MEET THE ARTISTS
Stella Abrera* of South Pasadena, California, began her studies with Philip and Charles Fuller and Cynthia Young at Le Studio in Pasadena. She continued her studies with Lorna Diamond and Patricia Hoffman at the West Coast Ballet Theatre in San Diego. She also spent three years studying the Royal Academy of Dancing method with Joan and Monica Halliday at the Halliday Dance Centre in Sydney, Australia.
Abrera joined American Ballet Theatre as a member of the corps de ballet in 1996 and was appointed a Soloist in 2001. Her repertoire with ABT includes the Girl in Afternoon of a Faun, Calliope in Apollo, Gamzatti and a Shade in La Bayadère, the Ballerina in The Bright Stream, Cinderella in Cinderella, Aurora in Coppélia, Gulnare and an Odalisque in Le Corsaire, She Wore a Perfume in Dim Lustre, the woman in white in Diversion of Angels, Mercedes, the Driad Queen and a Flower Girl in Don Quixote, Helena in The Dream, the first passerby in Fancy Free, Myrta and the peasant pas de deux in Giselle, Manon in Lady of the Camellias, Lescaut's Mistress in Manon, Katia in A Month in the Country, His Friend's Wife in The Moor's Pavane, the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Snow Queen in Kevin McKenzie's The Nutcracker, one of The Nutcracker's Sisters in Alexei Ratmansky's The Nutcracker, Emilia in Othello, the Ballerina in Petrouchka, Henrietta in Raymonda, Lady Capulet and a Harlot in Romeo and Juliet, the Lilac Fairy, the Fairy of Valor and Princess Florine in The Sleeping Beauty, the pas de trois in Swan Lake, the violin in Symphonie Concertante, leading roles in Airs, Baker's Dozen, Ballet Imperial, Birthday Offering, The Brahms-Haydn Variations, C. to C. (Close to Chuck), Everything Doesn't Happen at Once, In the Upper Room, Jabula, The Leaves Are Fading, Meadow, Petite Mort, Sinfonietta, Les Sylphides, Symphonic Variations, Symphony #9, Symphony in C, Thirteen Diversions, Within You Without You: A Tribute to George Harrison, Without Words and workwithinwork, and featured roles in Black Tuesday and Gong.
Abrera created the roles of His Memory and His Experiences in HereAfter, the Spanish Dance in Ratmansky'sThe Nutcracker, His Mistress in Weren't We Fools? and leading roles in Pièce d'Occasion with Herbie Hancock, Pretty Good Year and Seven Sonatas.
Abrera received the Gold Medal at the Royal Academy of Dancing's Adeline Genée Awards in London in 1995.
Photo Credit: Jade Young
Abrera joined American Ballet Theatre as a member of the corps de ballet in 1996 and was appointed a Soloist in 2001. Her repertoire with ABT includes the Girl in Afternoon of a Faun, Calliope in Apollo, Gamzatti and a Shade in La Bayadère, the Ballerina in The Bright Stream, Cinderella in Cinderella, Aurora in Coppélia, Gulnare and an Odalisque in Le Corsaire, She Wore a Perfume in Dim Lustre, the woman in white in Diversion of Angels, Mercedes, the Driad Queen and a Flower Girl in Don Quixote, Helena in The Dream, the first passerby in Fancy Free, Myrta and the peasant pas de deux in Giselle, Manon in Lady of the Camellias, Lescaut's Mistress in Manon, Katia in A Month in the Country, His Friend's Wife in The Moor's Pavane, the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Snow Queen in Kevin McKenzie's The Nutcracker, one of The Nutcracker's Sisters in Alexei Ratmansky's The Nutcracker, Emilia in Othello, the Ballerina in Petrouchka, Henrietta in Raymonda, Lady Capulet and a Harlot in Romeo and Juliet, the Lilac Fairy, the Fairy of Valor and Princess Florine in The Sleeping Beauty, the pas de trois in Swan Lake, the violin in Symphonie Concertante, leading roles in Airs, Baker's Dozen, Ballet Imperial, Birthday Offering, The Brahms-Haydn Variations, C. to C. (Close to Chuck), Everything Doesn't Happen at Once, In the Upper Room, Jabula, The Leaves Are Fading, Meadow, Petite Mort, Sinfonietta, Les Sylphides, Symphonic Variations, Symphony #9, Symphony in C, Thirteen Diversions, Within You Without You: A Tribute to George Harrison, Without Words and workwithinwork, and featured roles in Black Tuesday and Gong.
