April 29, 2004

Leland grad Derrick Agnoletti joins prestigious Joffrey Ballet in Chicago
Almaden native recalls influence of local performing arts

By Justin Petersen
Staff writer

In an age inspired by MTV and filled with Justin Timberlake-ish dance routines, Almaden’s own Derrick Agnoletti is a refreshing, cerebral throwback of sorts. The 1999 Leland High School graduate is currently taking the world by rhythmic storm, travelling internationally with the prestigious Joffrey Ballet of Chicago.

Before joining Joffrey, however, Agnoletti capped a four-year career in UC Irvine’s drama department, working under world-renowned choreographers and modern ballet masters including Donald McKayle, Leslie Peck and David Allan.

Even before his ’99 trip to the Rose Garden, Agnoletti had weathered a long, and at times, tumultuous, road in becoming a full-time dancer with Joffrey. And, since surviving his first Chicago winter caught in a shade cast by the western United States, Agnoletti knows that he is in for more work, both shopping for overcoats and maintaining the level of commitment required to shine as a world-class ballet dancer.

“[By the nature of performance] the pressure to be ‘perfect’ in ballet is very extreme,” said Agnoletti, of the professional dancing experience. “There are no limits for what can be said to a dancer in the confinements of the studios.”

To prepare for the rigors of ballet, which include the ability to heave fellow dancers stage right, stage left, staged up above your head, or wherever the choreographer deems beautiful on stage at that precise time, a ballet dancer must embrace an intense conditioning regimen. For Agnoletti, this includes a two- to five-mile daily run, an hour of Pilates, eight to 12 hours of specific rehearsal, capped by an additional hour of stretching and pool workouts.

“I love to dance,” said Agnoletti, defending his passion’s physical requisites. “I’ve actually been lucky. Most ballet dancers don’t go to high school. They train all day and hire a private tutor, and extracurricular activities are usually forbidden by ballet teachers.”

Reared in Almaden, Agnoletti avoided the typically stuffy childhood sentenced to many aspiring ballet dancers. “I was involved in swimming and ASB at Leland,” explained Agnoletti. “ Key Club and, of course, partying with my friends were a big part of my life as well. I find that when I tell most ballet dancers this, they are completely appalled. Most had the traditional tutor and private training.”

In his youth, Agnoletti’s training came in many forms, some more accepted than others. Aside from formal studio tutelage, Agnoletti would practice dance routines after school and during lunch. But some classmates didn’t appreciate dancing as a form of expression, and, in the plainest sense, as a great way to have fun.
“I received a lot of ridicule for being a ballet dancer when I was younger,” said Agnoletti. “But as I got older and began to develop into who I am, I became comfortable being a dancer and was never afraid to show my talents to my peers.”

One highlight stands out in particular.

“I especially enjoyed the support Leland High School gave me during talent shows. Those were some moments when I truly felt like the art of dance was appreciated. You would never hear a crowd cheer like that at the ballet,” said Agnoletti.

All said and done, attending Leland High and growing up in the Almaden Valley were the perfect inspiration for a world-class artist. Throughout his career in, first, UC Irvine’s drama department, and now, the Joffrey company, Agnoletti has not forgotten his roots.

“Growing up in Almaden was something I consider very fortunate. I managed to have the same wonderful friends since I was a little kid and I managed to have a very different life from most ballet dancers,” said Agnoletti. “My favorite thing about dancing is very simple. I love the feeling of my body in motion to music. I feel it is that moment that you become something that you have worked so hard to achieve and you experience an incredible high.”

For more information on the Joffrey Ballet performance schedule, visit www.joffrey.com.