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Palermo is new artistic director of BWR
By GUY D’ASTOLFO
YOUNGSTOWN
Rachael K. Palermo has been hired as the artistic director of Ballet Western Reserve, filling a position that had been vacant for more than a year.
The Amherst, Ohio, native has 20 years of experience as a choreographer and dance educator and had owned a dance studio for 10 years. She started at BWR on July 1.
Palermo, who is an adjunct dance instructor at Youngstown State University, said she is excited about the opportunity at BWR. “From the first time I was there, it felt right,” she said. “I’ve worked at many places, and after 20 years, you just know when it’s a good fit. It’s a beautiful building, wonderful faculty and the board made me feel so welcome.”
The downtown school had been without an artistic director since the departure of Stas Kmiec at the start of 2016. Its five faculty members handled the creative duties on a temporary basis.
Tricia Perry, president of the BWR board of trustees, said the school had been searching for the right person and finally found her in Palermo.
The school has about 120 students.
Palermo earned a bachelor’s degree in dance from the University of Akron, where she performed with the university dance company. She has a master’s degree in Teaching Dance in Higher Education and the Professions from New York University.
She and her husband recently moved to the Northfield area to be closer to her new position.
Palermo’s presence at BWR will quickly become apparent, as the fall performance – the focal point of the season – will break with tradition.
Typically, the school presents a holiday favorite such as “The Nutcracker,” although last year it performed “The Wizard of Oz.” But this year, it will present a completely new production that will offer a mix of genres, titled “Classical to Contemporary: A Holiday Celebration of Dance.”
The three-act program will be performed twice Nov. 18 – at 2 and 7 p.m. – at Powers Auditorium. There also will be a performance for schools Nov. 17.
It will open with Act 2 of the classical ballet “Coppelia,” followed by new contemporary works highlighting BWR Company dancers, and closing with a holiday-themed segment created by Palermo that will include retro music, vintage-style clothing and a surprise finale.
Before then, the BWR will have an open house Aug. 26, from 1 to 3 p.m. Prospective and returning students and their parents can tour the building at 218 W. Boardman St. (entrance at rear of building), meet the staff and even try a mini-class, said Perry.
In addition to ballet, BWR also offers dance classes in modern, jazz, tap, musical theater and improvisation. For information, call the school at 330-744-1934.