PRESS RELEASES
Latest Release: January 19, 2007
For more information contact:
Holley Calmes/404-317-8470, hcalmes@mindspring.com
GWINNETT BALLET THEATRE GUILD PRESENTS
THE SECOND ANNUAL BLACK TIE FUNDRAISER
“BACKSTAGE PASS” ON FEBRUARY 3, 2007
January 19, 2007 - What does it feel like to be onstage? It is a question many people in the audience wonder as they enjoy live performances. Now, individuals can experience the thrill for themselves as they enjoy Gwinnett Ballet Theatre’s unique event “Backstage Pass!”
“Backstage Pass,” an elegant black tie fundraiser, returns on Saturday, February 3, 2007 at 7 p.m. in the Gwinnett Performing Arts Center for a second year with a “look behind the scenes.” Patrons who attend will be treated to an evening full of fun, food and beauty with exciting raffle prizes, “Balloons for Ballerinas,” a chance to win a half carat diamond, his and her Longine watches, beautiful music, and of course, an opportunity to be onstage. All this is available for a ticket price of only $50 per person and can be obtained by calling 404-831-1048.
The major thrust of this year’s event is to raise funds for the Gwinnett Ballet Theatre Orchestra, under the Direction of Predrag Gosta, ensuring next year’s live music for “The Nutcracker.” The orchestra’s participation in the 2006 “Nutcracker” production delighted the community and drew record crowds. Patrons have contacted both the Ballet and Gwinnett Center to encourage the continuation of live music for future GBT productions.
Sponsors for the event are Mall of Georgia, Barron’s Fine Jewelry, Inc., and the Gwinnett Medical Center. This year, the Mall of Georgia has joined forces with the Gwinnett Ballet Theatre Guild to help provide partygoers with a delightful experience. Mall of Georgia General Manager Mike Lowrey says, “Simon has been a benefactor of Gwinnett Ballet Theatre in the past, and we are delighted to return to sponsor ‘Backstage Pass.’ I know that both the Mall of Georgia and the Ballet, by joining forces, will create an event that will ensure the ballet continues its increasing impact on the community.”
Partygoers will arrive at the Gwinnett Performing Arts Center to be greeted by a quartet of Gwinnett Ballet Theatre Orchestra Musicians and beautiful ballerinas in costume who lead them “backstage.” Here’s where the action starts in earnest! As they sample the delicious food provided by Proof of the Pudding, revelers can purchase raffle tickets for an all-expense paid trip for two nights to the exclusive Topnotch Resort in Stowe, Vermont. This resort is one of the five most highly touted tennis resorts in the United States and features incredible amenities to be enjoyed by the winner. The winning raffle ticket will be drawn that evening, and the winner must be present to win.
“Balloons for Ballerinas” is provided by Mall of Georgia. Several large displays of colorful balloons will be stationed around the stage. Individuals can purchase balloons and immediately pop them open with a pin provided for just that reason. Inside, Patrons find out what they’ve won! Not only will there be prizes from many of Mall of Georgia’s fine stores, but also a gift card to Buckhead Life Restaurants and pairs of tickets to see “Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition” at the Atlanta Civic Center.
Barron’s Fine Jewelry, Inc. returns again this year with their popular “champagne and gemstone” event. Patrons can purchase a glass of champagne for $50. They will definitely receive a semi-precious gemstone or perhaps a half carat diamond! Barron’s is also offering his and her matching Longines watches worth $2,000 as a part of the evening’s prizes. The Ballet is also proud to welcome a new sponsor, Gwinnett Medical Center, to be a part of this year’s “Backstage Pass.”
Patrons will also be treated to a special entertainment where they will be able to meet Gwinnett Ballet Theatre’s beautiful ballerinas in a unique and beautiful way. As the largest mall in the Southeast, Mall of Georgia features more than 200 stores including anchors Dillard's, JCPenney, Belk, Nordstrom and Macy’s. A 20-screen theater, the only 3-D Imax in the state, and the Pavilion live music amphitheater provide unique entertainment options. Multiple restaurants offer an array of choices, from casual to fine dining. Mall of Georgia hosts regular community events such as Simon Kidgits Club and Simon Evening of Giving. The mall also supports local schools and outstanding students in the community as well as Gwinnett County non-profit organizations
Tickets for this evening are only $50 each and can be purchased by calling the Gwinnett Ballet Theatre Guild at 404-831-1048. The event is black tie optional. The Guild phone number is also recommended for questions regarding additional information.
