Jacob Ashley Announced as the Director of School of Madison Ballet

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 14, 2022

Jacob Ashley Announced as the Director of School of Madison Ballet
“Seeing the students’ love and joy to grow in what they’re doing – that’s what inspires me”

Madison, WI – Madison Ballet continues a momentous 40th Anniversary Season with the announcement of Jacob Ashley EL as the Director of the School of Madison Ballet. This season is defined as a “turning point” by the organization, marked with larger stages and audiences, more performances, and leadership transitions that include the appointment of Ashley as well as a new Artistic Director, to be announced this spring.

A Chicago native, Ashley began his dance training in 2002 at the Chicago Academy for the Arts. He studied at Columbia College Chicago’s modern dance program, later becoming an apprentice for Gus Giordano Dance and Luna Negra Dance Theater and attending Ballet Chicago under the tutelage of Daniel Duel and Patricia Blair. As a guest artist, Ashley has danced with such companies as the West Indian Folk Dance Company, Momenta, Ballet Chicago, Chicago Festival Ballet, Dallas Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Les Ballet Grandiva, Madison Ballet, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, and San Diego Opera.

Ashley has danced with Madison Ballet for 15 years and has been a beloved faculty member at the School of Madison Ballet (SMB) since 2018, where his lessons have been instrumental to the development of students ranging from 4 years old to pre-professional.  Recently, Ashley was highlighted as a choreographer in Madison Ballet’s first-ever dance film production, Lift Every Voice, a project which began in 2021 to help amplify the works of emerging local choreographers of color. The project, which includes professional and SMB student performers, continues this February with Lift Every Voice 2022, where Ashley will premiere another brand-new work with filmmaker John Urban of Big Dreamers United.

“Jacob is a constant source of encouragement and inspiration for his fellow dancers and the students of the School of Madison Ballet. His commitment to the personal growth and artistry of each individual student will no doubt permeate the whole organization and be at the center of his vision for our educational programs,” says Madison Ballet CEO, Jonathan Solari.

“Seeing the students’ wonder for ballet, their love and joy to grow in what they’re doing, knowing they’re dedicated and want to learn, that’s what inspires me,” says Ashley. “I want to build SMB’s prestige as this city’s school for ballet, and continue our work to provide the best access to ballet in Madison.”

Madison Ballet is a pillar of the Dane County creative community, dedicating itself to providing “ballet without boundaries” by breaking down barriers to the artform throughout all facets of the organization. Madison Ballet gives back to the community, participating in local arts events, providing performance tickets free of charge to area nonprofits, and granting scholarships to SMB students. The vibrant arts company continues their philanthropic mission as they grow, thrive, and celebrate 40 years of inspiring Madison with the magic of ballet.

Learn more about Madison Ballet at www.madisonballet.org, and the School of Madison Ballet at www.madisonballet.org/school.

For 40 years, Madison Ballet has been an integral part of the vibrant Dane County arts community. Full-scale productions of inspiring traditional ballets, innovative contemporary performances, and the timeless holiday tradition of “The Nutcracker” reach more than 13,000 people each year. The School of Madison Ballet empowers students of all ages and skill levels with the poise, confidence, discipline, and fundamental life skills intrinsic to the study of dance. Outreach programming, presented in partnership with dozens of local school and community groups, enriches thousands of young people’s lives by introducing them to the joy of dance.

Contact: Lexi Janssen, Marketing Manager

Phone: 262-402-2358

Email: lexi@madisonballet.org

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Wisconsin Union Theater: Brentano String Quartet to Commemorate 30th Anniversary with Feb. 10 Performance

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan. 13, 2022

Contact Information:
Shauna Breneman, Communications Director
Email: sbreneman@wisc.edu  
Phone: (608) 262-8862

BRENTANO STRING QUARTET TO COMMEMORATE 30TH ANNIVERSARY WITH FEB. 10 PERFORMANCE

MADISON – The Brentano String Quartet will celebrate 30 years as a quartet with a performance in Shannon Hall in Memorial Union on Feb. 10 at 7:30 p.m. This concert is part of the 2021-22 Wisconsin Union Theater’s Concert Series and the David and Kato Perlman Chamber Music Series. 

The Quartet includes Misha Armory on viola, Serena Canin and Mark Steinberg on violin, and Nina Lee on cello. The group formed in 1992 and spent 15 years as Princeton University’s ensemble-in-residence before relocating to the Yale School of Music, where it has taught and performed since fall 2014. 

This year marks a significant milestone for the Brentano String Quartet: its 30th anniversary as a group. The commemorative program will include the following selections: 

• Haydn, Quartet in D-Major, Op. 71, No. 2
• Bach/Adolphe, “ContraDictions”
• Bach/Mackey, “Lude”
• Schubert, Quartet in G-Major, Op. 161, D. 887

“The program opens with the piece which started our very first concert together in 1992,”  Steinberg said. “I still remember the excitement, the great hope, and the great privilege I felt playing this music with people I love. All of that persists 30 years later, and it is a delight to share this wonderful and not so known Haydn quartet again with our listeners.” 

Since its inception, the Brentano String Quartet has received many prestigious awards, including the first Cleveland Quartet Award, the Naumburg Chamber Music Award, and the United Kingdom’s Royal Philharmonic Award for Most Outstanding Debut. 

The Quartet has traveled all over the world, performing traditional quartet repertoire as well as newly commissioned pieces in renowned concert halls such as Carnegie Hall, the Sydney Opera House, and the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam.

“The Brentano String Quartet has a timelessness to its music that is impossible to replicate,” Wisconsin Union Theater Director Elizabeth Snodgrass said. “For the past 30 years, as more and more new string quartets pop up, this ensemble has shown its staying power. In the members’ practiced hands, each piece they perform becomes completely their own. We are lucky to welcome them to the Wisconsin Union Theater Concert Series with the help of Dr. Kato Perlman’s generous support.”

