Tulsa Ballet - Artistic Director

Artistic Director

In 1995 renowned Italian dancer Marcello Angelini was appointed Artistic Director of the Tulsa Ballet. Angelini managed to successfully solve the internal conflicts within the company and raise the artistic achievements of the company simultaneously. He was successful at unifying the board members, working well with artistic director emerita Larkin, and establishing friendly relationships with his predecessors. "His gracious yet fierce tenacity, tough professional reputation, and superior negotiating skills soon earned him the nickname 'The Italian Tornado'."

Since Angelini began directing Tulsa Ballet in 1995, he has built a strong and highly versatile company that is capable of tackling both classical and contemporary works by well-known choreographers. The Italian-born, Kiev Institute-trained director expects dancers to achieve a technical level and artistic range comparable to that of the major companies he danced with (Deutsche Oper Berlin, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, Cincinnati Ballet, Ballet West). To grow a company, Angelini says, you have to stretch the dancer one way, then the other.

Angelini believes different styles—classical, modern and contemporary—are parts of the same language. "It's all dance," he says, forming a large circle with his arms. "It's like my shoulder connects to my arm which connects to my hand. You can't separate them." Angelini's incredible gifts have helped shape Tulsa ballet into one of America's best ballet companies.