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Wall Street Journal Feb. 14, 2012
"Fledgling Company Reaches Out"
…Ballet Next… is aiming to bring audiences closer to dance. …The company announced on Monday that it will host intimate, informal performances and discussions on March 1, March 28 and April 25 at the Manhattan Movement & Arts Center, near Lincoln Center. The Ballet Next Exhibitions Series will combine well-known choreography, new works and discussions among dancers, musicians, choreographers and audience members. more

The Ballet Bag Feb. 14, 2012
"Ballet Next in Rehearsal"
…Ballet Next [is] one of the most interesting independent dance companies to emerge recently… One of the company’s projects is the Ballet Next Exhibitions Series, where audience members are encouraged to ask questions and participate in live discussions with the artists on topics like dance technique, choreography, production aspects and music. more

Wet Paint Jan. 8, 2012
"APAP Showcases at Peridance"
…Confident and fearless, happy and carefree, Michele Wiles absolutely sparkled and looked as if she was having so much fun. I can't recall the last time I saw a ballerina looking so light hearted and it really lifted my spirit. Charles Askegard, as usual, made the superb partner.… The piece is energetic and sensual, full of interesting hand and arm movement. Just breathtaking. more

Huffington Post – Culture Dec. 20, 2011
"Ballet Next: A Conversation With Co-artistic Directors, Michele Wiles and Charles Askegard"
When you are at the top of your field — like Wiles, former principal dancer at American Ballet Theater, and Askegard, former principal dancer at New York City Ballet — the natural question is, "what's next?" For these two, who began a conversation several months ago while working together in the studio, it was not enough to voice their frustrations, pose this question, and do nothing. They quickly found that they were kindred spirits and that their answer was simple — envision something different… more

New York Times Nov. 23, 2011
performance photographs

WQXR Nov. 21, 2011
"Two Dance Luminaries Take Big Leap with Ballet Next"
A pair of dancers associated with two of New York's most prominent ballet companies will appear on stage Monday night. But it won't be with their familiar troupes. Despite a stalled economic recovery, the two have taken the unusual move of starting their own ballet company.… more

Replay the WQXR interview (4 minutes 22 seconds):

Time Out New York Nov. 14, 2011
"Former ABT principal gives Ballet Next a whirl with Charles Askegard"
…It was a conversation that turned into a larger conversation about something larger than just dancing. Something bigger than ourselves. But it started when we started dancing together.… more

Wall Street Journal Nov. 11, 2011
"A Rare Kind of Grand Pas de Deux"
Two Principal Dancers of Two Major Companies Begin Their Second Act With a Performance in a Troupe of Their Own…" more

Dance Magazine e-news Nov. 4, 2011
"The Next Chapter"
When Charles Askegard teamed up with Michele Wiles, both realized they were ready to experiment. Charles Askegard's fans were delighted to learn that his recent retirement as a principal with New York City Ballet didn't mean he was hanging up his slippers. The tall, handsome partner extraordinaire has had plans in the works to launch a chamber ballet company with former American Ballet Theatre principal, Michele Wiles…" more

Wall Street Journal Oct. 12, 2011
"Ballet Vet's New Step"
This week, dancer Charles Askegard retired from the New York City Ballet, the company he's been with since 1997… starting his own company, Ballet Next. "Judging by how things are going, I'll…" more

Business Week Oct. 11, 2011
"A favored partner leaves his ballerinas at NYCB"
Sunday… the company bid goodbye to Charles Askegard, one of its best-liked dancers — especially by the ballerinas that he partnered with an assured grace for 14 years.… more

New York Times Sept. 30, 2011
"A Ballet Star Leaps Into the Unknown"
New York City Ballet… dancers are going to have to do without their tall, elegant partner, when Askegard retires from City Ballet at the last matinee of the season…. He is not, however, leaving dancing.… more

Time Out New York Sept. 26, 2011
"NYCB principal moves on to the Next big thing"
…we'd run the whole thing, talk about it, fix it again, and he'd say, "Well, let's do it again." There would be eight minutes left, and he'd say, "Well let's do it again." We had to do it over and over and over.… more

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