Sugarplums and Holiday Dreams

Posted: Pam Cress

“The Nutcracker” ballet was composed in 1892. For it to last over 1 1/4 centuries, it must be pretty amazing. And so it’s very fitting that the Sugarplum program of the Colorado Ballet is comprised of resilient, talented young ladies.

The Sugarplum program is a memorable experience for second grade girls and a long-standing Denver tradition. A season of fun, friendship, and ballet appreciation culminates with The Sugarplum Ball followed by an on-stage presentation at Colorado Ballet’s magical performance of “The Nutcracker.” There are many activities for Sugarplums including the mother-daughter tea, a father-daughter party, and a holiday party.

Sugarplums, alums and their families braved the Colorado weather Friday night to present the Sugarplums prior to their involvement in “The Nutcracker.” There was a jovial reception in the Brown Palace lobby, followed by the Sugarplums and alums on stage, escorted by their proud fathers. The loving looks from fathers striding next to their exuberant young ladies is priceless.

And as always, “visions of Sugarplums will be dancing in their heads” as they welcome new and exciting experiences with the Colorado Ballet.

: Dr. Nina Casanova, left, Kristin Brownson, kids Caroline, Maren, Brooks and Elin

: Caroline Lauchli and her dad Dr. Geoff Smart

: Jacque and Randy Schwartz

: Ellie, Brooke and Kate Klebe

: John McCormick, Denise McCormick, Laura McCormick

: Luke Vogel, left, Carl and Carol Vogel

: Dillon, Maya, Kalynn and Emily

: Jeff and Kathleen Hartmann with kids Brooke and Holly

: Festive lights at the Brown Palace

: Mr. Smart, Lauren Smart, Mary Smart and Sugarplum alum Caroline Lauchli

: Malorie Mursau, left, Jane Lauchli, Kendall Smart

: Lillian and Holly

: Anthony Albanese and his daughter Charlie

: Jeffrey and Tiffany Tuell, left, with David Bratten and Kim Bruetsch

: Jack, left, Cullen, Finn and Audrey

: The John Kite Quartet played tunes during the reception

: Eleanor, Caroline and Jake Perlman

: Christina Albanese, left, John Rough, Judy Rough, Kylie Tansey, John Rough and Sugarplum Charlie

: Larry and Jeanie Bell, left, Michelle Walker, Japera Walker Wilkison

: Michael Korenblat and Natalia Ballinger with Lior and Cooper

: Sugarplums Eleanor, left, Whitney, Audrey and Stella

: There’s so much to look at over the balcony at the Brown Palace!

: Japera Walker Wilkison and Dustin Wilkison with their daughter Nadia

: Sugarplum photos

: Co-Chair Myra Skinner welcomed everyone

: Co-Chair Myra Skinner gave some background about Colorado Ballet programs and how the Sugarplum program helps

: Denise Sanderson and Myra Skinner on stage

: Charlie Marie Albanese and her father Anthony Albanese

: Charlie and Anthony Albanese on stage with ballerina McKenzie Thomas

: Stella Faith Blair and her father Ken Blair

: Quinn Marie Clarke and her father Scott Clarke

: Audrey Caroline Connor and her father Nicholas Connor

: Zella Lexington Freyer and her father John Freyer Jr.

: Maya Lynn Harris and her father Blake Harris

: Holly Christine Hartmann and her father Jeffrey Hartmann

: Holly and Jeffrey Hartmann

: Emerson Grace Johnson and her father Dr. James Johnson

: Emerson and Dr. James Johnson

: Samantha Cheley Klebe and her father Kurt Klebe

: Lior Solis Korenblat and her father Michael Korenblat

: Lior and Michael Korenblat

: Grace Lucille Kozlowski and her father Daniel Kozlowski

: Cary McCormick Lu and her father Cong Lu

: Lillian Helen McGahee and her father Richard McGahee

: Eleanor Glarum Perlman and her father Jake Perlman

: Eleanor Glarum Perlman and her father Jake Perlman

: Whitney Jane Schaub and her father Brian Schaub

: Whitney and Brian Schaub

: Adelaide Avery Stenmark and her father Dr. Matthew Stenmark

: Charlotte Wylie White and her father Brian White

: Nadia Michelle Wilkison and her father Dustin Wilkison

: Nadia and Dustin Wilkison

: Lillian Hannah Zeckser and her father David Paul Zeckser

: Lillian and Paul Zeckser

: Friends and relatives

: Sidney Marie Bratten and her father David Bratten

: Caroline Anne Brownson and her father Stephen Brownson

: Giselle Gabrielle Bruner and her father Marc Bruner

: Giselle and Marc Bruner

: Tatum Magnolia Burstein and her father John Burstein

: Charlotte Evans Freyer and her father John Freyer Jr.

