HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-17-18-16/Arts Grant/Indiana Ballet ConservatoryRESOLUTION NO. BPW 01-17-18-16
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF CARMEL BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY
ACKNOWLEDGING ARTS GRANT
WHEREAS, pursuant to Indiana Code 36-1-4-7, the City of Carmel, Indiana ("City"), is authorized to
enter into contracts; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Indiana Code 36-4-5-3, the City's mayor may enter into contracts on behalf of the
City; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to his authority under Indiana law, the City's mayor, the Honorable James C.
Brainard, has caused to be signed the Arts Grant attached hereto as Exhibit A (the "Contract"); and
WHEREAS, Mayor Brainard now wishes to present the contract to the City's Board of Public Works and
Safety for it to be publicly acknowledged, filed in the Clerk -Treasurer's Office, and made available to the public for
review.
follows:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City of Carmel Board of Public Works and Safety as
1. The foregoing Recitals are incorporated herein by this reference.
2. The receipt of the Contract is hereby acknowledged.
3. The Contract shall be promptly filed in the office of the Clerk -Treasurer and thereafter made available to
the public for review.
SO RESOLVED this _ day of vAW , 2018.
CITY OF CARMEL, INDIANA
By and through its Board of Public Works and Safety
BY:
James Brainard, Presiding Officer
AT
44
C ristine Pauley, C k-Treas rer p�
Date: 111-7 l/D
SAE Bass\My Documents\BPW-Resolulions\2017\Ackrawledge Arts Grant VOCE•dOCXt/9/201811.52 AM
ARTS GRANT PROGRAM
AGREEMENT
This Grant Agreement (herein referred to as "Agreement") entered into by and between the City
of Carmel (the "City") and I tirD i k-0 k 9 C -.,o N► _-5kc- k --FZ ;-,� (the
"Grantee"), is executed pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth herein. In consideration of
those mutual undertakings and covenants, the parties agree as follows:
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1. That on behalf of Grantee, a not-for-profit corporation, 1, 1.)% Loo;: -mu S ,
an authorized representative of Grantee, have applied for a City of Carmel
("Grantor") Arts Grant, said application attached hereto and made a part hereof as
Exhibit "A."
2. Grant Agreement. The City, after review and recommendation by the Mayor and by
the City Council, agrees to grant $ 2 0 , 0 0 0.0 0 to the Grantee for
the eligible costs of the project (the "Project") or services as described in Exhibits
"A" and "B" of this Agreement. The funds shall be used exclusively in accordance
with the provisions contained in this Agreement.
3. Design and Implementation of Project. The Grantee agrees to use any and all grant
funds in accordance with the proposal contained within this agreement and any
documents attached to this Agreement, which are incorporated by reference.
4. Warranty of non-profit status. Grantee hereby represents and warrants that it is a
not-for-profit entity with a determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service
declaring that it is exempt from Federal income tax.
5. Payment of Grant Funds by the City. The payment of this Grant by the City to the
Grantee shall be made in accordance with the following conditions:
A. This Agreement must be fully executed and signed by both Grantee and Grantor.
B. Grantee has attached all the following information, which it represents and warrants
to be true and accurate, all which have been incorporated fully by reference:
An application and description of the proposed use of the grant funds (EXHIBIT
A);
2. A budget for the calendar or fiscal year for which the grant is requested
(EXHIBIT B);
3. Certified copies of incorporation as a not-for-profit corporation under state law
(EXHIBIT C);
4. A not-for-profit application or determination letter from the U.S. Internal Revenue
Service identifying that it is a not-for-profit corporation that is exempt from
Federal income tax (EXHIBIT D);
5. Any audits, reviews or compilations available describing the financial condition
of the Grantee, including most recent available IRS Form 990, and the attached
Affidavit (EXHIBIT E);
6. A list of the Grantee's board of directors and officers listed (EXHIBIT F);
7. A Year End Report from the previous year IF Grantee received an Arts Grant
from the City of Carmel in the previous calendar year, pursuant to paragraph 8
herein (EXHIBIT G).
C. Any other grant conditions that City requires to be met by Grantee, specifically:
6. Grantor's right to request audit or review. Grantee shall submit to an audit or
review by an independent Certified Public Accountant of funds at the City's request,
and shall make all books, accounting records and other documents available at all
reasonable times during the term of this Grant Agreement, and for a period of three
(3) years after final payment of funds under this Agreement, for the purpose of an
audit by the City of Carmel, the State of Indiana, or their designees.
