Chris Van Allsburg is one of America’s most innovative picture book creators. He has twice received the Caldecott Medal, for The Polar Express and for Jumanji, as well as a Caldecott Honor for his very first book, The Garden of Abdul Gasazi. He has also been awarded the Regina Medal for lifetime achievement in children’s literature, among other honors.

Eugene Lee received BFA degrees from the Art Institute of Chicago and Carnegie Mellon University, an MFA from Yale Drama School and three honorary doctorates. Mr. Lee has won Tony Awards for Bernstein’s Candide, Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd, and Wicked, as well as the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Set Design. He has been the production designer for NBC’s Saturday Night Live since 1974, and still is today. His most recent work to date was creating the new set for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

Val Caniparoli is one of the most sought after American choreographers contributing to the repertories of more than forty companies. As the resident choreographer of the San Francisco Ballet, he has received numerous grants and awards, choreographed operas, and often collaborates with the San Francisco Symphony.

Patricia Barker, former principal dancer with Pacific Northwest Ballet, is considered one of the world’s most gifted ballerinas. She stages works for the Balanchine Trust and was an artistic advisor for the Slovak National Ballet. Patricia also teaches and judges at international ballet competitions, serves on the board of several arts organizations, and has received numerous arts awards and civic recognitions.

Executive Director Glenn Del Vecchio, enters his fifth season with the Grand Rapids Ballet. Prior to his appointment, Del Vecchio spent 20 years working with large for-profit companies. A results-oriented executive, Mr. Del Vecchio approaches the leadership of a non-profit arts organization by managing the intersections of artistic quality and best business practices. Bringing his expertise in strategic planning, business development, large-scale event and concert management, and marketing together to create a consensus-oriented management approach.

Mr. Del Vecchio was raised in Philadelphia and attended Millersville University in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He currently resides in East Grand Rapids with his wife Kirsten and two sons.