It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.
Ashley Bontrager |
Stephanie Urso 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
On behalf of the Board of Directors, I want to welcome you to Ballet Fantastique’s 2024-25 season, with four immersive story-based, dance theater, superably produced and choreographed by Donna Marisa and Hannah Bontrager with Gustavo Ramirez.
The third production is the Parisian-inspired, jazz-infused reconceptualization of Jane Austine’s masterpiece, Pride and Prejudice. Set in Paris during the Roaring 20s, the production features original works and French jazz played by the incomparable Gerry Rempel Jazz Syndicate. Austin’s Eighteenth-Century story of love found, love lost, love regained, brilliantly retold as a ballet, is the perfect performing artis vehicle to celebrate the Valintine’s Day Weekend with your loved ones.
PHILIP PIELE
BOARD PRESIDENT
YOUR NEW ART IS HERE
Dear BFans,
When we unleash our imagination, we find new parts of ourselves. There’s unexpected raw humanity in the fantastical.
The new 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.
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
BOARD MEMBERS
Brandy Rodtsbrooks
Nicole Roselio
Steve Webster
Donna Marisa Bontrager
Hannah Bontrager
Izzy Bloodgood,
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, Costume Designer
Hannah Bontrager, Gustavo Ramirez, Production Manager
Allison Ditson, Costume Design & Production
JP Durand, Stage Manager
Debora Peña, Set Design & Construction
Jeff Forbes, Sets & Properties Master & Light Design
Kelle DeForrest, Sets & Austrian Curtain Design & Construction
Jeff Faust, Sets
Elizabeth Roberts, Wardrobe Support
Deborah Speer, Libretto, Historical, Music Research, Creative Team
Genevieve Speer, Artistic Associate; Libretto, Historical, Music Research Support
Gerry Rempel, Resident Composer & Arranger
Halie Loren & Matt Treder, Musical Arrangements
Adam Goldthwaite, Special Effects
Jeremy Bronson, Special Effects, Video, Sound
Gustavo Ramirez, Projection -
Ashley Bontrager, Development Director
Rebecca Welch, Director of Community Engagement
Elizabeth Chapa, Academy Coordinator, Administration Support
Sara Stewart, Academy Relations Manager & Youth Backstage Coordinator
Lucy Pearce, Academy Program Director
Genevieve Speer, Finance Manager
Dianna Pounder, Academy Billing
Jeff Mecredy, Leadership & Growth -
Isabelle Bloodgood, Marketing Coordinator
Elizabeth Chapa, Brooke Geffrey-Bowler, Emily Knowles, Olivia Schwartz, Marketing Support
Jeremy Bronson, Film, Audio, Marketing
Gustavo Ramirez, Film, Audio, Marketing
Hannah Bontrager, Graphic Design, Program Magazine Design -
Isabelle Bloodgood, Teen/Adult Division
Ashley Bontrager, Professional Division, Company
Donna Marisa Bontrager, Professional Division, Company
Hannah Bontrager, Professional Division, Company
Brooke Geffrey-Bowler, Professional Division, Young Dancer Division
Tavari Groesbeck, Professional Division
Jenavieve Hernandez, Professional Division,Teen/Adult Division
Lucy Pearce, Academy Program Director
Gustavo Ramirez, Company Rehearsal Director
Hadassah Slater, Young Dancer Division, Professional Division, Adult/Teen Division -
Attic Media
Bronson Studios
Miki Markovitch
Chappel Miller
Gustavo Ramirez
Bob Williams -
Dianna Pounder, Angel
Lance Deal & Nancy Deal-Whitacre, Angels
Jitendra Joshi, Web
Tessa Richards, Theater PT
Barbara Mossberg, Resident Historian
Cole Fowler, Backstage Support
Sara Stewart, Youth Cast Lead
Elizabeth Roberts, Costumes
Jeff Faust, Sets
Sarah & JoAnne Preston, Front of House
BFan’s Academy Families
BFan’s Board of Directors
& many, many more -
Local Austrian Curtain Construction Volunteer Corps
Teri Jones
Joanne Preston
Babs Sullivan
Kate Eitenmiller
Trish Thomas
Gayle Faust
Elizabeth Roberts
Jeff FaustWith Design Leadership Kelle DeForrest
Special Thanks to Jonna Hayden (TX) & Rosebrand (LA)
Oregon Geneological Society
LCC Theater Department
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.
