Kozlova's Nutcracker in NYC Dec. 7 at Symphony Space
Company:
VALENTINA KOZLOVA'S DANCE CONSERVATORY COMPANY
Marielle Kaplan-Newman. Photo © Boz Swope
VALENTINA KOZLOVA'S DANCE CONSERVATORY COMPANY IN THE FULL-LENGTH NUTCRACKER
Guest: MARGO SAPPINGTON as Countess Drosselmeyer
2 PERFORMANCES
Saturday December 7 at 3 PM and 7 PM
Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway (at 95th Street)
Tickets: 3 PM performance: $40 general admission; $20 for children & seniors
7 PM performance: $35 general admission; $20 for children & seniors
Reservations: 212.864.5400 or www.symphonyspace.org
Valentina Kozlova's Dance Conservatory Company returns to Symphony Space for two performances of their delightful production of Tchaikovsky's full-length NUTCRACKER, Saturday December 7 at 3 PM & 5 PM. Guest Margo Sappington, who created the choreography for Act I, will appear as the glamorous Countess Drosselmeyer, joining the company of professional dancers and students of Kozlova's midtown school. The Sugar Plum Fairy will be danced by Demitra Bereveskos.
Sappington shows her unique theatrical sense in her choreography for Act I; Act II has been staged by Kozlova after Petipa and Vainonen, formerly with the Kirov Ballet. There is a traditional Snow Scene, and the Kingdom of Sweets has all the well-loved divertissements - Russian, Spanish, Chinese, Arabian, Marzipan, Mother Ginger and the Polichinelles, Waltz of the Flowers, and the Grand Pas de Deux.
Demitra Bereveskos will dance the Sugar Plum Fairy.
Valentina Kozlova, born in Moscow and trained at the Bolshoi Ballet School, performed with the Bolshoi Ballet from 1973-79 and was promoted to Principal Dancer in 1975. While on tour with the Company in 1979, she defected in Los Angeles and immediately was in great demand as guest artist with companies around the world. After appearing on Broadway as Vera Baronova in the revival of On Your Toes, she joined New York City Ballet as Principal Dancer and remained with the company until 1995. She continued to perform with her own company Ballet: The Daring Project, which she directed with Margo Sappington. In 2003 Kozlova established her midtown Manhattan dance school, providing students with the highest level of dance instruction based on traditional Vaganova technique and Balanchine's fast footwork. Kozlova was proud to receive the 2013 Artist Teacher Award from the Chautauqua Dance Institution, directed by Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux and Patricia McBride. Kozlova serves as juror and president for major dance competitions in the US and abroad, is a major coach for participating dancers, and is director of the Kozlova International Ballet Competition, which has been seen twice in Boston and once in New York City. Next April 28 & 29 at Symphony Space, she will bring a new event to new York: the International Contemporary Choreographers and Dancers Competitions.
