Former Colorado Ballet Society Student, Colton West, to Appear with Eugene Ballet in the CS Philharm

Former Colorado Ballet Society and Colorado Youth Ballet student, Colton West, 22, will be appearing with Eugene Ballet in three performances of selected scenes from Swan Lake performed by Colorado Springs Philharmonic at the Pikes Peak Center on Friday, January 25, at 7:30pm; Saturday, January 26, at 7:30pm; and Sunday, January 27, at 2:30pm.

“We are excited to see Colton back on stage in Colorado Springs,” says Ballet Society and Youth Ballet founder and director, Patricia Hoffman. “It’s tremendously satisfying to see our students achieving their dance dreams, but it’s especially fulfilling to watch them return with professional companies touring to our home town.”

“I owe everything to Colorado Ballet Society,” shares West. “Not only was I taught to dance, but I was also taught discipline and perseverance which are two important qualities to have as a dancer. I have always enjoyed dancing and the work that comes with it, but I learned how to love dancing while I was with Ballet Society.”

This is West’s third season with Eugene Ballet and he will be featured in the famous Pas De Trois in Act 1. In spring 2018, West performed this same suite as a guest artist in Colorado Youth Ballet’s full-length presentation of Swan Lake.

“Colton is always our first choice when we need a guest artist for any Youth Ballet production,” claims Hoffman. “He lights up the stage with his joy and gives technically powerful performances as well.”

“I really enjoy dancing my role in Swan Lake,” claims West. “But I sincerely admire the duality of the Odette/Odille character. Swan lake is a wonderful ballet for female dancers because it ranges from being extremely classical to being bravura, energetic, and exciting. It’s a masterpiece of classical dancing and the storyline is so heartbreaking, and Tchaikovsky’s score is so brilliantly haunting. Something about all those ingredients combined together resonates with audience members.”

Toni Pimble has been with Eugene Ballet company for forty years and is co-founding director along with Riley Grannan.

“Swan Lake is a true 19th century classical ballet,” explains Pimble. “The white acts (acts 2 & 4) display the restraint and romanticism of the period. There is great beauty in these two acts with the corps de ballet of white swans and the passion and sorrow of Prince Siegfried and Queen Odette.

The third act of Swan Lake is the act of deception. Princess Odile fools Prince Siegfried into swearing his love for her. They dance a grand pas de deux which is a technical tour de force and includes Princess Odile’s famous 32 fouettés. This act has all the drama of a great classical ballet. We are delighted to be returning to the Pikes Peak Center. It is a fabulous venue and we are looking forward to appearing with the symphony. There is nothing like performing to live music. Tchaikovsky’s music is inspiring for the dancers as well as the audience.”

When asked about Colton West specifically, Pimble responds, “Colton is a dedicated dancer. He is always pushing his technique to the fullest extent and he is fully rounded dancer with a good sense of performance style. He is an attentive partner and exciting to watch perform on stage. The Pas de Trois is a challenging dance and Colton, as always, is dancing to his fullest ability. Colton is a delight to work with, a great asset to Eugene Ballet.”

Conducting the CS Philharmonic for Swan Lake excerpts as well as Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 7 is, Josep Caballé-Domenech, who was born in Barcelona into a family of musicians. Caballé-Domenech also studied piano, percussion, singing and violin. He took conducting lessons with David Zinman, Jorma Panula, Sergiu Comissiona and at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna and was awarded the Aspen Prize from the American Academy of Conducting at Aspen and selected as “Protégé” in the inaugural cycle of the Sir Colin Davis Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative 2002-03.

“All of Colorado Springs can come and celebrate the success of one of our home-grown talents this weekend, while enjoying a stellar presentation of a great classical music and dance work,” says Hoffman. “Swan Lake can be experienced and enjoyed on all levels. It is a visual feast for the eyes, the music is deeply satisfying, and the story is enchanting enough to delight the romantic in all of us.”

Calendar

Who: Colton West with Colorado Springs Philharmonic and Eugene Ballet in excerpts of Swan Lake

What: Scenes from Swan Lake and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 7

When: Friday, Jan 25, at 7:30 pm; Saturday, Jan 26, at 7:30 pm; and Sunday, Jan 27, at 2:30 pm

Where: Pikes Peak Center ~ 190 South Cascade Avenue in Colorado Springs

Tickets: $24 to $75 tickets can be purchased in person at the Pikes Peak Center and Broadmoor World Arena Box Offices; over the phone at 888-929-7849; or online.