In the dark shadow of the grove, on the margin of the brook, he beheld something huge, misshapen, black, and towering. It stirred not, but seemed gathered up in the gloom, like some gigantic monster ready to spring upon the traveller.
Ashley Bontrager & Gustavo Ramirez |
Bob Williams Photography
Ballet Fantastique would like to recognize that our ballet theatre production is being held on the traditional lands of the Kalapuya People. We offer respectful recognition to the Native communities in our region.
We honor their enduring connection to the land, and acknowledge the contributions Indigenous people have, and continue to make to our region and beyond.
Letter
from the
President
Welcome to the first production of Ballet Fantastique’s 2025–2026 25th Anniversary Season: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow!
Since our world premiere on this stage in 2017, Sleepy Hollow has become one of the company’s most popular shows, thanks to original music, wonderful dancing, dynamic choreography, remarkable sets, and memorable interpretive storytelling.
When you support BFan’s original art, you support an entire network of creatives coming together to make something truly inimitable. The BFan team selected the original 2017 soundtrack after reviewing over 500 hours of music. Inspired by the film Warhorse, BFan resident sculptor-welder Adam Goldthwaite crafted the Headless Horseman’s horse using steel and leather on backpacking frames. Kelle DeForrest (Disney, Pixar) painted the on-stage “legs” and crafted a whimsical “book bed,” pumpkin pillars, and other unique set pieces in collaboration with Don Carson—all to bring Donna Bontrager’s visions to life. Eugene composer and BFan Resident Composer-Arranger Gerry Rempel contributed several original songs, and violinist Brandon Vance was late for our 2017 dress rehearsal because he was just off his win of a gold medal in the Scottish Cup—in Scotland. We’re excited to welcome Murdock-Waters back as Baltus Van Tassel, alongside our talented international roster of company dancers.
We deeply appreciate your ongoing support, which has enabled our growth from a small dance studio founded by Donna Marisa and Hannah Bontrager 25 years ago into one of our country’s fastest-growing, thriving theatrical dance companies today.
PHILIP PIELE
BOARD PRESIDENT
Dear BFans,
Welcome to The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and to the start of Ballet Fantastique’s 2025–26 VENTURE Season!
This year, we’re diving headfirst into the unexpected. From haunted forests and toyshop magic, to deep-sea kingdoms and the Wild West frontier, each ballet in this season dares to push storytelling further bringing iconic tales to life with the imagination, live music, and daring that defines BFan.
We’re so excited to start the season with Sleepy Hollow, our twist on Washington Irving’s classic, told through cinematic dance and shadowy humor. And this is just the beginning.
Thank you for being here!
YOUR NEW ART IS HERE
DONNA MARISA BONTRAGER
& HANNAH BONTRAGER
FOUNDING CHOREOGRAPHER-PRODUCERS
People
Donna Bontrager, Founding Artistic Director
Hannah Bontrager, Founding Executive Director
BOARD PRESIDENT
Philip Piele
SECRETARY
Dianna Pounder
BOARD MEMBERS
Nicole Roselio
Stephen Webster
Brandy Rodtsbrooks
Darby Giannone
Isabelle Bloodgood / Dancer Representative
Board of Directors
Mary Spilde
Matthew King
Emily Dew
Thea Vandervoort
Amy Stoddart
Gina Bolles Sorenson
Steve Robinson
Advisory Board
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Donna Marisa Bontrager, Founding Artistic Director, Costume Design/Vision
Allison Ditson, Costume Design & Production
Debora Peña, Set Design & Construction, Custom Paintings
Sydney Elise Miller-Peterson, Stage Manager
Gustavo Ramirez, Hannah Bontrager, Production Managers
Lance Deal, Jeff Faust, Nancy Deal-Whitacre, Carl Peterson, Sets Design, Construction, Properties Masters
JP Durand, Music Director
Gerry Rempel, Resident Composer & Arranger
Elizabeth Roberts, Costume Construction, Wardrobe Support
