Leaps & Bounds: Kentucky Ballet Theatre's newest principal dancer, Jorge Barani Lopez

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This April, Jorge Barani Lopez will perform in Russia’s Dance Open Festival as a principal dancer with the Bolshoi Ballet – one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious ballet companies. But for now, the 2013 World Ballet Competition double gold medalist is excited to be settling into his new home in Lexington and into his role as the Kentucky Ballet Theatre’s newest principal dancer.

Ballet has long been in Jorge Barani Lopez’ blood. His mother was a ballerina in Cuba, where ballet is integrated into the popular culture and where, Lopez said, a boy grows up with dreams of sports and dance. He showed dedication and a strong work ethic early on, as well as possessing the natural physique of a dancer. His mother encouraged him to pursue dance starting around age nine, despite his leanings toward wanting to be a musician.

Today, the 21-year-old dancer is “one of the top 20 male dancers in the world, if not in the top five to 10,” said Kentucky Ballet Theatre executive director (and fellow dancer) Brienne Lowry. “He’s that once-in-a-generation ability – he’s a super talent. He really has the whole package.”

His leaping and pirouette talents “would make any UK basketball player jealous,” she added.

After connecting with KBT’s artistic director (and fellow Cuban native) Norbe Risco, via a group of close-knit Cuban dancers based in Miami, Lopez moved to Lexington this past August with his girlfriend, Meicy Garcia, who is also a dancer. Both are now part of the Kentucky Ballet Theatre company and made their debut performances in this summer’s “Ballet Under the Stars.”

A graduate of the National School of Arts in Havana, Lopez has the unusual distinction of having won not one but two gold medals at the 2013 World Ballet Competition. On the subject of distinctions, he has also amassed a social media following of more than 20,000; in fact, he was invited to perform with the Bolshoi Ballet in Russia’s Dance Open Festival in April after an organizer saw a YouTube video of Lopez.

Risco is excited to have him performing in his post-Christmas show “The Night Before Christmas,” which takes place at the Lexington Opera House Dec. 27-28. Risco created the performance in 2012 to rotate with the usual holiday classics.

“People will recognize a great dancer,” Risco said. “If you are a great dancer, ballet awakens a way you will connect with the work and bring out the best in you. This is true of Jorge.”

Recently, Risco and Lopez sat down for an interview to discuss the young dancer’s future and the KBT (with many of Lopez’ answers translated by Risco).

When did you fall in love with dance and what brought it into your life?

Jorge Barani Lopez: My mother was a dancer when I was a child. I wanted to be a musician – I loved percussion – but around the age of 9, my mother talked me into putting some focus on dance. Ballet is everywhere in Cuba, respected and admired. The greats – Carlos Acosta, Fernando Alonso – all are as respected as any athletic hero, so to be chosen as a potentially great dancer is a big deal. I got very focused on being the best I could be.

When and why did you come to America?

JBL: I came to America at age 19. I was working with a dance company in Florida.

What brought you to Kentucky?

JBL: I was interested in discovering more of America, to see more of my new country. I also wanted to learn about and work in different styles of dance. I was researching dance companies in America online. Norbe Risco, the artistic director of the Kentucky Ballet Theatre and a fellow Cuban, was someone I hoped to meet and work with. I saw on the KBT website that there was a ballet culture here in Lexington – you could see what the company was doing, and I liked what I saw.

Norbe Risco: I was very interested in Jorge. I knew from my early life in Cuba the kind of excellent training and work ethic he would have. Cuban dancers are very well trained and very well prepared for a professional career; they are prepared for the sacrifices it will take to be the best. In Cuba, ballet is an elite art form. If you are selected for your potential, it is a ticket to success. I saw great potential. We work well together. It has been pretty seamless. When you choose a dancer you choose also a personality. It is important for everyone to be comfortable and work well together.

Describe an average day of training.

NR: This is their full-time job, so it is a full day of teaching, training or rehearsal for a performance.

JBL: Careers are short, so I train every day! My training changes a bit every day, depending on what is going on, but an average day is usually an hour and a half of teaching and five or six hours of rehearsal and training.

As a performer, I’m sure the big focus is preparing for a role. How do you feel about teaching?

JBL: I love the opportunity to teach. It’s passing along to others all that has been taught to me and it is keeping ballet alive. If you haven’t danced, it is hard to explain, but it is interesting to see others develop the skills and sensations I remember so well. It’s exciting to remember what it was like to get the postures right, the tightness, the form and begin to develop as a dancer. So, yes, I like teaching very much.

Do you see yourself in your students?

JBL: Yes, when you teach you remember that great feeling of getting it, getting better. I see the realization on their faces when they get it right. I remember that happy feeling when I was a student.

What is next for you?

JBL: Citizenship! I am preparing for the exam and to become a U.S. citizen. As for performing, we have “The Night Before Christmas” coming up at the Opera House, December 27 and December 28. It is a balletic twist on the classic story. I am dancing one of the principal roles along with principal dancer, Kelsey Van Tine, and the rest of the company.

How does all that responsibility feel?

JBL: If this is what you like and what you want to do with your life, it is what you do. At my age it is a great honor to get to be a principal dancer. I am very happy.

NR: In some cases you must be with a company a long time to be a principal dancer. Jorge is on the fast track. It is going very well. He works very hard. There are no steps in ballet he cannot do.

JBL: I am a hard worker. Even when I was little, I wouldn’t leave the studio until I got a step right. I like to leave the studio with my head clear, feeling relaxed, confident and knowing I have it down.

What is your favorite ballet? What would you love to perform?

JBL: “Don Quixote.” I love the story, the production, the challenge of the moves, the versatility of the role. There’s comedy, acting…it’s a really rich role.

How is life here for you and Meicy in Kentucky?

JBL: We haven’t been here too long a time, but we already have a comfortable life here. We have made friends and found good Latin food! We are very grateful to Norbe for his unconditional support. ss

Upcoming Kentucky Ballet Theatre Performances

All shows take place at the Lexington Opera House

• “The Night Before Christmas” Dec. 27, 2014 (2 and 8 p.m.) Dec. 28, 2014 (2 p.m.)

• “Beauty and the Beast” March 28-29, 2015

• “Cinderella” May 30-31, 2015

www.kyballet.com

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