JUDGES

At Dance Open America, we believe that a small gesture has the power to make the largest of impacts, and provide you the chance to get involved with making a difference. We are truly grateful for all of the support from our Jury team and what they bring to D.O.A. We aim to make a difference in the lives of individuals from all over the world.

THE JURY 2023 SEASON

Estela Alonso

Estela Alonso (Madrid,1991) en la actualidad es bailarina solista del Ballet Nacional de España del que forma parte desde 2015.

Desde que en 2009 obtuviese la titulación de grado medio en el Real Conservatorio Profesional de Danza Mariemma hasta su incorporación al BNE ha trabajado con diversas compañías interpretando roles solistas como la Cía. Antonio Márquez, Cía. Daniel Doña, Rojas y Rodríguez, Emilio Ochando y Cía y Enclave Español.

En 2013 obtuvo el premio Bailarina Sobresaliente en el Certamen de Danza Española y Flamenco de Madrid con “A mi manera”. Gracias a esta coreografía de creación propia ha tenido la oportunidad de volver a llevar la escuela bolera a diferentes tablaos como Tablao Villa Rosa, Tablao los Porches y Corral de la Moreria. En este último trabajando junto a Jesús Carmona con el espectáculo “Camino”.

En 2021 crea el espectáculo “A mi manera 2.0” para su participación en la Gala Suma Flamenca Joven en los Teatros del Canal, con dicho espectáculo también ha participado en el Festival Circuito Bucles y en la entrega de premios del Instituto Autor.

Como fiel defensora y difusora de la escuela bolera realiza numerosos cursos y masterclass a nivel nacional e internacional en diferentes conservatorios y escuelas.

Adolfo de la Toba

ADOLFO DE LA TOBA (Theacher, Dancer and Choreographer)
Originally from La Paz, B.C.S. Mexico.
He graduated from the MONTERREY SUPERIOR SCHOOL OF MUSIC AND DANCE of the NATIONAL
INSTITUTE FOR FINE ARTS in Mexico.
Was member of the companies BALLET DE MONTERREY (Monterrey, N.L.), CIA DE DANZA CLASSICA Y
NEOCLASICA DE JALISCO (Guadalajara, Jal), FDR DANCE COMPANY (HOLLAND) and CALIFORNIA BALLET
COMPANY (San Diego, CA. As Guest Dancer in their season of the 50th Anniversary).
His choreographies have been selected for national and international competitions (Mexico, the United
States and France), Gold medal winners, Best Choreography Winners and Selected for different national
and international festivals.
He has worked with renowned teachers and choreographers such as: Robert Hill (USA), Luís Serrano
(Cuba), María Elena Martínez (Cuba), Rosario Murillo (Mexico), Angélica Kleen (Mexico), Fernando
Domínguez (Netherlands), Edgar Zendejas ( Canada), Michelle Pogliani (Italy), Jared Nelson (USA), Galina
Álvarez (Cuba), Ana Torquemada (Mexico), Nicte Ha Escobosa (Mexico), to name a few.
As a Dancer he has interpreted principal roles from the traditional classical repertoire and neoclassical
and contemporary choreographies by choreographers: Jimmy Gamonet, Jorge Amarante, Yanis Pikieris,
Billy Chang, Septime Webre, Robert Hill, Rosario Murillo, Fernando Domínguez.
Grade Certification: 8th. Grade, Intermediate, Advanced 1 and Advanced 2 of the Royal Academy of
Dance.
Collaborator as a classical ballet teacher with the Lux Boreal Company (September-October 2017).
As a Teacher, he has been invited to numerous congresses and summer courses nationally and
internationally, giving master classes in Classical Ballet and Contemporary Ballet.
He was a guest teacher at the Contemporary Dance Workshop at the University of Guadalajara. (Mexico)
He was a ballet teacher at the Center for Dance and Stage Production of Baja California (CDPEBC) of the
Lux Boreal Company.
Since 2021 he has assumed the position of artistic director of the company BALLETS DE SAN JUAN.