Mitra Gruwell, Headpieces
Deborah Speer, Libretto, Historical, Music Research, Creative Team
Genevieve Speer, Artistic Associate; Libretto, Historical, Music Research Support
Rebecca Welch, Wardrobe Support -
Ashley Bontrager, Development Director
Emily Knowles, Administrative Support
Rebecca Welch, Director of Community Engagement
Elizabeth Chapa, Academy Coordinator, Administration Support
Sara Stewart, Academy Relations Manager & Youth Backstage Coordinator
Lucy Pearce, Academy Program Director
Genevieve Speer, Finance Manager
Dianna Pounder, Academy Billing
Jeff Mecredy, Leadership & Growth -
Isabelle Overstreet, Marketing Coordinator
Elizabeth Chapa, Brooke Geffrey-Bowler, Emily Knowles, Marketing Support
Jeremy Bronson, Film, Audio, Marketing
Gustavo Ramirez, Film, Audio, Marketing
Hannah Bontrager, Graphic Design, Program Magazine Design -
Amanda Kay Arens, Young Dancer Division
Ashley Bontrager, Professional Division, Company
Donna Marisa Bontrager, Professional Division, Company
Hannah Bontrager, Professional Division, Company
Brianne Falanga, Professional Division, Young Dancer Division
Brooke Geffrey-Bowler, Professional Division
Tavari Groesbeck, Professional Division
Jenavieve Hernandez, Professional Division,Teen/Adult Division
Preston Andrew Patterson, Teen/Adult Divison
Lucy Pearce, Academy Program Director
Gustavo Ramirez, Company Rehearsal Director
Hadassah Slater, Young Dancer Division, Professional Division, Adult/Teen Division -
Attic Media
Bronson Studios
Eddie Bruning
Miki Markovitch
Chappel Miller
Gustavo Ramirez
Bob Williams -
Dianna Pounder, Angel
Jitendra Joshi, Web
Nancy Deal-Whitacre, Sets, Dancer PT
Lance Deal, Sets, Welding
Carl Peterson, Sets, Engineering
Tessa Richards, Theater PT
Barbara Mossberg, Resident Historian
Sara Stewart, Youth Cast Lead
Elizabeth Roberts, Costumes
Erin Whitaker, Costumes, Art
Halie Henderson, Costumes
Christie Rodewald, Costumes
Kate & Bill Eintenmiller, Angels
BFan’s Academy Families
BFan’s Board of Directors
& many, many more -
Oaktree Residential
sponsors of Sleepy HollowJudy Grubbs & Barry Polonsky
Sponsors of The Headless Horseman Scene
BFan Events Calendar
MEET THE MAKERS
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Choreographer - Producer
Founding Artistic Director
Costume Design DirectorBallet Fantastique's Canadian-born Artistic Director, Donna, is a choreographer, designer, and expert master teacher in the Vaganova Syllabus. Ms. Bontrager's performance résumé embraces work with New York companies, including Empire State Ballet, Buffalo City Ballet, Royale Dance Theatre New York, and Festival Choir Ballet. She was one of ten dancers invited to perform as part of the international Feast of the Tabernacles in Jerusalem, Israel, and has been invited to join the World Congress on Dance. Ms. Bontrager has overseen Ballet Fantastique repertoire and productions involving partnerships with choirs, opera, and soloist vocalists, symphony and chamber orchestras, literary and visual artists, and composers. Ms. Bontrager has visioned, choreographed, produced, and staged the entire critically acclaimed all-original Ballet Fantastique repertoire of over 92 original works since 2000—including 26 full-length contemporary narrative ballets, and 25 consecutive productions with live music, including creating new work during the Covid-19 pandemic and shutdown. She has also led BFan commissions for Eugene Symphony, Oregon Mozart Players, and many others. Under Donna's leadership, Ballet Fantastique has toured across the NW. Donna also oversaw BFan's sold out, critically-acclaimed international debut at the Palariviera Theater as the first US dance company invited to perform in San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy. Donna's love of the arts also extends to her design work as an alumna of the University of Oregon's School of Architecture and in the design of BFan's critically-acclaimed costumes. Donna has also developed the complete Academy of Ballet Fantastique curriculum.
