The Salvatore Aiello Trust
The Salvatore Aiello Trust, established in 1997, believes in the beauty and power of Salvatore Aiello's work and recognizes the vital necessity of keeping it accessible for discovery by new generations of artists and audiences.
Ensuring that Salvatore Aiello’s ballets retain their value and integrity is at the heart of the Trust’s mission. We strive to fulfill this mission by preserving and protecting his archival catalog of thirty-seven ballets, while maintaining Sal's spirit and conserving his heritage as an important figure in dance history.
The Repetiteurs of the Trust have significant knowledge and experience with Salvatore Aiello's style and intent for each work. This allows them to not only share his choreography but to imbue the works with the spirit in which they were originally crafted.
Salvatore Aiello's works are copyrighted and must be licensed for any use. The Trust tailors specific licensing provisions to individual needs. The license and royalty fees are based on the organizational structure and budget of each Company, University, Ballet School, or Presenter.
Sal's sensitivity to his craft and to his artists inspired reverence and trust. His work is marked by immense strength, honest emotions, and the unveiling of the deeply layered intricacies of his own heart and soul. For Salvatore Aiello, dance was an inseparable part of the human journey. He truly lives on in his art and in the lives that he has touched.
Salvatore Aiello - Choreographer
Salvatore Aiello (February 26, 1944-October 14, 1995) was an American dancer, choreographer, and the artistic director of North Carolina Dance Theatre (1985-1995) where he put his unique imprint on the company.
Salvatore Aiello's early career as a dancer included the Tri-City Ballet Guild in Boston and dancing in theater productions that include Kiss Me, Kate; Guys and Dolls; Oklahoma; and Finian's Rainbow.
Aiello's professional career included American Festival Ballet of Rhode Island, Donald McKayle and Company, Joffrey Ballet under the artistic direction of Robert Joffrey, a charter member of the Harkness Ballet with Rebecca Harkness, The Eglevsky Ballet as principal dancer and assistant to Andre Eglevsky, Hamburg Ballet under the artistic direction of John Neumeier and Royal Winnipeg Ballet where he also served as Ballet Master and Associate Artistic Director.
A rich mixture of training and performances provided Salvatore with versatility in style and theatricality and an impressive ability to choreograph a diverse array of works. The word “energy” most aptly describes Salvatore Aiello and is found prominently in his choreography. Throughout his repertoire of work, Salvatore captured the essence of the human spirit.
In 1996, Salvatore Aiello (posthumous) was awarded the North Carolina Alliance Award for his outstanding contribution to Dance.
Salvatore Aiello (February 26, 1944-October 14, 1995) was an American dancer, choreographer, and the artistic director of North Carolina Dance Theatre (1985-1995) where he put his unique imprint on the company.
Salvatore Aiello's early career as a dancer included the Tri-City Ballet Guild in Boston and dancing in theater productions that include Kiss Me, Kate; Guys and Dolls; Oklahoma; and Finian's Rainbow.
Aiello's professional career included American Festival Ballet of Rhode Island, Donald McKayle and Company, Joffrey Ballet under the artistic direction of Robert Joffrey, a charter member of the Harkness Ballet with Rebecca Harkness, The Eglevsky Ballet as principal dancer and assistant to Andre Eglevsky, Hamburg Ballet under the artistic direction of John Neumeier and Royal Winnipeg Ballet where he also served as Ballet Master and Associate Artistic Director.
A rich mixture of training and performances provided Salvatore with versatility in style and theatricality and an impressive ability to choreograph a diverse array of works. The word “energy” most aptly describes Salvatore Aiello and is found prominently in his choreography. Throughout his repertoire of work, Salvatore captured the essence of the human spirit.
In 1996, Salvatore Aiello (posthumous) was awarded the North Carolina Alliance Award for his outstanding contribution to Dance.
Jerri Kumery - Curator and Repetiteur
Jerri Kumery began her studies at the age of 14 with Roman Jasinski and Moscelyn Larkin in Tulsa, Oklahoma and one year later, she was taken to an audition with Violette Verdy, where she was given a Full Scholarship to attend George Balanchine’s School of American Ballet.
In 1977, Ms. Kumery was invited to join New York City Ballet, under the artistic direction of George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins. During her 10 years, she had the privilege to be an original cast member in George Balanchine’s Mozartiana and in Jerome Robbins’ Antique Epigraphs, Gershwin Piano Concerto, I’m Old Fashioned, and In Memory of…
Due to an early retirement in 1987, because of injury to both knees, Barbara Horgan graciously supported Ms. Kumery’s transition, along with coaching and guidance by Victoria Simon, into becoming a Repetiteur for The George Balanchine Trust and has been staging and passing on Balanchine Works nationally and internationally ever since.
