Firebird Dance I May 11, 2025 at 7:00 p.m I Tobin Center
The YOSA Philharmonic season finale “Firebird Dance” is a celebration of lively dance traditions and powerful storytelling. The evening culminates in Stravinsky’s “The Firebird,” a fairytale ballet based on Russian folklore, featuring the remarkable young dancers of San Antonio Youth Ballet. Energetic dance compositions by Gustav Holst and American contemporary composer Kenji Bunch build to the excitement of the grand finale, along with a soloist performance by the talented 2024/25 YOSA Concerto Competition winner, Helen Lan. YOSA Prelude Strings, the youngest YOSA musicians, will open this musical evening of dance and fantasy you won’t want to miss.
About San Antonio Youth Ballet
San Antonio Youth Ballet is a pre-professional program led by Danielle Campbell Steans, whose mission is to cultivate the art of dance among future generations. SAYB provides young dancers, ages 10-18, unique opportunities to train and perform in a professional environment and to represent the San Antonio community at events and dance competitions throughout the state of
Texas and beyond. Performance experience is a critical component to a student’s artistic and technical development. This program provides students with the necessary environment to pursue a career in dance, work towards obtaining a college scholarship, or even fulfill a passion for dance.
About Soloist, Helen Lan
Flutist Helen Lan is the winner of the 2024/25 YOSA Concerto Competition and was a previous winner in the 2022/2023 season. She has won first place at other local, regional, and national competitions, including performances on the radio and paid engagements. In addition to being a member of the Back to Bach project and of many other music organizations, she is an MTNA National Finalist and a participant in the Texas All-State Music Festival. Among her recent awards are Texas Public Radio’s Inspired by KPAC talent competition and first place (woodwind and brass division) in the Texas Association for Symphony Orchestras Juanita Miller Concerto Competition.
YOSA Prelude Strings
Led by Conductor Kathleen Boyd, this ensemble will open “Firebird Dance.”