Archive for NOE
November 6, 2008 at 1:07 am · Filed under dance, life, NOE, noelani pantastico, les ballets de monte carlo, Barack Obama
The recent election results make me smile as I see immediate change, not only in the US, but in the world. It’s obvious that this election is already spurring an obvious change in the states, but I was amazed to hear today from many of my new colleagues and Director, how pleased they were with the results too. Keeping in mind that most of my new colleagues are not Americans either (Les ballets de Monte-Carlo has dancers from about 16 different Countries, and only 3 of the 46 are Americans). Like me, they were happy about the news this morning, and it made me wonder why. I came to the conclusion that it was that word that we’ve been hearing a lot today in the media — HOPE. We all have pipe dreams, and I’m betting that this historic event made people of the world feel hopeful without even realizing it. Change is possible. Dreams do come true. Hope is alive. And as I listened to the President Obama’s first speech, and heard the crowd cheering “Yes We Can”, I thought about my life here in France, dancing with Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo, and I realized the words hope, belief, and trust, resonate, having played an important role in my life these past couple years of my career. I guess what I’m trying to say is, if you have aspirations, even ones that seem so much larger than life, just go for it. Yes you can! Obama did, and so did America!!!
I guess I should catch you up on my latest ventures because its been a while. If I go back to where I left off in my last post, I had just finished my gig with Ballet Hawaii. Well, I am very far from Hawaii now, but luckily in a beautiful place that has palm trees as well 
After Hawaii I had a brief visit in Seattle to tie up some loose ends, say goodbye to dear friends, pick up my husband and dog, and pack up our car. My husband & I decided to drive across the US before our departure to France, to get a real close look at America and its beauty. We stopped to see family along the way, and then ended our journey in PA, where my parents reside. It all went so fast, and still seems like a blur, and before we knew it Brady & I were on our way to France in big jumbo jet. Our first month in France was full of stressful things like, getting visa stuff situated (because we are aliens here!), getting into our new apartment, hooking up phones & internet, and getting a skooter! You know…all that grown-up stuff 
But we also have been taking advantage of the beauty that surrounds us by taking the train to Italy & Nice when time permits. Life is good, and the very reason we made this move is good too - Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo..
Me enjoying a stroll near the ocean in Ventimiglia, Italy
Ballets de Monte-Carlo’s very own charter jet to Slovenia!
Fooling around on my way to the theater in Slovenia - stretch that supporting leg Noe! …haha..
Since the BMC season has started we’ve worked on 5 different ballets, 3 of which are Maillot’s full lengths. Nicolo Fonte was here starting a new creation, and Forsythe’s, In the Middle, somewhat Elevated was set as well, by Glenn Tuggle. I should also mention that BMC was in production filming Jean-Christophe Maillot’s, La Songe for DVD, and we’ve also toured to Slovenia, and are now gearing up to go to Spain in a couple of weeks. My mind is wrapping around this new life that surrounds me, and also all the new material I am gathering at work. It’s been so much fun, and everyday is a lesson in something! It’s been pretty wild & I sometimes wish I could go in slow motion - life just seems to get faster and faster! I will definitely try to keep up with posts now that I have internet & am starting to feel settled in with life here. That’s all for now. Thanks for reading, xo Noe — GO OBAMA!
Recent Posts by noelani pantastico
August 21, 2008 at 8:23 am · Filed under dance, angela sterling, gigs, NOE, noelani pantastico, les ballets de monte carlo
Well, I’m currently in Seattle for the moment & I thought I would try to do a quick post before we pack everything up and travel abroad! My husband & I are in the midst of boxes & our home looks like a tornado has hit it!! I’ll save you the trouble of seeing it & just post pics from my last month or so. My last weeks in July were filled with such immense pleasure that’s hard to describe in words. I was fortunate to be able to perform with Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo during the run of their second program, Romeo et Juliette. Like I mentioned before, Les Nuits De La Danse was outside on the terrace of the Casino, but I didn’t realize how extreme it would feel till I was out in it myself. At first it was very noticeable (like during my warm-up back stage), but in certain scenes, it felt as though I was really in Juliette’s bedroom - truly an intimate setting, and then for the balcony pas de deux, being outside made the scene all the more genuine! I guess as dancers we are in control of what we feel in the space… Here is a picture of BMC dancers warming up for the first program on the terrace.
