Expanded Offerings Enrich Ballet in the Park

Since 1985, Rogue Valley residents have enjoyed free Ballet in the Park performances on Monday nights in July.  This year’s program, presented at 7:30 on July 7, 14, 21, and 28, at Lithia Park ’s Butler Bandshell, will include both remountings of past favorites and world premiers.

The program may include, but is not limited to the following:   Pas de Quatre, a reprise of Eric Hyrst’s choreography; The Three Graces, choreographed by Jennifer Strasser, and Elements, a world premier, choreographed by Ballet Rogue Artistic Director Diane Gaumond Hyrst.

“Because we are expanding the Ballet in the Park offerings this year, it seemed only right our evening performances reflect the breadth of what we can do,” comments Gaumond Hyrst, “and our final performance will feature guest artists from Ballet Fantastique, who will perform several dances.”

At the July 28 performance only, dancers from Ballet Fantastique, a professional concert group from Eugene , will perform works from their repertoire, which includes both classical pieces and Northwest premiers.  

Gaumond Hyrst reports that Ballet Rogue and Ballet Fantastique will be collaborating on future dance events.  “Ballet Rogue and Ballet Fantastique have similar scope and vision.  Donna Bontrager [co-director of Ballet Fantastique] and I are planning to share dancers in future performances.  This year’s Ballet in the Park is the beginning of an exciting collaboration.”

As part of Ballet in the Park, Bontrager will be teaching two master classes, exposing local dancers to the Vaganova technique.  On Sunday, July 27, intermediate dancers are welcome to join Ms. Bontrager at the Medford Dance Center , 201 W. 6^th St. , Medford , from 2:00-3:15, while advanced students can attend her master class from 3:30-5:00.  Cost for dancers is $20 per class.

“It is important for local dancers to be exposed to different teachers and different styles of dance,” according to Gaumond Hyrst.  “This is why we have invited two guest artists to teach master classes this summer.”

John Grenback of the Oregon Ballet Academy of Eugene will be teaching master classes on Sunday, July 20, at the Medford Dance Center .  Intermediate students can attend class from 2:00-3:15, with the advanced students following from 3:30-5:00.  Cost to dancers is $20 per class.

In addition to master classes, Ballet Rogue will continue to offer the free Little Ballerinas classes, for children ages 5-9, from 9:30-10:15 am on July 7, 14, 21, and 28 on the Lithia Park Butler Bandshell stage.  Taught by Ballet Rogue company dancer Kayla Garret, boys and girls, regardless of dance experience, are invited to participate.  Students must be accompanied by an adult and dressed in appropriate dance attire with their hair pulled back.

Immediately following the Little Ballerinas classes, from 10:15-11:00, Ms Garret will teach free Proper Stretch and Warm Up classes, modeled on the New York City Ballet Workout.  These classes are open to students ages 10 and older.  Students need no previous ballet experience but should be dressed in appropriate dance attire and be accompanied by an adult.

The City of Ashland and individual donors contribute funds to make Ballet in the Park possible.

For more information about Ballet in the Park, including performances, master classes, the Little Ballerinas class, or the Proper Stretch and Warm Up classes, call Ballet Rogue at 541 512-0282 or at 541 973-9285 or visit Ballet Rogue on line at www.balletrogue.com.