Adrienne Canterna

Kirov Academy of Ballet full scholarship graduate Adrienne Canterna is the recipient of numerous national and international awards including winning the GOLD medal at the 1998 USA IBC at just 15 years old. Other prestigious awards include the Grishko Award of Excellence in Ballet, Teen Miss Dance of America and more. Ms. Canterna is a proud brand ambassador for the global brand CAPEZIO. Adrienne tours the world as a dancer, choreographer, model & juror. As a Principal guest ballerina she danced the roles of Gamzatti in "La Bayadere", the Sugar Plum Fairy in "The Nutcracker'', and Kitri in "Don Quixote" with the UNIVERSAL BALLET in Seoul, South Korea under the direction of Oleg Vinogradov. She has also danced with the Washington Ballet and Complexions Contemporary Ballet in NYC where she was partnered by dance superstar Desmond Richardson. She has appeared in numerous galas worldwide including the "Vail International Dance Festival'', "Dance Open" in RUSSIA, "Gala de Danza", "Dance Against Cancer" in NYC, YAGP and "Les Gala des Étoiles" where she performed "Le Corsaire" pas de deux with international ballet star, Carlos Acosta. She appeared as a soloist in the PBS television tribute to Placido Domingo, in a segment directed and choreographed by dance icon Debbie Allen. She can be seen as a ballet soloist in the movie “STEP UP”. Ms. Canterna has modeled for the athleisure brand MPG Sport. Adrienne is the choreographer & co-creator of the international hit dance show “ROCK the Ballet”. After touring over 30 countries since 2008, RTB continues to wow audiences across the globe. Adrienne was a special guest performer & choreographer on "So You Think You Can Dance". In 2013 she created & choreographed the world premiere of “ROMEO & JULIET'' in Europe to rave reviews from critics & audiences alike. In 2014, Adrienne founded BAD BOYS of BALLET & they became Semi-Finalists on Season 9 of the hit TV show "America's Got Talent". During her run as Juliet on the West End in 2015, prestigious UK dance critic Graham Watts wrote "Adrienne created a ballet for the Snapchat age. Dancing as Juliet in her own choreography, Canterna’s exciting portrayal is delivered with a cocktail of personality and movement that mixed a quirky dollop of Lady Gaga, a touch of burlesque, the length of Sylvie Guillem’s limbs and the hyper-flexible spine of an Olympic gymnast". In 2016, Adrienne was invited by VOGUE editor Anna Wintour, to walk in the “Made for History” fashion show at NYFW. She was also a featured dancer/model for an editorial in SELF magazine. In 2019, Ms. Canterna choreographed, directed & starred in the world premiere of “Rock the Ballet X”. Die Welt culture critic in Germany wrote “Adrienne Canterna’s spectacular and ingenious choreography rendered the audience breathless”. After its premiere 10 week European tour seen by over 50,000 fans, RTBX continues to tour Europe to sold out audiences. Ms. Canterna is the Founder of SweetBird Productions and the Artistic Director of the SweetBird Summer Intensive (SBSI). Adrienne has taught/judged at ADC IBC, Ballet West Academy, artémotion, Joffrey Ballet School, Dance Masters of America & countless others around the world. Ms. Canterna proudly joined the Transcend faculty in 2021. Adrienne proudly served on the Artistic Faculty of the Kirov Academy where she taught ballet, contemporary & choreography. Adrienne is married to Brandt Martínez & is the proud mother of Anami Halo.

Robert “Bobby” Barnett

I was born in 1925, the son of a Ranching Family, Vera and Jim Barnett, in Okanogan, a small
town in the north central part of Washington State. At the age of five, the family moved to a
smaller town, Conconully, where we resided until my age of 12. We then moved to Wenatchee,
where I graduated from High School, at age 18 and received the gift of a letter from the
government to be a part of the service. I immediately joined the Navy and 10 days after my
graduation I was in a Boot Camp, in Farragut, Idaho, for training. My first duty of Service was in

California, in many Naval Bases finally being shipped off to the South Pacific and eventually to
Japan.

