It’s that time of the year again: a time to revisit what happened in the ballet world during 2014. From the Guardian’s Judith Mackrell, to New York-based critic Marina Harss, dance writers have been picking their favorite moments of the year. Even though we missed out on amazing premieres like Ratmansky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, plus anything choreographed by Justin Peck (we simply can’t wait for Ballet 422 to hit the UK!), we had the opportunity to catch many interesting creations over this side of the Atlantic, from Wheeldon’s beautiful The Winter’s Tale to ENB’s powerful Lest We Forget bill at the Barbican.
Meanwhile, in the current edition of The Barre Flies, contributors like Eliza Minden, Laura Jacobs and Leigh Witchel have been busy picking their Dancers to Watch in 2015. We would also like to hear from you:
Who are your dancers to watch in 2015?
Use the comment form below or email us (theballetbag [at] gmail.com). Your answers will be automatically added to our Christmas giveaway, as we are teaming up with the Gaynor Minden crew to give away two pairs of pointe shoes plus tights!
Photo: © Eduardo Patino. Courtesy of Gaynor Minden, Inc.
This promo closes on 5 January 2015. The two lucky winners will be able to place a custom order for their Gaynor Minden ballet shoes.
Entries from all over the globe are welcome.
Good luck and Merry Xmas!
Update: 27 January 2015 – Promo winners are:
Stephanie, who emailed us:
“My dancers to watch for 2015 are Svetlana Lunkina (Principal, National Ballet of Canada), for her impeccable technique and growing artistry as a new dancer with the company (I saw her perform in November, exquisite!), and Francesco Gabriele Frola (Corps, National Ballet of Canada), for his incredible ballon and ability to step up in this season’s Soloist/Principal roles at the last minute. He has a bright future, and is exciting to watch.”
And Mackenzie, who commented:
“I absolutely love Sara Mearns at New York City Ballet!!! She inspires me so much!!! When she dances, I can just see her passion. She puts everything into what she is doing, and I love that about her!!! I would love to see her perform someday soon!! I also will be watching Rammaru Shindo at the Carolina Ballet! I had the honor of meeting him when he came to perform as a guest artist with my ballet company!!! His performance left my fellow dancers, the audience, and me mesmerized!! With the way he presents himself onstage and the way he can jump and turn, I am not surprised that he won a Silver in Pas de Deux at the 2014 Youth American Grand Prix!!! It is clear that Rammaru Shindo is going to be going places, and he is one to watch in 2015.”
Congratulations Stephanie and Mackenzie! We’ll be in touch by email soon.
If your entry was not picked this time, don’t worry. Keep checking for further promotions soon!
Allison Garcia
I would love to see the 3 principal dancers that have announced their retirements: Paloma Herrera, Julie Kent and Xiomara Reyes, these dancers are considered legends of the ABT, amazing dancers with excelent technique.
Yadi
Of course Misty Copeland! Such an inspiration. I also read about this lovely young lady from Arizona, Gisele Bethea who I am sure will be in the spotlight in the very near future. I love watching the different personalities and interpretations of various artists.
Julie
I love watching Misty Copeland and think she is doing a lot in the modernization of ballet.
Vanessa
I love sophia lucia she is so talented. And Is the best dancer around. She is super flexible and has amazing technique
Stephen
I would love to see Xander Parish in 2015 after reading reports about him. Also new dancers Juliet Doherty and Miko Fogarty.
Kiara
Giuseppe Bausilio, Ryan Steele, and Calvin Royal III! They all have very distinct styles of dancing an have incredible technique. Not only are their techniques articulate, but they are also very energetic.
Martina
Next year I will be watching Ksenia Zhiganshina! She just gratudated from Vaganova and she is dancing with the Bolshoi. I really like her and her dancing, I think she’ll be great ballerina so I’m looking forward on seeing how will her career be going in 2015.
I will also watch some ballerinas here in Zagreb, I wish them a wonderful new year
Mackenzie Hood
I absolutely love Sara Mearns at New York City Ballet!!! She inspires me so much!!! When she dances, I can just see her passion. She puts everything into what she is doing, and I love that about her!!! I would love to see her perform someday soon!! I also will be watching Rammaru Shindo at the Carolina Ballet! I had the honor of meeting him when he came to perform as a guest artist with my ballet company!!! His performance left my fellow dancers, the audience, and me mesmerized!! With the way he presents himself onstage and the way he can jump and turn, I am not surprised that he won a Silver in Pas de Deux at the 2014 Youth American Grand Prix!!! It is clear that Rammaru Shindo is going to be going places, and he is one to watch in 2015.
