Springfield Ballet hires artistic director

SBJ file photo

Parker succeeds Ashley Paige Romines, right, who left to join her husband in Denver. She’s pictured here in 2015 with former ballet Executive Director Evan Bennett, who exited in 2017.

Springfield Ballet Inc. hired a new artistic director.

At the Springfield Ballet, Andrew Parker takes on the same role he held at the Chattanooga Ballet in Tennessee, according to a news release.

“I am honored to join Springfield Ballet, a well-respected arts organization with a high level of artistic excellence, and am looking forward to strengthening the ballet’s connection to the community and region,” Parker said in the release.

Parker succeeds Ashley Paige Romines, who left to join her husband, Frank Romines, in Denver, said Ashley Walden, Springfield Ballet’s executive director. Frank Romines was hired last year as a staff attorney for the city and county of Denver after previously working as Springfield’s city attorney.

Parker trained at Cambridge School of Ballet and Boston Ballet School in Massachusetts before a performance career at the Milwaukee Ballet, Tulsa Ballet Theatre and Ballet Iowa. In Chattanooga, he’s credited with increasing performances and raising enrollment for the ballet, according to the release.

Springfield Ballet’s website lists 13 staff and faculty members led by Walden, who in early 2017 was hired to succeed Evan Bennett.