Tulsa Ballet Artistic Directors Retire After 30 Years

At the conclusion of the 2026-27 season, Marcello Angelini and Daniela Buson, who serve as the artistic director and assistant artistic director of Tulsa Ballet, will step down after leading for thirty years. Angelini will take on the role of chair emeritus. Their retirement comes just before the company celebrates its 70th season, running from September 2026 to May 2027. During his leadership, Angelini oversaw performances at the Royal Opera & Ballet in London, along with 130 Oklahoma premieres and 90 world premieres across five countries. He has received several accolades, including the Governor's Arts Award and the 2017 Kennedy Center Arts Advocacy Award, and was inducted into the Tulsa Hall of Fame in 2025. Buson, who previously was a principal dancer, transitioned to Ballet Mistress after her retirement. Renovations at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center are set to commence in 2028, and Tulsa Ballet will be looking for a new artistic director.