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Saturday, April 24 2021
1:00 PM

Moving Forward
Livestream from The Ware Center
Family Fun Fest
Millersville University, Lancaster PA
April 24th at 1:00PM

Suitable for middle school through adults, this presentation features the young Philadelphia Ballet II company in two diverse and eclectic works that celebrate Moving Forward with ballet’s inherent elegance and innovation. Maria Konrad’s work “PHrenetic” takes us to her Philadelphia roots emphasized by Sigmund Washington’s soundtrack of original classical, electronic and jazz music, and spoken word. “Don Quixote,” staged by Eddy Tovar, brings a Spanish flair with the work of Marius Petipa with music written by Ludwig Minkus. The program will be livestreamed free of charge. 60-minutes including a 10-minute intermission.

Excerpts from Don Quixote
Staged by: Eddy Tovar, Director, Philadelphia Ballet II
Don Quixote is a vibrant, exciting, passionate ballet with a Spanish flair. Choreography is originally by Marius Petipa and music by Ludwig Minkus. These exhilarating excerpts are a perfect celebratory way to bring ballet back to the stage.

PHrenetic
Choreographer: Maria Konrad

Philadelphia has inspired musicians, artists and inventors since Benjamin Franklin flew the key on the corner of 9th and Ludlow. It is not only the birthplace of democracy but has served as the cradle of artistic freedom for centuries to come. “PHrenetic” explores the intangible sense of home and energy that is the zeal of Philadelphia. Maria Konrad uses the backdrop of Philadelphia’s rich artistic community and urban landscape to create this vibrant work for Philadelphia Ballet.  Konrad’s artistic roots began in Philadelphia and she celebrates that by choosing collaborators from the underground Philly music and visual art scene at the core of her process. Inspiring her score is longtime Philadelphia based musician, Sigmund Washington. Dancing to the soundtrack of original classical, spoken word, electronic and jazz music, Konrad attempts to encapsulate the intangible grit, joy and energy of the city and of Philadelphia Ballet II in “PHrenetic”.

EDDY TOVAR

Artistic Director, Philadelphia Ballet II

Eddy Tovar trained at the National Ballet School in Havana. He began his professional career in Brazil at the Bale do Estado de Goias before joining the Orlando Ballet under the direction of Bruce Marks and the late Fernando Bujones. Eddy rose through the ranks of Orlando Ballet to that of principal dancer, while also serving as the resident guest artist of the Los Angeles Ballet. He retired from the stage after dancing for Texas Ballet Theater as a principal dancer, under the direction of Ben Stevenson.

Eddy has performed principal roles in virtually every full-length classic ballet, including roles in works by George Balanchine and Twyla Tharp. As well, he has won numerous medals in competitions all around the world and appeared as a guest on the TV show “So You Think You Can Dance”. Most recently, Eddy served on the faculty of the Hartt School of Dance Department at the University of Hartford. Throughout his career, he has staged ballets as well as instructed students of all levels. Eddy is currently the Artistic Director of PBII. He is married and has a daughter.

MARIA KONRAD

Choreographer

Maria A. Konrad graduated from the Dreyfoos High School of the Arts in West Palm Beach and then earned her BFA in Performing Arts at The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As a teacher in Philadelphia, Mrs. Konrad created the early-dance-education curriculum for the school of the Koresh Dance Company, which has been featured in Dance Magazine.

Ms. Konrad’s choreography has been presented nationally in such venues such as the Spoleto Festival in South Carolina, The School of Colorado Ballet, The Harid Conservatory, Florida Dance Festival, Miami Dade Cultural Center, Florida Atlantic University, The Kravis Center, Next Generation Ballet and has collaborated with artistic organizations such as Palm Beach Symphony and Palm Beach Pops. Her work has been picked up by choreographic workshops in NYC by the STEPS Beyond Foundation at STEPS on Broadway and Uptown Rising Series at The Bridge. Her piece “Portraits” performed in the 2018 Come Together Festival hosted by Koresh Dance Company in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and she choreographed the 2019 production of “Les pêcheurs de perles” (The Pearl Fishers) for Opera Tampa where she will return this season to choreograph “Aida”.

She has been recognized by organization’s such as Young Arts and Youth America Grand Prix for “Outstanding Choreography” (2015, 2017). She has been a guest teacher for institutions such as The Colorado Ballet School, University of the Arts, Florida’s Young Dancers Workshop, The Art of Classical Ballet (dir. Magaly Suarez), Next Generation Ballet, St. Paul’s School, Florida Dance Festival and Youth America Grand Prix. She has worked at both The Harid Conservatory and A.W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts. She served on the 2018 faculty at The International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Mississippi. She is excited to join the YAGP organization for a second season as a judge and Master Teacher. She is currently resident choreographer with The Next Generation Ballet (Dir. Philip Neal) and the director of the contemporary program at Florida School for Dance Education.

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