Abrera created the roles of His Memory and His Experiences in HereAfter, the Spanish Dance in Ratmansky'sThe Nutcracker, His Mistress in Weren't We Fools? and leading roles in Pièce d'Occasion with Herbie Hancock, Pretty Good Year and Seven Sonatas.
Abrera received the Gold Medal at the Royal Academy of Dancing's Adeline Genée Awards in London in 1995.
Photo Credit: Jade Young
Mica Bernas*, performing work by Carolyn Dorfman Dance Company, is a Filipino dancer, teacher and choreographer based in New York City. Born and raised in Manila, Philippines, Mica started her ballet training at the Christina Bichara School. She continued learning modern and other styles of dance at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Dance School (CCPDS), the official school of Ballet Philippines (BP). She later became a Soloist with Ballet Philippines and worked with acclaimed Filipino choreographers like Agnes Locsin, Denisa Reyes, Edna Vida, Alice Reyes, Tony Fabella, Enrico Labayen, Alden Lugnasin, Bam Damian, and Novy Bereber. She toured with BP to Hong Kong, Japan, China and Cambodia and was chosen to participate in the ASEAN production of REALIZING RAMA in 2003 and 2006. She was a regular faculty member of the CCP Dance School and was often invited to choreograph for the summer dance showcase. Since moving to New York in 2006, Mica has worked with Max Luna III, Connecticut Ballet, H.T. Chen & Dancers, White Wave Dance, Armitage Gone Dance, Gallim Dance and the Carolyn Dorfman Dance Company. She has taught master classes for Dance Theater of Tennessee, Life Dance Company, Kean University, New Brunswick High School and the Carolyn Dorfman Dance Company. She has also been working with Marta Renzi, choreographer and filmmaker for COTTONWOOD, MY FERAL VALENTINE and THOSE DAYS. Mica's dancing has been screened at dance film festivals in Italy, Brazil, Spain, Argentina, and the Netherlands. Mica recently performed as a guest artist with the Limon Dance Company at the 2013 1st International Dance Biannual in Cali, Colombia. She is a faculty member at BIMA at Brandeis Univeristy and a teaching artist with The Leadership Program in New York City. Mica is thankful to Ashley Bouder and fellow artists for their generous support in raising money to bring hope and recovery for the Philippines. Maraming, maraming Salamat!
Photo Credit: Tom Caravaglia
Photo Credit: Tom Caravaglia
Ashley Bouder was born in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and began her ballet training at the age of six at the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet with Marcia Dale Weary. After attending the 1999 Summer Program at the School of American Ballet (SAB), the official school of New York City Ballet, she was invited by SAB to continue her training during the Winter Session. As a student, Ms. Bouder performed featured roles in Balanchine's Dances Concertantes and Stars and Stripes for the School of American Ballet's 2000 Annual Spring Workshop at which she was awarde the Mae l. wien Award for Outstanding Promise. Ms. Bouder was named an apprentice with New York City Ballet in June 2000 and became a member of the corps de ballet that October. She was the recipient of the Janice Levin Award in 2002 as a corps de ballet member of the NYC Ballet. She was promoted to the rank of Soloist in February 2004, and in January 2005, Ms. Bouder was promoted to Principal dancer.
Miss Bouder has performed in ballet galas all over the world in countries including: Italy, France, Russia, China, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, England, Qatar, Kazahstan, and Mexico. She has guest starred with the Mariinsky Ballet, Paris Opera Ballet, Rome Opera Ballet, and Novosibirsk Ballet.
Ashley is also the recipient of the Dance Open Award for Expressivity in 2011 and the Dance Open Award for Virtuosity in 2013.
Photo Credit: Paul Kolnik
Miss Bouder has performed in ballet galas all over the world in countries including: Italy, France, Russia, China, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, England, Qatar, Kazahstan, and Mexico. She has guest starred with the Mariinsky Ballet, Paris Opera Ballet, Rome Opera Ballet, and Novosibirsk Ballet.
Ashley is also the recipient of the Dance Open Award for Expressivity in 2011 and the Dance Open Award for Virtuosity in 2013.
Photo Credit: Paul Kolnik
Isabella Boylston, born in Sun Valley, Idaho, Isabella Boylston began dancing at the age of three. While training at the Academy of Colorado Ballet, she won the gold medal in 2001 at the Youth America Grand Prix Finals in New York City. In 2002, she began training at the Harid Conservatory in Boca Raton, Florida, on a full scholarship. There she performed numerous leading roles, including Medora in Le Corsaire, the pas de trois from Paquita, Lise in La Fille mal gardée and the Sugarplum Fairy in The Nutcracker.
