Kevin Kaiser started in January as the Evergreen City Ballet’s artistic director, replacing Wade Walthall.

“Swan Lake” is Kaiser’s first production for the Evergreen City Ballet, but he’s a veteran dancer and director.

“We are bringing a very high level of dance to Renton and the surrounding communities,” he said. He wants to help the company grow. “There is a lot of potential,” he said.

Kaiser began his professional ballet career at age 16 with Pennsylvania Ballet. In 1980 he returned to Seattle and joined Pacific Northwest Ballet under the direction of Kent Stowell and Francia Russell.

Retiring in 1995, Kaiser was appointed ballet master with Oregon Ballet Theatre and later was promoted to associate artistic director. He has taught throughout the country.

Walthall, another veteran dancer, was the artistic director for about 13 years, Kaiser said, and has moved to Texas.

The Evergreen City Ballet moved from Auburn in January 2006 to the former McLendon’s building on South Second Street.