Marius Petipa (1818–1910) was a French ballet master, choreographer, and teacher who served as the Premier Maître de Ballet of the Imperial Ballet in St. Petersburg from 1869 to 1903. He choreographed or restaged over 50 ballets, including The Sleeping Beauty (1890), La Bayadère (1877), Raymonda (1898), and revised productions of Swan Lake (1895) and Giselle (1884). Petipa’s work established the structure of classical ballet, emphasizing pas de deux, variations, and ensemble dances. His influence on Russian ballet and the classical canon remains significant, with many of his productions still performed today.

Alberto Gaspar is an OBT company dancer and choreographer. His experience as a choreographer began at Saint Louis Ballet, where he created a piece for the Pulitzer Museum that included a live cello piece and several designs from upcoming fashion designers.

He has been involved with two collaborative groups that performed neoclassical and contemporary pieces set to live music in galleries and museums. His show titled Mexicanismo, featuring Yancy Calvo’s art toured two states in the United States. He’s also created his own music videos to the music of Lisa Mac and Dreamers. Alberto choreographed for Ballet Memphis, including a full-length ballet for the school and three different neoclassical ballets for the company.

Alberto has created Transfigurations (2019), 1 in 10^2,685,000 (2022), and Capriccio del Cuore (2023) for Olympic Ballet Theatre.