DENVER BALLET GUILD

Denver

News: Stage decor is an important element for Le Bal de Ballet, Denver Ballet Guild’s annual presentation of debutantes and Young Men of Distinction. In previous years it has included elaborate floral displays, ethereal chiffon draping and painted backdrops worthy of an award-winning dance production or Broadway play.

This year’s theme was Oeuvre d’Art and that called for something that few great works of art are without: A picture frame.

But no ordinary picture frame.

The dramatic entry point for the debutantes and Young Men of Distinction who were presented at the June 7 Le Bal de Ballet was a giant – a good 20 feet or more — picture frame that was bedecked with flowers.

As master of ceremonies Arthur Espinoza Jr. announced the names of each debutante and Young Man of Distinction, along with the names of their parents and grandparents and the college or university they would be attending, they passed through the picture frame and onto the stage of the Ellie Caulkins Opera House for the traditional curtsy or bow that was acknowledged by a receiving line made up of chairwoman Dawn Wolf, co-chair Lisa Olson, honorary chair Karen Walker and Denver Ballet Guild President Caroline Rodawig.

And an opera house filled with family and friends.

In his welcoming remarks, Espinoza noted that the 2025 honorees were recent graduates of 13 Denver area high schools and one out-of-state high school who will be attending such institutes of higher learning as Purdue University, Duke University, Syracuse University, UCLA, the University of Denver and the University of Colorado Boulder.

In the months leading up to presentation night, Espinoza added, the honorees have been encouraged to try new things, meet new people and make long-lasting friends. “Le Bal de Ballet is a vital part of the Denver landscape,” Espinoza said, “And this is a night that will be filled with countless memories.”

The honorees added chairwoman Wolf, “Amazed me with your ability to branch out, grow your social circles, find a new friend and enrich your lives with new experiences. As you move on to new places and experiences, I hope you will look back on your Le Bal de Ballet year, and this night, and remember it fondly.”

The presentation included two performances by Colorado Ballet dancers Ever Larson and Patrick Mihm. One was set to “Unforgettable” by Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole and the other to Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop the Feeling.” Both were commissioned for the occasion by Denver Ballet Guild and choreographed by Sandra Brown, assistant to Colorado Ballet’s artistic director Gil Boggs.

The evening came to a festive close with French-themed dinner and dancing at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel.

Debutantes presented that night were:

Sidney Allen, Carlina Ardell, Helen Austin, Allison Brown, Bridget Brown, Cali Carr, Lauryn Carr, Grace Cassida, Marlowe Connors, Abigail Denler, Scarlett Diamant, Sophia Eison, Annabelle Francis, Noelle Gibson, Julia Giullian, Charlotte Goldstein, Isabella Heideman, Hallie How, Caroline Johnson, Vanessa Kendall, Claire Kuchler, Sophia Lepard, Sophie Lieb, Paisley Lyons, Lydia Mackintosh, Eilee Matsuyama, Paige McCallum, Dea Mielenz, Reese Mohler, Caroline Nathan, Caroline Ohlson, Margaret Olson, Elizabeth Payne, Phoebe Shipman, Meredith Sippel, Madeleine Soteres, Alexandra Stetson, Mia Strathman, Margaret Van Bramer and Quinn VanSickle.

Megan Clarke also was a debutante, but a scheduling conflict prevented her from taking part in the presentation.

The Young Men of Distinction presented that night were: Michael Bruner, Alexander Costello, Jagger Hanley, Sachin Hansen, Simon Hirsch, Isaac Konieczny, Hudson LeFevre, Elvis Lloyd, Michael Mifflin-Chavez, Owen Millradt, Levi Morris, Ian Paris, Trevor Robinson and Benjamin Strepman.

William Fallin and Wyatt Isgrig also were Young Men of Distinction but like debutante Megan Clarke had scheduling conflicts that left them unable to take part in the presentation.

About the organization: Denver Ballet Guild was founded in 1979 by the late Florence Ruston and is a 100% volunteer-driven nonprofit whose 500-plus members work to promote the dance arts through fundraisers and other programs. Le Bal de Ballet is the guild’s signature fundraiser and has raised $1 million in the past decade alone.

Website: denverballetguild.org

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