June 11-13 and 16-20
2025
Announcing the Inaugural Sedona Choreography Retreat!
Premiere Works by Nayon Iovino, Christel Veraart & LaTasha Barnes – Featured Works by George Balanchine, Robert Bondara & Natasha Adorlee
Join us for an unforgettable week of transformation, creativity, and artistic exploration at the very first Sedona Choreography Retreat! Presented by Sedona Ballet in collaboration with Ballet Arizona, this immersive event invites both artists and audiences to experience the full journey of dance-making—from the first flicker of inspiration to the final performance on stage.
The retreat culminates in a final performance on June 20, featuring an exciting lineup of new and celebrated works.
Nayon Iovino, Ballet Arizona’s Choreographer in Residence, will premiere Santa Fe and Esmeralda, a dynamic new collaboration with composer, author, and filmmaker Christel Veraart.
We’re also honored to present an excerpt from George Balanchine’s iconic Serenade, performed with permission from the prestigious Balanchine Foundation.
Acclaimed dancer, choreographer, and scholar LaTasha Barnes will debut Flow State, a centerpiece of her larger Flow State Project, a groundbreaking interdisciplinary work that translates movement into data and transforms that data into immersive soundscapes.
Emmy Award-winning choreographer, filmmaker, composer, and educator Natasha Adorlee will present her Vastwave with dancers from Ballet Arizona’s Studio Company.
Rounding out the evening is Polish choreographer Robert Bondara’s powerful duet Take Me With You, set to the music of Radiohead.
A featured highlight of the retreat is Conversations with Nathan, a public series hosted by long-time Sedona resident Nathan Quinn Jenkins. These engaging talks offer a rare look into the creative heartbeat of live performance. Through candid, behind-the-scenes conversations, Q will explore the many dimensions of artistic production—from choreography and collaboration to music, visual arts, fundraising, and grant writing.
All events take place at the Sedona Performing Arts Center (995 Upper Red Rock Loop Rd, Sedona, AZ), where conversations, performances, and artist encounters will inspire and ignite.
Don’t miss this groundbreaking celebration of dance, music, and storytelling—set in the heart of Sedona’s stunning red rock landscape. Be part of something truly extraordinary!
The Choreography Retreat is made possible through the generous support of our grantors and donors. We extend our deepest gratitude to the Arizona Community Foundation as our primary grantor, along with the Arizona Commission on the Arts for their invaluable support.
A special thank you to our lead donor, Mary Byrd, whose extraordinary generosity made it possible to sponsor our Artistic Director, Nayon Iovino. We are also deeply grateful to Winifred Muench and Chuck Marr for their meaningful contributions and shared commitment to elevating the arts in our community.
Their collective vision and support ensure the success and sustainability of our mission to celebrate artistic excellence and innovation.
Everything must come from the heart, must be lived.
— Pina Bausch
Retreat Schedule
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
Rehearsals & Preparations
(Closed to the Public)
Thursday, June 12, 2025
Rehearsals & Preparations
(Closed to the Public)
Friday, June 13, 2025
2:00 - 3:30 PM
Masterclass for Local Dance Students
(20 Students max)
Location: SPAC Rehearsal Room
Monday, June 16, 2025
11-11:45 AM
Conversations with Nathan: Life of a Dance Artist
Location: SPAC Lobby
Look further down this webpage for more information!
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1:30-3 PM
Rehearsal
(Open to the Public)
Location: TBD
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
11-12 AM
Conversations with Nathan: The Art of Choreography
Location: SPAC Lobby
Look further down this webpage for more information!
_____________________________
1:30-3 PM
Rehearsal
(Open to the Public)
Location: TBD
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
11-12 AM
Conversations with Nathan: Collaborative Creation
Location: SPAC Lobby
Look further down this webpage for more information!
Thursday, June 19, 2025
10-11 AM
Conversations with Nathan: George Balanchine & Dorothea Tanning
Location: SPAC Lobby
Look further down this webpage for more information!
Friday, June 20, 2025
7 PM
Final Performance
Location: Recital Hall SPAC
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Final Performance - Program
INTRODUCTION
BALANCHINE® BALLET
•A special thank you to María Simonetti & Alecia Good-Boresow for their help with this project.
TAKE ME WITH YOU (PAS DE DEUX)
VASTWAVE
INTERMISSION
FLOW STATE PROJECT
SANTA FE & ESMERALDA - NOSTALGIA
SANTA FE & ESMERALDA
INTERVIEW AND Q&A
* The performance of [Excerpt from Serenade],
a Balanchine® Ballet, is presented by arrangement
with The George Balanchine Trust and has been
produced in accordance with the Balanchine Style®
and Balanchine Technique® Service standards
established and provided by the Trust.
Whether you’re a dancer, dance lover, or simply looking to experience something truly unique, the Sedona Choreography Retreat promises to ignite your passion for dance and creativity. Mark your calendars and join us for this groundbreaking event!
June 13, 2025 – 2:00 – 3:30 PM
Masterclass Open Ballet Class with Nayon Iovino
Intermediate to Pre-Professional Students – $50
Conversations with Nathan
Life of a Dance Artist
Monday, June 16, 10-11 AM, Lobby SPAC
What does it really take to be a classical dancer? Beyond the spotlight and standing ovations lies a world of intense discipline, passion, and relentless pursuit of excellence.
