L-R: Benjamin Millepied, Alyce de Roulet Williamson and Christian Arming. Photo courtesy The Colburn School
At its annual gala event on April 21, 2017 at Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Colburn School will present the world premiere of a new work choreographed by Benjamin Millepied, featuring the songs of Irving Berlin, and performed by Colburn School Dance Academy students, ages 14 – 19. This is the first time that Millepied has choreographed to Berlin’s music.
“Irving Berlin’s wonderful compositions will always be a great source of inspiration for choreographers and a fun challenge to dancers,” says Millepied.
The gala concert program also includes Bernstein’s Candide Overture and Prokofiev’s Romeo & Juliet suite performed by the Colburn Orchestra, led by Guest Conductor Christian Arming.
The Colburn School gala will honor internationally acclaimed dancer, choreographer, and Artistic Advisor to the Colburn Dance Academy Benjamin Millepied and philanthropist Alyce Williamson with the Richard D. Colburn award. Benjamin Millepied’s work with Dance Academy leadership and students underscores his commitment to fostering the next generation of great dancers. Williamson will be recognized for her unwavering support of the arts in Los Angeles.
“Ms. Williamson is a steadfast champion of cultural organizations up and down Grand Avenue and throughout Los Angeles,” said Colburn School President and CEO Sel Kardan. “She is a consummate role model for leaders and philanthropists, and a tireless ambassador for the performing arts and arts education. It is with honor that we dedicate this gala to her and her legacy.”
Of Artistic Honoree Benjamin Millepied, Mr. Kardan said, “In our Dance Academy’s short history, Benjamin Millepied has served as an incredibly creative and supportive collaborator with the program’s leadership as our Artistic Advisor, and an inspiration to our students. He is a vital member of the Colburn School’s artistic community, and we are proud to honor him and his work at this year’s gala.”
Christian Arming is one of Austria’s most sought after conductors, highly successful in both the symphonic and operatic fields. Currently, he holds the position of Music Director of the Orchestre Philharmonique Royal de Liège, prior to which he was Music Director of the New Japan Philharmonic in Tokyo. In North America, he has conducted the Boston Symphony Orchestra as well as the Cincinnati, Houston, Colorado and Vancouver Symphony Orchestras. He is annually invited to both Aspen Music Festival and Roundtop Festival in the US. Recent highlights include performances with Tampere Philharmonic, Orquesta Sinfonica de Barcelona, Utah Symphony and Hiroshima Symphony Orchestras and the Staatsoper Hamburg, debuts with the New Jersey Symphony and Taiwan Philharmonic as well as re-invitations to the NHK Symphony, Shanghai Symphony Orchestras, National Polish Radio Orchestra amongst others.
The Colburn School gala concert performance is at Walt Disney Concert Hall, and part of the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s Sounds About Town series. Tickets for the concert performance are priced from $15-$44.
Following the concert, the gala dinner will take place at Vibiana, where the honorees will receive their awards from President and CEO Sel Kardan. The gala co-chairs include Colburn leaders Bea and Paul Bennett, Adele and Gordon Binder, and David D. Colburn.
Celebrate Colburn 2017 Annual Gala performance will be held on Friday, April 21, 2017, 7:00 p.m. at Walt Disney Concert Hall (111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles), followed by the Annual Dinner at Vibiana (214 S. Main St., Los Angeles). Gala concert and dinner tickets start at $1,000. Cocktail attire.
Colburn Gala Co-Chairs: Bea and Paul Bennett, Adele and Gordon Binder and David D. Colburn.
For more information contact Pamela Miller, [email protected], (213) 621-4526.
The concert is part of the LA Phil’s Sounds About Town series. Tickets start at $15. Visit colburnschool.edu for more information.
Colburn Orchestra
Christian Arming, Guest Conductor
Bernstein: Candide Overture
Benjamin Millepied, choreographer
Joshua Wheeker, tenor
Scott Ninmer, arranger
Colburn Dance Academy dancers
Irving Berlin songs (choreography by Benjamin Millepied, featuring Colburn Dance Academy dancers)
I Got The Sun In The Morning
You’re Lonely And I’m Lonely
What’ll I Do
All Alone
Steppin’ Out With My Baby
Prolofiev: Romeo & Juliet Suite