Ashley Baszto Promoted into Main Company
From Venice, Florida, Ashley's training began at the Sarasota Ballet Academy, followed by The Rock School for Dance Education, and the Miami City Ballet School. In 2010, Ashley was invited to compete in the prestigious USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson, MS. During ADC 2013, Ashley and her partner Medaled in the Pas de Deux Division, and has since been asked to return as a Guest Performer. She is seen above, Opening Our 10th Anniversary Gala, dancing Lacrymosa, Choreographed by Orlando Ballet's Artistic Director, Robert Hill. Ashley has danced in the Second Company for two years prior to joining the Orlando Ballet as an apprentice in 2013. 2015 Marks her first Season with the Main Company.
Gretel Batista Joins Orlando Ballet for 2015-2016 Season
Born in La Habana, Cuba, Gretel trained at the Cuban National Ballet School, Catedra de Danza, and Alejo Carpentier, until she moved to the US in 2005. She trained at the the Academy of Ballet Arts, under Suzanne Pomerantzeff, and America's Ballet School, directed by Paula Nunez. Gretel took home the Gold Medal in ADC 2013, and later that year joined Dance Alive National Ballet. Among Batista's major roles are Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, Kitri in Don Quixote, Nikiya/Gamzatti in La Bayadere, Aurora in Sleeping Beauty, and much more. She has been invited to perform as a Guest Principal for Tampa City Ballet, Dulce Anaya School of Ballet, The Cuban Classical Ballet, and has also appeared in The Miami International Ballet Festival. Most recently, Gretel was selected by the ADC Organizing Committee and invited back to perform in a new work at our 10th Anniversary Gala. Dancing side by side with fellow Alumni, Kate-Lynn Robichaux & Arcadian Broad, whom both have been a part of the Orlando Ballet since 2011.
Photo courtesy of Michelle Revels
Adrianna Duda, Home Grown OBS student lands Apprentice Position
Adrianna has been dancing with the Orlando Ballet School for 14 years. By age 16, she was accepted into the Trainee program with the School, the first of many steps towards a professional position with the company. The following year she was promoted into the Second Company, where she has had numerous opportunities to work & perform with the professional company. Adrianna first came to ADC in 2008, and has since been a consistent stand out. In 2013, Duda was awarded the Silver Medal in the Senior Division. As she prepares for her first season officially working within the company, she reminisced with us on her first performance as a Trainee, where she was given the opportunity to work with the Corps de Ballet in Giselle. Now, years later, as an Apprentice, her first performance of the Season, sure enough is Giselle. Giselle Opens at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts October 30 - November 1. To Subscribe to the Ballet's Upcoming Season, call 407-426-1739!