Elements Contemporary Ballet Mission

As artists and dancers of Elements Contemporary Ballet (ECB), we are dedicated to being an integral part of the evolution of ballet. We present innovative concepts to the classical art with the use of exclusive ballet vocabulary and a uniquely uniform style, yet keep with preserving the essence of traditional ballet, by dancing en pointe and engaging classical line into all of our works. Overall, we strive to keep ECB an exciting and enjoyable experience for all audiences of all cultures and are proud to be the first contemporary ballet company in Chicago.

About Elements Contemporary Ballet

Mike Gosney began the Elements Contemporary Ballet as a way of showcasing the many professional dancers he was training and coaching, as well as a means of forming his innovative movement concepts into exciting choreographic works. Gosney has since developed a unique style and sense of line, and particularly, a phenomenal method of coaching that dancers from all around the world attest to.

Extremely dedicated to his students, he continues to make education, good health and athleticism, experimentation, and an open mind his tools for training dancers. He continues to choreograph new cutting edge works for ECB performances that combine the beauty of classical technique with the boldness of contemporary ideas.

Since its inception in May 2005, the company has staged two full-length concerts at the Harold Washington Library, one in September of 2006, and the other in February 2007 with a lecture demonstration performance at the Library as well. ECB performed in the Dance Chicago festival and was selected as a “Best of New Moves” company. In addition, ECB performed in many other festivals and concerts including, Evanston Arts Week, The Whole Foods Street Festival, State Street Ballet at The Paramount Theatre in Aurora, and “The Stars of Dance Chicago” in Botavia. Most recently, ECB was the featured performer in The Howard Brown Gala, “La Grande Masquerade,” at the Hilton Towers in downtown Chicago.

The ECB dancers hail from prestigious and eclectic backgrounds such as, The Joffrey Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, Pacific Northwest Ballet, River North Chicago Dance Company, Luna Negra Dance Theatre, Thodos Dance Chicago, Joel Hall Dancers, Colorado Ballet, Illinois Ballet Theatre, Ballet Tucson, and The Radio City Rockettes. And, Tetyana Martyanova, 2nd Place winner in the Senior Classical Category at the National Youth America Grand Prix Competition in New York City, recipient of Harid Conservatory’s Dance Study Award, and subject of DANCE Magazine’s April 2004 Article, “From Ukraine with Love,” recently joined the company as a principal dancer.

Our People

Artistic Director:

Mike Gosney

Assistant Director:

Joseph Caruana

Dancers:

Elizabeth Buckley
Kathryn Bruno
Joseph Caruana
Gabrielle DelRe
Nicole Erickson
Julie Kostynick
Audrey Leung
Tetyana Martyanova
Jennifer Price
Amy Roby
Missy Smith

Board of Directors:

David Wojtonik, President
Dave Kummerow, Treasurer
Michelle Jenkins, Secretary
Nick Ross

image of dancers