Ballet and Beyond

City Center Ballet celebrates 20 years of professional dance with a stunning evening of classical and contemporary repertoire.

Experience the precision and beauty of classical ballet with Harald Lander’s “Etudes” staged by Jennifer Henderson. Then shatter expectations with three world-premiere contemporary dances created by emerging New York City choreographers. This versatile and wide-ranging performance goes beyond tradition to reveal the immense power of dance and the ongoing artistic legacy of City Center Ballet.

An on-stage reception follows Saturday’s performance. RSVP required; go to citycenterballet.org to make your reservation.

While this show is suitable for all ages, ages 8+ will be most engaged.

World Premiere Repertoire:

• Cyanlea

Choreographed by Alexander Brady

• Goodbye Amor

Choreographed by Michelle Manzanales

• Bell Tolls Two

Choreographed and performed by Andrew Matte, guest artist

• Danse a la Bell(e) Musique

Choreographed by Jere Hunt

About the Dancers and Choreographers

Alexander Brady’s diverse performing career has taken him from Broadway (original cast member of Movin’ Out) to Hollywood (Across the Universe, Julie and Julia), and around the globe as a member of Joffrey Ballet, Mark Morris Dance Group, and Twyla Tharp Dance. Mr. Brady began choreographing in 1997. His new work, Cyanlea, was created for the dancers of City Center Ballet and is set to bluegrass music.

Originally from Houston, TX, Michelle Manzanales was named Director of Ballet Hispanico School of Dance in 2016. With over 25 years of teaching experience—and a commitment to celebrating and exploring Latinx culture through dance—Ms. Manzanales’s choreography for CCB explores the intricate dynamics of love and hate, set to the music of Rafael Otero Lopez’s Odiame (En Vivo).

Andrew Matte hails from Southern New Hampshire and is a principle dancer with First State Ballet in Delaware.

Jere Hunt, a native of Alabama, has performed works by Martha Graham, David Parsons, Christopher d’Ambroise, and others. He has served as faculty and guest instructor for many prestigious institutions, including Lebanon Ballet School. His piece Danse a la Bell(e) Musique was inspired by the music of acclaimed violinist Joshua Bell, as well as the dancers of City Center Ballet. In this premiere piece, Bell’s music characterizes the evolution of classical music, while the dancers depict the bloom of life and the revelatory power of a single moment in time.