Is Nashville Ballet Balanchine?

Ballet

Nashville Ballet is a professional ballet company based in Nashville, Tennessee. Founded in 1980, it is the largest professional ballet company in Tennessee and is renowned for its high-caliber performances and innovative programming.

The company has performed works by legendary choreographers such as George Balanchine, Marius Petipa, Agnes de Mille, and Twyla Tharp.

Nashville Ballet’s repertoire includes classic ballets such as Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, and Giselle as well as contemporary works such as Paul Vasterling’s acclaimed production of Romeo & Juliet. The company has also created numerous original works including the critically acclaimed full-length ballets Cinderella & The Prince and Firebird & The Princess.

Nashville Ballet has been closely associated with the work of George Balanchine since its inception. In 1983, the company was invited to perform at the International Balanchine Festival in New York City. Since then, the company has staged numerous productions of works by the iconic choreographer including The Nutcracker, Serenade, Apollo, Prodigal Son, and Symphony in C.

The company also regularly performs other iconic pieces from the Balanchine repertoire such as A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Jewels. Nashville Ballet Artistic Director Paul Vasterling has a deep admiration for Balanchine’s work and often uses elements of his style when creating new works. In addition to being a master of technique and classical form, Vasterling strives to emulate Balanchine’s ability to tell stories through dance.

Conclusion:

It is clear that Nashville Ballet has a close connection with George Balanchine’s work, having performed his pieces since 1983 at the International Balanchine Festival in New York City. Artistic Director Paul Vasterling also looks up to him highly and often uses elements of his style when creating new works. Thus it can be concluded that though Nashville Ballet is not completely ‘Balanchine’, it definitely bears his influence at its core.