Ms. Kumery has also been a Repetiteur for Ballet Teatro Lirico Nacional, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and in 1990 became Ballet Master and Associate Artistic Director with North Carolina Dance Theatre, under the artistic direction of Salvatore Aiello. She served as Acting Artistic Director for the 1995-1996 Season after the passing of Mr. Aiello. She continued to serve as Co-Associate Artistic Director with Patricia McBride, under artistic direction of Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux until 2006. In May 1997, Ms. Kumery was awarded an Arts & Science Council Fellowship for her meritorious contribution to the artistic community of Charlotte, North Carolina. She created The Salvatore Aiello Trust and Website: salvatoreaiello.org and serves as Curator and Repetiteur to Salvatore Aiello Works.
Jerri Kumery joined the Richmond Ballet in 2007, under the artistic direction of Stoner Winslett. In 2022, she became an Artistic Associate to Stoner Winslett and Ma Cong and continues to serve Richmond Ballet with endless gratitude.
In 1977, Ms. Kumery was invited to join New York City Ballet, under the artistic direction of George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins. During her 10 years, she had the privilege to be an original cast member in George Balanchine’s Mozartiana and in Jerome Robbins’ Antique Epigraphs, Gershwin Piano Concerto, I’m Old Fashioned, and In Memory of…
Due to an early retirement in 1987, because of injury to both knees, Barbara Horgan graciously supported Ms. Kumery’s transition, along with coaching and guidance by Victoria Simon, into becoming a Repetiteur for The George Balanchine Trust and has been staging and passing on Balanchine Works nationally and internationally ever since.
Ms. Kumery has also been a Repetiteur for Ballet Teatro Lirico Nacional, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and in 1990 became Ballet Master and Associate Artistic Director with North Carolina Dance Theatre, under the artistic direction of Salvatore Aiello. She served as Acting Artistic Director for the 1995-1996 Season after the passing of Mr. Aiello. She continued to serve as Co-Associate Artistic Director with Patricia McBride, under artistic direction of Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux until 2006. In May 1997, Ms. Kumery was awarded an Arts & Science Council Fellowship for her meritorious contribution to the artistic community of Charlotte, North Carolina. She created The Salvatore Aiello Trust and Website: salvatoreaiello.org and serves as Curator and Repetiteur to Salvatore Aiello Works.
Jerri Kumery joined the Richmond Ballet in 2007, under the artistic direction of Stoner Winslett. In 2022, she became an Artistic Associate to Stoner Winslett and Ma Cong and continues to serve Richmond Ballet with endless gratitude.
Mia Cunningham - Trustee and Repetiteur
Mia Cunningham began her dance training in Amarillo,Texas. She attended the North Carolina School of the Arts for her two final years of high school. After graduating, Cunningham began her professional dance career by returning to Texas to dance with the San Antonio Ballet, under the direction of Vladimir Marek. After one season, she then traveled to Europe to dance with the Zurich Ballet, under the direction of Patricia Neary.
After spending a year in Zurich, Switzerland, Cunningham returned to the states, to New York City, where she had trained during the summers as a teenager, to search for dance companies. During this time, Cunningham performed with the Kathryn Posin Dance and the Connecticut Ballet Theater. She also traveled to Taiwan to perform with The Stars of the Soviet Ballet, under the direction of Leonid and Valentina Koslov. As well as dance, Cunningham also found work in television commercials and landed a small part in the movie Crocodile Dundee 2.
In 1991, Cunningham was offered a contract for North Carolina Dance Theatre, by the Artistic Director, Salvatore Aiello. She remained for 17 years dancing as principal dancer under the artistic direction of Aiello and then under the artistic direction of Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux. Cunningham also performed for Chautauqua Dance during the summers of 2000 - 2008.
Upon retirement from professional dance in 2008, Cunningham has worked as adjunct professor, in dance, for Winthrop University, Davidson College and part time instructor for various dance academies in and around the Charlotte area, South Carolina and Texas. She has also staged several works by choreographer Salvatore Aiello and Mark Diamond. In the Fall of 2011, Cunningham completed a training with the Mark Morris company for teaching dance to people with Parkinson's Disease.
"Sal was a Dancer's director. He brought the humanity into his ballets by taking his dancers out of their comfort zones.
He didn't tell us what to think, he taught us how to think so that the audience got to experience the spontaneity of the performance.
He was fervent about the truth of his characters and how his dancers brought them to life on stage. That passion was a part of his life
both, in and out, of the Theatre and he passed that on to everyone that was lucky enough to have worked with him."
Mia Cunningham began her dance training in Amarillo,Texas. She attended the North Carolina School of the Arts for her two final years of high school. After graduating, Cunningham began her professional dance career by returning to Texas to dance with the San Antonio Ballet, under the direction of Vladimir Marek. After one season, she then traveled to Europe to dance with the Zurich Ballet, under the direction of Patricia Neary.
After spending a year in Zurich, Switzerland, Cunningham returned to the states, to New York City, where she had trained during the summers as a teenager, to search for dance companies. During this time, Cunningham performed with the Kathryn Posin Dance and the Connecticut Ballet Theater. She also traveled to Taiwan to perform with The Stars of the Soviet Ballet, under the direction of Leonid and Valentina Koslov. As well as dance, Cunningham also found work in television commercials and landed a small part in the movie Crocodile Dundee 2.
