Yuriko Kajiya News

As much as I admire the art of ballet, I have never seen a new, professional ballet performance, one that no one else has seen before. To say I was excited to be in the audience for the opening night of the world premiere of Houston Ballet's SUMMER AND SMOKE is an understatement, and it was everything that I hoped it to be!

ROMEO AND JULIET…the classic love story of star-crossed lovers. To say that our culture is saturated with this tale is a fact that no one can deny. However, knowing the talent of the Houston Ballet, I was intrigued to see this legend translated to dance. As I watched the production, I quickly realized that this story is simply perfect as a ballet!

Houston Ballet's season is putting on one of the most celebrated traditions of the holidays: THE NUTCRACKER. As a sneak peek at this year’s THE NUTCRACKER, we spoke with Kellen Hornbuckle, one of the company’s ballerinas. Through our conversation with her, we discussed what we can look forward to in this year’s THE NUTCRACKER and more!

Next week, Houston Ballet brings one of the city's most cherished holiday productions, The Nutcracker, back to the stage at the Wortham Theater Center for the first time in two years. Audiences of all ages are invited to experience Clara's magical journey to the Kingdom of Sweets at one of 31 performances between November 26 and December 24, 2021. 

Next week, Houston Ballet brings one of the city's most cherished holiday productions, The Nutcracker, back to the stage at the Wortham Theater Center for the first time in two years. Audiences of all ages are invited to experience Clara's magical journey to the Kingdom of Sweets at one of 31 performances between November 26 and December 24, 2021. 

As part of the event, principal dancers Connor Walsh and Yuriko Kajiya, first soloist Oliver Halkowich and soloist Alyssa Springer were each partnered with a local celebrity chefs to create a four-course, one-night-only feast

American Ballet Theatre Principal Dancer Misty Copeland and former colleague, 'Ballet's Golden Boy' Joseph Phillips, have joined forces with The Entertainment Industry Foundation, with seed funding provided by K Period Media, to launch Swans for Relief

American Ballet Theatre Principal Dancer Misty Copeland and former colleague, 'Ballet's Golden Boy' Joseph Phillips, have joined forces with The Entertainment Industry Foundation, with seed funding provided by K Period Media, to launch Swans for Relief, a virtual ballet event to raise needed funds to help ballet dancers around the world.

The Nutcracker is beloved for many reasons; the endless eye candy, the dynamic score, and the marriage of artistry and excellence. The element of tradition keeps us coming back for more. We yearn to feel connection, and to remember what it's like to wonder about magical things. Houston Ballet's multi-faceted Nutcracker is a delicious carnival of mystery and joy. Creative director Stanton Welch has built a production that serves the audience and leaves us completely fulfilled. Nothing sends you back to your childhood more quickly, with all things seemingly possible and your imagination offering an endless sweet escape.

This week, Houston Ballet nods to its beginning as it opens its 2019-2020 season with Giselle. In 1967, Giselle was the first full-length ballet performed by Houston Ballet Foundation, and Houston Ballet Artistic Director Stanton Welch AM is fittingly bringing it back to kick off the 50th anniversary season.

One of the world's most iconic ballets returns to the stage right here in Houston as Houston Ballet presents Stanton Welch AM's Swan Lake. The much-anticipated final production of the 201718 season will wrap up Houston Ballet's Hometown Tour in venues across the city, with performances June 23-July 1 at Jones Hall, where Houston Ballet began performing in 1966 before moving to the Wortham Theater Center in 1987.

One of the world's most iconic ballets returns to the stage right here in Houston as Houston Ballet presents Stanton Welch AM's Swan Lake. The much-anticipated final production of the 201718 season will wrap up Houston Ballet's Hometown Tour in venues across the city, with performances June 23-July 1 at Jones Hall, where Houston Ballet began performing in 1966 before moving to the Wortham Theater Center in 1987.

A DARKER SWAN LAKE GLIDES ONTO HOUSTON'S JONES HALL STAGE

Houston Ballet is the first American ballet company to perform MAYERLING. instead of the previously scheduled six performances, the ballet ran for four from September 22-24.

Houston has had its share of drama in the last few short weeks, and the city's downtown theater venues are reeling from the blow.

The Houston Ballet's season opener MAYERLING Brings Drama to Life at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts.

From June 8 - 18, 2017, Houston Ballet caps its season with Stanton Welch's La Bayadere ("The Temple Dancer"), a historic classic set in royal India of the past. La Bayadere is a dramatic ballet of eternal love, mystery, fate, vengeance and justice, featuring spectacular scenery and costumes by the acclaimed English designer Peter Farmer.

Houston Ballet principal dancer Yuriko Kajiya performs the part of Cio-Cio San in Houston Ballet's MADAME BUTTERFLY for the first time this Saturday, but she isn't daunted by playing the lead in one of Stanton Welch's signature pieces. She's excited.

BWW Review: AMERICAN INGENUITY Showcases Powerful Performances From Houston Ballet

Roberta Guidi di Bagno has worked with the Houston Ballet costume shop to successfully design costumes that both express GISELLE's weighty themes and drape weightlessly on the dancers.