The very next day after this dress rehearsal pictured above, the company sat in front of the television at the studio and reviewed notes & spacing, pointing out things that could be tweeked or fixed. This is something that was new to me, but I enjoyed watching the collective processing & the visual that they had in front of them. I didn’t want to disrupt rehearsals by using the flash on my camera, so I turned it off, which in turn made for a blurry picture! - Sorry!
Jean-Christophe’s Romeo et Juliette holds a very special place in my heart, so to revisit it was a dream. The rawness of this special version of the story comes through with it’s intentions while you’re watching, but dancing it, is also like living it (and the choreography provides for this). I had many thought-provoking rehearsals yet again since the first time it was set at PNB, but this time I was on BMC soil, and it felt like a new experience for me altogether. I can’t wait to revisit it again! Here are some images that photographer, Angela Sterling captured in rehearsals. These photographs are copyrighted.
One of my favorites…
And the final bows after the 200th show of Romeo et Juliette - This was a very special night to be in the audience.
Like all good things, the BMC season ended, but with it were inspiring & thoughtful performances of Jean-Christophe Maillot’s Altro Canto I & II. I hadn’t seen either piece, but was in awe of his completed masterpiece. Many said he would most likely continue to re-work, or modify Altro Canto II, but I was so happy to see the process from beginning to end, of what was to what is now. I can’t wait to gain more exposure to these works!
After the season ended I was whisked back to America to enjoy some down time with family & start rehearsals for Giselle for Ballet Hawaii. I was able to rehearse peasant pas de deux at my old stomping ground, the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. My partner for peasant pas was Jonathan Stafford, Principal dancer with NYCB. Jon & I hadn’t danced together in over ten years, so it was really wonderful to be able to work together again. Jon’s partnering was much like before - easy and comfortable, and I felt at ease and very taken care of. It felt like home Hopefully it won’t take another ten years for us to dance together again!!
Here is a group picture of the cast from my Ballet Hawaii gig. Among the cast were Emily Ellis, Savannah Lowery, Tiler Peck, Jonathan Stafford, John Selya and Joaquin de Luz. It’s always a blast to meet other dancers on common ground & this group was a fun one. I only wish our time together would have been a little longer.
So now I have 3 more days here in Seattle, and I am making the most of it by taking class with my old colleagues, visiting with friends, going to our favorite restaurants, and then attending farewell dinners & parties this final weekend. As we pack up our belongings I remember the past & look to the future. More soon - xoxo!
Recent Posts by noelani pantastico
July 16, 2008 at 7:42 pm · Filed under dance, life, NOE, les ballets de monte carlo, les ballets des monte-carlo
For one reason or another I am not comfortable yet taking pictures of the dance here in Monte-Carlo, so pictures of the beautiful South and other images that show some of my European experiences will have to suffice.
This is a view from Roquebrune Village. On my last visit to the Cote D’Azur, I went to Eze Village, which lies on the other side of Monaco. It’s amazing to see these little tucked away communities, where people live. Looking at the architecture, it’s as though the castles and structures grew from the rock. Maybe this is to preserve the nature surrounding it. I should also note that I had the best lemon meringue tart of my life here!
Euro vs. Dollar - As I was organizing my wallet (yet again), I realized that I have to get rid of my US dollars & change. My euros have set up camp. As you can imagine, things are a little more expensive here if you are comparing the two constantly. I had a friend give me sound advice - Just think in euros now!
The beauty of the Casino at night.
..and what was happening behind the Casino, on the Terrace… Dancer, Stephan Bourgand in Marco Goecke’s piece, Whiteout
A lot of the ballets done here have “pancaked” pointe shoes. I’ve never had to do it before, but I had some good pointers on what exactly to use, and how it’s done. It’s just regular Kiwi brand shoe polish - white & brown mixed together. It was difficult for me to mix the right shade before applying. The pair on the left turned out a bit lighter, but I think it’s pretty close to my shade. Hopefully I’ll get better at this with time..
More soon! Bye for now..