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 7/1/23–11/27/24.
Anonymous Angel
Donna Marisa Bontrager
Juliet Bender
Stephanie & Ted Coopman
Kate & Bill Eitenmiller
Carla Hoeger
Matthew Johns
Philip & Sandra Piele
Dianna & Todd Pounder
Brandy Rodtsbrooks
Nancy Deal-Whitacre & Lance Deal
2025 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 Oregon Community Foundation
Charles & Betti Saunders Foundation Fund of the Austin Community Fund
(gratitude to Erin Walter, who contributed in honor of Preston Andrew Patterson joining the BFan company)
Clement Family Charitable Fund
(gratitude to Judy Clement, contributing in honor of McKenna Morrigan)
Dorothea M. Lensch Fund
of the Oregon Community Foundation
Ellen Glendel Hyman Fund
of The Oregon Community Foundation
Eugene Elks Lodge #357
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
Mehlum Family Foundation
National Endowment for the Arts
Neil Chinn Fund
of the Oregon Community Foundation
Oregon Arts Commission
Oregon Community Foundation
Oregon Cultural Trust
Renaissance Charitable Foundation
Ronald W. Naito Foundation
San Francisco Foundation
SHO — Support Hult Operations
Silva Endowment Fund
Western Oregon Community Fund
of the Oregon Community Foundation
Tamolitch Fund
of the Oregon Community Foundation
Walker Charitable Fund
of the Oregon Community Foundation
Woodward Family Foundation -
Stephanie & Ted Coopman
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Alpha IT
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
Sandra Wright Piele & Philip K. Piele PHD
Dianna & Todd Pounder
Dr. Averno & Wendlyn Rempel -
Downtown Athletic Club
Stephanie & Ted Coopman
Sherrie & David Kammerer
Merritt Bennett
Staszak Physical Therapy -
Summit Bank
Tirzah & Ravi Brounstein
Andrea Kingsley
Vicky Mello
Christine Cameron & Jeremy Zuidema -
Anonymous Angel
Martha & Ken Alderfer
Eugene Elks Lodge #357
Eileen Loritsch & Irving Weiner
Carla Hoeger
Charlcie Kaylor & Charles Crawford
Debby & John Phillips
Sue & Bob McClelland
Annette Briggs & Scott South (EmWest Powertrain Systems)
Polly & Brian Caughey
Brandy Rodtsbrooks
Jennifer & Mark Ensminger
Mary Bruskotter & John Thompson
Judy Grubbs & Barry Polonsky -
Cindy Bedell & Rich Blanton
Donna Bontrager
Judy Clement
Kay Crider & Patrick Phillips
Kate & Bill Eitenmiller
Margaret Hallock
Brian Obie
Dena McCoy
Elaine DeMartin & Steven Webster
Heather Harrison
Nancy Deal-Whitacre & Lance Deal
Gayle & Jeff Faust
Helmut Plant (in memory of Carol Hamrick Plant)
Marcy Hammock & Herbert Merker
Shirley & Michael Hull
Margie & Bill Van Dorn
Juliet Bender
Nancy Nathanson & Steve Robinson
Susan & Arthur Palsbo
Debra Peña
Jillyn & Graham Kaiser
Nicole & Daniel Roselio
Sarah & Adam Burner
Robert Cummings
Mary & Mike Staszak
Patricia Thomas & Russell Mecredy
Clare & Alex Vonderhaar
Barbara & James Walker -
Tara Aarnio
Gregory Ahlijian
Sharlen Bennett
Sara Ferris
Joy & Mark Gall
Jill Hendrickson & Nathan Markowitz
Barbara Morris
Cindy & Stephen Leonard
Richard Maher, Handel's Homemade Ice Cream
Sally & Eric Overstreet
Grace Godfrey
Summer & Travis Freeman
Polly Ashworth & Robert Horner
Ben Hughes
Becky & Garreth MacDonald
Patricia & Dennis Hyatt
Barbara Hoefener & Ernest Lessenger
Matt Kendall
Charles Merritt
Christine & Bruce Waugh
Sara & Kristopher Stewart
Natalie & Joe Sheild
Sandra & Jerry South
Sheild Catering -
Michael Blevins
Sylvia Bender
Liz Cawood
Bill Cummings
Nicole Desch
Alandra & Steven Duncan
Melissa & Jeff Gunnarson
Sylvia Hartman
Kathryn & Mark Heerema
Pam & Robert Hess
Judith Horstmann & Howard Bonnett
Elizabeth Hughes
Reida & Charles Kimmel
Gina & Al King
Corinne & Greg Klein
Tom Lamoree
Tom Lawrence
Kathy & William McGuire
Randy McMillan
Jeffrey Morey
Kimberly OBrien & Steven Hecker
Catherine Simard
Andrew Sonabend
Bonnita Stahlberg
Danielle Uhlhorn
