Partner Release from Vail Dance Festival
Vail, Colo., Feb. 24, 2026 — The Vail Valley Foundation’s Vail Dance Festival announces Alexei Ratmansky—one of today’s most celebrated ballet choreographers —as its 2026 Artist-in-Residence. A defining voice in ballet, Ratmansky has created critically acclaimed works for many of the world’s leading ballet companies and is currently Artist-In-Residence at New York City Ballet. Continuing on as the Leonard Bernstein Composer-in-Residence for her 10th year at the Festival, Pulitzer Prize and Grammy award winning composer and performer Caroline Shaw will join Ratmansky as a creative driver of the 2026 Festival. The 2026 season will take place July 31–August 10 throughout the Vail Valley, with 11 performances and 30+ events in Vail, Beaver Creek, Avon. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Damian Woetzel, the Festival will present a dynamic lineup celebrating excellence in dance and music including headlining performances by the Martha Graham Dance Company as part of the company’s centennial anniversary, Philadelphia’s Rennie Harris Puremovement American Street Dance Theater in a Festival debut, and Cleo Parker Robinson Dance and Colorado Ballet representing the dynamism of dance in Colorado today.
The 2026 Festival marks the 20th anniversary of Woetzel’s tenure as Artistic Director, celebrating two decades defined by the commissioning of over 130 new works from established and emerging choreographers for dancers across the spectrum of the artform, collaborations with extraordinary composers and a wide range of musicians, and growth of the Festival to include numerous educational and community events.
Beginning with choreographer Christopher Wheeldon as he launched his company Morphoses at the 2007 Festival, Woetzel has welcomed dancemakers of various genres into the lab environment that is a signature of the Vail Dance Festival. Creative voices commissioned over the years have included Paul Taylor, Michelle Dorrance, Robert Battle, Brian Brooks, Pam Tanowitz, Alonzo King, Shantala Shivalingappa, Larry Keigwin, Alexei Ratmansky, Claudia Schreier, Fang-Yi Sheu, Lil Buck, Matthew Neenan, Jodi Melnick, John Heginbotham, Lauren Lovette, Tiler Peck, Jamar Roberts, and Justin Peck. Essential to the collaborative work have been the musical collaborators who have been a part of the Festival, including Philip Glass, Caroline Shaw, Jason Moran, Rhiannon Giddens, Vijay Iyer, Gabriela Lena Frank, and the musicians of Brooklyn Rider among many others.
“This season reflects what the Vail Dance Festival has become over these past twenty years: a place for collaborative adventure, for next steps at every stage of an artist’s career, for presenting a range of dance companies in a spirit of creative exchange,” says Woetzel. “Welcoming Alexei Ratmansky as Artist-in-Residence to our creative lab in the Rockies during this milestone year brings the energy of what dance is today, and the catalytic possibility of what it can be into the future.”
Vail Dance Festival donors receive presale access starting Thursday, February 26. Tickets will go on sale to the public on Thursday, March 12. For information on becoming a donor, call 970.777.2015 or visit vaildance.org.
About 2026 Artist-In-Residence Alexei Ratmansky
Acclaimed choreographer Alexei Ratmansky is the Vail Dance Festival’s Artist in Residence for 2026, marking his first time in Vail to participate in the Festival. Several of Ratmansky’s works have been performed in Vail over the last years, including his Fandango which was commissioned by the Festival in 2010.
Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, Ratmansky is of Ukrainian descent and trained at the Bolshoi Ballet School in Moscow prior to becoming a Principal Dancer with the Ukrainian National Ballet, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, and the Royal Danish Ballet. From 2004 to 2008, he was the Artistic Director of the Bolshoi Ballet. He served as Artist in Residence at American Ballet Theatre from 2008 to 2023, and in 2023 became Artist in Residence at New York City Ballet. He is also Associate Artist with Dutch National Ballet, and his work is performed by nearly all major international ballet companies.
