Alumni Spotlight: DAVIDE OCCHIPINTI

MEET DAVIDE OCCHIPINTI

San Francisco Ballet School alumnus and current corps member of San Francisco Ballet. Davide is creating a new work for San Francisco Ballet School Level 8 students that will premiere at Spring Festival, May 9–10 in the War Memorial Opera House. For more information, visit 2025 Spring Festival.

How did ballet first come into your life?
“I used to do artistic gymnastics as a kid but got tired of it. When I was 10 my mom put me in ballet class, and I decided to stick with it.”

What brought you to San Francisco Ballet School?
“Growing up in Italy, I watched videos of San Francisco Ballet and dreamed of dancing here. When I was 17, I auditioned for the SFBS summer intensive and the rest is history.”

How did being in the School shape your path as a choreographer?
“I loved my time in the school. I was exposed to so many fun and challenging pieces that influenced both my dancing and choreography. Patrick Armand, the former director of the school, organized a choreographic workshop for the Trainee Program where each of us got to create a short piece. That’s when I realized I had an interest in choreography.”

What intrigues you as a choreographer?
“Many things, but mainly having a different way of expressing myself. I’m not a very talkative person, so I like to speak through art, and choreography instantly felt somewhat natural to me.”

Which choreographers are you inspired by or do you look up to?
“The list is long, but I’ll keep it concise. I have always been a fan of Jiri Kylian. I’ve been watching his works since I was a kid and I often go back to them. When it comes to choreographing lately my biggest inspirations have been Hofesh Shecter and Crystal Pite.”

How did you approach the process for the piece you’re creating for the 2025 Spring Festival?
“I have been trying to let go of form, attempting to transcend shapes, lines and formations and hopefully embracing chaos a bit more than I have in my past works.”

What is your relationship with music as a choreographer? The music for your Spring Festival piece will be performed live by the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra, did that impact how you went about choosing the music?
“I usually compose and produce music for my choreography. It’s pretty labor-intensive but it gives me more control over the entire piece and makes it feel more personal. The idea of working with an orchestra was exciting but intimidating. I wanted to use something classical so I chose a section of Alessandro Marcello’s oboe concerto in D minor.”

What do you hope audiences will take away from the 2025 Spring Festival, which is the first performance by the School on the Opera House stage in a long time?
“I think it’s very exciting that the students are getting a chance to perform at the Opera House for this festival. As with every performance, I just hope the audience walks away feeling something.”