Ten
This season, the Dutch National Ballet’s Junior Company is presenting an extra festive touring programme to celebrate the tenth anniversary of its foundation and of its artistic coordinator Ernst Meisner. It comprises three completely new creations, plus a piece that the Juniors are dancing for the first time, as well as Valse Fantaisie, a graceful yet very demanding classical gem by the master choreographer George Balanchine.
Run time 95 minutes, incl. intermission
Genre dance
Language language no problem
Ten
Ten years ago, even the initiators – Ted Brandsen and former artistic director of the Dutch National Ballet Academy Christopher Powney – could never have imagined just how successful the Junior Company would be. The ensemble is in great demand at ballet venues in the Netherlands and abroad. Dancers from all over the world try to secure a place in the group, and more than forty of those who were successful have now moved up to join Dutch National Ballet’s main company.
Hiphop meets ballet
Especially for this anniversary programme, the British-Cameroonian choreographer Joseph Toonga is making his first work for the Juniors. Toonga’s roots are in the hiphop scene, but he has also created works for leading contemporary dance groups, the Royal Ballet School and The Royal Ballet. His productions are characterised not only by his very individual style, but also by the personal stories he incorporates into them.
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Female choreographers
Young Creative Associate Wubkje Kuindersma is also creating a new work for Ten, in collaboration with a young promising composer, who is still to be announced. And the third world premiere in Ten is by the Canadian dancer and choreographer Kirsten Wicklund, in which the Juniors will perform alongside singers from the Dutch National Opera Studio – which is celebrating its fifth anniversary this season.
Versatile talent
Another addition to the Junior Company’s repertoire is Toccata, by Krzysztof Pastor, director of Polish National Ballet and former dancer and resident choreographer with Dutch National Ballet. It is an athletic work, which allows the Juniors to display their versatile talent.
Reviews
De Volkskrant
"Without the trappings of imposing sets, behind which they could still hide, they dance a wide spectrum of choreography.''
Het Parool
"In its ten year history, the Junior Company of the Dutch National Ballet has developed into a veritable breeding ground for talent."
De Volkskrant
''The live music sounds beautiful and gives relief to the choreographies.''
CREDITS
Toccata (premiere for the Junior Company)
choreography Krzysztof Pastor
music Wojciech Kilar - Piano Concerto No 1 (1996): Toccata
rehearsal Simonetta Lysy
ballet master Caroline Iura
costume design Krzysztof Pastor
lighting design Pawel Piotr Jasiński
Valse Fantaisie
choreography George Balanchine
music Mikhail Glinka - Valse-Fantaisie in b minor (1856)
ballet master Caroline Iura
costume design Oliver Haller
lighting design Wijnand van der Horst
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Echoes of Memories (world premiere)
choreography Joseph Toonga
music Mönöchröme by Orin "oriyo" Norbert & Joshua Benjamin
assistant to the choreographer Amanda de Souza
ballet master Michele Jimenez
costume design Jessica Xavier
lighting design Wijnand van der Horst
Ephemeral (world premiere)
choreography Wubkje Kuindersma
music Amelia Clarkson
ballet master Michele Jimenez
Tu Me Manques (world premiere)
choreography Kirsten Wicklund
music Giulio Caccini
ballet master Caroline Iura
