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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SKIP WARREN NAMED GENERAL MANAGER
FOR PIONEER VALLEY BALLET
New Position Reflects Organization’s Continued Growth, Plans for Expanded Curriculum, New Programs and Increased Performance Opportunities
NORTHAMPTON (January 28, 2008) --- In a move that reflects the organization’s continued growth and commitment to serve the region, Pioneer Valley Ballet has named Skip Warren to the new position of General Manager. Reporting to the board of directors and working with artistic directors Maryanne Delisle Kodzis and Thomas Vacanti, Warren will take charge of PVB’s management operations on February 15. He will also continue to teach classes as a member of the school’s faculty.
“Since Tom and Maryanne took over as artistic directors three (?) years ago, PVB has stabilized, seen steady increases in enrollment and has taken the bold initiative of presenting a second full-length production in addition to the annual Nutcracker. By creating the position of general manager for Skip, we are signaling our intention to continue to grow by expanding the school’s curriculum, adding new educational programs and increasing performance opportunities. This marks a new era of growth based on a clear structure of artistic directors and professional management,” said Rachel Simpson, PVB’s board president. “In Skip Warren we have found the ideal person to help fulfill these goals.”
Warren brings a wealth of experience to his new responsibilities. He created and co-directed the North Atlantic Ballet in Boston for 12 years, bringing professional dance to over 7,000 young audiences each year; ran his own dance school on Cape Cod; was a member of Boston Ballet in the corps de ballet and as a featured soloist, and was a principal dancer with the Atlanta Ballet. He was also guest artistic director of Ballet Michigan and served as choreographer for Sarah Caldwell’s Opera Company of Boston and as guest choreographer for the Bolshoi Opera of Moscow.
Warren has served on the adjunct faculty of dance at Harvard and Boston College and on the faculty of Boston Conservatory of Music. He has directed over 70 productions in musical theater, ballet and children’s theater, written and produced five original productions, teaches physical fitness at several gyms and is a ballroom dance instructor.
“Pioneer Valley Ballet is in a unique position poised for growth. Under Tom and Maryanne’s direction, and with the help of a board of directors that includes new members, an excellent new teaching staff and a new commitment to performance, PVB has carved out a strong place in the Pioneer Valley community. It is now ready to significantly enhance what is already an outstanding dance education for the region by developing new programs, curriculum, educational outreach and performance. I am delighted to be a part of it,” Warren said.
Among plans under consideration are an enhanced summer teaching program; a broadening of the PVB curriculum to include classes in theater, ballroom dancing, fitness and other disciplines; outreach to area schools and increased collaboration with other arts organizations in the region.
In March, PVB will present two performances of The Little Mermaid at the historic theater. For more information about PVB and performances, please call or visit.
CONTACT: Bob Miller, miller.bob@verizon.net
Rachel Simpson, msrachelsimpson@yahoo.com
for more information, call PVB at (413) 527-6363
