Ballet Nouveau Colorado Closes Tenth Anniversary Season with Garrett Ammon’s Rock Ballets

Jenn Cohen | April 1, 2012 | 0 Comments

by Tim Wenger

Ballet Nouveau Colorado is getting ready to launch their new production, Garrett Ammon’s Rock Ballets, We Will Rock You, at the Performing Arts Complex at PCS April 13-15. The full performance will include three different dances, each themed after the music of a different rock band. INXS, Queen, and David Bowie are the featured groups, with a full ballet being performed to the music of each. Colorado Music Buzz got the opportunity to catch a rehearsal of the performance as well as get in a few words with choreographer Garrett Ammon.

The work itself is far from what a mainstream stereotype of ballet might be. The dancers work every day with Garret and his wife Dawn to perfect the routine, the mistakes they are working so diligently on correcting appear so minute that the untrained eye would not even notice. Each of the three ballets that will be performed, represent the music in a different way, with dancers hoping to bring the emotion of the music to life. “It is kind of like ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ on steroids,” says Ashley Burns, communications manager for BNC. “It is really exciting to see how this show has the potential of turning the word ballet on its head, and breaking down stereotypes. Garrett’s style is what the future of dance needs to stay relevant.”

“Every new work is a different beast,” says Ammon, whose company just finished up their previous work, Love in the Digital Age, over Valentine’s Day. “When I start to choreograph, the first thing I do is spend time listening to music, searching out music, and figuring out what I want to do. I am a very music-driven choreographer.” He lets his crew of dancers use their own personalities to play a large role in creating the steps for each ballet. “I don’t create any steps before I come into the studio,” he says.

Ammon and his wife, Dawn, have been working together since they met in Memphis, TN. Both had been dancing professionally for several years, and Ammon’s interest began leaning heavily towards getting into choreography. When the opportunity arose for a position with Ballet Nouveau, they jumped at the opportunity. “From the very beginning, we knew that our life was meant to move forward together,” he says. “We both agreed that we wanted to continue in the dance field, and we wanted to work with a consistent group of dancers.” They have now been here in Colorado for five seasons.

“[Rock Ballets] is our most requested show,” says Ammond. They have not performed it since 2008. “We didn’t want to bring it back too fast, but people are really excited to see it again. Ticket sales are going crazy.”

Check out Garret Ammon’s Rock Ballets at the Performing Arts Complex at PCS, 1001 W. 84^th Ave. Tickets are available online at www.bncdance.com or 303-466-5685.