I had studied Tap Dancing, as a youngster, into my High School days and at my arrival in Japan I
auditioned for a Liaison Unit, which was part of the Army in Tokyo, Japan, using all Gl's to
perform Broadway Shows, at the Ernie Pyle Theater. I was fortunate to work with an
accomplished choreographer, who took an interest in me and encouraged me to find a teacher
of ballet and seek a career in dance. I couldn't wait to follow that advice. Arriving home to visit
my family for a couple of weeks after mustering out of service, I was off to California, to find
that teacher, as all I knew of Dance was Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers and dancing in the movies. I
was lucky as the first teacher I found was according to Fredrick Ashton, the Director of the
British Royal Ballet, the University of the Dance, he told me when I worked with him several years
later. He recognized my training, which was still with me. That was Bronislava Nijinska. I was
guided to her by luck and my studies were paid for by the GI Bill. I took twelve classes a week
with her and after a year and eight months was invited to join the Original Ballet Russe by David
Lachine, which was performing in Barcelona, Spain, performing with the company until its
demise. I traveled to Paris thinking that a film of Lachine's "Graduation Ball" was to be filmed
and I was to be in it, however it never happened, but I studied with Lubov, Igorova, until I knew I
had to have enough of my money for my fare back to New York City and then left for home. I had
a friend in the City I was able to stay with while I auditioned for another job. I was able to make
that happen, until I could realize the dream job for me, which was to work for George Balanchine,
that opportunity happened in December of 1949, they were looking for one boy for their second
season. I went, but didn't have much faith in the idea that I would get that one place. Making up
my mind that if there was ever a time when I had to be aggressive, this was it and that I was.
However, nothing was said to anyone after the audition, so I went to the dressing room and was
preparing to get dressed and leave, when in walked Jerome Robbins, who said to me "where are
you going, you have a rehearsal", besides wanting to faint I redressed into practice clothes and
went for a rehearsal, at which time they did a run through of a ballet I had never seen, being
dragged about by a wonderful dancer, Barbara Walczak, who stayed and taught me the ballet,
after everyone left the studio. I was on stage two days later dancing in “The Guests”, Jerome
Robbins ballet and "Symphony In C", George Balanchine. In seventh heaven, even after almost
having a heart attack.

I remained in the Corp de Ballet for three and a half years and was then made a soloist, but the most important happening came in 1955, when a new girl joined the company, after we returned from a European tour and three girls had decided to stay in Europe, that was Virginia Rich, we were married in 1957 and together for over 60 years, having two sons together and proud grandparents of three grandson's. My Ginger, as she was known, was taken from me six years ago. I miss her everyday. In 1958 Dorothy Alexander, the founder of the Atlanta Civic Ballet in 1929, making it the oldest continuing performing company in the USA asked Ginger and me to come to Atlanta, as Principal dancers and Associate Directors of her company, as we were expecting our first son, it felt like the proper move, so we said goodbye to the New York City

Ballet and headed for a new adventure. Ms. Dorothy due to bad health retired from the company in 1961 and I was designated by her to be the next Artistic Director taking the company from non-professional to professional status, changing the name by dropping the Civic to only Atlanta Ballet. I remained as the director, until 1994 when I resigned. I continued as a freelance person, with the staging of Mr. Balanchine's ballets for the Balanchine Trust and working with Nancy Reynolds, the head of the Balanchine Foundation, retrieving parts of Choreography he did for me, or works that I had the pleasure of dancing, done for other dancers. I also have continued to teach and give back to young dancers seeking their own careers in dance, one of my greatest pleasures. I am now a proud grandfather Dear Pal, as they call me to the oldest Aaron, son of David and Jackie and Ryan and Austin, sons of Elizabeth and Robert Jr. My life in dance, with dance and dancers has been a joy and continues to be. I would do it all again, the same way, with all the same family and people that have crossed my path during these wonderful years. There are many and all very loved and I'm so grateful for their journey with me.

Paula Núñez

Nunez has 30 years of experience in the performing arts world which includes performing internationally and nationally with Ballet Nuevo Mundo, Cleveland-San Jose Ballet, and the International Ballet of Caracas. She has shared the stage with world-renowned dancers including Rudolf Nureyev, Fernando Bujones, Zhandra Rodriguez, and Julio Bocca. Paula performed works from choreographers such as Alvin Ailey, Balanchine, Vicente Nebrada, Agnes de Mille, Hans Van Mannen, Nacho Duato, Margo Sappington, Ulysses Dove, among others. Her repertoire includes classical and contemporary work that she performed throughout the United States, Asia, Europe, and South and Central America.
Inspired by the firm belief that the arts are essential in our communities and the role they play in our society, Nunez continuously creates initiatives to bring the arts to children and youth, fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access. In 1994, Nunez founded “Fundacion Ballet de las Americas” in Caracas, Venezuela and in 2002 in Tampa FL. These organizations have been giving scholarships to students since 1994. Many of the recipients of these scholarships are continuing to have impact thought the arts around the world.
In 2012, Nunez founded the non-profit dance organization Tampa City Ballet and launched the program “On Your Feet” which was developed to engage and retain the purpose of service in our communities, provide high-quality, creative, relevant arts education and positively change lives through the art of dance.
“On Your Feet” collaborates with well-known projects like Dream Catchers and Prodigy with the University Area Community Development Corporation. TCB’s outreach programs have expanded to indoor and outdoor performances in senior centers, community organizations, schools, museums and cultural centers in Tampa Bay. Many of the scholarship recipients are now professional dancers, teachers, choreographers, mentors, and individuals that keep expanding awareness and recognition of the value of the arts.
In 2018, Nunez launched Tampa City Ballet as a professional contemporary dance company that supports local artists and serves the community by creating unique works, visionary choreography that incorporates diversity, collaboration and inclusion. Since establishing the company, Nuñez has collaborated with the Florida Orchestra, Florida Museum of Photography, the Glazer Children’s Museum, The Museum of Fine Arts, Ybor City various Festivals and launched seven world premiers. The modern version of “Pulcinella” in collaboration with the Florida Orchestra and The Museum of Fine Arts sold out all the performances at the Straz and Mahaffey Theater in January 2020.
Nunez received USF’s Hispanic Woman of the Year award and was nominated for Best of the Bay’s Best Choreography award, Best Dance Company award and the City of Tampa’s Hispanic Heritage Award. Nunez’s work has been featured on Tampa Bay News, ABC, FOX, La Gazeta, and the Tampa Tribune.

