Ballet Pacifica Master Laid Off

Ballet Pacifica has laid off Raymond van Mason, the company’s first ballet master, appointed only a year ago, because of “financial constraints,” artistic director Molly Lynch said Tuesday.

“You set a budget for the year and have to adapt due to changes in income and expenses. You’re continuously monitoring your budget and keeping things in balance. I needed to make some adjustments,” Lynch said.

Van Mason came to the company after 17 years with Ballet West in Salt Lake City, where he was a principal dancer. He also founded the Out of the Wings dance company in Salt Lake City.

He had choreographed for Ballet West, Rocky Mountain Ballet, Utah Opera and, for Ballet Pacifica, created “Reverie” during the Irvine-based company’s 1998 summer choreographers’ workshop.