December 6-7, 2025

I do love being in the orchestra pit. The added dimensions that opera and ballet bring to the music making create an entirely new level of possibilities and fulfillment. There are, however, extra challenges that go along with it. The complexities of theatrical productions require everyone involved to be at 110% from beginning to end. Maybe I like that part too.
 
I was lucky early in my career to be connected to some people with extraordinary gifts in opera and ballet. The first was David Effron, my conducting teacher at Eastman. He is an immensely gifted opera conductor and, even in discussions of non-operatic repertoire, somehow opera always came up. It changed how I thought about what can and should be done on the podium both on and below the stage.
 
Also early in my career, I was fortunate to come into the orbit of two greats in American ballet performance and teaching, Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux and Patricia McBride. We became colleagues at the Chautauqua Institution and collaborated on many performances over the years. They were no longer dancing but at that point providing artistic direction for their dancers.
 
As I look back at those times, I realize that being immersed for so many years in the dance world with them as guides was profound and enlightening. We never talked about the actual conducting element, but being in dance rehearsals with them year after year taught me not only some technical aspects, but most importantly, those things that are hard to put into words, elusive in description, but concrete and very real…a sense, a feel, a flow, a look, and a connection. As I write this, I’m realizing perhaps the connection was the biggest take away, that connection between the dancer and the orchestra, with the conductor serving as a conduit.
 
This weekend we wrapped up the 2025 Nutcracker with the Flint Symphony, dancers from the Flint Institute of Performing Arts, and guest professional dancers. That event came with an emotional “small world” happening for me. This was the 50th anniversary of FIPA’s production of The Nutcracker and for that, alumni were invited back for the first performance. One of those was the original Artistic Director of Flint’s Nutcracker back in the 1970’s, Gayla Zukevich. I had the pleasure to meet Gayla backstage prior to the first performance. When she learned of my connection to Chautauqua, she told me that Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux had danced with them way back in the day, on that very stage.  
 
We just lost Jean-Pierre in April of this year, so hearing this as I was about to walk into that very pit was especially poignant and moving. It instantly brought up all that I mentioned above and made me realize that, every time I walk into a ballet pit, Jean-Pierre and Patti are with me.
 
Others called him JP, but he was always Jean-Pierre to me…not sure why, maybe I just liked saying it. His passing has been difficult for all of us that were close to him. For me, it has been a slow-burn bereavement after the initial shock. He was a gift to all that had the chance to know him and of course, a gift to the world of dance. You can check out his obituary here: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/28/arts/dance/jean-pierre-bonnefoux-dead.html?unlocked_article_code=1.DU8.6ZwV.FqfkcjFeJNAC&smid=url-share
 
I share the obit, not only to focus on his many accomplishments, but also to shine a light on the extraordinary humanity he brought to the world of dance, especially as a teacher. He and Patti transformed the world of ballet teaching in this country.
 
The circle of life continues. Patti still teaches at Chautauqua, and now Sasha Janes, who worked for years under Jean-Pierre and Patti, is the Artistic Director for Dance at CHQ. Sasha brings his own magic to the process, continuing to provide inspiration to us all.
 
The circle continues in Flint as well. Gayla passed the torch on to Karen Mills Jennings who, after several decades, then passed it on to Tara Gragg, the current Artistic Director. Both Karen and Tara began as dancers in the program under their predecessors and thus the traditions are passed through the generations, growing with each year. The production, now 50 years old, is remarkably beautiful. I feel truly fortunate to be a part of it. Kudos to all who had a part in building and carrying on the tradition, and thank you for including me.
 
NEXT UP
 
Lansing Symphony Orchestra
 
Home for the Holidays
Ben Gulley, Tenor
The Wharton Center
Sunday December 21, 3:00 p.m.
 
#FlintSymphony #FlintInstituteofMusic #FIM #FlintInstituteofPerformingArts #FIPA #JeanPierreBonnefoux #PatriciaMcBride #TaraGragg #GaylaZukevich #KarenMillsJennings #DavidEffron #ChautauquaDance #SashaJanes