Ballet Idaho Out Loud

Artistic Director Garrett Anderson and Master Teacher/Choreographer Bruce Wells enjoy a lively discussion about Bruce's impressive repertoire of original story ballets, particularly Beauty and the Beast, which Ballet Idaho will perform in May 2022.  Garrett and Bruce also talk about their time working together as student and teacher, and of the people and events that led them to fall in love with dance.  Their conversation is informative, but also touching and personal, revealing the strong bond that like minded students and teachers develop while working together in the dance studio.    

Former New York City Ballet dancer, current stager for the Balanchine Trust and project associate for the George Balanchine Foundation's Interpreter Archive, Paul talks with Ballet Idaho Associate Artistic Director Anne Mueller about his incredible journey from Sioux Falls, South Dakota to the most prominent stages of the world.  Paul has worked with Ballet Idaho frequently, staging numerous Balanchine ballets for the company.  In addition to having an impressive career working with the dance geniuses of our time, Paul also talks about being befriended by Salvador Dali.  

Hear about Afshin's fascinating journey from a childhood studying dance in Iran to a career dancing under Balanchine at the New York City Ballet.  He weathered considerable challenges to build a successful career with the company during the height of NYCB's time under Balanchine, also dancing in ballets by another choreographic legend, Jerome Robbins.  Afshin's later adventures, which eventually took him to Boise, included a stint working on a dude ranch in Montana.  Afshin owns and operates a successful chiropractic clinic in Boise and is a supporter of Ballet Idaho, having been a Board member and one of the founders of the company's wellness program.

Learn more about the newest addition to Ballet Idaho's Artistic Staff, Nicole Haskins.  Nicole joined the team in the fall of 2020 to head up the newly created trainee program.  She led the group of 10 pre-professional dancers through a wonderfully productive year that allowed them to work with dance luminaries such as Glenn Edgerton (former director of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and of Netherlands Dance Theater) among others.  Interviewed by Artistic Associate Anne Mueller,  Nicole shares her thoughts on the highlights of the year, her philosophy on dance instruction, and also talks about her choreographic career which, having begun at the ripe age of eleven, has been recognized and supported by the New York Choreographic Institute.   

In this episode, Anne Mueller, Ballet Idaho Artistic Associate, explores the company's relationship with Front Runner Films.  Her conversation with Tyler Nimmons explores the partnership as it existed before the pandemic, when the focus was on promotional content focused on supporting the company's work on stage.  In the second half of the episode, Anne shares a very recent conversation with Brandon Freeman, Creative Producer for Front Runner, that reflects on the adventure of the digital season and the journey of creating the many original dance for film works that the partnership brought forth.  

To find out how a little red truck relates to the path that led Daniel Ojeda to Ballet Idaho or to hear the both exhilarating and intimidating story of Soloist Jessica Sulikowski's audition for the company, check out this episode! Continuing our focus on the journeys that brought some of Ballet Idaho's dancers to join the company, Artistic Director Garrett Anderson interviews Daniel and Artistic Associate Anne Mueller interviews Jessica.  Both dancers reveal their favorite moments with the company and talk about the things they value most in their co-workers.  

In this episode, Garrett Anderson, Ballet Idaho's Artistic Director, speaks with his good friend and frequent collaborator, Quinn Wharton.  Quinn has been the creative eye behind the lens for Ballet Idaho's promotional images for the last two seasons.  The two talk about their times dancing together at San Francisco Ballet, strategies for getting the best out of dancers in the studio and in photo shoots, and the unique artistic understanding they have built with one another over their years working together.   

Join us in a discussion of diversity in ballet as Artistic Associate Anne Mueller interviews Company Dancer Antonio Carnell to explore his journey through Ballet Idaho Academy and his heart regarding racial discrimination.

Hear how Principal Dancer Adrienne Kerr uses her jazz roots when interpreting the works of George Balanchine and how she feels like the city of Boise's response to performances is "like a big hug" in this interview with Artistic Director, Garrett Anderson.  Part 2, hosted by Artistic Associate Anne Mueller, reveals Company Dancer Madeline Bay's most treasured moment onstage and how her collegiate experiences at the University of Utah have affected her as an artist.   

Choreographer of Ballet Idaho's 2019 production of Cinderella, Edwaard Liang, talks with Garrett Anderson about the challenges and joys of being an Artistic Director.  Edwaard had a stellar career as a dancer with New York City Ballet, on Broadway, and with Nederlands Dans Theater, and transitioned seamlessly into working as an international freelance choreographer.  His curious mind and love for a challenge then led him to take leadership of Ballet Met, which has flourished under his leadership.  

Artistic Director Garrett Anderson and company artist Kate Maxted reflect on the recent adjustments both she and Ballet Idaho have made to stay active and engaged while sheltering in place.  They also explore her education in arts management, her love for the mountains, and how she's teaching English virtually to children in China.  

Artistic Associate Anne Mueller interviews Christopher Stowell about his unique, dance rich upbringing and the many roles he's inhabited throughout his successful career.  Christopher was a principal dancer with San Francisco Ballet for 16 years and has worked as a director, choreographer, stager, and guest teacher all around the globe.  He currently serves as Associate Artistic Director for the National Ballet of Canada.   

Artistic Associate Anne Mueller talks with Elizabeth Barreto about her beginnings in dance, how she's maintaining herself as a dancer in quarantine, and how she's using her dance wear company to make a difference.