Shirley Vinson
Corey Wall
Jennifer Webster
Cynthia & Stephen Wright
Tom Wright
Andrea & Cole Inman
Charles Beaudet, Beaudet Jewelry
Design
Slavka Eberhart-Garah
Michelle Graham
Michael King
Jessica Mitchell
Mani Khinda
Kelly Johnson
Ed Breed
Christina Hula
Carolyn Rasche
Leigh A Rieder
Mary & Richard Rohl
David Stright
Linda Lawrence & Robert Canaga
Susan & Bahram Tavakolian
Wendy Westcott
Lily Belle Bistro
Louise & James Earl
Michelle Markovich
Linda & Fred Meyer
Pamela Roman
Elena Fracchia
Susanne Fountain
Allen Johnson
James Johnson
Sarah & Jeffrey Jordan
Kathy Magnusson
Barbara & Christer Mossberg
Martha Reilly & Paul Brown
Sharon & David Schuman
Cynthia Secrest & Douglas Pierce
Lindsey McCarthy & Brian Coombs
George Wood
Nicholas Hedden
Tabantha Davis
William Mazzoni
Jeff Mecredy
Christine & Dave Nordenson
Heather & Gregory Fortner
Nancy Hershorin
Vicki Blackman
Peter Bahen
Gerald Morgan
Elizabeth Ovitt
Georgiana Kovell
Shelli Gramz
Michele Henney
Michelle Reid
Rose Marie & Mike Barber
Sarah Maggio
Karina Olch
Sheri & Mick Hoover
Barbara & James Walker
Diane Horvath-Pearson
Marta Cuboni
Jessica Stedman
Josephine & Peter von Hippel
Kimberly Wilbur & Dennis Fisher
THE CHARACTERS
Photos by Gustavo Ramirez
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Gustavo Ramirez as
MR. DARCY
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Ashley Bontrager as
LIZZIE BENNETTE
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Hannah Bontrager as
JANE BENNETTE
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Isabelle Bloodgood as
CHARLOTTE LUCAS
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Preston Andrew Patterson as
MR. WICKHAM
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Jenavieve Hernandez as
LYDIA BENNETTE
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Tavari Groesbeck as
MR. BINGLEY
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Brooke Geffrey-Bowler as
KITTY BENNETTE
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Lucy Pearce as
MARIA LUCAS
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Hadassah Slater as
MARY BENNETTE
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Emmaline Melton as
CAROLINE BINGLEY
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Adam Goldthwaite as
PARSON COLLINS
THE STORY
Photos by Bob Williams Photography
ACT 1 — Scene 1: The Alleys of Paris
Scene 2: Cabaret Bennette
Scene 3: The Walkabout + Boogie Woogie
Scene 4: Fibre De Verre (3 Proposals)
Scene 5: Si Tu Vous
Scene 6: Your Heart is as Black (Flashback)
ACT 2 — Scene 1: Lydia Runs Off
Scene 2: Darcy's Proposal
Scene 3: Ne T'en Fais Pas (Don't Worry)
Scene 4: More Proposals
Scene 5: Finale (You Do Something to Me)
Mr. Darcy’s Letter
Be not alarmed madam, on receiving this letter, for I shall not renew the sentiments which were so disgusting to you.
But if I may, I will address the two offenses you have laid against me. The first mentioned, that, regardless of the sentiments of either, I had detached Mr. Bingley from your sister. Though the motives which governed me, may, to you appear insufficient, they were in the service of a friend.
I had often seen him in love before. But it was not till the evening of the dance that I had any apprehension of his feeling a serious attachment. From that moment I observed my friend's behaviour attentively. Your sister I also watched. Her look and manners were open, cheerful, and engaging as ever, but I believed her to be indifferent in sentiment to Mr. Bingley's attentions. If you have not been mistaken here, I must have been in an error. Your superior knowledge of your sister must make the latter probable. If Ihave been misled by such error to inflict pain on her, and wounded your sister's feelings, it was unknowingly done, and your resentment has not been unreasonable.
