Nashville Ballet to Celebrate Retirement of Long-Time Artistic Director with New in Nashville

NASHVILLE, TENN. (March 23, 2023) Nashville Ballet will be concluding their 2022-23 Season April 21–23 at TPAC with New in Nashville. A celebration of long-time Artistic Director Paul Vasterling, who has been a part of the company for more than three decades, this unique sampling of music and movement will highlight the growth of the company under Vasterling’s leadership.

“Nashville Ballet is rapidly becoming one of the top artistic institutions in the country, and we owe a tremendous amount of that success to Paul,” shared CEO and incoming Artistic Director Nick Mullikin. “Over the last 34 years, he has built an organization that pushes boundaries, exceeds expectations, and inspires everyone to think bigger and do more. Because of him and his commitment to Nashville Ballet, we are going to be able to take this company to the next level. He has laid the foundation, and now we get to build upon it.”

Throughout his 30-plus years with Nashville Ballet, Vasterling has propelled the organization’s growth both physically and fiscally. Under his leadership, the company has grown from a troupe of 12 dancers to 32 full-time, professional artists from all over the world, toured to prestigious institutions both nationally and internationally, made regional and national broadcast television debuts, including on PBS’ Great Performances series, and has collaborated with artists such as Maren Morris, Rhiannon Giddens, Ben Folds, Twyla Tharp, Jennifer Archibald, and many more. Through this vast expansion of Nashville Ballet’s repertoire and national reputation, Vasterling has created a company that is both technically versatile, inherently collaborative, and rapidly becoming one of the top dance institutions in the country.

Aiming to celebrate these accomplishments, New in Nashville will highlight the company's growth under Vasterling’s leadership with a variety of classical and contemporary works that showcase the multiplicity of their artists. The program will include two never-before-seen-in-Nashville works, including creative visionary Cathy Marston’s Snowblind, based on Edith Wharton’s Ethan Frome, and a world premiere by the Tony-nominated choreographer of The Color Purple, Donald Byrd. In addition, audiences will get to experience Matthew Neenan’s Hilos, and one of Vasterling’s most beloved ballets, Appalachian Spring, set to Aaron Copland’s iconic score performed live by the Nashville Symphony.

Following Vasterling’s official retirement, current CEO and Associate Artistic Director Nick Mullikin will step into the role of Artistic Director for the 2023-24 season. In honor of his achievements over the years, Nashville Ballet’s Board of Directors has voted to name Vasterling Artistic Director Emeritus upon his retirement.

New in Nashville: A Tribute to Artistic Director Paul Vasterling will take place for one weekend only at TPAC’s Jackson Hall. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit nashvilleballet.com.

Nashville Ballet Announces 2023-24 Season with New Artistic Director

NASHVILLE, TENN. (FEBRUARY 15, 2023) Ahead of the company’s final performance of the 2022-23 season, Nashville Ballet’s incoming Artistic Director, Nick Mullikin, has announced a blockbuster 2023-24 season. A unique blend of boundary-breaking contemporary productions and beloved classical favorites, the 2023-24 season will feature 2018 Tony Award winner Justin Peck’s Year of the Rabbit, world premieres by Mullikin, Jermaine Spivey, Mollie Sansone, and Yusha-Marie Sorzano, the return of their sold-out Live in Studio A program, and Artistic Director Emeritus Paul Vasterling’s fan favorite love story, Romeo and Juliet.

“This season highlights where we came from, where we are, and where we are going,” shared incoming Artistic Director Nick Mullikin. “The foundation of this work has been built by those that came before me, and we are going to continue to move forward with the ideas of work that make us one of the most unique ballet companies in the country. Audiences will have the chance to see things that they can easily recognize but also have the chance to see what the evolution of ballet looks like. We are maintaining who we are by creating 8 world premieres, and fostering creativity by giving our own artists a place to create.”

A Tony Award winner and acclaimed choreographer of Steven Spielberg’s 2021 West Side Story, Justin Peck will be making his Nashville Ballet debut with his Year of the Rabbit. His second work as Resident Choreographer of New York City Ballet, Year of the Rabbit is a collaboration with American singer-songwriter Sufjan Stevens and features a song cycle based on the popular Chinese zodiac. Hailed “thrilling,” “poetic,” and “brilliant” by The New York Times, Year of the Rabbit blends the athleticism of classical ballet with boundary-breaking movement for a performance that is both visually stunning and physiologically intriguing. Peck’s piece will be joined by Artistic Director Emeritus’ Paul Vasterling’s Firebird, set to Stravinsky’s iconic, full-length score, and Jirí Kylián’s Un Ballo.

