Sklute also worked with Joffrey's marketing and development departments and worked with the board, said Miller. "That's something we were looking for as well. Ballet West has been able to operate in the black these past two years, and we want to continue."

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

Bennett said the dancers were nervous when it came to working with and meeting a new artistic director. "Speaking from a dancer's point of view," she said, "we wanted someone who was a good person for the job. Ballet West is at a turning point, and we are ready to take the next step. And Mr. Sklute was the obvious choice."

Sklute taught two company classes and showed the dancers that he knows how the body works. He also had to endure a question-and-answer session with the dancers, said Bennett. "He warmed us up and right away worked in some technical works that got us ready for the day. And he met with the dancers for 1 1/2 hours to answer their questions."

Meldrum said the committee received 38 applicants from around the world. "Our main concern was making sure we found a director that could guide Ballet West, which has a rich history and reputation that started with its founding by Willam F. Christensen," said Meldrum. "The new artistic director needed to have a vision to where he wanted to take the company and what steps needed to be made.

"Also on a financial note, the artistic director needed to be able to work within our resources."

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E-mail: scott@desnews.com