With respect to that other, more weighty accusation, of having injured Mr. Wickham, and ruining his future prospects, I can only refute it by laying before you the whole of his connection with my family. My Father loved Mr. Wickham as a son and in consequence he left him a generous living. But upon my father's death, he announced he had no intention of taking orders in the church. He instead demanded the value of the living which he was given, and which he gambled away within weeks.
He then wrote demanding more money, which I refused. After which he severed all acquaintance. He came back to see us last summer, at which time he declared passionate love for my sister, whom he tried to persuade to elope with him. She is to inherit 30,000 pounds. When it was made clear to him, he would never receive a penny of that inheritance, he disappeared. I will not attempt to convey the depth of Georgiana's despair. She was but 15 years old.
This Madam is a faithful narrative of every event in which we have been concerned together. And if you do not absolutely reject it as false, you will, I hope, acquit me henceforth of cruelty towards Mr. Wickham.
I will only add, God bless you.
–Fitzwilliam Darcy
PRIDE & PREJUDICE
PRODUCTION TEAM
FOUNDING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, VISIONARY
Donna Marisa Bontrager
CHOREOGRAPHER-PRODUCERS
Donna Marisa Bontrager, Hannah Bontrager
REHEARSAL DIRECTOR
Gustavo Ramirez
ORIGINAL COMPOSITIONS
Gerry Rempel for Ballet Fantastique
”Les Etoiles (Overture)” and “Moulin Bleu”
“Kitchen Sink Boogie” by Gus Russell
ORIGINAL MUSICAL ARRANGEMENTS
John Polese & Gerry Rempel for Ballet Fantastique
RESEARCH, LIBRETTO TEAM
Donna & Hannah Bontrager
with Deborah & Genevieve Speer
NARRATION
Jane Austen, Hannah Bontrager, Ashley Bontrager, Donna Marisa Bontrager, Genevieve & Deborah Speer
with Adam Goldthwaite
ASSISTANTS TO THE PRODUCERS
Elizabeth Chapa, Genevieve Speer
COSTUME DESIGN/VISION
Donna Marisa Bontrager
COSTUME DESIGN/CONSTRUCTION TEAM
Allison Ditson/Allihalla, Donna Marisa Bontrager, Elizabeth Roberts
WIGS & HAIR
Glamor Girl (Eugene), Artists of Ballet Fantastique
HEADPIECE DESIGNS
Northwest Hat Company (Eugene), Mitra Gruwell
WARDROBE SUPPORT
Chelsea Lovejoy, Elizabeth Roberts
SET/PROPERTIES MASTER
Debra Peña
SETS DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION
Debra Peña with
Jeff Faust, Lance Deal, Nancy Deal-Whitacre, Sydney Miller-Peterson, Carl Peterson
SETS SUPPORT
Alberto Peña, Aubre Real, James Pape, Kris Martes, Kyle Lyche, Michelle Bivens, Bill Eitenmiller
SOFT & SCULPTED GOODS
Kelle DeForrest with support from Jonna Hayden - Austrian Curtain Design
LIGHT DESIGNER
Jeff Forbes with Donna Marisa Bontrager
SPECIAL THANKS
Austrian Curtain Crew
Oregon Geneological Society
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Hannah Bontrager with Gustavo Ramirez
STAGE MANAGER
JP Durand with
Sydney-Elise Miller-Peterson, Carl Peterson, Liza Carbé
PROMO VIDEO
Jeremy Bronson, Gustavo Ramirez
PROMO PHOTOGRAPHY
Bob Williams, Jeremy Bronson, Gustavo Ramirez
PERFORMANCE VIDEO
Jeremy Bronson
OUTREACH & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Rebecca Welch with Elizabeth Chapa
MARKETING
Hannah Bontrager, Isabelle Bloodgood, Elizabeth Chapa, Brooke Geffrey-Bowler with Emily Knowles and Olivia Schwartz
PROGRAM DESIGN
Elizabeth Chapa
GERRY REMPEL
MUSIC DIRECTOR
Guitar, Composer/Arranger
Gerry Rempel is a composer, arranger, performance and recording artist, and the leader of the Gerry Rempel Ensemble, Gerry Rempel Jazz Syndicate, and a member of numerous jazz, fusion, soul, and blues/rock groups in the Northwest, including performance work in Los Angeles. He has a busy schedule performing locally with groups Soul Struck, Barbara Healy, The Gerry Rempel Jazz Trio, KMR Trio, Anya Lecuyer and Friends, OFAM Shedd and Eugene Concert Choir Productions. Also part of the national champion award-winning University of Oregon Gospel Choir Band, Mr. Rempel accompanied the UO Gospel choir on their 2013 China