Years ago i saw this nutcracker on pbs and was amazed at the magical partnership of gelsey kirkland and mikhail baryshnikov. The auditorium is small and cozy, no seat is a bad seat. This nutcracker, ardently performed by young dancers from the gelsey kirkland studio company and students from the gelsey kirkland academy of classical ballet, is not at the same level as those of new york city ballet or american ballet theatre, and one shouldnt expect that. However, this year, dancers in the holiday kirkland performance were students from her academy. Went there to see the nutcracker and we were delighted. Gk arts center is proud to host gelsey kirkland ballets perennial holiday classic, the nutcracker. The gelsey kirkland academy of classical ballet offers yearround, comprehensive training aimed at the full cultural development of the young artist. The classical ballet academy cba, founded in 1990 by crystal peterson, is the premier high caliber training facility in the area focusing exclusively on. Gelsey kirkland ballets the nutcracker brown paper tickets. Her father put her and her sister, johnna kirkland, into ballet classes. Nutcracker wouldnt be nutcracker without the local childrens cast.
Gelsey kirkland academy of classical ballet 29 jay st brooklyn ny 11201. Chernov and kirklands concept stresses the notion of the nutcracker as a journey into an ideal realm. Review and photos of gelsey kirkland ballet academy performance of nutcracker suites, december 2017 in dumbo, brooklyn. The gkacb is a place where dancers can learn to become artists. Gelsey kirkland ballets nutcracker presents clara as a wideeyed, sensitive young soul experiencing the first intimations of love. Gelsey kirkland ballet presents the nutcracker blindinglightco. Recent performances gelsey kirkland ballet presents.
Gelsey kirkland and mikhail baryshnikov in the nutcracker are simply iconictwo of the worlds most celebrated dancers in the worlds bestloved ballet. But its not a small, local or neighborhood production either. Gelsey kirkland ballet performs the nutcracker the new. She graduated to the new york city ballet in 1968, was promoted to soloist in 1970 and principal. Kirkland, a dance legend who has been out of the limelight for nearly 20 years, came to new york from her home in melbourne, australia, at the invitation of john. On this episode of inside new york city dance, you get an inside look at the gelsey kirkland academy of. Gelsey kirkland academy of classical ballet 29 jay st, brooklyn, new york 11201 rated 4. Gelsey kirkland ballet, a new studio company, is presenting an ambitious new production of the nutcracker as a comingofage tale involving ideas of death and rebirth. At age 18, kaito yamamoto began his training at gelsey kirkland academy of classical ballet in 20. Kirkland seems to float when she dances with such an ethereal quality. The balanchine, though, is far from being the only nutcracker in town. Yamamoto joined gelsey kirkland ballet in 2014 as a company member, he performed harlequinade cavarly halt, don quixote nutcracker, faust. Although smaller in stature in the intimate schimmel center at pace university in downtown manhattan, the work packs quality dancing from dancers that artistic directors kirkland and husband michael chernov have assembled over the past four years. She graduated to the new york city ballet in 1968, was promoted to soloist in 1970 and principal dancer in 1972.
Starring as clara and the prince in american ballet theaters 1977 madefortelevision film, these two superb talents bring both technical and dramatic brilliance to the ballets culminating scene. Gelsey kirkland biography 2017 facts, childhood, wiki. Tchaikovsky richard winsor, dominic north hd 1080p duration. The gelsey kirkland academy of classical ballet childrens program was created for aspiring dancers ages 3 11 who want to experience the joy that comes from dancing. So far this season ive seen three traditional nutcrackers. Gelsey kirkland family, childhood, life achievements, facts, wiki and bio of 2017. Gelsey kirkland is one of the most elegant american ballerinas of the 20th century. This year i made it to the gelsey kirkland arts center in brooklyns dumbo where the gelsey kirkland ballet backed up by the.
Students develop creative movement skills, musicality, rhythm, coordination, expression, character, and confidence. This kind of detailed coaching is a luxury most dancers never receive, yet its par for the course at the gelsey kirkland academy of classical ballets summer classical repertory workshop. See more ideas about ballet dancers, dancer and vintage ballet. Faculty gelsey kirkland academy of classical ballet. Gelsey kirkland academy of classical ballet moves to. The nutcracker from new york city ballet, american ballet theatre and gelsey kirkland ballet new york. She put everything she had and more into the dance.
Gelsey kirkland ballet generally performs a great nutcracker this time of year. There is no land of the sweets, as in other versions, but rather a theatre in the sky, inhabited by an elegant court augmented by foreign guests. The studio company comprises trainees from the yearround program and professional dancers. What its like to be coached by gelsey kirland amy brandt.
Gelsey kirkland academy of classical ballet 29 jay st. American ballerina known on her behalf lead roles in productions from the firebird as well as the nutcracker. The dancers of gk ballet, which include company members, trainees, apprentices, as well as students from the gelsey kirkland academy of classical ballet, may not be at the level of the best dancers in the world, the us, or new york. The gka training system is built around three major areas. Baryshnikov has unbelievable strength, speed and charisma.