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Choreographer-Producer
Founding Executive DirectorHannah is Ballet Fantastique's Executive Director, Co-Choreographer Producer, and lead grant writer. Hannah graduated at the top of her class (summa cum laude and phi beta kappa) from the Robert D. Clark Honors College of the University of Oregon where, as a full scholarship student, she earned concurrent degrees in Dance and English Literature and a minor in Arts Administration, as well as the American Association of University Women Award, the Dance Achievement Award, and the Dean's Award for Service, and was the invited Honors College graduation speaker. Under Hannah’s leadership, Ballet Fantastique has earned touring invitations on behalf of Ballet Fantastique nationally and internationally; grant awards from major foundations; and hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and in-kind corporate and individual support.
Hannah is listed among the international Who’s Who Among Executives and Professionals, is a Comcast Newsmaker, and Blue Chip "20 under 40" award recipient. Hannah also leads a number of educational initiatives for Ballet Fantastique, including Passport to Dance and The EXPERIENCE DANCE! Project, which have brought innovative dance experiences to thousands of schoolchildren across Oregon ever year for the past 20+ years.
Also a trained professional dancer and performer, Hannah studied Vaganova pedagogy with her mother, Donna Marisa Bontrager. She also trained at the Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington, DC. Hannah spent a season with Colorado Ballet Company and subsequently with Manassas Ballet Theatre in the Washington, DC metro area (where she performed leading roles including Sugar Plum Fairy, Nutcracker and the lead in Vivandière/ Markitenka). Donna and Hannah have collaborated to produce bold cross-disciplinary Ballet Fantastique contemporary ballet premieres and collaborations at home and on tour, including the entire body of Ballet Fantastique's work. As a founding principal dancer with Ballet Fantastique, Hannah has earned rave critical reviews in myriad soloist roles.
Hannah is proud mom to Finn (age three) and Liam (age one), and is thrilled to be back on stage with her BFan family.
Academy of Ballet Fantastique
CLASSES FOR YOUNG DANCERS
AGES 2-7
OPEN CLASSES FOR TEENS/ADULTS
AGES 13+
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING DIVISION
Ages 7+
CONTACT US TO AUDITION
Ballet Fantastique
Secret Society
We would like to recognize the incredible generosity of the individuals, foundations, and businesses who support Ballet Fantastique’s mission and programs. Pledges and contributions received between 7/1/24–PRESENT
Juliet Bender
Stephanie & Ted Coopman
Kate & Bill Eitenmiller
Carla Hoeger
Matthew Johns
Darby Giannone & Marvin Re'Voal
Jillyn & Graham Kaiser
Dave & Sherrie Kammerer
Andrea Kingsley
Nancy Nathanson & Steve Robinson
Brandy Rodtsbrooks
Susan & Arthur Palsbo
Debra Peña
Philip & Sandra Piele
Helmut Plant (in memory of Carol Hamrick Plant)
Dianna Pounder
Nancy Deal-Whitacre & Lance Deal
Steven Webster
2025-26 Director’s Circle
Join our Director’s Circle today by making a gift to Ballet Fantastique of $1,000 or more. Please denote “Director’s Circle” on your gift.
