The Montana Ballet Company
Patrick Leonard Composer, Executive Producer
Over the last 30 years, legendary song writer, record producer and keyboard player Patrick Leonard has helped shape the sound of popular music through his work with Elton John, Pink Floyd, Bon Jovi, Michael Jackson, Madonna and other top hit-makers. Starting in the studio at the age of 14 and touring by 18, Leonard has earned a reputation for his musical creativity. He's written some 2000 pop songs, opera, Brazilian jazz, musical theater, volumes of solo piano improvisations and most recently, ballet; re-scoring classic dances for the Martha Graham company.
In addition, Leonard enjoys an almost unparalleled level of personal success—his collaborations with Madonna; True Blue, Like A Prayer, Ray Of Light and others have sold over 140 million copies. After countless multi-platinum records and several Grammy nominations, he continues to redefine many styles of music.
"I'm so pleased to be working with The Montana Ballet, Amy, Jen Grace and everyone involved with "The First Day". It's a joy to collaborate with such talented and creative people who care so deeply about the work itself. I can't wait to see it all come together."
see Patrick play at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTrUvxpmfO8
In addition, Leonard enjoys an almost unparalleled level of personal success—his collaborations with Madonna; True Blue, Like A Prayer, Ray Of Light and others have sold over 140 million copies. After countless multi-platinum records and several Grammy nominations, he continues to redefine many styles of music.
"I'm so pleased to be working with The Montana Ballet, Amy, Jen Grace and everyone involved with "The First Day". It's a joy to collaborate with such talented and creative people who care so deeply about the work itself. I can't wait to see it all come together."
see Patrick play at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTrUvxpmfO8
Jessica Leonard, Writer
Jessica is a young writer and aspiring playwright and is a Suma Cum Laude graduate in English Literature from UC Boulder. She was also the muse for the song ‘Dear Jessie’ written by Madonna over 20 years ago. Over the past decade her unceasing wanderlust has led her across multiple continents as well as to a contemplation of the themes of social justice and self-awareness that dominate “The First Day.” Jessica had originally written “The First Day” as a short story and is thrilled that it has been adapted into the ballet form. She could not have asked for a better introduction to the world of dance and is grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with such an inspiring and talented crew.
Jennifer Grace Producer, Director, Multi-Media Designer
Jen lives in Bozeman, Montana where she is a graduate student of Science and Natural History Filmmaking at Montana State University. A dual citizen of the USA and Ireland, she became the first Irish snowboarder to compete on the World Cup and at three World Championships. After a heartbreaking near miss with the 2006 Olympics, she found her current graduate program. It is a perfect fit for her love of conservation, art and communication.
Jen is the producer, director, and writer of three movies that have toured widely in the United States. She has won seven national awards including a 2009 national student Emmy. The Smithsonian Institution commissioned her to make a video on environmental contaminants and amphibian declines that is on display at the National Zoo. Jen met Patrick while working at the Jim Henson Company as part of the Emmy Foundation Mentorship program in Los Angeles last summer.
"The First Day" feels like my reason for being in Bozeman. I am so fortunate to collaborate with many of the local people and organizations that have inspired my artistic heart here. From Amy Stoddart and MBC to HATCHfest to Tom Watson and Terry Beaubois of MSU's Creatie Research Lab it is truly a blessing to have their talent and enthusiasm come together on this project. It is obviously an honor to work with one of the world's most influential music producers. Pat has opened my eyes to so many possibilities and he has been enthusiastic about working in Bozeman from the start. We are able to accomplish great art not in in spite of the fact that we are doing it in Bozeman but BECAUSE we are doing it in Bozeman. There is real magic at work."
For more on Jen visit www.jengrace.com
Jen is the producer, director, and writer of three movies that have toured widely in the United States. She has won seven national awards including a 2009 national student Emmy. The Smithsonian Institution commissioned her to make a video on environmental contaminants and amphibian declines that is on display at the National Zoo. Jen met Patrick while working at the Jim Henson Company as part of the Emmy Foundation Mentorship program in Los Angeles last summer.
"The First Day" feels like my reason for being in Bozeman. I am so fortunate to collaborate with many of the local people and organizations that have inspired my artistic heart here. From Amy Stoddart and MBC to HATCHfest to Tom Watson and Terry Beaubois of MSU's Creatie Research Lab it is truly a blessing to have their talent and enthusiasm come together on this project. It is obviously an honor to work with one of the world's most influential music producers. Pat has opened my eyes to so many possibilities and he has been enthusiastic about working in Bozeman from the start. We are able to accomplish great art not in in spite of the fact that we are doing it in Bozeman but BECAUSE we are doing it in Bozeman. There is real magic at work."
