Javier Velasco (upper left) is known internationally for his ingenious skill in creating original ballets that incorporate elements of the traditional dance with more modern music and moves. In the last sixteen years, he has choreographed more than 50 original pieces for the San Diego Ballet. His eclectic musical taste and exceptional choreography has awarded the company with national recognition and local applause. “I didn’t get into dance so people could tell me what I couldn’t do,” Javier said.

Voted "Best Theatrical Dance Company" in the San Diego Union-Tribune Reader’s Poll for the last two years, San Diego Ballet’s exceptional performances make it one-of-a-kind. "It’s such a treat to get to dance the contemporary ballets," said Rachel Sebastian, a nine-year member of the company. "We don’t do a lot of classical ballets. We get to dance to Jim Croce, Patsy Kline, Tito Puente…it’s really cool." But as the holiday months approach, Javier and his dancers put the new routines on hold and look forward to getting ready for an old favorite their annual performance of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker.

For many of the dancers, The Nutcracker is a sentimental ballet. "It was my first performance," remembered Melissa Ryan. "I was five and I was so excited. I was a Candy Cane." For other dancers, like Christine Owens, it was watching The Nutcracker that inspired a love for the ballet.

"I was ten when I started taking ballet lessons," said Christine. "I got hooked kind of late. I remember my mom taking me to see The Nutcracker and I loved it." Audiences around the United States will get to enjoy Velasco’s interpretation of the famous ballet. "We’re taking the Nutcracker to Colorado and Arizona this
year," Javier said. The San Diego Ballet has also performed the holiday show in Montana and Wyoming.

It was around the time of the Civil War in America, and Pyotr Tchaikovsky was adapting German writer E.T.A. Hoffman’s story into what would become the most often performed ballet in history. The wondrousness of Hoffman’s supernatural characters blended with Tchaikovsky’s flair for grandeur was lost on early audiences; the first performance met with harsh critiques. "For dancers there is rather little in it, for art absolutely nothing, and for the artistic fate of our ballet, one more step downward," read one review. Reviews of the San Diego Ballet’s performances are quite another story. Heralded as "spectacular" and "beyond compare" in 2002, "delightful" and "elegant" in 2003, and as "radiant," "witty," and "sparkling" in 2004, there is no doubt that Javier’s magic touch will be evident in this year’s performances as well. Robin Morgan, who started the San Diego School of Ballet in 1989, co-founded the San Diego Ballet with Javier in 1991.

The two work well, and have created an environment where each dancer’s skills are showcased and where all roles are important. "Everyone’s a principal dancer in our company," Robin said. All of the dancers praised Javier and Robin and said that working for the San Diego Ballet is wonderful – a positive attitude that certainly comes across in their performances. Melissa Ryan started by enrolling in classes at the San Diego School of Ballet as a child. "They knew me and what I could do," she said. "So when a position in the Ballet opened up, they asked if I wanted it." This year’s Nutcracker will have a cast of over 100 dancers, some the company’s principal dancers and some the School of Ballet’s current students. Who knows…the dancers you see in this month’s performance could be next year’s celebrities. Students from the School of Ballet have gone on to dance with the top companies in America. To find out about children and adult dance programs available call the San Diego School of Ballet at 619-294-7374. (Robin’s dogs were unable to join in the photo shoot, but Robin’s a dog lover just like the rest – she has three dogs at home!)  

Rochester, Javier Velasco’s miniature Schnauzer, loved a dancer’s life. "He used to go on tour with the company," said Javier fondly. Two years ago while the company was performing The Nutcracker, Javier’s father was at home dog-sitting. City construction crews had removed part of the fence around Javier’s yard; his father forgot and let Rochester outside. Rochester was hit by a car and killed.

To help ease his father’s grief, Javier decided to get another dog, the exact same breed, and give it a similar name. Javier went to a breeder and found Chester, whom he has loved for the last two years. Chester hasn’t warmed up to stage life yet, but Javier said that’s okay. (Other dogs make him a bit nervous too, but he felt safe wrapped in Javier’s cape for the photo shoot.) "I’ve always had dogs," Javier said. "I always will have dogs." While Chester was originally intended to ease the pain of Rochester’s passing, he has come to find a special place all his own in Javier’s heart. This will be Javier’s sixteenth year with San Diego Ballet. Watch for him as Herr Drosslmeyer in this year’s production of The Nutcracker.

Javier Velasco with Chester

Heather Falten with Carmen

When it came time to move, it wasn’t easy for Heather Falten to find a pet-friendly place to live in San Diego. It took a lot of calling to find a house that would rent to a dog owner. "It was pretty stressful," she remembered. "The only reason our current landlady was okay with it is because she’d recently rescued a dog herself and understood how special dogs are. It was good timing for us." Heather’s dog, Carmen (named for Bizet’s opera, not Carmen Electra), is a lively dacshund/chihuahua mix. Heather takes her on a two-mile walk every day, and yet Carmen still finds the energy to chew, chew, chew. "She’s chewed up many pairs of point shoes," Heather lamented. The first time Carmen did it, Heather’s husband was afraid to tell her. "I basically threw $50 down the drain," she said. "Who knew she’d be able to get into a zipped bag?!" Ballet dancers need to replace their point slippers sometimes as often as once a week during performances, expensive enough without Carmen’s help. Carmen’s even been known to chew through things backstage! Good thing she’s so darn cute – and short. Now Heather makes sure she keeps her slippers on the top shelf. Heather has been with San Diego Ballet for four years. Watch for her as Mrs. Stalbaum, a Snowflake, a Flower, and lead Arabian in this year’s production of The Nutcracker.