Mariana
I love the ballet bag! I would watch as many dancers as I can. Svetlana Zakharova, Natalia Osipova, Marianela Nunez, Maria Kotchetkova, Gillian Murphy, Michaela de Prince, Polina Semionova, Alina Somova, Diana Vishneva, Misty Copeland… As many as I could!
Ballet is my life. Lets say that Ballet and Gaynor Minden are a very good combination 🎀
Marie
Alina Somova, in my opinion the best dancer who never ceases to amaze me and Julia Stepanova – I wonder how her career is going to advance after her departure from the Mariinsky.
Savannah Eklund
Olga Smirnova is probably my favorite dancer to watch right now, and Diana Vishneva also inspires me a lot. I’m hoping to see more from Olesya Novikova, Anastasia Kolegova, Xander Parish, and especially Yulia Stepanova in 2015.
MARIE LAURE
In my opinion, in 2015 we will see a lot from the young and talented rising stars, such as Michaela DePrince, Jurgita Dronina, Miko Fogarty and Daniil Simkin with all their energy and refreshing technique.
However, I think we will continue watching the elegance and virtuosity of Svetlana Zakharova, Polina Semionova and Natalia Osipova.
Thank you for this opportunity to express ourselves and wishing you Happy Holidays and Happy Dancing from Mexico!
Ana Campos
Bailarina Portuguesa : Carlota Rodrigues está a estudar na Bolshoi. Excelente.
Elia Plata
Misty and Alessandra Ferri of course the past and future of ballet united by this art, thanks for giving us the opportunity to post our opinion in this holidays. Greetings from Mexico. :* :*
Octavio Vela Vargas
Polina Semionova and Svetlana Zakharova two classicals of ballet that have such a great technique balanced with their passion and work. They transmit ballet´s essence. I would like to give my daughter that pointe shoes as she is a great dancer and would love to be comfortable with one of the most important brands all around the world. She introduced me into ballet world.
Astrid Vela
Talking about male dancers, mine would be Isaac Hernandez principal of Dutch National Ballet, a promise. He has great expression, creativity and talent at his short age. It would be great that people in other countries new him. He is known in USA, Mexico, Cuba, Holland but imagine to send all his experience and talent to other places of the globe. That would mean ballet globalization.
Elia Plata
I am from Mexico, I think that the dancers to watch in 2015 are Misty Copeland because of her new dancing style added to traditional ballets, she gives a sensation of a new era in ballet´s world. Her work with different companies including one of sports clothes, has made from this art an art known for a lot of people since she has been acting as an embassador of dancing all around the world, breaking the limits or preconceptions about starting ballet not at a very little age. Everyone is called by art, you have to follow it and let it become part of you forever. Other dancer is Alessandra Ferri, who retired from ballet long time ago but now is coming back with her classical and beautiful elegant style at the same time bringing new styles to her career (when you watch her is like if she were a bird flying through sky or water in a waterfall) she makes ballet look so natural, real and part of our life at the same time that seems to be mystical and supernatural. This two dancers make people believe in a connection between earth and heaven, with god. With our essence, with art.
Octavio Vela Vargas
Polina Semionova and Svetlana Zakharova are well known dancers, I would invite people to watch them in their performances as they are part of the very few dancers around the world that while having a great technique and lines are hard working and the most important, enjoy their dancing. This can be noticed by paying attention to their expressions, the years of training, their experience and the love and passion that they use in their dance. Classical dancers forever. I have learned all this by my daughter that is a little ballet dancer, it would be great to tell her that she will win a new pair of pointe shoes. That is why I am writing this comment I hope her Christmas wish come true.
susanna
Cuban, Alicia Alonso <3
Ana Luisa Lima Oliveira
I would love to see Gillian Murphy and Maria Kochetkova!
Heather Holtry
I adore the dancing of Leta Biasucci from Pacific Northwest Ballet. Not only is she technically stunning, her sharp crisp movement combined with high energy performances entices the audience and engages them in the performance.
Romina
I would really like to see Paloma Herrera before she leaves the ballet. I dream to win the Gaynor Minden pointe shoes as far as my parents can’t afford them
Monica Wang
I’m hoping to see more of David Hallberg since we missed him during his injury/recovery in 2014! And I wouldn’t mind seeing more of Polina Semionova (my favourite!), of course… ; )
Francesca
the unique NATALIA OSIPOVA!
Carla Palumbo
I would like to see Maria Kochetkova!
Virginia Horton
I would love to see Misty Copeland and Gillian Murphy. I also would love to watch the dancers from the Houston Ballet. I hope someday to be able to be a part.