Dance is a powerful form of expression, and Ahmad Joudeh is using its influence to promote peace. The 27-year-old is a Palestinian refugee, whose decision to pursue his passion for ballet has made him the target of death threats from terrorist organizations. Despite the danger, Joudeh has decided to continue on his path as a […]

“Choreographers don’t just pop up fully formed,” says Ted Brandsen, artistic director of Dutch National Ballet. “It’s a responsibility for us, as company directors, to create room for the new generations of dancemakers.” Knowing the challenges, both artistic and practical, of setting out on a choreographic career, Brandsen has announced a four-pronged strategy for nurturing […]

Fog envelops you as swans and sylphs flash right past your shoulder. This is Peter Leung’s Night Fall, a new virtual reality 360 dance film featuring Dutch National Ballet. It puts you inside the “white acts” the film portrays as though you were a member of the corps. Over the past year, ballet companies and […]

Michaela DePrince has defied the odds again and again. She overcame incredible circumstances, rising from an orphanage in war-torn Sierra Leone to join Dutch National Ballet, where she was recently promoted to grand sujet (demi-soloist). With principal roles and book deals under her belt, DePrince is still doing the impossible—managing her schedule as a college […]

Above: Ben Folds and Nashville Ballet’s Sadie Bo Harris   Ben Folds Joins the Ballet NASHVILLE It’s no surprise that in Nashville, aka “Music City,” Nashville Ballet has become known for its collaborations with musical artists. Pop star Ben Folds visits the company May 2–4 to accompany artistic director Paul Vasterling’s new Ben Folds Piano […]