Quoth the raven, “Nevermore.”
Artists of Ballet Fantastique |
Bob Williams Photography
Ballet Fantastique would like to recognize that our ballet theatre production is being held on the traditional lands of the Kalapuya People. We offer respectful recognition to the Native communities in our region.
We honor their enduring connection to the land, and acknowledge the contributions Indigenous people have, and continue to make to our region and beyond.
Letter
from the
President
Welcome to the first production of Ballet Fantastique’s 2026-27 season: Nevermore, a pre-Halloween performance featuring five curated works by 19th-century American author Edgar Allan Poe—in new dance theater you can’t experience anywhere else.
Admired by Charles Dickens and Abraham Lincoln, Poe crafted stories that—while fantastical—are filled with huanity, sadness, suspense, horror, the macabre, and loss deeply rooted in his American experience spanning the Civil War, his own life tragedies, financial distress, international editorial career, and military service. Ballet Fantastique’s creative adaptation of Poe’s evocative work in inimitable dance theater, with original choreography, sets, costumes, and dark and mysterious music by contemporary composers Peter Gundry, Lucas King, and classical works by Sergei Rachmaninoff and Erik Satie—all combine to blend the graceful elegance of ballet with the eerie and haunting world of Edgar Allen Poe’s work.
Our concert begins with the foreboding and terrifying “Masque of the Red Death,” followed by the depths of sorrow and loss in “The Raven,” next the decay and madness of “Fall of the House of Usher.” Act II is our interpretation of Poe’s poignant and tragic “Annabel Lee,” ending with the sinister and chilling “Cask of the Amontillado.”
On behalf of the Board of Directors, I recognize and enthusiastically applaud the artistry, dedication, and perseverance of the co-founders of Ballet Fantastique: Donna Marisa Bontrager and her daughter, Hannah, without whose vision, hard work, and determination the company would not exist. We also acknowledge our outstanding team who work tirelessly to bring BFan’s fascinating and compelling performances to the stage.
Sincere thanks and gratitude to our generous donors, and to all of you here in the audience for sharing this bewitching performance with us. I encourage your continued support of this incredible theatrical ballet company by purchasing season tickets, urging your family and friends to attend, and donating generously.
We will see you next for Christmas Carol in the Silva Concert Hall.
PHILIP PIELE
BOARD PRESIDENT
YOUR NEW ART IS HERE
Dear BFans,
Welcome to the magic of Ballet Fantastique’s 2026–27 HEROES Season!
When we unleash our imagination, we find new parts of ourselves. There’s unexpected raw humanity in the fantastical.
The stories we’ve chosen to tell you in dance this season are filled with adventure, hope, loss, survival, love, grief, spirit, grit, passion. And not only do they showcase the humans and artists of this company like never before (and we’re so proud of them!)—but we hope that they speak to you in new ways, too.
Thank you for supporting art you love. We cherish this opportunity to share the art we make with you in this space, together.
Thank you for being here!
