The Wheel for February 7, 2019
Listen to Roy Kaiser – Artistic Director Nevada Ballet Theatre
The Wheel
Roy Kaiser – Artistic Director Nevada Ballet Theatre
Roy Kaiser began tap dancing at age four and started his professional dance career by age seven. Together with his four brothers, he performed on television and across the United States, including the 1967 World’s Fair in New York. He began his ballet training at age 17 under the guidance of Karen Irvin and earned a scholarship to the San Francisco Ballet School and later with the School of Pennsylvania Ballet.
Roy joined Pennsylvania Ballet in 1979. He was eventually promoted to Soloist and Principal Dancer, performing nearly every principal male role in the company’s classical repertoire. He also originated roles in works by such noted choreographers as Peter Martins, Robert Weiss, Lynne Taylor-Corbett, Paul Taylor, Choo San Goh, and Christopher d’Amboise. In 1987, while still performing, Roy was appointed Assistant Ballet Master. Upon his retirement from the stage in 1992, he was promoted to the position of Ballet Master. In October 1993, he was appointed Associate Artistic Director of the company under the leadership of Christopher d’Amboise and later succeeded him as Artistic Director in February 1995.
Under Roy’s direction, the company launched its 1994-1995 Season with a critically-acclaimed appearance at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., returning in 2000 as part of the Balanchine Celebration, which featured six companies highlighting 14 Balanchine works. In August 2005, the company made its international debut under Roy with its 40th anniversary commission of Christopher Wheeldon’s Swan Lake at the Edinburgh International Festival. The company also performed at the Sinatra Festival in Portugal and the Meadows Award Ceremony honoring Paul Taylor at Southern Methodist University. And in November 2007, the company enjoyed its return to New York City Center for its first exclusive engagement in 22 years.
In June 2008, the company was invited back to the Kennedy Center for Ballet Across America, performing alongside nine other companies from across the nation to showcase the depth and history American ballet. Roy returned to Kennedy Center once again in November 2009 with Pennsylvania Ballet’s critically acclaimed production of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker®, presenting Balanchine’s version of the beloved ballet for the first time ever in Washington, DC. The company debuted that same production internationally in 2011 with a tour to the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, Canada. And in 2014, they performed for the first time at the prestigious Vail International Dance Festival.
In April 2014, after 19 years, Roy announced he would step down from his position as Artistic Director of Pennsylvania Ballet. Over the course of his time at the Company, he successfully enhanced the repertoire with 90 new ballets and 35 world-premiere works. He currently holds the title of Artistic Director Emeritus.
In the fall of 2017, Roy was appointed Artistic Director of the Las Vegas-based Nevada Ballet Theatre following a national search; making him the fourth artistic leader in the Company’s history.
An active member of the dance community, Roy is often invited as a guest instructor and has served on numerous dance panels, including the National Endowment for the Arts and the Princess Grace Foundation. He also served on the 2002 jury of the International Ballet Competition in Varna, Bulgaria and was a member of the artistic committee for the New York Choreographic Institute.
Message From The President
Dear Rotarians,
Peace and conflict resolution is one of Rotary’s six areas of focus. In the Rotary Calendar, February is Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution Month. Rotarians around the world have and will continue to support service projects and peace fellowships to help to reduce and eliminate the root causes of conflict: poverty, inequality, ethnic tension, lack of access to education, and unequal distribution of resources.
Peace and conflict resolution is one of Rotary’s six areas of focus. In the Rotary Calendar, February is Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution Month. Rotarians around the world have and will continue to support service projects and peace fellowships to help to reduce and eliminate the root causes of conflict: poverty, inequality, ethnic tension, lack of access to education, and unequal distribution of resources.
While we generally think of conflict as something that occurs between two or more political entities, the most common form of conflict is domestic violence. According to the WHO, domestic violence affects roughly 30 percent of women worldwide. As many as 38
Rotary Clubs in Australia are changing attitudes about domestic violence and generating a positive community response with a multifaceted approach which grew into the Support, Advice, Facilitation, and Early Intervention (“SAFE”) program. The clubs started the initiative to educate the public about the domestic violence as a social media campaign with the hashtag #SayNO2familyviolence. Their efforts grew to include community educational programs and publicity events that have reached millions. One of the programs they helped launched was the Men’s Behaviour [sic] Change Program (“MBCP”). MBCP is a 13-week live, online interactive program for men who can’t — or won’t — attend counseling sessions in person, because of work schedules or embarrassment.
