Welcome to Ballet Focus! This blog provides commentary on my two passions, ballet and photography. I developed a love of dance during my days at a non-professional ballet company in Kansas over 30 years ago. Although I did not pursue dance as a vocation, my participation sparked a passion for dance. Fortunately, I currently live in New York City with ample opportunities to take in the world’s greatest dancers, particularly American Ballet Theatre (ABT) and New York City Ballet.
Acadia National Park, Boulder Beach, August 2015
I also enjoyed photography in the days of film and darkrooms from long ago. But somehow other endeavors emerged as higher priorities. My interest was re-kindled by the birth of my daughter in 2004, as I sought to capture important milestones in her life, and meanwhile entered the age of digital photography. My photography intensified in 2011 with an acquisition of a digital single lens reflex camera and has accelerated since.
My interests in ballet and photography merged in 2005; during curtain calls for Julio Bocca’s final ABT performance, I regretted not having a camera to capture this historic moment as Julio bid farewell to his adoring fans. I have not made that mistake again, as I have since captured ABT dancers during their curtain calls. I am honored to have captured such great dancers as Angel Corella, Ethan Stiefel, Paloma Herrera, Nina Ananiashvili, and Irina Dvorovenko.
My photography website notmydayjobphotography.com, which concentrates on ballet curtain calls, houses of worship, landscapes (particularly in New York and Maine), and photos of historical interest, debuted in September 2012. While updating my website with new commentary on the ABT 2013 season, I thought, why not start a blog? This is the result.
Ballet Focus naturally focuses on ballet (particularly ABT and New York City Ballet) and photography. With a blog as an excuse, I hope to branch out to other ballet companies that visit New York. Who knows, maybe even modern dance. Please drop me a line with any comments and thanks for joining. Kent
love your blog – you may be aware of this already, but if not and if you are a Cunningham fan, you may appreciate knowing that the Merce Cunningham Trust frequently holds free performances of stagings of his work (usually on Friday afternoons) They are based in studio 5 at City Center and if you get on their email list you will receive free invitations to their events. You can contact them to be added to the list at info@mercecunningham.org
Thanks Susan. Will check it out sometime.
I googled my dad’s name recently and a link to this page mentioned my dad’s name, Richard J. Sasek. I saw the photograph of his name you took on the Vietnam Wall. My brother is the classmate of yours that you mentioned in Kansas. Thank you so much for the paragraph and the rememberance. Veterans of every age and every war should be remembered as they put their lives on the line to give us freedom. Michele
Thank you so much Michele. With Veterans Day coming up, we should all remember the soldiers like your father, Richard J. Sasek, who sacrificed so much in defense of our freedom. Memorial Day in Washington DC, 2014
Thanks Kent for letting me know about your bog! I really enjoy reading your reviews.
This is a great resource for ballet fans and dancers. It offers fair and accurate reviews of major performances in NYC as well as pre-professional company showcases.
Unlike other ballet blogs, most reviews are coupled with professional photos worth a thousand words. Thanks to his ballet background, Kent knows how to capture the essence of a dancer performance through his lens; whether it’s at the peak of a grand jeté, or humbly bowing to the audience.
A ballet novice will appreciate the efforts of the author to put technical ballet terms in context: his YouTube channel has a comprehensive collection of videos explaining ballet steps, illustrated by excerpts of famous ballets (with a very useful slow motion replay).
Thanks for your kind words Jocelyn. Glad you find the blog and YouTube channel helpful.
Dear Kent,
The Bavarian State Ballet has a program of live performances in theaters in Europe. They have made their way to various outlets; Paquita, a mixed bill of less usual Diaglov ballets. Similarly the Vienna State Ballet.
You were one of my Finance professors at Temple years ago-early 1990’s , you were great, best of luck with this
Vince, nice hearing from you! Drop me an email from the above Contact tab and let me know what you have been doing since your Temple University days. Kent
Hi Kent, I just discovered your blog, and wonder if you captured any of Aran Bell’s Romeo debut at the Met last June?
Thanks for checking in Michelle. I did not catch Aran’s Romeo debut last year. I plan on attending his debut in Swan Lake in June. Check for my review.
What do ballerinas do with pointe shoes when they’re done with them? Throw them in the trash?
Hi! I love your blog. Thanks for sharing your passion for ballet and photography :).
I’m enjoying your site so much. I’ve been a big fan of your YouTube channel for a long time and finding you here and on Instagram is a big bonus.
Thanks so much.