For more on Jen visit www.jengrace.com
Amy Lynn Stoddart, Choreographer
Ms. Stoddart is currently Co-Artistic Director of Montana Ballet Company’s Nutcracker and a faculty member of The Dance Center. She began her performance career with the Lake Erie Ballet in 1990 and throughout her professional career has danced principal roles with the Empire State Ballet, Ballet Caravan, Opera Colorado, Boulder Ballet, and Dance Theatre of Oregon. She has toured both nationally and internationally while performing varied repertory from Romantic and Classical Era Ballets as well as contemporary works by George Balanchine. Ms. Stoddart has also performed contemporary modern works by Bella Lewitzky and was a principal dancer with Rita Honka Dance.
Ms. Stoddart holds a BA in ballet from Mercyhurst College, an MFA in dance performance and choreography from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and is a STOTT Pilates Certified Instructor. She has trained at professional organizations such as Boston Ballet, Cincinnati Conservatory, and was a full-scholarship student at Tulsa Ballet Theatre and the David Howard Dance Center in New York City.
Ms. Stoddart has actively choreographed for universities, professional organizations, and ballet companies throughout the United States. She has also created original works for Empire State Ballet, Youth Ballet Colorado, Eugene Youth Ballet, Boulder Ballet, University of Colorado, Boulder, University of Oregon, The UO-Repertory Dance Company, and most recently the Montana Ballet Company. Ms. Stoddart served as a professor of dance at the University of Oregon from 1998 – 2008. Additionally, Amy has presented and published her scholarly research.
Ms. Stoddart holds a BA in ballet from Mercyhurst College, an MFA in dance performance and choreography from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and is a STOTT Pilates Certified Instructor. She has trained at professional organizations such as Boston Ballet, Cincinnati Conservatory, and was a full-scholarship student at Tulsa Ballet Theatre and the David Howard Dance Center in New York City.
Ms. Stoddart has actively choreographed for universities, professional organizations, and ballet companies throughout the United States. She has also created original works for Empire State Ballet, Youth Ballet Colorado, Eugene Youth Ballet, Boulder Ballet, University of Colorado, Boulder, University of Oregon, The UO-Repertory Dance Company, and most recently the Montana Ballet Company. Ms. Stoddart served as a professor of dance at the University of Oregon from 1998 – 2008. Additionally, Amy has presented and published her scholarly research.
Caitlyn Ross, Principal Dancer
Caitlin has been dancing for 16 years and is now 18. When she turned 13, she spent the summer with the Eglevsky Ballet Academy in New York, as well as a summer with American Ballet Theater in Detroit when she was 14. The following year she attended Austria's Salzburg International Ballet Academy and fell in love with the neo-classical and modern styles of dance, having already fostered a love for jazz, hip hop, belly dance, and choreographing, since the age of 7.
After the summer program, she toured with the company, Salzburg Ballet Theater. On tour, she danced in the Tchaikovsky Ballet as well as Carmen, under the direction of Peter Bruer. In 2009 Caitlyn was the principal dancer in Amy Stoddart's contemporary production, Pulse. She graduated from Belgrade high school in 2009 and danced in her eleventh Nutcracker with the Montana Ballet Company. She currently still lives in Bozeman, Montana and will be spending the year auditioning for major dance companies; Caitlyn hopes to one day choreograph as well as dance in a neo-classical company.
“To dance a piece so ambiguous and beautiful as "The First Day," is an honor. It's a new realm of the dance/multi-media world I have yet to experience and I cannot wait to become the woman in the cell, on stage.”
After the summer program, she toured with the company, Salzburg Ballet Theater. On tour, she danced in the Tchaikovsky Ballet as well as Carmen, under the direction of Peter Bruer. In 2009 Caitlyn was the principal dancer in Amy Stoddart's contemporary production, Pulse. She graduated from Belgrade high school in 2009 and danced in her eleventh Nutcracker with the Montana Ballet Company. She currently still lives in Bozeman, Montana and will be spending the year auditioning for major dance companies; Caitlyn hopes to one day choreograph as well as dance in a neo-classical company.
“To dance a piece so ambiguous and beautiful as "The First Day," is an honor. It's a new realm of the dance/multi-media world I have yet to experience and I cannot wait to become the woman in the cell, on stage.”
Katie O'Neill
Katie Riley-O'Neill is the managing director and choreographer for the Montana Ballet Company. Katie has taught and performed all forms of dance for over fifteen years throughout the western United States. She served as the dance choreographer and costume designer for the Douglas County Children’s Theatre, was head instructor at The Dance Workshop Performing Arts Center,a guest artist at the Pinkerton Ballet Academy, and teacher at Dance Spirit. Katie studied dance pedagogy at The University of Montana, Rhee Gold’s Dance Teachers of America Intensive, New York Dance Alliance Programs in Sacramento, CA and Dance Masters of America in North Carolina. Her numerous accolades include choreography awards, Miss USA Dance Classic 1995 representing Billings, MT and the outstanding technical skill award at the national Spotlight competition in Las Vegas, NV. She was awarded many scholarships as a student including the MDAA scholarship to the Lou Conte School of Dance, home of the Hubbard Street Dance Company in Chicago, the Alvin Ailey School of Dance in New York and the Dupree Dance Workshops “Dance Down Under” tour of Australia.
