We are thrilled to share our recent collaboration with Milwaukee Ballet's Ballet Beat, a summer series dedicated to making ballet accessible to everyone. Ballet Beat brings the beauty and grace of ballet into the community with free workshops, events, and activities, culminating in spectacular public performances.
This July, we had the pleasure of partnering with Ballet Beat for some truly unique artistic projects—all of which took place in Wisconsin, reflecting our commitment to our local community.
We kicked things off with a workshop at the Silver Spring Neighborhood Center, where we had the chance to introduce our work to the public for the very first time. It was a wonderful moment for us as we welcomed local residents to experience the transformative power of art and dance.
One of the highlights was "Three Preludes," a captivating performance danced by Jacqueline Sugianto and Alex Koulos. Their graceful and expressive movements were brought to life by the music of Rachmaninoff Preludes Op. 32 No. 10 in B minor, performed live by our co-artistic director, Hikari Nakamura. The fusion of dance and live music created a profound and immersive experience, highlighting the deep connection between the two art forms and enriching the audience's appreciation of both.
Another highlight of our collaboration was "Once My Ally," a powerful dance piece choreographed by Amanda Lewis based on the story submitted to us by Jasmine. This performance was brought to life by the dancers Jacqueline Bertault and Trinity Santoro. The dance explored Jasmine's journey of struggle and freedom from an abusive relationship. By drawing from Jasmine’s story, Amanda added new depth to the piece, allowing the audience to connect with its emotional impact in a dynamic and moving way.
Our collaboration continued with a memorable performance at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center, Brookfield WI. We were thrilled to see so many people from the local community come together to support and enjoy the arts. It was a powerful reminder of how art can bring us closer and foster a sense of togetherness.
The final performances took place at the Baumgartner Center for Dance, Milwaukee WI, where we created a truly special experience for our audience. We were thrilled to welcome summer intensive students from the Milwaukee Ballet Center for Dance, along with a wide range of local audiences and school communities.
Many of the children who attended had never seen ballet or live music before, and it was heartwarming to see them experience the magic of the arts for the first time. For heARTists, this was more than just a performance; it was an opportunity to empower the younger generation through the transformative power of art and story telling. By introducing these children to the wide variety of works, we aimed to foster a deeper understanding of art's role in personal growth and mental health. Our mission to raise awareness about mental health stigma and provide a platform for discussing these important issues was a central theme. These performances were a celebration of community, accessibility, and the incredible power of art to uplift and inspire others.
All of these performances were free, reflecting Ballet Beat's mission to make ballet and art accessible to everyone. We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work with Milwaukee Ballet and are excited about future collaborations that continue to bring art, dance, and live music to the heart of our community.
Photo Credits: Misaki Saito and Rachel Malehorn
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