The amazing Brett Raphael

Some History of the fabulously talented Director of The Connecticut Ballet Company, Mr. Brett Raphael from The Connecticut Ballet website.

Mr. Raphael founded Connecticut Ballet and Connecticut Ballet Center. He has taught all levels of ballet, pointe, pas de deux, and repertoire since 1981. He has served on the faculties of Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, Harkness House in New York City, and Purchase College along with guest teaching at conferences and residencies in New Orleans, Massachusetts, Tennessee, and Maryland. He was chosen by George Balanchine at age ten to receive a Ford Foundation Scholarship to the School of American Ballet, studying intensively under Stanley Williams and Richard Rapp. He subsequently studied with Hector Zaraspe, Valentina Pereyaslavec, Leon Danielian, Errol Addison (in London) and performed with the touring ensemble, Stars of American Ballet. He danced leading roles with Connecticut Ballet in classic full-lengths as well as contemporary works by Lynne Taylor-Corbett, Lila York, Danny Buraczeski, Anna Sokolow, and Milton Myers. He has choreographed sixteen original works for Connecticut Ballet along with stagings of the full-length Romeo and Juliet, Giselle, Coppèlia, Nutcracker, Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella, Brigadoon and an original ballet, La Belle Otero. In 2000, his ballet, Blue Light, won second prize in the St. Sauveur Choreography Competition in Canada. Mr. Raphael’s choreography was recently shown at the Tel Aviv Festival in Israel.

My artistic quest to paint a series of classical ballet paintings:

Some years ago, I had the distinct pleasure of joining Connecticut Ballet and their hugely talented dancers for a photo shoot with an eye on creating a series of ballet paintings. I needed the imagery as a reference point. The director Brett Raphael was profoundly generous with his time and access to his dancers. Brett is a particularly lovely and amazingly talented ballet dancer himself and what he imparted in all of the dancers that he taught was the dedication to their art and giving their all for their art! Brett Raphael Is it truly magnificent human being in every way and has given his life in support of the dance form that he loves so much.

Established in 1981, The Connecticut Ballet Company holds performances in Stamford and Hartford to high acclaim. More importantly still, a company with profound educational aims has been brought to every corner of the state by it.

With its dances ranging from classical masterworks to modern creative performances, the Connecticut Ballet displays a variety of styles which enrich the entire cultural field of ballet. This is a long-standing tradition that has made ballet art available to people of all ages with clever marketing and the most extreme dedication to this highly regarded art form.

At the core of Connecticut Ballet is founder and artistic director Brett Raphael. Raphael, a respected dancer and international choreographer in his own right, has lived and breathed the company’s spirit since its inception. As a result of his leadership, Connecticut Ballet not only attracts world-class dancers, but also has a long-term commitment to growing its own talents. His dedication to excellence in ballet education and practice has made Connecticut Ballet known throughout both local and national dance circles.

Director is the perfect word for Raphael. Everything about the Connecticut Ballet is a testament to his ability: his sharp eye for choreography, innovative programming, and getting the best out of dancers with such difficult demands he is an example to us all. He gently lingers to hold onto a dancer's hand in order for it not to catch the top of a spotlight, and he does so well. No LCD displays steal away from that picture.

When it comes to a classic ballet or a new work, one thing is certain -- Raphael’s artistic vision still shines through. It not only captures audiences but also inspires the next generation of young dancers. So, his dedication and his sense of artistic achievement continue to lift Connecticut Ballet higher, making it a cultural treasure!