'Burana' is final bow for dancer

Principal dancer Seth Olson has been a favorite with Utah audiences for his roles in Ballet West. From the Cavalier in "The Nutcracker" to Albrecht in "Giselle," he has developed characters — and his personal character — over the past decade with Ballet West.

However, all good things must come to and end. Olson, 32, has decided to hang up his shoes and retire from the company at the end of this season. Friday night's performance of "Carmina Burana" will be his last with Ballet West.

"There are so many things that I've done in the company that I am proud of," Olson said during a rehearsal break in the Capitol Theatre. "And I have learned so much from being in the company.

"And while the group efforts and collaborations were wonderful, I think it is time for me to get back to the basics. I need some time for myself and my family."

Olson and his wife, former Ballet West soloist Tonya Stefuik, will move with their 6-month-old son Nathaniel Jay Olson, to Saskatoon, Canada. "We will be attending the University of Saskatchewan, and Tonya's parents live there. So it will be a nice change."

While in school, Olson will be studying commerce. "That's what they call business administration up there," he said with a laugh. "And I feel that studying how to run a business is a good way for me to organize my life."

Utah native Olson joined Ballet West in 1997, after he returned from New York where he studied dance at Juilliard. He was also a corp member of the American Ballet Theatre's Studio Company. "The classes were equal parts modern dance and equal parts ballet. I was leaning heavily into the modern area when I came back to Utah. I came back to Utah because it was all too much in New York. And that's when Jonas (Kage) was taking his post as Ballet West's artistic director."

Olson had a special place in his heart for the company. While growing up in Salt Lake City, he trained at the Christensen Academy under Ballet West founder Willam F. Christensen. He studied in American Fork with Jackie Colledge and then attended the University of Utah at the Ballet West conservatory.

"So when I joined Ballet West, I was young and eager and ready to go," said Olson with another laugh. "But Jonas was able to slow me down and help me develop myself as a dancer before I hurt myself."