The Pittsfield-based Bossov Ballet Theatre is undergoing changes with artistic director Andrei Bossov’s return to Russia in August and the retirement of executive director Michael Wyley.
But the nonprofit ballet company and school at Maine Central Institute will continue to offer world-class instruction and performances, according to Bossov officials.
Additional Photos
Until August, Bossov Ballet was a separate entity from MCI; but now it is a program of the school and continues to work closely with the Waterville Opera House, where many of its performances are held.
“It’s an exciting new chapter in the extraordinary, pre-professional ballet program,” MCI Headmaster Christopher Hopkins said.
Key to continuing the high quality of Bossov’s work is the appointment of Natalya Nikolaevna Getman as the ballet’s new director, according to Hopkins. Getman was Bossov’s assistant artistic director for 12 years.
“She is a perfect mix of honoring the tradition of classical Russian ballet – in particular, the Vaganova technique – blended with an understanding of what today’s ballet dancers need to be successful in professional companies,” Hopkins said.
Getman, an accomplished dancer, performed with the Moscow Ballet in more than 40 cities around the world before joining Bossov in 2001.
She also has produced and choreographed many shows at Waterville Opera House.
Bossov includes children ages 6-13, some of whom live in the school district towns of Pittsfield, Burnham and Detroit, according to Hopkins. High school students also are enrolled in the ballet, including those from MCI, which is a private academy that accepts boarding students from around the world and also is contracted by the three-town district as its high school.
The program is based in Founders Hall on the MCI campus. With the recent changes, the six-week summer program will consist of two one-week sessions and one four-week session instead of the former one-week session and five-week session, according to Hopkins.
Bossov is rehearsing for its annual performance of “The Nutcracker” at Waterville Opera House. Getman said audiences will see a full-length ballet Dec. 13-15 with many changes from previous years aimed at enhancing the magic of Christmas.
Opera House Executive Director Diane Bryan said Getman’s moving into the artistic director’s role was a natural progression.
“From my point of view, we’re continuing our collaboration with Bossov Ballet Theatre as usual, but it’s kind of added a nice piece to it. We’re working with MCI as well,” Bryan said.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
Success. Please wait for the page to reload. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page.
Enter your email and password to access comments.
Hi, to comment on stories you must . This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login.
Already have a commenting profile? .
Invalid username/password.
Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.
Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.
Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.