Any fans of dancing styles not found in clubs or bars would be wise to check out Ballet Nouveau Colorado, a Denver-based professional dance troupe that’s taking a unique approach to classical ballet. And if you are interested in learning ballet, you may consider attending Ballet dance classes.
According to the company’s Web site, BNC was founded in 1992 to “provide quality arts education and outreach.” It has since evolved into a professional company and presented its first complete season in 2002. There were some changes made in 2007 with the additions of Artistic Director Garrett Ammon and Associate Artistic Director Dawn Fay.
Ammon said BNC’s philosophy of dance is based on artistic freedom founded on the techniques of classical American ballet.
“We envision BNC as a place for the creation of innovative dance where the artists are free to exist, grow, evolve and bring the qualities that are most unique about themselves,” Ammon said.
Ammon said the goal of BNC is to explore dance with a clearly-defined artistic vision beyond simply serving as a medium for performance.
“Our focus is to create dance that is both entertaining and exciting and also has a lot of depth and explores many different facets and how dance can express our existence as human beings. It is a combination of depth and accessibility,” Ammon said.
BNC takes a unique approach to the structure of the company and treats every member as a principal dancer. They even give the dancers freedom to choreograph their own performances in some of the shows.
Meredith Strathmeyer, a 25-year-old classically-trained dancer who has been with BNC for four seasons, said BNC is an environment unlike any other she has experienced as a dancer.
“While many other companies use ranking systems, BNC is an ensemble company. I was immediately drawn to this because we get more performing opportunities and confidence as performers knowing that our directors believe in us; we are like a family,” Strathmeyer said.
Jason Franklin, a 22-year-old dancer who has worked with the Boston Ballet, American Conservatory and American Ballet in New York in years past, said he was drawn to BNC because of his desire to progress as a dancer.
“I wanted to jump into a modern company but to also have the chance to develop. I am given the opportunities to explore different areas of work that I wouldn’t be able to do other places,” Franklin said.
Strathmeyer said BNC’s style is a combination of modern and traditional dance that incorporates multimedia elements for impact.
“We focus on an eclectic repertoire that reflects that we are a young, vital company. We combine dance, film, poetry, music and the spoken word,” Strathmeyer said.
BNC is not only a performing company, but it also provides ballet education to more than 300 students annually through an outreach program. Many of the dancers in the professional company also work as teachers for the BNC School, like Strathmeyer and Franklin.
BNC is currently working on several future shows for their upcoming season. The grand finale for this season will be Somewhere American, Vol. I, which was put together by Ammon and world-renowned choreographer Lauri Stallings. Ammon said the vision for this show reflects many aspects of life in the US.
“This piece will examine the historical context, philosophical and psychological experiences of life in America,” Ammon said.
Strathmeyer said the group aims to make an impression on viewers in their performances.
“With BNC we really touch people and change lives because they come in not expecting to be moved from the core,” said Strathmeyer. “We come at them discreetly, then hit them hard; it is true and honest work that we do, we believe in Garrett’s vision.”
To find out more about Ballet Nouveau Colorado, click here.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Lauren Knobbe at Lauren.knobbe@colorado.edu.
