Meet Yoko!

Hello!  My name is Yoko Sasaki, and I am a member of the JohnC Art Ballet.  I was born and raised in Japan, but came to America seeking more opportunities for my career as a dancer. After my first class with John Welch, the artistic director, I immediately fell in love with the way this company moves.  Every single word from Mr.Welch makes it clear to me exactly what I really need to do to reach my true potential as an artist.  He takes me out of my mechanical, box-like way of thinking and moving.  He constantly challenges me to break the rules, even the limitations imposed on me from my personal culture.  This freedom has allowed me to transform as a dancer, and I am now on my way to becoming a virtuoso artist with the power to move audiences on a spiritual and emotional level.  Because we also train to be injury-free, (unheard of in the dance world), I know that my career with the JohnC Art Ballet won’t end until I decide to retire. 

The Midwest Girl!

Hey! My name is Sarah. I was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana. After graduating college with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance I auditioned for dance companies everywhere in the Midwest, but nothing seemed to fit.  After I auditioned at the JohnC Art Ballet, I knew that this was the place I needed to be.  I knew I was going to be challenged and that it wasn’t going to be easy – but I also knew I needed it. John Welch, the artistic director, seemed to know instantly what has been holding me back from being a great dancer.  Instead of believing in what I wanted, I was listening to everyone else around me telling me how I would fail.  The training here is unlike anything I have received, seen or heard of before.  Every day, John demands that we engage on a personal level with our art, so that we become more sensitive to the world around us.  John truly cares for and believes in each and every one of us. I have been with the company for almost three years now, and since then I have learned to finally and honestly dance from the heart.  The JohnC Art Ballet has made a huge impact on my life and I hope to share some of that with you!

Heeeere's Neekstar!

Hi, my name is Veronica, and I’ve been with the JohnC Art Ballet for ten years now.  I love this company so much for what it stands for, bringing art back into ballet.  Our director, John, constantly challenges us to go beyond what we think is possible, and that means every class is a chance to improve and discover how much more we have to give.  The standard here is very high, but there is an assumption that everyone has the potential to be great.  Which also means there are no excuses for not doing well.  You don’t get to excuse yourself from working just because you don’t have the “perfect” feet, or turnout, or the ideal “ballet body.”  While that’s what drew me to the company in the first place, it has also proved to be a lot harder than I thought.  Before this I danced with the Palms Springs Ballet and received my degree from UC Irvine in California, but I can honestly say that I didn’t really start dancing until I came here.  Even after so many years with the company, I’m still excited about the work we’re doing.  My own personal growth as an artist is very important to me, but so is watching my fellow dancers on their own journeys toward excellence. It’s been an amazing experience so far, so be sure to keep reading!