Spring Variations - Sarasota Ballet

May Luncheon HighlightsThe May luncheon of the Friends of The Sarasota Ballet featured reminiscences of the past season by three of our PrincipalDancers – Victoria Hulland, Sara Sardelli and Danielle Brown. In recapping the past season, Iain asked each dancer to reflecton her thoughts and experiences with the many ballets in which she danced. Some of the highlights:Symphonic Variations: Victoria appreciated being coached by Wendy Ellis Soames who came to Sarasota to stage the ballet.“She was so specific with every step,” conveying Sir Frederick Ashton’s movement vocabulary to the dancers. Danielle addedthat working on this ballet taught her a lot about Ashton and the effort his ballets require.Company B: Sara talked about having seen and loved this ballet when she was a trainee in Kentucky; she was thrilled at theopportunity to perform in it.The Circus Nutcracker: Discussion here centered on the famous “flying on the moon” scene, which Victoria enjoyed andDanielle most decidedly did not! “I was so scared!” she said. Iain noted that his presence in the wings during the Clearwaterperformance was not to provide moral support for the dancers; since there had been very little rehearsal time at that location,he wanted to be able to “shut the whole thing down” if something went wrong (nothing did).Changing Light: All three dancers agreed that working with Will Tuckett was “a real treat” and “awesome.” Danielle spokefor all three when she said how exciting it will be to do another one of his premieres next season.Lilac Garden: Victoria and Danielle had performed these roles in the 2008 production and Danielle pointed out how muchmore she was able to bring to the role this time. “I knew both myself and the character better.” Iain added that it’s important tobring ballets back, both for the audience and to give the dancers an opportunity to revisit them.Iain’s regard for the ballets of Sir Frederick Ashton has been evident throughout his tenure in Sarasota and as the programwas wrapping up, he asked the dancers to comment on their own experiences with “Sir Fred.” Each dancer stressed howAshton ballets require the use of the entire body. Danielle, who had never danced an Ashton ballet before coming to Sarasota,said that the training in the use of her whole body has made her a better dancer. Sara seconded that, adding that her most rewardingperformances have all been in Ashton ballets. Victoria pointed out that her first Ashton ballet was The Two Pigeons,and that every step was “ten times harder” than anything she had done before.The luncheon was wrapped up with the question “what has been your favorite ballet to dance in?” None could give just oneanswer! For Victoria it was Giselle and The Two Pigeons; for Danielle, Diamonds, Symphonic Dances and La Fille MalGardée; for Sara, The Two Pigeons (it was the first time she had danced to live music) and Changing Light (“the first timesomething has been choreographed on me”).Let’s look forward to seeing many more of their “favorites!”Guests of Honor:Danielle Brown, Sara Sardelli& Victoria HullandRudolf Bauer, Betty York,Frank Cerullo & Susanna WristonRon & JanetSchiffCarolyn Thompson& Marilyn NordbyPhotos by Shirley BlairDonna D’Agostino& Lydia BohnYvonne Sultan&Pat GolemmeATTENTION, ALL VOLUNTEERS!When The Sarasota Ballet applies for grant funding, few things are more important than the time donatedby volunteers, which is actually converted to a cash value. Last year, volunteers “gave” over 12,000 hourswhich “translates” into + $194,000! If you have not sent in your volunteer hours so far this year, please do sonow. You can “guestimate” if you have not been tracking but, please, include everything you have done(remember to include your travel time). Send your total number of hours (no need to provide a breakdown) to:Rhoda Beningson - Volunteer Coordinator email: rhodabeningson@gmail.comor call (941) 366 2125.