Boylston joined the ABT Studio Company in 2005, the main company as an apprentice in May 2006 and the corps de ballet in March 2007. Her repertory with the Company includes Gamzatti in La Bayadère, the Ballerina in The Bright Stream, Moss in Cinderella, Aurora in Coppélia, Gulnare and an Odalisque in Le Corsaire, Kitri and a flower girl in Don Quixote, the second girl in Fancy Free, the title role in Alexei Ratmansky's Firebird, the peasant pas de deux and Moyna in Giselle, Olga in Onegin, a Harlot in Romeo and Juliet, Princess Florine and the Fairy of Fervor in The Sleeping Beauty, Odette/Odile, the pas de trois and the Polish Princess in Swan Lake, Persephone in Sylvia, the Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux, the lead in Theme and Variations and roles in Ballo della Regina, Birthday Offering, Brief Fling, Désir, Drink to Me Only With Thine Eyes, Everything Doesn't Happen at Once, In the Upper Room, From Here On Out, The Leaves Are Fading
Photo Credit: Rosalie O'Connor
Boylston joined the ABT Studio Company in 2005, the main company as an apprentice in May 2006 and the corps de ballet in March 2007. Her repertory with the Company includes Gamzatti in La Bayadère, the Ballerina in The Bright Stream, Moss in Cinderella, Aurora in Coppélia, Gulnare and an Odalisque in Le Corsaire, Kitri and a flower girl in Don Quixote, the second girl in Fancy Free, the title role in Alexei Ratmansky's Firebird, the peasant pas de deux and Moyna in Giselle, Olga in Onegin, a Harlot in Romeo and Juliet, Princess Florine and the Fairy of Fervor in The Sleeping Beauty, Odette/Odile, the pas de trois and the Polish Princess in Swan Lake, Persephone in Sylvia, the Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux, the lead in Theme and Variations and roles in Ballo della Regina, Birthday Offering, Brief Fling, Désir, Drink to Me Only With Thine Eyes, Everything Doesn't Happen at Once, In the Upper Room, From Here On Out, The Leaves Are Fading
Photo Credit: Rosalie O'Connor
Benjamin Dia Jr. graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Music in Piano from the University of the Philippines College of Music and a Master’s Degree in Sacred Music from the Westminster Choir College. He toured with the UP Concert Chorus in United States and Europe as pianist and accompanist, performing with the group in major concert halls and festivals in Europe. A well-rounded musician, he has also played for and conducted student opera productions, and composed and arranged music for theater. He most recently conducted performances of De Leon’s opera Noli Me Tangere in New York City.
Photo Credit: Raymund Isaac
Photo Credit: Raymund Isaac
Antonio Douthit-Boyd (St. Louis, MO) began his dance training at age 16 at the Center of Contemporary Arts under the direction of Lee Nolting and at the Alexandra School of Ballet. He also trained at North Carolina School of the Arts, the Joffrey Ballet School, San Francisco Ballet, and the Dance Theatre of Harlem School. Mr. Douthit-Boyd became a member of Dance Theatre of Harlem in 1999 and appeared in featured roles in the ballets South African Suite, Dougla, Concerto in F, Return, and Dwight Rhoden’s Twist. He was promoted to soloist in 2003. He also performed with Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal. Mr. Douthit-Boyd joined the Company in 2004.
Photo Credit: Andrew Eccles
Photo Credit: Andrew Eccles
Kirven Douthit-Boyd (Boston, MA) began his formal dance training at the Boston Arts Academy and joined Boston Youth Moves in 1999 under the direction of Jim Viera and Jeannette Neill. He also trained on scholarship at the Boston Conservatory and as a scholarship student at The Ailey School. Mr. Boyd has danced with Battleworks Dance Company, The Parsons Dance Company, and Ailey II. He performed at the White House tribute to Judith Jamison in 2010. Mr. Douthit-Boyd joined the Company in 2004.
