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1936
2016
Maestro Miljenko V. Banovic, renowned ballet artist and choreographer, died on December 24, 2016 in Dunedin, Florida. He was born on October 19, 1936 in Zagreb, Croatia. He was an avid athlete in his teens and started ballet studies when he was 17 years old at the suggestion of his mother. Two years later he left Zagreb to study at the Legat School of Ballet in England. In 1956 he moved to Paris where he lived for 17 years. During his time in France he performed as principal dancer with many notable dance companies such as Roland Petit Company, Ballet des Étoiles de Paris, Grand Ballet du Marquis de Cuevas, Ballet de la Jeunesse and Company, and Paris Opera. His artistic partners included such illustrious prima ballerinas as Janine Charrat, Ludmilla Tcherina, Antoinette Sibley, Yvette Chauviré, Colette Marchand, Claire Sombert, Claire Motte, and numerous others, both in France and on many tours abroad. In 1962 Miljenko had a starring role in the film The Lovers of Teruel (Les Amants de Teruel), which received an award at the Cannes Film Festival the same year. After appearing as a guest artist in United States with the renowned ballerina Maria Tallchief, he moved to Dallas, Texas in 1970 to serve as an Affiliate Artist for two years. He performed, taught and choreographed for many ballet and opera companies, including the Metropolitan Opera in New York, and in 1973 became the Artistic Director of Denver Civic Ballet in Colorado. He remained in this position for six years as a choreographer and teacher, staging performances for the company. During this time he also directed the dance program at Loretto Heights College in Denver. In 1980 he worked with the New Orleans Ballet as guest choreographer and producer-in-residence and two years later accepted a position as guest teacher and choreographer at Ljubljana Opera and Ballet in Ljubljana, Slovenia. There he met his wife Gaia and together they returned to Denver where he became Director of Ballet Arts Center School and Theater. Miljenko's only child, Christian, who was the light of his life, was born in Denver in 1986. From 1990 to 1997 Miljenko was Artistic Director of Boulder Ballet Ensemble in Boulder, Colorado where he choreographed several new versions of classic ballets including The Nutcracker, Carmen, Petroushka, Firebird, and Romeo and Juliet, to name a few. Before retiring to Dunedin, Florida in 2004, Miljenko appeared with Colorado Ballet in their productions of Don Quixote and Romeo and Juliet, worked with Opera Colorado as a choreographer for several operas, and taught company master classes at Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Company. Miljenko was a superb artist, known both for his mastery of the technical aspects of the dance and for the expressive interpretations he so splendidly brought to life through his performances and those of his students. He was instrumental in many dancers' lives with his precise coaching and genuine encouragement. Most of all, Miljenko was a generous friend to so many from all walks of life all over the world, a charming raconteur of his amazing adventures, and was always a loving son, father, husband, and brother. His delightful wit, sparkle in his eye, love for all animals, zest for life, and luminous grace will be genuinely missed and affectionately remembered. A memorial service for Miljenko will be held on Saturday January 14, 2017 at 3:30pm at Church of the Ascension, 701 Orange Avenue in Clearwater, Florida. He will be laid to rest in Zagreb, Croatia. Miljenko is survived by his son Christian, Christian's mother Gaia, brother Branimir, nephew Aleksandar and family, niece Miljenka and family, relatives in Croatia and Slovenia, and many dear friends the world over.
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You were a wonderful teacher and I'll miss your classes and encouragement
jill
January 31, 2017
Nina Marie
January 11, 2017
Good bye my dear friend we had some good times together.You, Robin and I having a glass of scotch and remembering our time in Europe.and all the Ballets we brought to Boulder.Your Romeo and Juliet was sublime and Lovers of Turelle you will be remembered for.You are in my heart..Barbara Demare
Barbara Demaree
January 9, 2017
Milenko, you will be missed. I have so many memories of you. What a kind man! One memory .... you called me after my son, Mathew's death... so gracious. Rest In Peace!
Becky Jancosko
January 9, 2017
May the God of Abraham be with the family as we await the fulfillment of seeing Abraham offspring filled the earth like the stars in the heavens. Genesis 15:5,6.
AC
January 8, 2017
Rest in Peace Miljenko! Thank you for your honest ballet classes after knee surgery and for opening the door for me to teach in Denver. You were a generous, kind and beautiful man.
Lizanne McAdams-Graham
January 8, 2017
My sincere condolences to Mr. B's family. He was my ballet teacher at Denver Civic Ballet and always called me "little one" in his Croatian accent because I was the smallest one in the class. I will always remember him! Rest in peace and dance in the heavens!
Stephany Brown
Denver, Colorado
Stephany Brown
January 8, 2017
Sorry for your loss may you draw comfort from Gods word at Hosea 13:14 Sincerely. L Ohio
January 7, 2017
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