7. Quarterly financial statements. Grantee agrees to provide the City of Carmel
quarterly financial statements within 45 days after each quarter -end for Grant awards
in excess of sixty thousand dollars ($60,000).
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8. Year-end review. Grantee agrees to provide the City of Carmel a year-end report
("Year End Report") for each year, describing how the grant was used and the impact
of the dollars received. This Grant award may not exceed one third (1/3) of Grantee's
combined contributed income, revenue of sales, and/or ticket revenue from the
previous year. If the Grant amount is in excess of sixty thousand dollars
($60,000.00), the Grantee agrees to provide, at Grantee's cost, a review or audit of the
grantee. Said review or audit shall be performed by a Certified Public Accountant
("CPA") who is neither an employee of Grantee nor a member of the Grantee's Board
of Directors, to be provided to the City of Carmel by March 31 of the following year.
9. Funding Credit. Grantee agrees to credit the City of Carmel in the printed materials
associated with a funded program or project. The City of Carmel will supply, upon
request, Grantee with the graphics/logos necessary for compliance.
10. Statutory Authority of Grantee. The Grantee expressly represents and warrants to
the State that it is statutorily eligible to receive these monies and it expressly agrees to
repay all monies paid to it under this Grant, should a legal determination of its
ineligibility be made by any Court of competent jurisdiction.
11. Use of Grant Funds by Grantee. The funds received by the Grantee pursuant to this
Agreement shall be used only to implement the Project or provide the services in
conformance with the Budget and for no other purpose. If it is determined by the
City that misappropriation of funds have occurred, the Grantee must return all funds
received by Grantor and individuals who misuse Grant funds may also be subject to
civil and/or criminal liability under Indiana or Federal law.
12. Employment Eligibility Verification. The Grantee affirms under the penalties of
perjury that he/she/it does not knowingly employ an unauthorized alien.
The Grantee affirms under the penalties of perjury that he/she/it has enrolled and is
participating in the E -Verify program as defined in IC 22-5-1.7. The Grantee agrees
to provide documentation to the City that he/she/it has enrolled and is participating in
the E -Verify program.
The City may terminate for default if the Grantee fails to cure a breach of this
provision no later than thirty (30) days after being notified by the State.
13. Governing Law; Lawsuits. This Agreement is to be construed in accordance with
and governed by the laws of the State of Indiana, except for its conflict of laws
provisions. The parties agree that, in the event a lawsuit is filed hereunder, they
waive their right to a jury trial, agree to file any such lawsuit in an appropriate court
in Hamilton County, Indiana only, and agree that such court is the appropriate venue
for and has jurisdiction over same.
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14. Relationship of Parties. The relationship of the parties hereto shall be as provided
for in this Agreement, and neither Grantee nor any of its compensated officers,
employees, contractors, subcontractors and/or agents are employees of City. The
Grant amount set forth herein shall be the full and maximum compensation and
monies required of City to be paid to Grantee under or pursuant to his Agreement.
15. Severability. If any term of this Agreement is invalid or unenforceable under any
statute, regulation, ordinance, executive order or other rule of law, such term shall be
deemed reformed or deleted, but only to the extent necessary to comply with same,
and the remaining provision of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
16. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with any exhibits attached hereto or
referenced herein, constitutes the entire agreement between Grantee and City with
respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes all prior oral or written
representations and agreements regarding same. Notwithstanding any other term or
condition set forth herein, but subject to paragraph 15 hereof, to the extent any term
or condition contained in any exhibit attached to this Agreement or in any document
referenced herein conflicts with any term or condition contained in this Agreement,
the term or condition contained in this Agreement shall govern and prevail. This
Agreement may only be modified by written amendment executed by both parties
hereto, or their successors in interest.
IN WITNESS WHEROF, the parties hereto have made and executed this Agreement as follows:
2A14J F ("Grantee")
-
Printed Name of Officer: Title: BQOJ> 1Ll�AQS'Gkj,
Date: 11/1z 1 q
ATTEST:
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CITY O CAR`MI L ("Grantor"
By: l d
James Brainard, Mayor
Date: 23 2-�)C'e-
If you have any question concerning the City of Carmel's 2018 Arts Grant Program, grant writing, guidelines or application materials, contact:
Sharon Kibbe, City of Carmel, One Civic Square, Cannel, IN 46032, Phone: 317-571-2483, skibbe6bcarmel.in.gov.
