Arts

Meet the Artist: UNCSA's Dean of the School of Dance Susan Jaffe

by David Ford

For more than forty-six years The University of North Carolina School of the Arts' acclaimed Nutcracker production has been one of the Triad's most eagerly anticipated events of the holiday season. Last year, guest artists Veronika Part (Principal, American Ballet Theatre) and Charles Askegard (Principal, New York City Ballet) danced the roles of the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier Prince at the performances in the Stevens Center. The UNCSA Nutcracker Orchestra accompanied the performances under the baton of Charles Barker, Principal Conductor of American Ballet Theatre. It was the first production of The Nutcracker under the leadership of UNCSA's new Dean of the School of Dance Susan Jaffe.  Susan was the principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre for 20 years. She spoke with David Ford about her career.

Meet the Artist: Asheville-Based Bluegrass Trio Red June

by David Ford

Last July the Asheville-based trio Red June visited the Triad for a special outdoor CD release party and concert. The bluegrass, beer and BBQ event took place at Reynolda House Museum of American Art in Winston-Salem, and it featured John Cloyd Miller on guitar, mandolin and vocals, Natalya Weinstein on fiddle and vocals, and  Winston-Salem native Will Straughan on guitar and vocals. Will played for years in the Emma Gibbs Band before moving to the mountains. Red June's new CD is Beauty Will Come, and the tune we've sampled today is a hauntingly beautiful one from the album that Will wrote. It's called "Soul's Repair".