DONNA MARISA BONTRAGER
& HANNAH BONTRAGER
FOUNDING CHOREOGRAPHER-PRODUCERS
People
Donna Bontrager, Founding Artistic Director
Hannah Bontrager, Founding Executive Director
BOARD PRESIDENT
Philip Piele
SECRETARY
Dianna Pounder
TREASURER
Stephen Webster
BOARD MEMBERS
Donna Marisa Bontrager
Hannah Bontrager
Kate Eitenmiller
Robb Evans
Michael Hull
Brandy Rodtsbrooks
Darby Giannone
Isabelle Overstreet
Brooke Geffrey-Bowler / Dancer Representative
Board of Directors
Mary Spilde
Matthew King
Emily Dew
Thea Vandervoort
Amy Stoddart
Gina Bolles Sorenson
Steve Robinson
Advisory Board
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Donna Marisa Bontrager, Founding Artistic Director, Costume Design/Vision
Allison Ditson, Costume Design & Production
Debora Peña, Set Design & Construction, Custom Paintings
Sydney Elise Miller-Peterson, Stage Manager
Gustavo Ramirez, Hannah Bontrager, Production Managers
Lance Deal, Jeff Faust, Nancy Deal-Whitacre, Carl Peterson, Sets Design, Construction, Properties Masters
JP Durand, Music Director
Gerry Rempel, Resident Composer & Arranger
Elizabeth Roberts, Costume Construction, Wardrobe Support
Mitra Gruwell, Headpieces
Deborah Speer, Libretto, Historical, Music Research, Creative Team
Genevieve Speer, Artistic Associate; Libretto, Historical, Music Research Support
Rebecca Welch, Wardrobe Support
Sara Stewart, Academy Costumes -
Ashley Bontrager, Development Director
Emily Knowles, Marketing
Jasmine Gilbert, Marketing/Socials
Rebecca Welch, Director of Community Engagement
Elizabeth Chapa, Academy Coordinator, Administration Support
Ella Martin, Administration Support
Regan Lamb, Administration Support
Sara Stewart, Academy Relations Manager & Youth Backstage Coordinator, Academy Costumes
Lucy Pearce, Academy Program Director
Genevieve Speer, Finance Manager
Dianna Pounder, Academy Billing
Jeff Mecredy, Leadership & Growth -
Isabelle Overstreet, Marketing Coordinator
Elizabeth Chapa, Brooke Geffrey-Bowler, Emily Knowles, Marketing Support
Jeremy Bronson, Film, Audio, Marketing
Gustavo Ramirez, Film, Audio, Marketing
Hannah Bontrager, Graphic Design, Program Magazine Design -
Lucy Pearce, Academy Program Director, Youth Cast Lead
Amanda Kay Arens, Young Dancer Division, Youth Cast Lead
Sara Stewart, Youth Cast Costumes, Academy Manager
Ashley Bontrager, Professional Division, Company
Donna Marisa Bontrager, Professional Division, Company
Hannah Bontrager, Professional Division, Company
Aliyah Casper, Professional Division
Brianne Falanga, Professional Division, Young Dancer Division
Brooke Geffrey-Bowler, Professional Division
Tavari Groesbeck, Professional Division
Jenavieve Hernandez, Professional Division, Teen/Adult Division
Preston Andrew Patterson, Teen/Adult Divison
Gustavo Ramirez, Company Rehearsal Director
Hadassah Slater, Young Dancer Division, Professional Division, Adult/Teen Division -
Attic Media
Bronson Studios
Eddie Bruning
Miki Markovitch
Chappel Miller
Gustavo Ramirez
Bob Williams -
Dianna Pounder, Angel
Jitendra Joshi, Web
Nancy Deal-Whitacre, Sets, Dancer PT
Lance Deal, Sets, Welding
Carl Peterson, Sets, Engineering
Tessa Richards, Theater PT
Barbara Mossberg, Resident Historian
Elizabeth Roberts, Costumes
Erin Whitaker, Costumes, Art
Halie Henderson, Costumes
Christie Rodewald, Costumes
Kate & Bill Eintenmiller, Angels
BFan’s Academy Families
BFan’s Board of Directors
& many, many more -
Philip and Sandra Piele
Debora Basler & John Tamulonis, Guest Artist Sponsors
Vicky Mello
Season Live Music SponsorDebra Peña, Jeff Faust, Lance Deal, for their incredible set work
Our amazing Academy of Ballet Fantastique Families
BFan Events Calendar
MEET THE MAKERS
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Choreographer - Producer
Founding Artistic Director
Costume Design DirectorBallet Fantastique's Canadian-born Artistic Director, Donna, is a choreographer, designer, and expert master teacher in the Vaganova Syllabus. Ms. Bontrager's performance résumé embraces work with New York companies, including Empire State Ballet, Buffalo City Ballet, Royale Dance Theatre New York, and Festival Choir Ballet. She was one of ten dancers invited to perform as part of the international Feast of the Tabernacles in Jerusalem, Israel, and has been invited to join the World Congress on Dance. Ms. Bontrager has overseen Ballet Fantastique repertoire and productions involving partnerships with choirs, opera, and soloist vocalists, symphony and chamber orchestras, literary and visual artists, and composers. Ms. Bontrager has visioned, choreographed, produced, and staged the entire critically acclaimed all-original Ballet Fantastique repertoire of over 92 original works since 2000—including 26 full-length contemporary narrative ballets, and 25 consecutive productions with live music, including creating new work during the Covid-19 pandemic and shutdown. She has also led BFan commissions for Eugene Symphony, Oregon Mozart Players, and many others. Under Donna's leadership, Ballet Fantastique has toured across the NW. Donna also oversaw BFan's sold out, critically-acclaimed international debut at the Palariviera Theater as the first US dance company invited to perform in San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy. Donna's love of the arts also extends to her design work as an alumna of the University of Oregon's School of Architecture and in the design of BFan's critically-acclaimed costumes. Donna has also developed the complete Academy of Ballet Fantastique curriculum.