Photo Credit: Andrew Eccles
Photo Credit: Andrew Eccles
Tiffany Mangulabnan* was born and raised in Manila, Philippines. She studied at the Philippine Ballet Theatre Conservatoire and Ballet Philippines Dance School in Manila, and Alonzo King's LINES Ballet School in San Francisco. Her professional experience began in 2001 when she was made an apprentice with the Philippine Ballet Theatre (PBT) and began performing in several of the company's re-stagings of full-length classics. She joined the company in 2005 and was promoted to principal in 2010. As principal, she danced the lead in Swan Lake, the Grand Pas Classique from Paquita, the Dew Drop Fairy in The Nutcracker, a lead role in Carmina Burana, and various other leads in PBT's neoclassical and contemporary ballets. In the spring of 2012 she moved to New York City, where she has since been dancing as a soloist with Ballet Next and performing in ballets made for the company, such as Mauro Bigonzetti's La Follia andBachground, Brian Reeder's Picnic and Surmisable Units, Michele Wiles' All The Drops of Water, Katarzyna Kozielska's As Yet Not Named, Tobin Eason's Mea Culpa, and Alison Cook Beatty's Tintinnabuli. She also performs with Stuart Loungway's Terra Firma Dance Theatre and was recently featured in his new ballet Stagioni.
Photo Credit: Paul B. Goode
Photo Credit: Paul B. Goode
Daniel Harder (Bowie, MD) began dancing at Suitland High School’s Center for the Visual and Performing Arts in Maryland. He is a recent graduate of the Ailey/Fordham B.F.A. Program in Dance where he was awarded the Jerome Robbins/Layton Foundation Scholarship and participated in the Holland Dance Festival with the School and as a member of the Francesca Harper Project. Mr. Harder has worked with and performed works by Nacho Duato, William Forsythe, Dwight Rhoden, and Donald McKayle. After dancing in the European tour of West Side Story, Mr. Harder became a member of Ailey II. He joined the Company in 2010.
Photo Credit: Andrew Eccles
Photo Credit: Andrew Eccles
Anthony Huxley* was born in Walnut Creek, California. He began studying at the School of American Ballet, the official school of New York City Ballet, in the summers of 2002 and 2003, enrolling as a full time student from 2003-2006. Mr. Huxley also studied at San Francisco Ballet School and the Contra Costa Ballet School. In October 2006, Mr. Huxley was asked to become an apprentice with New York City Ballet, joined the Company as a member of the corps de ballet in July 2007 and promoted to the rank of soloist in July 2011.
Photo Credit: Paul Kolnik
Photo Credit: Paul Kolnik
Lauren King was born in Massapequa Park, New York, and began her dance training at the age of 10 with Jane Miller, Luba Gulyaeva, Ali Pourfarrokh, and Lynn Glauber at the American Theater Dance Workshop, the official school of the Eglevsky Ballet Company, in New Hyde Park, New York. Ms. King performed with the Eglevsky Ballet Company during its 2000-2001 season. In fall of 2001, Ms. King entered the full-time program at the School of American Ballet (SAB), the official school of New York City Ballet. Ms. King became an apprentice with New York City Ballet in the fall of 2003. As an apprentice Ms. King danced a featured role in Michel Fokine's Chopiniana, performed by SAB as part of New York City Ballet's 2004 winter season, and she originated a corps role in Susan Stroman'sDouble Feature. Ms. King joined New York City Ballet as a member of the corps de ballet in June 2004 and was promoted to soloist in February 2013.
Photo Credit: Paul Kolnik
Photo Credit: Paul Kolnik
Stuart Loungway is the Artistic Director of Terra Firma Dance Theatre. His training began with Tania Lichine, before receiving a full scholarship to the prestigious School of American Ballet. As a member of Houston Ballet,San Francisco Ballet Company and Joffrey Ballet Company, he performed in works by George Balanchine, William Forsythe, Mark Morris, Helgi Tomasson, Ben Stevenson and many others. Mr. Loungway maintains an active schedule as a master teacher, choreographer, performer, and served on the dance faculty at Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University: and The Joffrey Ballet School. Selected as "Who’s Hot", by National Dance Critics Association Chair Karyn Collins, Mr. Loungway's choreography, as expressed by Robert Johnson of the Star Ledger, is "elegant and evocative" and “bodes well for the future of dance.” He has received the Individual Fellowship in Choreography, awarded by the NEA; and is the recent recipient of the 2014 Kaatsbaan Choreographic Residency Award. His work and company have been featured at Jacob’s Pillow, as well as in the national publications Pointe Magazine and Dance Informa.
Mr Loungway currently serves as Company Teacher for Ballet Hispanico; as well as teaching open advanced/professional-level classes at Peridance, where he has also created ballet syllabus/curriculum for the Peridance Certificate Program.
Photo Credit: Yvonne Alloway
Mr Loungway currently serves as Company Teacher for Ballet Hispanico; as well as teaching open advanced/professional-level classes at Peridance, where he has also created ballet syllabus/curriculum for the Peridance Certificate Program.
