April 9, 2004

Loyola Ballet premieres Concerto for Heels and Toes on April 30

It is a rare treat for local dancers to perform the premiere of a work choreographed for them by a former soloist of the renowned Bolshoi Ballet, but that's exactly what was in store for members of the Loyola Ballet when they returned from their Mardi Gras vacation.

Konstantin Uralsky, artistic director of Ballet New York, spent a week with the students in early March, choreographing a work called Concerto for Heels and Toes. A blend of character dance and contemporary ballet, the original work draws heavily on the Russian training the students have had at Loyola.

Loyola Ballet Director Laura Zambrano first met Uralsky in 1991 after she completed a two-year pedagogy program of the Vaganova Russian syllabus at the State Choreographic School of Tbilisi in the Republic of Georgia. Uralsky, who was then the artistic director of Ballet Iowa, hired Zambrano to work with the company. During the six years they worked together, Zambrano said she learned a great deal from Uralsky.

"I am thrilled to be working with Konstantin again," Zambrano said. "He energized the students and motivated them to reach a new level of artistry through the creation of this new work. He is a brilliant choreographer, and both the students and I greatly enjoyed working with him on Concerto for Heels and Toes."

Also featured in the concert are scenes from Cinderella and other classical and contemporary works. Guest artists from Ballet New York will perform a scene from More Than Two to Tango as well as a pas de deux from Waltz of White Orchids.

Tickets are $12 for general admission; $8 for Loyola community. For ticket information, call 865-3492.

—Karen Beck