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Choreographer-Producer
Founding Executive DirectorHannah is Ballet Fantastique's Executive Director, Co-Choreographer Producer, and lead grant writer. Hannah graduated at the top of her class (summa cum laude and phi beta kappa) from the Robert D. Clark Honors College of the University of Oregon where, as a full scholarship student, she earned concurrent degrees in Dance and English Literature and a minor in Arts Administration, as well as the American Association of University Women Award, the Dance Achievement Award, and the Dean's Award for Service, and was the invited Honors College graduation speaker. Under Hannah’s leadership, Ballet Fantastique has earned touring invitations on behalf of Ballet Fantastique nationally and internationally; grant awards from major foundations; and hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and in-kind corporate and individual support.
Hannah is listed among the international Who’s Who Among Executives and Professionals, is a Comcast Newsmaker, and Blue Chip "20 under 40" award recipient. Hannah also leads a number of educational initiatives for Ballet Fantastique, including Passport to Dance and The EXPERIENCE DANCE! Project, which have brought innovative dance experiences to thousands of schoolchildren across Oregon ever year for the past 20+ years.
Also a trained professional dancer and performer, Hannah studied Vaganova pedagogy with her mother, Donna Marisa Bontrager. She also trained at the Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington, DC. Hannah spent a season with Colorado Ballet Company and subsequently with Manassas Ballet Theatre in the Washington, DC metro area (where she performed leading roles including Sugar Plum Fairy, Nutcracker and the lead in Vivandière/ Markitenka). Donna and Hannah have collaborated to produce bold cross-disciplinary Ballet Fantastique contemporary ballet premieres and collaborations at home and on tour, including the entire body of Ballet Fantastique's work. As a founding principal dancer with Ballet Fantastique, Hannah has earned rave critical reviews in myriad soloist roles.
Hannah is proud mom to Finn (age three) and Liam (age one), and is thrilled to be back on stage with her BFan family.
