San Francisco Ballet Artist Spotlight

Principal dancer Nicolas Blanc was born in Montauban, France. His training included work at Paris Opera Ballet School, and before joining San Francisco Ballet as a soloist in 2003 he danced with Zurich Ballet, among other companies. He was promoted to principal dancer in 2004, after just one year with San Francisco Ballet. Blanc has danced principal roles in Balanchine's Symphony in C and The Four Temperaments, and created roles in a number of works including Tomasson's 7 for Eight and Blue Rose as well as Possokhov's Study in Motion and Wheeldon's Quaternary. Here he talks about the ballet's 75th Anniversary Season, his interest in choreography, and his dreams for the future.

Principal dancer Nicolas Blanc was born in Montauban, France. His training included work at Paris Opera Ballet School, and before joining San Francisco Ballet as a soloist in 2003 he danced with Zurich Ballet, among other companies. He was promoted to principal dancer in 2004, after just one year with San Francisco Ballet. Blanc has danced principal roles in Balanchine's Symphony in C and The Four Temperaments, and created roles in a number of works including Tomasson's 7 for Eight and Blue Rose as well as Possokhov's Study in Motion and Wheeldon's Quaternary. Here he talks about the ballet's 75th Anniversary Season, his interest in choreography, and his dreams for the future.

Maria Kochetkova joined San Francisco Ballet as a principal dancer in 2007. She trained at the Bolshoi School in Moscow and danced with The Royal Ballet, English National Ballet, and the Russian State Ballet as a guest artist before joining the Company. The many honors Ms. Kochetkova has received include a gold medal at the International Ballet Competition in Seoul, Korea, in 2005 and a gold medal at the International Ballet Competition of Luxembourg, 2003, and she was a winner of the Prix de Lausanne, 2002. Here she talks about the transition to San Francisco and how her background shaped the dancer she is today.

Maria Kochetkova joined San Francisco Ballet as a principal dancer in 2007. She trained at the Bolshoi School in Moscow and danced with The Royal Ballet, English National Ballet, and the Russian State Ballet as a guest artist before joining the Company. The many honors Ms. Kochetkova has received include a gold medal at the International Ballet Competition in Seoul, Korea, in 2005 and a gold medal at the International Ballet Competition of Luxembourg, 2003, and she was a winner of the Prix de Lausanne, 2002. Here she talks about the transition to San Francisco and how her background shaped the dancer she is today.

Vilanoba talks about his training at the prestigious Paris Opéra Ballet School, his challenging new role as an academic student, and the works he’s most looking forward to in the upcoming 75th Anniversary Season.

Vilanoba talks about his training at the prestigious Paris Opéra Ballet School, his challenging new role as an academic student, and the works he’s most looking forward to in the upcoming 75th Anniversary Season.

Julianne Kepley recently joined San Francisco Ballet as a soloist. Raised in Atlanta, she began her career at Atlanta Ballet. After eight years of performing a repertory rich in Balanchine and new works, she danced for the Joffrey Ballet for five years. In the following Artist Spotlight, Kepley discusses her early influences and her reasons for joining San Francisco Ballet.

San Francisco Ballet soloist James Sofranko was born in Marion, Indiana, and grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio. He trained at institutions such as Pacific Northwest Ballet and Houston Ballet Academy, and earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Juilliard School in 2000. That same year, he joined San Francisco Ballet as a member of the corps de ballet. He danced a number of prominent roles during the 2007 Repertory Season, in works such as Lar Lubovitch's Elemental Brubeck and Jerome Robbins' Fancy Free, and subsequently was promoted to the rank of soloist.

San Francisco Ballet soloist James Sofranko was born in Marion, Indiana, and grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio. He trained at institutions such as Pacific Northwest Ballet and Houston Ballet Academy, and earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Juilliard School in 2000. That same year, he joined San Francisco Ballet as a member of the corps de ballet. He danced a number of prominent roles during the 2007 Repertory Season, in works such as Lar Lubovitch's Elemental Brubeck and Jerome Robbins' Fancy Free, and subsequently was promoted to the rank of soloist.

Born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Vanessa Zahorian trained at the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and with the Kirov Academy prior to joining Sanc Francisco Ballet in 1997. She quickly rose through the ranks and was promoted to soloist in 1999 and then became a principal in 2002. Vanessa has dazzled audiences in a variety of works, including Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty, the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Snow Queen in Nutcracker, Myrtha in Giselle, and most recently, Kitri in Don Quixote.

Born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Vanessa Zahorian trained at the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and with the Kirov Academy prior to joining Sanc Francisco Ballet in 1997. She quickly rose through the ranks and was promoted to soloist in 1999 and then became a principal in 2002. Vanessa has dazzled audiences in a variety of works, including Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty, the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Snow Queen in Nutcracker, Myrtha in Giselle, and most recently, Kitri in Don Quixote.

Born and raised in the Baltic Republic of Estonia, Helimets danced with Estonian National Ballet and Britain’s Birmingham Royal Ballet. In July 2005, he joined San Francisco Ballet. Helimets has quickly caught the attention of dance critics and audiences alike. In the following interview, he discusses his history with dancing, highlights from his career, and his life in San Francisco.

Born and raised in the Baltic Republic of Estonia, Helimets danced with Estonian National Ballet and Britain’s Birmingham Royal Ballet. In July 2005, he joined San Francisco Ballet. Helimets has quickly caught the attention of dance critics and audiences alike. In the following interview, he discusses his history with dancing, highlights from his career, and his life in San Francisco.

Born in Bangkok, Thailand, Nutnaree Pipit-Suksun joined SF Ballet as a soloist in 2004. She quickly took on lead roles in a variety of works, including Myrtha in Giselle and the pas de deux from Bintley’s The Dance House. She has been praised by critics for her musicality, long fluid lines, and captivating stage presence. In the following interview, Pipit-Suksun talks about leaving her native Thailand, making the jump from ballet student to soloist, and her hidden musical talent.

Born in Bangkok, Thailand, Nutnaree Pipit-Suksun joined SF Ballet as a soloist in 2004. She quickly took on lead roles in a variety of works, including Myrtha in Giselle and the pas de deux from Bintley’s The Dance House. She has been praised by critics for her musicality, long fluid lines, and captivating stage presence. In the following interview, Pipit-Suksun talks about leaving her native Thailand, making the jump from ballet student to soloist, and her hidden musical talent.