Cristian Laverde König to Appear as a Guest Artist in Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet’s Production of Coppelia

Cristian Laverde König, former principal dancer of the Milwaukee Ballet, will appear as a guest artist in the Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet’s production of Coppelia dancing the role of Franz on April 9 and 10, 2022 at the Riverview Theatre in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Cristian Laverde König was born in Colombia and received his early ballet training at the Incolballet (Colombian Institute of Ballet) in Cali, Colombia. Mr. König pursued his studies at the National School of Ballet in Havana, Cuba, where he was given a full scholarship for two consecutive years. He was a finalist at the first and second International Ballet Competition for students held in Havana, Cuba. Upon graduation, in 1996, he joined the National Ballet of Cuba as a member of the corps de ballet.

Mr. König joined the Ballet de Cali as a soloist in 1997. Upon pursuing his career in the United States, Mr. König joined the Hartford Ballet as a soloist in 1998, and in 1999, joined Ballet Internationale as a soloist. In 2000 Mr. König joined the Maximum Dance Company as a principal dancer.

Mr. König’s repertoire includes principal roles in Don Quixote, Le Corsaire, The Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, La Bayadere, and Coppelia, Twyla Tharp’s Sinatra Suite, Martha Graham’s Diversion of Angels, Natalya Kasatkina and Vladimir Vasilyov’s Creation of the World, and many others.

With the Maximum Dance Company Mr. König danced principal roles in David Palmer’s Bound for Brubeck, Yanis Pikieris’ and David Palmer’s elements and Adiemus, KT Nelson’s Below The Rim, Ivonice Satie’s Arroq, and Yanis Pikieris’ Imagined Notions and Lecuna Passion.

In 2005 Mr. König joined the Milwaukee Ballet as a principal dancer. Mr. König expanded his repertoire to include the role of Jonathan Harker in the Christopher Gable/Michael Pink production of Dracula.

In 2007 Mr. König left the Milwaukee Ballet to pursue a career as a freelance guest artist, and in 2009 he appeared with the National Ballet of Slovakia as a guest soloist. He also participated in the creation of Infinite Movement Ever Evolving (iMEE) and O Dance. Mr. König has also appeared as a guest artist with the Metropolitan Opera Ballet, the Oakland Ballet, and Armitage Gone! Dance.

In 2002 Mr. König was a finalist at the USA International Ballet Competition. The Governor of his home state in Colombia honored him in 2003 with an award for “Outstanding Achievements in the Arts Abroad”. He was invited by the Consulate General of Colombia in Houston to be featured in the gala, “Talento Inspirado”, showcasing important Colombian artists widely recognized.

Mr. König has toured extensively throughout many countries and has appeared as a guest artist in Japan, Brazil, and Guatemala. Additionally, he has appeared as a guest artist with many regional ballet companies in the United States including Ballet Florida and the Dominic Walsh Dance Theatre. Mr. König is also in demand as a master teacher and coach.

Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet’s production of Coppelia will take place April 9 & 10 at Riverview Theater in Shreveport. Tickets begin at $35 and can be found here