Episode 10 | Innovation II: Gianna DeMassio

Written by Caitlin Sloan

In this episode of At the Barre, we go behind the scenes with Madison Ballet apprentice and emerging choreographer Gianna DeMassio.

In her first season with the company, Gianna shares her journey from a competition dance background to discovering her passion for ballet and how she unexpectedly fell in love with choreography during her training.

We also dive into her choreographic process for Innovation II, where she premieres a new work titled Memento Vivere inspired by a meaningful moment while dancing in Italy. The work is centered around the passage of time and the emotional experience of living in the present.

Gianna offers insight into what it’s like to create work on her peers, how she balances her own movement voice with the established language of a company, and why she’s drawn to grounded, human-centered movement that resonates both with dancers and audiences alike.

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gigi.825/

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Madison Ballet Website: madisonballet.org
Madison Ballet Outreach: madisonballet.org/outreach
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MBO INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/madisonballetoutreach
Questions/comments? Email us at outreach@madisonballet.org

Credits
PODCAST COVER PHOTO: Matthew Ulrich
DANCER: Madison Ballet Company Artist Lauren Thompson
MUSIC: Capet String Quartet - Ravel (Col. D 15057-60) 1928
LAUREN HEADSHOT: Lexia Frank Photography