The Christmas Ballet Program 24-25 FINAL - WEB - Flipbook - Page 12
ARTIST PROFILES
TESS LANE
Tess Lane trained at South Bay Ballet in Torrance, CA, performing
Robert Kelly’s Summertime at the International Ballet Competition
in Jackson, MI. While with Sacramento Ballet, she performed works
by George Balanchine, Ron Cunningham, and Lila York. Lane joined
California Ballet Company in 2013 and was featured in Swan Lake,
Giselle, Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream
as well as Septime Webre’s Peter Pan, The Great Gatsby, and Fluctuating
Hemlines. She also danced in the National Choreographers’ Initiative in
2017 and 2018. Lane joined Smuin in 2018.
MARC LAPIERRE
Marc LaPierre began his early training at Ballet Etudes in Norwalk, CT,
working closely with Christina Fagundes. He attended Ballet Academy
East in New York City under the direction of Darla Hoover and at age
16, Marc furthered his training at The School of American Ballet. At
Los Angeles Ballet he danced works by August Bournonville, George
Balanchine, Aszure Barton and Alejandro Cerrudo. Two years later
he joined Oregon Ballet Theatre, where he danced works by Alvin
Ailey, Ben Stevenson, Nicolo Fonte, Christopher Stowell, and Trey
McIntyre. LaPierre joined Smuin in 2021.
SHANIA RASMUSSEN
hania Rasmussen from Denver, CO, received her dance training
at Colorado Ballet Academy and the School of American Ballet.
She began her professional career with the Sacramento Ballet,
and during her 9 years with the company performed principal
and soloist roles in classical ballets as well as works by George
Balanchine, and was featured by contemporary choreographers
Jermaine Spivey, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, and Penny Saunders,
among others. She has appeared with Amy Seiwert’s Imagery,
touring to The Joyce Theater and Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival.
Rasmussen joined Smuin in 2024.
YURI ROGERS
Yuri Rogers began his training with the Academy of Ballet San
Francisco under the direction of Richard Gibson and Zory Karah.
He then had the opportunity to continue his training and perform
with the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, Grand Rapids Ballet, and
BalletMet in Columbus, Ohio. Rogers has performed works by
Lar Lubovitch, Leiland Charles, and Edwaard Liang. Rogers joined
Smuin in 2021.
12 • THE CHRISTM A S BALLET • 2024
