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Mikell Graf

@mikellgraf

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let your smile change the world🌤😊 💫
🩰Richmond Ballet
@uflorida @northeastern

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I had a blast on stage dancing two iconic works in @richmondballet ‘s first program of the season! It was an absolute honor to have the opportunity to perform George Balanchine’s “Stars and Stripes” pas de deux, and Paul Taylor’s “Company B” 💙 I’m so grateful for my incredibly talented partners @senna_dewulf (aka “El Capitan”) and @colinjacob (Pennsylvania Polka Partner) for bringing so much energy, joy, and hard-work into each and every rehearsal 💫 And especially grateful for Jerri Kumery and Richard Chen See for trusting and encouraging us throughout the rehearsal process! Here’s a few photos to remind me of a special start to my fourth season at Richmond Ballet!!

COMPANY B
Choreography by Paul Taylor
Music by the Andrews Sisters
Staged by Richard Chen See
Costume Design by Santo Loquasto
Lighting by Jennifer Tipton
Lighting Recreated for this Production by Nathan W. Scheuer

Pas de Deux from STARS AND STRIPES
Choreography by George Balanchine © The George Balanchine Trust
Music by John Philip Sousa, orchestrated by Hershy Kay
Staged by Jerri Kumery
Costume Design by Karinska
Lighting Design by Nathan W. Scheuer after Original Design by Mark Stanley
Photos by Sarah Ferguson by @mikellgraf

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23 days ago

Gracias Madrid!!!

Had a pleasure spending some time in Spain with @art__of !!! Thank you to everyone I got to work with and meet!

Big thank you to @urban_ivan_ for teaching and coaching a section from John Neumeier’s “Spring and Fall” (in slide 4).

Also, I have to note that I am officially an España fan this World Cup 🇪🇸 by @mikellgraf

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3 months ago

California Dreamin’ 🌁☀️🌅 by @mikellgraf

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3 months ago

Moving Art 3 and 4 @richmondballet 🌷🌷 So grateful to have worked with such wonderful people and artists. Everyone I worked with brought so much joy, kindness, generosity, and genius into the studio. Working with @valcaniparoli and @maiquimanosa on Val’s new creation “Goat Rodeo” was a blast, and working with Jerri Kumery to become Terpsicore and Polyhymnia in such a monumental ballet “Apollo” expanded my mind. In Moving Art 3, creating new works with both @pricesuddarth and @davidjmorse was an absolute dream from start to finish. The artists I have been fortunate enough to work with this season are truly brilliant; they all created the warmest and most positive environment. Thank you Richmond for being my artistic home! So excited for next season!

Oh and swipe for proof that my love of goats started well before “Goat Rodeo” 🐐😂🧘‍♀️

Apollo
Choreography by George Balanchine © The George Balanchine Trust
Music by Igor Stravinsky
Staged by Jerri Kumery and Igor Antonov
Lighting Design Recreated by Trad A Burns
from Original Design by Mark Stanley
Photos by Molly Huey or Sarah Ferguson

Goat Rodeo
Choreography by Val Caniparoli
Music by Yo-Yo Ma, Stuart Duncan, Edgar Meyer, Chris Thile
Costume and Set Design by Susan Roemer
Lighting Design by Trad A Burns
Assistant to the Choreographer: Maiqui Mañosa
Photos by Sarah Ferguson

THE ARCHITECT
Choreography by Price Suddarth
Music by Kerry Muzzey
Costume Concept by Price Suddarth; Costume Liaison: Izabella Tokev
Lighting Design by Joseph R. Walls
Photos by Sarah Ferguson

DARKNESS VISIBLE
Choreography by David Morse
Music by Beethoven, Biosphere
Costume Concept by David Morse; Costume Liaison: Izabella Tokev
Lighting Design by Joseph R. Walls
Photos by Sarah Ferguson by @mikellgraf

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4 months ago

stop and smell the roses :) 🌎☀️🌻 by @mikellgraf

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6 months ago

More photos from “Moving Art One: Passion and Power” and “Moving Art Two: Director’s Choice. So grateful to be surrounded inside and outside the studio by such wonderful, supportive, and talented people.

Below are credits for the previous post and this one:

SLICE TO SHARP
Virginia Premiere
Choreography by Jorma Elo
Music by Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber and Antonio Vivaldi
Staged by Nancy Euverink
Costume Design by Holly Hynes
Lighting Design by Nathan W. Scheuer after Original Design by Mark Stanley

LAST TOUCH
World Premiere
Choreography and Costume Concept by Andrea Schermoly
Music by Gustav Mahler and Arvo Pärt
Costumes Constructed by Christi Owen
Lighting Design by Nathan W. Scheuer
Soundscape by Gabriel Gaffney Smith

PIENSA EN MÍ (THINK OF ME)
A world premiere inspired by the life and art of Frida
Choreography by Ma Cong
Music by Lila Downs, Elliot Goldenthal, Chavela Vargas, Los Cojolites, Camilla Griehsel, Mariachi Juvenil de Tecalitán
Costume Design by Emma Kingsbury
Lighting Design by Nathan W. Scheuer
Projection Design by Dave Watkins

Photos by Sarah Ferguson by @mikellgraf

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a year ago

Long overdue post: I love dancing!!!! It was so wonderful to tell stories, work with great people, and dance in such incredible rep. I learned so much in the process of rehearsing and performing 4 incredible ballets in the first two programs of the season. Learning about and conveying the stories of two versions of Frida Kahlo in Ma Cong’s new creation “Piensa en Mí” inspired me greatly and felt so meaningful. Trey McIntyre’s “Wild Sweet Love” was both emotionally provoking and so much fun. Jorma Elo’s “Slice to Sharp” taught me so much about myself as a dancer, and so much about intentionality of movement (I also had a blast). Andrea Schermoly’s “Last Touch” was an honor to be a part of, and the meaning and intimate nature of the piece regarding the choreography and connection between the dancers was something so special. Here are a few pictures from the process and the stage- my next post contains “horizontal” images as well as all relevant artist credits!! by @mikellgraf

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a year ago

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a year ago

I DID IT!!!! I’m so happy, I graduated with a B.S. in Business Administration from University of Florida! Proud of myself for getting my degree while doing my dream job full-time(🩰), and for being a 3rd generation Gator!! 🐊 💙🍊🦋🧡 taken in University of Florida by @mikellgraf

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a year ago

DUUUUUUUVVVAL!!!! 🏖️☀️🐆🐠🐊

@itay_kras and @avalonleighk came to visit!! I love them and loved showing them some of the best spots (Community Loaves, The St. John’s River, Neptune Beach, St. Augustine, Alligator Farm and more). Also enjoyed spending a couple weeks with my wonderful family 💕 by @mikellgraf

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a year ago

Happy cows => great cheese 🧀 🐮 (and great cortados ☕️)

This summer I spent a couple weeks traveling through Europe with family 🌷☀️💖

#1-8: Mürren, Switzerland
9-11: Lucerne, Switzerland
12-14: Colmar, France and Alsace Region
15-16: Bacharach, Germany and Cologne Cathedral
17-19: Amsterdam, The Netherlands

(Oh and checked two things off my bucket list— seeing a cow parade and paragliding 🪂) by @mikellgraf

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a year ago

Yayyyyy!! Did a lot of dancing @richmondballet during the 24’-25’ season!!! 🌸 Had a wonderful time learning and growing on stage and off; I’m so grateful that I get to spend my days doing what I love 💖 💐

Credits in the comments 🌟 by @mikellgraf

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a year ago