Season 26-27 Sponsors:
26–27 LADIES’ NIGHT SERIES SPONSOR
Summit Bank
LIGHTING DESIGN SPONSORS
Philip & Sandra Piele
26-27 SEASON LIVE MUSIC SPONSOR
Vicky Mello
OFFICIAL WINERY OF BALLET FANTASTIQUE
Hinman Vineyards
OFFICIAL PHYSICAL THERAPISTS & TRAINERS OF BALLET FANTASTIQUE
Staszak Physical Therapy
Recharge Therapeutics
Nancy Deal Whitacre & Lance Deal
OFFICIAL WORKOUT CLUB OF THE
BALLET FANTASTIQUE COMPANY
The Downtown Athletic Club
26-27 GUEST ARTIST SPONSORS
John Tamulinis & Deborah Basler
OFFICIAL MEDIA PARTNER
Bicoastal Media
26-27 POINTE SHOE SPONSOR FOR
THE WOMEN OF BALLET FANTASTIQUE
Dianna Pounder
OTHER MAJOR SUPPORT
Academy of Ballet Fantastique
CLASSES FOR YOUNG DANCERS
AGES 2-7
OPEN CLASSES FOR TEENS/ADULTS
AGES 13+
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING DIVISION
Ages 7+
CONTACT US TO AUDITION
Ballet Fantastique
Secret Society
We would like to recognize the incredible generosity of the individuals, foundations, and businesses who support Ballet Fantastique’s mission and programs. Pledges and contributions received between 7/1/26–PRESENT
Juliet Bender*
Donna Bontrager
Linda & Robert Canaga
Stephanie & Ted Coopman*
Nancy Deal-Whitacre & Lance Deal
Kate & Bill Eitenmiller
Gayle & Jeff Faust
Julissa Favela*
Michelle Graham*
Patricia & Dennis Hyatt
Matthew Johns*
Jillyan & Graham Kaiser
Andrea Kingsley
Debra Peña
Philip & Sandra Piele
Helmut Plant—in memory of Carol Hamrick Plant
Dianna Pounder
Ahren & Lori Spilker*
Steven Webster*
Gifts to Ballet Fantastique’s 25 Women, 25 Years Campaign given in honor of: Erna Ebertz Bender, Edythe Salzman, Kathy Anderson, Grandmother Lucy, Elaine Webster, Kay Spilker, Geneoveva
2026-27 Director’s Circle
Join our Director’s Circle today by making a gift to Ballet Fantastique of $1,000 or more. Please denote “Director’s Circle” on your gift.
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A. L. Kingsley Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation
Clement Family Charitable Fund gratitude to Judy Clement, who contributed in honor of McKenna Morrigan
Dorothea M. Lensch Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation
Ellen Glendel Hyman Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation
Fidelity Charitable
Givinga Foundation
Herbert J. Merker Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation
Hult Endowment Fund of the Western Oregon Community Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation
James F. & Marion L. Miller Foundation
Marie Lamfrom Foundation
National Endowment for the Arts
Neil Chinn Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation
Oregon Arts Commission
Oregon Community Foundation
Oregon Cultural Trust
Percent Impact Foundation
Project Hope of Lane County
Renaissance Charitable Foundation
Ronald W. Naito Foundation
SHO—Support Hult Operations
Silva Endowment Fund of the Western Oregon Community Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation
Tamolitch Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation
Walker Charitable Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation
Woodard Family Foundation -
Stephanie & Ted Coopman
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Alpha IT
Bicoastal Media
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Anonymous Angel
Dr. Averno & Wendlyn Rempel
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Andrea Kingsley
Sandra Wright Piele & Philip K. Piele PhD
Dianna Pounder
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Stephanie & Ted Coopman
Nancy Deal-Whitacre & Lance Deal
Summit Funding, Sherrie and David Kammerer
Oaktree Residential, Elman Babayev
Vicky Mello
Debra Peña
Volt Strategies, Brandy Rodtsbrooks
Downtown Athletic Club
Staszak Physical Therapy
Summit Bank
Bob Williams Photography, J. Robert Williams
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Martha & Ken Alderfer
Deborah Basler & John Tamulonis
Kate & Bill Eitenmiller
Lisa & Peter King
Darby Giannone & Marvin Re'Voal
Judy Grubbs & Barry Polonsky
Matthew Johns
