Queen Bee ~ The Ballet

“Queen Bee was inspired by my fascination with the hidden world that exists all around us — a world that is delicate, intelligent, essential to sustaining life, and constantly at risk. I wanted to explore how humans can love nature deeply while still remaining blind to how fragile it truly is, especially when it comes to pollinators and the ecosystems they support. The image of a solitary, nature-loving Beekeeper being drawn into the magical, chaotic world of the hive by the Queen Bee became the heart of the story. Through their relationship, the ballet explores innocence, awakening, love, and the realization that humanity’s actions deeply affect even the smallest living things around us. Through the blending of live, original music and the physical storytelling of ballet, I wanted to create a world that feels dreamlike, theatrical, enchanting, and unsettling all at once — a story about discovering the beauty and vulnerability of the natural world before it disappears.”   

 ~ Lara VanHorn

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"Over five years, Queen Bee slowly evolved from scattered ideas into a fully realized world. Erik and I built the musical foundation together, shaping the structure and emotional arc of each piece, while I composed the lyrics giving voice to the story and its characters. What began as intimate sketches developed into something much larger once the full band joined the process. Josh’s atmospheric keys, Greg’s thoughtful bass lines, and Jake’s dynamic drumming brought depth, energy, and unpredictability to the music. Each person added their personal instinct and creativity to the album, and together, the songs transformed into something alive and deeply collaborative.” ~ Lara VanHorn