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Ballet Hispanico Residency at Skidmore College - Interview with Yarden Ronen

Ballet Hispanico Residency at Skidmore College,
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
(Ballet Hispanico Website)
www.skidmore.edu/summer
518.580.5590
Tina Ramirez, Artistic Director, Ballet Hispanico

Sponsored by
Office of the Dean of Special Programs
Don McCormack, Dean of Special Programs
Sharon Arpey, Director of Community Education
& Summer Conferences

Photo courtesy of Roberta Zlokower

More articles on Ballet Hispanico in residence at Skidmore College Ballet Hispanico Residency at Skidmore College - Introduction - 6/18/2003 - by Roberta E. Zlokower. - Article sponsored by Skidmore College. Ballet Hispanico Residency at Skidmore College - Pedro Ruiz Master Class, a flamenco class, a jazz class and a report on several rehearsals - 6/18/2003 - by Roberta E. Zlokower. - Article sponsored by Skidmore College. Ballet Hispanico Residency at Skidmore College - Interview with Yarden Ronen - 6/18/2003 - by Roberta E. Zlokower. - Article sponsored by Skidmore College. Ballet Hispanico Residency at Skidmore College - Report on an open rehearsal - 6/18/2003 - by Roberta E. Zlokower. - Article sponsored by Skidmore College.

By Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower
June 17 and June 18, 2003

June 18, 2003, Interview of Yarden Ronen, a third season Ballet Hispanico dancer, from Israel: On a lovely park bench on the vast green, wooded Skidmore Campus, outside the Dance Center:

Yarden Ronen

REZ: What was the high point of your Skidmore Summer Dance experience?

YR: The Latin Social Dance with the community. I like the involvement with the community. We had a showing of a new piece in an open rehearsal, with a lecture demonstration. We did our work, plus the audience was involved. Also, you have space and trees here. It's different from studios in NY. In a Company Class, we got students to a professional level. And, at the Egg in Albany, we performed to a full house.

REZ: What are your goals for yourself?

YR: To succeed in dance, not just in Latin, but also in Classic.

REZ: As an Israeli, how did you happen to join Ballet Hispanico?

YR: I came to the Company in 2001, heard about the Company, got a call back, then another, and then got a contract.

REZ: What attracted you to Ballet Hispanico?

YR: It's a place to combine art and diverse choreography, jazz, and modern pieces, such as Club Havana (See Ballet Hispanico Club Havana Review).

REZ: Tell me about your Israel dance experience.

YR: I studied at Bat D'Or Ballet Company. I had a full scholarship and joined in 1996. Lar Lubovitch was there and choreographed a period piece about Jews. He choreographed two pieces for my Company, while I was a soloist. Then, I came to NY for a two-week vacation on my way to South America. During my visit, I auditioned for Ballet Hispanico. A lot of people came. They took a small amount of the participants (in the audition).

REZ: Do you have a dance partner?

YR: Natalia is my steady dance partner. We have a lot of chemistry.

REZ: Thanks, and Good Luck!