ASPEN SANTA FE BALLET HISTORY
Aspen Santa Fe Ballet’s founder, Bebe Schweppe, was visionary when she made the decision in 1996 to create a company that residents in the Aspen valley could call their own. Initially based solely in Aspen, Colorado; a second home for the company was created in 2000 in another of the Southwest heartlands: Santa Fe, New Mexico. In both cities ASFB has helped strengthen the cultural fabric of the region, in synch with the world-class artistic activities in each of these beautiful communities.
The Aspen Santa Fe Ballet company is founded on the vision of acquiring repertoire and inviting top choreographers in the field to create works for the company. With its sophisticated repertoire and broad appeal, combined with a successful blend of entertaining and engrossing contemporary dance, ASFB is one of the real success stories in American dance today. Audiences locally, nationally, and internationally have embraced this vibrant company on stellar stages from The Joyce Theater in New York to the famed Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, from The Kennedy Center in Washington DC to New York City Center’s Fall for Dance Festival, and in foreign venues including Canada, France, Italy and Guatemala.
Over the years, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet has grown to become a multi-faceted entity, both as an internationally recognized dance company and as one of the largest dance presenters in the country. As the company travels to cities far and wide, at home in Aspen and Santa Fe, it presents top level dance companies throughout the year. ASFB’s umbrella extends equally to its capacity as a center for learning, with a thriving dance school and a much-celebrated Mexican folklóric dance outreach program for area children.
In 2010, ASFB directors Tom Mossbrucker and Jean-Philippe Malaty were honored by The Joyce Theater Foundation at its annual Spring Gala. This honor paid tribute to all that ASFB has done for dance, and acknowledges how far their reach extends beyond Aspen and Santa Fe; from their work as one of the country’s largest dance-only presenters, to their award-winning ballet school and Mexican folklóric dance programs; from their company of ten multi-talented professional dancers, to the growing list of up-and-coming choreographers on ASFB’s impressive list of dance repertoire; this exceptional honor speaks to the many reasons Aspen Santa Fe Ballet has become one of the exemplary models for a small dance company.
ASFB appeals, with its adventurous repertoire and beautiful western landscapes, 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 she started dancing at the age of 7 at the Georgia Dance Theatre, under Frankie Levy. At the age of 11, she was invited by Robert Joffrey to study at his school in New York on a full scholarship. 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, a year later, the Aspen Ballet Company was born. 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 last 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 & 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."