Photo Credit: Yvonne Alloway
Jessica Miller began her ballet training at the Academy of Ballet Internationale in Indianapolis. While there she worked one on one with Irina Kolpakova, Vladilen Sememov, Tatiana Pali, and Dale Shields along with many other instructors. She toured the United States performing with the professional company in various roles such as Clara in “the Nutcracker”. Jessica continued her training in the second company of Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre and later as an apprentice with the company. While there she performed across the United States and toured Latvia, of the Baltic Region. Jessica graduated Magma Cum Laude, receiving her BFA in dance with a concentration in ballet, from SUNY Purchase. At Purchase she had the opportunity to perform works by various choreographers including Stuart Loungway, Merce Cunningham, and Jessica Lang. Along with her studies she worked with Michael J. Clark & Artists and began performing with Terra Firma Dance Theatre. She recently worked with American Contemporary Ballet, in Los Angeles, performing new works by director Lincoln Jones. Jessica is grateful for the constant love and support of her fiancé, family, and friends and is excited to be performing with Terra Firma.
Photo Credit: Simone Boos
Photo Credit: Simone Boos
Georgina Pazcoguin* was born in Altoona, Pennsylvania. She began her dance training at the age of four at the Allegheny Ballet Academy where she studied with Deborah Anthony, Richard Cook, and Cherié Noble. Ms. Pazcoguin entered the School of American Ballet (SAB), the official school of New York City Ballet, in the fall of 2001. In addition, she trained at the summer programs of Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and SAB. In October 2002, Ms. Pazcoguin became an apprentice with New York City Ballet, and in October 2003 she joined the Company as a member of the corps de ballet. She was promoted to soloist in February 2013.
Photo Credit: Kyle Froman
Photo Credit: Kyle Froman
Rogelio B. Peñaverde Jr.*, a tenor from Manila, Philippines, is praised as a singer “with engaging presence,” displaying “strong, dependable vocal equipment which flawlessly soars and sustains high notes long and firmly.” He began the year performing Ferrando from Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutte with Bel Cantanti Opera of Washington D.C., and just recently with Opera del West of Boston. He also performed the role of Tonio from Donizetti's La Fille du Regiment with Taconic Opera. He is currently rehearsing the role of Nicholas Astor in Kirke Mechem’s The Rivals which will have its East Coast premiere on January 2014 under the production of the Bronx Opera. On March 2014 he will perform the role of Lindoro in Rossini’s L’Italiana in Algeri produced by Taconic Opera. Peñaverde has performed with the New York City Opera, the Caramoor International Music Festival, the Liederkranz Opera Theater, the Martina Arroyo Foundation, the Tuscia Opera Festival in Italy, and the Cultural Center of the Philippines. He is the recipient of an Encouragement Award from the 2009 Gerda Lissner International Vocal Competition and a three-time Grant Awardee of the Philippine National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
Photo credit: Jan Michael Tan
Photo credit: Jan Michael Tan
Diane Phelan* made her New York City debut at Lincoln Center Theatre in Michael John LaChiusa’s BERNARDA ALBA. She performed again at Lincoln Center last fall alongside Lea Salonga as a principal soloist at Alice Tully Hall in a concert entitled SUITES BY SONDHEIM.
Raised as an expat in Taipei, Diane is of Spanish-Filipina and Irish-American descent. She began her music studies early after admission into the preeminent school for musicians in Taiwan. She went on to study voice and acting at New York University.
In the international arena, Ms Phelan has played the role of Maria in WEST SIDE STORY with the 50th Anniversary Tour. Diane performed in opera houses across Europe and Asia, most notably at the Semperoper in Dresden, the Bunkamura in Tokyo and the Chatelet in Paris.
She also starred in the world premiere of the groundbreaking rock opera WHERE ELEPHANTS WEEP directed by Robert McQueen and choreographed by Sean Curran in Phnom Penh. It was filmed and televised nationally in Cambodia then banned by the censors before a third airing.
Stateside, Diane has performed with the first Broadway national touring companies of SOUTH PACIFIC (Lincoln Center/Bartlett Sher), THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE (playing 20+ performances as Miss Dorothy/Michael Mayer), as well as a national tour of THE KING & I as Tuptim.
For more credits and info, please visit www.DianePhelan.com. Mabuhay Pilipinas.
Photo Credit: Mayumi Ando
Raised as an expat in Taipei, Diane is of Spanish-Filipina and Irish-American descent. She began her music studies early after admission into the preeminent school for musicians in Taiwan. She went on to study voice and acting at New York University.
