PNB by the Decades: 1980s at PNB, the Origins of Kent Stowell’s Swan Lake and Nutcracker
PNB took tremendous leaps toward establishing itself as an acclaimed ballet company in the 1980s. As the company grew artistically, it was compelled to grow administratively. More and more staff were hired, which led to an important physical move for the company. PNB’s original productions of Swan Lake and the Nutcracker, which both premiered in the ‘80s, were pivotal steps […]
Crystal Pite’s The Seasons’ Canon by the Numbers
By Leta Biasucci Each dancer’s preference for what they most enjoy dancing varies as much as their taste in food, books, and fashion. While some dancers relish the classicism of Swan Lake and Giselle, and perhaps find comfort in revisiting the familiar, others would prefer to spend their days working on a world premiere. And then there are […]
Kiyon Ross: From PNB School Student to Associate Artistic Director
By Theresa Ruth HowardAuthor, Diversity Strategist, and ConsultantLearn more about Theresa’s work at MoBBallet.org. Quite simply, Kiyon Ross is the embodiment of Pacific Northwest Ballet. Not only has he been a staple in the organization for 22 years, but has worked in almost every area of the Company as a student, Soloist dancer, AGMA union delegate, choreographer, […]
Q&A with Rachel Foster
This school year, former PNB Principal dancer Rachel Foster returns to PNB as a member of our PNB School faculty. Welcome back, Ms. Foster! Rachel Foster is from Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. She trained at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School and attended summer courses at the School of American Ballet and San Francisco Ballet School. She joined Pittsburgh […]
Twyla Tharp at PNB
“The ballet needs to tell its own story in such a way it can be received without having to be translated into language.” Twyla Tharp is extraordinary. Take one look at her bio and you can see it immediately. But Twyla’s iconic status goes beyond her mountains of awards, medals, prizes, fellowships, honorary degrees, and three books. […]
Meet the NEXT STEP Artist: Lily Wills
Lily Wills (she/her) is from Los Angeles, California. She trained at The Portland Ballet, the Oregon Ballet Theatre School, and the graduate program at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. She attended summer courses at The Washington Ballet, HARID Conservatory, and Oregon Ballet Theatre School. She joined Carolina Ballet as a trainee in 2015 and was promoted to […]
Meet the NEXT STEP Artist: Noah Martzall
Noah Martzall is from Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He studied at Walnut School of the Arts and Pacific Northwest Ballet School, and he attended summer courses at the Chautauqua Institution, Nutmeg Conservatory, and Pacific Northwest Ballet School. Mr. Martzall joined Pacific Northwest Ballet as an apprentice in 2020 and was promoted to corps de ballet in 2021. […]
Meet the NEXT STEP Artist: Mark Cuddihee
Mark Cuddihee is from Greenville, South Carolina. He studied at Carolina Ballet Theatre, the School of American Ballet, Boston Ballet School, and Pacific Northwest Ballet School, and he attended summer courses at the School of American Ballet, Miami City Ballet School, Boston Ballet School, and Pacific Northwest Ballet School. In 2017, he was a participant […]
Meet the NEXT STEP Artist: Jonathan Batista
Jonathan Batista (he/him) is from Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. He trained on scholarship at the English National Ballet and attended summer courses at Miami City Ballet and The Royal Ballet School on scholarship. He joined the National Ballet of Canada as an apprentice in 2012 before joining Boston Ballet as a member of the corps […]
Meet the NEXT STEP Artist: Malena Ani
Malena Ani is from Los Angeles California. She studied with Olga Tozyiakova, Natalia Sinitsyna, and Zippora Karz, and at Pacific Northwest Ballet School. She attended summer courses at the Chautauqua Institution, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet School. Ms. Ani joined Pacific Northwest Ballet as an apprentice in 2020 and was promoted to corps […]