Ballet Arizona is excited to welcome four new dancers to the company for our 2020-2021 season.
Rachel Gehr
Hometown: Westfield, Indiana
Rachel is from Westfield, Indiana and began her ballet training at Central Indiana Academy of Dance under the direction of Suzann DeLay. She spent her summers attending programs at Ballet West, School of American Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet. Rachel attended Indiana University Jacobs School of Music and was awarded the Premier Young Artist Scholarship Award. She graduated in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Ballet and an Outside Field in Arts Management. Among her instructors were Kyra Nichols, Carla Körbes, Michael Vernon, Sarah Wroth, and Sasha Janes. During her time at IU, she performed in George Balanchine’s Allegro Brillante, Valse Fantaisie and La Source, as well as Jerome Robbins’ Antique Epigraphs and The Concert, and Michael Vernon’s The Nutcracker.
What are you looking forward to this season?
I am most looking forward to just dancing in the studio every day and performing on stage again, especially after quarantine. I am also looking forward to learning the amazing repertoire that is planned for the season! I am excited to move to Arizona and get to know all the dancers in the company and work with the ballet masters/mistresses and Mr. Andersen.
What is your favorite ballet?
Anything Balanchine. My favorite is a tie between Serenade, Western Symphony and Mozartiana. All 3 ballets are so different, but I always love to watch them, and I would love to perform in the future.
Who is your greatest dance inspiration?
One of my greatest dance inspirations is Kyra Nichols. I had the privilege of learning from her during my time at Indiana University. She had the most breathtaking presence onstage and was so light on her feet it looked like she was floating when she danced. She is still one of my favorite ballerinas to watch to this day.
What are you looking forward to doing in Arizona?
I am most looking forward to hiking and being immersed in the beautiful mountains and nature. I am also looking forward to visiting Arizona National Parks.
What do you do outside of ballet?
I really enjoy photography, especially film photography. I am working towards getting my Pilates instructor certification. I also like to spend time outdoors, listen to music, and spend time with family and friends.
Atsunari Matsuyama
Hometown: Yamaguchi, Japan
Atsunari was born in Japan and began his ballet training at six years old. In Japan, he participated in many ballet competitions. At the Tokyo City Ballet competition, he was awarded a scholarship to the San Francisco Ballet School. At fifteen, he moved to the United States to train with them full-time and participated in productions with the school and company. Also while at the school, he trained in the summer with Atlanta Ballet, and later, The School of Ballet Arizona. He joined Studio Company at Ballet Arizona in the 2019-2020 season and performed principal roles with the school and roles with the company. Some of his repertoire at Ballet Arizona includes Balanchine’s Theme and Variations, and Ib Andersen’s The Nutcracker and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Who is your greatest dance inspiration?
My greatest dance inspiration is Nayon Iovino. He is great to watch in class and on stage. He is also inspiring as a person and so kind to everyone.
What is your favorite ballet?
My favorite ballet is A Midsummer Night’s Dream. I really enjoyed dancing Ib’s choreography and the score that goes with the ballet. I would love to perform the role of Oberon myself one day.
Any current TV show/movie/book obsessions?
I watch a lot of anime! I enjoy the detailed stories that other shows just don’t have.
What is your favorite place you have traveled?
I really enjoy traveling to Japan whenever possible because I enjoy my time at home with family- even if I have friends I can consider family in Arizona.
If you could be any animal in the world, what would you be?
I would be a horse because they are really beautiful and run really fast.
Natalie Ramirez
Hometown: Riverside, California
Natalie began dancing at the age of eight at Inland Pacific Ballet Academy in Montclair, California, studying under the direction of Victoria Koenig and Jill Voznick. In 2016, Natalie moved to Boston, Massachusetts to train as a pre professional program student at the Boston Ballet School. Later joining the School of Ballet Arizona’s pre professional program in 2018. In 2019, she was offered a position in Ballet Arizona’s studio company, where she was given the opportunity to perform alongside the company in various pieces. In addition, Natalie furthered her training by attending the following summer intensives under scholarship: Pacific Northwest Ballet, School of American Ballet, Boston Ballet School, and School of Ballet Arizona.
What is your favorite ballet?
Glass Pieces by Jerome Robbins because the music is so invigorating and the choreography has such a nice dynamic of control and fluidity.
Who is your greatest dance inspiration?
Tiler Peck, her astounding musicality, sense of attack, and willingness to take risks makes her exciting to watch and such an inspiration to me.
What is your dream role to perform?
Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, you have to convey such emotion and passion. It is a timeless storybook ballet and the music really ties it all together.
Any current TV show/movie/book obsessions?
I’ve been into reading poetry lately, currently reading works by R. H. Sin.
If you could be any animal in the world, what would you be?
Hummingbird, I’ve always seen them as a symbol of good luck and joy.
Sarah Diniz
Hometown: Maracay, Venezuela
Sarah was born in Maracay, Venezuela and grew up in Long Valley, New Jersey. She started dancing at a young age, but only seriously started training at the age of 11, following her family’s move to Arizona. Sarah was accepted to the Orlando Ballet School’s Academy program at the age of 15 and moved away from home for the year to train full-time before joining The School of Ballet Arizona in 2017. Sarah has also attended summer programs and short-term stays at Houston Ballet Academy, American Ballet Theatre’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and the Joffrey Ballet in Chicago. Since joining Ballet Arizona’s Studio Company in 2018, she has performed a number of roles including George Balanchine’s Symphony in Three Movements, Don Quixote, Swan Lake, and Ib Andersen’s The Firebird, The Nutcracker, Napoli, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
What are you looking forward to this season?
I am really looking forward to working on the All Balanchine program! George Balanchine has many masterpieces and to work on just a few of them is an excellent learning opportunity.
What is your favorite role that you have performed?
My favorite role that I have ever performed has been Kitri from Don Quixote. Kitri is a feisty character with a lot of personality who is super fun to portray. My dream role, however, would have to be Juliet because of all the thought that has to go into portraying her character.
Who is your greatest dance inspiration?
My greatest dance inspirations are Marianela Nuñez from The Royal Ballet and Isabella Boylston from American Ballet Theatre. They both have a captivating stage presence that make it hard to look away- something I have always admired.
What do you do outside of ballet?
Outside of ballet, I enjoy reading, hiking, walking my dog, and cooking new vegan meals! I am also passionate about the climate and doing research on ways to reduce my carbon footprint as much as possible!
What is your go to musical artist to listen to?
My go to music style is rock! I especially enjoy Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and Fleetwood Mac because their music is very unique and something you don’t hear much of nowadays.