Natalie Sheild
Nerd Served Neat, Elizabeth Shultz & Scot Riddell
Steven Webster
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Juliet Bender
Tirzah & Ravi Brounstein
Jackie & Gregory Chase
Jillyn & Graham Kaiser
Charlcie Kaylor & Charles Crawford
Patricia & Dennis Hyatt
Sue McClelland
Dena McCoy
Rachel and Piotrek Buciarski
Ernest Lessenger
Cindy & Fred Meier
Nancy Nathanson & Steve Robinson
Brandy Rodtsbrooks
Mary & Mike Staszak
Sara Stewart
Gottlieb Tayler Davis
Barbara & James Walker
Christy Waters, MD
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Gregory Ahlijian
Sharlen & Alan Bennett
Mary Bruskotter & John Thompson
Kay Crider & Patrick Phillips
Robert Cummings
Tabantha Davis
Robb Evans
Julissa Favela & Lawrence Wikander
Michelle Graham
Marcy Hammock & Herbert Merker
Jill Hendrickson & Nathan Markowitz
Shirley & Michael Hull
Sarah Maggio
Steven Milosevich
Linda Lawrence and Robert Canaga
Eileen Loritsch & Irving Weiner
Susan and Arthur Palsbo
Tessa Richards
Ramona Rogers
Jaclyn & Rick Scarbrough
Lori & Ahren Spilker
Gayle Truax
Clare & Alex Vonderhaar
Beth & Pat Walsh
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Tara Aarnio
Patricia Ahlen
Jenny & Rob Bennett
Janet Bruen & J. Philip
Polly & Brian CaugheyJudy Clement
Sara Ferris
Laura & Darvin Fowler
Christina & John Gilbert
Carla Hoeger
Diane Horvath-Pearson
Brian Humphreys
Geoff & Therese Hughes
Christina Hula
Laurie & Shaun Hyland
Anna Lagattuta & Zach Batt
Laura Lee
Leslie Lessenger
Cindy & Stephen Leonard
Kelly Makinson
Sally & Eric Overstreet
Jennifer Pfeifer
Debby & John Phillips
Michelle & Dave Reid
Molly Renne & Tom Burton
Sandra & Jerry South
Kristopher Stewart
David Taylor
Patricia Thomas & Russell Mecredy
Vanessa Toney
Dana Turell
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Polly Ashworth & Robert Horner
Erika Backstrom
Lizbeth & Thomas Ball
Olivia Batt
Sierra Bayer
Sylvia Bender
Vicki Blackman
Lola Blevins
Margaret Bostrom
Anton Bommersbach
Melva Bowler
Tyler Bradley
Jeremy Bronson
Alice Burke & George Recker
John Craig
Andrew Clark
Linnea Cooper
Arty Coppes
Louise & James Earl
Peggy Frandsen
Florencio Flores
Mike Floretta
Dustin Free
John Friess
Erin Geiser
Neil Halttunen
Sylvia Hartman
Sylvia & Lewis Hayse
Kathy & Mark Heerema
Susan Hekimoglu
Peter Hollens
Judith Horstmann & Howard Bonnett
Shelly Kane
Sun Young Kim
Reida & Charles Kimmel
Corinne & Greg Klein
Laci & La-Quan Pope
Kathy Magnusson
Anne Mahler
Jayme & Luke McAllister
James Meadows
Merissa & Charles Merritt
Julie Moffenbier
Gerald Morgan
Barbara Morris
David Nordenson
Elsie & Mike Nordtvedt
Kimberly OBrien & Steven Hecker
Karina Olch
Elizabeth Ovitt
Kristy Pitkin
Helmut Plant
Nancy & Jin Plummer
Christoffer Poulsen
Shannon Primm-Lente
Colette Ramirez & Dustin Locke
Dixie Reed
Kathleen & Dustin Remington
Jeanette & Judson Roberts
Cynthia Secrest & Douglas Pierce
Jaimi & Ben Shirk
Dana Smith
Andrew Sonabend
Susan & Bahram Tavakolian
Tanya VillegasShirley Vinson
Adele Walter
Jennifer Webster
Rachel Williams
Bob Williams
Katheryn & George Wood
Cynthia & Stephen Wright
THE CHARACTERS
Photos by Eddie Bruning & Bob Williams
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Hannah Bontrager as
Madeline Usher, Spectre
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Gustavo Ramirez as
Roderick Usher, William, Fortunato
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Ashley Bontrager as
Annabel Lee, Princess
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Preston Andrew Patterson as
James, Reveler
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Jenavieve Hernandez as
Contessa, Princess
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Kevin Murdock-Waters as
The Red Death, Montressor
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Brooke Geffrey-Bowler as
The Raven, Mime, Lead Angel, Flirtation/Girl in Red
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Jacob Amey as
Prince Prospero, Reveler
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Tavari Groesbeck as
