Tina LeBlanc takes her final bow. Photo by Erik Tomasson.
After 17 years with the San Francisco Ballet, Tina LeBlanc took the stage for her final performance as principal dancer with the company. LeBlanc reunited with former partner Gonzalo Garcia (now with New York City Ballet) for Balanchine’s Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux during the farwell performance. Garcia ascended the ranks of SFB from the company’s school and has danced with LeBlanc since he was 18. He is quick to credit her for mentoring him on the minutiae of partnering. LeBlanc has said of their pairing, "I wouldn't say we're one entity, but it's the closest I've come to that.”
Tina LeBlanc and Gonzalo Garcia in Balanchine's Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux. Photo by Erik Tomasson.
The farewell performance also featured LeBlanc with Griff Braun in “My Funny Valentine” from Lar Lubovitch’s ...smile with my heart, the pas de deux from Tomasson’s Sonata and the pas de deux and finale from Balanchine’s Theme & Variations.
Tina LeBlanc and Griff Braun in "My Funny Valentine" from Lubovitch's ...smile with my heart. Photo by Erik Tomasson.
You can listen to LeBlanc speak about her career and retirement in a Meet the Artist Interview on the SF Ballet Web site, www.sfballet.org.
LeBlanc has been called the “quintessential American ballerina” by critic Allan Ulrich. Originally rejected by American Ballet Theatre for being too short, she was picked up by Joffrey II and eventually the main company, as she became known for her verve and attack, musicality and fine lines. She joined San Francisco Ballet in 1992 looking for more diversity in repertoire to illustrate her versatility. She will teach at the SFB School upon her retirement.
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