MAY 9, 2026: International Ballet Academy (IBA) brought light, energy, and passion to an otherwise cloudy day in Cary, North Carolina. Hosted at Cary Academy, 75 dancers performed in IBA’s Spring Festival for family, friends, and ballet aficionados. The two-hour performance consisted of two acts: The first act, featuring the grand défilé Scenes de Ballet and contemporary choreography pieces Future Voices, was a diverse display of IBA’s student body. The second act was a selection of curated classical excerpts from Acts I, II, and III of Raymonda, an 1898 ballet originally choreographed by Marius Petipa to the music of Alexander Glazunov.

Marking the completion of the first season for the new Director and Associate Director – Rubén Martín Cintas and Kathleen Dahlhoff, respectively – Spring Festival was a remarkable demonstration of classical ballet instruction and the ability to elicit artistic expression within codified ballet form, a feat that is not to be minimized. 

ACT 1

The performance was decorated with beautiful costumes and musical arrangements that highlighted the athletic physique and artistic expression of the dancers; however, what was most striking was the clear mastery of technique and expression of joy portrayed by each dancer, irrespective of age. The young dancers showed off their hard work with big smiles and big dancing, with IBA’s Pre-Professional Division particularly displaying mastery of technique, beautiful épaulement, undeniable passion, enormous stage presence, and incredible muscular control that rivals that of professional dancers. 

Scenes de Ballet

Described as a “celebration of the school as a whole and a clear reflection of its training philosophy,” Scenes de Ballet was a classical défilé featuring each IBA student. Dancers were costumed according to their level, and the opening performance was an inclusive choreography that allowed every dancer to have their moment to shine. With 75 dancers on stage, it was an impressive management of human bodies!

Future Voices

This portion of the first act featured both contemporary and musical theater works choreographed by Kathryn Mowat Murphy and senior students of the Pre-Professional Division. A variety of pieces were performed, including three striking solos, a contemporary take on a pas de quatre, and four exciting ensemble pieces. The five pieces choreographed by current students had unique choreographic voices, advanced choreographic methods and arrangements, and remarkably rehearsed dancers. Sprinkled throughout Future Voices were several ensemble pieces by Kathryn Mowat Murphy. Dancers performed excitedly in a variety of forms, including ballet, modern, and musical theatre with a special homage to Bob Fosse.

Photography by Mena Brunette of XMB Photography.

ACT 2

Raymonda Suite

After the overture, the second act opened with welcoming gestures from the King and Queen, performed by Terence Battles and Kathleen Dahlhoff, respectively. Eight lords and ladies of the Royal Court joined the King and Queen onstage as jesters played and dancers dazzled. Donned in stunning medieval-like costumes, Raymonda Suite featured variations, duets, trios, pas de quatres, and impressively large ensemble pieces, including the Fantasy Waltz featuring 35 dancers. Again, each dancer shone like a bright light onto the audience: their smiles were felt, their gaze was encapsulating, and their dedication to ballet technique was recognized.

The performance concluded with a roaring round of applause and recognition of graduating seniors who are igniting their professional dance careers at prestigious programs and companies like Alvin Ailey and Ballet Austin. There was not a dull moment in IBA’s Spring Festival. Thank you, International Ballet Academy for your dedication to athleticism, precision, professionalism, and artistry. ///