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Exhibit "A"
An application and description of the
proposed use of the grant funds
Exhibit "A"
An Application and Description of the Proposed Use of the Grant Funds
APPLICANT:
Name of organization: `t-k�1 NIIJ * R>/"—Ljc—T
Address: �? H Cl W C ST CJS-kX, G -1-L-- f --X-3 v C-
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Telephone: 3 19 — Q 8 S- 2 FY(o 8 Fax:
Contact Person: c—k-" lcLl= "k e-oCDCTIV S
Email: C -A-01 LL'C Qil I 13nux�i- C,>J -sctza/�—ty�� , Oy-
APPLICATION AMOUNT: $ q 5) 000
Not to exceed 1/3 of previous year revenuelincome
DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED USE OF THE GRANT FUNDS:
By:
Printed Name of Officer: Q -k --t11 L.C— w u nay s
Title: rlL--;3'l t3xzE 5 4 C --TA- �.3f—S chi JZ_,
Date: `L 1 - 1-7
(Additional pages may be added to Exhibit "A")
N D I A N A BALLET
CONSERVATORY
Honoring Tradition. Inspiring Innovation.
Indiana Ballet Conservatory — 2018 Grant Application — Exhibit A
Indiana Ballet Conservatory is a 501c3 not-for-profit organization situated in Carmel that is
dedicated to supporting and furthering the arts through the teaching of dance and ballet,
producing ballet productions and performances of dance and music including new
choreography created by the Artistic Staff, and engaging in outreach to the artistically
underserved through free performances, workshops and other events.
IBC has three primary and complementary missions:
To provide premiere dance instruction to a growing community of youth through
education of the highest excellence by unparalleled instructional methodology and renowned
instructors;
To provide professional performance opportunities for talented students that will reach
an ever -broadening audience of those who appreciate art in Indiana;
- To connect with the community through free performances and educational
opportunities for everyone including the underserved, the elderly, and those with disabilities or
special needs.
IBC is the only organization in Indianapolis that meets certain specific dance education needs
and it is the only dance school that provides community outreach and free performances to the
extent that it does each year in Indianapolis and Carmel. IBC is the only ballet school in Indiana
that exclusively teaches the Vaganova method of Ballet instruction, which is a unique method
taught at the famed Vaganova Academy in St. Petersburg, Russia and passed down through
graduates of the school, who include IBC faculty. IBC's instructors have qualifications to teach
in this area that are not matched by any other school or instructors in Indianapolis. IBC's
reputation and methodologies have attracted students from numerous states across the United
States and five other countries including Canada, Italy, Australia, Austria, and Japan. IBC, and its
students, competing against other dance schools from Indiana and from across the country in
international competitions such as the Youth America Grand Prix have won numerous awards,
including Outstanding School, Outstanding Teacher, Outstanding Choreographer, 1st place in
Ensembles, and many 1st place awards in other categories. Attached is a copy of IBC's 2017
YAGP achievements. In addition, IBC is the only Indiana dance school that provides each year
hundreds of free tickets to its performances to needy children with economic and medical
challenges, distributed through local charitable organizations including the Ronald McDonald
Page 1 of 3
House, the Children's Bureau, AKA -Rose Petals, Make -A -Wish, and many others. IBC makes a
significant number of appearances throughout Carmel and Indianapolis each year to enrich and
share the arts with the artistically underserved.
This grant will enable IBC to continue providing unparalleled artistic instruction to Indiana
dancers, to continue creating and sharing with the community dance productions of the highest
caliber, and to share art with the artistically underserved throughout Indiana.
Indiana Ballet Conservatory seeks a Grant in the amount of $75,000 to maintain and expand its
arts programs. These funds would be spent in the following way:
- Productions: 27% or $20,250 would be spent to support the costs associated with IBC's
professional ballet productions, and the cost of creating new and innovative productions,
including costs to upgrade or purchase new costumes and sets for IBC's productions. These
funds would enable IBC to continue its efforts to share the beauty of traditional ballets and the
excitement of new and innovative choreography with Indiana audiences, consistent with IBC's
philosophy of "Honoring Tradition & Inspiring Innovation." As was the case during the
2016/2017 Grant Year, IBC would allocate production funds from a Carmel Arts Grant to its
Carmel performances only.
- Scholarships: 13% or $9,750 would be spent to support scholarships for highly talented
students at the Conservatory who are economically -challenged. These funds would enable IBC
to keep very talented students who have developed through the Conservatory's training over
the years and who show professional promise even when such student's family situation makes
it difficult or impossible for them to continue paying tuition. Both the Conservatory and the
student would benefit immensely in such cases by the continuity in training.
