Lake Havasu Ballet Names New Artistic Director

By Janet Cruz

Plié to arabesque are just some of the dance poses you hear new Artistic Director Nathan Cottam instruct ballet students in the dance studio located just behind the dome at Stonebridge Christian Fellowship Church in Lake Havasu City.

Cottam is no stranger to Arizona or Lake Havasu City. Before taking on the role for the Lake Havasu Ballet, Cottam studied at the University of Arizona School of Dance and graduated with a Masters Degree in Fine Arts. During his time at University of Arizona, Cottam taught several ballet classes.

In 2006, one of his students introduced Cottam to Jeanne Fernando who had a small ensemble herself and is the founder of the Lake Havasu City Ballet.

Jeanne Fernando and New Director Nathan Cottam / Photo Courtesy of Lake Havasu Ballet Facebook Page

In 2016 he made his first trip to Lake Havasu City where he taught classes and also performed in the annual Lake Havasu Ballet show. Cottam later returned in 2017 to work with some of the students and instructors again before taking on the role as Director.

The California native and Lake Havasu Ballet are excited to continue to spread the art of ballet for locals in Lake Havasu City under his direction.

Q. How did you learn about the director position?

A. When Jeanne Fernando reached out to me about her desire to find someone to take over the reins of the Lake Havasu Ballet, I was like great let’s talk and see if this could work. I was looking for another opportunity that wasn’t too far away from where I currently reside. I live in San Francisco full time but I have always done quite a lot of travel. Lake Havasu City is only a quick plane ride and drive away for me.

Q. What do you love about Lake Havasu City?
A. There is a lot of energy here. It is very frontier which appealed to me. I was always looking for an opportunity here.

Q. What appealed to you about taking on the Lake Havasu Ballet?

A. I was looking for an opportunity somewhere outside a big city. I was looking for a teaching opportunity that was somewhat of a satellite area. This just fit the bill perfectly. The facilities that we have here in Lake Havasu City are such a blessing. Many dance studios are quite small in other places you go to.

Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Q. What is your background or experience?

A. I started dancing a little later compared to other ballet dancers but I dug right into it. I have a lot of experience in the college classroom as well as a performer and instructor. After getting my Masters degree, I moved to California and danced for a few companies there. I also own a dance company called Mannakin Theater & Dance in San Francisco, Calif.

Q. What other work have you done outside of the country?

A. I also got an opportunity to dance and live in Serbia for three years. That was a huge learning experience for me. Alot of what I learned in Belgrade, Serbia has just taken my understanding of how to teach Ballet on a new level. I now can pass on the tradition of ballet and have more confidence in my ability to take what I have learned and really give it to someone else.

The Lake Havasu Ballet will be hosting an open house this Thursday at 6 p.m., at the dance studio located at Stonebridge Christian Fellowship Church. Lake Havasu Ballet also offers youth and adult ballet classes. For more information, visit the Lake Havasu Ballet Facebook page.