: Charlotte and John Freyer

: Lila Rose Kozlowski and her father Dan Kozlowski

: Caroline Olivia Lauchli and her father Dr. Geoff Smart

: Caroline Olivia Lauchli and her father Geoff Smart

: Phoebe Kathryn McKeever and her father Chip McKeever

: Vaughn Josephine Miller and her father Greg Miller

: Norah Lillianne Mugge and her father Zachary Mugge

: Norah and Zachary Mugge

: Josephina Noelle Norman and her father Mark Norman

: Shelby Blair Rissmiller and her father Jeff Rissmiller

: Madison Wesley Schwartz and her father Brian Schwartz

: Madison and Brian Schwartz

: Sarah and Stephen Skinner

: Sarah Paige Skinner and her father Stephen Skinner

: Quinn Adele Smith and her father Kristopher Smith

: Quinn and Kristopher Smith

: Esme’ Madeline Steuer and her father Gary Steuer

: Lexington Joelle Tuell and her father Jeffrey Scott Tuell

: Elizabeth Lovejoy Williams and her father Graham Williams

: Anne and Paul Zeckser with kids Austin, Lillian and Cooper

: Co-chairs Chiara Kline, left, Chrissy Fedorowicz and Myra Skinner

07 Feb

Colorado Ballet Hosts 'An Evening in Oz' Gala

Posted: Pam Cress

Dorothy, Toto, the Cowardly Lion, the Tin Man and many munchkins all graced the stage Thursday night as the Colorado Ballet presented a magical evening at the Ellie Calkins Opera House. The “An Evening in Oz” gala began with a cocktail reception featuring surprise jewelry boxes donated by John Atencio, a wine pull provided by the Colorado Ballet Auxiliary and a small silent auction.

Guests were treated to entertainment on the Ellie stage with excerpts from the world premiere tour of The Wizard of Oz, a spectacular joint production between Colorado Ballet, Kansas City Ballet and Royal Winnipeg Ballet. Created by world-renowned choreographer Septime Webre, who Colorado Ballet fans remember for his spectacular production of Alice (in wonderland), this production features a line-up of world-class designers and music by Matthew Pierce.

Gala Co-chairs Michael Korenblat and Natalia Ballinger and Rachel and Yuval Moskovich thanked supporters and gave an update on the Colorado Ballet Academy’s educational and community engagement programs. Artistic Director Gil Boggs took the stage to also share appreciation, followed by Doug Tisdale, once again serving as auctioneer extraordinaire.

Following the entertainment and auction, an elaborate dinner created by Kevin Taylor was served in the Chambers Grant Salon and the Ellie Loge. After dinner guests stayed for dancing on the stage to music provided by DJ Larry.

Toto, we’re not in Kansas anymore, but in a much more magical and colorful place: The Colorado Ballet.

: BJ Dyer/Bouquets provided centerpieces for the gala.

: Volunteers in Oz character helped to greet guests and track silent auction items.

: The Colorado Ballet team that put the gala together

: Gala Co-chairs Yuval and Rachel Moskovich

: Jan Hammond, left, Dianne Bartlett, Lorraine Salazar and Sherry Huntsinger

: Gala Co-Chairs Michael Korenblat and Natalia Ballinger

: Co-chairs Yuval and Rachel Moskovich, left, JoAnne Zboyan and Board Chair Duke Hartman

: Co-chairs Michael Korenblat and Natalia Ballinger with Doug Tisdale

: Rob and Michelle Applegate (board member)

: Emily Hemming, left, and Erin Nichols

: Jill Long, left, Tammy Rothbauer and Tammy Derouin

: Board co-chairs Liz Katkin and Duke Hartman with JoAnne Zboyan

: Arlene Johnson, left, Craig Fleishman and Jan Hammond

: Guests and Oz characters

: Lori Szymanski, left, Jacquelyn Bassett, Nancy Brandwein

: Emily Hemming, left, Mick Ostermeyer, Erin Nichols, Adam and Silvia Sexton

: Steve Bosley and Kay Ferry

: Susan Stiff, left, and Allie Coppeak

: Susan Stiff and Howard Janzen

: Guests ready to see Wizard of Oz

: BJ Dyer and Christin Crampton Day

: Cari and Mary Spiecker, left, and Adam and Silvia Sexton

: Jody Grossman and Mark Heiser

: Ballet Auxiliary Chair Alyson and Chris Graves

: Michael Korenblat, left, Brandon Lloyd and Lee Vickers

: Sandi Hewins, left, Craig Fleishman, JoAnne Zboyan and Doug Tisdale

: Allie Coppeak and Dr. Irv Arenberg, whose autographed book was one of the silent auction items

