BalletNext to Present New Season at New York Live Arts, 1/14-18

BalletNext led by internationally renowned dancer Michele Wiles, will present a highly anticipated season at New York Live Arts, January 14 - 18, featuring three works by acclaimed choreographer and former American Ballet Theatre (ABT) dancer, Brian Reeder. Building on their long-running relationship which began in 2000 while dancing at ABT, Wiles and Reeder have collaborated on a diverse program that includes two premieres, Surmisable Units and Different Homes, as well as Picnic which was created for BalletNext in 2012. Live music will accompany the dancers by the BalletNext Ensemble led by noted Israeli cellist Elad Kabilio and featuring Julliard pianist, Ben Laude.

The distinct and original program features the world premiere of Surmisable Units, in which the dancers' technically inventive movements are performed to Steve Reich's minimalist piece for two pianos, Piano Phase. The program also includes the New York premiere of Different Homes, a pas de deux which never allows the dancers to touch hands, set to music by Benjamin Britten, and Picnic, a "vividly, stylishly composed" ballet (The New York Times) inspired by the 1975 film Picnic at Hanging Rock, set to music by Dmitri Shostakovitch.

In addition to Wiles, dancers slated to perform include: Jens Weber, former Ballet Nacional de Monte Carlo principal; Kaitlyn Gilliland, former New York City Ballet dancer; Steven Melendez, New York Theatre Ballet principal; Sarah Atkins, former Morphoses dancer; Tiffany Mangulabnan, BalletNext dancer; and Brittany Cioce, BalletNext apprentice.

Schedule and Tickets: BalletNext will perform from Tuesday, January 14 through Friday, January 17 at 7:30pm, and Saturday, January 18 at 2pm and 7:30pm.

Tickets are $30 and $15 (students and seniors $24) and are available online at www.newyorklivearts.org, over the phone at 212.924.0077, and in person at the box office. Box office hours are Monday - Friday from 1pm-9pm and Saturday - Sunday from 1pm - 8pm. New York Live Arts is located at 219 West 19th Street between 7th and 8th Avenues.

A special Benefit Performance will be held on Wednesday, January 15. The event includes a post-performance reception with the artists on stage at New York Live Arts. Tickets are $150 and $75. For information and benefit tickets, please visit www.balletnext.com or call 212-203-0409.

BalletNext at New York Live Arts is being sponsored in part by the generous support of Capezio, the Offcial Pointe Shoes of BalletNext, and Steinway & Sons.