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Live music key feature of 30th Gwinnett Ballet Theatre
JAN. 4, 2007 - When Gwinnett Ballet Theatre dancers took their final bows on December 17 on the stage of the Gwinnett Performing Arts Center, an historic chapter closed on the 30 year-old company and a new chapter began. Close to 9,000 people were in the audience this year.
GBT's "The Nutcracker" enjoyed 11 public performances to predominantly sold-out houses. Six of these performances were accompanied by the 30-piece Gwinnett Ballet Theatre Orchestra under the direction of Predrag Gosta. The Atlanta Youth Choir also participated for the first act "Snow" scenes. The live music brought new patrons to the theatre and created a wave of excitement in Gwinnett's blossoming arts community.
Says GBT Artistic Director Lisa Sheppard Robson, "The public flocks to enjoy this holiday classic, and they have delighted in our 'Nutcracker' for years. The addition of live orchestration and chorus brought the house down. I hope we can afford to continue to delight our audiences with this collaboration and offer this privilege to our incredibly talented dancers. Strings, voice, winds, percussion and dance filled the theater with the festive magic of each enchanting note of Tchaikovsky's incredible score."
Gwinnett Center's Executive Director Preston Williams said, "The addition of live music was particularly unique for a venue of our size. We received nothing but positive feedback from attendees and staff. The live music was really a plus for it. We give GBT kudos. It was the best effort yet!"
The ballet company, headquartered in Snellville, has been quietly gathering forces over the past several years under the leadership of Board Chairman Stan Hall. He says, "This year's Nutcracker' performances had placed Gwinnett Ballet among the very elite of metro-Atlanta arts organizations. We have always known that Gwinnett Ballet was a hidden treasure. But this year's performances, with the full orchestra and choral addition, have allowed the treasure to be discovered."
The addition of a live orchestra this year gave GBT the distinction of being the only company in the Atlanta area performing "Nutcracker" to live music. Ms. Robson says, "We were fortunate to attain our distinguished conductor, Predrag Gosta, last season, and with his ambition and enthusiasm we have carved a new path of entertainment and expectations." The GBT Orchestra premiered in March of 2006 with "A Midsummer Night's Dream."
Music Director Predrag Gosta is also the highly regarded Music Director of Atlanta's New Trinity Baroque. He states, "We are fortunate to have a ballet company of such high quality as the Gwinnett Ballet Theatre. The freshness of artistic approach and the youth and enthusiasm the dancers project enchant everyone in the audience and are an inspiration to every musician who has the privilege to be a part of its orchestra. I am delighted to be the Music Director and look forward to conducting GBT's future productions. With its talent, GBT is joining the ranks of Gwinnett and Atlanta's leading arts organizations."
Although adding live music was a serious financial consideration, the risk was worthwhile according to Mr. Hall. "As difficult as the financial commitment to live music can be, it is all worth it when when you see the pure enjoyment and satisfaction on the faces of the audience. We are firmly committed to bringing the best possible performances to Gwinnett County, whatever the cost. I think that we have demonstrated our seriousness of this commitment this year. And I think that based on the number of people who came to see the production, that they are dedicated to us as well."
Gwinnett Ballet Theatre is a pre-professional ballet company which specializes in preparing serious ballet students for a professional career. Approximately half of its graduates are accepted into professional dance companies across the country, including Houston Ballet, North Carolina Dance Theatre, Ballet Arizona, Ballet Maryland, Atlanta Ballet, and others. One of its graduates, Alessandra Ball who currently dances with North Carolina Dance Theatre, was a recipient of the prestigious Princess Grace Award in 2005.
For more information about Gwinnett Ballet Theatre, call 770-978-0188 or go to the Web site at www.gwinnettballet.org.
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NEW TRINITY BAROQUE PRESENTS
A CANDLELIGHT CHRISTMAS PROGRAM OF BACH’S CANTATAS
The concert will feature soprano Sherri Seiden, bass Jason Hardy, and more!
(Atlanta – Friday, December 15, 2006) – On Saturday, 23rd of December 2006 at 8 pm, New Trinity Baroque will present its third concert of its 2006/07 season, entitled “Bach’s Candlelight Christmas.” As the title suggests, the concert will feature cantatas and organ music by Johann Sebastian Bach, one of Baroque’s most prolific composers.
