TAHOE CITY, Calif. — Lake Tahoe Dance Collective will open its 2016 season this weekend with the 8th Annual Winter Repertory, a three-day-and-night set of performances at the Tahoe Art Haus in Tahoe City.

The Winter Repertory celebrates diversity in dance with three new creations, while honoring the classicism of yesterday.

Collaboration with dance-makers lies at the heart of LTDC’s Winter Repertory. This year’s program includes the dazzling classic “Paquita,” featuring guest Jakob Pringle (Ballet West), and new works by Jacqueline Lopez (Ballet Nacional de Mexico), Erik Wagner (San Francisco Ballet, Bern Ballet) and LTDC’s own Isabella Terrazas.

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The performances will begin with an excerpt from “Paquita,” as a piece of dance history. While its original premiere took place at the Paris Opera in 1846, the great choreographer Marius Petipa staged a version for the Imperial Ballet of St. Petersburg with added music by Ludwig Minkus in 1881.

Today what survives are Petipa’s and Minkus’ revisions, and it their beautiful work that the company presents with guest dancer Jakob Pringle, formerly of Ballet West, alongside his leading ladies Maia Baehr and Kyla Pierce, with the full company.

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After intermission, the program continues with the premiere of a creation by Isabella Terrazas, just 13 years old, entitled “Initium.” The piece was born after Terrazas returned from a summer with Alonzo King’s LINES Ballet in San Francisco and informed director Christin Hanna that she sought to hone her choreographic skills.

Through undulations and manipulation of classical line and form, Terrazas’ piece beautifully depicts a group that unifies then breaks. 

“Isabella is one of the bravest people I know, and her work is an exquisite testament to her talent and courage,” said Hanna, founding artistic director of the company. “Isabella sees dance in her future, and I’m honored we could offer her this rare opportunity to nurture her personal goal and enact it on stage. Initium is Latin for beginning — Isabella told us at the end of a rehearsal that it was the beginning of her not being scared of creating choreography.”

In the next collaboration, “Dance for Two,” Hanna herself shares the stage with Erik Wagner, formerly of San Francisco Ballet and Bern Ballet in Switzerland, in his second piece of work that Tahoe has seen. Dance Theater of San Francisco performed his work “Stimulus” at the 2014 Lake Tahoe Dance Festival.

“Dance for Two is a piece that navigates the dynamics and complexities of a relationship,” explains Wagner.

The shows end with the world premiere of “15:15” — work by Jacqueline Lopez of Ballet Naçional de Mexico, which she created for the Collective in January. The vibrant piece shows the dancers in raw, confrontational movement that challenges their relationship with the audience and one another.

“I am so grateful we are able to bring these talented and accomplished dancers to the Tahoe area,” said Hanna. “They broaden our dancers’ horizons, and then we all step on stage together to share our collaborative experience. This is our way of adding more beauty to Lake Tahoe, and I’m thrilled to be part of our region’s growing arts scene.”

Tickets for this weekend’s performances are available through laketahoedancecollective.org, at the Trunk Show in Tahoe City, or by calling 1-800-838-3006.

This article was provided on behalf of the nonprofit Lake Tahoe Dance Collective. Its mission is to promote classical, modern and contemporary dance of the finest quality in the Lake Tahoe area through performance, education and outreach, enriching the community as a whole and as a cultural destination. Visit laketahoedancecollective.org to learn more.