Anna trained with Miss Joan directly to help perfect her artistry. Tickets to this event are on sale now online or by calling 561-901-4743. Order your open balcony or assigned orchestra seating now to see Anna and many other talented dancers perform.
The internationally acclaimed former New York City Ballet dancer and ballet photographer Steven Caras will join A Love Affair – An Evening to Honor Joan Miller as Keynote Speaker.
CARAS with NYCB, Tschaikovsky Suite No. 3*, early 1970’s, Susan Pillae in foreground Photo: Costas *Choreography depicted in this image is copyrighted by The George Balanchine Trust
Steven Caras’ life in the arts began as a dancer with the New York City Ballet. For fourteen years under the leadership of its founder, the legendary George Balanchine, he would dance worldwide in numerous masterpiece works choreographed by Balanchine in addition to being featured in many Jerome Robbins ballets.
Photo: Jacek Gancarz
During this inspirational time, Steven Caras was also encouraged and mentored as a photographer by Mr. Balanchine whose support led Caras to a luminous second career as one of the most revered image makers of dance in history. His body of work–in access of 120,000 photographs–is today considered to be one of the most valuable and historically significant dance photography collections of all time.
Photo: Jacek Gancarz
In the early 1990’s, Caras spent several years as ballet master and company photographer with Miami City Ballet prior to becoming their director of development for the organization’s northern, tri-county operation. From 2008 through 2010, Caras returned to Palm Beach County where he served for two years as Palm Beach Dramaworks’ first director of development.
Photo: Sarah Hoeppner
Today, Steven Caras is very active in his travels as a keynote speaker, arts consultant, independent producer and guest teacher, but he also plays a critical role in Palm Beach County philanthropy as a trustee on a private foundation along with his work as the founding chairman of two local charities–The Randolph A. Frank Prize for the Performing Arts and College Drive. He is the recipient of the 2014 Career Transition for Dancers “Heart & Soul” award, presented to him at the organization’s annual Palm Beach fund raiser by Broadway legend Chita Rivera.
Photo: Corby Kaye
The PBS documentary, Steven Caras: See Them Dance, is a tribute to Caras’ accomplishments with a special emphasis on the artistry and magnitude of his photographic collection. The film has aired on multiple PBS stations nationwide, garnering two major honors: a 2012 Emmy Award in the category of Arts and Entertainment and the Grand Remi Award for ‘Best Television Film of 2012’ at the 45th Annual Worldfest-Houston International Film Festival.
A Love Affair will be held Saturday, February 27th at 7pm with reception to follow at Countess de Hoernle Theatre at Spanish River Community High School at 5100 Jog Road Boca Raton, FL 33496.
Group and individual tickets are on sale now and are tax-deductible. All proceeds will go toward the legendary Joan Miller’s care as she battles Alzheimer’s disease. Learn more about this event and Joan Miller here.
Earlier this year, Barbara Marshall published a fabulous feature article in The Palm Beach Post about Miss Joan Miller. If you haven’t yet checked it out, you can read it here.
We are hosting an Evening of Dance with Reception to follow to honor Miss Joan Miller February 27, 2016 at 7pm Countess de Hoernle Theatre at Spanish River Community High School. All proceeds will go toward her care as she battles Alzheimer’s disease. Come show Miss Joan your gratitude and enjoy an amazing performance.
Performers include: Jill Niklaus, The Dancers Space, Florida Dance Conservatory, Orlando Aerial Arts, Pine Crest School, Dreyfoos School of the Arts, Bak Middle School of the Arts, Art Stage, Ballet Palm Beach, Ballet East, a soloist from The Harid Conservatory, The Dancer’s Edge Company, and Ryan Redmond.
This year’s benefit performance is in tribute of Ms. Joan Miller. Proceeds will provide for her medical needs and care as she battles Alzheimer’s Disease. The Dancer’s Edge Company and many of Ms. Joan’s past students and their dance companies will perform for a spectacular evening of dance! A reception follows the performance.
E. Joan Miller was Owner and Director of The Palm Beach Ballet Center for over 50 years. A pillar in the dance world, Joan produced countless professionals who went on to careers on Broadway, in movies, soloists in major ballet and modern companies, choreographers, owners of dance schools, and directors and teachers of arts schools and college programs. The thousands of dancers’ lives impacted by this remarkable lady, teacher, and artist span across the United States and abroad to Europe and South America.
Her selfless life was dedicated to dance, her students, and animals. All were regarded as the center of her world. She inspired her students to seek their art form at nothing less than a high level of excellence. She was regarded as a teacher, 2nd mother, task master, philanthropist, mentor, and dear friend by those lucky enough to experience her magic and love of dance. Her gifts to us have been invaluable and deserving of reciprocation.
Be a part of giving back to this “Dame of Dance Life” by celebrating over half a century of her undying commitment. The memories of Miss Joan and the Palm Beach Ballet Center will be remembered in the hearts of dancers and passed on to generations for years to come. Attend The Love Affair in homage to Joan’s exceptional service or donate to help in the next steps of her life as she battles with Alzheimer’s Disease and is in need of medical care.
If you are unable to join us, you can still make a tax-dedictible donation to benefit this cause here.
Former Dancer’s Edge Company Member and current Harid Conservatory Soloist, Anna Gonzalez, will perform a ballet variation at A Love Affair: An Evening of Dance to Honor Joan Miller. Anna was presented with the Fred Lieberman Award for Excellence for 2015.