Cervilio Miguel Amador

A skilled artist, entrepreneur, and change agent for the world of dance, Cervilio Miguel Amador received his education and training from the Vocational Ballet School in Camagüey, Cuba and the National Ballet School of Cuba. He danced with the National Ballet of Cuba as a corps de ballet dancer and then as a Corifeo (demi-soloist) before joining Cincinnati Ballet in 2004 as a Soloist. He was promoted to Principal Dancer in 2006 becoming one of the youngest Principals in the history of the company.

During his professional career he has performed as a guest artist in galas all over the world as well as a guest teacher for numerous schools, he has represented Cincinnati Ballet dancers as a Union delegated for over 10 years and after retiring from dance, he became the Ballet Master for Cincinnati Ballet. He is currently the Ballet Master for Cincinnati Ballet and Co-Artistic Director/Founder of Moving Arts. Amador is also a member of the Cincinnati Ballet Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Task Force leading sustainable change for Dancers now and future artists.

Maria Torija

Maria Torija, the Academy Director at BalletMet, was born in Madrid, Spain. Torija began her ballet studies with Lola de Avila, Luis Fuentes and Carmen Roche. At the age of thirteen, she was awarded a Fulbright scholarship to study for three years at the School of American Ballet in New York. After a short stint with the Ballet Nacional de España Clásico, she began her 20-year career as a dancer with the Deutsche Oper Berlin ballet company, currently the Staatsballett Berlin. During her time in Berlin, Maria performed in solo and principal roles in numerous classic ballets, including works choreographed by George Balanchine, Maurice Bejart, John Neumeier, William Forsythe, John Cranko, Jiri Kilian and Kenneth McMillan among others.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Ballet Teaching, and graduated summa cum laude with a Master’s and PhD in Performing Arts from the Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, in Madrid. She also has an extensive teaching resume. Beginning with the Opera Ballet of Deutsche Oper Berlin, she has served as a faculty member at the Palucca Hochschule für Tanz, Dresden. Maria has participated in seminars and has been invited to teach classes throughout Europe, Japan and Hong Kong and the United States.
Maria Torija, the Academy Director at BalletMet, was born in Madrid, Spain. Torija began her
ballet studies with Lola de Avila, Luis Fuentes and Carmen Roche. At the age of thirteen, she
was awarded a Fulbright scholarship to study for three years at the School of American Ballet
in New York. After a short stint with the Ballet Nacional de España Clásico, she began her
20-year career as a dancer with the Deutsche Oper Berlin ballet company, currently the
Staatsballett Berlin. During her time in Berlin, Maria performed in solo and principal roles in
numerous classic ballets, including works choreographed by George Balanchine, Maurice
Bejart, John Neumeier, William Forsythe, John Cranko, Jiri Kilian and Kenneth McMillan among
others.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Ballet Teaching, and graduated summa cum laude with a
Master’s and PhD in Performing Arts from the Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, in Madrid. She also
has an extensive teaching resume. Beginning with the Opera Ballet of Deutsche Oper Berlin,
she has served as a faculty member at the Palucca Hochschule für Tanz, Dresden. Maria has
participated in seminars and has been invited to teach classes throughout Europe, Japan and
Hong Kong and the United States.
While on the faculty of the Miami City Ballet and Miami City Ballet School, Maria taught
dancing as well as classes on the history of ballet and other associated topics. She organized
and conceived a popular program for the Open Barre at the Miami City Ballet, inviting the
public to see a demonstration of the progression of professional ballet training. Maria came to
BalletMet as the Academy Director, in 2017 from Marin Ballet, the same school where Artistic
Director Edwaard Liang received his early training.

