At Last Ballet San Jose’s Roster 2013-2014

With just five days to go before September’s end, like the U.S. Congress, Ballet San Jose has released its company roster for 2013-2014, placing Karen Gabay in the new category of Artistic Associate and minus Maria Jacobs-Yu, who elected not to sign a contract this year. Jacobs-Yu’s delicate precision will be missed.

Not a dignified way to announce a company’s roster of dancers; but Ballet San Jose’s record makes one want to mention artists contributing to much of its varied repertoire history under its former artistic aegis. What invariably strikes me as noteworthy is that both past and present artistic directors are Ballet Theatre alumni from different periods of ABT’s evolution.

So, onward to glimpse the thinking of artistic director Jose Manuel Carreno and his Associate Artistic Director Raymond Rodriquez. Evidence points to the remarkable training ground of Carreno’s native Cuba for the corps de ballet is gaining three former members of the Ballet Nacioinal de Cuba in addition to principal dancers Ramon Moreno and Maykel Solas.

Nutnaree Pipit-Suksun has been promoted to Principal Dancer status; along with Alexsandra Meijer, they are only two women in the principal dancer roster. The three men are Jeremy Kovitch, Ramon Moreno and Maykel Solas.

The soloists now include Amy Marie Briones, Rudy Candia, Damir Emric, Junna Ige, Beth Ann Namey, Mirai Noda, Akira Takahashi and Jing Zhang. Emric’s status reflects promotion from the corps de ballet.

The new comers to the corps de ballet include Kathryn Meeusen and Thomas Baker from apprentice roles. The Cuban influx includes Jorge Lopez Barani, Walter Garcia and Ihosvany Rodriguez. Also new to the corps de ballet are Grace-Anne Powers, a former member of La La La Human Steps of Montreal and Alison Stroming, a former dancer with Alberta Ballet, both women natives of the U.S.

These new comers join Shannon Bynum, Cindy Huang, Lucius Kirst, James Kopecky, Alex Kramer, Brieanna Olson, Francisco Preciado, Annali Rose, Joshua Seibel, Cynthia Sheppard, Sarah Stein, Kendall Teague and Lahna Vanderbush.

The three apprentices are Emma Francis, Nicole Larson and Mariya Oishi.
Francis previously danced with Oregon Ballet Theatre.

George Daugherty will continue as Music Director. Those who have been fans of Nutnaree Pipit-Suksun look forward to her performances as a principal.

Ballet San Jose’s Promotions and New Company Members

Lee Kopp, the Public Relations and Marketing Manager for Ballet San Jose, has announced promotions and new company members.  It seemed apparent from the spring casting that several corps members were ready for soloist status and the announcement confirmed those educated guesses.

The new soloists are Amy Marie Briones, Junna Ige, Akira Takahashi and Jing Zhang.  Advancing to principal status is Jeremy Kovitch.

New to the company as members of the corps de ballet are Cindy Huang, Lucius Kirst, Alex Kramer, Annali Rose, Kendall Teague and Mallory Welsh.  Kirst and Kramer are coming to Ballet San Jose from American Ballet Theatre’s Studio Company as mentioned during the spring season, but not identified.  Welsh recently danced with Smuin Ballet. Joshua Seibel, apprenticing during the 2011-2012 season, has  been promoted to corps status.

The  happy surprise in the release concerned Nutnaree Pipit-Suksun, who is joining the company as a soloist after some five years with San Francisco Ballet.  For Bay Area balletomanes who reveled in her unique fluidity, it is excellent news.