The soloists being featured at this concert will include soprano Sherri Seidan, bass Jason Hardy, baroque trumpeter Randal Tinnin, baroque oboist Joyce Alper, as well as St. Bartholomew’s organist Brad Hughley, and their own Canterbury Choir (strenghtened by the members of St. Philip Cathedral Schola). The music by Bach which New Trinity Baroque’s Artistic Director, Predrag Gosta, has chosen for this candlelight Christmas concert will include the fantastic cantata "Jauchzet Gott", a moving cantata "Ich habe genug", as well as Christmas cantata No. 64 "Sehet, welch eine Liebe hat uns der Vater erzeiget" for soloists, choir and orchestra. In between the cantatas, organist Brad Hughley will set the holiday mood through Bach's beautiful Christmas chorales, featuring St. Bartholomew's great "Rosales" Organ.
Soloists Sherri Seiden and Jason Hardy are young, but extremely talented singers, whose career is progressing fast. Both are trained classically, but they both have affinity for early music, which is why the artistic director, Predrag Gosta, picked them up for this occasion. Joyce Alper of Boston has been a member of international early music groups for many years, and has already appeared with New Trinity Baroque on several occasions. A new guest for this concert is Randall Tinnin, a Julliard graduate and currently Chair of the Brass Department at the University of North Florida, as a soloist on natural (baroque) trumpet. They will all be accompanied by NTB’s archaic instruments, as well as Brad Hughley on organ, the Canterbury Choir of St. Bartholomew’s Church, and conducted by Predrag Gosta.
The concert will be presented at New Trinity Baroque’s usual concert venue, St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, 1790 LaVista Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30329. Tickets are already on sale, and are available for purchase online, as well as over the phone. The tickets are priced from $9 to $39. Half-season tickets are also available. For more information please visit NTB’s website, newtrinitybaroque.org, call 770-638-7574, or email the ensemble at info@newtrinitybaroque.org.
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GWINNETT BALLET THEATRE CELEBRATES
25 YEARS OF “THE NUTCRACKER” WITH LIVE ORCHESTRA
AND CHORAL ACCOMPANIMENT DECEMBER 2-17, 2006
Atlanta, November 10th, 2006 – Gwinnett Ballet Theatre (GBT) has delighted regional audiences with its annual Holiday presentation of The Nutcracker since 1981. This year, for the 25 th Anniversary production, the cast of 150 dancers will be accompanied by the Gwinnett Ballet theatre Orchestra, consisting of 30 professional musicians plus the extraordinary voices of the Atlanta Youth Choir. All of this takes place between December 2 and 17 th in the Gwinnett Performing Arts Center in Duluth, Georgia.
GBT offers eleven performances to the general public. Six of these eleven performances will be accompanied by live music. Five will be performed to recorded music. The live music performances are: Friday, 12/8 at 7:30; Saturday, 12/9 at 2:30 and 7:30; Sunday, 12/10 at 2:30; Saturday, 12/16 at 2:30; and Sunday, 12/17 at 2:30. Performances to recorded music are: Saturday, 12/2 at 2:30 and 7:30; Sunday,12/3 at 2:30; Friday,12/15 at 7:30; and Saturday 12/16 at 7:30.
“Presenting live music for our significant 25th anniversary is so exciting,” says Lisa Sheppard Robson, GBT’s Artistic Director for the past nine years. “We premiered the Gwinnett Ballet Theatre Orchestra to accompany our performance of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ last spring. I can only imagine how magnificent it will be for both our dancers and the audience to experience live music for ‘The Nutcracker!’ It is an important step in our development as a performing company and an opportunity for both dancers and audience members to enjoy a unique artistic collaborative event.”
“The Nutcracker” will bring back the Gwinnett Ballet Theatre Orchestra and the music director Predrag Gosta who thrilled audiences in March during “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Gosta, who is also the Artistic Director and Conductor of the acclaimed period-instrument orchestra, “New Trinity Baroque,” looks forward to conducting “The Nutcracker.” “I am thrilled that this year's selected performances of 'The Nutcracker' will be with a live orchestra, especially since this year marks an important anniversary for the Gwinnett Ballet and 'The Nutcracker' in Gwinnett County. I very much look forward to conducting Tchaikovsky’s music, which is always very satisfying to a conductor.”