In 1991, Cunningham was offered a contract for North Carolina Dance Theatre, by the Artistic Director, Salvatore Aiello. She remained for 17 years dancing as principal dancer under the artistic direction of Aiello and then under the artistic direction of Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux. Cunningham also performed for Chautauqua Dance during the summers of 2000 - 2008.
Upon retirement from professional dance in 2008, Cunningham has worked as adjunct professor, in dance, for Winthrop University, Davidson College and part time instructor for various dance academies in and around the Charlotte area, South Carolina and Texas. She has also staged several works by choreographer Salvatore Aiello and Mark Diamond. In the Fall of 2011, Cunningham completed a training with the Mark Morris company for teaching dance to people with Parkinson's Disease.
"Sal was a Dancer's director. He brought the humanity into his ballets by taking his dancers out of their comfort zones.
He didn't tell us what to think, he taught us how to think so that the audience got to experience the spontaneity of the performance.
He was fervent about the truth of his characters and how his dancers brought them to life on stage. That passion was a part of his life
both, in and out, of the Theatre and he passed that on to everyone that was lucky enough to have worked with him."
Dayna Fox - Trustee and Repetiteur
Dayna Fox, A native of Columbus, Ohio, received her early dance training at Ballet Met. She also has studied in New York and at the North Carolina School of the Arts under such illustrious teachers as the late Melissa Hayden, Duncan Noble, Mimi Paul, and David Howard. In 1977, Ms. Fox joined the North Carolina Dance Theater, where she was a featured dancer through 1985. Under the direction of Robert Lindgren and Salvatore Aiello, NCDT performed extensively throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe including appearances at Kennedy Center, Brooklyn Academy of Music, the American Dance Festival, the Spoleto Festival in Charleston, South Carolina and the Festival of Two Worlds in Spoleto, Italy. During her tenure, Ms. Fox performed soloist and principal roles in an eclectic repertoire including such works as Salvatore Aiello’s Clowns and Others, George Balanchine’s Allegro Brilliante, Pas de Dix, and Scotch Symphony, August Bournonville’s Napoli, Senta Driver’s Resettings, and Vicente Nebrada’s Pentimento. In 1989, Ms. Fox was appointed director of UNCSA’s Preparatory Dance Program, an after-school pre-professional training program, which prepares 3rd - 8th grade students for the School of Dance. During her 25 years as director, Ms. Fox trained hundreds of students for the School’s high school program, many whom have gone on to have illustrious careers in professional companies across the US and abroad. Ms. Fox currently serves on the full-time ballet faculty for the UNCSA School of Dance and holds a B.F.A. in Dance from the North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA).
Dayna Fox, A native of Columbus, Ohio, received her early dance training at Ballet Met. She also has studied in New York and at the North Carolina School of the Arts under such illustrious teachers as the late Melissa Hayden, Duncan Noble, Mimi Paul, and David Howard. In 1977, Ms. Fox joined the North Carolina Dance Theater, where she was a featured dancer through 1985. Under the direction of Robert Lindgren and Salvatore Aiello, NCDT performed extensively throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe including appearances at Kennedy Center, Brooklyn Academy of Music, the American Dance Festival, the Spoleto Festival in Charleston, South Carolina and the Festival of Two Worlds in Spoleto, Italy. During her tenure, Ms. Fox performed soloist and principal roles in an eclectic repertoire including such works as Salvatore Aiello’s Clowns and Others, George Balanchine’s Allegro Brilliante, Pas de Dix, and Scotch Symphony, August Bournonville’s Napoli, Senta Driver’s Resettings, and Vicente Nebrada’s Pentimento. In 1989, Ms. Fox was appointed director of UNCSA’s Preparatory Dance Program, an after-school pre-professional training program, which prepares 3rd - 8th grade students for the School of Dance. During her 25 years as director, Ms. Fox trained hundreds of students for the School’s high school program, many whom have gone on to have illustrious careers in professional companies across the US and abroad. Ms. Fox currently serves on the full-time ballet faculty for the UNCSA School of Dance and holds a B.F.A. in Dance from the North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA).
Heather Maloy - Trustee and Repetiteur
Heather Maloy is the founder, resident choreographer and artistic director of the summertime dance company Terpsicorps Theatre of Dance. The company, created as a vehicle for Maloy's choreography and as a home for many of Salvatore Aiello's ballets, is greatly respected within its home state of North Carolina and attracts dancers from companies across the country. They come to the NC mountains to work with Heather and explore inspiring and demanding choreography. She has created over 20 works for Terpsicorps including three full evening length ballets. Many of these included collaboration with musicians, composers, artists and projectionists.