Victor Gili

Victor Gili was born in Havana, Cuba. She began her dance studies in 1982 at the Provincial
Ballet School of Havana and continued at the National Ballet School between 1987-1990
under the guidance of Alicia Alonso, Laura Alonso, Fernando Alonso, Josefina Méndez, Loipa
Araújo, Joaquin Banegas, Aurora Bosch, Marta Bosch, Ramona de Saá, Orlando Salgado,
Lázaro Carreño, Clara Carranco, Mirta Hermida, Pablo Moret, Rodolfo Castellanos, among other
outstanding teachers. In 1990 he began his professional career with the National Ballet of
Cuba under the technical and artistic direction of Alicia Alonso, a company with which he has
performed in different countries in Latin America, Europe, the United States, Canada, Africa,
Asia and Puerto Rico. as a guest dancer (1998-1999) under the direction of Lolita San Miguel
and Maria Carrera. He has participated in the workshop of the young guard and international
practical courses of the Cuban school of ballet (CUBALLET) held both in Cuba and abroad. He
has participated in prestigious ballet festivals, inside and outside of Cuba.
His great artistic record has allowed him to interpret a wide repertoire that includes leading
roles and soloists from the great romantic-classical tradition of the 18th and 19th centuries
such as: La Fille Mal Gardee (Colin and Mama Simone), Giselle (Albrecht and Hilarion) ,
Coppélia (Franz and Dr. Coppelius), Sleeping Beauty (Blue Bird and Prince Desiré), The
Nutcracker (The Knight of the Sugar Plum Fairy and Herr Drosselmeyer), Swan Lake (Prince
Siegfried and Von Rothbart), Don Quixote (Basilio, Espada, Father of Kitri, Sancho Panza and
Gamache), Magic Flute. He has danced numerous pas de deux such as: Diana and Acteón, Paso
de Tres, El Corsario, Festival of Flowers in Genzano, Nápoli, Paquita, El Reto and La Sylphide. In
addition, she performed an extensive neoclassical and contemporary repertoire by national and
international choreographers such as: Alberto Méndez, Alberto Alonso, Iván Tenorio, Gustavo
Herrera, Iván Monreal, Héctor Figaredo, Hilda Rivero, María Rovira, among others.
In 2003 he was awarded the "Distinction for National Culture" from the Ministry of Culture of
the Republic of Cuba and in 2007 with the "Alejo Carpentier Medal" from the Council of State
of the Republic of Cuba. In 2010, he joined the Puerto Rico Concert Ballet company as
Rehearsal Director and teacher at the Conservatory. He has also worked as a teacher and
rehearser in other companies such as ANDANZA, CODA21, Mauro Ballet and Sarasota Cuban
Ballet. In October 2019, Mr. Víctor Gilí returned to Ballet Concierto de Puerto Rico to occupy
the position of Artistic Director of the company.

Anik Bissonnette

Artistic director of L’École supérieure de ballet du Québec, Anik Bissonnette is among the most accomplished ballerinas in Quebec. Her performances were acclaimed throughout the world for more than 30 years. At the end of this brilliant career as a dancer, she became involved behind the scenes, promoting her discipline and sharing her passion for dance with the next generation of performers.

Anik Bissonnette began her training at the École de danse Eddy Toussaint in 1974. Five years later, at the age of 17, she made her professional debut with the company. Her precise technique and grace soon led to resounding success in Quebec and overseas. In 1989, she joined the Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal, becoming the principal dancer the following year. Until her retirement from the stage in 2009, this exceptional artist performed lead roles in the most famous ballets, including Swan Lake, Giselle and The Nutcracker, working with numerous local and international contemporary choreographers. For 10 years, from 2004 to 2014, she served as artistic director of the Festival des Arts de Saint-Sauveur, raising its profile to one of the top-rated dance and music festivals in the country. She was also director of the celebrated dance company La La La Human Steps from 2008 to 2010. Over the years, Anik Bissonnette has involved herself tirelessly in her field. In 2003, she created the Nutcracker Fund for Children to help underprivileged youth discover the magic of dance. From 2004 to 2010, she chaired the Regroupement québécois de la danse. She sat on the boards of directors of numerous organizations, including Les Prix de la danse de Montréal, Van Grimde Corps Secrets, Skeels Danse Montréal, Danse Danse and the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards Foundation, which she co-chairs.

Anik Bissonnette has garnered numerous honours.

