What to Expect
JEFFREY CIRIO (Guest Artist) has won multiple international dance competitions including Tanzolymp Ballet Competition in Germany, National Foundation for the Advancement of the Arts, Youth America Grand Prix in New York, USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Seoul International Ballet Competition, Helsinki International Ballet Competition, World Ballet Competition and the prestigious Princess Grace Award. Hailed as "simply sensational" by the Boston Globe, he is a principal dancer with Boston Ballet, where he has danced numerous roles in the classical, neo-classical and contemporary repertoire. He is a former student of Peter Stark.
MISA KURANAGA (Guest Artist) Misa Kuranaga began her training at the Jinushi Kaoru Ballet School and later continued at the School of American Ballet. Kuranaga joined Boston Ballet in 2003. She was promoted to second soloist in 2005, soloist in 2007 and to principal dancer in 2009. She is the recipient of numerous awards and honors including a gold medal in the Junior Division of the Moscow International Ballet Competition, a scholarship at the Prix de Lausanne competition, and the gold medal in the senior division of the 2006 USA International Ballet Competition coached by NGB ballet mistress, Ivonne Lemus. Ms. Kuranaga has danced numerous principal roles with Boston Ballet, and is a frequent guest artist around the globe, including New York City Ballet and the Vail International Dance Festival. She was named one of Dance Magazine's "25 to Watch" in 2006.
ERICA PEREIRA (Guest Artist) from Northport, New York began studying ballet seriously at Ballet Academy East in NYC and continued at School of American Ballet. Ms. Pereira became an apprentice with New York City Ballet in December 2006. While an apprentice, Ms. Pereira danced the role of Juliet in Peter Martins' Romeo + Juliet. She joined NYCB that May. In December 2009 Ms. Pereira was promoted to soloist. Ms. Pereira has danced featured roles in Ballo della Regina, Chaconne Divertimento No. 15, George Balanchine's The Nutcracker (Sugarplum, Dewdrop, Marzipan and Dolls), Jewels (Emeralds), A Midsummer Night's Dream (Butterfly), Scotch Symphony, Stars and Stripes, The Steadfast Tin Soldier, Symphony in Three Movements, Tarantella, and Walpurgisnacht.
DANIEL ULBRICHT (Guest Artist) from St. Petersburg, Florida, USA, and began his dance training at the age of 11. At age 16, Mr. Ulbricht was invited by the School of American Ballet (SAB), to continue his training. As a student at SAB, Mr. Ulbricht performed with New York City Ballet as a Jester in Peter Martins' The Sleeping Beauty. In December 2000, he became an apprentice with New York City Ballet and in November 2001 he joined the Company. In January 2005, Mr. Ulbricht was romoted to the rank of soloist and principal dancer in May 2007. During his time there, he has danced featured roles in a number of Balanchine, Robbins, Martins, and Wheeldon ballets. Mr. Ulbricht has also danced Tarantella at the 2004 Kennedy Center Honors to celebrate the Balanchine Centenary. A sought after guest artist, Mr. Ulbricht is also a guest teacher at a number of well-known national dance schools, private schools, and universities. Mr. Ulbricht is currently the Artistic Advisor of Manhattan Youth Ballet. Mr. Ulbricht is also the Associate Artistic Director of New York State Summer School for the Arts in Saratoga Springs, NY. Mr. Ulbricht is also founder and director of "Daniel Ulbricht and Friends", a touring group focusing on high art, education and outreach.