Peter Sparling in residence at the Crooked Tree Arts Center School of Ballet

PETOSKEY — Recently, Peter Sparling was in residence at the Crooked Tree Arts Center School of Ballet for his third consecutive year and was setting a new choreographic work on the dancers.

Sparling is a University of Michigan dance professor emeritus and a legendary dancer and collaborator with the Martha Graham Dance Company and Limón Dance Company. In previous residencies, Sparling’s original choreography was featured in the school’s annual “Fall for Dance” production.

During his residency this year, Sparling was choreographing and setting “Waltz of the Flowers” for the School of Ballet’s 14th annual production of "The Nutcracker." Sparling worked with 12 of the School of Ballet Upper Level dancers as well as School of Ballet alumni and faculty member Marie Millard.

Subscribe: Check out our offers and read the local news that matters to you

Sparling’s choreographic works are often performed alongside his paintings, created to complement the movement of the dancing. Last year, his paintings overlayed his choreography both in front of and behind the dancers on a white scrim. Following his residency, Sparling will be creating paintings in correspondence with the dancers' movement. These paintings will be projected behind the dancers for the “Waltz of the Flowers” performance in this year’s "Nutcracker."

For the second year in a row, Sparling’s residency is funded by the Hestia Women’s Giving Circle.

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Peter Sparling in residence at the Crooked Tree Arts Center School of Ballet