The “New” Cleveland Ballet Appoints New Executive Board Member and Artistic Advisor/Consultant – Roy Kaiser (Cleveland, Ohio) - June 30, 2015 Cleveland Ballet has announced that Roy Kaiser is to become the Company's new Artistic Advisor/Consultant and Executive Advisory Board Member. Roy Kaiser will take up the role immediately before Cleveland Ballet begins their Preview-Season scheduled for August 17, 201 “Roy Kaiser is the perfect choice for the “new” Cleveland Ballet,” stated Michael Krasnyansky, Ph.D., Chairman of the Board. “Roy is well known to Ballet communities across the world. His long exemplary and successful history with the Pennsylvania Ballet is testament to his great skill as a leader and Artistic Advisor. Moreover, his deep understanding and his genuine commitment to the broad culture of Ballet and performing arts makes him the ideal choice to help build our “new” professional resident Cleveland Ballet Company.” Roy stepped down as Artistic Director of Pennsylvania Ballet September 2014 and assumed the role of Artistic Director Emeritus. "…; Cleveland Ballet is an important part of the cultural fabric of Cleveland!" “Joining the Cleveland Ballet team is genuinely an exciting opportunity,” said Roy Kaiser. “The New Cleveland Ballet promises to be one of the finest, energetic, most skilled, relevant and growing ballet organizations in the United States.” he continues, “Working alongside Gladisa Guadalupe, Cleveland Ballet, Artistic Director is a true joy. She is the heart of the company and has spent the last fifteen years dedicated to bringing back and establishing a new resident ballet company in Cleveland. Her unbridled passion, commitment and devotion to Cleveland Ballet is truly contagious. Working with Gladisa, I am privileged with the task of coaching and developing Cleveland Ballet as an important part of the cultural fabric of Cleveland as well as establishing the "new" Cleveland Ballet as a strong force in the global ballet community." "… maintaining Balanchine Roots...Kaiser added 90 new works to the repertoire including 34 world premieres and 56 Company premieres." Roy Kaiser has had a remarkable journey at Pennsylvania Ballet from new dancer to head of the Company. Pennsylvania Ballet was founded by Barbara Weisberger, a Balanchine protégé. She planted the seeds for Roy Kaiser’s diverse style and interest in new ballets. Under Roy Kaiser's skillful leadership, the Pennsylvania Ballet, maintained it’s Balanchine roots, while embracing new choreography and contemporary ballet. Roy spent 32 years with PA Ballet and 19 as its Artistic Director. Roy Kaiser is a man of many accomplishments. He is especially proud of the newly re-opened School of Pennsylvania Ballet. Under his leadership the company enjoyed prestigious tours, such as the Company’s success at the Edinburgh Festival, The Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., New York City Center, the National Arts Center in Ottawa Canada, and the Sintra Festival in Portugal, among many others. Recently, Roy's influence reached all the way to PBS where Pennsylvania Ballet was featured on a PBS National Broadcast special titled Pennsylvania Ballet at 50. The program was celebrating Pennsylvania Ballet's 50th Anniversary. During his tenure with Pennsylvania Ballet, Kaiser added 90 new works to the repertoire including 34 world premieres and 56 Company premieres. His expansion of their repertoire and creation of new works dramatically increased the Pennsylvania Ballet's awareness and national profile. "…aligns perfectly with the like strategy for the School of Cleveland Ballet! “I am thrilled that Roy has joined us,” said Cleveland Ballet - Artistic Director, Gladisa Guadalupe. “His passion, experience and vision are exactly what we need at this time. Roy’s tireless commitment to the Company, his inspirational leadership, his business acumen, his knowledge and experience in fundraising and donor relations is a great asset to our organization. In addition, his first hand experience with the School of Pennsylvania Ballet aligns perfectly with the like strategy for the School of Cleveland Ballet. There are many challenges ahead and even greater opportunities in what we can accomplish in expanding and enriching Cleveland Ballet’s programming and I look forward to working with Roy as the company continues its growth.” For Further Information Contact - Christine Krause Cleveland Ballet, Marketing Chair Executive Board of Directors 330.590.0286 Christine Krause |VR2 Global Marketing - Cleveland's on Fire Integrative Strategy - Creative - Advertising - Collateral Digital Development - Branding - PR - New Media - Social Content - Mobile - Global Broadcast - Streaming Media One Bratenahl | Bratenahl, Ohio 44108 | www.VR2show.com C: 330.590.0286 | ckrause@cleonfire.com