tour. Mr. Rempel has served as Music Director for many Ballet Fantastique projects, including Dragon & the Night Queen, Pride & Prejudice, and Legends of Sleepy Hollow. As a Resident Composer Mr. Rempel composed “Dragon’s Lair” for Ballet Fantastique’s Dragon & the Night Queen(world premiere 2015 + 2020 performances), “Invention” and “Fantasia” for Ballet Fantastique’s Legends of Sleepy Hollow(world premiere 2017),“Les Etoiles (Overture)” and “Moulin Bleu” for Ballet Fantastique’s Pride & Prejudice: A Parisian Jazz Ballet(world premiere2013 + 2016 concerts), “Fall of Vashti” and “Haman” for Ballet Fantastique’s Book of Esther: A Rock Gospel Ballet(world premiere2014 + 2016 concerts), and “String Theory” for Ballet Fantastique’s String Theory(world premiere 2010). Mr. Rempel’s compositions combine elements of jazz, classical, rock, and a variety of global music influences. Mr. Rempel spearheaded the collaboration with internationally acclaimed Irish uilleann piper and composer Eliot Grasso for Ballet Fantastique's Dragon & the Night Queen: Celtic Stories. The Gerry Rempel Ensemble also collaborated with the internationally renowned musicians of Dreosto arrange and perform the music for Ballet Fantastique’s Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Mr. Rempel has 3 albums with the Gerry Rempel Jazz Syndicate: Sketches From the Underground, Parisian Nights, and Dragon and the Night Queen. Mr Rempel holds a Masters in Music degree from the University of Oregonand a degree from the Music Institute of Technology (Los Angeles). Mr. Rempel is also a guitar instructor at Bushnell University, Guitar Center, and has his own private teaching studio. For more information about Mr. Rempel’s upcoming musical projects and performances, please visit Gerry Rempel Jazz Syndicate at Facebook.com. Website: gerryrempel.com
Meet the Band
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VOCALS
Amy LeSage is a Portland, Oregon based vocalist with a background in gospel music from the University of Oregon. LeSage sings with LaRhonda Steele and the Portland Interfaith Gospel Choir and has provided background vocals for various Portland based artists. Amy also toured China with the U of O Gospel Choir in 2013. In previous years, Amy sang for Ballet Fantastique's show, Esther, and their first run of Pride and Prejudice. She is honored to return for another wonderful show with such talented creators, dancers and musicians.
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PIANO
Gus has been a fixture on the North West music scene for the last 40 years. Teaching and performing almost every musical style imaginable. He has been a featured artist at many festivals and venues including: Art in The Vineyard, The Wildish Theater, Hinman Vineyard Jazz series, and the Florence Fest. He's also performed at the Oregon Coast Jazz Party, The Crystal Ball Room and the Bumbershoot; and shared the stage with Cami Thomas, Holly Hofmann, David Larson, Elvin Bishop and Bo Diddly. Gus currently performs with Calvin Orlando Smith, BOSSONAIRE, The Jazz Ambassadors and Mood Swing.
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ACOUSTIC BASS
In addition to performing with the Eugene symphony for over 30 years, Rick Carter has performed on electric and acoustic bass with the Gerry Rempel Jazz Syndicate and many different ensembles, in styles ranging from jazz to folk, rock, and fusion.
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ALTO SAX
Scott Mitchell graduated from the California Institute of the Arts with a Bachelors in Jazz Reeds in 2010. He currently lives in Eugene, Oregon working as a private instructor and is an active musician in his community. He has performed over the years with many groups including: The Essentials, The Gerry Rempel Jazz Syndicate, DTW, and YamaYama. In addition to this, he works as a freelance composer for independent video games, and producer for various other artists in the style of digital fusion: a blend of jazz and video game music.
