On May 24th and 25th, the St. Paul’s Ballet Company showcased their hard work over the Spring Term. The performances included excerpts from “The Kingdom of the Shades” from the well-known ballet La Bayadère, student choreography by Cristina Baron ‘25 and Luna Huang ‘26, Seven by Rosalynde LeBlanc, and two pieces by guest choreographers Carlos Lopez and Amy Hall Garner.
“The Kingdom of the Shades” is an iconic “ballet blanc,” marked by the dancers' white costumes and supernatural quality. Being one of the most technically demanding pieces in the ballet world, the dancers worked especially hard to perfect everything, from the angle of their fingertips to the direction they look. During the visit of Byam Stevens ‘71 earlier this term, he also gave the dancers an artistic toolbox that they could apply to not only this piece but every aspect of their art. Working on this piece gave the dancers an opportunity to learn and practice dancing as ‘one body.’
The SPSBC performed the fan-favorite Seven by Rosalynde LeBlanc, staged by Courtney Peix-Barros. It is a modern dance piece that is a mixture of both order and chaos. The beats are counted in sevens, rather than the typical eight, which taught the dancers to adapt to another way of counting. In previous years, the dancers performed the piece often due to popular demand, and it made a comeback this year!
Earlier this term, the SPSBC welcomed Carlos Lopez back to choreograph another piece. In contrast to the piece he set last year, Raicés, Lopez’s new piece incorporates musical theater and pushed the dancers to explore another territory – acting. The dance is set in a boarding school setting, much like SPS. Each dancer was given their own personality to embody, like the stereotypical type A student, laid back student, shy student, etc. This fun and almost whimsical piece is based on classical ballet but also incorporates elements of modern and jazz. The dancers were excited to continue to explore their artistic expression through this piece.
Recently, the SPSBC worked with Amy Hall Garner, an internationally acclaimed choreographer who has been commissioned by numerous prestigious ballet companies, such as the New York City Ballet Company and ABT Studio Company. The BC had the privilege of working on a contemporary piece under her guidance. The music is a techno meld, which directly influences how the dancers interpret the choreography.
Members of the SPSBC were given the unique opportunity to choreograph their own pieces. This spring’s performance showcased the work of Cristina Baron ‘25 and Luna Huang ‘26. Baron choreographed “Havana ‘58,” a piece “heavily influenced by the Spanish and Cuban music” she chose. The first song was by a Cuban band her family had always liked, while the second was a Spanish guitar piece. The piece was very romantic and nostalgic, telling the story of two past lovers who reunite and reminisce on the best days of their love story. Baron says, “The feelings of nostalgia and reminiscence in my piece also apply to missing the Cuba of long ago.” Huang’s piece, “A New Era,” was inspired by Book One of Ovid’s Greek myth, “The Metamorphoses.” She hoped to use a modern style of ballet as a medium to tell a powerful historical story. As she says, she hopes this piece provided the audience with a sense of enlightenment and revival. Baron and Huang were both very excited to share their work with everyone.
This performance was a testament to the dancers’ hard work and versatility. The BC thanks everyone for their support this year!