Nashville Ballet’s Vasterling selected for ballet builders series

Nashville Ballet's Artistic Director Paul Vasterling has been selected to present a new choreographic work at Ballet Builders 2005, April 9 and 10, in New York City.

This is Vasterling's second time to participate in the showcase, which recognizes choreographers from across the United States . The Ballet Builders organization, which selected Vasterling and just six other choreographers for its 2005 series, described Vasterling as "a prolific choreographer."

Ballet Builders, now in its 15th year, celebrates the art of creating new ballet works by offering a forum for choreographers who want to experiment with original pieces. The program has presented dozens of choreographers and hundreds of dancers over the years. It has supported and often introduced both young and seasoned ballet choreographers. The event gives dance lovers the rare opportunity to see works, and dancing, by representatives of companies from across the country.

Vasterling will present the world premiere of the duet Efimero (music: Keyboard Concerto # 3, Adagio e piano sempre, by J.S. Bach), which he created for the Ballet Contemporaneo Teatro San Martin in Buenos Aires during his Fulbright Fellowship in Argentina . The New York performance will feature Nashville Ballet company dancers Sadie Harris and Jon Upleger. Vasterling’s more than 30 works have been seen on three continents and nearly 50 cities around the world, and he is thrilled to bring one of his ballets to New York City once again.

Nashville Ballet is funded in part from grants made available through the Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission, the Tennessee Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Founded in 1981 as a civic dance company, Nashville Ballet became Middle Tennessee's only professional ballet company in 1986. The 2004-2005 season marks Nashville Ballet's 19th year as a professional company. Nashville Ballet presents a varied repertoire of classical pieces and contemporary works by noted choreographers, as well as original works by Artistic Director Paul Vasterling that are performed worldwide. Through performances and education/outreach programs, Nashville Ballet reaches more than 40,000 adults and children annually.

Nashville Ballet's 21 company dancers and apprentices perform four series during the 2004-2005 season, as well as the special November 2004 series Emergence!, a biennial event that featured emerging choreographers and composers. Still remaining is: The Sleeping Beauty, April 22-24, 2005.