In the international arena, Ms Phelan has played the role of Maria in WEST SIDE STORY with the 50th Anniversary Tour. Diane performed in opera houses across Europe and Asia, most notably at the Semperoper in Dresden, the Bunkamura in Tokyo and the Chatelet in Paris.
She also starred in the world premiere of the groundbreaking rock opera WHERE ELEPHANTS WEEP directed by Robert McQueen and choreographed by Sean Curran in Phnom Penh. It was filmed and televised nationally in Cambodia then banned by the censors before a third airing.
Stateside, Diane has performed with the first Broadway national touring companies of SOUTH PACIFIC (Lincoln Center/Bartlett Sher), THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE (playing 20+ performances as Miss Dorothy/Michael Mayer), as well as a national tour of THE KING & I as Tuptim.
For more credits and info, please visit www.DianePhelan.com. Mabuhay Pilipinas.
Photo Credit: Mayumi Ando
Amar Ramasar was born in the Bronx, New York. He began his studies at the School of American Ballet (SAB), the official school of New York City Ballet, in 1993. In addition, he studied at the American Ballet Theatre Summer Program and The Rock School of Pennsylvania Ballet. In July 2000, Mr. Ramasar was invited to become an apprentice with New York City Ballet, and in July 2001 he joined the Company as a member of the corps de ballet. In March of 2006 he was promoted to soloist and in October 2009 was promoted to Principal Dancer.
Photo Credit: Paul Kolnik
Photo Credit: Paul Kolnik
Filipino-American dancer and choreographer Bennyroyce Royon is a graduate of The Juilliard School and former dancer with the Armitage Gone! Dance company. Royon has been noted for his "keenly focused, succinct way with movement" and his ability to blend explosive physicality with fluid energy. He has worked with notable choreographers such as Karole Armitage, Aszure Barton, Sidra Bell, and Jill Johnson, and has performed with numerous acclaimed dance companies including the Metropolitan Opera Ballet, Carolyn Dorfman Dance Company, BAD BOYS OF DANCE, and Sidra Bell Dance NY. Royon has appeared in PBS Great Performances, on Good Morning America, and in the music videos of Son Lux and My Brightest Diamond.
He founded Bennyroyce Dance Productions, a project-based, collaborative, multimedia, contemporary dance company based in New York City. Royon has received choreographic commissions from Atlanta Ballet, The Joffrey Academy of Dance, and The Juilliard School, and has been awarded multiple dance residencies. His work Take 4 was featured in the documentary dance film NEVER STAND STILL (2012). Royon is an active, sought-after teacher, bringing his own unique fusion of ballet, modern and contemporary dance to classes and workshops.
Photo Credit: Devlin Shand
He founded Bennyroyce Dance Productions, a project-based, collaborative, multimedia, contemporary dance company based in New York City. Royon has received choreographic commissions from Atlanta Ballet, The Joffrey Academy of Dance, and The Juilliard School, and has been awarded multiple dance residencies. His work Take 4 was featured in the documentary dance film NEVER STAND STILL (2012). Royon is an active, sought-after teacher, bringing his own unique fusion of ballet, modern and contemporary dance to classes and workshops.
Photo Credit: Devlin Shand
The SAN LORENZO RUIZ CHOIR of New York (SLRC)*, established on February 18, 2007, is a music ministry brought together by a devotion to San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila. It is composed of dedicated Filipino volunteer members from various professional backgrounds. Through music, SLRC aims to contribute in fostering a deeper sense of Christian faith and community, as well as in advocating the performance of the Philippine’s rich vocal heritage. It is the recipient of a Heritage Award from The Outstanding Filipino Americans of New York Foundation.
Photo Credit: Troi Santos
Photo Credit: Troi Santos
Angelo Soriano* was born and raised in Manila, Philippines and was first generation to immigrate here with his immediate family back in the year 1999. His most passionate hobbies are within music and video production both as a singer/songwriter and a cover artist. Through dance, Angelo has worked with various choreographers such as Tessandra Chavez, Dave Scott, Nick Demoura, and Kobi Rozenfeld, Macy Gray, Disney Company with artists such as Justin Bieber, Debby Ryan, and Shake It Up's Bella and Zendaya through the Disney Parks Christmas Parade. He is currently performing with the national tour of Flashdance: The Musical under the direction of Sergio Trujillo. Tonight, he sends his love to our kababayan in the Philippines.
