Ballet Hartford is pleased to announce that Claire Kretzschmar will be joining Ballet Hartford as Artistic Director in August 2024! Leyna Doran, who has directed the company since 2019, will be stepping into the role of Executive Director at Ballet Hartford. Together, Kretzschmar and Doran will continue to promote the creation of art that is true, good, and beautiful.
Having danced with New York City Ballet from 2010-2022 and risen to the rank of Soloist during that time, Claire Kretzschmar now teaches and choreographs ballet. She has previously worked with Ballet Hartford twice - last spring to re-stage Duncan Noble’s “Peter and the Wolf” and this past fall to create “A Ceremony of Carols”. Currently, Claire is choreographing ‘Venus’ on Ballet Hartford dancers for their upcoming show “Planets” on May 3.
As Artistic Director, Claire Kretzschmar aims to deepen Ballet Hartford’s roots in the Hartford community and to continue to create “Art for the City” while expanding the company’s presence throughout New England. “Ballet Hartford is one of the most joyful and hard-working dance environments I’ve experienced,” remarks Claire, “I want more people to come to see our beautiful performances, take our open adult classes, and bring their children to our school.”
We’re looking forward to an amazing 2024-2025 season with Claire Kretzschmar. Please welcome Claire in the comments below as she makes Ballet Hartford her home!
Photos by Sean McCullough, Paul Kolnik, and M.SemenzaPhoto
#BalletHartford#ArtForTheCity#HartfordHasIt#Announcement#ArtisticDirector#FemaleLeadership#FemaleDirector#FemaleArtist#BalletCompany
I’m really excited to share that I’m choreographing a new, full-length, narrative ballet titled, “Raffaella”, set to premiere this summer in South Bend, Indiana and starring dancers Isabella Lafreniere and Jonatan Lujan ✨
“‘Raffaella’ is a new fairytale ballet commissioned by the Stroik family, in memory of their daughter, Raffaella Stroik. Inspired by her life, this all-new full-length ballet follows the lineage of classical ballets such as “Giselle” and “The Sleeping Beauty” and seeks to embody Raffaella’s motto, “Beauty will save the world.” The narrative follows a young peasant girl from a miraculous birth in 18th century Italy. During her adventures she meets a mysterious Prince, and later a charming but false Prince, and she must choose which way to go. Featuring a new score by neo-romantic classical composer Michael Kurek, new choreography by former New York City Ballet Soloist Claire Kretzschmar, the artists of the South Bend Symphony Orchestra, and a corps of professional dancers from across the nation, “Raffaella” is set to be unmatched in scope and history in the making. Expect to be transformed by beauty in motion.”
Tickets go on sale to the public next Monday, Feb 12th! To learn more about the production, visit my link in bio or head to .
I hope that you can come see this extremely special collaboration 🙏🏻♥️
Photos by: Megan L.C. McNally @megan.lc.mcnally
Scenes from “A Ceremony of Carols” at Ballet Hartford • 12.9.2023 ✨
Photography by Sue Yang @sue_takes_photos
Costumes by Nicole Roque @nicoleelainetutus
Lighting by Conor Mulligan @zombified347
Sound design by TJ McEvoy
We are 1 day away from the premiere of @raffaella.ballet ! If you are in the Indiana area, you do not want to miss this stunning, all new production with choreography by @ckretz92 , musical score by @michaelkurek3 and costumes by @nicoleelainetutus ✨
In fall 2018, the tragic passing of @stlouisballet dancer Raffaella Stroik shook the dance world. Today, her hometown of South Bend, Indiana, continues to honor her memory.
Her life has now inspired a brand-new fairy-tale ballet, @raffaella.ballet , commissioned by the Stroik family in her memory and choreographed by @ckretz92 . It premieres this month at South Bend’s @morrispac , running June 29–30.
Learn more at the link in our bio. 💕
📸: Raffaella Stroik. Photo by @kellyprattphoto , courtesy Raffaella Ballet.
📸: Claire Kretzschmar (front), @ilafreniere , and @jonatan.lujan.art . Photo by @megan.lc.mcnally , courtesy Raffaella Ballet.
📸: Claire Kretzschmar. Photo by Megan L.C. McNally, courtesy Raffaella Ballet.
📸: Raffaella Stroik. Photo by Kelly Pratt, courtesy Raffaella Ballet.
📝: @loveesuds@southolddancetheater@southbendsymphony@ballerinaleah@paulzusi#raffaellaballet#raffaellastroik#southbend
Class at the Palais Royale, in preparation for “Raffaella” rehearsals ✨
Performances of “Raffaella” on June 29 + 30 at the Morris Theater in South Bend, Indiana • link to tickets in my bio 🎟️
