News of Note: What You Might Have Missed in July 2024
Here are the latest promotions, appointments, and departures, as well as notable awards and accomplishments, from July 2024—plus, a new funding opportunity for dance artists.
Comings & Goings
Leanne Benjamin stepped down as artistic director of Queensland Ballet on August 2. Assistant artistic director Greg Horsman will serve as acting artistic director.
Wayne McGregor will continue as artistic director of the dance department of the Venice Biennale for 2025–26.
At American Ballet Theatre, Chloe Misseldine has been promoted to principal, and Léa Fleytoux, Patrick Frenette, and Fangqi Li to soloist. Isaac Hernández will join the company as a guest artist during its fall season in New York City and as a principal in January.
At The Royal Ballet, Calvin Richardson and Joseph Sissens have been promoted to principal; Annette Buvoli, Leticia Dias, Sae Maeda, Mariko Sasaki, Lukas B. Brændsrød, Leo Dixon, and Joonhyuk Jun to first soloist; and Sophie Allnatt, Chisato Katsura, Liam Boswell, Daichi Ikarashi, Joshua Junker, and Francisco Serrano to soloist.
At Birmingham Royal Ballet, Riku Ito has been promoted to first soloist, and Sofia Linares, Enrique Vidal, and Reina Fuchigami to soloist. Principal Tyrone Singleton has departed the company. Kit Holder has been named artistic coordinator and Yvette Regeuiro has joined the company as a répétiteur.
At Paris Opéra Ballet, Thomas Docquir and Jack Gasztowtt have been promoted to premier danseur.
Shaakir Muhammad has joined National Ballet of Canada as a first soloist.
Stanislaw Węgrzyn has joined Dresden Semperoper Ballet as a soloist.
Diana Movius has been named the next choreographer in residence at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery.
Barak Marshall has been named artist in residence at Gauthier Dance.
Andrew Mikhaiel has been named artistic manager of Les Ballets Jazz Montréal.
At BodyVox, Brent Leubbert has been named artistic associate and Theresa Hanson rehearsal assistant.
Bruce Wood Dance has rebranded as Bruce Wood Dance Dallas.
GroundWorks Dance Theatre will cease operations next month. Its final performance is currently scheduled for August 10.
Awards & Honors
Kayla Hamilton is a recipient of a 2024 Disability Futures Fellowship, which includes a $50,000 unrestricted award.
Jasmine Hearn is the first recipient of Sweat Variant’s Threading Residency, which provides two to three week residencies in New York City for artists who reside outside of the city.
Roderick George will receive the inaugural Jacob’s Pillow Men Dancers Award on August 15.
New Funding Opportunity
Illinois Arts Council’s Creative Catalyst Grants will award grants of up to $12,000 to Illinois-based artists and arts organizations for specific projects on an ongoing basis. More information here.