Faculty Compensation and General Operating: 40% or $30,000 of the funds would go
towards Faculty Compensation and other operating expenses to enable IBC to continue its
three-part mission including the provision of dance classes and Master Classes in Carmel and
the development of its Carmel productions. IBC's Artistic Faculty is unparalleled anywhere in
the Midwest in the scope of their performance careers, their academic training, and their
results measured by choreography awards and the success of graduates of the Conservatory.
(See Attached Faculty Bios). Notwithstanding their credentials, the small annual budget of IBC
has kept Faculty salaries very low in relation to comparable professionals. These funds would
enable IBC to retain its current quality Faculty which is a critical component of IBC's artistic
value to the Carmel community.
Page 2 of 3
Outreach: 20% or $15,000 would be spent in outreach, by providing access to IBC
performances to children and families in need who are underserved artistically. The funds
would cover the costs of tickets to productions and enable IBC to bring its art to students and
members of the community in Carmel in a variety of venues. These funds would make a
significant contribution to bringing the art of dance to those who might otherwise never have
that introduction. IBC commits to using these funds for its Carmel productions and outreach
to include and encompass Carmel families and children.
Page 3 of 3
IBC 2017 Awards
YAGP International NYC Finals
• Julia Rust — Top 12 Senior Women
• Quinn Starner — Top 12 Pas de Deux
American Dance Competition I International Ballet Competition
• Outstanding Coach, Founding Artistic Director Alyona Yakovleva-Randall
• Quinn Starner — Junior Grand Prix
• Morgan Rust — Senior Gold Medal in Contemporary, Silver Medal in Classical
• Alexandra Manuel — Junior Silver Medals in Classical and Contemporary
• Julia Rust — Senior Bronze Medals in Classical and Contemporary
• Lauren White — Top 25 Senior Classical and Contemporary
YAGP Regional — Indianapolis, Chicago, Boston, Tampa
• Outstanding School
• Outstanding Teacher, Founding Artistic Director Alyona Yakovleva-Randall
• Outstanding Choreographer, Sergey Sergiev
• Senior Grand Prix — Julia Rust
• 1 st Place Ensembles
• 3`d Place Pas de Deux/Duet — Julia Rust and Tanner Frisbey
• 1St Place Senior Classical — Morgan Rust
• 1st Place Senior Classical — Lauren White
• 1St Place Senior Classical — David Wright
• 1St Place Senior Contemporary — David Wright
• 1St Place Junior Classical — Alexandra Manuel
•
1" Place Junior Contemporary — Quinn Starner
• 1St Place Junior Contemporary — Alexandra Manuel
• 2nd Place Senior Contemporary — Katie Reynolds
• 2nd Place Junior Contemporary — Maren Goddard
• 3`d Place Junior Classical — Quinn Starner
• 3`d Place Pre -Competitive Classical - Sam Greene
• 3`d Place Pre -Competitive Contemporary - Justin Hamilton
• Top 12 Senior Classical — Katerina Zakanova, Ricako Suzuki
• Top 12 Senior Contemporary — Lauren White, Morgan Rust, Rebecca Hughey,
Alaina Hogan, Piers Giffin
• Top 24 Senior Classical — Rebecca Hughey
• Top 12 Junior Classical — Jaden Perdue
• Top 12 Junior Contemporary — Jaden Perdue, Tenly DeVoe
• Top 24 Junior Classical — Phoebe Burrell, Kaitlin Casavan, Olivia Green, Samara
Sharp, Maren Goddard
• Top 12 Pre -Competitive Classical — Justin Hamilton, Margaux Manuel, Nina
Manwani, Abigail Kimball
• Top 12 Pre -Competitive Contemporary — Abigail Kimball, Rosa Lee Stephan,
Sam Greene
Universal Ballet Competition
• Quinn Starner — Legacy Award, 1St Place Contemporary, 2"d Place Classical, 1st
Place Duet, 2nd Place Pas de Deux
Alyona Yakovleva-Randall, Founding Artistic Director and Master Teacher &
Coach
Ms. Yakovleva-Randall is a highly degreed, award-winning ballet dancer,
choreographer, teacher, and artistic director. Ms. Yakovleva-Randall began her
training at the Academy of Ballet in Novosibirsk and continued to St. Petersburg
State University of Culture and Art in Russia, graduating in 1999 with a degree
certifying her in Professional Ballet Dance Performance; Choreography; and Ballet,
Character, and Historical Dance Instruction. In the summers of 2006, 2007, and
2010 she completed seminars at the Vaganova Ballet Academy of St. Petersburg,
Russia, on the preservation and uniformity of the Vaganova Method of ballet
instruction.
