Madison Ballet's newly named artistic director, Ja’ Malik rehearses his new work, “Guitar Concerto,” with Jacob Ashley El, which premieres later this week in the company’s "Turning Pointe" performances.
“ The choreographer Ja’ Malik was in Madison for an interview with Madison Ballet early last fall, when he stopped by the Overture Center to hear a concert by the Madison Symphony Orchestra. Audiences were just getting used to the idea of going back to live events after a long, pandemic-induced shutdown, and things still felt very tentative for the performing arts world. ‘They played Tchaikovsky’s Serenade,’ said Ja’ Malik, who was born and spent most of his career in New York City. The concert was ‘gorgeous,’ he said. ‘I sat there in heaven. I just thought, this is the greatest hour-and-a-half that I’ve had in such a long time.’
Ja’ Malik hopes audiences will have that same kind of transcendent experience as they attend future performances by Madison Ballet — a dance company he will now head as its new artistic director. In his key role, Ja’ Malik will set the artistic direction for a major Madison arts organization best known for its 150-student ballet school, contemporary and classical ballet performances and its annual production of “The Nutcracker” in Overture Hall.
‘I want the city of Madison to take pride and ownership in the company as I work to move the company further along and make a real impact,’ he said. ‘There are universal messages of joy, hope and love to behold when you come see Madison Ballet.’ ”
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