SoNA and Ballet Arkansas Present “Sleighride Together” – Dec. 21, 6pm Premiere

Sleighride Together was released on December 21 at 6pm, featuring the full SoNA orchestra performing under the baton of SoNA Music Director Paul Haas along with dancers from Ballet Arkansas. The performance consists of a series of contemporary solos and duets choreographed by Ballet Arkansas Executive and Artistic Director Michael Fothergill and Madison Hicks, set to two musical numbers performed by SoNA: Sleigh Ride, an upbeat classic by American composer Leroy Anderson, and the harmonious Hallelujah chorus from Mozart’s arrangement of the Messiah.

SoNA musicians performed from their respective homes, while Ballet Arkansas dancers performed from the beautiful UA-PTC CHARTS Theater in North Little Rock. Dancers who live together performed together, while the others danced solo for safety. Featured dancers include Amanda Sewell, Toby Lewellen, Lauren Hill, Lauren Yordanich and Leah Elizabeth Morris (Sleigh Ride); Zeek Wright, Kaley Kirkman, Meredith Short Loy, Deanna Stanton and Aldrin Vendt (Hallelujah).

The two pieces performed in Sleighride Together convey messages of togetherness and triumph over struggle.

“This collaboration [with Ballet Arkansas] created an opportunity to find new ways to come together, despite the unique challenges of modern-day life,” SoNA Executive Director D. Riley Nicholson said. “We’re bringing Central and Northwest Arkansas together in a cultural conversation, and we’re bringing two art forms together to deepen the experience of both. We hope this is a beginning of a rich organizational partnership that will continue for years to come.”

“Collaborations like this one bring together two of the state’s preeminent cultural institutions while engaging communities in Central and Northwest Arkansas in meaningful shared experiences at a most important time,” said Ballet Arkansas’ Michael Fothergill. “We are thrilled to begin a new era of collaboration with SoNA, and hope Sleighride Together will uplift and inspire Arkansans as they celebrate the holidays.”

As with all of our virtual events in 2020, this performance is free of charge and was released as a video on SoNA’s Facebook page, YouTube channel, and here, where it will remain available throughout the season.