Dance lovers who saw Houston Ballet artistic director Stanton Welch’s beautiful and fierce Maninyas back in February probably didn’t realize they were witnessing a dance with significant hidden history. Maninyas was the Australian-born Welch’s first American commissioned work when it had its 1996 world premiere in San Francisco. Seeing that premiere inspired Ben Stevenson, Houston Ballet's artistic director at the time, to invite Welch to create a piece for the company, eventually paving the way for Welch to serve as the company's artistic director.
It seems those dance waves from Maninyas continue to reverberate, for on stage for that 1996 world premiere performance was acclaimed ballerina Sonja Kostich. And today Houston Ballet announced Kostich will leap into the role of Houston Ballet executive director beginning in August.
Kostich assumes the directorship after major triumphs in roles onstage, backstage, and behind executive desks across the dance world. As a young dancer, Kostich trained at the prestigious School of Classical Ballet, a program created by Mikhail Baryshnikov. Then at 17 she was chosen by Baryshnikov himself to join the American Ballet Theatre. Such began a impressive career dancing with the San Francisco Ballet, Zurich Ballet, Baryshnikov’s White Oak Dance Project, and collaborations with renowned director Peter Sellars. One of Kostich’s big endeavor mixing dance and entrepreneurship came in 2008, when she co-founded the contemporary dance company OtherShore in New York. She also served as co-director for six years.
After hanging up her ballet slippers, at least professionally, Kostich pursued a career in business, earning a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the Zicklin School of Business at CUNY Baruch College, where she graduated Salutatorian at age 42. She also completed a master's degree in arts administration.
Kostich's professional experience includes roles at Goldman Sachs, Mark Morris Dance Group, and New York City Center. From 2018 to 2022, she was Chief Executive and Artistic Officer of Kaatsbaan Cultural Park, leading a successful rebranding and revitalization of the organization.
Since 2022, Kostich has served as president and executive director of Baryshnikov Arts Center in New York City. Her work at the Center likely caught the HB board’s eye, as her tenure helped to achieve financial stability, expand opportunities for artists, and increase both earned and contributed income to record-breaking levels while engaging new, diverse audiences.
“We are thrilled to welcome Sonja Kostich to Houston Ballet,” said Kristy Bradshaw, Houston Ballet board chair, in a statement. “Our board has worked diligently to ensure the continued financial strength and operational excellence of our company, building on the legacy of our retiring executive director, Jim Nelson. It is through this solid foundation — marked by fiscal stewardship, exceptional senior leadership, and a highly capable organizational structure that we have been able to attract such remarkable talent in Kostich. We are confident that her vision, creativity, and leadership will further elevate our company on the global stage. We look forward to this exciting new chapter for Houston Ballet.”
Kostich has as many good things to say about the company as the board does about welcoming her.
“Houston Ballet is an exemplary company with exceptional artists, dedicated employees, and a robust history of supporters and audience goers,” said Kostich. “I am deeply humbled and honored to build upon the company's remarkable legacy and look forward to developing thoughtful and valuable long-term relationships within the community. Ballet as an art form has a phenomenal capacity to generate real inspiration and engagement in all ages."
Along with collaborating with Welch in the past, Kostich also has ties to the company’s co-artistic director, Julie Kent. Kent and Kostich overlapped during their dance careers at the American Ballet Theatre.
Both Welch and Kent also sing Kostich’s praises.
“I am thrilled that Sonja will be joining Houston Ballet as executive director. She will be an excellent partner to bring Houston Ballet into our next chapter,” said Welch. “Along with her exceptional leadership capabilities, Sonja will also bring a level of unique dance expertise that will enhance our Company.”
Julie Kent added, “I very much look forward to what will be a highly collaborative experience that will only elevate what Houston Ballet can achieve, both artistically and as an organization. Sonja’s extraordinary talents and drive are a perfect match for our future goals.”
The feelings are mutuals from Kostich who ended her statement saying, “I am thrilled by this opportunity to work with Stanton and Julie, truly accomplished and respected artistic leaders, as we work together on a firm vision for the limitless potential for the future of Houston Ballet.”
James Nelson, the retiring executive director, will assume the title of executive advisor, supporting Kostich during her transition.
