Violinist & Artistic Director
Johnny Gandelsman

Choreographers
John Heginbotham
Caili Quan
Jamar Roberts
Melissa Toogood

Music
Johann Sebastian Bach - Cello Suites

Artistic Advisor
John Heginbotham

Executive Producer
Cristin Canterbury Bagnall

Producer
Lilach Orenstein

Creative Associates
Alessio Crognale-Roberts
Maile Okamura
Laurel Dalley Smith
Andie Yorita 

Costume Designer
Maile Okamura

Scenic Design & Sculpture Fabrication
Arlene Shechet

Lighting Design
serena wong

Performance Photos: Erin Baiano

Johnny Loves Johann unites violinist Johnny Gandelsman and choreographers/performers John Heginbotham, Caili Quan, Jamar Roberts, and Melissa Toogood. This evening-length performance pairs Gandelman’s unique interpretation of Bach’s Cello Suites—performed live on violin—with original choreography, celebrating the humanity and dance at the center of this iconic music.

World Premiere: December 10-13, 2025
Carolina Performing Arts
Chapel Hill, NC

Upcoming Performances:
Kenan Institute at UNCSA
Winston-Salem, NC
May 1-3, 2026
More Info + Tickets

Carolina Performing Arts and the Thomas S. Kenan Institute for the Arts at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts serve as lead co-commissioners for Johnny Loves Johann.  This work also received commissioning support from The Joyce Theater’s Stephen and Cathy Weinroth Fund for New Work (with additional support from the Rockefeller Brothers Fund); the Modlin Center for the Arts at the University of Richmond; Works & Process; and The Yard. Additional funding support provided by Jody and John Arnhold, Alva Greenberg, John Mittelman, Marty Peretz, and Ken and Florence Umezaki.  Fiscal sponsorship provided by Producer Hub.