In addition to contemporary masterpieces, Nashville Ballet will be presenting beloved classical stories, including Vasterling’s Emmy Award-winning Nashville’s Nutcracker and Romeo and Juliet. A long-time, audience favorite, Music City Review declared, “emotive technique to a score dense with meaning, wrapped in beautifully crafted lighting plan and set design leaves the Nashville Ballet’s Romeo and Juliet a voice to speak for itself.” Other highlights include the return of their twice sold-out Live in Studio A program, which will include Mullikin’s first world premiere as Artistic Director, and their annual Attitude production in February, featuring world premieres by multi-award winner Jermaine Spivey, Resident Choreographer Mollie Sansone, and former Alvin Ailey dancer Yusha-Marie Sorzano.

Season tickets for the 2023-24 season will go on sale in March. To learn more about Nashville Ballet and upcoming performances, visit nashvilleballet.com.

Nashville Ballet’s Full 2023-24 Season:

Firebird

With Justin Peck and Jirí Kylián

September 22–24, 2023

TPAC’s Polk Theater

Nashville’s Nutcracker

December 8–24, 2023

TPAC’s Jackson Hall

Attitude

Featuring new works by Mollie Sansone, Yusha-Marie Sorzano, and Jermaine Spivey

February 9–11, 2024

TPAC’s Polk Theater

Romeo and Juliet

April 19–21, 2024

TPAC’s Jackson Hall

Live in Studio A

Featuring Nick Mullikin’s first world premiere as Artistic Director

May 17–23, 2024

The Martin Center for Nashville Ballet, Studio A

YAGP International Outstanding Choreographer of the year Maria Konrad to join Nashville Ballet as Director of NB2

NASHVILLE, TENN. (January 26, 2023) Nashville Ballet is thrilled to announce that nationally recognized choreographer Maria Konrad has been named their new Director of Nashville Ballet 2 (NB2), Nashville Ballet’s official second company. Recently named International Outstanding Choreographer in 2022 by Youth America Grand Prix, the world’s largest dance network, Konrad’s work has been showcased and recognized both nationally and internationally.

“We are elated for Maria to be joining our Nashville Ballet family,” shared incoming Nashville Ballet Artistic Director Nick Mullikin. “Our NB2 artists are the future of this company, and we pride ourselves in investing in their talent. For them to have the opportunity to work day in and out with a choreographer of this caliber is unprecedented, and we can’t wait to see how much this program continues to grow under Maria’s guidance.”

A graduate from A.W. Dreyfoos High School of the Arts in West Palm Beach, Konrad earned her BFA in Performing Arts at The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As a teacher in Philadelphia, she created the early-dance-education curriculum for the school of the Koresh Dance Company, which has been featured in Dance Magazine. A nationally acclaimed choreographer, her work has been presented around the country at Pennsylvania Ballet, Next Generation Ballet, the 2022 Nervi Festival in Italy, the Mariinsky, the Spoleto Festival in South Carolina, The School of Colorado Ballet, The Harid Conservatory, Florida Atlantic University, and more. This season, she will create for Oklahoma City Ballet 2, NB2, and Kansas City Ballet’s main company. She has collaborated with artistic organizations such as Palm Beach Symphony and Palm Beach Pops, and her work has been picked up by several choreographic workshops. She has been recognized by organizations such as Young Arts and YAGP for Outstanding Choreography (2015, 2017) and International Outstanding Choreographer (2022) and has been a guest teacher for institutions such as The Colorado Ballet School, The Joffrey School, University of the Arts, Florida’s Young Dancers Workshop, The Art of Classical Ballet, Next Generation Ballet, St. Paul’s School, Florida Dance Festival, and YAGP.

Konrad will be joining Nashville Ballet full-time beginning in August. As the Director of NB2, she will work alongside incoming Artistic Director Nick Mullikin to expand NB2’s repertoire and programming for the 2023-23 season. A champion of the diversity of the art form, Konrad aspires to help NB2 artists develop their skills outside of just ballet by exploring contemporary, jazz, and modern movement. In addition, she will spearhead bringing in new choreographers, classes, and workshops for NB2 dancers.  

