BalletNext Welcomes New Resident Choreographer & Executive Director

BalletNext today announced Brian Reeder, as Resident Choreographer and Elizabeth Johanningmeier as Executive Director.

On the heels of the company's critically acclaimed season to date, a program of three works by Brian Reeder at New York Live Arts in January 2014, BalletNext is pleased to continue its collaboration with Mr. Reeder, a choreographer who, according to the Financial Times, "captures today's exhilarating eclecticism."

Michele Wiles, BalletNext's Artistic Director, said, "I am thrilled Brian is joining the company in a central role as a member of our artistic core. The intelligence and subtly of his work embodies what we are trying to achieve."

In his capacity as Resident Choreographer, Mr. Reeder will create one new choreographic work each year for the company. The first work of his residency, a trio set Baroque music, will have its New York premiere at BalletNext's New York season in February 2015.

To support the company's infrastructure and artistic growth, BalletNext has named Elizabeth Johanningmeier as Executive Director. Ms. Johanningmeier joins BalletNext following her role as Director of Operations at Morphoses and prior experience with Trisha Brown Dance Company and Parsons Dance.

Said Ms. Johanningmeier, "I joined BalletNext because Artistic Director Michele Wiles has an executable vision to create new, high-quality choreography for classically trained dancers on pointe, always to live music. My goal is to build a relevant and sustainable business model that will carry this vision well into the next decade."

Under the artistic direction of Michele Wiles, BalletNext pairs classically trained dancers and live musicians in a collaborative setting that encourages risk taking and a focus on process to create new choreography.

Highlights of the 2014 season of BalletNext includes the recently completed sold-out season at New York Live Arts, performances at the Lensic Performing Art Center in Santa Fe, NM a co-production with the Bedford Stuyvesant Y at BAM Fisher, performances at Kaatsbaan International Dance Center, and a creative residency at On Stage at Kingsborough.

Photo by Nisian Hughes

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