Patrons can choose between a ticket to the in-person concert or to a virtual livestream of the performance through the event webpage or at the Memorial Union Box Office.

This season marks the 102nd year of the Wisconsin Union Theater’s Concert Series, the longest-running classical music concert series in the Midwest. The 2021-22 Concert Series aims to inspire audiences during this return to live, in-person performances by both new and familiar musicians.

The Wisconsin Union team is dedicated to creating a safe environment for all patrons and team members and upholding the highest cleaning and sanitation standards. The Union team thoroughly and regularly cleans and disinfects its spaces, including performance spaces. 

Patrons and team members are required to follow the current University of Wisconsin–Madison health and safety protocol of wearing a face covering when indoors on campus, unless actively eating or drinking. The Wisconsin Union Theater team will continue to monitor and follow university guidelines. The Theater team has established the temporary additional health and safety measure of ensuring at least 10 feet of space between performers and audiences in performance spaces. 

Click here for more information about the Brentano String Quartet performance. 

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About the Wisconsin Union Theater

For more than 75 years, the Wisconsin Union Theater has served as a center for cultural activity in the heart of the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus. The Theater hosts performances in multiple locations, including Memorial Union, and has an expansive history of remarkable performances. The Wisconsin Union Theater is part of the Wisconsin Union, a membership organization that blends study and leisure to create unique out-of-classroom opportunities. Learn more: union.wisc.edu/wisconsin-union-theater.

[Click here to download a photo of the Brentano String Quartet. Photo by Juergen Frank.]

To read this release online, visit union.wisc.edu/brentano-string-quartet.

NGL corporate and employee gifts total over $150,000 for United Way of Dane County

Madison, Wis. (January 11, 2022) – National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) is pleased to announce that its 2021 sponsorships and corporate gift combined with employees’ personal pledges and donations totaled over $150,000 to support United Way of Dane County.

“United Way of Dane County is a powerful community organizer that is known for bringing people together to work toward changing lives and making a measurable impact. Giving back to our community is woven into NGL’s legacy and I’m proud our team members continue to support United Way because it’s an important component of who we are as a company,” said Knut Olson, NGL President & CEO.

For more than 70 years NGL has proudly partnered with and supported United Way of Dane County. Funding to United Way of Dane County is focused on the areas of education, income, and health with the goals to help build a community where everyone can succeed in school, work and life.

In addition to NGL’s corporate donation of $75,000 and employee payroll deductions, employees generously donate through fundraising events. Each year, the NGL employee campaign incorporates a variety of activities to donate to and participate in. The virtual employee fundraisers included bingo, trivia nights, silent auction and a fitness challenge.

Olson continued, “This has been another unpredictable and challenging year. Unfortunately, the educational and economic disparities in Dane County continue to grow during this unprecedented time. I’m grateful to everyone who stepped up to help make our annual campaign a success not only for NGL but for our community. I would like to extend my appreciation to all of our team members who donated and volunteered for our United Way campaign, our Loaned Executive and the remarkable team at United Way that equips us with the resources and tools needed to organize and coordinate our campaign.”

About United Way of Dane County

United Way of Dane County engages the community, mobilizes volunteers and strengthens local nonprofits to achieve measurable results and change lives. To learn more, visit UnitedWayDaneCounty.org. 

About NGL

Established in 1909 National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) is an insurance company headquartered in Madison, Wis. Licensed to do business in 49 states and the District of Columbia, NGL markets preneed and individual life and annuities, as well as group markets products. Information about NGL can be found at www.nglic.com; Facebook: Facebook.com/NGLIC and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-guardian-life-insurance-company.

National Guardian Life Insurance Company is not affiliated with The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America a/k/a The Guardian or Guardian Life.

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Kraus-Anderson: County Board approves new hospital to replace Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media contacts: 
Sue Paquette   608-776-5766
Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County
Sue.Paquette@mymhlc.org

Gail Shore  (612) 770-4106
Kraus-Anderson Construction
gshore@winternet.com

County Board approves new hospital to replace Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County

DARLINGTON, Wis. – (January 10, 2022) – The Lafayette County Board of Supervisors last week approved to replace the 70-year-old Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County (MHLC).  The new 75,000-square-foot facility also will include space for behavioral health and mindfulness sessions.

Since the fall of 2018, MHLC has been researching the idea of a replacement facility. To prepare the County Board to approve the project, MHLC has consulted with experts, has held educational sessions and has provided large amounts of content to the community.

As a critical access hospital, the current facility has served the greater community and provided a full range of acute care inpatient and outpatient services since 1952.  Because healthcare has changed dramatically, the layout of the current facility has led to less-than ideal patient experiences and inefficient work flows.

Easily accessible access to quality health care will be the core of the design for the replacement facility.

“We are so thankful to have a forward-thinking County Board, a supportive community and a most compassionate staff, without whom this project may have never been moved forward,” said Kathy Kuepers, CEO of Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County.  “The new hospital will provide the highest quality care to the patients that we serve.”

The construction manager is Kraus-Anderson, one of the nation’s premier commercial general contractors and construction managers  which has been leading the charge in sustainable design and construction for the last 25 years. With deep experience in healthcare construction, Kraus-Anderson is currently ranked 16th in the nation among the top health care general contractors in the U.S. by Modern Healthcare magazine.

The project’s cost and design details will be finalized in the coming weeks. Construction on the new facility is expected to begin in the fall of 2022 and completed by the summer of 2024. The current facility will it be operation during construction.

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Office Evolution Madison – Arboretum: Free meeting space for Chamber members