1995: Order of Canada
1996: Ordre national du Québec
2008: Prix Denise-Pelletier
2014: Governor General’s Performing Arts Award
2018: Ordre de Montréal
2021 : Ordre des arts et des lettres du Québec

Daniel Sarabia

Daniel Sarabia has been a Principal Dancer in important companies around the world such as Bejart Ballet of
Lausanne in Switzerland, Concert Ballet and Coda 21 of Puerto Rico, Boston Ballet, Arts Ballet Théâtre of
Florida and Miami City Ballet to name a few. Daniel has performed in numerous theaters in Europe, Asia, Latin
America and the United States, playing important roles in the world classical repertoire including Basilio of
Don Quijote, Puck in A MidSummer Night Dream, Prince Siegfried in Swan Lake of George Balanchine,
Company B by Paul Taylor, Albrecht in Giselle, and many more. He is currently an Principal Guest Ballet
Dancer.

Kathryn Warakomsky-Li

Originally from Boston, Massachusetts, Kathryn Warakomsky-Li began studying ballet at the age of 14 in Springfield, Virginia with Oleg Tupine. She graduated from the State University of New York at Purchase with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance. She was invited to join the Ballet de Santiago under the direction of Ivan Nagy where she rose to the status of principal dancer. In 1989 Ms. Warakomsky-Li joined Houston Ballet and became the Principal dancer. With over 20 years of performance experience, Warakomsky-Li has held lead roles in nearly all the major classical ballets including Swan Lake, Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, Romeo and Juliet, Cinderella, Cleopatra, Etudes and Coppelia.
She also danced in numerous works by famed contemporary choreographers like Ben Stevenson, George Balanchine, Jiří Kylián , Kenneth MacMillan, John Cranko, Ronald Hynd, James Kudelka and Christopher Bruce among others. Ms. Warakomsky-Li has toured extensively around the world dancing throughout North and South America, Asia and Europe. Upon retiring from the stage in 2001, Ms. Warakomsky-Li was invited to teach at the Houston Ballet Ben Stevenson Academy where she staged and rehearsed many pieces for the upper school.
Ms. Warakomsky-Li has been teaching for Texas Ballet Theater School in Fort Worth since 2003 where she has taught all levels of the school. She is an American Ballet Theatre (ABT) Certified Teacher who has successfully completed the ABT Teacher Training in Primary through Level 7 of the ABT National Training Curriculum®. She has also traveled to Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia to view the Bolshoi and the Vaganova Schools and to participate in their training programs. Ms. Warakomsky-Li was named Principal of Texas Ballet Theater School – Fort Worth in January 2007 and in 2016 was promoted to Associate Director. She also heads the Studio Training Company and has managed the Summer Intensive since its inception in 2007.

Ben Huynh

黃建彪副教授
國立臺灣體育運動大學舞蹈學系副教授
Brabants Conservatory Dance Academy荷蘭柏蘭巴斯音樂及舞蹈學院
1987~1992 年間曾獲日本、紐約、盧森堡國際芭蕾舞大賽銅牌
1987~1992 年間擔任香港芭蕾舞團首席舞者
1993 年榮獲香港最佳藝術年獎
2015 年第 37 屆舞蹈飛鳳獎作品【黑雨】受邀演出於舞躍大地頒獎典禮
2017 年受邀擔任 Tanzolymp Asia 亞洲舞蹈大賽評審並受邀閉幕典禮演出作品【Mother】
2020 Dance Open America Taiwan Regional 台灣區域賽國際評審
重要作品包括：
《SONG 頌歌》《柯碧麗雅》《La Luna》《B and B》《The Poem of Love》《畢業舞會》《女人的
心事五，我的心事》《夢》《Betrayed by Freedom》《沒有文字的故事》《摯愛一生》《時間的流
逝》《ForbiddenLove》《蛇郎君》《卡門》《悸情躍冬》《掙-黑雨》《灶》《敲打天堂之門》《賣
火柴的女孩》《九兒》《In TheMood 》《胡桃鉗選粹》《我》《夢境》《纏樂》《Marriage and
Funeral 》《默身》《Black 》《D'stable》《雙身菩提》《迷魅》《四季》《鷺娘》《火苗》《夢倚
紅樓》《殘存》《The angels have lest》《魔幻森林》《懇台之歌》…等