“As an artist, I have always been intrigued by the curriculum of contemporary dance and how we can use it to support classical technique,” shared Konrad. “When we unite these styles of movement, we push the boundaries of the art form and create stronger, more versatile artists and programming. Nashville Ballet has created a space that fosters this sort of creativity and forward-thinking, and I’m so excited to continue bringing that vision to life through the second company.”

To learn more about Nashville Ballet and NB2, please visit nashvilleballet.com.

Nashville Ballet to Highlight Stories of Music City’s Past in Anthology this February

NASHVILLE, TENN. (January 5, 2023) Nashville Ballet will continue its 2022-23 season and kick off the new year with the world premiere of Anthology. Conceptualized by Emmy Award-winning Artistic Director Paul Vasterling, Anthology will highlight unexplored stories of Music City’s past. Inspired by his passion for community, music, and movement, Anthology will be Vasterling’s final world premiere as Artistic Director of the company.

“In my 34 years with Nashville Ballet, I’ve always been mesmerized by the city around us,” shared Vasterling. “It is full of artists, creators, musicians, and visionaries; new ideas, collaborations, and voices. But it’s important to remember that there are people that came before us that made all of this, and so much more, possible. My hope with Anthology is that it would give names, faces, and recognition to those whose influence, accomplishments, and sacrifices, are so often forgotten. Everyone’s story deserves to be told.”

A poignant exploration of Nashville’s rich cultural tapestry, Anthology will explore the stories of both well-known locals and everyday people of the past, including formerly enslaved philanthropist Lucinda Bedford, the first woman to serve on the Nashville Police Force, dance visionary Albertine Maxwell, the first peoples of Middle Tennessee, and more.

Known for his cross-disciplinary collaborations, Vasterling has enlisted a variety of choreographers, musicians, and composers to contribute to the project, including multi-award winner Sidra Bell, newly appointed Resident Choreographer Mollie Sansone, longtime Nashville Ballet Teaching Artist Shabaz Ujima, Windship Boyd, Company Dancer Aeron Buchanan, MORGXN, Jordan Lehning, and local composer Larissa Maestro. Similar in kaleidoscopic style to his nationally-acclaimed ballet, Lucy Negro Redux, which recently premiered on PBS’ Great Performances series as Black Lucy and the Bard, Anthology will highlight a variety of art forms on stage in addition to dance, including original songs, musical scores, and live projection.

Anthology is sponsored in part by Vanderbilt University, DANCE/USA, and the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation and will make its world premiere at TPAC’s Polk Theater February 10–12, 2023. To learn more about Nashville Ballet, upcoming performances, or to purchase tickets, please visit nashvilleballet.com.

Nashville’s Nutcracker Returns to TPAC this Holiday Season with Brand-New Snow Scene

NASHVILLE, TENN. (November 10, 2022) Fresh off its Emmy Award win for the televised adaptation, Nashville’s Nutcracker will return to TPAC December 9–24, 2022. Deemed Music City’s favorite holiday tradition, this year’s production will feature the beloved, unique-to-Nashville story, plus live music by the Nashville Symphony and a brand-new Snow Scene.

“When I created this ballet almost fifteen years ago, I wanted to make it something unique to our community- something we could be proud of,” shared Nashville Ballet Artistic Director Paul Vasterling. “Over the years, it’s become so much more than that. It’s a tradition our dancers look forward to, an experience we share with family and friends, and most of all, an opportunity for us all to come together to celebrate the magic of the holidays and the beauty of dance.”

Inspired by the 1897 Centennial Exposition, which celebrates its 125th anniversary this year, Nashville’s Nutcracker showcases the unique history and cultural innovation of Music City. The performance begins with Clara and her Uncle Drosselmeyer at the Exposition, where they experience inventions from across the globe and see the beloved Nutcracker for the first time. Along with the iconic land of sweets and sugar plum fairies, several Nashville treasures are featured throughout the performance, including Centennial Park and the Belle Meade Mansion.

