San Francisco Ballet School Associate Director Patrick Armand discusses growing up in his mother’s ballet school, his transition from student to professional dancer, his work with Rudolf Nureyev, and dancers and teachers who made an impact on him. Also touched on are his teaching philosophy and approach and why dancing Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s Soirées musicales is such a good opportunity for advanced-level students in the 2015 Student Showcase.

San Francisco Ballet School Associate Director Patrick Armand discusses growing up in his mother’s ballet school, his transition from student to professional dancer, his work with Rudolf Nureyev, and dancers and teachers who made an impact on him. Also touched on are his teaching philosophy and approach and why dancing Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s Soirées musicales is such a good opportunity for advanced-level students in the 2015 Student Showcase.

Debra Bernard discusses her role as San Francisco Ballet’s general manager and how her various roles in the ballet and opera worlds helped prepare her for it. She talks about the logistical challenges of such Company endeavors as co-productions and touring, her memories of the months when Helgi Tomasson’s Romeo & Juliet was in development, the importance of the arts, and how seeing the Company perform inspires her to do her best behind the scenes.

Debra Bernard discusses her role as San Francisco Ballet’s general manager and how her various roles in the ballet and opera worlds helped prepare her for it. She talks about the logistical challenges of such Company endeavors as co-productions and touring, her memories of the months when Helgi Tomasson’s Romeo & Juliet was in development, the importance of the arts, and how seeing the Company perform inspires her to do her best behind the scenes.

In collaboration with Helgi Tomasson, Martino Pistone choreographed the exciting sword-fighting scenes in Tomasson’s Romeo & Juliet. Join Dance Educator Mary Wood to learn how the artists of SF Ballet learn and execute these thrilling scenes, as Pistone and dancers demonstrate sections of the fight choreography.

In collaboration with Helgi Tomasson, Martino Pistone choreographed the exciting sword-fighting scenes in Tomasson’s Romeo & Juliet. Join Dance Educator Mary Wood to learn how the artists of SF Ballet learn and execute these thrilling scenes, as Pistone and dancers demonstrate sections of the fight choreography.

Director of Education and Training Andrea Yannone interviews Corps de Ballet Dancer Norika Matsuyama.

Director of Education and Training Andrea Yannone interviews Corps de Ballet Dancer Norika Matsuyama.

Dancer Julia Rowe, in her second season as a member of the corps de ballet, speaks about her solid training at the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. She credits that for her success in performing a number of particularly challenging featured roles, including the Sugar Plum Fairy in the recent Nutcracker season. She highlights the wide ranging opportunities in a large company such as SFB, in contrast to her five years with the smaller, more intimate Oregon Ballet Theatre.

Dancer Julia Rowe, in her second season as a member of the corps de ballet, speaks about her solid training at the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. She credits that for her success in performing a number of particularly challenging featured roles, including the Sugar Plum Fairy in the recent Nutcracker season. She highlights the wide ranging opportunities in a large company such as SFB, in contrast to her five years with the smaller, more intimate Oregon Ballet Theatre.