Mr. Gosta has just returned from Russia where he conducted performances with the St. Petersburg State Symphony Orchestra and the Moscow Symphony Orchestra. "Conducting Russian music in its homeland was a fantastic experience,” he says, “and working with Russian orchestras gave me insight into the style and tradition of their music, which will inspire my conducting of 'The Nutcracker' with the Gwinnett Ballet.”
Ms. Sheppard Robson says, “Predrag Gosta brings to our Ballet a wealth of international music experience and a special passion for this particular score. I am sure our audiences will experience the richness and joy that Tchaikovsky put into this well loved music through Mr. Gosta’s talent and insight.”
The orchestra of the Gwinnett Ballet will consist of 30 musicians, and will include faculty members from Georgia State University and the University of Georgia, doctoral students and recent graduates, acclaimed Atlanta freelance players as well as international artists from Russia and Europe.
Audiences will also benefit from the talent of GBT’s well trained dancers. A “pre-professional” company and Honor Member of the Southeastern Regional Ballet Association, GBT dancers have been garnering praise and professional opportunities upon graduation in impressive numbers.
“Our 2006 ‘Nutcracker’ will include 150 dancers performing in three casts for the eleven public performances,” says Ms. Sheppard Robson. “I am so proud of all of these talented young people who work very hard to maintain a standard or excellence throughout the year.”
“In addition to our cast, we are honored to add an impressive list of prominent community leaders who will each take the stage for one performance portraying the humorous role of Mother Ginger in the second act. They will don an enormous dress under which eight young Polichinelles (clowns) hide, only to spring out at her surprise and dance. It is a part that allows these supporters and friends an opportunity to experience being on stage. It is a way to say ‘thank you’ for all of their help and interest in Gwinnett Ballet.”
Among the “Celebrity Mother Gingers” are: Paige Havens of Spitfire Media Group; Caryn McGarity of the Gwinnett Convention and Visitor’s Bureau; Shirley Fanning-Lassiter, Mayor of Duluth; Renee Byrd-Lewis of Scientific Atlanta; Rakhi Singadia Narwani of Barron’s Fine Jewelry; Melissa Cahill of Mall of Georgia; Pat Hart of United Way in Gwinnett; Cathy Arostegui of Apple Printing; Chris Truhe of Carisma Gallery; and Christy Johnson of the Gwinnett Gladiators.
“The Nutcracker” as interpreted by GBT is a traditional rendition, complete with Herr Drosselmeyer performed by magician Bill Kress and his delightful assortment of birds and rabbits that appear onstage. Mr. Kress is celebrating his ninth year in this year’s production. All of the audience favorites, from the Mouse King, adorable baby mice, dancing dolls, beautiful flowers, an Arabian Princess, and much, much more will be on the program. “Our ‘Nutcracker’ is filled with pure dance,” continues Ms. Sheppard Robson. “Our students perform on a very high level with demanding choreography.”
This year, in addition to having live music, a new Act I “Snow” scene is being premiered with choreography staged by acclaimed choreographer Thom Clower. This scene will, in live performances with the orchestra, also feature the acclaimed Atlanta Youth Choir, prepared by its artistic director, G. Phillip Shoultz, III.
“Our ‘Nutcracker’ has everything!” says Ms. Sheppard Robson. “Beautiful dancers, thrilling choreography, heart-warming scenes, and live music!”
Tickets for the live music performances are $25 for adults and $20 for seniors and students. For the recorded music performances, tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students and seniors. Group rates are available. To purchase tickets, call Ticketmaster at 404-249-6400 or visit any Ticketmaster location. Tickets are also available at the Gwinnett Center Box Office located at 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth. For more information about GBT or its “Nutcracker” production, call the studio at 770-978-0188 or visit www.gwinnettballet.org.
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Gosta becomes new music director and conductor of the Gwinnett Ballet Theatre
Atlanta’s young conductor receives a major appointment
Atlanta, February 21st, 2006 – Predrag Gosta, Atlanta’s young conductor and praised director of Atlanta’s acclaimed period instrument orchestra, New Trinity Baroque, has been appointed as the new music director and conductor of the newly formed Gwinnett Ballet Theatre Orchestra.