As a Professor of Performance Arts at Dong Duk's Women's University in Seoul,
Korea, Ms. Yakovleva-Randall performed, taught, and choreographed for such
renowned organizations as Universal Ballet Company, Chong -Dong Theatre and
MadeInDance Company. In 2001, Ms. Yakovleva-Randall began teaching for the
Clara R. Noyes Academy of Ballet Internationale for four years. In 2005, Ms.
Yakovleva-Randall was named Artistic Director of the Russian Ballet Academy of
Indiana (RBAI) and the Indiana Ballet Company. Under her leadership, RBAI won
"Outstanding School" at Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) Regional in 2007, 2009,
and 2010. She was also awarded "Outstanding Teacher" in 2006. Ms. Yakovleva-
Randall, along with a host of business and legal minds, formed Indiana Ballet
Conservatory in 2010.
Ms. Yakovleva-Randall's classical repertoire includes Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, Don
Quixote, Paquita, The Nutcracker, Chopiniana, and La Esmeralda. Her contemporary
repertoire includes extensive choreography by Leonid Jacobsen, of St. Petersburg,
Russia. She also worked with Indra Reinholde of Riga, Latvia - who was
choreographing exclusively for Ms. Yakovleva, Vivaldi's Duet for Violin and Orchestra,
and several others. She also worked with MadelnDance Company, Seoul, Korea, in
the production Floating & Walking. In Indianapolis, Ms. Yakovleva- Randall danced
many leading roles in productions for Gregory Hancock Dance Theater, and for the
Indiana Ballet Company in On Earth We Stand and Love and Gravity (choreography
by Nicholas Owens).
Ms. Yakovleva-Randall has produced the original ballets, Phantom of the Opera—
named one of the "Top Fall Events to See" by the Indianapolis Star in 2008, From
Shakespeare with Love, and Pulse: Dancing to the Beat of our Own Drummer, and has
also choreographed numerous pieces for her students for competition,
performances, and festivals.
Under Ms. Yakovleva-Randall's Directorship, IBC has won "Outstanding School" at
the YAGP Regional in 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017. She has also coached
students who have won top International awards at YAGP- NY, Moscow
International Ballet Competition, ADCJIBC Youth International Ballet Competition,
Indianapolis International Ballet Competition, and the International Ballet
Competition - Varna. She is currently guiding IBC into the future as the school is
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flourishing and gaining worldwide recognition as a premier training ground for
young dancers.
Awards:
2017, 2016, 2014 & 2011 Outstanding School & 1st Place Ensembles,
Indiana Ballet Conservatory, Youth America Grand Prix
2017 Outstanding Coach, ADCJIBC
2017 & 2006 Outstanding Teacher, Youth America Grand Prix
2017 & 2015 3rd Place Pas de Deux, Indiana Ballet Conservatory,
Youth America Grand Prix
2015 & 2013 Outstanding School, Indiana Ballet Conservatory, Youth
America Grand Prix
2016, 2015 & 2014 2nd Place Pas de Deux, Indiana Ballet
Conservatory, Youth America Grand Prix
2010 Outstanding School & 1st Place Ensembles, Russian Ballet
Academy of IN, Youth America Grand Prix
2009 Outstanding School & 1st Place Ensembles, Russian Ballet
Academy of IN, Youth America Grand Prix
2007 Outstanding School & 1st Place Ensembles, Russian Ballet
Academy of IN, Youth America Grand Prix
1999 Grand Ballerina of Russian Conference for Young Scientists and
Specialists
Tatiana Pali, Academy Principal & Ballet Mistress
Ms. Pali is one of only a handful of world-renowned prima ballerinas teaching ballet
full-time in the United States, bringing her talents and set of achievements to a very
fortunate Indiana Ballet Conservatory. Ms. Pali honors IBC and its students by
bringing an incredible history of performance, achievements and awards to IBC's
upper level students.
Ms. Pali achieved stardom as a Prima Ballerina with the Moscow Classical Ballet,
garnering numerous international awards for her performances in Swan Lake, Don
Quixote, Giselle, Romeo & Juliet, The Creation of the World, Paquita, and many
others. She won the Gold Medal at the prestigious International Ballet Competition
in Varna, Bulgaria, received the August Bournonville prize from the Paris Ballet
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Academy, was acclaimed with the title "Honored Artist of Russia" and was named as
"Best Ballerina of the Year in Moscow" in 1991.