Heather received her training at the North Carolina School of the Arts (NCSA). She began her professional career when she joined the North Carolina Dance Theatre (NCDT) at the age of 17, making her at that time the youngest dancer to be hired as a full company member in NCDT’s history. Heather stayed for thirteen years, dancing soloist and principal roles. Mentored by Salvatore Aiello, NCDT's director at the time, she choreographed her first professional work when she was only nineteen. After his death, his successor, Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux, commissioned her to create five more pieces for NCDT. Heather has also created two premieres for the Chautauqua Ballet, three ballets for the Nashville Ballet and one work each for the Wake Forest and Jacksonville College Dance Departments.
She has participated in Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet’s Choreoplan, the Ballet Nouveau Colorado 21st Century Choreography Competition and the National Choreographer’s Initiative. She has also had the honor to return to UNCSA to create a new work for the Spring Dance program and to stage her work “Le Suil Go…” for an alumni performance in Manteo, NC. www.terpsicorps.org
"I could not be more excited at the prospect of being able to share Aiello's work with more dancers and audiences."
Heather received her training at the North Carolina School of the Arts (NCSA). She began her professional career when she joined the North Carolina Dance Theatre (NCDT) at the age of 17, making her at that time the youngest dancer to be hired as a full company member in NCDT’s history. Heather stayed for thirteen years, dancing soloist and principal roles. Mentored by Salvatore Aiello, NCDT's director at the time, she choreographed her first professional work when she was only nineteen. After his death, his successor, Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux, commissioned her to create five more pieces for NCDT. Heather has also created two premieres for the Chautauqua Ballet, three ballets for the Nashville Ballet and one work each for the Wake Forest and Jacksonville College Dance Departments.
She has participated in Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet’s Choreoplan, the Ballet Nouveau Colorado 21st Century Choreography Competition and the National Choreographer’s Initiative. She has also had the honor to return to UNCSA to create a new work for the Spring Dance program and to stage her work “Le Suil Go…” for an alumni performance in Manteo, NC. www.terpsicorps.org
"I could not be more excited at the prospect of being able to share Aiello's work with more dancers and audiences."
Kati Hanlon Mayo - Trustee and Repetiteur
Kati Hanlon Mayo began her dance training at The Boston School of Ballet and went on to study as a scholarship student at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and The School of American Ballet. At the age of 15, she became a member of Boston Ballet 2 and performed regularly with the main company. Kati attended The University of Massachusetts/Amherst as a Chancellor’s Award Scholarship recipient for two years before returning to Boston to dance soloist roles with Jose Mateo’s Ballet Theatre. In 1992, Kati began working as a principal dancer with North Carolina Dancer Theatre, under the artistic direction of Salvatore Aiello, and that same year, she was invited to join The Chautauqua Ballet Company.
Throughout her career, Kati had many ballets created on her including the female lead in Mateo’s Schubert Adagio and Salvatore Aiello’s ‘Chosen One’ in The Rite of Spring. Kati performed principal roles in ballets choreographed by George Balanchine, Alvin Ailey, Jean- Pierre Bonnefoux, William Forsythe, Violette Verdy, Agnes DeMille, Jacqueline Buglisi, Dwight Rhoden, Nacho Duato and Alonzo King. In 2000 and 2004, Kati was named Best Performing Artist by Charlotte Magazine. The New York Times reviewed that she “ruled the stage with benign classical authority” and Dance Magazine heralded her as a “performer of stunning versatility and dramatic power.” Kati began teaching at the Academy in 1993. She is currently an instructor for the Advanced and Pre-Professional Division as well as the main company of Charlotte Ballet.
Kati has been a guest teacher for The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and she is a repetiteur for the Salvatore Aiello Trust. Kati is a certified instructor of Dance for Parkinson’s Disease through The Mark Morris Dance Group and she also completed her instructor certification with Progressing Ballet Technique in 2016.
Throughout her career, Kati had many ballets created on her including the female lead in Mateo’s Schubert Adagio and Salvatore Aiello’s ‘Chosen One’ in The Rite of Spring. Kati performed principal roles in ballets choreographed by George Balanchine, Alvin Ailey, Jean- Pierre Bonnefoux, William Forsythe, Violette Verdy, Agnes DeMille, Jacqueline Buglisi, Dwight Rhoden, Nacho Duato and Alonzo King. In 2000 and 2004, Kati was named Best Performing Artist by Charlotte Magazine. The New York Times reviewed that she “ruled the stage with benign classical authority” and Dance Magazine heralded her as a “performer of stunning versatility and dramatic power.” Kati began teaching at the Academy in 1993. She is currently an instructor for the Advanced and Pre-Professional Division as well as the main company of Charlotte Ballet.
Kati has been a guest teacher for The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and she is a repetiteur for the Salvatore Aiello Trust. Kati is a certified instructor of Dance for Parkinson’s Disease through The Mark Morris Dance Group and she also completed her instructor certification with Progressing Ballet Technique in 2016.