The Vail Dance Festival Artist-in-Residence program spotlights leading dancers and choreographers, elevating their distinct artistic voices through world premieres, curated programs and performances. Artists-in-Residence are fully embedded across every facet of the Festival, collaborating with fellow artists and engaging disciplines beyond their usual practice. This exchange fosters a unique creative environment—one whose impact extends far beyond Vail, building collaborative partnerships and impetus for the time to come.
Recent Artists-in-Residence have included modern dance icon Melissa Toogood; New York City Ballet principal dancers Sara Mearns and Roman Mejia; Adji Cissoko of Alonzo King LINES Ballet; American Ballet Theatre principal dancer Calvin Royal III; and choreographer/dancers Jamar Roberts and Caili Quan.
An All-Star Line Up of Dancers, Musicians and Choreographers
Choreographers making new dances this season will include Artist-In-Residence Alexei Ratmansky, Robert Battle, Michelle Dorrance, Larry Keigwin, Tiler Peck, Pam Tanowitz, and in Festival choreographic debuts, Chun Wai Chan and Amanda Treiber. New dances will be featured throughout the Festival and on the NOW: Premieres closing night performance, which focuses on new work exclusively.
Festival artists will include Broadway and ballet star Robbie Fairchild; tap dance icon Michelle Dorrance; New York City Ballet’s Dominka Afanasenkov, India Bradley, Preston Chamblee; Chun Wai Chan, Naomi Corti, Sara Mearns, Roman Mejia, Mira Nadon, Tiler Peck, Unity Phelan, Ryan Tomash, Indiana Woodward; appearing courtesy of American Ballet Theatre Herman Cornejo, Catherine Hurlin, Chloe Misseldine, Takumi Miyake, Calvin Royal III, Yoon Jung Seo, Brooks Landegger, Kayla Mak; Alonzo King LINES Ballet’s Adji Cissoko, modern dance force Melissa Toogood; street dance pioneer Lil Buck; Former New York City Ballet principal dancer Lauren Lovette, Royal Danish Ballet’s Philip Duclos; BalletX’s Savannah Greene and Jerard Palazzo; and independent dancer Daisy Kate Jacobson. Other celebrated artists will be announced as the Festival draws closer.
Joining Composer-in-Residence Caroline Shaw who will perform as well as compose throughout the Festival, musicians collaborating at the Festival will include returning Quartet-In-Residence Brooklyn Rider (violinists Johnny Gandelsman and Colin Jacobsen, violist Nicholas Cords and cellist Michael Nicolas), bass-baritone Davóne Tines, multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter Danni Lee Parpan, pianists Michael Scales, Derek Wang, and Tony Siqi Yun, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Kate Davis, musical director Shelbie Rassler, a jazz ensemble led by pianist Joel Wenhardt, and the National Repertory Orchestra under the baton of Michael Stern.
2026 Festival Performance Highlights
Opening Night
Friday, July 31 at 7 p.m. | Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, Vail
An all-star Opening Night will offer a thrilling preview of what’s to come at this year’s Festival, featuring performances by stars of New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, and other celebrated artists, along with performances by Martha Graham Dance Company, Rennie Harris Puremovement, and Colorado Ballet. The kick-off performance spans a remarkable range of choreography reflecting the Festival’s ambitious scope—from works by legends to creations by today’s groundbreaking artistic voices.
Martha Graham Dance Company
GRAHAM100: The Centennial Celebration
Saturday, August 1 at 7 p.m. |Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, Vail
The legendary Martha Graham Dance Company takes the Vail stage for a spotlight performance—its only Colorado appearance on a centennial world tour celebrating 100 years as one of modern dance’s most influential and enduring artistic forces. The program honors the groundbreaking legacy of founder Martha Graham, alongside contemporary works by artists inspired by her vision, carrying forward a powerful tradition of innovation, emotional intensity, and artistic courage that defines the Graham spirit. The evening will feature hallowed works by Graham including Diversions of Angels and Lamentation, along with Jamar Robert’s recent acclaimed work made for the company, We the People.
