General Chat - Alex Ko

[rtm2008]

Alex Ko of Iowa City will be performing the role of Billy Elliot on Broadway. Alex has been dancing since age 5 and this past year he attended, at the age of 12, the University of Iowa’s Advanced Ballet Class, which is a class normally full of college aged students. He has also taken lessons at City Ballet of Iowa. In Seventh grade he earned a scholarship to Steps on Broadway for July and August after taking classes there for 11 days in June. In an article from the Iowa City Press-Citizen, Eloy Barragan who has taught Alex for a number of years stated, “Iowa City has a lot of talent, a young talent, but Alex has something very unique, he has maturity and dedication and is committed to what he wants…. Alex has something really special. There’s a soul to his dance and that is what people notice.” The Iowa City Press-Citizen article can be found below.

In addition a Broadway World article on Alex earning the Steps on Broadway and his admission University of Iowa's dance program can be found here

We also posted an article earlier from a local news outlet about Alex’s audition. The Youtube video of the interview can be found here and the KWWL article can be found here

Alex wrote a piece for a school newsletter on Billy Elliot the Musical.

The same newsletter announced Alex earning the role of Billy on Broadway the following month (on page 3).

Alex's personal website can be found here

A full list of Alex's accomplishments according to Gendece Entertainment:
Other Theatre:
Swan Lake;Soloist; UI Youth Ballet
Nutcracker; Russian/Soloist; UI Youth Ballet
Dance Gala; Child Ensemble; Hancher
Nutcracker; Child Ensemble; The Joffrey Ballet
Nutcrakcer; Child Ensemble; Moscow Ballet

DANCE TRAINING
Joffrey School of Ballet under guidance of George de la Peña
City Ballet of Iowa under guidance of Eloy Barragán
Classes with Gelsey Kirkland, Fabrice Herrault, Edward Ellison
Steps on Broadway with Peter O'Brien, Wilhelm Burmann, Elena Kunikova
Jazz: Debbie Roshe, Vicki Fischer-Jenkins
Tap: Charles Goddertz, Lisa Harvie, Jeff Shade
National Dance Academy, Michael Kohli, Ashlynnd Kohli

MUSICAL THEATRE TRAINING
Billy Elliot Boot Camp - Broadway Company
Aspire Dance Convention with Lee Martino, Michael Williams
Steps on Broadway
Specialty Dance: Balanchine Training, Leslie Peck, Daniel Duell
Vocal Training: Joan Lader, Jeff Bieber


AWARDS/SCHOLARSHIPS
The Joffrey Ballet; Scholarship; George de la Peña
Steps on Broadway; Scholarship; Peter O'Brien
Pacific Northwest Ballet; Scholarship; Peter Boal
University of Iowa Youth Ballet; Full Scholarship Intensive
Hoctor Dance Caravan - National Grand Champion Soloist

[rtm2008]

An Iowa City Press-Citizen article on Alex Ko:

Dancing with soul
July 5th, 2008
By Deanna Truman

A lot of kids don't get the opportunity to see New York.
Alex Ko , 12, is dancing there.
The Iowa City youth is dancing with Steps on Broadway Sunday through Aug. 17.
The Northwest junior high seventh-grader won a scholarship to Steps, a prestigious New York Dance school.
He'll be taking four ballet classes a day as well as a couple of jazz lessons.
"It is exciting," said Alex , of the trip days before leaving.
In addition to dancing, he was hoping to take in a Broadway show or two.
Alex has been dancing since a young child.
"He was dancing around the house since he was 4," said Tammie Cumming- Ko , Alex 's mom.
Because her sister was a professional ballet dancer, Cumming- Ko thought her kids might get the dancing bug as well.
She enrolled Alex at age 4. At first, he wasn't too impressed: He chose to sit on his hands instead of dance. But by age 5, dancing had become a passion.
It is not uncommon for him to practice 20 hours or more a week.
His determination is rare, said Eloy Barragan, assistant dance professor at the University of Iowa.
"Iowa City has a lot of talent, a young talent, but Alex has something very unique, he has maturity and dedication and is committed to what he wants," Barragan said.
That dedication led to Ko taking classes June 5-16 at Steps on Broadway. Liking his style and technique, the school offered him a scholarship to come back in July and August.
They weren't the only ones. He also was offered other scholarships.
His dancing also attracted a talent manager.
Alex is hopeful that classes could lead to something more. He would jump at the chance to be in a Broadway production.
As to what attracts Alex to dance, he says it is the creative freedom.
"You can do whatever you want, there's not just one certain thing," Alex said. "It's free."
Barragan wholeheartedly agreed.
"Ballet is fun," he said. "It has a stereotype that it is long and structured. It is beautiful."
Currently, Alex dances and takes lessons at City Ballet of Iowa, whose current headquarters are at Old Brick.
He met Sarah Barragan at the University of Iowa Youth Ballet, where he previously took classes, and where she served as artistic director.
Seeing his talent, Sarah Barragan encouraged her husband, Eloy Barragan, to take Alex under his wing.
The two immediately began working on a solo. Alex credits the piece for helping him work through his father Sam Ko 's death June 10, 2007.
Through the solo the two became extremely close.
In fact, they refer to each other as family.
When the Barragans chose to open City Ballet of Iowa a few months ago, it was an easy decision to follow, Cumming- Ko said.
In addition to this determination, what sets Alex apart from others is his stage presence, Eloy Barragan said.
" Alex has something really special," Barragan said. "There's a soul to his dance and that is what people notice."