: Rachel Moskovich, left, compares notes with Allie Coppeak

: Mary Lou Blackledge Kortz with her daughter Zoey and Laura Greb

: Guests toasting to Wizard of Oz

: Curt and Nancy Hockemeier

: Jim and Denise Sanderson (board member)

: Pat Robinson, left, and Lorraine Salazar

: Colleen Curran, left, Kevin and Stephanie Tung, Linda and Jimmy Yip

: Jeremy Rau and Sarah Tryon

: Bill Silberstein and Joanne Posner-Mayer (board member)

: Edie Bell, left, and Denise Sanderson

: Lark Katchur and a friend check out the silent auction items

: Gala Co-chairs Yuval and Rachel Moskovich, left, and Michael Korenblat and Natalia Ballinger on stage

: Artistic Director Gil Boggs says a few words on stage

: Doug Tisdale returned as auctioneer extraordinaire

23 Nov

Colorado Ballet's Sugarplum Ball 2018

Posted: Pam Cress

Proud fathers and smiling young ladies were the order of the day as The Colorado Ballet Auxiliary and the Colorado Ballet hosted the annual Sugarplum Ball at the Brown Palace Hotel.

The Sugarplum Alum program continues as part of the Sugarplum program. During this second year, third grade girls attend The Sugarplum Ball and actually perform on stage during the opening party scene in one of Colorado Ballet’s performances of “The Nutcracker.”

For more information, log on to coloradoballetaux.org.

: Emily McGee, left, Melissa Farver, Caro Williams, Erica Bissette and Addie Grace in front

: Sarah and Dan Kozlowski

: Webb Lynott, left, talks with his grandfather Bill Farnum

: Amber, Emerson and Wook Ju

: Keaton, left, Greg Miller and Vaughn

: The Harbaughs: Phaedra, left, Megan, Boris, Eva and Paul, with Katie and Elena in front

: Eric Liu and Eunice Park with kids Caroline, Ian and Christopher

: Louis Bissette, left, Graham Williams and Mark Kramer

: Colorado Ballet Artistic Director Gil Boggs, Ballet Mistress Sandra Brown, Auxiliary President Alyson Graves and Audrey Graves

: Denise Gould, left, Erin Graves and Maya

: Sugarplum Ball Co-Chair Erin Dollarhide, her husband Matthew and kids Georgia and Flora

: Sugarplum Ball Co-Chairs Erin Dollarhide, left, and Kelly Rosenberg

: Girls just wanna have fun

: Mary Smart, left, Lauren and Dr. Geoff Smart with Caroline, Annie John and Brad Smart

: Mike makes a point to Julio Torres

: Kelly Rosenberg, left, her daughter Anna and Caitlyn Fagan

: Nancy McKeever, left, Mike McKeever, Patrick and Tricia Youssi

: Beatrice, left, Adelaide and Molly

: Maggie Cherubini, left, Paige Cherubini, Lindsey McKeever and Phebe

: Mark, Charlie and Keira Norman, with Josie in front

: Adair and Kellie Prall with Sophia and Jane

: Jeff Tuell and Kensington

: Sometimes things get to be a little stressful.

: Chris Smith, left, Jeff Young and Parker Young

: Sugarplums watch the piano player

: Cammie Grant, left, Peggi O’Keefe and Senator Jack Tate

: There seems to be something interesting on the next floor up.

: Dr Andy and Chrissy Fedorowicz with kids Bennett and Mimi. Chrissy was Sugarplum program chair.

: The Corrigan family

: Gary, Sophie and Esme’ Steuer

: Christina and Rich Walker, left, John Freyer Jr and Andi (he’s holding Mac), with Lexi, Sophie and Charlie in front

: Jack, left, Austin and Gavin

: Rosie Fedorowicz, left, and Anne Hackstock

: Angela and Fritz Schulz with kids Trey and Sofie

: The jazz band playing during the reception

: Debbie Pain and Stella

: Sugarplums getting ready for the program

: the Slater and Mugge families

: Jerad Harbaugh and Elizabeth

: Emily and Ryan McGee

: Sugarplum alums

: 2018 Sugarplums

: Nutcracker and holiday-themed decor

: Dads waiting to go on stage, organized expertly by Holly Price

: Denise Sanderson returned as emcee

: Denise Sanderson, a longtime supporter, expertly navigated the program.

: Addison Grace Bissette and her dad Louis Bissette

: Sidney Marie Bratten and her dad David Bratten

: Caroline Anne Brownson and her dad Stephen Brownson

: Giselle Gabrielle Bruner is presented a rose by her granddad Dr Julio Torres

: Caroline Harper Corrigan and her dad Peter Corrigan

: Scarlett Mae Duke and her dad Brian Duke

: Charlotte Evans Freyer and her dad John Freyer Jr.