In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Martha Graham Dance Company, the evening will also feature the premiere of a special 92NY Dance Education Laboratory (DEL) Movement Sentence Choir (MSC) in tribute to Martha Graham and her legacy. Rooted in the early 20th-century movement choirs of Rudolf Laban—community-based, democratic celebrations of dance—the DEL model combines Laban’s principles with its signature “Movement Sentence,” pairing action words to spark original student choreography. Choreographer Larry Keigwin and DEL Facilitator and choreographer Taryn Vander Hoop will collaborate with the Martha Graham Dance Company to create an homage to Graham’s pioneering spirit and impact which will go on to be a unique educational tool.
UpClose with Damian Woetzel
Sunday, August 2 at 6 p.m.|Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, Vail
For twenty years artistic director Damian Woetzel has grown the Vail Dance Festival into a dynamic lab for dance and music, drawing together thrilling artists from disparate worlds into new collaborative possibilities. That vision is centerstage on UpClose, as Woetzel assembles a star-studded lineup of artists for a unique behind-the-scenes look at the work that goes into the breathtaking performances throughout the Festival.
State of Grace
Monday, August 3 at 7 p.m. |Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, Vail
A luminous evening that gathers celebrated dancers from American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, Alonzo King LINES Ballet, Royal Danish Ballet, and beyond. Spanning generations of choreographic brilliance through repertory chosen especially for this unique program, the performance culminates with Festival stars and Colorado Ballet in George Balanchine’s magnificent Serenade, set to Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings, performed live by the National Repertory Orchestra conducted by Michael Stern.
Dance for $20.26
Tuesday, August 4 at 6 p.m. |Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, Vail
Experience an electrifying night of dance at unbeatable prices, with pavilion seats costing just $20.26 and lawn tickets only $10.26. Festival stars light up the stage in a high-energy, high-impact program featuring ballet, tap, hip hop, street styles, and more. An unforgettable night for all.
Watching Dance with Heather Watts
Wednesday, August 5 at 11 a.m. |Vail Mountain School, Vail
Legendary “Balanchine Ballerina” Heather Watts shares an interactive exploration of dance repertory and history through live demonstrations with Festival Artists.
Proceeds from this event will benefit the Vail Dance Festival’s free dance education summer camps, Celebrate the Beat Summer Celebration Team and Pop Hop Camp.
Rennie Harris Puremovement American Street Dance Theater: Nuttin’ but a Word
Wednesday, August 5 at 6 p.m. |Vilar Performing Arts Center, Beaver Creek
Making their Festival debut, Rennie Harris Puremovement American Street Dance Theater is a trailblazer, the first company to bring the raw energy and creativity of hip-hop to the concert dance stage. In Nuttin’ but a Word, dancers ignite the stage with a high-voltage mixtape of street styles—from b-boying and Campbell locking to house—where every move tells a story. Rooted in hip hop’s rich history but charged with innovation, the performance celebrates individuality, rhythm, and artistry, proving that street dance isn’t just a culture—it’s a commanding, electrifying force.
Dancing in the Park
Thursday, August 6 at 5:30 p.m. |Performance Pavilion at Nottingham Park, Avon
Dancing in the Park invites audiences of all ages to enjoy this free summer tradition celebrating world-class dance and community. Pack a picnic, bring a blanket or lawn chairs, and gather with friends and family at the lakeside Performance Pavilion for a relaxed and memorable evening nestled in the beauty of the Colorado mountains. The program begins with joyful performances by the youth dancers of Celebrate the Beat, followed by Festival artists, Colorado Ballet, Rennie Harris Puremovement American Street Dance Theater, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, and more.
International Evenings of Dance I, II & III
Friday, August 7 at 7 p.m.
