Artist Spotlight Podcasts

Julianne Kepley recently joined San Francisco Ballet as a soloist. Raised in Atlanta, she began her career at Atlanta Ballet. After eight years of performing a repertory rich in Balanchine and new works, she danced for the Joffrey Ballet for five years. In the following Artist Spotlight, Kepley discusses her early influences and her reasons for joining San Francisco Ballet. 11 Minutes.

San Francisco Ballet soloist James Sofranko was born in Marion, Indiana, and grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio. He trained at institutions such as Pacific Northwest Ballet and Houston Ballet Academy, and earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Juilliard School in 2000. That same year, he joined San Francisco Ballet as a member of the corps de ballet. He danced a number of prominent roles during the 2007 Repertory Season, in works such as Lar Lubovitch's Elemental Brubeck and Jerome Robbins' Fancy Free, and subsequently was promoted to the rank of soloist. 17 Minutes.

Born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Vanessa Zahorian trained at the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and with the Kirov Academy prior to joining San Francisco Ballet in 1997. She quickly rose through the ranks and was promoted to soloist in 1999 and then became a principal in 2002. Vanessa has dazzled audiences in a variety of works, including Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty, the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Snow Queen in Nutcracker, Myrtha in Giselle, and most recently, Kitri in Don Quixote. 19 Minutes.

Born in Bangkok, Thailand, Nutnaree Pipit-Suksun joined SF Ballet as a soloist in 2004. She quickly took on lead roles in a variety of works, including Myrtha in Giselle and the pas de deux from Bintley’s The Dance House. She has been praised by critics for her musicality, long fluid lines, and captivating stage presence. In the following interview, Pipit-Suksun talks about leaving her native Thailand, making the jump from ballet student to soloist, and her hidden musical talent. 8 Minutes.

Born and raised in the Baltic Republic of Estonia, Helimets danced with Estonian National Ballet and Britain’s Birmingham Royal Ballet. In July 2005, he joined San Francisco Ballet. Helimets has quickly caught the attention of dance critics and audiences alike. In the following interview, he discusses his history with dancing, highlights from his career, and his life in San Francisco. 10 Minutes.