Ms. Pali has been regularly featured in international galas and participated with
other gold medalists in the "Russian All -Stars Super Gala" in Tokyo. Indianapolis
audiences have enjoyed Ms. Pali in many leading roles in Coppelia, La Sylphide,
Giselle, The Creation of the World, and many others. In April 2000, Ms. Pali retired
as Principal Dancer with Ballet Internationale by offering a magnificent and
unforgettable performance as Scheherazade in A Thousand and One Nights. She
continued to assist in the artistic direction of the company and was a member of the
Clara R. Noyes Academy, and was a senior instructor with the Russian Ballet
Academy of Indiana from 2005-2010. In 2004 and 2007 she was named Outstanding
Teacher at the Youth America Grand Prix Competition. Ms. Pali brings decades of
experience, credibility, and a worldwide reputation to her position as Academy
Principal of the Indiana Ballet Conservatory.
Sergey Sergiev, Gentlemen's & Contemporary Instructor and Choreographer
Born in Bulgaria's capitol, Mr. Sergiev studied ballet at the State Choreographic
Institute in Sofia. Following graduation, he joined the National Ballet of Bulgaria
where he danced until 2000. In that same year, he joined Ballet Internationale in
Indianapolis. His repertoire with the National Ballet of Bulgaria includes featured
roles in Swan Lake, Giselle, Zorha the Greek, The Nutcracker and Dracula, and
featured roles in Sleeping Beauty, Marz, Interzone, Peter Pan and One Thousand and
One Nights with Ballet Internationale.
He has toured internationally in Germany, France, Greece, South Korea, China,
Canada, Spain, and other countries. Peter Koldamov, Iasen Valchanov, Irina
Kolpakova, Vladilen Semenov, and Eldar Aliev have all played an instrumental role
in shaping Mr. Sergiev as an artist.
Mr. Sergiev received the honor of Outstanding Choreographer at the 2009, 2012,
2015, and 2017 Youth America Grand Prix competition, as well as the Choreography
Award at the 2010 World Ballet Competition.
Hailey Agran, Administrative Director & Head of Preparatory Division
Ms. Agran began her ballet training with Aimee Jennings and Dawn George in
Waterloo, Iowa, where she was a member of the student performing company,
Andante. She completed her training at the Clara R. Noyes Academy of Ballet
Internationale, and later, the Russian Ballet Academy of Indiana. She has trained
under the instruction and guidance of Alyona Yakovleva-Randall, Tatiana Pali,
Vladilen Semenov, Irina Kolpakova, Vera Solovyeva, Nikolai Levitskiy, and Maria
Gribanova, among others, and has attended summer programs with the Kirov
Academy of Ballet of Washington, D.C., Ballet Chicago, Cincinnati Ballet, Joffrey
Ballet, Classical Dance Alliance (on scholarship), Ballet Internationale, and Russian
Ballet Academy of Indiana.
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Having been offered two university scholarships through the 2006 Russian Pointe
USA National Youth Ballet Competition, Ms. Agran chose instead to join the Indiana
Ballet Company in the fall of 2006 as an Apprentice, and became a full Company
member in 2009 upon graduation from the Russian Ballet Academy. She originated
and performed soloist roles in the Indiana Ballet Company's original productions of
On Earth We Stand, From Shakespeare with Love, and Phantom of the Opera, as well
as in The Nutcracker, Paquita, Chopiniana, and many other classical productions. She
served as the Assistant to the Artistic Director at RBAI from 2006-2009, and as the
Academy Director the following year. In 2010, Ms. Agran became one of the
founding staff members and instructors for the Indiana Ballet Conservatory, at the
invitation of Artistic Director Alyona Yakovleva-Randall.
Ms. Agran began teaching while still a student herself, and has since honed her skills
for over a decade and found a strong connection and ability to guide her students in
a professional, yet nurturing atmosphere. Today, Ms. Agran holds the position of
Administrative Director and Head of the Preparatory Division at IBC. Her individual
and caring approach to teaching, as well as her strong administrative and
communications skills, make her an invaluable asset to the organization. In 2013,
Ms. Agran was named a "gamechanger... creating the future of ballet" by the online
publication Dressing Rooms Writers. She is also currently working towards a degree
in English from Indiana University -Purdue University Indianapolis.
