After more than 30 years at the helm of Tulsa Ballet, Artistic Director Marcello Angelini and his wife, Assistant Artistic Director Daniela Buson, will retire from their positions at the end of the 2026-2027 Season.
Angelini joined Tulsa Ballet as Artistic Director in 1995 and, during his tenure, has transformed Tulsa Ballet from a respected regional company into an internationally recognised arts organisation.
Among the achievements of Angelini’s tenure was Tulsa Ballet’s 2026 debut at London’s Royal Opera House, where the company appeared as a guest of The Royal Ballet and presented Made in America, a programme that led to several glowing reviews from British critics.
Nicole Morgan, Chair of the Tulsa Ballet Board of Directors, said:
Marcello’s impact on Tulsa Ballet is impossible to overstate. He has challenged us to think bigger, dream bigger and pursue excellence in everything we do. Because of his vision and leadership, Tulsa Ballet is recognised far beyond our city and state, while remaining deeply connected to the community we call home. On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am profoundly grateful to Marcello and Daniela for their extraordinary service and for the foundation they have built for Tulsa Ballet’s future.
Under Angelini’s leadership, Tulsa Ballet developed an expansive international repertory balancing the traditions of classical ballet with some of the most innovative contemporary works being created today. He brought dozens of Oklahoma, American and world premieres to Tulsa, placing importance on working with leading choreographers from around the world while also creating opportunities for emerging dance makers to develop new work.
His belief that Tulsa Ballet should not only present great art but also contribute to the future of the art form led to the creation of Creations in Studio K in 2008. The annual series has become a defining part of the company’s artistic identity, providing a home for new works created in Tulsa and shared with audiences locally, nationally and even internationally.
Throughout Angelini’s tenure, Tulsa Ballet greatly expanded its reach both on and off the stage. The company opened the Tulsa Ballet Center for Dance Education in 2003, established its second company (Tulsa Ballet II) in 2005, opened Studio K in 2008 and later expanded its educational presence with the Hardesty Center for Dance Education in Broken Arrow. He also led the company through numerous national and international tours, building Tulsa Ballet’s reputation as one of the leading ballet companies in North America and a proud cultural ambassador for Oklahoma.
Angelini says:
When I joined Tulsa Ballet in 1995, I promised myself I would never coast and would devote all my energy to helping this organization fulfill its potential. Over the past 30 years, we have acquired approximately 130 Oklahoma Premieres, created at least 90 World Premieres – including 10 large-scale, full-evening productions – and taken Tulsa Ballet to stages across the country and around the world. I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together. We need to also recognise Daniela, who has been instrumental in the success of the organisation with her meticulous work in the studio, her ability to recognise talent and develop it into stardom, and impeccable taste in dance. After 30 years of teamwork, I believe the company is now perfectly positioned for continued success. As Tulsa Ballet celebrates its 70th anniversary, we want to welcome its next artistic leader.
Angelini’s contributions have been recognised with numerous honours, including the Oklahoma Governor’s Arts Award for individual contribution to the arts, the Harwelden Award and the Kennedy Center Arts Advocacy Award and his induction in the Tulsa Hall of Fame. His greatest legacy can be seen in the generations of dancers, choreographers, students and audiences shaped by his belief in the transformative power of dance.
Tulsa Ballet will honour Angelini and celebrate his remarkable career during its annual Icons & Idols fundraiser in April 2027. This year’s event will be themed around Angelini’s time with the company, offering guests an opportunity to reflect on the productions, milestones and memories that have defined his more than 30 years at Tulsa Ballet. Additional event details will be announced in fall 2026.
Tulsa Ballet will conduct an international search for Tulsa Ballet’s next artistic director.