Known for its eye-catching costumes and elaborate sets, this year’s attendees will get to experience the debut of a brand-new Snow Scene. Inspired by the company’s Emmy Award-winning film adaptation of the beloved production, the new Snow Scene is designed to look as if you are staring into a piece of dark mica stone—with reflections and sparkles inside that

make the dreamy costumes pop more to the audience. The new scene was created specifically for this production by renowned designer Campbell Baird.

Nashville’s Nutcracker will feature Nashville Ballet company dancers, the artists of NB2, a youth cast of students from School of Nashville Ballet, Rejoice School of Ballet, and the Hispanic Family Foundation, and live music by the Nashville Symphony. A complete holiday experience, guests will also be able to enjoy several pre-performance activities, including a commemorative photo booth, meet and greets with characters from the production, and story times hosted by Nashville Ballet teaching artists.

Nashville’s Nutcracker is sponsored in part by the Tennessee Titans. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased here. For more information, please visit nashvilleballet.com.

Paul Vasterling’s Final Season as Artistic Director to Include World Premiere of Anthology

NASHVILLE, TENN. (October 24, 2022) As part of his final season as Artistic Director of Nashville Ballet, Paul Vasterling will debut his newest work, Anthology, on February 10–12 at TPAC’s Polk Theater. A poignant exploration of Nashville’s rich cultural tapestry, Anthology will blend music and movement to tell stories of Music City’s past.

Inspired by and set in the historic Nashville City Cemetery, Anthology is an homage to the Nashvillians, known and unknown, who have shaped the city we know today. Opened on January 1, 1822, The Nashville City Cemetery is the oldest continuously operated public cemetery in Nashville. By 1850, it was the final resting place for more than 11,000 people of every race, religion, and economic status. The ballet follows a young person as they explore the 200-year-old grounds and encounter the spirits of those buried there.

“I’ve always had a deep passion for community, and ours is so rich with people and stories that often get overlooked,” shared Nashville Ballet Artistic Director Paul Vasterling. “All of them are pertinent pieces to the life we live today, yet most of us are completely unaware. We often have the most to learn from those of which we know the least, and that’s exactly what Anthology explores.”

The ballet will feature stories of the first peoples of Middle Tennessee, formerly enslaved philanthropist Lucinda Bedford, the first women on the Nashville Police Force, and Albertine Maxwell, widely regarded as Nashville’s founder of ballet.

Known for his cross-disciplinary collaborations, Vasterling has enlisted a variety of choreographers, musicians, and composers to contribute to the project, including Nashville local and longtime teaching artist Shabaz Ujima, newly appointed Resident Choreographer Mollie Sansone, Windship Boyd, multi-award winner Sidra Bell, MORGXN, Jordan Lehning, Larissa Maestro, and more. Similar in kaleidoscopic style to his nationally-acclaimed ballet Lucy Negro Redux which recently premiered on PBS’ Great Performances series as Black Lucy and the Bard, Anthology will highlight a variety of art forms on stage in addition to dance, including original songs, musical scores, and live projection.   

Anthology is sponsored in part by Vanderbilt University and will make its world premiere at TPAC’s Polk Theater February 10–12, 2023. To learn more about Nashville Ballet, upcoming performances, or to purchase tickets, please visit nashvilleballet.com.

Nashville Ballet to Host Immersive Live in Studio A Performance this November

NASHVILLE, TENN. (October 11, 2022) Nashville Ballet will once again welcome audiences into their studios for a one-of-a-kind immersive dance experience with Live in Studio A, November 4-13 at the Martin Center for Nashville Ballet. This intimate performance will give audiences the rare opportunity to see three stunning ballets and a live chamber ensemble from the coveted vantage point usually only enjoyed by members of the artistic staff or members of the cast.

“This is really a unique opportunity for audiences to see the artistry and athleticism of dance up close,” shared Nashville Ballet Artistic Director Paul Vasterling. “In a traditional theater setting, it’s inevitable that some elements of the production get lost in the distance between artist and audience member. But with Live in Studio A, every person is seated only a few feet away from the dancers, allowing them to absorb movement in a way that just isn’t possible outside of the studio. It’s truly a magical experience between audience member and artist, and our dancers can’t wait to share that with our community.”

