Nashville Ballet has introduced a management transition inside Nashville Ballet’s Second Firm (NB2). After a significant and impactful chapter with the group, Maria Konrad, Director of NB2, has determined to maneuver on to pursue inventive initiatives, each nationally and internationally. Konrad will stay with the corporate by means of the top of the 2025–26 season. She is presently choreographing a ballet for the primary Firm titled DEA that will likely be paired with Sherlock as a part of the annual Perspective sequence in addition to neighborhood programming slated for later this spring.
Throughout her tenure, NB2 skilled vital inventive development, strengthened neighborhood engagement and continued to evolve as an important bridge between NB2 and the Firm. Konrad introduced a particular inventive voice to the studio, one which made dancers really feel seen whereas encouraging individuality, rigor and inventive curiosity. Her spirit and affect will stay an enduring a part of the corporate tradition.
“Getting into the function of Director for NB2 has been so significant for me as an artist and mentor,” stated Maria Konrad, Director of NB2. “After creating work everywhere in the world, with the ability to make artwork at what has been my dwelling for the final three years, the place I’ve invested a lot of myself, carries a novel weight and significance. I’m thrilled to have planted seeds and be a part of Nashville Ballet as they transfer into the longer term.”
A graduate of A.W. Dreyfoos Excessive Faculty of the Arts and holder of a BFA in Performing Arts from The College of the Arts in Philadelphia, Maria Konrad is an internationally acknowledged choreographer whose works have been commissioned and offered by prestigious establishments around the globe. Her choreography has graced levels on the Worldwide Nervi Competition in Italy, the Spoleto Competition in South Carolina, and with famend firms together with Nashville Ballet, Oklahoma Metropolis Ballet II, and Kansas Metropolis Ballet.
Konrad has earned repeated acclaim from the Youth America Grand Prix for Excellent Choreography solidifying her standing as a number one voice in up to date dance. She can also be broadly celebrated as a grasp instructor, mentor, and devoted advocate for rising dance artists, having served as a choose, visitor college member, and inspiration for the subsequent era by means of establishments like The Joffrey Ballet, Colorado Ballet Faculty, and past.
“Maria has been a unprecedented associate in shaping NB2 right into a dynamic, artist-centered program,” stated Nick Mullikin,Creative Director & CEO of Nashville Ballet. “Her management, generosity and inventive imaginative and prescient have elevated our dancers and our group in significant methods. Whereas we are going to miss her day-to-day presence, we’re extremely grateful for her contributions and excited to proceed collaborating along with her on future initiatives as her inventive journey expands.”
Whereas stepping away from her function as Director of NB2, Konrad will stay related to Nashville Ballet by means of future collaborations and the group will proceed to carry out choose works she created throughout her time right here.
As a part of this transition, Nashville Ballet is happy to announce that Co-Director of Faculty of Nashville Ballet, Dmitri Kulev, will step into the function of Director of NB2 on the conclusion of 2025-26 season, whereas persevering with his management of the Younger Males’s Scholarship Program and remaining an lively college member on the Faculty of Nashville Ballet.
Dmitri Kulev acquired his coaching on the prestigious Bolshoi Ballet Faculty and carried out internationally with the Bolshoi Ballet Theatre earlier than dancing as a principal with firms together with Ballet Arizona, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, and Fort Price Dallas Ballet. As an educator, he’s identified for his charismatic instructing fashion and deep basis within the Vaganova methodology, and his college students have gone on to obtain high honors and scholarships at elite coaching establishments worldwide.
Firm statistics present that greater than 55% of Nashville Ballet Firm members and apprentices started their careers with NB2, many after coaching at Faculty of Nashville Ballet. Dmitri Kulev’s in depth expertise inside the Faculty and his dedication to mentorship uniquely place him to proceed strengthening this pipeline and supporting dancers’ development into skilled careers.
As well as, Jennifer Kulev will function the sole Director of the Faculty of Nashville Ballet, offering centered management for the establishment’s coaching packages. A former principal dancer with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Jennifer Kulev brings many years {of professional} and pedagogical expertise. Skilled on the Faculty of American Ballet and with esteemed lecturers throughout the nation, her repertoire spans classical and neoclassical works by choreographers together with George Balanchine, Ben Stevenson, and Stanton Welch. As an educator, she is thought for her emphasis on exact approach, turnout, and artistry.
“This transition displays each gratitude and pleasure,” Mullikin added. “We honor Maria’s exceptional contributions and sit up for the management, continuity and imaginative and prescient that Dmitri and Jennifer Kulev carry as we proceed to put money into the way forward for Nashville Ballet and its artists.”
For extra data, go to www.nashvilleballet.com.