Photo Credit: German Santiago
Photo Credit: German Santiago
Angelica Stiskin, a native of northern New Jersey, is widely recognized for her versatility as a performer and dance educator. Her knowledge spans both worlds of commercial and concert dance offering a wide array of expertise. She proudly earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance at Marymount Manhattan College under the direction of Katie Langan, performing works by Shen Wei, Robert Battle, and Lar Lubovitch to name a few. She has danced behind Justin Beiber and Disney Channel’s Shake It Up girls for the nationally televised Disney’s Christmas Day Parade. Angelica is honored to have assisted the Emmy Award winning Mia Michaels across the U.S.A. and Canada. Miss Stiskin has been distinguished faculty of Joffrey Ballet School’s Jazz/Contemporary Summer Program since its birth, and instructs weekly for the Pre-Professional program at the school in NYC. She most recently directed and choreographed a piece at NYFW for Fall/Winter Season of 2013 this February—a rewarding collaboration with Louis Vuitton and Parsons School of Design. The work was chosen for worldwide exposure with the LV brand. Angelica and her team were recently sent to Paris to represent the work at the LV museum and property.
Photo Credit: Angelo Soriano
Photo Credit: Angelo Soriano
Izabela Szylinska began her training at the age of 10 in Polish National Ballet School in Warsaw. During her education she received many opportunities to increase her ballet technique with International Ballet Masters as Thomas Lundt (Royal Danish Ballet), Piotr Nardelli (Béjart Ballet Lausanne), Leonid Zhdanow (Bolshoi Theater Ballet Academy). Still as a student she got an invitation from Polish Embassy in India to take part in a dance program "Dancing through Europe" and perform in Delhi and Chennai on the Festival of Days of European Union. She also had a chance to occur in one of the plays in Ateneum Theater in Warsaw ( Éric - Emmanuel Schmitt "Frederick Ou Le Boulevard Du Crime" ). She was creating an acting - dance role of Frederick's Muse. In 2008, Izabela won the 1st prize on international ballet competition "Gold Pointe Shoes" in Poland. As a graduate she also received a prestigious scholarship from Minister of Culture for her artistic achievements during her education. The same year she started her contract as a demi - soloist with Opera Nova in Bydgoszcz, Poland where she performed many leading roles. In the beginning of 2009 she joined Polish National Ballet under the direction of Krzysztof Pastor where she worked with such choreographers as Patrice Bart, Wayne Eagling, Emmanuel Gat, Krzysztof Pastor, Jacek Przybyłowicz and also performed works by George Balanchine, John Cranko, Alexei Ratmansky, Irek Mukhamiedov. Izabela moved to New York in June 2012 and soon after that she started working with Stuart Loungway's Terra Firma Dance Theatre. Since that time she also performed with Julia Gleich Dances and Mordance.
Photo Credit: Marcin Szrot
Photo Credit: Marcin Szrot
Michael Trusnovec hails from Yaphank, New York. He began dancing at age six, and attended the Long Island High School for the Arts. In 1992 he was honored by the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts (youngARTS) and was named a Presidential Scholar in the Arts. In 1996 he received a B.F.A. in Dance Performance from Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Professionally, he danced with the Paul Taylor 2 Dance Company from 1996 to 1998, and has appeared with Cortez & Co. Contemporary/Ballet, and CorbinDances. Fall 1998 marked his debut with the Paul Taylor Dance Company. Mr. Trusnovec received a 2006 New York Dance and Performance Award (The Bessie) for his Body of Work during the 2005-06 Taylor season.
Photo Credit: Peter Hurley
Photo Credit: Peter Hurley
Jamie Rae Walker began her ballet and Graham-based modern dance training at age eight in Levittown, Pennsylvania and later she performed with the Princeton Ballet, now American Repertory Ballet. In 1991 she began training at the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, and in 1992 was awarded a scholarship by Violette Verdy at the Northeast Regional Dance Festival. Ms. Walker joined Miami City Ballet in 1994 and performed principal and soloist roles in Balanchine and Taylor dances until 2000. In 2001 she received a scholarship to attend The Taylor School and was part of the original cast of Twyla Tharp’s Broadway show, Movin’ Out. Ms. Walker joined the Paul Taylor 2 Dance Company in Fall 2003, and became a member of the Paul Taylor Dance Company in Summer 2008.
Photo Credit: Paul B. Goode
Photo Credit: Paul B. Goode
Blakeley White-McGuire is a principal dancer with the Martha Graham Dance Company. She hold a MFA in Interdisciplinary Arts from Goddard College, Vermont and teaches dance technique internationally. Her writings on dance have been published in Performance Research, U.K., Dance Magazine, The Dance Enthusiast, Dance Films Association Journal, and The Huffington Post. She has served as artist-in-residence at The Art Mill, The Key West Modern Dance Festival, New Ballet Ensemble and her dances have been presented at venues including the Downtown Dance Festival, Jacob’s Pillow Inside/Out and The Joyce Theater.
