Dance Theatre of Tennessee Fetes Elaine Thomas in Gala Second Season Opening

Dance Theatre of Tennessee (DTT) brings to life one of best-loved classical ballets of all time - Swan Lake Act 2. DTT will present this timeless classic as part of its 2011-12 opening season series entitled At 75 - A Tribute to Elaine Thomas, DTT's assistant artistic director on Friday, September 30 and Saturday, October 1 at 8 p.m. at Harpeth Hall Auditorium.

Entering its sophomore season, Dance Theatre of Tennessee is happy to celebrate Thomas' contribution and impact on the dance community not only in Middle Tennessee but throughout the United States.

"Elaine has been such a wonderful inspiration not only to my career as a dancer but to countless individuals who are themselves artistic leaders and innovators" contends Christopher Mohnani, DTT artistic director. "It would be truly special to celebrate her generosity through the performances that evening."

A special reception in honor of Thomas will be held on October 1, prior to the 8 p.m. performance. Thomas is currently artistic associate and principal coach for DTT.

Artistic directors and principal dancers of several ballet companies - including Ballet West, Pennsylvania Ballet, Texas Ballet Theater and Australian Ballet - that Thomas has been associated with or have worked with, will be flying into Nashville for the event. They will present premieres of works by Frederick Ashton, George Balanchine and Ben Stevenson among others.

A graduate of the Royal Academy of Dance in London, Thomas received the academy's highest honor, The Adeline Genee Medal. Upon graduation she joined the Royal Ballet Company, rising to senior soloist and dancing the title roles in ballets such as Giselle, Swan Lake, Coppelia and The Sleeping Beauty. She also distinguished herself as a teacher at the Royal Ballet School and, while touring extensively, conducted master classes throughout England and America. In addition, she served as assistant ballet mistress for the Royal Ballet.

Thomas has worked with major ballet luminaries including Sir Frederick Ashton, Nijinska, Sir Kennethe McMillan, John Cranko, Dame Margot Fonteyn and Rudolf Nureyev. In demand as a ballet mistress and re-stager, she has reconstructed choreography and staged full-length ballets including Giselle, The Sleeping Beauty, Les Sylphides, Coppelia and Swan Lake.

She has worked and shared her talents as a ballet mistress, repetiteur, coach, choreographer and director with several major ballet companies in the United States and have been in the faculty of several major schools where majority of her students are now artistic directors, principal dancers, major choreographers and artistic leaders.

Swan Lake Act 2 - or more famously known as the "lake scene" tells the story of Odette, the Swan Queen who is a beautiful princess under the spell of an evil sorcerer. She transforms from her human body into a swan during the day. Many others are under the same spell, becoming swans during the day. In order for the spell to be broken, Odette must win the eternal love of a young man. If she does not find true eternal love, she will remain a swan forever.

Tickets to the performance are $25 for adults and $15 for children and are available at www.ticketsnashville.com. For more information on this special performance and celebration, including tickets to the reception, call (615) 391-5500 or visit DTT's website at www.dancetheatretn.org.