Diego Carrasco-Schoch - Trustee and Repetiteur
Diego Carrasco-Schoch danced for North Carolina Dance Theatre under the artistic direction of Salvatore Aiello from 1987 to 1991. During that time, he originated roles in Notturno, Symphonic Dances, and Echoes of Presence as well as dancing in Satto, Journey, Magnificat, Clowns and Others, The Bells, Coppelia, and other works.
Prior to joining NCDT, Mr. Schoch danced for Forth Worth Ballet and attended the North Carolina School of the Arts. After leaving NCDT, he danced for Milwaukee Ballet for 12 seasons (1991-2003) achieving the rank of Principal Dancer. A choreographer in his own right, Mr. Schoch has produced, directed and presented his own work as an independent dance artist, presented work at the American Dance Festival, and received commissions from companies, universities and schools.
He has a BFA from the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee and an MFA from the University of Iowa, served as an Assistant Professor at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, was a member of the Contemporary Dance Faculty at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA), is a certified Pilates instructor and is currently pursuing his PhD in Physical Therapy. Mr. Schoch currently resides in San Diego, CA.
Prior to joining NCDT, Mr. Schoch danced for Forth Worth Ballet and attended the North Carolina School of the Arts. After leaving NCDT, he danced for Milwaukee Ballet for 12 seasons (1991-2003) achieving the rank of Principal Dancer. A choreographer in his own right, Mr. Schoch has produced, directed and presented his own work as an independent dance artist, presented work at the American Dance Festival, and received commissions from companies, universities and schools.
He has a BFA from the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee and an MFA from the University of Iowa, served as an Assistant Professor at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, was a member of the Contemporary Dance Faculty at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA), is a certified Pilates instructor and is currently pursuing his PhD in Physical Therapy. Mr. Schoch currently resides in San Diego, CA.
Timothy Rinehart Yeager - Trustee and Repetiteur
Timothy Rinehart Yeager is a native of Washington, Pa. Yeager received his dance training at Sally Miller Dance, Third Street Music School Settlement, Syracuse University and North Carolina School of the Arts. Mr. Yeager spent 10 seasons with the North Carolina Dance Theatre.
While there he was featured in ballets by Salvatore Aiello, Alvin Ailey, George Balanchine, Agnes De Mille, David Parsons, Peter Pucci and Paul Taylor, among others. He has also performed as a guest artist with The Dancers Ensemble, Chautauqua Ballet Company and Tampa Ballet.
Mr. Yeager has taught master classes and led intensive arts residencies throughout the eastern United States, and before joining the staff of Nashville Ballet in 2001, served as the Ballet Master with the Moving Poets Theatre of Dance in Charlotte, NC. From 2003 to 2010, he was also Ballet Master for Terpsicorps Theatre of Dance, a summer season company located in Asheville, NC.
"Without Sal I wouldn't be what I am today. He not only saw my talents as a dancer but also my potential as a
leader of dancers and hence set my future as a ballet master into motion. Sal was not just my boss but my mentor and friend
and I'm eternally grateful for having been a part of his life and he mine."
While there he was featured in ballets by Salvatore Aiello, Alvin Ailey, George Balanchine, Agnes De Mille, David Parsons, Peter Pucci and Paul Taylor, among others. He has also performed as a guest artist with The Dancers Ensemble, Chautauqua Ballet Company and Tampa Ballet.
Mr. Yeager has taught master classes and led intensive arts residencies throughout the eastern United States, and before joining the staff of Nashville Ballet in 2001, served as the Ballet Master with the Moving Poets Theatre of Dance in Charlotte, NC. From 2003 to 2010, he was also Ballet Master for Terpsicorps Theatre of Dance, a summer season company located in Asheville, NC.
"Without Sal I wouldn't be what I am today. He not only saw my talents as a dancer but also my potential as a
leader of dancers and hence set my future as a ballet master into motion. Sal was not just my boss but my mentor and friend
and I'm eternally grateful for having been a part of his life and he mine."
Robert Gardner - Trustee and Repetiteur
Robert Gardner began his training with Kay Harmon, former dancer with the Washington Ballet, in his hometown of Roanoke, Virginia. He furthered his training under scholarship at the North Carolina School of the Arts and at the School of American Ballet. Robert began his professional career in New York with the Eglevsky Ballet, the Joffrey II Dancers and performed with the Joffrey Ballet where he danced in the works of Frederick Ashton, Anthony Tudor, Ruthanna Boris, and Choo San Goh, throughout the United States, as well as internationally. His career moved him west, where with the San Jose/Cleveland Ballet he danced principal and soloist roles in works by George Balanchine, Agnes De Mille, Lar Lubovitch, Jose’ Limon and many others. He appeared as a guest artist with the Houston Opera, Chicago Lyric Opera, and Glimmerglass Opera in Cooperstown, New York. His world dance experience has enriched his vision, choreography, and teaching. He served as the Artistic Director of the Minnesota Ballet for 12 years, where he choreographed over 40 works, including his original versions of “Sleeping Beauty,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “Dracula,” “Firebird, and “Swan Lake,” described as a “lush dance epic.” His work has been hailed as having a “meticulous use of contrasting imagery, emotions and energy that make each dance moment exquisitely unique,” and has been presented to acclaim nationally and internationally. He has choreographed for opera and orchestra, as well as musical theater, including “The Pirates of Penzance,” “Into the Woods,” and “Les Misérables.” His national connections have enabled him to bring masterworks by George Balanchine, Twyla Tharp, Agnes DeMille, Anthony Tudor, and Salvatore Aiello to the companies he has led, as well as promoting emerging regional and national choreographers, composers, and designers. He has received an Excellence in the Arts & Sciences Award from the Saint Louis County Board of Commissioners and the Lifetime Artist Award from the Depot Foundation. He received an American Composers Forum Award to create an original work with original score and has served as a grant panelist for the MN State Arts Board.
