Patricia McBride is one of five to receive Kennedy Center Honors in 2014, joining Al Green, Tom Hanks, Lily Tomlin and Sting. Continuing a career that spans more than six decades, McBride now serves as associate artistic director of the Charlotte Ballet and as master teacher at Chautauqua Institution’s School of Dance.
“I knew students would be glad to have a place to go for dinner, but we’ve had dividends I never expected.” —Susan Helm
Critics have said that “ballet is dead” for centuries. Fortunately in 2014, and at Chautauqua, this is not the case. Thanks to passionate performers and their teachers, like Maris Battaglia, professional dance companies and schools focusing on the art form are still thriving in this age of uncertainty.
2005 David Effron Conducting Fellow Kazem Abdullah is becoming one of the most watched American conductors on the scene today. At 34, he is in his second season as Generalmusikdirektor of the City of Aachen, Germany, where he conducts both the orchestral and operatic seasons. He recently took some time to answer questions we had about his life and career.