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DRUMS/PERCUSSION
As the son of a music professor, drummer/percussionist Don Elkington learned early how to bring more to music than just a beat. His musicianship and versatility make him one of the most sought-after musicians in the area. He's asked to play in a wide variety of styles; from jazz and classical ensembles to folk, rock, funk, tango, world, pop and R&B. Whether he's playing Ellington, Bacharach, Earth Wind Fire, Tool, Mingus, Jobim, Miles, Steely Dan, Tower Of Power, ZZ Top, Gershwin... you always know his style, feel, and groove. Music paid for Don's schooling at Brigham Young University. Now living in Springfield, Oregon he normally averages between 50 and 75 live performances and recording sessions a year. You may have seen him play at The Shedd, The Hult Center, Cuthbert Theater, McDonald Theater, Mathew Knight Arena, wineries, festivals, or other venues.
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TRUMPET, ACCORDIAN, ARRANGEMENTS
John has been part of the vibrant local music community for the past 25 years. As a frequent performer on keyboard, trumpet, and accordion, his experience has encompassed styles ranging from Argentine tango to Zydeco, and original music for modern dance. He has also worked as an arranger, director, and sound engineer.
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VOCALS
Vocalist Susanna Joy Meyer has been praised for her "radiance, warm vocal timbre, musicality, and stage presence." Growing up both in the U.S. and abroad, she was exposed to many genres of music and began performing on stage at an early age. After completing her education, her love for dance and song led her around the world to study the rhythms, melodies and languages of other cultures. Collaboration through music and dance has been a recurring theme in her life, most notably while she was living in Los Angeles and touring the West Coast.
Now based in Eugene, Susanna performs regularly sharing the music she has gathered over the years --French, Fado, Bossa Nova, Jazz, Italian, Spanish. Her repertoire also includes a broad range of music from the Middle East, as well as her original compositions.
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PERCUSSION
Andrew Yates is a drummer, percussionist, arranger and bandleader from Portland, Oregon. After honing his performance chops and earning a national championship in the Drum and Bugle Corps activity with the Santa Clara Vanguard he moved to Eugene, OR and earned his B.M. in Jazz Studies and Audio Production at the University of Oregon. These days, Andrew often finds himself living in a veritable Venn diagram of musical milieus. The two most notable being Jazz and Reggae. In the world of the Pacific Northwest jazz scene, Andrew has been the musical heartbeat for a diverse array of artists including Grammy-nominated artist Randy Porter, Damien Masterson, Kerry Politzer, Quinn Walker, Justin Copeland, Jack Radsliff, Diane Lou Azo, the Oregon Jazz Ensemble and Eugene’s Swing Shift Jazz Orchestra. In the reggae scene, he has played kit and percussion for reggae legend Vernon Maytone, Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Aaron Nigel Smith, Tuff Gong International Artist Jubba White, The Israelites, Michael Leslie and the Lightcode Band and Balance Trick. His latest musical development, dubbed the "Yaad and Abroad Soundsystem" blends Caribbean riddims with the ever- expansive sound of jazz from around the world, from Ethiopia to Ireland and beyond. Come see his explosive ensemble perform at the Jazz Station on March 19th, 2025!
Artists of Ballet Fantastique
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Ashley Bontrager
PRINCIPAL
sponsored by Dave & Sherrie Kammerer
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Hannah Bontrager
PRINCIPAL
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Isabelle Bloodgood
PRINCIPAL
sponsored by The Bennett-Hooper Family
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Gustavo Ramirez
PRINCIPAL
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Preston Andrew Patterson
PRINCIPAL
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Jenavieve Hernandez
SOLOIST
sponsored by Anonymous
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Brooke Geffrey-Bowler
SOLOIST
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Tavari Groesbeck
SOLOIST
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Lucy Pearce
ARTIST
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Hadassah Slater
CORPS DE BALLET
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Emmaline Melton
CORPS DE BALLET
Dancer Portraits by Bob Williams Photography
GUEST ARTISTS
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Adam Goldthwaite
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Narrator, Custom Sculptor, Prop Commission
EXPERIENCE: Adam's performance resume boasts performances with myriad NW performing arts organizations, including Artist Repertory Theater in Portland, as well as Willamette Repertory Theatre, Lord Leebrick Theatre Company, and Actor's Cabaret. He is a regular guest of Ballet Fantastique, and has designed work for our world premieres of Scarlet Flower: Beauty & the Beast Retold (Beast Mask), Tales from a Floating World (Dragon), The Odyssey (Cyclops mask), American Christmas Carol (Scrooge's clock), and critically acclaimed Legend of Sleepy Hollow Headless Horseman/horse.
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