Robert currently leads the Rochester City Ballet as Artistic Director, where he has introduced Aiello’s works into the repertoire.
Robert Gardner began his training with Kay Harmon, former dancer with the Washington Ballet, in his hometown of Roanoke, Virginia. He furthered his training under scholarship at the North Carolina School of the Arts and at the School of American Ballet. Robert began his professional career in New York with the Eglevsky Ballet, the Joffrey II Dancers and performed with the Joffrey Ballet where he danced in the works of Frederick Ashton, Anthony Tudor, Ruthanna Boris, and Choo San Goh, throughout the United States, as well as internationally. His career moved him west, where with the San Jose/Cleveland Ballet he danced principal and soloist roles in works by George Balanchine, Agnes De Mille, Lar Lubovitch, Jose’ Limon and many others. He appeared as a guest artist with the Houston Opera, Chicago Lyric Opera, and Glimmerglass Opera in Cooperstown, New York. His world dance experience has enriched his vision, choreography, and teaching. He served as the Artistic Director of the Minnesota Ballet for 12 years, where he choreographed over 40 works, including his original versions of “Sleeping Beauty,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “Dracula,” “Firebird, and “Swan Lake,” described as a “lush dance epic.” His work has been hailed as having a “meticulous use of contrasting imagery, emotions and energy that make each dance moment exquisitely unique,” and has been presented to acclaim nationally and internationally. He has choreographed for opera and orchestra, as well as musical theater, including “The Pirates of Penzance,” “Into the Woods,” and “Les Misérables.” His national connections have enabled him to bring masterworks by George Balanchine, Twyla Tharp, Agnes DeMille, Anthony Tudor, and Salvatore Aiello to the companies he has led, as well as promoting emerging regional and national choreographers, composers, and designers. He has received an Excellence in the Arts & Sciences Award from the Saint Louis County Board of Commissioners and the Lifetime Artist Award from the Depot Foundation. He received an American Composers Forum Award to create an original work with original score and has served as a grant panelist for the MN State Arts Board.
Robert currently leads the Rochester City Ballet as Artistic Director, where he has introduced Aiello’s works into the repertoire.
Douglas Lee Barger - Costume Designer (May 31,1945 - February 1, 2021)
Douglas Lee Barger
In 1979, Douglas met choreographer, Salvatore Aiello and began an extraordinary collaboration for 16 years designing costumes for 9 ballets created by Salvatore Aiello. Douglas has also designed costumes for many professional dance companies including the North Carolina Dance Theatre, Ohio Ballet, Memphis Ballet.
With a BFA in Theatrical Design, plus a double MA in Comparative Literature and Art History from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he began his career in design creating women's apparel for the Salem Company and men's attire for The Hanes Corporation Venture Group.
He worked in wardrobe for Broadway productions including Cats, Phantom of the Opera, Hello Dolly, Present Laughter, Beauty and the Beast, and Lion King. His Film credits include Three in the Attic, Killers Three, Leatherheads, Blood Done Sign My Name, and To Have and To Hold. He also designed for BBC and PBS. As Co-Founder of the touring theater company, Historically Speaking, Douglas directed and designed a series of shows based on 16th-century English music and culture performed for a wide range of audiences.
"Sal Aiello was a Herkimer, NY boy who became a diamond of American choreography."
Douglas Lee Barger
In 1979, Douglas met choreographer, Salvatore Aiello and began an extraordinary collaboration for 16 years designing costumes for 9 ballets created by Salvatore Aiello. Douglas has also designed costumes for many professional dance companies including the North Carolina Dance Theatre, Ohio Ballet, Memphis Ballet.
With a BFA in Theatrical Design, plus a double MA in Comparative Literature and Art History from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he began his career in design creating women's apparel for the Salem Company and men's attire for The Hanes Corporation Venture Group.
