April 27th to May 27th
- World Premiere: Ma Cong, Choreographer
- Swipe: Val Caniparoli, Choreographer
- Symphony of Psalms: Michael Smuin, Choreographer
After the smash success French Twist from Smuin Ballet’s 2009-2010 season, choreographer Ma Cong returns to create a World Premiere on the spirited San Francisco company. Currently a resident choreographer and principal dancer at Tulsa Ballet, Cong studied at the Beijing Dance Academy. He is the recipient of several awards, including the Silver Medal at the All China Dance Competition, and was a finalist at the prestigious Paris International Dance Competition as well as the 2000 New York International Ballet Competition. In January 2006, Cong was named one of the “25 to Watch” by Dance Magazine for both dancing and choreography. As a choreographer, Cong has created many works for Tulsa Ballet as well as works for other companies such as Ballet Met Columbus, Ballet Florida, Ballet Nouveau Colorado, Richmond Ballet, Houston Ballet and many others.
A highly-technical piece for four men and three women, Swipe is set to a remix of String Quartet No. 2 by London composer Gabriel Prokofiev, grandson of Sergei Prokofiev. A classically-trained composer known for electro club and hip-hop music, Prokofiev’s music compliments the pulsing energy of Caniparoli’s choreography as well as the choreographer’s penchant for mixing classical and contemporary styles. Rounding out the program is Smuin’s Symphony of Psalms, set to Stravinsky’s score, called “a varied and inspiring collection of stunning choreography” by the SF Bay Times. This full company work blends Stravinsky’s powerful and mesmerizing score with Smuin’s dynamic choreography.
