PNB premieres a brand-new ballet, Momotaro (The Peach Boy), this month! Momotaro is performed entirely by PNB School students, including our Professional Division (PD) students. PNB School’s PD Program is designed to help students transition from student to professional dancer by perfecting their technique and developing artistry.
Christopher Karhunen is in his first year of the PD program, and he’s dancing the role of Momotaro! Originally from Michigan, Christopher trained with Grand Rapids Ballet School for 12 years. After attending PNB School’s Summer Course in 2024 and 2025, he was invited to join PNB’s PD program. We sat down with Christopher to chat about his daily routine while rehearsing Momotaro (The Peach Boy).
Morning
Christopher wakes up at 6:30 am every morning. He shares, “I like to get up early to give my mind and body time to wake up before I start dancing. Otherwise, I feel like it shocks the system.” After getting ready, he enjoys his current go-to breakfast of a toasted English muffin with peanut butter and an iced oat milk latte while doing some New York Times word games.
Christopher gets to the studio at 7:45 am to begin warming up for his 8:30 am technique class. He’s in the midst of an especially busy season, as he’s in rehearsals for seven different pieces (Momotaro, Firebird, Giselle, three NEXT STEP pieces, and a piece for PNB’s School Performance). He uses class to prepare. “Alongside all my technique, I’m focusing on how I’m presenting myself and how I look to the audience. That all starts in class, so then going into a full day of rehearsals, I feel prepared to perform for the day.”
Midday
After technique class, Christopher begins his first rehearsal of the day: Momotaro. Currently, choreographer Jessica Lang is in the studio creating the ballet. Christopher says, “The process feels very collaborative. [Lang’s] seeing us, what we can do, and shaping the choreography around us. It’s been so cool to see the choreographic process up close and personal.”
Christopher shares that the Momotaro choreography includes a wide range of styles. Each character has a unique personality that influences their movement. For example, the fairies are very classical and beautiful. The ogres have a grounded, more contemporary movement. Christopher plays the role of Momotaro. “Momotaro is a fun, playful mix of all of it. He’s an energetic kid!”
After another Giselle or Firebird rehearsal, Christopher has a lunch break. He rests, eats some food, and heads back to the studio for another two hours of Momotaro rehearsals. He typically has an additional hour or two of rehearsals after that! “Busy days, lots of rehearsals, lots of back and forth between ballets, but it’s really fun to throw yourself into everything. I feel like I get to experience so much in so little time, which is always exciting.”
Evening
Finally, Christopher heads home. “I’ll shower, get into my pajamas, and I might roll out my muscles, ice, or whatever recovery I’m feeling like I need that day.” He’ll write down notes about rehearsals and corrections in his journal. After eating dinner, Christopher often hangs out with his friends or watches a movie. “I try to have really restful nights when we have busy days like this because I know that the next day, I gotta get up and do it again.”
Christopher encourages audiences to come and see Momotaro, “Even though it’s a cute, kind of silly story, it shows a journey of more than just that. It shows friendship, a love for family, a love for community. The journey comes from real human emotions, and it’s almost just a story of life.”
NEXT STEP and School Performance are generously supported by Allen Family Philanthropies.