He worked in wardrobe for Broadway productions including Cats, Phantom of the Opera, Hello Dolly, Present Laughter, Beauty and the Beast, and Lion King. His Film credits include Three in the Attic, Killers Three, Leatherheads, Blood Done Sign My Name, and To Have and To Hold. He also designed for BBC and PBS. As Co-Founder of the touring theater company, Historically Speaking, Douglas directed and designed a series of shows based on 16th-century English music and culture performed for a wide range of audiences.
"Sal Aiello was a Herkimer, NY boy who became a diamond of American choreography."
Richard Kumery - Photographer
Richard J. Kumery (1932-2000) was a man of great character.
He was an avid dance photographer, a dear friend of Sal's and he is my Dad.
Richard J. Kumery (1932-2000) was a man of great character.
He was an avid dance photographer, a dear friend of Sal's and he is my Dad.
Sarah Ferguson - Photographer
Sarah Ferguson graduated with a BFA in Dance and Choreography from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2005. As a dance student, she discovered a desire to capture movement in a single frame and found photography helped record those movements forever. It became Sarah's passion to photograph dancers at their best and show them how an image magically reflected their physical ability.
She was honored to be featured in the DANCE Magazine supplement "Beyond Performance 2008" for her career as a performer with Starr Foster Dance Project, as an arts administrator, and as a dance photographer.
Sarah is currently the company photographer for Richmond Ballet and her work of Stoner Winslett’s The Nutcracker was shown in the New York Times in 2010. Sarah has worked with Virginia Commonwealth University Dance, Richmond Symphony, Ground Zero Dance, K Dance, RVA Dance Collective, Z Mullins Dance Company, F Dance, and her work has been featured in the New York Times, Washington Post, DANCE Magazine, Pointe Magazine, and Dance Teacher Magazine. www.sfergusonphotography.com.
Sarah Ferguson graduated with a BFA in Dance and Choreography from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2005. As a dance student, she discovered a desire to capture movement in a single frame and found photography helped record those movements forever. It became Sarah's passion to photograph dancers at their best and show them how an image magically reflected their physical ability.
She was honored to be featured in the DANCE Magazine supplement "Beyond Performance 2008" for her career as a performer with Starr Foster Dance Project, as an arts administrator, and as a dance photographer.
Sarah is currently the company photographer for Richmond Ballet and her work of Stoner Winslett’s The Nutcracker was shown in the New York Times in 2010. Sarah has worked with Virginia Commonwealth University Dance, Richmond Symphony, Ground Zero Dance, K Dance, RVA Dance Collective, Z Mullins Dance Company, F Dance, and her work has been featured in the New York Times, Washington Post, DANCE Magazine, Pointe Magazine, and Dance Teacher Magazine. www.sfergusonphotography.com.
Jeff Cravotta - Photographer
Jeff Cravotta is a Charlotte based commercial and editorial photographer who best likes to shoot people. He was born in Brooklyn, NY and was brought into commercial photography by mentor: Cliff Moorhead. After relocating to Charlotte, NC in 1980 Jeff continued his education by assisting mentors: Billy Tinney, Joann Sieberg Baker, Steve Knight and Harry Joyner. Jeff's photographic niches include dance, healthcare, yoga, gardens, travel environmental issues as well as a deep interest in the workings of the food chain.
Jeff's clients include: Time Warner, The Girls Scouts, Condé Nast, Town & Country Magazine, The New York Times Magazine, Self Magazine, Happy Box Architecture, University of North Carolina, Johnson C. Smith University, Getty Images, Sangati Yoga, Hewlett Packard, PBS, Terpsicorps Theatre of Dance, YMCA, Wagner-Murray Architects, North Carolina Dance Theatre, Tanztheater Berlin, Opera Carolina, Bruce Clodfelter, Presbyterian Healthcare, Carolina Digestive, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Anusara Yoga, The Moving Poets, Wing Haven, A&E Television Network, National Geographic Channel and more. www.cravotta.com
Jeff Cravotta is a Charlotte based commercial and editorial photographer who best likes to shoot people. He was born in Brooklyn, NY and was brought into commercial photography by mentor: Cliff Moorhead. After relocating to Charlotte, NC in 1980 Jeff continued his education by assisting mentors: Billy Tinney, Joann Sieberg Baker, Steve Knight and Harry Joyner. Jeff's photographic niches include dance, healthcare, yoga, gardens, travel environmental issues as well as a deep interest in the workings of the food chain.