Hosted on-site at the Martin Center for Nashville Ballet, Live in Studio A will showcase the budding talent of the organization’s artists with both new and world-class works. The program will include George Balanchine’s balletic masterpiece, The Four Temperaments. Both technically challenging and aesthetically riveting, The Four Temperaments blends both classical and modern movement to examine the medieval theory that we all possess four humors that make up our temperaments. The production will also include the return of Artistic Director Paul Vasterling’s beloved Seasons, featuring the music of Antonio Vivaldi recomposed by Max Richter, and the world premiere of CEO and Associate Artistic Director Nick Mullikin’s Four Loves.  

Seasons and Four Loves will be accompanied by a live chamber orchestra, featuring international violin sensation and award-winning instrumentalist Yvette Kraft. A 2021 NPR “From The Top” Fellow and solo performer, Kraft made her professional debut at just 11 years old with the Spokane Symphony Orchestra. Since then, she has played with several renowned companies, including the Interlochen Orchestra, Washington Idaho Symphony, Seattle’s Philharmonic Northwest Orchestra, and the Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra.

Live in Studio A will run at the Martin Center for Nashville Ballet November 4–13, 2022. To learn more about Nashville Ballet, upcoming performances, or to purchase tickets, please visit nashvilleballet.com.

Local Students to Perform in Nashville Ballet’s Cinderella at TPAC this October

Nashville Ballet will be opening their 2022-23 season with the help of local students as they present Paul Vasterling’s Cinderella. Running at TPAC October 6–9, the fan-favorite production will feature Nashville Ballet company dancers, live music by the Nashville Symphony, and a youth cast comprised of students from School of Nashville Ballet, Rejoice School of Ballet, and the Hispanic Family Foundation.

“This is really a unique opportunity for School of Nashville Ballet students and our community partners,” shared School Administrative Director Sarah Dey. “Not only does it build confidence, social skills, and an appreciation for the art form, but it shows each of them what is possible when we work hard and work together. They will see their weeks of dedication come together and pay off on stage and be able to share it with friends, family, and our community- and that’s truly what the arts is all about.”

The Youth Cast for Cinderella will include 48 students ages 5–7 from School of Nashville Ballet, Rejoice School of Ballet, and the Hispanic Family Foundation. In preparation for the production, students will have the opportunity to work alongside Nashville Ballet faculty, artistic staff, and company dancers to rehearse their roles, varying from Bees, Snow Angels, Castle Pages, Fairy Godmother Attendants, Wigmaker Assistants, and Violinists.  

This year’s Youth Cast includes the following students from each county:

Cheatham County

Charlee Harrison

Davidson County

Abigail Tristan

Abril Munoz     

Addison Wade

Anthonella Gomez Roche

Autumn Church

Charlie Emerson Grace Nelson

Denver Smith

Eloise MacEachern

Emily Maiorino

Emma Greer

Georgia Grace Traughber

Hattie Dodge   

Irys Atkinson

Kimora Chatman

Nora Kate Berry

Lincoln Francois

Maisie Glicken 

Emma Luo

Margaret Meyerson

Margaret Thornberry

Mary Walton Jarman    

Matilda Kaczmarek

Riley Reed       

Kolby-Rose Watson

Roselyn Hernandez

Soheila Crooks

Vera Mitchell

Wisdom Matthews-Cistrunk

Montgomery County

Maddox Harding

Robertson County        

Norah Beutler

Rutherford County

Ana R. Montoya Lopez

Ka'iulani Moss

Williamson County

Adeline Taylor

Cecilia Ludvik

Chelsea Pittman

Emme Shervik

Amelia Johnson

Helen King

Marielle Tyson 

Naomi Bratton

Umay Kadayifei

Winter Jones-O'Daly

Amelia Elshire  

Wilson County

Ava Passaniti

Brayden Smith

A sold-out production during its 2016 run, Cinderella will feature Sergei Prokofiev’s magical score presented live by the Nashville Symphony, plus specially designed 18th century costumes, stunning sets, and original choreography by Artistic Director Paul Vasterling. In addition, families will be able to participate in a variety of pre-performance activities, including photo-ops with beloved characters and a special pointe shoe decorating station.

Cinderella will be live at TPAC October 6–9, 2022 and is sponsored by Conrad Nashville, Tennessee Orthopedic Alliance, and Delta Dental. Tickets start at $35 and can be purchased here. For more information, please visit nashvilleballet.com.

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