DIRECTORS
TOM MOSSBRUCKER, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
has been artistic director of Aspen Santa Fe Ballet since 1996. For the past sixteen years Tom has built a prestigious arts/dance organization sharing two homes in Aspen and Santa Fe. Not being a choreographer himself has freed Tom as an artistic director to cultivate highly refined and challenging works of contemporary ballet. His shining achievement is a roster of 24 ballets created on commission for ASFB by leading global choreographers. Tom began dance training at age four, studying tap in his hometown of Tacoma, Washington. He studied ballet in New York City at the School of American Ballet and the Joffrey Ballet School. His twenty years as a principal dancer with the Joffrey Ballet, performing in over 70 ballets, coincided with a period of high artistic achievement for the company. Tom danced in creations by the world's great choreographers: Fredrick Ashton, George Balanchine, Laura Dean, William Forsythe, Jiri Kylián, Mark Morris, Paul Taylor and Twyla Tharp. Signature roles included Iago in Jose Limon's The Moor's Pavane; Champion Roper in Agnes DeMille's Rodeo; Billy in Eugene Loring's Billy the Kid; and Romeo in Cranko's Romeo and Juliet. All of this rich and diverse dance background Tom brings to his coaching of young dancers today. In 2010, Tom, along with Executive Director Jean-Philippe Malaty, was honored with the Joyce Theater Foundation Award for their contribution to the field of dance. A former board member of Dance USA, Tom currently serves on the board of The Gerald Arpino and Robert Joffrey Foundation.
"We strive for continuity and enjoy bringing choreographers back to create second and third works...to us that is success." – Tom Mossbrucker
JEAN-PHILIPPE MALATY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
was born in the Basque region of France. After receiving his baccalaureate in dance, he accepted scholarships to study at Mudra, Maurice Béjart's school in Brussels, and at John Cranko's ballet academy in Stuttgart. Invited by acclaimed instructor David Howard to study in New York, Jean-Philippe traveled to America under Howard's tutelage. Jean-Philippe's performance career began with Joffrey II. He also danced as a guest artist with Los Angeles Classical Ballet, Ballet Hispanico, and the Lyric Opera of Chicago. While still in his twenties Jean-Philippe segued from the stage to an administrator role. A key member of Aspen Santa Fe Ballet's start-up team, Jean-Philippe has been central to developing the company's unique hybrid business model. He directs operations in two locations, overseeing a $3.2 million budget that he allocates to two schools, an esteemed presenting series, and an award-winning folkloric outreach program. Jean-Philippe's first love is teaching and when his schedule permits, he conducts master classes at schools and universities. In 2010, the Joyce Theater Foundation recognized Aspen Santa Fe Ballet for its contribution to the field of dance, honoring Jean-Philippe and Artistic Director Tom Mossbrucker with the Joyce Theater Foundation Award. In 2012, the Denver Bonfils-Stanton Foundation granted Jean-Philippe a Livingston Fellowship in recognition of his significant leadership role in Colorado's non-profit sector. A naturalized U.S. citizen, Jean-Philippe is proud to have forged a company alive with American ideals of energy, invention, popularity, and eclecticism.
"Dance is a celebration of the human spirit, and not a celebration of steps. Here at Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, we foster the spirit and the love of dance." – Jean-Philippe Malaty