Edgar Allan Poe, Narrator (Edgar), Mime, Reveler
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Hadassah Slater as
Lady in Red, Housekeeper, Lead Angel, Street Scene
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Brianne Falanga as
Spectre, Housekeeper, Angel, Street Scene
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Jasmine Gilbert as
Mime, Gargoyle, Street Scene
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Aliyah Casper as
Lenore, Lady in Red, Angel, Street Scene
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Regan Lamb as
Lady in Red, Angel, Gargoyle, Street Scene
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Ella Martin as
Lady in Red, Angel, Street Scene
THE STORY
Photos by Bob Williams & Eddie Bruning
SPECIAL THANKS
Nils & Jewel Hult Endowment Fund
of the Oregon Community Foundation
Philip and Sandra Piele
Deborah Basler & John Tamulonis, Guest Artist Sponsors
Linda Lawrence & Robert Canaga, Guest Artist Sponsors
Debra Peña, Jeff Faust, Lance Deal, for their incredible set work
Eugene Opera, for use of their costumes
Our amazing Academy of Ballet Fantastique Families
NEVERMORE
PRODUCTION TEAM
FOUNDING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, VISIONARY
Donna Marisa Bontrager
CHOREOGRAPHER-PRODUCERS
Donna Marisa Bontrager, Hannah Bontrager
with Gustavo Ramirez
REHEARSAL DIRECTOR
Gustavo Ramirez
ORIGINAL MUSIC AND ARRANGEMENTS
Peter Gundry and Lucas King + Dark Classics (Rachmaninoff, Satie)
Nathan Farrington (arrangements)
LIVE MUSIC
Sergei Teleshev
Dale Bradley
Joanne Kang
generously sponsored by Vicky Mello
NARRATION
written by Hannah and Donna Bontrager
with Alastair Morely Jaques
special thanks to Jeany Van Meltebeke for theatre/acting consult
SOUND ENGINEERING
Jameson Tabor
RESEARCH, LIBRETTO TEAM
Donna & Hannah Bontrager,
Deborah & Genevieve Speer
ASSISTANT TO THE PRODUCERS
Emily Knowles, Elizabeth Chapa
COSTUME DESIGN/VISION
Donna Marisa Bontrager
COSTUME DESIGN/CONSTRUCTION TEAM
Allison Ditson - Design, Construction (Portland)
Elizabeth Roberts - Design, Construction (Eugene)
Primadonna Tutus - Design, Construction (LA)
Jonna Hayden, Sam Fox, Noelle Guetti
Special thanks to Eugene Opera for use of their costumes
WARDROBE SUPPORT
Julissa Favela, Erin Whitaker, Jasmine Gilbert,
Jenavieve Hernandez
HEADPIECES
Mitra Gruwell, Gabriel Ritzmann, Andréa Taggart
SET/PROPERTIES MASTER
Debra Peña
SETS DESIGN & VISION & CONSTRUCTION
Donna & Hannah Bontrager
Debra Peña
Mike Ricker
Kelle DeForrest
with Lance Deal Whitacre, Jeff Faust
SETS SUPPORT
Lance Deal, Nancy Deal-Whitacre, Jeff Faust,
Sydney Miller-Peterson, Carl Peterson
LIGHT DESIGNER
Donna & Hannah Bontrager
with Peter Jakubowski
PROJECTION DESIGN
Gustavo Ramirez
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Hannah Bontrager, Gustavo Ramirez
STAGE MANAGER
Sydney-Elise Miller-Peterson
SPECIAL EFFECTS/ENGINEERING
Carl Peterson
ACADEMY PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Lucy Pearce
PROMO VIDEO
Jeremy Bronson/Bronson Studios
PROMO PHOTOGRAPHY
Bob Williams, Jeremy Bronson, Eddie Bruning,
Erin Whitaker
PERFORMANCE VIDEO
Jeremy Bronson
OUTREACH & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Rebecca Welch, Emily Knowles
MARKETING
Hannah Bontrager, Emily Knowles
with Isabelle Overstreet
DIGITAL PROGRAM DESIGN
Elizabeth Chapa
FRONT OF HOUSE
Emily Knowles with Rebecca Welch
Meet the Musicians
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EDUCATION: Academy of Music in Voronezh, Russia
EXPERIENCE: Sergei has won many regional and international accordion competitions. As a founding member and accordion player of Trio Voronezh, Classic Klezmer Trio, Valinor Quartet and East-West International Project, he collaborates with many internationally recognized artists, ensembles and orchestras. Sergei has performed with renowned orchestras and performers like the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Doc Severinsen, Halie Loren, Semmy Stahlhammer and many others.
