EVALUATORS

Christopher Fleming

As a member of the New York City Ballet, Mr. Fleming danced solo and principal roles in works by George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins and Peter Martins. He also headed a group of soloists and principals from the New York City Ballet, which toured Europe and performed his choreography as well as that of George Balanchine. With Mr. Balanchine’s encouragement he embarked on a career as a choreographer and received a fellowship from the National Choreographic Institute.

Mr. Fleming served as the Artistic Director of the Compania Colombiana de Ballet at the Teatro Colon in Bogota, Colombia from 1985 to 1990. He was named Artistic Director of Bay Ballet Theatre in Tampa, Florida in 1993. In the mid 2000’s, Mr. Fleming was Co-Director of Contrast Dance Theatre based in New York CIty.  He has served as Assistant Director and Resident Choreographer for The Rock School for Dance Education, formerly of the Pennsylvania Ballet, for nearly ten years.  Me. Fleming has enjoyed and is currently undertaking a freelancing choreographic career.

He has choreographed a broad variety of works appearing in the repertoire of a number of different companies. Included are traditional full-length works, repertoire, and everything in between.  Works seen throughout the country and internationally include The Who’s Tommy, pas de deux Opus Three, The Myth and Madness of Edgar Allan Poe, Janis & Joe, Cafe Music, Gaspar, Play Ball!, and also several different instillations of The Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet, just to name a few.  Musical works include Honky Tonk Angels, the Garth Brooks musical, an international tour of K2, and Candide!, among others.  Other works of considerable note include that celebrating the life and work of Anton Dvorak in the Czech Republic, The Awakening Ballet in collaboration with renowned artist Jean-Claude Gaugy, NBC television special Degas and the Dance, operatic works, feature coach and highest rated episode of  MTV’s MADE in 2005, along with countless medals of accomplishment by students performing works of his in such acclaimed competitions as Youth America Grand Prix, Grand Prix du Cirque, Moscow Competition, and New York International Ballet Competition.

Gizella Witkowsky

Born in Toronto, Ontario, Gizella Witkowsky graduated from the National Ballet School and joined the National Ballet of Canada in 1975, and was promoted  to “Principal dancer” by Erik Bruhn in 1985, and enjoyed an illustrious  20 year career with the company. Described by the Globe and Mail as “The technically strongest, most commanding and regal woman on stage.”

During that time she performed lead roles in all of the major classical ballets, has worked with many world renowned choreographers, and had the honor of performing with some of the world’s greatest dancers. Witkowsky also has extensive experience in theatre and dance productions both in Canada and abroad. She has taught master classes at numerous Ontario dance festivals and at the Rock School of Ballet in Philadelphia.

In 2004 until 2006 she had a successful term as Artistic Director of the Quinte Ballet School. Witkowsky is currently coaching privately, has been invited by The Rosedale School of the Arts in Toronto to do Master Classes. As an International Guest Teacher she continues to look for more opportunities to share her knowledge and to help develop and inspire future generations working in the world of the arts.

Witkowsky previously served the 2006 USA International Ballet Competition as a juror and returns for the 2010 USA International Ballet Competition as an evaluator.