ASPEN SANTA FE BALLET HISTORY
Aspen Santa Fe Ballet's founder, Bebe Schweppe, visionary when, in 1996, she invited Tom Mossbrucker and Jean-Philippe Malaty to create a ballet company that Aspen could call its own. Initially known as Aspen Ballet Company, a partnership in 2000 led to the creation of Aspen Santa Fe Ballet. The company has called both Aspen and Santa Fe “home” ever since. In sync with the world-class artistic offerings in each of these communities, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet has strengthened the cultural fabric of both cities with its abundant and diverse dance offerings. With its sophisticated repertoire and broad appeal, combined with a successful blend of entertaining and engrossing contemporary ballet, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet is one of the great success stories in American dance today. Audiences have embraced this vibrant company on stellar stages including The Joyce Theater in New York City; the famed Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival; The Kennedy Center; Wolf Trap; The Harris Theater in Chicago; and in foreign venues including Canada, France, Greece, Guatemala, Israel and Italy.
With ballet schools, educational outreach and a dance presentation series in both home communities, Aspen Santa Ballet has become a multi-faceted dance institution. As its own company tours the globe, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet presents many of the world’s leading dance companies at home in Aspen and Santa Fe throughout the year. The organization’s umbrella extends equally to education. With a thriving dance school and an award winning Mexican folk dance outreach program, The School of Aspen Santa Fe Ballet and Folklórico serve over 800 children in Colorado and New Mexico. In 2010, The Joyce Theater Foundation in New York City honored Tom Mossbrucker and Jean- Philippe Malaty for pioneering this innovative model for American dance.
With its adventurous repertoire and the inspiring landscapes of its home communities, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet appeals as a gathering place for the finest dancers and choreographers in the world. Never forgetting its deep roots in the creative and historic wealth of these majestic and awe-inspiring communities, the organization remains deeply committed to expanding and enriching the world of dance. With its fusion of classical good sense and western ingenuity, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet blends the best of both worlds to create a dance company that is truly unique.
BEBE SCHWEPPE, ASFB FOUNDER
Bebe Schweppe, Founder, grew up in Augusta, Georgia, and started dancing at the Georgia Dance Theatre, under Frankie Levy at the age of seven. She was invited by Robert Joffrey to study at his school in New York on a full scholarship at age eleven. Bebe moved to Aspen in 1975 and fifteen years later founded the Aspen Ballet School. Her presence was a catalyst in the region. In 1996, she invited Jean-Philippe Malaty and Tom Mossbrucker to develop a small professional company in Aspen. Through their combined energies, the Aspen Ballet Company was born a year later. Shortly after, new performing opportunities beckoned in Santa Fe, upon which the company was renamed Aspen Santa Fe Ballet. Bebe speaks with pride when she considers the changes that have occurred over the years to her “baby”. “The Company has evolved to having earned a name of its own - ASFB. What a treat! It is recognized by other artists and respected by all. This is of course due in large part to Jean-Philippe and Tom.” She cites that “their strength has been in their unique ability to perceive and design a repertoire that entertains all parts, whether it’s the audience or the dancer.” Tom and Jean-Philippe have “greatly succeeded” in realizing her dreams for the company, she says. “I am thankful that I had the dream and was lucky and persistent enough to convince JP and Tom to relocate from New York City. Never did I imagine that one day the company would be performing nationally and internationally and never did I imagine that one day they would be performing works by internationally famous choreographers. Although I had the dream, I never imagined so much. I feel very lucky.”