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A. L. Kingsley Fund of Oregon Community Foundation
Clement Family Charitable Fund
gratitude to Judy Clement, who contributed in honor of McKenna Morrigan
Dorothea M. Lensch Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation
Ellen Glendel Hyman Fund of The Oregon Community Foundation
Eugene Elks Lodge
Fidelity Charitable
Givinga Foundation
Herbert J. Merker Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation
Hult Endowment Fund of the Western Oregon Community Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation
James F. & Marion L. Miller Foundation
Marie Lamfrom Foundation
National Endowment for the Arts
Neil Chinn Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation
Oregon Arts Commission
Oregon Community Foundation
Oregon Cultural Trust
Percent Impact Foundation
Renaissance Charitable Foundation
Ronald W. Naito Foundation
San Francisco Foundation
SHO — Support Hult Operations
Silva Endowment Fund of the Western Oregon Community Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation
Tamolitch Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation
Walker Charitable Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation
Woodard Family Foundation
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Stephanie & Ted Coopman
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Alpha IT
Bicoastal Media
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Anonymous Angel
Dr. Averno & Wendlyn Rempel
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Sandra Wright Piele & Philip K. Piele PhD
Dianna Pounder
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aktree Residential Living, Elman Babayev
Stephanie & Ted Coopman
Nancy Deal-Whitacre & Lance Deal
Summit Funding, Sherrie & David Kammerer
Andrea Kingsley
Debra Peña
Volt Strategies, Brandy Rodtsbrooks,
Downtown Athletic Club
Staszak Physical Therapy
Summit Bank
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Merritt Bennett
Kate & Bill Eitenmiller
Attic Media
Vicky Mello
Steven Webster
Silvan Ridge Winery
Bob Williams Photography
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Martha & Ken Alderfer
Zack Blalack
Tirzah & Ravi Brounstein
Judy Grubbs & Barry Polonsky
Carla Hoeger
Shirley & Michael Hull
Matthew Johns
Aubrey Lyche & Carlos Real
Nancy Nathanson & Steve Robinson
Gordon Tavern
Gordon Hotel, Brian Obie
Nicole & Daniel Roselio
Sara Stewart
Kristopher Stewart
Mary & Mike Staszak
Converted Kitchen
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Gregory Ahlijian
Irene & Kevin Alltucker
Elizabeth Bates & John Coit
Juliet Bender
Sharlen Bennett
Cindy Bedell & Rich Blanton
Mary Bruskotter & John Thompson
Robert Cummings
Charlcie Kaylor & Charles Crawford
Kay Crider & Patrick Phillips
Darby Giannone & Marvin Re'Voal
Margaret Hallock
Marcy Hammock & Herbert Merker
Jillyn & Graham Kaiser
Linda Lawrence & Robert Canaga
Laura Lee
Leslie Lessenger
Eileen Loritsch & Irving Weiner
Sue McClelland
Steven Milosevich
Susan & Arthur Palsbo
Helmut Plant
Patricia Thomas & Russell Mecredy
Sarah Sweet
Barbara & James Walker
Solid Ground Foundation, Margie & Bill Van Dorn
Eugene Symphony
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Margie & Logan Anderson
Patricia Ahlen
Zach Batt
Sylvia Bender
Annette Briggs & Scott South
Polly & Brian Caughey
Judy Clement
Gayle & Jeff Faust
Danny Havel
Jill Hendrickson & Nathan Markowitz
Ernest Lessenger
Sarah Maggio
Barbara Morris
Linda & David Nelkin
Susan Ordonez
Debby & John Phillips
Michelle Reid
Tessa Richards
Mike Shrum
Clare & Alex Vonderhaar
Wallpaper Northwest
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Tara Aarnio
Patricia & Dennis Hyatt
Rachel & Bob Williams
Katheryn & George Wood
Susan Hekimoglu
Diane Horvath-Pearson
Deborah Carver & John Pegg
Kate & Dave Moss
Charles & Merissa Merritt
Shelly Kane
Jeff Mecredy
Polly Ashworth & Robert Horner
Kevin Riley
Jennifer Ulum & Tim Gleason
Vanessa Toney
helli GramzBarbara & Brent Stone
Melva Bowler
Elizabeth Hughes
Corinne & Greg Klein
James Meadows
Gerald Morgan
Carolyn Rasche
Sandra & Jerry South
David Stright
Bradley Garrigus
Erika Backstrom
Vicki Blackman
Olivia Batt
Jennifer Clark
Reida & Charles Kimmel
Steven Heckern & Kimberly OBrien
Sally & Eric Overstreet
Cynthia Secrest & Douglas Pierce
Lynn & Tom Lamoree