Lorna Feijoo

International Star was considered “stunning with an exceptional attention to detail” by The
New York Times. Ms. Feijóo joined Boston Ballet in 2003 from the Cincinnati Ballet. She
studied at the The National Ballet School in Havana and became a principal dancer at the
National Ballet of Cuba, under the direction of the famous Alicia Alonso. Ms. Feijóo has
performed in several International Ballet Festivals in Havana and on worldwide tours, and has
won critical acclaim in leading roles of many classical and contemporary ballets. She has
received numerous awards, including a gold medal at both the Vignali-Danza Contest and the
Positano Contest of Young Talents in Italy. She has been a guest artist with The Royal Ballet of
London, Rome Opera Ballet, La Scala de Milan, Zurich Opera Ballet, New York City Ballet,
American Ballet Theatre and has performed at worldwide festivals and ballet galas in Spoleto,
Italy; Gala des Étoiles, Canada; Gala des Étoiles du XXI Siècle, Paris and Japan.
Her repertoire includes all the classical ballets of the National Ballet of Cuba. In addition, she
has performed Kudelka’s Cinderella, Ashton’s La Fille Mal Gardée, Bournonville’s La Sylphide,
Nureyev’s Don Quixote, Cranko’s The Taming of the Shrew and Romeo and Juliet, Fokine's Les
Sylphides, Caniparoli’s Lady of the Camellias and Lambarena, Morris’ Drink to Me Only With
Thine Eyes and Up and Down, Martins’ Distant Light, Balanchine’s Serenade, Who Cares?,
Stars and Stripes, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Ballo de la Regina, Concerto Barocco,
Emeralds, Jewels, Tchaikovsky Pas de deux, Sylvia Pas de deux, Divertimento No. 15, Fokine’s
The Dying Swan, Petipa’s The Sleeping Beauty, Le Corsaire Pas de deux and Raymonda, Act III,
and Harald Lander's Etude, Clerc's La Bayadére, Alosa's Paquita, Child'sTen Part Suite,
Gielgud's Giselle, Tharp's In the Upper Room and multiple versions of The Nutcracker and
Swan Lake. In addition, repertoire choreographers named like Jiri Kylián ballets: Bella Figura,
No More Play, Sechs Tanze; William Forsythe’s The Second Detail, and Vaslav Nijinsky’s
Afternoon of a Faun. Ms. Feijóo has been invited to dance in the Benoit de la Dance (Bolshoi
Theater) and participated in two famous American shows, the legendary Sesame Street and
popular Dancing with Stars. Feijóo has a sister in San Francisco Ballet, Principal Dancer Lorena
Feijóo and they are both Ambassadors of Milk Life (Somos Fuertes).
Some of Ms. Feijóo dance partners are Jose Carreño, Carlos Acosta, Nelson Madrigal, Manuel
Legris, Jose Martinez, Maximiliano Guerra, Carlos Molina, Yury Yanowsky and Damian Woetzel,
just to name a few.
Ms. Feijóo has two beautiful children, a girl and baby boy with husband Principal Dancer,
Nelson Madrigal. Their children are the light of their lives.

Ana Maria Castañon

She was born in Havana, Cuba, but it was in Puerto Rico where she began her Ballet studies at
the age of 8 under the tutelage of Myrta Esteves. When she was a teenager she entered
Ballets de San Juan, where she was a principal dancer for many years. She has interpreted
almost all the roles of the classical repertoire, Puerto Rican choreographies and the great
choreographer Balanchine.
He has shared star roles with internationally renowned figures such as Iván Nagy in “Swan
Side”, Fenando Bujones in “Coppelia”, “Romeo and Juliet”, “La Bayadere” and “La Sylphide” and
Rudolph Nureyev in “Giselle”. and "Apollo".
Ms. Castañón was also Principal Soloist with Pittsburgh Ballet Theater and Principal Dancer
with Arizona Ballet, The Milwaukee Ballet and Ballet Teatro Municipal de San Juan. During her
career she has danced as a guest artist in different companies in the United States, Latin
America and NAPAC in South Africa.
Her work as a choreographer includes the staging of classics such as Coppelia, Giselle and
Cascanueces and original works including Tanguedia, Aire, Encuentros, Vivaldi, Fuego and
Gottschalk Tropical. In addition, she has choreographed the operas Pescadores de Perla, Faust,
The Marriage of Figaro, Carmen, and The Bartered Bride.