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Courtney Messer, Preparatory Division Coordinator
Courtney Messer is currently in her fourth year of teaching in the Preparatory
Division at IBC. Ms. Messer is a 2014 graduate of the Indiana Ballet Conservatory
and studied under the IBC faculty for ten years. A member of the gold -medal
winning ensemble at WBC (2010), she earned multiple YAGP regional soloist
placements around the country and is a four -time YAGP NY Finals soloist. She was
awarded full scholarships to multiple nationally recognized ballet programs, often
training locally in the summer with IBC faculty to take advantage of the unique
opportunities offered then. Ms. Messer's repertoire includes The
Nutcracker (featured as Sugar Plum Fairy, Arabian Soloist, Mouse Queen, Snow
Soloist, and Columbine Doll (IBC); as Masha, Little Mouse Queen, Snow Soloist, and
in Shepherd Pas de Trois (RBAI); La Fille Mal Gardee (Lise), Cipollino (Magnolia),
Pulse and Pointe to the Cure (IBC); Phantom of the Opera (Indiana Ballet Company
and IBC); and Shakespeare in Love and Chopiniana (Indiana Ballet Company).
Ms. Messer recently graduated from the Indiana College of Sports and Medical
Massage. In addition to teaching at IBC and helping to launch IBC's Wellness
Program, she is also pursuing career in therapy under the mentorship of Keith
Caskey at Indy Muscle Therapy. This practice will bring together different
modalities to help people of all ages and backgrounds with injury prevention and
care as well as muscle maintenance and performance enhancement. She looks
forward to the opportunity to bring this care to the students of IBC while continuing
her love of teaching young dancers.
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Janessa Touchet, Pre -Professional Instructor
Janessa Touchet, is a retired principal dancer at Cincinnati Ballet, and is known for
her exuberance onstage. Critics have often called attention to her virtuosity,
describing her as "vigorous," "energetic," and "fast on her feet." She's been featured
in Dance Spirit, Pointe Magazine, and in 2006, she was a finalist at the International
Ballet Competition in Jackson, MS. Perhaps most impressive, that same year (while
still a soloist) she and a fellow dancer from Cincinnati Ballet were nominated for the
prestigious Benois de la Danse prize — the only Americans to receive the honor.
Gaining such international attention as a dancer at a regional American company is
no small feat, but Janessa took it all in stride.
She credits much of her success to sound training in her hometown of Metairie, LA, a
suburb of New Orleans. She started dancing at Giacobbe Academy of Dance at age
three, and remained there for 15 years. The school, run by brother and sister team
Joseph and Maria Giacobbe, incorporated a broad range of styles and a nurturing
philosophy. Janessa says Joseph "wanted to teach the way he wanted to be taught —
and was taught — by people who cared deeply about the students, and their
progress and development." The teachers had studied Cecchetti, Vaganova, and
Bournonville methods, and incorporated elements of those styles without adhering
to a strict syllabus. "Joseph always said he wanted the dancer to think Italian and
move Russian, meaning he wanted the strict placement the Cecchetti method
insisted on, but he also loved the broad, open sweeping, way of moving which the
Russian school produced." The school brought in guest faculty like former Ballets
Russes soloist Rochelle Zide and Perm Ballet School instructor Alla Lisina, a
personal favorite of Janessa's. Training at Giacobbe's demanded grueling hours;
Janessa danced for three hours every evening after school, then all day Saturday and
Sunday, but she quickly acknowledges that she loved every minute.
She supplemented her Louisiana training with summer intensives at the Hartford
Ballet and Royal Danish Ballet, then spent a year at Pacific Northwest Ballet School's
Professional Division, before embarking on her professional career. Janessa
remembers that last year at PNB as feeling tedious, but is grateful now to have such
comfort with the Balanchine technique. "Now when I do his work, it feels natural,"
she says.
At 19, Janessa joined Cincinnati Ballet as an apprentice, beginning her steady rise to
the top of the company's ranks. Her first soloist role was as Tinkerbell in Septime
Weber's Peter Pan. Janessa then went on to perform principal parts in ballets
ranging from The Sleeping Beauty to Jorma Elo's quirky Plan to B. "The
contemporary ballets I feel are more of a challenge," she admits, because with her
ballet training, "if I move my body off my center, I fall. I love it, though."
While Janessa enjoyed the range of Cincinnati Ballet's repertoire — it complimented
her own versatile background — she holds a special place in her heart for Romeo
and Juliet. Juliet is "the one role I couldn't pull myself away from. I like to usually
leave my work in the studio but this role required me to be Juliet all the time."