Wendy Westcott
Michele Henney
Peter Hollens
Bailee Seeley
Coastline Housekeeping
James Johnson
Anna Lagattuta
ighten Up with Jill
John Li
Nicholas Hedden
Kathy Magnusson
Julie Moffenbier
Elizabeth Ovitt
Shirley Vinson
Jennifer Webster
Cynthia & Stephen Wright
Patty Ferguson
Beaudet Jewelry, Charles Beaudet
Mike Blevins
Alandra & Steven Duncan
Mark Heerema
Judith Horstmann & Howard Bonnett
Jason Krakow
New Twist
Colin Overstreet
Leigh Rieder
Andrew Sonabend
Josephine & Peter von Hippel
\Adele Walter
Kimberly Wilbur & Dennis Fisher
Shauna Stec & Corey Harmon
THE CHARACTERS
Photos by Bob Williams, Eddie Bruning, Chappell Miller
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Preston Andrew Patterson as
Ichabod Crane
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Ashley Bontrager as
Katrina Van Tassell
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Gustavo Ramirez as
Brom Bones, Horseman
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Hannah Bontrager as
Rebecca Van Tassell
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Kevin Murdock-Waters as
Baltus Van Tassell
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Isabelle Overstreet as
Golden Girl, Spectre
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Jenavieve Hernandez as
Golden Girl, Spectre
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Brooke Geffrey-Bowler as
Golden Girl, Spectre
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Hadassah Slater as
Spectre, Country Girl
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Tavari Groesbeck as
Country Boy
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Lucy Pearce as
Country Girl
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Brianne Falanga as
Country Girl
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Jasmine Gilbert as
Country Girl
THE STORY
Photos by Bob Williams Photography
Becoming Ichabod
Interview with Preston Andrew Patterson
By Isabelle Overstreet
Preston Andrew Patterson returns to the role of Ichabod Crane in Legend of Sleepy Hollow! A longtime audience favorite, Preston has brought dynamic storytelling and striking presence to every Ballet Fantastique performance. In Legend of Sleepy Hollow, he reprises the role of Ichabod Crane, the quirky book smart, superstitious, and ambitious schoolteacher whose arrival in Sleepy Hollow sets off a whirlwind of mystery, rivalry, and mischief. With his signature wit, technical prowess, and dramatic flair, Preston brings depth and charm to this unforgettable character.
Tell us a little bit about yourself! When and where did you start dancing? What inspired you to try dancing?
I took my first dance class when I was around 5 or 6 after seeing a dance class up close in the basement of the church I attended.
Tell us about becoming Ichabod.
The opportunity to make a character—especially a character from classical literature—my own has not been too common an experience in my career thus far, so while it’s challenging balancing the stamina and dramatic needs of the role, it’s also refreshing to have a character to bring to life.
What are you looking forward to most about performing as Ichabod? Favorite scenes?
I’m looking forward to the reactions from the live audience! Our depiction of Sleepy Hollow contains a great deal of humor and warmth one might not immediately associate with such a seminally gothic tale. A great example of this is one of my favorite scenes in the second act, the Schoolhouse scene, in which Ichabod is obsessing over this dropped handkerchief from Katrina while his students eagerly await his instruction. It’s the first time we see Ichabod in his “element” - academia - while also being somewhat out of it because he’s enamored with the handkerchief and its person.
What has been your biggest challenge in preparing for this role? Do you have any advice for dancers who are taking on a big role for the first time?
The biggest challenge in preparing for this role so far has been building stamina for the breathier stretches of the show. Knowing when to indulge a break in between scenes, preparing physically for the next, and so forth. I would say my advice for dancers who are taking on a challenging role for the first time is to breathe, prepare, and think without overthinking; though the latter might not be completely possible.
