Cuban male senior, plus the Chinese couple dancing a moving Giselle pas de deux, Act II.
Avery Underwood with Issac Mueller reflected radiance and gallantry in the opening of the pas de deux. Mueller’s variation was executed with clarity of line, proportion and free of exaggeration and tricks, while Underwood’s variation with its hops on pointe looked like child’s play.
Katherine Barkman, partnered by Joseph Phillips gave the matinee audience a fully rounded Don Quixote pas de deux, with a sustained balance during the opening, followed by Chisako Olga, a principal with Cincinnati Ballet, delivering the variation with energy, assurance and flourishes. Jorge Barani’s interpretation of the male variation took its cue from the bull ring and the matador.
The two contestants from China, Qui Yunting and Wu Sicong, brought the audience into the world of the Wilis in their rendition of the Giselle pas de deux from Act II.
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