It's another nail in ABT's coffin.
Jared Matthews and Yuriko Kajiya, two of ABT's finest, most gifted and promising soloists who Artistic Director Kevin McKenzie wasted season after season after season have finally had enough. They're leaving at the end of the Met season to join Houston Ballet.
Tears and cheers.
It is imperative that these two communicate to their New York followers advance notice of their principal casting in Houston so that we can make arrangements to attend.
There just isn't enough spit for McKenzie.
26 responses to “Jared and Yuriko quit ABT”
Hi Haglund, I totally agree that the loss of Yuriko Kajiya and Jared Matthews represents an enormous failure on the part of ABT to develop its talent and grow the company. Promotion to principal status for both of them was a no-brainer. It seems like a wise move on their part not to waste their careers in the “soloist graveyard” that ABT has become. It’s difficult not to go on and on about the disastrous turn that the company has taken under its current so-called artistic director. My only consolation is that Yuriko and Jared are not going to Vladivostok.
Hi Haglund, I totally agree that the loss of Yuriko Kajiya and Jared Matthews represents an enormous failure on the part of ABT to develop its talent and grow the company. Promotion to principal status for both of them was a no-brainer. It seems like a wise move on their part not to waste their careers in the “soloist graveyard” that ABT has become. It’s difficult not to go on and on about the disastrous turn that the company has taken under its current so-called artistic director. My only consolation is that Yuriko and Jared are not going to Vladivostok.
With its proximity to Japan, Vladivostok could have looked inviting to them. The political climate, not so inviting.
It’s time to pull the plug on ABT’s respirator.
With its proximity to Japan, Vladivostok could have looked inviting to them. The political climate, not so inviting.
It’s time to pull the plug on ABT’s respirator.
They weren’t appreciated at ABT so I’m not surprised. I live in Houston and the audience (as well as the AD) will appreciate these two fine dancers. I look forward to seeing them here.
They weren’t appreciated at ABT so I’m not surprised. I live in Houston and the audience (as well as the AD) will appreciate these two fine dancers. I look forward to seeing them here.
Thanks, Tiffany. You’ll have to keep us up to speed.
Thanks, Tiffany. You’ll have to keep us up to speed.
Geez Louise, Haglund! I was literally signing on to read your latest article and- lets just say I spat up my bisque after reading this bit. How shameful and sad. 11 ‘exchange program performers’ will be taking away all momentum and possibility of being see from more deserving home grown talent. No wonder Jared, Matthew, and Sascha are leaving. And now, so is Paloma. Such a strange world we live…
-Juan Michael Porter II
Geez Louise, Haglund! I was literally signing on to read your latest article and- lets just say I spat up my bisque after reading this bit. How shameful and sad. 11 ‘exchange program performers’ will be taking away all momentum and possibility of being see from more deserving home grown talent. No wonder Jared, Matthew, and Sascha are leaving. And now, so is Paloma. Such a strange world we live…
-Juan Michael Porter II
So true, Juan Michael. It is a disgraceful situation.
So true, Juan Michael. It is a disgraceful situation.
Hi Haglund, I’ve read the blog for a while now but never commented. But wow! Had to chime in for this one. Not much more can be said about the situation at ABT…but I am very excited for the opportunity to see this pair in Houston next season. Gotta start saving my pennies now…
I had forgotten Jared is from Houston. That must’ve influenced his choice to move here as opposed to somewhere else.
Hi Haglund, I’ve read the blog for a while now but never commented. But wow! Had to chime in for this one. Not much more can be said about the situation at ABT…but I am very excited for the opportunity to see this pair in Houston next season. Gotta start saving my pennies now…
I had forgotten Jared is from Houston. That must’ve influenced his choice to move here as opposed to somewhere else.
they are soloists with a national ballet company which is worldly known. and they are joining a local ballet company with no promotion?
they are soloists with a national ballet company which is worldly known. and they are joining a local ballet company with no promotion?
Hi Haglund, Is it true that McK renewed his contract with ABT in 2012 for 10 more years? If so, ABT is going to become a pickup company, like a basketball game at the corner hoops. In contrast, for how many years are dancers’ contracts renewed? One? Two? And what about the audience? We’re already holding on by a thread. At this rate, the thread will snap.