“We once decided we would end polio when it seemed impossible. Why can’t Rotary put an end to domestic violence?” Garry Higgins, Rotary Club of Maryborough, Victoria, Australia. Well said, Mr. Higgins. Our quest to end conflict worldwide includes our, and our neighbor’s homes. To achieve our goal we will address the most personal form of conflict, domestic violence.
Jim Kohl
95th President
Rotary Club of Las Vegas
Member Highlights
Arleen Sirois was lucky drawing the opportunity for a joker and winning the Lawry’s Bucks.
The feeding of the pig otherwise known as the Swiner continues.
The feeding of the pig otherwise known as the Swiner continues.
The feeding of the pig otherwise known as the Swiner continues.
The feeding of the pig otherwise known as the Swiner continues.
The feeding of the pig otherwise known as the Swiner continues.
The feeding of the pig otherwise known as the Swiner continues.
Say hello to Lamar Marchese back from Florida for the winter.
Randy Campanale wanted to explain his mob connections when our trip to the Mob Museum was announced.
President Jim presents our “Share What You Can” award to our speaker from Nevada State College.
PP Tom Krob announced the cigar fellowship meeting at PP Jim Hunts home. GEE who is Jim rooting for in the Super Bowl.
Jimmelle Siarot and our Sargent At Arms Kim Nyoni discussed the need for signing up Teens and Facilitators for RYLA.
Francesca Gilbert opened the meeting with an invocation.
Carey Grohs led us in song.
Brock Fraser exchanged flags with our visitors from Germany.
At President Jim’s head table were Andy Kuniyuki, Anthony Ruiz and his Assistant.
Arleen Sirois was lucky drawing the opportunity for a joker and winning the Lawry’s Bucks.
PP Tom Krob announced the cigar fellowship meeting at PP Jim Hunts home. GEE who is Jim rooting for in the Super Bowl.
Scribe – January 31, 2019
Las Vegas Rotary Club Meeting: January 31, 2019
President Jim Kohl called the meeting to order. Francesca Gilbert gave the invocation. Carey Grohs led the club in singing God Bless America, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The Sergeant at Arms was Joakim Nyoni:
- President Jim encouraged members to share the live stream of our meeting on social media to share our message and our Club with others;
- There were (2) International Rotarians, (0) visiting Rotarians and (10) Guests of Rotarians introduced;
- There was a banner exchange with the members from the RC of Braunschweig-Richmond in Germany;
- President Jim played the presentation video “ThisClose” on Rotary’s efforts in completely eradicating polio cases worldwide;
- PP Jim Tucker covered our annual Super Bowl pick, having sold out our “Fill the Board” which raised $2,500 for our foundation;
- PP Randall Campanale updated us on funds in the Rotary International Foundation and the LVRC Foundation, and our upcoming 100th club anniversary in 5 years;
- President Jim announced the District Foundation Gala 3/16 and the Super Build of homes in Mexico on 5/18; PE Jackie Thornhill announced our new partnership with Spread the Word Nevada for the 4/27 Cuisine & Octane fundraiser, and reminded us of the match of up to 50% for the Paul Harris fellowship; Jimmelle Siarot discussed signing up teen participants and facilitators for the teen leadership training RYLA 3/29 – 3/31; PP Thomas Krob talked about the 3/15 Wine Tasting and Cigar Fellowship St. Patty’s Day celebration at the home of PP Jim Hunt;
- The weekly drawing began at $5,195 plus this week’s donations. The Ticket Winner was Arleen Sirois, who received a prize of $10 and she was also the Lawry’s Bucks Winner;
- Andy Kuniyuki introduced our program speaker Anthony Ruiz, senior advisor of Government Relations and Community Affairs for Nevada State College;
- President Jim presented our speaker with a “Share What You Can” award to benefit a veteran in need and adjourned the meeting.