Jeff's clients include: Time Warner, The Girls Scouts, Condé Nast, Town & Country Magazine, The New York Times Magazine, Self Magazine, Happy Box Architecture, University of North Carolina, Johnson C. Smith University, Getty Images, Sangati Yoga, Hewlett Packard, PBS, Terpsicorps Theatre of Dance, YMCA, Wagner-Murray Architects, North Carolina Dance Theatre, Tanztheater Berlin, Opera Carolina, Bruce Clodfelter, Presbyterian Healthcare, Carolina Digestive, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Anusara Yoga, The Moving Poets, Wing Haven, A&E Television Network, National Geographic Channel and more. www.cravotta.com
Lauren Fagone - Grant Consultant
Lauren Fagone is originally from Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. Her early training was strengthened by attending programs at the School of American Ballet, Chautauqua Ballet, and Pennsylvania Ballet. She danced as an apprentice with North Carolina Dance Theatre where she was first introduced to the extraordinary beauty and power of Salvatore Aiello’s choreographic legacy. Following her two year apprenticeship with NCDT she decided to pursue her education at Indiana University, and after an unexpectedly fortunate audition for the Richmond Ballet was invited to join the company as an apprentice. She was promoted into the professional company after two years, and has treasured her experiences performing as part of Richmond Ballet while traveling to such amazing venues as Linbury Theatre at the Royal Opera House, the Joyce Theater, the Kennedy Center, and more recently in the opulent theatres in Beijing and Shanghai as part of the Company’s recent tour to China. This spring she also stretched her limbs in a new direction and along with Richmond Ballet’s Ballet Master Malcolm Burn, staged choreographer Ma Cong’s Lift the Fallen ballet on Guongzhou Ballet. Her time at Richmond Ballet also celebrates her reunion with Jerri Kumery, the curator of the Salvatore Aiello Trust, who has remained a constant source of personal inspiration and catalyst for artistic growth since the first moment she was exposed to Kumery’s grace, knowledge, passion, and heart in the summer of 1997. She is thrilled to contribute to the preservation and perpetuation of Salvatore Aiello’s masterful work, and looks forward to engaging new communities and artists and spirits through his valuable craft.
Lauren Fagone is originally from Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. Her early training was strengthened by attending programs at the School of American Ballet, Chautauqua Ballet, and Pennsylvania Ballet. She danced as an apprentice with North Carolina Dance Theatre where she was first introduced to the extraordinary beauty and power of Salvatore Aiello’s choreographic legacy. Following her two year apprenticeship with NCDT she decided to pursue her education at Indiana University, and after an unexpectedly fortunate audition for the Richmond Ballet was invited to join the company as an apprentice. She was promoted into the professional company after two years, and has treasured her experiences performing as part of Richmond Ballet while traveling to such amazing venues as Linbury Theatre at the Royal Opera House, the Joyce Theater, the Kennedy Center, and more recently in the opulent theatres in Beijing and Shanghai as part of the Company’s recent tour to China. This spring she also stretched her limbs in a new direction and along with Richmond Ballet’s Ballet Master Malcolm Burn, staged choreographer Ma Cong’s Lift the Fallen ballet on Guongzhou Ballet. Her time at Richmond Ballet also celebrates her reunion with Jerri Kumery, the curator of the Salvatore Aiello Trust, who has remained a constant source of personal inspiration and catalyst for artistic growth since the first moment she was exposed to Kumery’s grace, knowledge, passion, and heart in the summer of 1997. She is thrilled to contribute to the preservation and perpetuation of Salvatore Aiello’s masterful work, and looks forward to engaging new communities and artists and spirits through his valuable craft.
Cecile Tuzii - Designer and Coordinator
Cecile Tuzii graduated from The Academie de danse Princesse Grace de Monaco and studied with Marika Besobrasova.
Cecile danced with The Ballet du Rhin in France, as well as Basler Ballet in Switzerland, Deutsche Oper am Rein in Germany, Tulsa Ballet in Oklahoma and Richmond Ballet in Virginia.
Her career includes major roles in Romeo and Juliet, Coppelia, The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Rite of Spring, Carmina Burana, as well as works from Hans Van Manen, Mats Ek, Uwe Scholtz, Jerome Robbins, George Balanchine, Ben Stevenson, Nacho Duato, Agnes De Mille, Val Caniparoli, Ma Cong, Salvatore Aiello, Malcolm Burn and Stoner Winslett among others.
Cecile retired from dancing in 2013 and has since joined The School of Richmond Ballet faculty as Principal of the Upper Division, and manages her costume design online at www.tutupro.com and Facebook.
Cecile Tuzii graduated from The Academie de danse Princesse Grace de Monaco and studied with Marika Besobrasova.
Cecile danced with The Ballet du Rhin in France, as well as Basler Ballet in Switzerland, Deutsche Oper am Rein in Germany, Tulsa Ballet in Oklahoma and Richmond Ballet in Virginia.
Her career includes major roles in Romeo and Juliet, Coppelia, The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Rite of Spring, Carmina Burana, as well as works from Hans Van Manen, Mats Ek, Uwe Scholtz, Jerome Robbins, George Balanchine, Ben Stevenson, Nacho Duato, Agnes De Mille, Val Caniparoli, Ma Cong, Salvatore Aiello, Malcolm Burn and Stoner Winslett among others.
Cecile retired from dancing in 2013 and has since joined The School of Richmond Ballet faculty as Principal of the Upper Division, and manages her costume design online at www.tutupro.com and Facebook.
Top and Bottom Header Photos by Sarah Ferguson from "The Rite of Spring"