In this candid and inspiring Conversations with Nathan, Ballet Arizona’s top dancers pull back the curtain on their daily lives.
From early morning warm-ups to evening rehearsals, they’ll share the physical and mental routines that fuel their performance—from injury prevention and nutrition to rest, recovery, and staying grounded amidst the demands of the profession.
Through personal stories and open conversation, you’ll gain a rare glimpse into the highs and lows of a dancer’s journey—the sacrifices, the drive for perfection, and the indescribable joy of bringing art to life on stage.
Whether you’re a dance lover, aspiring artist, or simply curious about the world behind the curtain, this is your chance to connect with the people who live the life of a dancer every day.
If you cannot be a poet, be the poem.
—David Carradine
Conversations with Nathan
The Art of Choreography
Tuesday, June 17, 10-11 AM, Lobby SPAC
Ever wondered how choreography comes to life? How do choreographers transform inspiration into movement that speaks to an audience?
Join acclaimed choreographers Nayon Iovino and LaTasha Barnes for an in-depth and engaging Conversations with Nathan about the creative process behind choreography. This workshop offers a rare opportunity to explore how choreographers communicate their vision, collaborate with dancers, and bring their ideas to the stage.
From the tools and techniques they rely on, to the sources of their inspiration, Nayon and LaTasha will provide personal insights into their craft. They’ll also reflect on whether there is a written “language” for dance, and how different choreographers shape their work through intuition, structure, and experimentation.
The conversation will be guided by Nathan Quinn Jenkins, who will help connect the dots between process and performance, and encourage audience engagement.
We also hope to include a pre-recorded interview with internationally renowned choreographer Robert Bondara (pending confirmation), adding another compelling voice to this exploration of dance creation.
Whether you’re a dancer, a dance-lover, or simply curious about the creative process, this workshop offers a unique window into the art and heart of choreography.
Dancers are instruments, like a piano the choreographer plays.
— George Balanchine
Conversations with Nathan
Collaborative Creation
Wednesday, June 18, 10-11 AM, Lobby SPAC
Join us for a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the art of collaborative creation in dance. This Conversation with Nathan brings together choreographer, composer/author/filmmaker, and costume designer to share how music, movement, and visual design intertwine to create a unified artistic vision.
Choreographer Nayon Iovino will explore how his movement vocabulary took shape in response to Christel’s compositions, showing how music and choreography engaged in a dynamic dialogue throughout the creative process. Excerpts of the choreography will be performed live by dancers, giving attendees a rare glimpse into how the work came to life.
Composer, author and filmmaker Christel Veraart will take us on a journey through the development of her original compositions Vals and Zamba, offering insights into the inspirations behind the music and how it evolved over time.
As part of this creative process, Christel not only wrote a book but also produced a short film—a visual exploration of her musical themes. She will share how visuals not only deepened her narrative but also became an artistic catalyst, inspiring both choreography and costume design in new and unexpected ways.
Costume designer Rosemary Mays will share her unique perspective on translating music and movement into visual form. She’ll discuss how costumes support storytelling, enhance choreography, and contribute to the overall atmosphere of a piece—revealing the thoughtful design choices that bridge the gap between concept and stage.
Nathan Quinn Jenkins will serve as the guide and moderator for the conversation, helping to weave together each artist’s perspective and inviting questions from the audience.
This is a rare opportunity to witness the deep collaboration that lies at the heart of performance-making—from first note to final stitch.
Dance is the hidden language of the soul.
—Martha Graham
Conversations with Nathan
George Balanchine and Dorothea Tanning
Thursday, June 19, 10-11 AM, Lobby SPAC
George Balanchine, one of the most influential choreographers of the 20th century, and the acclaimed visual artist Dorothea Tanning, formed a unique and creative partnership that bridged the worlds of ballet and surrealism. Balanchine, known for his revolutionary approach to ballet, sought to explore movement in a way that was both fluid and structured, while Tanning’s work often delved into the dreamlike and mysterious realms of surrealism.
In her Conversations with Nathan, Mary Byrd, Dorothea Tanning aficionado, and member of the Fine Art Museum of Sedona Board of Trustees will delve into Tanning’s enduring love of ballet, as well as explore other facets of the artist’s creative work.
Though Balanchine’s and Tanning’s collaboration was relatively brief (1945-1952), it left a lasting imprint on both the worlds of ballet and visual art. Tanning’s set designs and costumes enhanced Balanchine’s choreography, and their fusion of dance and visual art exemplified a deep, mutual respect for innovation and artistic experimentation. Their work together was a harmonious blending of two creative minds, each pushing the boundaries of their respective crafts.
Their collaboration first came to life in The Night Shadow, which premiered in 1946. In addition, there were three more realized ballet projects: The Witch (1950), Bayou (1952) and Will o’the Wisp (1953), which re-used the designs from Bayou).
Creativity takes courage.
—Henry Matisse
Click on Images to Scroll through 32 Page Booklet
A Special Thanks to Our Gold Sponsors