Saturday, August 8 at 5 p.m. & 8 p.m. |Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, Vail
A defining Vail tradition since 1993, International Evenings of Dance are legendary for their glittery celebration of artistic collaboration with unique “only in Vail” partnerships and role debuts by a selection of today’s dance stars from around the world. The schedule will include three different International Evenings.
Colorado Dances
Sunday, August 9 at 6 p.m. |Vilar Performing Arts Center, Beaver Creek
Colorado Dances celebrates the vibrant dance community of the Centennial State with a one-of-a-kind program featuring Rocky Mountain powerhouses Colorado Ballet and Cleo Parker Robinson Dance — both celebrated for their artistic excellence, cultural impact, and enduring contributions to American dance.
Closing Night – NOW: Premieres
Monday, August 10 at 7 p.m. |Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, Vail
Over the past two decades under the visionary leadership of Artistic Director Damian Woetzel, the Vail Dance Festival has earned worldwide acclaim as a stage where bold new music and dance meet the moment, now—presenting over 130 original works by some of the world’s most cutting-edge voices in contemporary choreography. This evening marks the 20th anniversary of Woetzel’s extraordinary artistic vision with a collection of new works created in collaboration with Festival artists, featuring daring choreography and a remarkable ensemble of dancers and musicians from across genres. Choreographers will include Robert Battle, Larry Keigwin, Tiler Peck, Artist-In-Residence Alexei Ratmansky, Pam Tanowitz, and first time Festival choreographers Chun Wai Chan and Amanda Treiber.
Additional Vail Dance Festival programming, performances, and casting will be announced in the coming months, along with details on Festival events including Master Classes, Dancing in the Streets, and the popular Conversations on Dance live recordings.
Vail Dance Festival donors receive presale access starting Thursday, February 26. Tickets will go on sale to the public on Thursday, March 12. For information on becoming a donor, call 970.777.2015 or visit vaildance.org.
*All programs, performances, and casting are subject to change.
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About the Vail Dance Festival
Established in 1989, the Vail Dance Festival is an internationally renowned two-week celebration of exceptional artistry in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, featuring performances at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater and other venues throughout the Vail Valley. Led by Artistic Director Damian Woetzel since 2006, the Festival brings a wide range of extraordinary dancers and musicians to Vail and has established the Vail Valley as one of the top summer dance destinations in the world. The Festival features a variety of programming that welcomes everyone to enjoy the spectrum of dance, including commissioned new works of dance and music, adventurous collaborations, education initiatives, free community events, and more.
For more information, visit vaildance.org.
About the Vail Valley Foundation
The Vail Valley Foundation is a 501(c)(3) Colorado nonprofit with a mission to provide leadership in arts, athletics, and education, and address community needs to enhance our valley as a place to live, work, and visit.
The organization’s work in education is through Youth Power, a 501(c)(3) Colorado nonprofit corporation which provides programs from early childhood to college and career to support youth and families every step of the way. The VVF puts on several annual events including the GoPro Mountain Games, Stifel Birds of Prey Audi FIS Ski World Cup races, Vail Dance Festival, and Bulleit Hot Summer Nights and Town of Eagle ShowDown Town free concert series. The organization manages the Vilar Performing Arts Center in Beaver Creek and the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater in Vail, hosting over 150 events annually. The VVF also operates Eagle River Valley Childcare, a 501(c)(3) Colorado nonprofit corporation focused on enhancing early childhood education and development services across the community.
Vail Valley Foundation is grateful for our cornerstone partners: Town of Vail, Vail Resorts, Beaver Creek Resort Company, GoPro, Nature Valley, Constellation Brands, CELSIUS, Diageo, Lucid, Lifetime Home Remodeling, and Slifer Smith & Frampton Real Estate.
To learn more, visit vvf.org.
Media contact:
Joel Solari
- 312.678.7568
- 970.777.2015