Ballet Taos

Our 8th annual full-length Nutcracker production, entitled A Retro Nutcracker —a classical ballet with a far-out 1950s twist! ELVIS has ENTERED the building! Our whimsical interpretation of the beloved classic features sensational sets, elaborate costumes, and all your favorite characters dancing to the magic of Tchaikovsky’s timeless score.

Ballet Taos welcomes new dancers of all ages and levels. Dance training is a highly disciplined art form. Students in Level I - III are generally placed by age. Beginning in Level IV, students must have the training, strength, and time commitment to begin dance in pointe (for their own safety). Placement in higher levels is by instructor evaluation. Our programs are 17 week semesters with performance opportunities.

As co-producer on the Inertia and Mechanical Nature: Movement VII projects with Ballet Taos he set original choreography, and contributed to marketing and visual effects while also performing. He also served as film director for project 20/20 - a series of benefit concerts for local arts.

His ballet training began with Amber Vasques of New York City Ballet and Megan Yakovich of Colorado Ballet. He went on to study mathematics and Russian language and culture at the University of Arizona and continued his training on scholarship at LINES Ballet, San Francisco Conservatory, and Nederlands Dance Theater.

Mr. Soto’s extensive repertory includes featured roles in many of George Balanchine’s ballets, including Agon, Allegro Brillante, Brahms-Schoenberg Quartet (first, third, and fourth movements), Bugaku, Cortege Hongrois, Danses Concertantes, Donizetti Variations, Episodes, Firebird, The Four Temperaments, George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker, Glinka Pas de Trois, Rubies from Jewels, Kammermusik No. 2, Liebeslieder Walzer, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Movements for Piano and Orchestra, Mozartiana, Orpheus, Robert Schumann’s Davidsbundlerdanze, Scotch Symphony, La Sonnambula, Stars and Stripes, Stravinsky Violin Concerto, Symphony in C, Symphony in Three Movements, Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux, Union Jack, Vienna Waltzes, and Western Symphony.

In the classroom, she provides a nurturing environment conducive to the needs of the young artist, while encouraging her dancers to meet the technical and physical demands of classical ballet and contemporary dance. Proper body alignment, strength, flexibility, consistency in “turnout,” and injury prevention are at the forefront of every class, ensuring a lifelong career in dance for her students.

Megan Yackovich's proven approach combines elements of the Vaganova and Royal Ballet syllabi, emphasizes a strong work ethic, and implements the latest in injury prevention techniques. Her philosophy is to inspire the whole artist through the mastery of classical ballet and it’s artistic refinement. Her intent is to ready her students for higher education and professional careers in dance.

PROJECT RELEVÉ AUTHENTIC MOVEMENT AT PARSONS GALLERY OF THE WEST

BALLET TAOS SUMMER DANCE INTENSIVE AT THE MURAL ROOM

conditioning classes are offered to strengthen the dancers core muscles and enhance flexibility.

Level 4 dancers continue to refine, develop, and strengthen extension in the legs and feet. More advanced barre and centre work are studied to increase movement vocabulary and total body coordination. Pointe technique is required a minimum of three times a week once dancers are deemed ready to begin pointe work.

Modern dance, strength and conditioning, and pre-pointe classes are added to the program. Rehearsal for upcoming performances and additional supplemental classes are offered to strengthen and ready dancers’ bodies for daily practice.

Level 3 focuses on strengthening the legs and feet, proper placement in extensions, and preparation for beginning pointe work. Port de bras, balance, and more complex movement combinations are emphasized. Pirouettes and grade allegro are introduced.

At Level 2, dancers continue to study the fundamentals of ballet such as placement and alignment. We introduce the positions and directions of the body as well as more complex patterns and terminology.

Level 1 progresses to explore proper body alignment, total body coordination, strength and flexibility, ballet terminology, and musicality. Basic ballet concepts, like the positions of the feet and arms, are introduced to ground the foundation for future study of classical ballet technique.

At this introductory level dancers explore basic movement vocabulary and expression through stories, music, and rhythmical patterns. Dancers develop spatial awareness, coordination, flexibility, musicality and learn how to dance with others through fun games that teach proper class etiquette.

