Charles Askegard presents: LIVE, LIFE, LOVE (DanceVisions 2025-2026)

LIVE, LIFE, LOVE – A Celebration of American Music and Dance Celebrating America’s 250th anniversary, the program honors three American composers whose work has made lasting contributions to the nation’s classical music legacy. Each ballet will be performed with live musical accompaniment. ​ Dancers courtesy of Philadelphia Ballet: Yuka Iseda (Principal Dancer), Oksana Maslova (Principal Dancer), Yuval Cohen (Soloist), Nicholas Patterson (Soloist), Federico D’Ortenzi (Demi Soloist), Charlotte Erickson, Jorge Garcia Alonso, Siobhan Howley, Kyleigh Johnson, Sophie Savas-Carstens ​ Choreographer: Charles Askegard ​ Musicians: Jenny Chen (Piano), Tess Varley (Violin) ​ Music: Florence Price, William Grant Still, Philip Glass 1. In/Still Life This ballet uses the expressive qualities of William Grant Still’s music to explore Life in all its grounded, deeply felt complexities, joys, and enduring experiences. ​ Suite for Violin and Piano by William Grant Still • Performed by Jenny Chen (Piano), and Tess Varley (Violin) ​ Movement I • Kyleigh Johnson Movement II • Oksana Maslova, Yuval Cohen Movement III • Siobhan Howley, Jorge Garcia 2. Where Lies Love Inspired by Florence Price’s piano compositions, this work draws on the lyrical and expansive qualities of her music to explore the many forms of Love. ​ Music by Florence Price • Performed by Jenny Chen (Piano) ​ Andante • Charlotte Erickson - Jorge Garcia, Yuka Iseda - Federico D’Ortenzi, Oksana Maslova - Yuval Cohen, Sophie Savas-Carstens - Nicholas Patterson ​ Valsette Mignon • Sophie Savas-Carstens, Nick Patterson ​ Scherzo in G • Charlotte Erickson, Jorge Garcia ​ Song Without Words (Pleading) • Oksana Maslova, Yuval Cohen ​ Song Without Words in A • Yuka Iseda, Federico D’Ortenzi ​ Waltz of the Spring Maid • Charlotte Erickson & Jorge Garcia, Yuka Iseda & Federico D’Ortenzi, Oksana Maslova & Yuval Cohen, Sophie Savas-Carstens & Nicholas Patterson ​ Dream Boat • Charlotte Erickson & Jorge Garcia, Yuka Iseda & Federico D’Ortenzi, Oksana Maslova & Yuval Cohen, Sophie Savas-Carstens & Nicholas Patterson ​ Costume Designer • Jennifer Tierney 3. Firmament (Life After/Life) Dancers Live on the edge, like the firmament separating the physical from the spiritual. This ballet channels the energy, passion, and pursuit of life as it reaches into the spiritual realm. It is a tribute to dancers—their sacrifice for the art form and the love they share with us all. ​ Sonata for Violin and Piano by Philip Glass • Performed by Jenny Chen (Piano), and Tess Varley (Violin) © 2008 Dunvagen Music Publishers Inc. Used by Permission. ​ Movement I • Charlotte Erickson, Jorge Garcia, Siobhan Howley, Kyleigh Johnson, Sophie Savas-Carstens ​ Movement II • Yuka Iseda, Federico D’Ortenzi ​ Movement III • Nicholas Patterson, Sophie Savas-Carstens, Siobhan Howley, Charlotte Erickson, Kyleigh Johnson, Jorge Garcia, Yuka Iseda, Federico D’Ortenzi ​ Costume Designer • Jennifer Tierney