University Musical Society to Premiere The Rose Sonata
The Rose Sonata arrives at the Power Center in Ann Arbor for performances on October 23 and 24, 2026.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Dance
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The University Musical Society premieres the dance work The Rose Sonata at the Power Center on October 23 and 24, 2026. This original production is the first of three major commissions leading up to the organization's 150th anniversary season in 2028.
Why it matters
The University Musical Society commissioned this work to anchor its upcoming anniversary celebrations. By blending classical and contemporary styles, the production highlights the institution's commitment to artistic innovation.
The production features an ensemble of 6 dancers and 2 on-stage pianists. It is the first of 3 planned major commissions for the 150th anniversary season.
The players
Sara Mearns
She is a principal dancer with the New York City Ballet who has been performing non-traditional projects since 2015.
University Musical Society
This organization based at the University of Michigan is a major presenter of performing arts.
The details
Choreographers Bobbi Jene Smith and Or Schraiber collaborated with dancers in Ann Arbor during June 2026 to develop the production. The work features an original score composed and arranged by Yonatan Daskal and Mikael Darmanie, bridging classical ballet with contemporary dance.
Timeline
Sara Mearns performed her first barefoot dance project in 2015.
The creative team developed the work in Ann Arbor during June 2026.
The Rose Sonata premiere performances occur on October 23 and 24, 2026.
The University Musical Society 150th anniversary season is in 2028.
Industry Dynamics
This premiere marks the beginning of a multi-year creative initiative for the University Musical Society. It reflects a growing trend among performing arts institutions to invest in original commissions to build anticipation for major historical anniversaries.
Patrons can view the premiere at the Power Center during the scheduled dates in late October 2026. The engagement serves as the primary opportunity to see this collaborative work as the UMS begins its multi-year path to 2028.
The takeaway
The Rose Sonata represents a significant step in the professional development of contemporary dance projects for high-profile institutions. Fans of the medium should note the collaboration between classical ballet figures and contemporary choreographers as a sign of evolving stage standards.
Further reading
Learn more about local performance art at Ann Arbor Dance.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Broadway World.
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