Firm joins search for ballet director

Ballet West announced earlier this week that it has recruited the help of a Toronto-based consulting firm in its search for a new artistic director.

Genovese, Vanderhoof & Associates is an artsmanagement firm that has worked with more than 200 arts institutions throughout the United States and Canada, Ballet West said in a news release. "Since 1989, the firm has placed over 75 senior managers and artistic directors in the cultural sector, including Boston Ballet, Houston Ballet, Nevada Ballet Theatre and the Utah Symphony & Opera."

Ballet West also announced members of the executive search committee that will assist GVA in finding a replacement for former artistic director Jonas Kage.

The search committee includes former Ballet West ballet mistress Bene Arnold, interim dean of the Gore School of Business at Westminster College Jim Clark, former chair of the Utah Arts Council Anne Cullimore-Decker, Ballet West board member Stephanie Harpst, Ballet West executive director Johann Jacobs, search committee chair Peter Meldrum, Ballet West board chairman Dan Miller, board member Shari Quinney and Sarah West, granddaughter of the late Ballet West founder Willam F. Christensen.

In the meantime, the company is readying itself for the upcoming season. Package tickets will be available Monday. Ballet enthusiasts will have the option to buy "Nutcracker" tickets with either "Giselle" or "The Sleeping Beauty." Package prices range from $34-$130 and will be available for a limited time. They can be ordered by calling Ballet West, 801-323-6900, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.