[Geridith]

Eagerly anticipating the new arrival Welcome Alex!

[deebeeeff]

Uhmm, here's to a great start, Alex!!! Hope it will be soon!

[hugsy2k]

Soon!

[Brad]

Good on you Alex and all the very best with it.

[david-au]

We also posted an article earlier from a local news outlet about Alex’s audition. The Youtube video of the interview can be found here and the KWWL article can be found here

What a little natural and who is still unaffected by the need to continually sell himself yet. Comes across as a really nice kid.

The URL for the YouTube URL above goes to the newsletter PDF file, but the video is easy enough to find searching on "Alex Ko".

[rtm2008]

What a little natural and who is still unaffected by the need to continually sell himself yet. Comes across as a really nice kid.

The URL for the YouTube URL above goes to the newsletter PDF file, but the video is easy enough to find searching on "Alex Ko".

Thanks for the heads up on that David, I have fixed the link and it now goes to youtube.

[Expressing Yourself]

I'm sure this has been asked by numerous people, but which of the Billys is leaving to make room for Mr. Ko and when will said Billy be leaving?

[Geridith]

No official word yet. I think it was mentioned on Trent's blog somewhere that he signed on for another six months, but no hints from the others.

[broadway_girl]

Kiril said on that radio interview that that isn't a dated for him to leave the show so I think it's David

[rashasha1]

Lets not speculate about who is leaving first. No announcements have been made on anyone, so we should just wait til their is one. If you'd like to discuss the issue furthur, head into chat and talk it out with other forum members

[mike]

I PREDICT THE FIRST BILLY TO LEAVE WILL BE TANNER...

THE NEXT ONE WILL BE EITHER DAVID, KIRIL, TOMMY OR TRENT...

AND THEY WILL LEAVE SOONER THAN ANY OF US WANT THEM TO...

[Sking]

I PREDICT THE FIRST BILLY TO LEAVE WILL BE TANNER...

THE NEXT ONE WILL BE EITHER DAVID, KIRIL, TOMMY OR TRENT...

AND THEY WILL LEAVE SOONER THAN ANY OF US WANT THEM TO...

Tanner has already "left" so that part is true if incomplete:)
Second part quite true.
Third part ALWAYS true Let them become Tony then Dad...there u go next 40 years are taken care of.

Steven

[kat27]

NO one is to leave until after the 2nd year anniversary! I'm not coming ALL the way over not to see n' original US Billy!!!

[muusic]

Alex has been in NYC in Billy rehearsals since last month. He already excels in ballet and gymnastics.
I found this article about Alex in a magazine from the University where he takes ballet classes:
http://www.iowalum.com/magazine/dec08/ko.cfm?page=print
His most recent resume (http://www.gendece.com/) says he is only 4'9"!
I can't wait to see him play Billy, though I don't want any of the original cast to leave

[Geridith]

Per his Twitter feed... he has a new website: http://www.alex-ko.com/index.html

[merilea]

Alex is the next Billy Elliot. Congratulations, Alex. I've seen all the boys and can't wait to see you next.

http://www.broadway.com/Alex-Ko-and-Kat ... ws/5031869

[kat27]

According to the article - Kiril Kulish, will play his last performance on October 3.
Anddd... Hennig replaces Tony nominee Haydn Gwynne as dance teacher Mrs. Wilkinson on October 6.
Last but Definatly not least - David Bologna, who shares the role of Michael (with Trevor Braun), is also departing the show. He will play his final performance on September 27...
NOOO!!!!!

[hugsy2k]

2 Week Countdown!!