Music Director and Principal Conductor Martin West introduces 'Meet the Music and Musicians' - an exploration of Rachmaninov Symphonic Dances with the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra.

Director of Education Charles McNeal interviews Soloist Clara Blanco.

Principal Dancer Frances Chung discusses her Nutcracker-season promotion to principal dancer in 2009, the physical and emotional demands of dancing the title role in Francesca da Rimini, and what it’s like to take on a role created on former principal dancer Tina LeBlanc in Criss-Cross. Also touched on: the humanitarian work Chung has done with several organizations.

Val Caniparoli discusses his fascination with the development of complex characters, as portrayed in Ibsen’s House, his most recent work created for SF Ballet. He will provide insight into the challenges of being a prolific freelance choreographer, whose works are in the repertoires of over 40 companies worldwide. Symphonic Dances, choreographed by Edwaard Liang and Rudolph Nureyev’s Raymonda Act III contribute to this diverse program.

Dance Educator Mary Wood interviews Guest Répétiteur Bruce Sansom.

John Cranko’s Onegin, based on Russia’s beloved novel, returns by popular demand! SF Ballet’s 2013 Visiting Scholar Tim Scholl, Professor of Russian and Comparative Literature at Oberlin College and an author and scholar in the history of dance in Russia and North America, will explore the way the three authors (Pushkin, Tchaikovsky, and Cranko) have re-imagined characters who are not only beloved in Russia, but resonate universally for all who have experienced true love, and occasionally, regret.

Writer for San Francisco Ballet and Dance Studo Life Editor in Chief Cheryl Ossola interviews SF Ballet's 2013 Visiting Scholar Professor Tim Scholl.

Director of Education Charles McNeal interviews Ballet Master and Assistant to the Artistic Director Ricardo Bustamante and Choreologist and Repetiteur of Cranko Ballets Jane Bourne.

Dance Educator Mary Wood interviews Choreologist and Repetiteur of Cranko Ballets Jane Bourne.

this program of contrasting works. Soloist Sasha De Sola joins Ballet Master Betsy Erickson who offers her perspective of this ballet, and brings her long experience with the Company to the discussion of Wheeldon’s Within the Golden Hour and Balanchine’s Scotch Symphony.