Philippines – Time and experience shape dancers into artists, and for Katherine Barkman, San Francisco Ballet’s First Soloist, her homecoming to Ballet Manila is both a tribute to her roots and a testament to her growth. Returning to the stage where her professional journey began, she takes on the challenging dual role of Odette and Odile in Swan Lake, alongside one of the ballet world’s most celebrated names: Esteban Hernández, principal dancer of San Francisco Ballet.
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| First row (L-R) Ballet Manila company soloist Noah Esplana; principal dancers Jessica Pearl Dames, Mark Sumaylo and Abigail Lynn Oliveiro; CEO and artistic director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde; principal dancers Shaira May Comeros and Joshua Enciso; and soloist John Ralph Balagot, Second row (L-R, via zoom) San Francisco Ballet company artist Nathaniel Remez, first soloist Katherine Barkman and principal dancer Esteban Hernandez |
More than just a guest artist—Esteban Hernández is a phenomenon. A trailblazer from Guadalajara, Mexico, Esteban trained at The Royal Ballet School and rose to global acclaim for his technical brilliance and expressive storytelling. As a principal dancer of the San Francisco Ballet, he has captivated audiences worldwide. Filipino audiences first witnessed his charm and virtuosity as Basilio in Don Quixote 2023. Now, he returns in a role of royal gravitas—as Prince Siegfried in Swan Lake.