Academy Youth Cast
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Penelope Chase,
Beau Grimes,
Meridian Hula,
Kayleigh Jordan,
Bella Preston,
Emelia Stewart,
Ruth Tanner,
Chloe Whitaker
SPECIAL THANKS
Oaktree Residential
sponsors of Sleepy Hollow
Judy Grubbs & Barry Polonsky
Sponsors of The Headless Horseman Scene
SLEEPY HOLLOW
PRODUCTION TEAM
FOUNDING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, VISIONARY
Donna Marisa Bontrager
CHOREOGRAPHER-PRODUCERS
Donna Marisa Bontrager, Hannah Bontrager
REHEARSAL DIRECTOR
Gustavo Ramirez
MUSIC DIRECTORS
Gerry Rempel, Eliot Grasso
FEATURING ADDITIONAL MUSIC FROM
Brandon Vance & Dreos Ensemble
RESEARCH, LIBRETTO TEAM
Deborah & Genevieve Speer
NARRATION
Hannah Bontrager, Donna Marisa Bontrager, Genevieve & Deborah Speer
ASSISTANT TO THE PRODUCERS
Elizabeth Chapa, Emily Knowles
COSTUME DESIGN/VISION
Donna Marisa Bontrager
COSTUME DESIGN/CONSTRUCTION TEAM
Allison Ditson/Allihalla, Noelle Guetti, Primadonna Tutus/LA, & Rita Perini Vance
with Ellen Jordan Urrutia, Tresa Lively
JEWELRY
Andrea Taggart
SET/PROPERTIES MASTER
Debra Peña
SETS DESIGN & VISION & CONSTRUCTION
Donna & Hannah Bontrager with
Kelle DeForrest, Katey Finley, Don Carson
SETS SUPPORT
Lance Deal, Nancy Deal-Whitacre, Jeff Faust,
Sydney Miller-Peterson, Carl Peterson
HORSE DESIGN/CONSTRUCTION
Adam Goldthwaite
LIGHT DESIGNER
Alyssandra Docherty
sponsored by Philip & Sandra Piele
SHADOW PUPPET VIDEO ANIMATION
Kevin Kerber
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Hannah Bontrager, Gustavo Ramirez
STAGE MANAGER
Sydney-Elise Miller-Peterson
PROMO VIDEO
Jeremy Bronson
PROMO PHOTOGRAPHY
Bob Williams, Jeremy Bronson, Eddie Bruning
PERFORMANCE VIDEO
Jeremy Bronson
OUTREACH & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Rebecca Welch, Emily Knowles
MARKETING
Hannah Bontrager, Isabelle Overstreet, Elizabeth Chapa, Emily Knowles
DIGITAL PROGRAM DESIGN
Elizabeth Chapa
Meet the Band
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Music Co-Director, Guitarist, Composer, Arranger
Guitarist, performer, composer/arranger, music director, session musician, teacher, and recording artist Gerry Rempel has served as resident composer and music director for Ballet Fantastique for the last 12 years. He has performed, recorded, and composed with numerous Jazz, fusion, soul/funk, Rock, and Blues ensembles throughout the Pacific Northwest, also including work in Los Angeles and Los Vegas. He continues to perform and compose with his contemporary jazz-fusion group The Gerry Rempel Jazz Syndicate, Soulstruck, Anya Lecuyer and Friends, the Gerry Rempel Jazz Trio, and other collectives. He also performed in Beijing and Qingdao China on a 9 day tour with the University of Oregon Gospel choir in 2014.
As resident composer, performer and musical director for Ballet Fantastique, Mr Rempel has been a collaborative force in a number of their productions. He served as music director and composed several pieces for Ballet Fantastique’s roaring 20’s Parisian Pride and Prejudice (2013, 2016), the Legend of Sleepy Hollow (“Fantasia” and “Fugue For Katrina”) in collaboration with Dreos (2017), and Dragon & the Night Queen: Celtic Stories (collaboration with Eliot Grasso) (premier 2016) He also composed pieces for Ballet Fantastique's the Book of Esther: A Rock Gospel Ballet (2014), and String theory (2010). Compositions combine elements of jazz, classical, rock, and a variety of global music influences.
He has a Masters in Music degree from the University of Oregon and a degree from the Music Institute of Technology (Los Angeles) . Gerry is also a music instructor at Bushnell University, Guitar Center, and has his own private teaching studio.
