» Ballet returns to the big stage
CONTINUES TO THRIVE IN TAOS
The season looks rosy for dance fans in Taos. Starting tomorrow evening, Friday (Aug. 13) Ballet Taos celebrates a return to the stage with their annual Gala, and a performance titled “Blueshift” at Taos Center for the Arts. And just around the corner, Taos Dance Academy is preparing for an autumn collaboration with the Society of the Muse of the Southwest (SOMOS) and a stunning season lineup that includes a spring performance of Swan Lake.
The two women (both professional ballerinas) Kathleen Martin, director of Taos Dance Academy, and Megan Yackovich, director of Ballet Taos, dazzle us with polished performances, teaching Taos youth the skills to take flight on stage, mentoring them with the discipline to soar wherever life may take them, and providing a safe space during a dark time in our history.
Tempo checked in with Martin and Yackovich to get an exclusive peek at what’s next on stage; and offstage, how their teaching philosophy evolved during the pandemic.
Dance plans for 2021-2022
Martin shared her goal this year is to provide an opportunity for every dancer to have their spotlight on stage.
“The Academy has a wide variety of classes and every discipline is important. To start the year, we will host a performance and education-based six-week Flamenco workshop in collaboration with The Harwood Museum and Taos Plaza Takeover (starting Aug. 21). Saturday, Sept. 25, at 4 p.m., flamenco dancers will take the stage with original compositions by musicians Angel Espinoza and ReVoZo. Saturday, Oct. 16, our Children’s Division, Rhythm Divisions, and Junior Company will perform in the Millicent Rogers courtyard, collaborating with SOMOS to tell the tale of one of New Mexico’s legendary ghost stories. Saving the best for last, Taos Dance Academy will end its semester season in December with The Magic of the Nutcracker at the Taos Community Auditorium (Dec. 17,18,19). This production will feature our top-level ballerinas and provide an opportunity for our community to get involved in our performances with set design, costumes, and staging.
“This spring will feature mid-semester performances and close with the acclaimed Swan Lake. Swan Lake is strenuous and difficult. It is not an easy undertaking. The ability to perform Swan Lake reflects our dancer’s technique and determination to succeed.”