Congratulations to Kansas City Ballet Company dancers Gavin Abercrombie, Kaleena Burks, Sidney Haefs, and Paul Zusi, who were selected by Kansas City Ballet Artistic Director Devon Carney as this season’s named dancer honorees.
- Gavin Abercrombie, Sally and Thomas J. Wood Senior Dancer
- Kaleena Burks, Norman E. Gaar, Esq. Dancer
- Sidney Haefs, Greg and Barbara Storm Emerging Dancer
- Paul Zusi, John Hunkeler Senior Dancer
Thank you to the generous supporters who established these endowed funds, which sustain Kansas City Ballet in perpetuity by providing for the salaries of company artists. Dancers are selected each year by Artistic Director Devon Carney to receive this recognition.
Kaleena was interviewed separately about being recognized as the inaugural honoree of the Norman E. Gaar, Esq. Dancer Fund, established by longtime supporter Marilyn Gaar in memory of her husband.
Gavin, Sidney, and Paul were asked what this recognition means to them and what they enjoy most about being part of the incredible Kansas City Ballet community. Each one also gives us a preview of what they’re looking forward to sharing with audiences this season!
What inspired you to join Kansas City Ballet, and what excites you most about being part of this community?
GAVIN: When I was 18, just finishing my training at San Francisco Ballet School, I auditioned for the Kansas City Ballet and was offered a spot in the Second Company. Getting the chance to work with the company that season led me to have a deep respect for the artists here and pushed me to work even harder to earn my own spot in the main company. Now, starting my 10th season with the company, I’ve grown to not only love this company, but also the city and community. I’ve been lucky to work with and meet so many people – fellow dancers, artistic staff, administrators, and patrons – who make up this big Kansas City Ballet family and who have shown kindness and support throughout my whole career here. That sense of community is what makes this place so special to me and why Kansas City has truly become home.
SIDNEY: I was dancing in college when I met Anthony Krutzkamp, a former Kansas City Ballet Second Company director. I loved working with him, and he encouraged me to audition for Devon. The moment I walked into the Bolender Center, I felt the energy and the warmth of the people here. It immediately felt like home. Beyond the incredible repertory we get to perform, what excites me most is the support among the dancers. Getting to share your love of dance with other artists who want to help and guide you through all the challenges is such a privilege. Creating art together is an honor in itself.
PAUL: I was inspired to join Kansas City Ballet after a phone call with Devon Carney, whom I’d first heard about through my second company director at Boston Ballet, Peter Stark. Devon shared his vision for building the company as the world was recovering from the pandemic, and I was struck by the passion and clarity of his goals. What excited me most was the opportunity to prove myself through hard work and to grow alongside a company committed to moving forward. That sense of possibility drew me here and continues to inspire me.
What does this recognition mean to you, both personally and as a dancer?
GAVIN: I’m extremely honored to be named the Sally and Thomas J. Wood Senior Dancer this season. As a senior dancer, I hope to be someone new dancers can feel comfortable coming to for advice or guidance, since the ballet world can be difficult to navigate. When I first joined, I had incredible mentors who taught me not only how to care for my body but also how to carry myself as a professional. I strive to be that kind of role model now, and I see this recognition as a step toward that goal.
SIDNEY: I am so grateful for this recognition. My time with Kansas City Ballet has been filled with immense personal growth as an artist and human being. I started my professional career later than most, after going to college, and I sometimes felt like I was behind. But it has actually been the opposite. Every experience has helped me grow into the artist I am today. Being named the Greg and Barbara Storm Emerging Dancer feels like a celebration of that journey and the hard work it took to get here. It inspires me to keep learning and evolving with every opportunity.
PAUL: This recognition is such an honor. Personally, I’m grateful to be acknowledged for the effort it took to get where I am today. As a dancer, it motivates me to keep pushing, knowing that the work I do is seen and appreciated. It inspires me to keep striving for more, both in my artistry and in the way I contribute to the company.
As you look ahead to this season, what are you most excited to share with audiences?
GAVIN: There’s so much to be excited about this season. Swan Lake is always a highlight. (Keep an eye out for my wife, Naomi, as Odette/Odile, she’s amazing!) I’m also looking forward to our Stars and Stripes program in March, which really showcases the company’s talent. A personal favorite of mine will be Agnes de Mille’s Rodeo. I grew up watching it with my mother, and it brings together two of my childhood loves: ballet and cowboys.
SIDNEY: I’m most excited to share my personal take on the roles I’ll perform this season. I want to invite audiences on the journey with me, to feel connected to the characters and to the storytelling. My hope is that people leave the theater feeling like they’ve experienced something true and heartfelt. Sharing my love of dance in that way, with audiences who give their time to watch us be vulnerable on stage, is what excites me most.
PAUL: This season, I’m most excited to share what feels like a new sense of maturity as both an artist and a person. With each new role, I aim to fully embody the character while also bringing my own interpretation to it. I look forward to showing audiences not just the steps, but the emotion and humanity behind them – and to sharing moments of beauty that we can all experience together.
Header image: Dancer headshots by Brett Pruitt & East Market Studios.
All additional images by Tom Styrkowicz/53 TOM L.L.C.
