With ‘a million ideas’ for future, Sasha Janes steps fully into role as artistic director of Chautauqua’s School of Dance

Words, photos and video by HG Biggs

The Chautauqua School of Dance is more than a summer ballet intensive. 

Artistic Director Sasha Janes says he strives to provide a well-rounded program for the students who will spend seven weeks of their summer at Chautauqua, carrying on the legacy of his mentors Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux and Patricia McBride. 

Throughout the summer, students attend a variety of technique, variations and repertoire classes, ranging from a strong focus on classical ballet, to Broadway-style and contemporary choreography. Students also have the opportunity to choreograph their own pieces throughout the summer. 

Janes works to create a strong performance element in the Chautauqua dance program — just as directors before him — with opportunities for students to learn from dancers of professional companies like those of Houston Ballet II. It’s an integral part of his work, and the student experience. 

In Janes’ opinion, the impact of providing the 13- to 16-year-old Festival students with the opportunity to dance with a professional company and full symphony orchestra cannot be overstated. 

“The more you can get on stage as a young dancer, and get that confidence, the better off you’re going to be in the future,” Janes said. 

Janes credits Bonnefoux, and the former artistic director’s patient demeanor, for influencing his own manner of interacting with students. Janes tempers his correction with praise and exudes an atmosphere of calm in all his instruction. He asks his students about their days, their own choreographic work, and the bugs that inevitably creep into their dorm rooms in Bellinger Hall. 

“Getting to know the students as well as I can, to see what their dreams and aspirations are, is an important aspect of the job,” Janes said.

By trying to provide “all the skills that students are going to need in their career” through guest faculty instruction, focusing on students’ development of strong rudimentary ballet technique, and encouraging them to experience the variety of other artforms at Chautauqua, Janes hopes to help the young dancers on their way to achieving those dreams. 

As Janes concludes his first year as artistic director of the School of Dance, his future aspirations for the program extend beyond continuing Bonnefoux’s legacy. 

“If there were things I would want to do with the program, it would be to have more cross-training … and to have a physical therapist here seven days a week,” Janes said, to help maintain dancers’ strength and health throughout the intensive program. “I have a million ideas that I want to do. … I’m just going to keep doing my best to grow the program … and provide opportunities that perhaps other dance companies can’t provide.”