Meet our Handsome Prince, Kevin Burke!

Every Cinderella story needs a Handsome Prince-- and that's where Ballet Ariel's Kevin Burke comes in. Dancer by day, mixologist/head barman at the award-winning Denver restaurant Colt & Grey by night, he has 17 years of dance under his belt and is ready to use it to woo the beautiful Cinderella in Ballet Ariel's full length ballet "Cinderella."

Kevin Burke and Damara Cedillo in rehearsal as Prince and Cinderella

Kevin got his start tap dancing in Caspar, Wyoming as a ten year old. His bio claims he was coerced into taking ballet classes by his sister's ballet teacher and "enrolled against his wishes," but watching Kevin in action, one can be pretty certain dance is in his blood. With his soaring jumps, meticulous musicality, and strong expansive presence onstage, it seems this Prince was born to dance.
Before joining the ranks of Ballet Ariel as a company dancer, he trained at Rocky Mountain School of Dance and the Ailey School in New York. He then returned to Colorado where he spent two seasons with David Taylor Dance Theatre. He's also been seen around town performing with other Colorado dance companies (7Dancers, Colorado Youth Ballet, and Delusions of Grandeur to name a few).
We asked Kevin a few questions about his new role, career, and life in general-- please enjoy getting to know Ballet Ariel's very own Handsome Prince!

What is your favorite part of portraying the role of the Prince?
"It's actually the first time that I have played a character lead. I've had a lead role in a piece before, but always as an abstract/contemporary role, never that of a romantic character lead. It's been a real growth opportunity as an artist to tackle the role."

Who inspires you as an artist?
"There are incredible dancers here in Denver. More-so than I think the general public is aware of. Coming out of a rough economy a lot of the smaller dance companies are still struggling. It's inspiring to see many of the dancers still going to class, honing and working on their craft, even if they are uncertain if they are going to have a shortened season. It's this sort of dedication that reminds you that it really does all come back to working on your craft, and that it's deeply personal exercise."

What is your favorite thing to do outside of dance?
"Many artists find work in the service industry to support our artistic careers. I found myself working in restaurants to help defray the costs of college tuition when I was living in New York, and it has proved to be a valuable passion for me. I absolutely love the restaurant community here in Denver."

Kevin Burke and Damara Cedillo in rehearsal as Prince and Cinderella

Come see Kevin in action as the Prince in Ballet Ariel's full length Cinderella March 23rd-24th at the PACE Center in Parker! For more information check out the company Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/balletarieldenver

Or go straight to the PACE Center website and buy your tickets-- they are already selling fast and we are just under a month away from opening night!  http://www.parkeronline.org/index.aspx?nid=989