Event
ODC/Dance
with the Naples Philharmonic
ODC/Dance
Naples Philharmonic
Alexander Shelley, artistic and music director
Orion Weiss, piano
Way/Bach — Investigating Grace
Way/Mason Bates — Commissioned Work [World Premiere]
ODC/Dance brings its bold, kinetic style to Naples for the first time, joining Artistic and Music Director Alexander Shelley and the Naples Philharmonic on stage for a world-premiere collaboration set to a new score by Grammy-winning composer Mason Bates. Blending symphonic writing with electronic textures and rhythmic pulse, Bates’ music creates a vivid sonic landscape that meets the company’s distinctive physical language with equal energy and precision. Founded by choreographer Brenda Way, ODC/Dance is known for its technical rigor, innovative style and athletic clarity — qualities that come to the fore in this dynamic meeting of music and movement.
ODC/Dance
ODC/Dance
Founded in 1971 by Artistic Director Brenda Way, who trained under the legendary George Balanchine, ODC (Oberlin Dance Collective—named after Oberlin College in Ohio where Way was on faculty) loaded up a yellow school bus and relocated to San Francisco in 1976. Her goal was to ground the company in a dynamic, pluralistic urban setting. ODC was one of the first American companies to return, after a decade of pedestrian exploration, to virtuosic technique in contemporary dance and to commit major resources to interdisciplinary collaboration and musical commissions for the repertory.
ODC/Dance Company of 10 world-class dancers performs its imaginative repertory for more than 50,000 people annually. In addition to two annual home seasons in San Francisco (Dance Downtown and its holiday production, The Velveteen Rabbit), recent highlights include appearances at the Brooklyn Academy of Music Next Wave Festival in New York, MODAFE Festival in Seoul, Zellerbach Hall in Berkeley and past standing-room-only engagements in Europe, Russia and Asia.
The company has been widely recognized for its rigorous technique and for its numerous groundbreaking collaborations and entrepreneurial savvy, becoming the first modern dance company in the United States to own its home facility, the ODC Theater.
Naples Philharmonic
Naples Philharmonic
Founded in 1982, the Naples Philharmonic normally performs over 140 orchestral and chamber concerts, as well as opera and ballet, education, community and special event concerts from September through June each year.
Meet the Musicians
Alexander Shelley
Artistic and Music Director Meet Alexander
Jack Everly
Principal Pops Conductor Meet Jack
James Ehnes
Artistic Partner Meet James
Manuel López-Gómez
Associate Conductor Meet Manuel
Alexander Shelley
Alexander Shelley
Sharon and Timothy Ubben Artistic and Music Director
Alexander Shelley was named Sharon and Timothy Ubben artistic and music director in April 2023. He began his tenure in this role in the 2024-25 season following a successful designate year in 2023-24 and will continue in the role through the end of the decade. As artistic and music director of Artis—Naples, Alexander provides artistic leadership for the entire multidisciplinary organization, including The Baker Museum and the Naples Philharmonic.
This appointment marks Alexander’s first titled position in the U.S. In addition to his role with Artis—Naples, the 2026-27 season marks his first year as principal conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra Ireland and music director of the Pacific Symphony. He continues to serve as principle associate conductor of London’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra — a position he has held since 2015.
Meet Alexander
Orion Weiss
Orion Weiss
One of the most sought-after soloists and chamber music collaborators of his generation, Orion Weiss is widely regarded as a “brilliant pianist” (The New York Times) with “powerful technique and exceptional insight” (The Washington Post). With a warmth to his playing that outwardly reflects his engaging personality, Weiss’ “delicate, even fingerwork” (Washington Classical Review) and “head-spinning range of colors” (Chicago Tribune) have dazzled audiences around the world. He has performed with all of the major orchestras of North America, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic and New York Philharmonic.
Known for his affinity for chamber music, Weiss performs regularly with violinists Augustin Hadelich, William Hagen and James Ehnes; pianists Michael Brown and Shai Wosner; and the Ariel String Quartet, Parker Quartet and Pacifica Quartet. As a recitalist and chamber musician, he has appeared at venues and festivals including the Ravinia Festival, the Aspen Music Festival, Tanglewood, the Kennedy Center, the Mariinsky Theatre (St. Petersburg), the Edinburgh International Festival and the Lucerne Festival, among many others.
Other highlights from Weiss’ recent seasons include the release of his Arc recital trilogy; a recording of Korngold’s Piano Concerto for the Left Hand and other works with Leon Botstein and TON; and recordings of Gershwin’s complete works for piano and orchestra with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and JoAnn Falletta.
