New Dancers join OKC Ballet!

  -For Immediate Release –

OKLAHOMA CITY- Oklahoma City Ballet Artistic Director Robert Mills announces new hires and promotions within the Oklahoma City Ballet company for the 2010-2011 Season.

“Our upcoming season Momentum in Motion is going to be our most exciting to date.  I have assembled an amazing roster of talented artists from around the world, the United States and our own great state of Oklahoma to dance our exciting and varied repertoire.”  - Artistic director Robert Mills

Seasoned ballerina Miki Kawamura will bring her amazing talents to Oklahoma City Ballet beginning this fall.  A native of Sapporo Japan, Miki has danced principal and soloist roles with Takako Classical Ballet of Japan, Charleston Ballet Theatre, City Ballet of San Diego and The Eugene Ballet/Ballet Idaho.  Miki has also danced as a guest artist with companies around the world.  “Dancing as the explosive, amoral Carmen, Miki Kawamura captures the essence of the character” – The Charleston Post and Courier. 

Oklahoma City Ballet also welcomes two new men to its roster, Jerry Pines and Michael Villella.  Trained at Florida’s prestigious Harid Conservatory, Jerry Pines comes to OKC Ballet having danced most recently with the Atlantic City Ballet.  Michael Villella trained at the renowned Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet which has turned out some of America’s finest classical dancers.  Michael comes to OKC via Ballet Austin.

Three supplemental dancers from the 2009-10 season have been promoted to full company status.  Texas native Tye Love was seen last year in Alan Hineline’s The legend of Sleepy Hollow.  Originally from Arkansas, Anna Doss performed last season in both: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Giselle.  Tye and Anna are graduates of The University of Oklahoma School of Dance under the direction of Mary Margaret Holt.  Dance Center of OKC Ballet alumni Amanda Herd danced with the company last season in The legend of Sleepy Hollow, The Nutcracker and Giselle.  Amanda returns to Oklahoma City after training and dancing with Pacific Northwest Ballet and Ballet Austin.

Two young ladies will be beginning their professional dance career with Oklahoma City Ballet during the 10-11 season.  Longtime Dance Center of Oklahoma City Ballet student Hillary Richerson and Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet alumni and Estonia native Mirell Sork will join the company as apprentices.

These men and women bring their talent and artistry to our already accomplished roster of returning dance artists:  David Barocio, Josh Crespo, Emily Fine, Stephanie Foraker, Darli Iakovleva, Anton Iakovlev, Hannah Jew, Audrey Johnston, Samantha Kropp, Kenzi Lockwood, Callye McCollum, Grace Medaugh, Ronnie Underwood and Crystal Wellman.

You will be able to find more information on all of our versatile dance artists on www.okcballet.com  and of course you will be able to be thrilled by their talents on the stage of the Civic Center Music Hall.  Call 405-848-TOES (8637) for season tickets to Oklahoma City Ballet’s 2010-11 season Momentum in Motion.

-For more information contact Lisa Liebl at 405.352.4248-