ASO and Ballet Theatre of Maryland Partner
to Perform School and Family Concerts
at Maryland Hall and Chesapeake Arts Center
April 8-11, 2025
Press Release – for immediate release
Annapolis, Maryland
April 30, 2025
The Annapolis Symphony Orchestra (ASO), led by Artistic Director and Conductor José-Luis Novo, will present two days of concerts for area schoolchildren, followed by the Symphony’s highly anticipated annual Family Concert at Maryland Hall in Annapolis. This dynamic collaboration features live dance performances by Ballet Theatre of Maryland’s professional company members, creating an unforgettable, multi-sensory celebration of music and movement.
Maestro Novo has curated a lively program designed to introduce young audiences to the rich world of orchestral music, blending iconic classical masterpieces with beloved Broadway tunes. The selections showcase the fundamental building blocks of music: melody, harmony, rhythm, and form.
“Children are innately curious and open to new experiences,” said Maestro José-Luis Novo. “By presenting both traditional and characteristically American pieces, we hope to ignite their imagination and show them that music speaks a universal language — one that is exciting, emotional, and endlessly creative.”
Ballet Theatre of Maryland dancers Cindy Case, Karissa Kralik, Lauren Martinez, Victoria Siracusa, Isaac Martinez, Diego Sosa, and Michael West, Jr., will perform original choreography to works by Bach, Tchaikovsky, Strauss and Scott Joplin. The choreography was created by Isaac Martinez, Diego Sosa, and Michael West Jr.
“This collaboration is an extraordinary opportunity for young audiences to experience the synergy of live music and dance,” said Ballet Theatre of Maryland Artistic Director Nicole Kelsch. “We are proud to join the Annapolis Symphony in bringing this rich cultural experience to families across our region.”
“When we choreographed these pieces, we wanted every movement to mirror the emotion and story within the music,” added choreographer Diego Sosa. “It’s a celebration of how sound and motion come together to create something magical.”
Music Program Highlights Include:
Antonín Dvořák: Slavonic Dance in G minor, Op. 46, No. 8
Johann Sebastian Bach: Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D major, BWV 1068: Bourrée & Gigue
- BTM performance choreographed by Diego Sosa with dancers Cindy Case, Lauren Martinez, Victoria Siracus
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake Suite: Czardas
- Staged by Nicole Kelsch after Petipa and Ivanov with dancers Karissa Kralik, Isaac Martinez, and Michael West Jr.
J. Strauss Jr.: New Pizzicato Polka
- BTM performance choreographed by Isaac Martinez with dancers Victoria Siracusa and Diego Sosa
Igor Stravinsky: Pulcinella Suite: Tarantella, Toccata, Minuetto, Finale
Scott Joplin: Maple Leaf Rag
- BTM performance choreographed by Michael West, Jr. with dancers Cindy Case, Isaac Martinez, and Michael West Jr.
Leonard Bernstein: West Side Story: Mambo
The ASO’s school concerts are more than delightful performances. They serve as a cornerstone for arts education, offering students from public, private, homeschool, and virtual learning environments an immersive experience in symphonic music. These performances align with STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) curricula, fostering interdisciplinary learning. The concerts aim to inspire a lifelong love of the arts.
“Introducing young minds to the world of symphonic music is both a joy and a responsibility,” says Maestro Novo. “By blending timeless classical pieces with the vibrant energy of Broadway tunes, we aim to ignite a lifelong passion for music in our young audiences.”
Impact 100 Concert
This year, thanks to a generous grant from Impact 100 Greater Chesapeake Chapter, concerts will also be offered at Chesapeake Arts Center in Brooklyn Park, Maryland.
“Impact 100 is proud to help make these inspiring performances accessible to students throughout our community,” said Julie Nolan, ASO Director of Community Outreach and Grants Management. “Exposure to the arts at a young age builds creativity, confidence, and critical thinking — skills that last a lifetime. The ASO is excited to perform its first school concert at the Chesapeake Arts Center. This is in part due to a grant from the IMPACT 100 Greater Chesapeake Chapter. IMPACT 100 is a group of women who collectively provide the funds and have a dedicated passion for making a significant local and transformational impact. We are both honored and grateful to have their support in making school concerts more accessible.”
Concert Dates and Ticket Information
- School Concerts at Maryland Hall: May 8, 2025, 10:00 AM & 11:30 AM
- School Concerts at Chesapeake Arts Center: May 9, 2025, 10:00 AM & 11:30 AM
- Family Concert at Maryland Hall: May 10, 2025, 11:00 AM
School concert tickets are $5 per person and must be reserved by calling the ASO Box Office at 410-263-0907. Title I schools are encouraged to inquire about financial assistance by contacting Julie Nolan at JNolan@AnnapolisSymphony.org.
Family Concert tickets are $10 per person and can be purchased at AnnapolisSymphony.org.
About the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra
The Annapolis Symphony Orchestra, led by Music Director José-Luis Novo, is made up of 70 professional musicians who perform for audiences of all ages. Its mission is to inspire, educate, and enrich lives near and far by creating extraordinary musical experiences with uncompromising artistic excellence. A nonprofit organization, the ASO is deeply committed to community outreach and educational partnerships. For more information, tickets, or subscriptions, visit annapolissymphony.org or call 410-263-0907.
About the Ballet Theatre of Maryland
Ballet Theatre of Maryland, founded in 1978, is designated as Maryland’s premier professional ballet company and conservatory. The company, comprised of 43 professional dancers and 14 trainees, produces high-caliber ballet performances that engage the mind and spirit and express Maryland’s unique voice through movement. BTM seeks to make ballet accessible to all audiences while attaining ever-higher levels of artistic excellence. Professional faculty members of the Conservatory of Dance are current in their field and hold degrees or certifications in dance education. The Conservatory offers a full curriculum of classes and provides students with professional performance opportunities. For more information about BTM, please visit www.balletmaryland.org or call (410) 224-5644.
Media Contact:
Diana Love
Director of Marketing and Communications
Annapolis Symphony Orchestra
DLove@annapolissymphony.org
410-267-3631