: Lila Rose Kozlowski and her dad Dan Kozlowski

: Julia Janosy Lace and her dad Dr. Christopher Lace

: Caroline Olivia Lauchli and Dr. Geoff Smart

: Caroline Elizabeth Park Liu and Dr. Eric Liu

: Waverly Elizabeth McGee and Ryan McGee

: Phebe Kathryn McKeever and her dad Chip McKeever

: Vaughn Josephine Miller and her dad Greg Miller

: Norah Lillianne Mugge and her dad Zachary Mugge

: Josephina Noelle Norman and her dad Mark Norman

: Shelby Blair Rissmiller and her dad Jeff Rissmiller

: Madison Wesley Schwartz and Brian Schwartz

: Sarah Paige Skinner and her dad Stephen Skinner

: Blake Morrison Slater and her dad Benjamin Slater

: Quinn Adele Smith and her dad Kristopher Smith

: Esme’ Madeline Steuer and her dad Gary Steuer

: Lexington Joelle Tuell and her dad Jeffrey Scott Tuell

: Elizabeth Lovejoy Williams and her dad Graham Williams

: Alexa Estelle Youssi and her dad Patrick Youssi

: Denise Sanderson announced a collaboration between the Colorado Ballet, the Kansas City Ballet and the Royal Winnepeg of Canada Ballet to do a production of the Wizard of Oz next year.

: Alum Estelle Edith Becker and her dad Brian Becker

: Alum Emma Taylor Boggs and her dad, Artistic Director Gil Boggs

: Alum Emily Nora Clarke and her dad Scott Clarke

: Alum Caroline Annette Cox and her dad Michael Cox

: Alum Caroline Joslin Cramer and her dad Mark Cramer

: Alum Anna Kate Farver and her dad Adam Farver

: Alum Camille Mary Helen Fedorwicz and her dad Dr. Andrew Fedorowicz

: Alum Morgan Calleigh Friedman and her dad Dr. Norman Friedman

: Alum Marissa Elise Garcia and her granddad Ralph Marsh

: Alum Portia Margaret Giordano and her dad Mark Giordano

: Alum Corrin Dorothy Haggerty and her dad Colin Haggerty

: Alum Lucy Cathleen Johnson and her dad Dr. James Johnson

: Alum Mary Elizabeth Jourde and her dad John Jourde

: Alum Emerson Avonlea Eunhee Ju and her dad Sangwook Ju

: Alum Zoey Karen Kelin and her dad Shebon Kelin

: Alum Julia Ann Kennedy and her dad Michael Kennedy

: Alum Adelaide Reuel Lynott and her dad Joseph Lynott

: Alum Scarlet Joan Mielke and her dad Craig Mielke

: Alum Sophia Rae Prall and her dad Adair Prall

: Alum Eva Simone Ridenour and her dad Brandon Ridenour

: Alum Molly Rees Rosenberg and her dad Daniel Rosenberg

: Alum Sofie Cora Schulz and her dad Fritz Schulz

: Alum Annalisa Emilie Sexton and her dad Adam Sexton

: Alum Elle Mary Smith and her dad Craig Smith

: Alum Tula Elizabeth Stettner and her dad Robert Stettner

: Alum Lillian Lorraine Urband and her dad Jason Urband

: Alum Charlotte Catherine Zimmerman and her dad Rick Zimmerman

: Program Chair Chrissy Fedorowicz makes some announcements

: Beautiful table centerpices

22 Feb

Colorado Ballet Presents An Evening in Verona: A Romeo and Juliet Gala

Posted: Pam Cress

The Colorado Ballet has come an exceptionally long way since its inception as a ballet school in 1951. Now nationally acclaimed and hailed, the Colorado Ballet is thriving on all fronts – from the professional product they are putting on the stage, to the 1,500+ students they are serving in the Academy, to the robust Education and Community Engagement Programs which are bringing dance and movement to tens of thousands of under-resourced students around the state.

The Colorado Ballet Gala was a celebration of these accomplishments and an opportunity to showcase the premiere regional company. More than 500 supporters braved a winter February storm to gather at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House to partake in “An Evening in Verona: A Romeo and Juliet Gala.”

Guests were treated to performances of the Romeo and Juliet Balcony Scene (featuring Sharon Wehner‘s last performance with the Colorado Ballet, dancing with Yosvani Ramos), and ARROW Five Years Out, along with a lively auction commandeered by Doug Tisdale, comments by Gala Chairs Anne and Jim Hillary, emcee Aimee Caplis and Artistic Director Gil Boggs. Afterwards guests enjoyed a scrumptious meal by Kevin Taylor, where lively conversation and laughter abounded.

The Colorado Ballet is looking forward to a stellar 2018/19 season. To find out more about their programs, log on to www.coloradoballet.org.