These gifted Ballet Masters have partnered with Colorado's Classical Youth Ballet by bringing their choreography topast performances including renowned choreography from the Balanchine Trust.
Lawrence Jackson, a native of Jackson, MS., and graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, holds a B.F.A. in Dance. Mr. Jackson has taught at the Madison County Cultural Arts Center, Mary Bethune Performing Arts School, and the University of Southern Mississippi. Mr. Jackson danced four seasons with Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble and has a Master of Fine Arts degree through Florida State University. Jean-Philippe Malaty, Executive Director of Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, has been instrumental in building the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet from the ground up. He was born in the Basque region of France, and recently became a United States citizen. After receiving his degree in dance, he accepted scholarships to train at Europe's prestigious Mudra, Maurice Béjart's school in Brussels, and John Cranko's ballet school in Stuttgart. At the invitation of David Howard, Jean-Philippe traveled to America to study at the David Howard Dance Center in New York City. He then performed soloist roles as guest artist with various companies throughout the U.S., including Joffrey II, Los Angeles Classical Ballet, Ballet Hispanico of New York, and the Lyric Opera of Chicago. He is much in demand as a guest teacher and has taught at schools and universities throughout the country. Jean-Philippe is dedicated to asserting the prominence of the arts in the West, spearheading initiatives to bring dance into the community and programs that introduce children to the arts. He continues to provide invaluable creative assistance in all facets of the company's operations. Jean-Philippe is equally proud to have forged a company based on an American ideal of energy, invention, popularity, eclecticism, and precision in what's been called the "all star, no star" system.
Viki Psihoyos studied at the School of American Ballet from the age of eight, and in 1971, she was invited to join New York City Ballet. For thirteen years, she performed in almost 70 ballets and toured in the US and abroad. Since retiring in 1983, she has taught ballet and choreographed throughout the United States and abroad. She holds a BA in Journalism from the University of Colorado. Robert Sher-Machherndl has worked with several famous choreographers including Nureyev, Kylian, Balanchine, Ashton, Bejart, and Cranko. As principal dancer, he has performed for Dutch National Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. As choreographer and artistic director of Lemon Sponge Cake Contemporary Ballet in Boulder, Colorado, Robert has conceived and choreographed several full-length ballets and is a recipient of the prestigious New York Ballet Builder's Award in 2005 & 2006.
