Kenneth von Heidecke is the founder of the School and the Chicago Festival Ballet. A protégé of international ballet legend Maria Tallchief (also appearing in this auction), Ken began his career as a principal dancer in 1975. He has choreographed more than 50 ballets and 50 operas throughout Europe and the U.S. for numerous prestigious organizations, including the New York City Opera at Lincoln Center, Scotland’s Edinburgh Festival, Germany’s Badisches Staatstheater, Kennedy Center’s Washington Opera, the Los Angeles Music Center, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, and the San Diego, Dallas, and San Francisco Operas. He has also provided coaching in stylized movement for opera greats such as Placido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti, Viktoria Vizin, and Denise Graves.

Mask designed by Erin Hartz

Erin found inspiration for her mask design in the musicality of lines and enjoys seeing a visualization of what she hears. 

Erin Hartz is an arts administrator and artist originally from Baltimore, MD now residing in Chicago. Currently, she helps organize the One of a Kind Show and Sale; a fine art and craft show at the Merchandise Mart that takes place the first weekend in December. She has previously worked for AmericanStyle and NICHE Magazines, as well as she created business workshops for artists through the Arts Business Institute. Additionally, she has volunteered with numerous dance and theater companies and music venues.

As an artist, she has shown her 2d work and photography, as well as she has helped create collaborative performance art pieces for the Trans modern Festival in Baltimore.

For more information about this mask or artist, visit linkedin.com/pub/erin-hartz/14/312/608.