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FIDDLE, FLUTE, TIN WHISTLE, UILLEANN PIPES, SYNTHESIZER
Eliot is an award-winning performer and recording artist whose performances on Irish uilleann pipes have been delighting audiences around the world for two decades. Contemporaries claim that Grasso’s “intuitive sense of melodic and technical variation make him one of the most creative and dynamic musicians in the contemporary world of Irish traditional music,” and “one of the finest uilleann pipers in the history of Irish music in America.” Eliot first collaborated with Ballet Fantastique for the Dragon and the Night Queen (2016/2020); he has also performed extensively at venues including Constitution Hall, the Library of Congress, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, National Geographic, and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. He has collaborated with actor Russell Crowe, Grammy-winning conductor David Sabee, and NPR personality Garrison Keillor on “A Prairie Home Companion.” www.eliotgrasso.com
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ACOUSTIC & ELECTRIC VIOLIN
Internationally acclaimed Scottish fiddler and violinist, Brandon Vance, is the recipient of Scotland's 2017 Royal National Mòd "Sutherland Cup" in Scottish Fiddle, Charleston, South Carolina’s 2021 “Dan Rory MacDonald Memorial Prize in Fiddling” sponsored by the Clan Donald Lands Trust, as well as being the youngest to win the U.S. National Open Scottish Fiddling Championship in both 1999 and 2001.
Vance has performed and taught internationally, serving as a guest lecturer at the University of Limerick’s Irish World Academy, appearing as guest artist for the 50th Anniversary of the Armagh Piper’s Club at the William Kennedy Piping Festival, and being selected as a featured soloist at the 2017 Scottish Royal National Mòd in Fort William.
With a M.M. from the Cleveland Institute of Music, one of the continent's most distinguished conservatories, Vance is a full-time violinist for the Seattle-based Skyros Quartet, as well being Artistic Director for Seattle-based arts education non-profit, Chamber Music Guild. Vance also has over a decade of experience teaching violin, and is Suzuki Certified through the Sato Center for Suzuki Studies. Drawing from his unique background in both alternative styles and classical music, Vance has developed a fiddle-based curriculum that is designed to complement the Suzuki method.
Vance performs with Northwest Sinfonietta, Seattle Baroque Orchestra, Pacific Music Works, Early Music Vancouver. In addition to being a founding member of Celtic Ensemble Dréos and World Music Ensemble Alchymeia, and Different Drummer, with Anna Doak, Vance is a composer with a distinctive melodic and harmonic vocabulary, having given the world premiere of his original composition “Gael Storm” for fiddle and orchestra with the Cleveland Pops Orchestra at Severance Hall. Vance has also worked with his Celtic ensemble Dréos to compose, arrange, and perform music for the world premiere of Ballet Fantastique's "Sleepy Hollow."
Vance has a prestigious recording career, having recorded 7 albums and self-produced 3 albums, including his solo album “Gentleman & Scholar.” In collaboration with Stephen Rice, Vance’s violin playing has been featured on sound tracks for several major TV series, including, Jane the Virgin, Sons of Anarchy, and Grandma’s Pickle Recipe.
In addition to having a well-established international career as a violinist and fiddler, Vance is also emerging as a traditional Gaelic singer, having been ranked 3rd in the Skye and Sutherland Open Competition at the 2017 Royal National Mòd.
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PIANO
Gus has been a fixture on the North West music scene for the last 40 years. Teaching and performing almost every musical style imaginable. He has been a featured artist at many festivals and venues including: Art in The Vineyard, The Wildish Theater, Hinman Vineyard Jazz series, and the Florence Fest. He's also performed at the Oregon Coast Jazz Party, The Crystal Ball Room and the Bumbershoot; and shared the stage with Cami Thomas, Holly Hofmann, David Larson, Elvin Bishop and Bo Diddly. Gus currently performs with Calvin Orlando Smith, BOSSONAIRE, The Jazz Ambassadors and Mood Swing.
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ACOUSTIC BASS
In addition to performing with the Eugene symphony for over 30 years, Rick Carter has performed on electric and acoustic bass with the Gerry Rempel Jazz Syndicate and many different ensembles, in styles ranging from jazz to folk, rock, and fusion.
