Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre Appoints New Music Director

The Nutcracker’s Visiting Conductor, Pamela Martin, Receives Permanent Title

SOQUEL — Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre is proud to announce the appointment of Pamela Martin as the new Music Director for the company. Audiences may be familiar with Martin, who has conducted the Ballet Theatre’s 51-piece orchestra for the last two holiday season performances of The Nutcracker at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium. Now the organization is making it official, by naming Martin Music Director, and may soon include live chamber music at their future spring In Concert performances.

“Pamela brings an incredible knowledge of both the classical and contemporary musical world,” says Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre’s Co-Executive Artistic Director Robert Kelley. “With her graceful conducting and her careful interaction with the dancers, she is going be a delight for both audiences and our company.”

Pamela Martin comes to Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre with many years of experience working with orchestras and dance companies. For four years she was the staff conductor for Ballet San Jose (formerly Cleveland Ballet) where she conducted Swan Lake, Coppelia, and The Nutcracker. She has also conducted several versions of The Nutcracker for Oakland Ballet with the Oakland East Bay Symphony, and been a guest conductor for Ballet West in Salt Lake City conducting George Balanchine’s Diamonds with the Utah Chamber Orchestra.

“I am truly honored to be Music Director of Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre,” says Pamela Martin. “Ever since I first worked with the company in 2012, I have been impressed both with the artistic integrity and sense of family that marks this organization. Robert Kelley and Diane Cypher have total dedication to the dancers, the art form and the community. I am proud to be a part of that. The Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre orchestra, built by John Larry Granger and Norman Peck, is an excellent one, not only playing beautifully but also having a strong cohesive quality so important for working with dancers. It is a privilege to stand in front of them.”

In addition to her work with ballet, Martin is the Assistant Conductor with the Vallejo Symphony and a regular guest conductor with the Master Sinfonia Chamber Orchestra. Martin is also an accomplished pianist, having played for San Francisco Ballet, Ballet Austin, Marin Ballet, and Marin Dance Theater. She holds a Master of Music degree in Orchestral Conducting from the University of Texas at Austin, and a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from the Peabody Conservatory.

“Pamela is an artist of the highest level. Being a skilled orchestra conductor is just one facet of what she brings to our performances,” adds Co-Executive Artistic Director Diane Cypher. “Her sensitivity to the dancers is something that will change each of their lives forever. We are incredibly fortunate and proud to establish Maestro Martin as Music Director.”

Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre will perform its 12th season of The Nutcracker December 19 – 21 at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium. Tickets go on sales in mid-October at www.santacruztickets.com

Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre is a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring the community and creating opportunities for young artists through the advancement of the art of ballet. Founded in 1982, Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre is a pre-professional company of talented dancers who are dedicated to their pursuit of this beautiful and demanding art form. Directors Robert Kelley and Diane Cypher have many years of experience as professional dancers, instructors, choreographers and directors. In addition to preparing young dancers for careers in the profession, they help build leaders in our dancers by teaching work ethics, organization, self-confidence and social skills that will serve them all of their lives. Dancers are chosen by open audition annually in August.