Erica Felsch

Smuin Contemporary Ballet announced the expansion of its hit Virtual Class Program, featuring a brand new schedule packed with exclusive behind-the-scenes tutorials, lessons in all-new styles including tap and soft-shoe, and expanded offerings of its most popular classes.

Smuin Contemporary Ballet announces free streaming of Helen Pickett's highly-acclaimed ballet Oasis, an ode to the powerful transformative ability of water, as the next installment of its Hump Day Ballets series.

Smuin concludes its quarter-century celebration with a tribute to founder Michael Smuin and his vibrant works set to the music of George and Ira Gershwin, Peggy Lee, Nat King Cole, and others. The Best of Smuin will feature the return of timeless favorites such as the red-hot chair solo "Fever," along with highlights from Dancin' With Gershwin and more. Sharing the bill is the smashing world premiere of "Renaissance" by master dancemaker Amy Seiwert, honoring Michael's legacy as an innovator in ballet, dance, and beyond.

Smuin kicks off the holidays with the return of The Christmas Ballet, the beloved Bay Area tradition featuring two acts packed to the brim with both flawless classical ballet and red-hot contemporary numbers.

Smuin, on the heels of a successful run of its annual holiday extravaganza The Christmas Ballet, returns in February to bring its Dance Series 01 to Mountain View and Carmel. Continuing its 24th season, this program includes Annabelle Lopez Ochoa's critically lauded and transcendent piece Requiem for a Rose.

Smuin makes the holidays sizzle with its annual yuletide celebration of dance, The Christmas Ballet. With a stunning and original array of ballet, tap, and jazz, this joyous showcase of styles offers both sugar and spice, with the surprise unwrapping of new treats every year. The 2017 edition of The Christmas Ballet features three saucy world premieres one by acclaimed Choreographer-in-Residence Amy Seiwert, another created by Smuin dancer Rex Wheeler, and a debut number choreographed by dancer Erica Felsch. An exuberant holiday treat that was declared the finest toast to the season by the San Francisco Chronicle last year, The Christmas Ballet will tour the Bay Area, beginning with shows in Walnut Creek (November 17-18), continuing in Carmel (December 1-2) and Mountain View (December 6-10), and wrapping up with its annual holiday run at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco (December 14-24). Tickets ($25-$89) are available by calling the individual venues (see below for details) or visiting www.smuinballet.org.

Smuin makes the holidays sizzle with its annual yuletide celebration of dance, The Christmas Ballet. With a stunning and original array of ballet, tap, and jazz, this joyous showcase of styles offers both sugar and spice, with the surprise unwrapping of new treats every year.

Admired for their versatility on stage, Smuin dancers invite audiences to experience their talents as choreographers when Smuin presents its 2017 Choreography Showcase. This rare opportunity allows patrons to join Smuin dancers Tessa Barbour, Erica Felsch, Nicole Haskins, Dustin James, Robert Kretz, Ben Needham-Wood, Rex Wheeler, and Smuin alumnus Matthew Linzer in the intimate ODC Theater, to view a showcase of their own choreography set on fellow company members. Audiences will witness a bright and lively performance with a variety of works, often with a dash of humor. Patrons are invited to hear the dancers and choreographers discuss their artistic processes in a Q&A session following each performance. This seventh edition of Smuin's Choreography Showcase will be presented 7:30pm March 10, and 2pm & 7:30pm March 11 at ODC Theater, 3153 17th St., San Francisco. Tickets ($30-$45) and information are available at www.odcdance.org or by calling (415) 863-9834.

Artistic Director, Molly Lynch, is announcing an ensemble of sixteen professional dancers and three apprentices for the National Choreographers Initiative project in July.   The dancers needed for this type of project have special qualities. The schedule is physically quite demanding and the process requires an adventuresome spirit, an open outlook to try new things, and the ability to adapt quickly. Each dancer will be assigned to work with two choreographers throughout the project.

Admired for their versatility on stage, Smuin Ballet dancers invite audiences to experience their talents as choreographers and more when Smuin Ballet presents its 2016 Choreography Showcase. This rare opportunity allows patrons to join Smuin dancers Cara Cooper, Erica Felsch, Rachel Furst, Nicole Haskins, Weston Krukow, Ben Needham-Wood, Susan Roemer, and Rex Wheeler in the intimate ODC Theater, to view a showcase of their own choreography set on fellow company members. These new works, set to a wide range of music, also feature original lighting and costumes.

Admired for their versatility on stage, Smuin Ballet dancers will be taking off their dance shoes and inviting audiences to experience their talents as choreographers and more when Smuin Ballet presents Undiscovered: Choreography Showcase.

Admired for their versatility on stage, Smuin Ballet dancers will be taking off their dance shoes and inviting audiences to experience their talents as choreographers and more when Smuin Ballet presents Undiscovered: Choreography Showcase.

The Bay Area's hottest holiday ticket gets a 21st season kick when Smuin Ballet's The Christmas Ballet, Uncorked! makes its sassy return, a perfect gift for audience members of all ages. An ever-changing carousel of mischief and elegance, this enormously popular holiday celebration offers something for everyone, from ballet, tap, and swing to a wealth of other dances drawn from holiday traditions from around the world. This year The Christmas Ballet, Uncorked! includes new choreography from Smuin's acclaimed Choreographer-in-Residence Amy Seiwert, as well as debut pieces from dancers Ben Needham-Wood, Nicole Haskins, and Weston Krukow. Scroll down for a first look at the performers in action!