By Mark Ambrogi
Ballerina Leah Danek lets her movement speak volumes.
of Jenny D Photography)
“When I dance I feel a freedom and I feel I can express myself without using words,” Danek said.
Danek, 13, will perform at the Indianapolis City Ballet’s eighth annual Evening with the Stars at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 12 at the Murat Theater at the Old National Center.
Dankek, a homeschooled eighth grader from Carmel, has been dancing for nine years and has been a member of Ballet Theatre of Carmel for more than six years.
“I’m so thankful for Indianapolis City Ballet for giving me this opportunity,” Danek said. “I’m so excited to dance in front of a large audience and to meet all the dancers I’ve looked up to.”
Danek participated in the gala last year and has participated in its master classes.
Danek will dance in a piece called “Dulcinea Variation.”
“I have private lessons with my teachers every week to prepare,” Danek said.
Evening with the Stars features artists from ballet companies from around the world, including Tiler Peck, Robert Fairchild, Iana Salenko, Daniil Simkin, Sofiane Sylve and Ron “Prime Tyme” Miles. Rising stars Gisele Bethea and Aran Bell will perform a premiere by Cherylyn Lavagnino.
“It’s an international performance with all different stars of dance,” said Carmel resident Rainesford Stauffer, ICB’s director of public relations and Evening with the Stars project manager. “A lot of the money that is produced from ticket sales goes tp Indianapolis City Ballet’s educational programs for young dancers.”
Tickets range from $35 to $75 for general reserved seating. Tickets can be purchased by visiting indianapoliscityballet.org or ticketmaster.com. Discounts are available for schools, studios, and groups.
Special VIP tickets range from $250 to $1,500, which includes a post-performance event with dinner, live music and dancing with the dancers. Tickets are available directly from ICB. For more, visit IndianapolisCityBallet.org.