Photo Credit: Daniel McGuire
Photo Credit: Daniel McGuire
James Whiteside, born in Fairfield, Connecticut, James Whiteside began his training at age nine at the D'Valda & Sirico Dance and Music Centre, where guest faculty included Franco De Vita and Raymond Lukens. He continued his training at the Virginia School of the Arts for one year under the direction of Petrus Bosman and David Keener. In 2002, Whiteside joined Boston Ballet II, where he continued to train under the tutelage of its director Raymond Lukens, now director of ABT's National Training Curriculum. Whiteside joined the corps de ballet of Boston Ballet in 2003 and became a second soloist in 2006. He was promoted to first soloist in 2008 and to principal dancer with Boston Ballet in 2009.Whiteside joined American Ballet Theatre as a Soloist in September 2012 and was named a Principal Dancer in October 2013. His repertoire with the Company includes Ali, the Slave in Le Corsaire, Basilio and Espada in Don Quixote, the Nutcracker Prince in Alexei Ratmansky's The Nutcracker, Caliban in Alexei Ratmansky's The Tempest, Prince Gremin in Onegin, Romeo in Romeo and Juliet, the Prince Desire in The Sleeping Beauty, Prince Siegfried and Von Rothbart (Ballroom) in Swan Lake, Orion in Sylvia, and roles in Chamber Symphony, Drink to Me Only With Thine Eyes, Gong, In the Upper Room, Bach Partita, Theme & Variations, and Symphony in C.
Photo Credit: Rosalie O'Connor
Photo Credit: Rosalie O'Connor
Clifford Williams began his dance training at F.H. LaGuardia High School of Art and the Performing Arts. He attended The Ailey School and The School of American Ballet, both on scholarship. He was a first-level recipient of a National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts award in 1998. In 1998, he attended The Juilliard School, where he danced works by many choreographers including Lar Lubovitch, Igal Perry Hans Van Manen, Jose Limon and Mauricio Wainrot. In 2001, he was invited to join Dance Theatre of Harlem, where he danced until 2003.
In 2004, Mr. Williams joined Complexions Contemporary Ballet (New York, NY). He has danced works by Dwight Rhoden, William Forsythe, Nicolo Fonte and Jae Man Joo. Since 2004, Mr. Williams has assisted Director/Choreographer Dwight Rhoden on numerous projects including ballets for North Carolina Dance Theater, Pittsburgh Ballet, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet and The Diana Vishneva Projec,t as well as for the television show "So You Think You Can Dance." He has also set Dwight Rhoden's works on schools such as The Ailey School and NYU Tisch School for the Arts. In addition to setting works for Dwight Rhoden, Williams is certified in teaching the official Contemporary Ballet technique of Complexions Contemporary Ballet; and continues to be a part of educational outreach for Complexions. In 2008, Mr. Williams left Complexions to dance as a Principal dancer with Compañia Nacional De Danza under the Direction of Nacho Duato. During that time, he danced many principal parts and was featured in creations by Mr. Duato. Mr Williams rejoined Complexions in 2009, where he danced as principal until 2012 before being appointed to artist in residence.
Photo Credit: Jae Man Joo
In 2004, Mr. Williams joined Complexions Contemporary Ballet (New York, NY). He has danced works by Dwight Rhoden, William Forsythe, Nicolo Fonte and Jae Man Joo. Since 2004, Mr. Williams has assisted Director/Choreographer Dwight Rhoden on numerous projects including ballets for North Carolina Dance Theater, Pittsburgh Ballet, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet and The Diana Vishneva Projec,t as well as for the television show "So You Think You Can Dance." He has also set Dwight Rhoden's works on schools such as The Ailey School and NYU Tisch School for the Arts. In addition to setting works for Dwight Rhoden, Williams is certified in teaching the official Contemporary Ballet technique of Complexions Contemporary Ballet; and continues to be a part of educational outreach for Complexions. In 2008, Mr. Williams left Complexions to dance as a Principal dancer with Compañia Nacional De Danza under the Direction of Nacho Duato. During that time, he danced many principal parts and was featured in creations by Mr. Duato. Mr Williams rejoined Complexions in 2009, where he danced as principal until 2012 before being appointed to artist in residence.
Photo Credit: Jae Man Joo
* - Filipino artist