HIGH POINTE
American Ballet Theatre Studio Company to perform at Popejoy
Dance is in Sascha Radetsky’s genetic makeup. Although the dancer retired from American Ballet Theatre, he’s finding a new purpose as the artistic director of the ABT Studio Company, which trains a corps of exceptionally promising dancers, ages 16 to 20, for careers with ABT or other renowned companies worldwide.
“It’s a privilege for me, and I don’t take it lightly,” he says of his position. “The dancers are so talented and I’m entrusted in this pivotal time in their career arch. It’s all encompassing. I feel like I’m learning more from them.”
The company will perform in Albuquerque on Saturday, Nov. 13, after completing stops in Farmington and Santa Fe.
“We’re excited to perform, and I personally love New Mexico,” Radetsky says. “I’m super-excited to visit those three places. It will be our first time performing at the venues.”
The ABT Studio Company young dancers perform with an intensity lit by their young passion and a technical mastery refined by American Ballet Theatre’s faculty.
Each year, the ABT Studio Company tours with its company of rising stars to venues across the country and around the world.
The works they travel with are often new pieces choreographed specifically for these young dancers, as well as selections from the American Ballet Theatre repertoire.
When not performing, the students take classes in acting, nutrition, wellness, as well as ballet and are given guidance in life skills such as setting up bank accounts and finding apartments.
The 12 dancers performing with the ABT Studio Company in the 2021-2022 season include Elisabeth Beyer, Tristan Brosnan, Finnian Carmeci, Kyra Coco, Afonso Coelho, Tillie Glatz, Yuma Matsuura, Jake Roxander, Olivia Tweedy, Alejandro Valera Outlaw, Aleisha Walker and Kotomi Yamada.