When Gil Boggs arrived in Denver in the spring of 2006 to become artistic director of the Colorado Ballet, he got right down to business.
Literally within weeks of his first day on the job, Boggs set the wheels in motion for ways to make life better for the dancers.
He assembled an artistic team that helped create a culture of mutual respect and consideration; a team that encouraged dancers to make healthy lifestyle choices, participate in career-lengthening rehabilitation programs and presented increased opportunities for professional growth.
The repertoire was broadened to include a mix of classical ballets, contemporary pieces and new works, performed with a live orchestra whenever possible. Recently, the company moved to a new home, the Armstrong Center for Dance at 1075 Santa Fe Drive, whose award-winning architecture provides state-of-the-art rehearsal spaces for the dancers, office space for the administrative staff and a variety of studios for the Colorado Ballet Academy.
All of which was celebrated at the Firebird Gala, a multi-faceted fundraiser that honored Boggs on his 10th anniversary with the company and raised significant funds for Colorado Ballet’s education and community engagement efforts. These include live-streaming performances to classrooms located in rural areas of the state and to schools that lack funds to transport students to performances.
A portion also went to the Colorado Ballet Academy’s scholarship program, which awards some $100,000 annually to students who otherwise might not have the opportunity to study ballet.
Denise Sanderson, a member and past chair of the board of trustees, chaired the gala and noted that Colorado Ballet “wouldn’t be where it is today without Gil and Sandy.” Sandra Brown is Boggs’ wife and the company’s ballet mistress.
Denver Mayor Michael Hancock brought a thunderous round of applause from the 450 guests when he described Colorado Ballet as “The best ballet in the USA” during his welcoming remarks.
Arrow Electronics, Firebird Gala’s presenting sponsor, added to the festivities by commissioning a short ballet, choreographed by Brown and set to its signature piece, “Five Years Out.”
In addition, the pas de deux from “Firebird” was performed by Maria Mosina and Alexei Tyukov, both of whom are retiring as principal dancers at the end of Colorado Ballet’s current season.
Rich Kylberg, Arrow’s chief marketing officer, and his friend, Jillian Parker, were among those attending the Firebird Gala, which began with cocktails in the Chambers Grant Salon in the Ellie Caulkins Opera House and concluded with dancing on The Ellie stage to tunes spun by DJ Larry.
Others joining in the fun were Lt. Gov. Donna Lynne with hubby Jim Brown; Duke Hartman and Elizabeth Katkin, the current co-chairs of the Colorado Ballet board; board treasurer William Tryon and his wife, Debbie; former Denver District Court Judge Ann Frick and her husband, Ford Frick; Judy and Newell Grant; artist Darrell Anderson, whose oil portrait of Marina Mosina was among the items up for bid in a live auction called by RTD director Doug Tisdale; Eula Adams, CEO at Neuromonics, Inc.; Don and Debbie Silversmith; Martin and Suzie Erzinger; Cynthia and Dr. Larry Chan; Colorado Ballet Auxiliary president Kelly Matthews; Vicki and Harry Sterling; Deana Perlmutter; Tom Jensen and Sandi Hewins; and such members of the gala committee as Ellen Balaguer, Radhika Black, Steve Edmonds, Jan Hammond, Jane Netzorg and Susan Struna.
