Ballet BC unveils a diverse roster of new dancers for 2022-23 season
Talent hails from the U.S., France, Italy, and our own Arts Umbrella
Clockwise from top left: Michael Garcia, Benjamin Peralta, Sidney Chuckas, Vivian Ruiz, Luca Afflitto, and Éline Malègue. Photos by Brendan Meadows
A DIVERSE ARRAY OF NEW talent from around the world has joined the ranks of Ballet BC this season.
This week, the company, under artistic director Medhi Walerski, unveiled its full roster of company members for 2022-23, and there are many new dancers who bring a wide range of experience to the troupe.
Amid the new members:
Genova-born Luca Afflitto trained at Academie de Danse Princesse Grace in Monte Carlo and has danced at Ballett Zurich, winning the Dance Prize of the Friends of Ballett Zurich in 2019;
Illinois-born Sidney Chuckas, who was an Emerging Artist with the company last year and has a diverse background that includes everything from dancing for Chance the Rapper and training with Alvin Ailey and the Joffrey Ballet, has now moved up to a full member;
Texas-born Michael Garcia graduated from the Juilliard School and performed with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, appearing in striking campaigns for Bogner, FortyFiveTen, and photographer Mark Mann;
French artist Éline Malègue trained at the Paris Opera Ballet School and has a career spanning Victor Ullate Ballet in Madrid and Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal;
Florida-raised Benjamin Peralta brings experience including training at USC Kaufman and staging William Forsythe’s The Barre Project;
and Miami-born Vivian Ruiz is an Arts Umbrella grad who danced with Kidd Pivot as a swing for the Revisor European tour.
In addition, Washington-raised Patrick Kilbane is returning to Ballet BC this season. An alumnus of the Oregon Ballet Theater and NW Dance Project, he joined the company under former artistic director Emily Molnar in 2017, but spent the past two years living and teaching at a spiritual retreat in Portland, becoming a certified yoga instructor.
Rounding out the company are returning members Emily Chessa, Livona Ellis, Kiana Jung, Sarah Pippin, Rae Srivastava, Kaylin Sturtevant, and Jacob Williams.
Emerging artists working with the troupe are: Emanuel Dostine, Orlando Harbutt, María Eugenia Pommorsky, Jacalyn Tatro, Sydney Tormey, and Ben Waters.
Audiences will be able to check out all the new talent at Ballet BC's season-opening program OVERTURE/S, November 3 to 5 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.
Related Articles