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DRUMS/PERCUSSION
As the son of a music professor, drummer/percussionist Don Elkington learned early how to bring more to music than just a beat. His musicianship and versatility make him one of the most sought-after musicians in the area. He's asked to play in a wide variety of styles; from jazz and classical ensembles to folk, rock, funk, tango, world, pop and R&B. Whether he's playing Ellington, Bacharach, Earth Wind Fire, Tool, Mingus, Jobim, Miles, Steely Dan, Tower Of Power, ZZ Top, Gershwin... you always know his style, feel, and groove. Music paid for Don's schooling at Brigham Young University. Now living in Springfield, Oregon he normally averages between 50 and 75 live performances and recording sessions a year. You may have seen him play at The Shedd, The Hult Center, Cuthbert Theater, McDonald Theater, Mathew Knight Arena, wineries, festivals, or other venues
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VOCALIST
Mallory Glaser is a versatile vocalist whose influences range from Betty Carter to Bjork. She currently sings with Tonewood Trio, Bossanaire, and Alaskan Wolverine.
I acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land which I call home, the Kalapuya people, and I pay my respect to the Elders both past and present.
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ACCORDIAN, BODHRAN, GUITAR, BOUZOUKI
A Canadian multi-instrumentalist, Glen was once punched in the face by his brother the day before a cornet competition, leaving him with the misfortune of having a split lip and the choice to play or sit out. He played. www.dreosmusic.com
Artists of Ballet Fantastique
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Ashley Bontrager
PRINCIPAL
sponsored by Dave & Sherrie Kammerer
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Hannah Bontrager
PRINCIPAL
sponsored by Andrea Kingsley Foundation
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Isabelle Overstreet
PRINCIPAL
sponsored by The Bennett-Hooper Family
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Gustavo Ramirez
PRINCIPAL
sponsored by Philip & Sandra Piele
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Preston Andrew Patterson
PRINCIPAL
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Jenavieve Hernandez
SOLOIST
sponsored by Dianna Pounder
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Brooke Geffrey-Bowler
SOLOIST
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Tavari Groesbeck
SOLOIST
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Lucy Pearce
ARTIST
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Hadassah Slater
ARTIST
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Jasmine Gilbert
ARTIST CORPS
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Brianne Falanga
ARTIST CORPS
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Jacob Amey
ARTIST
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Meridian Hula
FELLOWSHIP APPRENTICE
Dancer Portraits by Bob Williams Photography
GUEST ARTISTS
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ADAM GOLDTHWAITE
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KEVIN MURDOCK-WATERS
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Daredevil Moonshine — a horse of mettle & mischief
EXPERIENCE: From Buenos Aires, Argentina, Patricio Di Stabile graduated as a ballet dancer from The School of Teatro Colón. He has performed in over 15 countries around the world.
He was a student at Ballet Academy East in New York City under the direction of Darla Hoover, attending on a full scholarship. While in NYC, his mentor and coach was the world-renowned Maestro William Burmann at Steps on Broadway. Patricio also participated in the Moscow International Ballet Competition at the Bolshoi Theater.
In 2022, he moved to the United States and has since danced with Wonderbound, Dimensions Dance Theatre of Miami, and Canyon Concert Ballet. He has also performed as a guest artist with San Jose Dance Theatre, Sierra Nevada Ballet, and Terpsicorps Theatre of Dance.
As a choreographer and director, Patricio produced REPATRIADOS, a ballet gala performed at the largest arts center in Latin America, where he premiered two original ballets. Through his production company, sincasco.com, he also created Aislamiento Social, a documentary about the pandemic featuring Argentinian dancers, which premiered on the Allegro HD Channel in Latin America. Most recently, in February, he released Coreometrajes.
Patricio just completed an international tour of The Little Prince, a French production that had a Broadway run. With the show, he performed in France, Germany, India, Greece, Estonia, Poland, Serbia, Luxembourg, London, and other countries.
This is his first time performing in Eugene, Oregon, and he is thrilled to be taking on the role of Aladdin, a character he loves. -
HOMETOWN: Sacramento, CA
TRAINING & PERFORMANCE: San Francisco Ballet, Ballet Austin, Ventana Ballet, Austin Metamorphosis Dance Ensemble
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Daredevil Moonshine — a horse of mettle & mischief
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