Hi Haglund, Is it true that McK renewed his contract with ABT in 2012 for 10 more years? If so, ABT is going to become a pickup company, like a basketball game at the corner hoops. In contrast, for how many years are dancers’ contracts renewed? One? Two? And what about the audience? We’re already holding on by a thread. At this rate, the thread will snap.
In 2011 or 2012, Ratmansky’s initial 5-year contract was extended by 10 years to 2023, but nothing was ever mentioned about McKenzie. Who knows what kind of an arrangement he has? My complete guess is that it’s some kind of “evergreen” arrangement that automatically renews unless one party or the other decides to make a change.
Nobody’s stuck with McKenzie for 10 more years even if there were a contract. A director can’t perform as poorly as McKenzie is and expect to be saved by a contract. ABT’s Board could kick him to the curb in a New York minute, but then they would actually have to do some work and go out and find a replacement. It would have to be a replacement who doesn’t mind being neutered by David Koch, and there aren’t many of those around.
In 2011 or 2012, Ratmansky’s initial 5-year contract was extended by 10 years to 2023, but nothing was ever mentioned about McKenzie. Who knows what kind of an arrangement he has? My complete guess is that it’s some kind of “evergreen” arrangement that automatically renews unless one party or the other decides to make a change.
Nobody’s stuck with McKenzie for 10 more years even if there were a contract. A director can’t perform as poorly as McKenzie is and expect to be saved by a contract. ABT’s Board could kick him to the curb in a New York minute, but then they would actually have to do some work and go out and find a replacement. It would have to be a replacement who doesn’t mind being neutered by David Koch, and there aren’t many of those around.
Diana, thanks for stopping by H.H. I imagine that Jared’s Houston roots played some part in his decision. I’m happy that he and Yuriko have decided to kiss off McKenzie, but I will miss seeing their performances and watching their artistic growth. The next time that Giselle hits the Houston Ballet calendar, you can bet that a busload of NYers will arrive in town to see them perform.
Diana, thanks for stopping by H.H. I imagine that Jared’s Houston roots played some part in his decision. I’m happy that he and Yuriko have decided to kiss off McKenzie, but I will miss seeing their performances and watching their artistic growth. The next time that Giselle hits the Houston Ballet calendar, you can bet that a busload of NYers will arrive in town to see them perform.
Hello “use lil logic”!
ABT has been in a severe downward spiral for several years due to the push to re-make the company into something that can be managed by a a director who has no directing ability. Jared and Yuriko are two MORE artists who have realized that they are much better and more talented than McKenzie claims, and that it is time to get out while they still have dancing years left.
Hello “use lil logic”!
ABT has been in a severe downward spiral for several years due to the push to re-make the company into something that can be managed by a a director who has no directing ability. Jared and Yuriko are two MORE artists who have realized that they are much better and more talented than McKenzie claims, and that it is time to get out while they still have dancing years left.
Oh wow, what a loss for ABT, losing two of its young and promising dancers. What a coup for Houston Ballet to gain two classical dancers already wonderful but just need environment to develop to next level. Kajiya and Matthews are a real life couple, correct? So it makes sense for them to go together. It makes me sad that Matthews in his earlier interviews sang the praises of ABT, saying how he was drawn to its emphasis on classical repertory. But then he didn’t know that the classical rep was opened to foreign guest artists. At this point, regional companies like Houston Ballet, SF Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet are overtaking the so-called national company inaptly named ABT, in relevance to American classical ballet scene.
Oh wow, what a loss for ABT, losing two of its young and promising dancers. What a coup for Houston Ballet to gain two classical dancers already wonderful but just need environment to develop to next level. Kajiya and Matthews are a real life couple, correct? So it makes sense for them to go together. It makes me sad that Matthews in his earlier interviews sang the praises of ABT, saying how he was drawn to its emphasis on classical repertory. But then he didn’t know that the classical rep was opened to foreign guest artists. At this point, regional companies like Houston Ballet, SF Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet are overtaking the so-called national company inaptly named ABT, in relevance to American classical ballet scene.