Private lessons and coaching for Youth America Grand Prix, Auditions, etc are to be scheduled through the Director, Megan Yackovich, to avoid scheduling conflicts with program schedules and rehearsals.

White, Black, or Gray fitted tank top/t-shirt, Shorts or full-length transitional tights (any color combo of the above), Black or white full sole or split sole, leather or canvas ballet flats, Dance belt.

Multiple Leotards (any style, color, or print), Black and nude leotards are essential, Pink seamed transitional tights, Pink and nude (when necessary) canvas split sole ballet flats, Pointe shoes, at least two pairs so pointe shoes may be pancaked for contemporary performance, Appropriate warm-ups, Romantic and Platter Tutus provided.

Black or White leotard (any style), Pink transition tights, Pink canvas split sole ballet flats, White or black wrap skirt (optional), Nude leotard for performances.

Light Blue leotard (any style), Pink transition tights, Split sole canvas ballet flats, Light blue or white wrap skirt (optional), Nude leotard for performances (optional).

Pale Pink leotard (any style), Pink footed tights, Pink full sole or split sole — leather or canvas ballet flats, Pink or white wrap skirt (optional), Nude leotard for performances (optional).

Level IV dancers continue to refine, develop, and strengthen extension in the legs and feet. More advanced barre and centre work are studied to increase movement vocabulary and total body coordination. Pointe technique is required a minimum of three times a week. Conditioning classes are offered to strengthen the dancers’ core muscles and enhance flexibility. This level is required to meet four days a week but may dance five days a week in addition to rehearsal. Placement by audition.

Level V/VI is for the advanced-level ballet dancer. Dancers will focus on multiple pirouettes, petite and grande allegro, complex movement sequences, classical and contemporary variations/repertoire, and partnering. There is an emphasis on the use of head and upper body, refined port de bras, and artistry. This class meets five days a week in addition to rehearsal and preparation for performance, scholarship competitions, such as YAGP, and auditions. Placement is by audition only.

In Ballet Level III, the focus moves toward strengthening the legs and feet, proper placement in extensions and preparation for beginning pointe work. Port de bras, balance, and more complex movement combinations are emphasized. Pirouettes and grande allegro are introduced. This level meets three times a week to study classical ballet technique, pre-pointe and beginning pointe technique along with intermediate modern dance.

This level focuses on the fundamentals of classical ballet technique. Basic ballet barre and centre, proper body alignment, total body coordination, strength and flexibility, ballet terminology, and musicality are introduced in a structured environment. Class meets once per week

At this level, dancers continue to study the fundamentals of ballet such as placement and alignment. We introduce the positions and directions of the body, more complex patterns and terminology. Class meets twice per week.

Through Ballet Taos Outreach, we extend this artistic ecosystem into schools and community spaces, ensuring that high-quality dance education and creative engagement are accessible throughout Taos.

The Apprentice Program serves as a bridge between training and professional experience, allowing dedicated young artists to rehearse and perform alongside the Ballet Taos Company, our ensemble of advanced and adult dancers committed to innovative, collaborative work.

An immersive track that deepens their daily practice, expands their performance opportunities, and nurtures emerging choreographic voices.

The Ballet Taos Academy offers rigorous, developmentally aligned training grounded in strong technique and artistic exploration. As dancers advance, they may be invited into our Pre-Professional Division, an immersive track that deepens their daily practice, expands their performance opportunities, and nurtures emerging choreographic voices.

Our Pre-Professional Training Program is the first of its kind to be offered in Northern New Mexico. This classical and contemporary ballet program prepares young, talented dancers for higher education and professional careers in dance. Dancers at the highest levels attend class and rehearsals six days a week to prepare their bodies and minds for the diverse and demanding art form that is dance today.

Ballet Taos welcomes new dancers of all ages and levels. Dance training is a highly disciplined art form. Please review all policies with the student. Students in Level I - III are generally placed by age. Beginning in Level IV, students must have the training, strength, and time commitment to begin dance in pointe (for their own safety). Placement in higher levels is by instructor evaluation. Our programs are 17 week semesters with performance opportunities.

CLASSICAL BALLET SUMMER INTENSIVE AT BALLET TAOS WITH JOCK SOTO AND JEFFERSON BAUM