June 11–13 & 16-20, 2025
Final Showcase Performance: June 20
Sedona Performing Arts Center
This summer, the world of dance will find a new epicenter: Sedona, Arizona. Framed by the iconic red rock vistas that have inspired artists for generations, the Sedona Choreography Retreat, presented by Sedona Ballet in collaboration with Ballet Arizona, launches its inaugural season with ten transformative days of creation, collaboration, and performance.
Bringing together globally acclaimed choreographers, professional dancers, and rising stars, the retreat is more than a residency—it’s a dynamic incubator for the future of dance. And it all leads up to a Final Showcase Performance on June 20, where world premieres will share the stage with celebrated masterpieces.
Artistic Vision Meets Natural Majesty
Curated and led by acclaimed choreographer Nayon Iovino, Artistic Director of the retreat, this inaugural event harnesses Sedona’s striking natural beauty and spiritual energy to inspire bold new choreography. Known for his emotionally resonant work with Ballet Arizona, Iovino will premiere Santa Fe & Esmeralda—a new ballet born from his collaboration with composer, author and filmmaker Christel Veraart.
Drawing from Veraart’s evocative album Nostalgia and her short film Santa Fe & Esmeralda – Nostalgia, both debuting during the retreat, the ballet offers a rich tapestry of sound, imagery, and movement. Together, Iovino and Veraart invite audiences into an immersive world where music becomes memory, and dance tells the story.
Bridging Dance, Culture, and Technology
Joining Iovino is LaTasha Barnes, an award-winning choreographer, dancer, and scholar celebrated for her deep engagement with Black social dance traditions. At the retreat, Barnes will debut the Flow State Project—a revolutionary interdisciplinary experience that uses live movement to generate real-time digital soundscapes. Each gesture becomes music, turning the stage into an immersive sonic and kinetic environment where rhythm, culture, and technology collide.
Collaboration at Its Highest Level
In partnership with Ballet Arizona and emerging artists from Arizona State University’s acclaimed dance program, the retreat cultivates a collaborative atmosphere rarely seen outside major urban dance hubs. These diverse talents come together in a spirit of exploration, innovation, and mentorship, breathing life into a new generation of dance voices.
Engage with the Creative Process
Beyond the studio, the Sedona Choreography Retreat invites the public to participate through:
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Open Rehearsals
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Artist Conversations
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A Masterclass for Local Students
These events offer audiences a rare chance to witness the genesis of new works, meet the creators, and understand the complex and beautiful collaboration between choreographers, dancers, musicians, and designers.
The Grand Finale: June 20 Showcase Performance
The retreat culminates in a spectacular final performance featuring:
Premiere Works
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Nayon Iovino’s new ballet SANTA FE & ESMERALDA, inspired by Christel Veraart’s music and multimedia storytelling
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LaTasha Barnes’ FLOW STATE—a centerpiece of her larger FLOW STATE PROJECT—a tech-forward celebration of cultural and physical expression
- During the retreat, Christel Veraart will launch NOSTALGIA–Reflections on Argentina, her new album inspired by this country she once called home.
Featuring Works
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Sonatina – an excerpt from Serenade by George Balanchine, with permission from The George Balanchine Trust
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Take Me With You by Robert Bondara – a powerful duet set to Radiohead’s Reckoner, known for its global impact
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Vastwave by Natasha Adorlee – a kinetic, audio-driven piece from the Emmy-winning choreographer, performed by Ballet Arizona’s Studio Company
A New Chapter for Dance
The Sedona Choreography Retreat is a bold statement: that the most exciting new dance doesn’t have to happen in New York, Paris, or Berlin. It can rise from the desert, from a place where silence, sky, and stone conspire to inspire.
Our Deepest Thanks
This visionary retreat would not be possible without the generosity of our partners:
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Arizona Community Foundation, for their major inaugural season grant
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Mary Byrd, for her extraordinary support of Nayon Iovino and LaTasha Barnes
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Eye Boutique of Sedona, for their dedicated contribution to the arts
Their belief ensures Sedona continues to evolve as a vital home for artistic excellence.
Learn more and get involved:
Retreat Information & Tickets »
Download Press Kit »