Nominations for 2012 Artist of the Year

People seeking more information or who wish to nominate someone for Artist of the Year my download a nomination form, or call Santa Cruz County Parks Department at (831) 454-7901 to request a form by mail or fax.  Nominated artists must provide submission information and can download the form here.  Nomination deadline is October 1, 2010.  The Artist of the Year program is sponsored by the Santa Cruz County Arts Commission and the County of Santa Cruz Department of Parks, Open Space and Cultural Services. For more information, please call (831) 454-7901 or visit www.scparks.com.

 

Santa Cruz County 2010 Artist of the Year

Robert Kelley
The Artist of the Year award is presented for outstanding achievement in the discipline of performing, visual, or literary arts. Nominees must be a resident of Santa Cruz County, must have a national or international reputation, must have contributed to the cultural enrichment of the local community, and must have created or presented work in Santa Cruz County. You may download the 2010 Artist of the Year brochure here.

A FREE Profile Performance celebrating the choreography of the 2010 Artist of the Year, Robert Kelley, was held at The Rio Theatre on Friday, May 21 at 7:00 p.m.   Dancers performed Kelley’s new world premiere, “Of Unknown Origin,” with an original score performed live by Nancy LeVan and Bill Walker.  Festivities also included a performance of “Constant Currents” by Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre’s junior company. 

Robert Kelley received his formal dance training at the School of American Ballet and Joffrey School in New York City , the San Francisco Ballet School , and with Alonzo King.  He danced professionally with Charleston Ballet Theatre, Sacramento Ballet, and Fort Wayne Ballet, where he also served as Ballet Master and Resident Choreographer.  As a dancer, he had many works choreographed especially for him by choreographers such as Jill Eathorne Bahr, Philip Jerry and Ron Cunningham.  Robert performed every major classical role, and was known for his onstage charisma and sublime partnering abilities.  He also excelled in contemporary works.

Robert began choreographing twenty years ago and now his choreography lives in the repertoires of many regional and professional companies across the United States , including his full-length works “Cinderella” and “Beauty and the Beast.”  Several of his shorter works are in the Regional Dance America Choreography Plan.  He choreographed his first work for Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre the year of the Loma Prieta earthquake when the company was directed by Jean Dunphy.  The ballet, “Barcarola Veniziana,” was chosen to represent the Pacific Region of Regional Dance America at the International Ballet Competition in Jackson , Mississippi that same year.  Robert continued working with Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre each year as a choreographer and guest instructor, until he and his former dance partner, Diane Cypher, accepted its Artistic Directorship in 1998.

Robert has choreographed over thirty new works for Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre, including its annual “The Nutcracker.”  He collaborates with musicians and composers as often as possible.  Recent collaborations include local musicians Nancy LeVan and Bill Walker, Ikuyo Conant and Watsonville Taiko, the youth jazz ensemble, Kuumbwa Honors Band, and composer Jerome Begin.  Two of his recent works were given the Regional Dance America Choreography Award, the highest achievement in Regional Dance America .   Under Robert’s leadership, Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre has held Honor Company status in Regional Dance America .  He teaches every level at The Studio, School of Classical Ballet , the official academy of Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre and of which he is also co-Director.  He was the Artistic Director of San Jose Dance Theatre for two years, where he implemented several ongoing community outreach programs.  He has been instrumental in presenting Spectra performances for children in Watsonville and he has taught dance at Cabrillo College .

Robert is very involved in the arts community, both at home and on national and international levels.  He served on the boards of Regional Dance America , at both the regional and national levels, for many years.  He served on the board of the Tanzsommer Austrian Arts Festival for several years.  He is currently an Associate of the Cultural Council of Santa Cruz County.  He has served on the Tannery Arts Center board since its inception, and looks forward to moving Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre’s headquarters to its Hide House. He also serves on the Santa Cruz County Conference and Visitors Council board of directors. Robert was honored with a Gail Rich Award in 2009 for his leadership of Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre and its contribution to the Santa Cruz arts community.  

The distinguished list of previous recipients includes includes actor Paul Whitworth; photographer Frans Lanting; poets Morton Marcus, Adrienne Rich and William Everson; dancer Tandy Beal; composers Lou Harrison and George Barati; writers Jim Houston and Laurie R. King; visual artists Richard Deutsch, Karen Thuesen Massaro, Lynda Watson, Chuck Hilger, Doug McClellan, Jack Zajac, Carol Summers, and Manuel Santana; musicians Linda Burman-Hall, Jessica Williams, and "Sista" Monica Parker; the Cabrillo Music Festival; and the Cultural Council of Santa Cruz County.