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EDUCATION: UO School of Music
EXPERIENCE: Dale is a longtime member of Eugene Symphony, and a founding member of Oregon Mozart Players. Dale’s compositions and arrangements have been played in various venues on the West Coast including the LA Philharmonic. He teaches throughout the city, with multiple CDs as well as a recording studio.
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Dr. Joanne Kang is a New York-based Australian pianist and teaching artist praised for her “fleet-fingered virtuosity” and stylistic versatility. A prizewinner of national and international competitions and scholarships, she maintains an active career as a soloist, chamber musician, and recording artist, and is regularly engaged to perform national and world premieres.
Joanne has collaborated with artists and ensembles including the American String Quartet, The Afield, American Modern Opera Company, West Australian Symphony Orchestra, Julia Wolfe, members of the Silk Road Ensemble, and the late Kaija Saariaho, for whom she performed the world premiere of Semafor, the composer’s final chamber work. From 2020–2023, she was pianist of Carnegie Hall’s Ensemble Connect, hailed as “one of the strongest ensembles in the city” (New York Classical Review). She has appeared on major stages and for organizations including Rocket City New Music, Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, Chamber Music Society of Central Virginia, Ballet Fantastique, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Guggenheim Museum, Sydney Opera House, Seoul Arts Center, National Sawdust, and Salle Bourgie, among others.
Joanne earned her Bachelor, Master, and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from the Manhattan School of Music, where she received the Harold Bauer Award and Helen Cohn Award. As assistant to the late Prof. Phillip Kawin and a Doctoral Teaching Fellow in the Keyboard Skills Department, she taught undergraduate and graduate keyboard skills, individual piano lessons, and studio classes. From 2020–2024, she also held teaching residencies at Skidmore College through Ensemble Connect, providing private instruction and chamber music coaching.
Her recordings include 1Q84 (ODDSOUND Records, 2024) and i wish i were dead with Duo Étrange (ATMA Classique, 2026). An upcoming release features cello and piano works by New York composers Gene Pritsker and Randall Woolf (Composers Concordance Records/Naxos, 2026).
Artists of Ballet Fantastique
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Ashley Bontrager
PRINCIPAL
sponsored by Dave & Sherrie Kammerer
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Hannah Bontrager
PRINCIPAL
sponsored by Andrea Kingsley Foundation
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Jenavieve Hernandez
PRINCIPAL
sponsored by Dianna Pounder
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Gustavo Ramirez
PRINCIPAL
sponsored by Philip & Sandra Piele
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Preston Andrew Patterson
PRINCIPAL
sponsored by Dianna Pounder
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Kevin Murdock-Waters
COMPANY ARTIST
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Jacob Amey
ARTIST
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Brooke Geffrey-Bowler
SOLOIST
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Tavari Groesbeck
SOLOIST
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Lucy Pearce
COMPANY ARTIST
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Hadassah Slater
COMPANY ARTIST
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Jasmine Gilbert
COMPANY ARTIST
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Brianne Falanga
COMPANY ARTIST
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Aliyah Casper
COMPANY ARTIST
sponsored by Ramona Rogers
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Regan Lamb
COMPANY ARTIST
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Ella Martin
COMPANY ARTIST
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Meridian Hula
FELLOWSHIP APPRENTICE
Dancer Portraits by Bob Williams Photography
GET THE MERCH
All proceeds directly support BFan :)
Our Sponsors
What’s Next?