Recent Posts by noelani pantastico
July 8, 2008 at 6:59 am · Filed under dance, NOE, les ballets de monte carlo
Here in Monte Carlo we are preparing for Les Nuits De La Dance. There are three programs and three choreographers for the shows on the Terrace of the Casino. The first program has choreographers, Johan Inger, Marco Goecke, and Jean-Christophe Maillot. The second program is Maillot’s Romeo et Juliette, which PNB premiered in Seattle this past season. And the third program is Altro Canto - Part 1 & 2. Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo performed Part 1 in San Francisco earlier this year, and is currently in “creation” for part 2. I am so thrilled and excited to see all programs!!!! Here are some pictures that I’ve taken in the past week.
This is studio 1 @ Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo. They can utilize this space for shows as well. And during creation they can visualize what will be on stage with the use of sets and things of that nature. I was sitting in the studio before a rehearsal started and the surroundings inspired me. It’s like a blank slate for creation.
Last night I went to the Cafe de Paris, which is adjacent to the Casino, with some new friends. I was told to go here by several people. We sat spoke about life and dance, and just enjoyed the scenery. If you ever go to Monte-Carlo, this is a place you should definitely visit.
This is right behind the Casino (the terrace), where they are already setting up the stage for Les Nuits De La Dance!!
This is actually what the dancers look at during the perfomances. It is the back of the Casino, but could easily look like the front because of it’s beauty!! More to come soon - there are adventures around every corner!
Recent Posts by noelani pantastico
July 2, 2008 at 11:20 pm · Filed under dance, dance event, NOE, les ballets de monte carlo
Hello Wingers! I’ve had such amazing adventures over the past month, and more recently, I made my way to Monte-Carlo! I won’t write much now because it is late here, but here are some pictures from my first days in the South of France!
This is the view from the plane
The Casino, where we will perform on the terrace later this month - Beautiful!!
And last, but definitely not the least, and ad for Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo. This one happened to be in a garage full of skooters (which I loved), but they can be seen all over the city.
More soon! xo
Recent Posts by noelani pantastico
June 20, 2008 at 6:54 pm · Filed under ballet, dance, kennedy center, pacific northwest ballet, life, festival, NOE
My last few weeks at PNB were exciting and emotional, as expected. What’s so incredible about the past season is the rep that the dancers acquired, and the people that came along with it. I’ve never had a season so demanding and fulfilling. To end the 2007-2008 season we had a gala performance called 8 Encores. It’s quite a ride to put together an evening full of works from the past season, but what a great way to celebrate works new to PNB, and its dancers. Heck, what a great way to celebrate the dancers! Anyhow, it was nice for me to be able to look back and see har far we’ve come.
PNB dancers in rehearsal for Ulysses Dove’s Vespers.
In my very last week of work I was fortunate enough to perform at the Kennedy Center, and be a part of “Ballet Across America”. I realized during class the first day that my journey with PNB had come full circle. The very room where I had my last class with Peter Boal in the Kennedy Center, was the very same room where I did my first audition for PNB, when I was 13. I began and ended my journey with PNB in that studio. Strange!! The wrting was literally on the wall in the studio!
Septime Webre, Director of Washington Ballet taught our last class. Pictured are dancers from Kansas City Ballet, Washington Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet.
Another season has come and gone at Pacific Northwest Ballet. What’s hard to believe is that I won’t be returning. It’s difficult to speak openly about my new venture in Monte-Carlo, because I find that people don’t quite understand what’s really going on, or they question my move. Most think something went wrong, be it my marriage or work at PNB. That’s not the case at all, and I guess I should just set the record straight. To put it simply, I want to try something new, and I have been fortunate enough to find new inspiration. I think there is a time in every person’s life where you have to make bold moves. I truly believe that you can’t get anywhere unless risks are taken. It was Mark Twain who said, “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” That said, I do still want to reflect on my years at PNB. I think what stands out the most in my mind is the sense of belonging and community that I had at PNB. Great things happen with team work and support. And quite honestly, one can’t do it alone. There was always a wonderful, collective energy from my colleagues. The picture below is one of the many group shots taken in one of my last weeks of work at PNB. Although it’s a scan of the photo, Angela Sterling should be credited for capturing a moment that we’ll never get back. Thank you Angela, and of course, thank you PNB.
Recent Posts by noelani pantastico
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