"To be asked to be a consultant for this multi faceted project with these brilliant artists is a true honor. My experience with past collaborations have been extreemly rewarding but working with this stunning team of professionals will be the pinacle. The spirit, creativity and excitement that I've witnessed thus far is spellbinding and I can't wait to share it with the Bozeman community."
"To be asked to be a consultant for this multi faceted project with these brilliant artists is a true honor. My experience with past collaborations have been extreemly rewarding but working with this stunning team of professionals will be the pinacle. The spirit, creativity and excitement that I've witnessed thus far is spellbinding and I can't wait to share it with the Bozeman community."
Charles Leonard, Set Designer, Illustrator
As a third generation artist Charles Leonard began drawing and painting at an early age. He completed a formal art education from the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design where he majored in drawing and received a BFA with honors in 1995. Upon graduating Charles traveled throughout Europe absorbing the great masters of Western Art.
The search for new experiences lead Charles to California where he became proficient in multiple craft trades, all the while continuing his fine art practice. In 2000 he began working as a scenic for television and movie productions in Los Angeles and soon moved on to the craft of decorative painting. Charles has worked as a decorative artist for nine years, four in Los Angeles and five in New York City - where he now maintains a studio in Brooklyn NY for creating both fine art and decorative painting.
"I’m honored to contribute to this project. As a painter it is a rare opportunity to step outside my shell and merge energies with other noble artistic disciplines."
The search for new experiences lead Charles to California where he became proficient in multiple craft trades, all the while continuing his fine art practice. In 2000 he began working as a scenic for television and movie productions in Los Angeles and soon moved on to the craft of decorative painting. Charles has worked as a decorative artist for nine years, four in Los Angeles and five in New York City - where he now maintains a studio in Brooklyn NY for creating both fine art and decorative painting.
"I’m honored to contribute to this project. As a painter it is a rare opportunity to step outside my shell and merge energies with other noble artistic disciplines."
Sara Shier multi-media editor
Sara Shier has been working as a freelance editor for the past eight years and founded her production company, 45 North Films, in 2007 with her husband, John. In that time she has edited many documentaries, natural history films, public service announcements, promotional videos and experimental films. She has also served as a consultant on numerous projects. Her work has aired on PBS stations across the United States through American Public Television, on Montana PBS and on local networks in Montana, Wyoming and Idaho, as well as being podcast on the web. Many of the projects she has worked on have won awards including several Telly Awards, a Golden CineEagle and a student Emmy, among others. Most recently, Frog, Chemical, Water, You won the Best Newcomer Award at the International Wildlife Film Festival and Best Non-Broadcast at the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival. Her film, Grizzly (co-producer/editor), was an official selection of the American Conservation Film Festival and is being aired in seventeen countries around the world and will air on the Smithsonian Channel in the United States. First Day is her fourth collaboration with Jennifer Grace.
“I am very excited to be a part of this project. It is my fourth collaboration with Jen and she has put together a stellar team, yet again. It is great to have the opportunity to work with such creative people on a multi-media project of this scale right here in Montana.”
“I am very excited to be a part of this project. It is my fourth collaboration with Jen and she has put together a stellar team, yet again. It is great to have the opportunity to work with such creative people on a multi-media project of this scale right here in Montana.”
Mike Weix Technical Director
Mike Weix is an artist and performer interested in perception and intention, expectation and chance. Mike studied first at Montana State University and then as a graduate student, at University of California San Diego where he had the good pleasure of working with the likes of Alan Kaprow, and both David and Elenore Antin.
Mike has performed and currated performance art as part of Wild Child Productions a downtown San Diego performance art gallery between 1990 and 1993. Mike has also been part of performance projects in New York City where he lived between 1993 and 1996. Mike Weix is perhaps best known for his wonderful paintings and art projects, and for his contributions as a musician to the Band Universal Triumphant (B.U.T.).Mike is the Manager and Technical Director of The Emerson’s, Crawford Theater in Bozeman MT, where he lives with his cat.
Mike has performed and currated performance art as part of Wild Child Productions a downtown San Diego performance art gallery between 1990 and 1993. Mike has also been part of performance projects in New York City where he lived between 1993 and 1996. Mike Weix is perhaps best known for his wonderful paintings and art projects, and for his contributions as a musician to the Band Universal Triumphant (B.U.T.).Mike is the Manager and Technical Director of The Emerson’s, Crawford Theater in Bozeman MT, where he lives with his cat.