Gelsey kirkland academy develops classical ballet dancers capable of expressing powerful theatrical ideas through artistic discipline, culture. The nutcracker mikhail baryshnikov and gelsey kirkland. There is solid proof of tenacious training and artistry of the gelsey kirkland ballet academy in the dancing of the students and professionals that have trained under this world famous ballerina of the 70s and 80s, gelsey kirkland, and her husband michael chernov. Gelsey kirkland academy of classical ballet in dumbo brooklyn. The gelsey kirkland academy of classical ballet on inside nyc. This video doesnt want to raise any criticism, just enjoy rare gk dance footages. Last may, after a year absence, gelsey kirkland was back at american ballet theatre. The gelsey kirkland ballet company is a studio company founded in 20 located in dumbo brooklyn.
Recent performances include the nutcracker, stealing time and a mixed bill including the wedding procession. Gelsey kirkland gelsey kirkland received her early training at the school of american ballet, gaining early stage experience dancing childrens roles in balanchines the nutcracker, a midsummer nights dream and harlequinade. She starred in many famous ballets like firebird and goldberg variations. Gelsey kirkland academy of classical ballet performing arts. At age group fifteen, she joined up with the brand new york town ballet. Kirkland with gka students in november 2014, dt readers got insight into gelsey kirklands training philosophy at the gelsey kirkland academy of classical ballet. The dark, cocainefueled history of the nutcracker ballet. Gelsey kirkland received her early training at the school of american ballet, gaining early stage experience dancing childrens roles in balanchines the nutcracker, a midsummer nights dream and harlequinade. Petite 51 gelsey soared across the globe before mesmerized and appreciative audiences with her talent, technique, and role interpretations. On december 11, 2014 my first viewing of the nutcracker this season was the opening night of gelsey kirkland ballets delightful version, choreographed and directed by michael. Now kirkland, with her husband and partner michael chernov, are providing a complete education for dancers at the gelsey kirkland academy of classical ballet. Daughter of playwright jack kirkland, she grew up with a destiny for the theatre. Dancing along side the full professional russian cast are local pasadena children from the classical ballet academy.
Despite the fact that the gelsey kirkland ballet did not have an orchestra, this was an impressive production all around. When the gelsey kirkland academy of classical dance and the gelsey kirkland ballet move to their new home in the st. The legendary ballerina founded the gelsey kirkland academy in 2010 with a mission to foster a rebirth of dramatic storytelling in ballet. Gelsey kirkland ballet presents the nutcracker youtube. Gelsey kirkland ballets nutcracker production is on a smaller scale relative to more grand, elaborate, and expensive nycb and abt works. She also took extra ballet classes and worked as a model, something she hated, to pay for the classes, and later on quit high school so she could dance more. Gelsey kirkland academy of classical ballet, 29 jay st. Gelsey kirkland biography, life, interesting facts. Kirkland received her early training at the school of american ballet, gaining early stage experience dancing childrens roles in balanchines the nutcracker, a midsummer nights dream and harlequinade. The program offers advanced students a chance to study iconic roles under. Gelsey kirkland ballet the nutcracker the new yorker. With her fabled vulnerability and big, sad eyes, she. Gelsey kirkland, born in bethlehem, pennsylvania, on december 29, 1952, will reach the 65th annivers. Gelsey kirklands commitment to reviving the art of dramatic storytelling through ballet, combined with the enduring values of the original artistic piece, make gelsey kirkland ballets the nutcracker a must see for all lovers of ballet this season.
Kirkland said, sitting next to her husband, the director and choreographer michael chernov, at their gelsey kirkland academy of classical ballet. Ratmanskys version for american ballet theatre, gelsey kirklands, and the familiar and muchloved 1954 staging by. Gk arts center presents gelsey kirkland ballets the. The nutcracker will also feature a 70member ensemble comprised of graduates and trainees of the gelsey kirkland academy of classical ballet. This video is not intended as an attack towards balanchine, sab, nycb or abt. The nutcracker from new york city ballet, american. Her and husband michael chernovs focus on recapturing classicism has proven to be a recipe for successthe academys enrollment has s. Anns warehouse theater in brooklyn this june, theyll not only have five large studios and a 300seat theater at their disposal, but they will be smack dab in the middle of one of the trendiest, most artfriendly communities. Pace university, 3 spruce street, new york, ny 10038, usa schimmel center presents the return engagement of gelsey kirkland ballets the nutcracker coartistic directors gelsey kirkland and michael chernov december 1121, 2014 for more information and to purchase tickets, please. Dezember 1952 in bethlehem, pennsylvania ist eine us amerikanische balletttanzerin. Almost a century later, in 1977, the ballet was adapted for the big screen, with dancers gelsey kirkland, then 25, and mikhail baryshnikov playing the lead roles of clara and the nutcracker prince.
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