The Gwinnett Ballet Theatre recently announced that its Spring production, featuring Mendelssohn’s masterpiece “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” will employ live music: the company will for the first time use its own symphonic orchestra, newly formed by and performing under the baton of its new music director and conductor, maestro Predrag Gosta. Brought together as a result of almost a year long conversation between Gosta and Gwinnett Ballet Theatre’s artistic director, Lisa Sheppard Robson, the orchestra will present itself for the first time at the premiere of Mendelssohn’s work on Friday, March 10th, at 7:30 PM, at the Gwinnett Performing Arts Center, with subsequent performances on Saturday, March 11th (at 2:30 PM and 7:30 PM) and on Sunday, March 12th (at 2:30 PM).
The creation of this new orchestra is a major accomplishment for the Gwinnett Ballet Theatre, as well as the greater Atlanta arts scene, which, beside the Atlanta Ballet, until now did not have any other ballet company that employs its own orchestra. Founded in 1977 and now in its 29th year, the Gwinnett Ballet Theatre has so far used pre-recorded music for its productions. As Gwinnett County’s very first nonprofit performing arts organization, the organization was founded for the purpose of providing local dancers with training and performing experience necessary for a professional dance career. For the past 29 years, the Gwinnett Ballet Theatre has maintained a strong educational profile, and has successfully employed many of its graduates in professional ballet companies throughout the country. They have remained committed to its original mission of bringing outstanding ballet instruction and performances to the growing and increasingly diverse population of greater Atlanta, and they have been consistent in their excellence.
Predrag Gosta’s appointment and the creation of the new orchestra promises to bring new energy into the organization. At 34, Gosta has already gained a reputation as one of Atlanta’s most exciting music performers. Primarily known for his work with his period instrument orchestra and ensemble, New Trinity Baroque, Gosta’s conducting style and performances were described from “sensitive” and “delightful” to “exuberant”. This past December, the Atlanta Journal Constitution’s music critic, Pierre Ruhe, said about New Trinity Baroque that “no music ensemble in Atlanta creates so much excitement. No group seems as vital.” One of New York’s best known presenters, The Concert Artists Guild, described his performance as “...defined, gripping, thoughtful, full of temperament, fearless.”
The Gwinnett Ballet Theatre and maestro Gosta look forward to the March show, and hope that Mendelssohn’s ballet with live music will be only the first of many future events featuring the Gwinnett Ballet Theatre’s own orchestra. Plans are already in place for the Ballet’s 25th Performance Anniversary of “The Nutcracker” (scheduled for this December), as well as another ballet in Spring of 2007.
Born in Belgrade (Serbia & Montenegro), Predrag Gosta has been educated at music conservatories in Europe and the USA, and has received degrees from the prestigious Trinity College of Music in London, England, and Georgia State University in Atlanta (where he received three Master of Music degrees). Primarily concentrating his work on historically informed performances, he has collaborated with leading artists in the “early music” field, including Andrew Lawrence-King, Michael Fields, Anthony Rooley, Evelyn Tubb, Marion Verbruggen, Ingrid Matthews and others. His most recent close collaboration is with baroque violinist and Gramophone Award winner John Holloway, with whom he shares directorship of New Trinity Baroque for the 2005/06 concert season. Until recently, he was the conductor of the Oxford Chorale, and the assistant conductor of Georgia State University Symphony Orchestra. He guest conducted choruses and orchestras such as Emory University Concert Choir, the Canterbury Choir, “Canticum Novum” and Orchestra of the Studio for Early Music, and has held posts as Director of Music in various churches in Georgia (currently he is the Director of Music Ministry and Organist at one of Atlanta’s oldest Presbyterian churches – Rock Spring Presbyterian Church). Another one of his recent engagements include directing a new production of Monteverdi’s opera “The Coronation of Poppea” with the University of Kentucky Opera Theatre in 2004. Also an active educator, Predrag Gosta is the Affiliate Guest Lecturer at Georgia State University School of Music since 2003, and since 2004 the Artist in Residence at Oxford College of Emory University. As a conductor, harpsichordist, organist, vielle player and baritone soloist, Predrag Gosta has more than a dozen CDs to his credit, on labels such as Edition Lilac, EMN, STURAM, Jugovideo, PGP RTS and others. The appointment as the new Music Director and Conductor of the Gwinnett Ballet Theatre is Gosta’s first major appointment with a symphony orchestra.
For more information about maestro Gosta, the Gwinnett Ballet Theatre or New Trinity Baroque, please visit the following web sites: maestrogosta.com, gwinnettballet.org, and newtrinitybaroque.org (high resolution images suitable for publications are available for download at http://press.newtrinitybaroque.org).
