CENTRAL WEST BALLET

Joseph Adkins

Years of Magical Memories

A decade of dedication, making sacrifices and overcoming every challenge in the face of adversity is what has made Joseph Adkins synonymous with the best of Central West Ballet at every opening curtain. Adkins managed to give his years with CWB the sense of a full dance career in roles and in spirit. In an array of Principal roles, Adkins build some significant partnerships that were astounding on stage. Chief among these was his performances with Nicole Firpo, whom Adkins had a magical relationship with. Firpo and Adkins were a mirror of each other's movements and timing. There similar passion for emotional depth in Pas de Deux was always a sure fire hit.

Adkins also performed well with other CWB headliners such as Alyssa Milano, Sarah Weaver, Elease Stice, Lindsay Weddle, Lauren Berger, Elizabeth Campbell and many others. The most special of partnership was however the most unlikely. When Adkins danced with Ballet Mistress Leslie Ann Larson, it was a fascinating act to follow. Indeed, Larson's experience and expertise was a perfect match to Adkins's thirst for perfection. Such memorable moments, like René Daveluy's Canvas Emotions, Between Two Lives and Memories of You in Rat Pack in Revue transcended the audience.

Adkins was at the source of many of Daveluy's choreographic creations. "I relied of Joseph for his fined tuned partnering abilities and his willingness to give everything he had to each piece", Daveluy explains, "as Joseph matured, it became even more essential in my work process to have him lead the way". Joseph Adkins has defined the fact that if you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything. Adkins transformed himself physically and emotionally to attain a high level of artistry and the ultimate personal best in all he performed. Daveluy says that every time Adkins stepped on stage, it was always an exciting event. "Joseph's passion could be felt all the way to the back of the house". Daveluy says Adkins is a rare find for any Director, "Joe was devoted to my imagination and understood my vision without any restrictions. Joseph is a wonderful and engaging person, quite amazing".

While performing with Central West Ballet through the years, Adkins's path also took him to ballet studies at the San Francisco Ballet School and a successful start in a modeling career that continues to flourish. He is pursuing his education through City College and plans for a future business degree at the university of California in Berkeley.

Joseph has been at the center of every Central West production for the past 7 years. Unlike anyone else I have met, Joseph transformed himself to attain his dreams of being a dancer. This meant sacrifice, determination and facing a series of adversities. It is rather remarkable for one so young to have achieved himself in many ways.

It took courage for Joseph to become the excellent young man he is today. It also took a great sense of humor and irony for him to make it through the darkest hours of his quest to be true to himself. Those are qualities that I admire in him. Mentoring him was always adventurous.

There was a sense camaraderie that Joseph emanated and his thirst for knowledge and learning about the intimate art behind a dancer's life was essential to his development. Joseph's desire to live the magic of dance made him part of the old adage that the most cliché of situations are also the most honest and truthful.

That is precisely why I took him under my wing and never stopped believing in him. That is why Joseph succeeds so well. Joseph and I have had numerous arguments on what the Mentor's significance is to the Apprentice. He says the Apprentice owes everything to the Mentor, I say the Mentor can only observe the Apprentice realize his own mastery. One thing is for sure, I have looked at Joe in admiration and marveled at his achievements. That is why I will miss him dearly.

However … Since Joseph celebrates life every day of his life, one is compelled to go along with his endless quest for friendship and discovery. A toast! As it were, to the next chapters in Joseph's amazing life!

I know he will have many more stories to share with all of us.

Sincerely, from his Mentor..

René Daveluy, Artistic Director

Joseph Adkins

A Personal Tribute

By René Daveluy