5
Since her retirement, Janessa is getting more involved with coaching. She's loved
working closely with her own coaches — notably Kirk Peterson for The Sleeping
Beauty and master teacher and former Kirov Ballet principal dancer Eldar Aliev
for Swan Lake (Janessa gushes that he is BRILLIANT). Recently, she started teaching,
and found that she enjoys being on the other side of the exchange, as well.
Nicholas Owens, Modern & Jazz Instructor
Nicholas A. Owens is known throughout the Indianapolis area as a freelance
choreographer, dancer and the co-founder and former Artistic Director of KenyettA
Dance Company. For the past 7 years he has been directing his own modern dance
company, NODC (Nicholas Owens Dance Company). He began dancing at age
thirteen at KenyettA Dance Studio under the direction of his sister Vanessa R. Owens
and later joined Iibada Dance Company under the Founding Executive Artistic
Direction of Sabra Logan. His training includes contemporary modern, ballet, jazz,
African dance forms, tap and hip-hop dance. He currently teaches modern, jazz,
conditioning, hip hop and tap at the Indiana Ballet Conservatory, Dancer's Studio in
Columbus, IN and Iibada Dance Company. He has also taught 2 full semesters of
freshman jazz as an adjunct professor at Butler University.
Credits for direction and choreography include KenyettA Dance Company's
productions of: Excerpts of Dreams, Signs of the Times, Out of the Box, Speaking
Without Words, Groundwork Suites, Breaking The Silence and Black Dance Matters;
Indianapolis Civic Theatre's production of "Ragtime the Musical," Indiana Ballet
Company's productions of On Earth We Stand and Love & Gravity, Pike High Schools
productions of "The Color Purple" and "Shrek the Musical" and "The Wiz," Dance
Kaleidoscope's productions of "America The Modern," "Love Is," "Mad for Musicals,"
"Super Soul" and "Ray & Ella", The Cupboards musical productions of "The Color
Purple" and "The Five Heartbeats" and much more.
He also serves as the Assistant Artistic Director of Iibada Dance Company.
Lalah Hazelwood, Modern & Jazz Instructor
Lalah Ayan Hazelwood began her dance training in Indianapolis, Indiana at KenyettA
Dance Studio under the direction of her mother, Vanessa Owens. She has had the
opportunity to study at Deeply Rooted Dance Theater's Summer Intensive,
International Association of Blacks in Dance conferences and The Alvin Ailey School
on scholarship. She is a 2013 graduate of Indiana University Bloomington. While at
IUB, she performed works by Martha Graham, Paul Taylor, David Parsons, Bella
Lewitzky, Laurie Eisenhower and Larry Keigwin & Nicole Wolcott.
Lalah is a three time, consecutive recipient of the National Society of Arts and
Letters' Chapter Career Award in Dance for the Bloomington Chapter. She has
performed in many galas at the American College Dance Festival, served as an
ambassador for IU Dance at the Kid's Cafe Festival in Brooklyn, NY and traveled to
Birmingham, AL to represent the Bloomington Chapter of NSAL. Lalah has
6
performed seasons with Deeply Rooted Dance Theater (Chicago, IL) and Philadanco
(Philadelphia, PA).
She is currently teaching an advanced dance course at her alma mater, Indiana
University Bloomington and is the newest faculty member for the Indianapolis
Ballet Conservatory in Carmel, IN. Lalah is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha
Sorority, Inc. Lalah is about to enter into her seconc season as Associate Artistic
Director for Kenyetta Dance Company.
VA
N D I A N A BAIJ.FT
CONSERVATORY
Honoring Tradition. Inspiring Innovation.
December 1, 2017
Carmel Arts Grant Program
Sharon Kibbe, Office of the Mayor
City of Carmel
One Civic Square
Carmel, IN 46032
2018 Grant A112lication
Dear Ms. Kibbe:
Thank you so much for your invitation to the Indiana Ballet Conservatory to
submit this application to the Carmel Arts Grant program for the 2018 year.
The Indiana Ballet Conservatory is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization situated
in Carmel that exists to support and further the arts through the teaching of
dance and ballet, producing ballet productions and performances of dance and
music including new choreography created by the Artistic Staff, and engaging in
outreach missions to the artistically underserved through free performances,
workshops and other events.
We gratefully appreciate your time and consideration. Please let us know if you
have any questions on the enclosed, or if there is anything additional that you
would like us to submit.
Very truly yours,
Camille Nicodemus
IBC Board of Directors, Grants Chair
317-985-2868
Indiana Ballet Conservatory, 849 West Carmel Drive, Carmel, Indiana 46032
www.indianaballetconservatory.org