BBT to welcome artistic directors to 2024 Summer Performance Workshop
Boca Ballet Theatre will kick off our Advanced Summer Performance Workshop on June 24, 2024! This summer’s program features five amazing guest artistic directors from professional dance companies from across the nation. Our Advanced Summer Performance Workshop has earned a reputation for being one of the most thorough and rewarding dance experiences a student can have during the summer, and many use it as a launching pad for a professional career in dance.
This year’s guest artistic directors include Zalman Raffael of Carolina Ballet, Nick Mullikin of Nashville Ballet, Brandon Ragland of Dayton Ballet, Devon Carney of Kansas City Ballet, and Nan Giordano of Giordano Dance Chicago. We can’t wait to welcome our summer workshop dancers to Boca this June! Learn more about our guest directors below!
2024 Guest Artistic Directors
Zalman Raffael of Carolina Ballet: Week 1 (June 24 – June 28)
Zalman “Zali” Raffael grew up in New York City. At age 8, he began studying at the School of American Ballet under the guidance of Olga Kostritzky. After joining Carolina Ballet’s Corps de Ballet, Zali began setting ballets on the company and soon thereafter choreographing his own pieces for Carolina Ballet. Zali was promoted to Carolina Ballet’s first Resident Choreographer and has created over 30 ballets for the company including Rhapsody, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto, and In the Grey. In 2018, Zali initiated opening the School of Carolina Ballet and after becoming Carolina Ballet’s Artistic Director/CEO in 2019, he continues to elevate Carolina Ballet through his innovative vision.
Nick Mullikin of Nashville Ballet: Week 2 (July 1 – July 5)
Nick Mullikin is the Artistic Director and CEO of Nashville Ballet. He oversees all company productions, and is the director of NB2, Nashville Ballet’s second company, and the School of Nashville Ballet which serves over 1800 students annually. He has commissioned over 20 new works for the second company, with a focus on development of artistry and technique side by side. Nick is also a highly sought after guest teacher and he teaches regularly at summer programs, festivals and schools across the United States. He is a judge for the Youth America Grand Prix, has coached students for YAGP and the International Ballet Competition in Varna, Bulgaria. He has consulted for the School of Sacramento Ballet, The Kansas City Dance Festival (now Moving Arts) as well as on the creation and setup of Honolulu Classical Ballet in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Brandon Ragland of Dayton Ballet: Week 3 (July 8 – July 12)
Brandon Ragland received early training in Birmingham, Alabama, and graduated from Butler University with a B.S. in Dance-Arts Administration. After graduation, he joined the Alabama Ballet, performing numerous classical and neoclassical works by choreographers such as Roger Van Fleteren, George Balanchine, Christopher Bruce, and Septime Webre. He joined the Louisville Ballet in 2010, where he spent 13 years as a leading artist and performed featured roles in classical, neoclassical, and contemporary works by choreographers such as Alun Jones, George Balanchine, Adam Hougland, Val Caniparoli, Ma Cong, Lucas Jervies, Stanton Welch, Ronald Hynd, and Tim Harbour.
Devon Carney of Kansas City Ballet: Week 4 (July 15 – July 19)
Devon Carney was born in New Orleans, where he began his dance training with Harvey Hysell. He later joined the New Orleans Ballet, where he danced his first leading roles. In 1978, Devon was invited to join Boston Ballet, where he performed many leading roles in well-known classical ballets. From 1998 to 2003, he served as Ballet Master for Boston Ballet, working closely with choreographers Ben Stevenson, Christopher Wheeldon, Michael Corder, Michael Pink, and Bruce Wells. Devon was appointed Artistic Director of the Boston Ballet Summer Dance Program in 1994 and served in this capacity for nine years. He was with the Cincinnati Ballet from 2003 to 2013, serving as the Associate Artistic Director. In 2013, Devon was appointed Artistic Director of Kansas City Ballet.
Nan Giordano of Giordano Dance Chicago: Dates TBA
At the helm for 40 years, Nan Giordano’s leadership of Giordano Dance Chicago began in 1985 as Associate Director, and in 1993, she was appointed the title of Artistic Director. Nan was trained by her father and mentor, Gus Giordano, who created the world-renowned Giordano Technique. Developer of the Nan Giordano Certification Program®, Nan is the world’s preeminent authority on the essence, discipline, progression and continuance of the Giordano Technique; the vision of NGCP® is to provide worldwide, ongoing, and in-depth access to this ground-breaking dance form.
Interested in our Advanced Summer Performance Workshop with Artistic Directors?
Read more about our program in the link below!