School of Ballet Arizona’s Studio Company Presents Inaugural Showcase
By Claire Natale -
Thursday Apr 11, 2024
The School of Ballet Arizona is excited to present the inaugural performances of its Studio Company Showcase April 12-13 at 7 p.m. at Ballet Arizona’s Dorrance Theater. Join The School of Ballet Arizona’s Studio Company dancers for a dazzling showcase featuring all-new vibrant and bold choreography from up-and-coming choreographers: Nicole Haskins, Gillmer Duran and Durante Verzola.
Studio Company features 21 ballet dancers of the highest rank with the potential and desire to become professional dancers. Led by Studio Company Manager, Alecia Good-Boresow, these members gain professional exposure and can often be seen performing on-stage with Ballet Arizona’s company dancers and in-studio company productions.
Nicole Haskins is a choreographer and former professional ballet dancer with Washington Ballet, Sacramento Ballet, and Smuin Contemporary Ballet. Haskins boasts an impressive choreographic resumé thus far, including Oregon Ballet Theater and Richmond Ballet. Haskins has won competitive funding for her choreographic endeavors, including the New York City Choreographic Institute’s Fellowship Grant, Commissions Grant and a winner of Oregon Ballet Theater’s Choreography XX competition. Haskins currently leads Ballet Idaho’s Trainee Program.
Gillmer Duran is a choreographer who joined Ballet Arizona as a full-time faculty member in 2019. Hailing from Venezuela, Duran has danced professionally at Tulsa Ballet Theatre, Eugene Ballet Company and the National Ballet of Caracas. Duran has a decorated career in the ballet industry, previously holding the artistic director position in Evergreen City Ballet and Alaskan Dance Theatre.
Durante Verzola is an award-winning Filipino American choreographer from Lansing, Kansas. Having choreographed numerous pieces for Miami City Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet II, Ballet Dallas, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and many more, Verzola’s pieces have been described as “sharp and witty...so vibrant it is almost like a celebration of classicism and vitality with non-derivative balletic language” by Philadelphia Dance. Verzola is also a winner of Joffrey's Winning Works, which recognizes talented and emerging ALAANA choreographers.
“Ballet Arizona’s Studio Company members give me great hope for the future of ballet,” said Ib Andersen, Ballet Arizona’s artistic director. “These are hard-working, dedicated and passionate dancers who show incredible potential as pre-professional ballet dancers. We can’t wait to showcase their unique strengths and artistry during this performance.”
