Ballet Northwest’s “Classical Duets”

Originally published on social media on January 13th, 2025

The first performance of 2025, and it was an entirely enchanting evening.

This was my second year attending Ballet Northwest’s annual Classical Duets performance, what is often called the “Pas de deux” (step of two). Although in my experience, it’s more meaningful and spiritual than that. The Kennedy Center describes a Pas de deux as “the coming together of two people who carry with them all kinds of intense emotions, including love, grief, fear, deceit, joy, and longing.” That is exactly what PNB principal Jonathan Batista and dance partner Yuki Takahashi carried during their White Swan and Giselle Pas de deux.

Anyone who dances Odette and Prince Siegfried in Swan Lake, or Albrecht and Giselle in Giselle need to have a convincing chemistry in order for the ballet to be a success. From Batista, I sensed a protectiveness paired with an attentiveness to Takahashi, as well as a look of awe that occasionally gazed upon her. In response, Takahashi gave an air of gentleness, sweetness, and an air of love. In short, the chemistry was incredible.

There were a couple of other duet partners that appeared during this performance, but I found flaws in each pair. These flaws had nothing to do with the quality of their performance or their skills, but entirely with their attitude and lack of chemistry. One of the gentlemen gave his partner eye contact only when it was necessary, while the other had a stiffness in his movements with his partner. The ladies had different flaws including arrogance and self focused attitude. When each of the pairs were split into solos, each dancer showed their skills which were phenomenal. However in a performance dedicated to dancing duets, I think each had something to learn. Perhaps learning to dance a duet is something like learning how to fall in love — you cannot focus on just yourself because if you do, you are not giving your partner anything.

I enjoyed this performance and the moments that allowed me to contemplate these deep ideas about life and love. I am grateful for the moments that allowed me to escape into the fairy tale world of love.

This is what being in the audience is all about.