Andres Estevez

Andres Estevez began his training in Havana, Cuba, and later joined Ballet Nacional de Cuba under the
direction of Alicia Alonso. After a few seasons Mr. Estevez decided to join Ballet Clasico de la Havana under
the direction of Laura Alonso; here his career flourished, and he became a soloist and then a principal dancer of
the Company. His career includes tours and galas of several countries as well as winning silver and bronze in
the Alicia Alonso competition in Cuba and a gold medal in a competition in Brazil. In 1996, Andres traveled to
the United States and joined Miami City Ballet where he performed as a soloist in many Balanchine
choreographies including Stars and Stripes, Scotch Symphony, Allegro Brilliante and many others. In 1998 he
joined Orlando Ballet as a principal dancer under the direction of Fernando Bujones. His extensive career at the
Orlando Ballet includes roles such as Solar in La Bayadere, Albrecht in Giselle, Colas en La Fille Mal Gardee,
Franz in Coppelia, Basilo in Don Quixote, Crassus in Spartacus, Silfrid in Swan Lake, Prince Charming in
Cinderella, Jean de Brienne in Raymonda, Prince Desire in Sleeping Beauty, Oberon in A Midsummer Night’s
Dream, King Arthur in Camelot and many others. He has also had the pleasure to perform the works of
choreographers like Twyla Tharp, David Parson, Robert North, Val Caniparoli and Lila York. In 2009 he joined
BalletMet, performing a variety of classical, Balanchine and contemporary repertoire including works from
BalletMet’s Artistic Director Edwaard Liang. In 2017 he retired from the stage and became the Associate
Director of BalletMet 2 and in 2018 was promoted to the role of Company Rehearsal Director.

Lin Wei Hua

林惟華副教授
臺北市立大學舞蹈學系副教授
國立臺北藝術大學舞蹈研究所表演藝術碩士
1991 年起參加新古典舞團擔任舞蹈排練及專屬舞者，演出劉鳳學老師多支作品
2001 年赴新西伯利亞演出，暨以作品「流雲」獲國際青年編舞大賽民族舞組金牌獎。
2012 年新古典舞團大型舞劇「揮劍烏江冷」中擔任主要角色；期間隨團至北京，成都，廣州，西安、
美國、法國及俄羅斯等地巡迴演出。
2020 Dance Open America Taiwan Regional 台灣區域賽國際評審
近年於臺北市立大學、台北首督芭蕾舞團、新古典舞團新銳創作舞展、魏光慶獨舞展、臺北藝術大學舞
蹈學院 2002 歲末展演，以及文華高中、家齊高中發表創作作品。常年擔任各縣市及全國學生舞蹈比
賽、舞躍大地舞蹈創作比賽以及全國芭蕾舞大賽等評審委員

Rodolfo Castellanos

Former dancer at the National Ballet of Cuba, during his academic career he graduated as a
classical Ballet dancer and ballet master at the National Arts Schools of Havana, Cuba. Some
of his ballet masters were Fernando Alonso, Joaquín Banegas, Josefina Méndez and Ramona
de Sáa.
He graduated at the Higher Institute of Art in 1993 and he has a degree in Dance Art with a
specialization in ballet in the city of Havana, Cuba.
He also received the status of ballet master of the Higher Institute of Art in Havana (Cuba) and
graduated from the Higher Conservatory of Dance of Institut de Teatre (Barcelona) of the
Barcelona Provincial Council, specializing in Dance Pedagogy (2015).
His artistic career is brilliant: he made his debut as a professional in 1973 with the National
Ballet of Cuba. From 1975 to 1977 he participated in the Ballet of Camagüey. In 1977 he
moved back to the National Ballet of Cuba, with Alicia Alonso as a director, where he had an
ascending professional career: First Artist 1977, Soloist 1982, First Soloist 1985 and Principal
Dancer 1986.
His repertoire includes all the leading roles in the great romantic-classical tradition. He was
invited to many dance companies as a principal dancer and he premiered throughout America
the version of the Spartacus ballet by the Hungarian choreographer Lazlo Zeregi at the Ballet
of Santiago de Chile.
He has shared a stage with stars like Julio Bocca, Marcia Haydee, Vladimir Vasiliev, Alicia
Alonso and Paolo Bartolucci among others.
He worked with many contemporary choreographers like Michel Descombey, John Wisman,
José Antonio or Antonio Gades, and he performed all the work from Cuban choreographers like
Alberto Mendes, Gustavo Herrera or Ivan Tenorio.
As a ballet master, we must underline that since 1982 he has combined being a dancer with
his job as a ballet master at the Cuban National Ballet School of Havana, where he got
excellent results with students, according to Carlos Acosta and Víctor Gili.
In 1992 he collaborated with Ben Stevenson in the production of The Snow Maiden in
Santiago de Chile.
In 1994 and 1995 he worked as a ballet master and rehearsal director at the Euskadi Ballet,
directed by Rafael Martí. He participated in the performance of Giselle, which is available at the
Barakaldo Theatre in San Sebastián and the Fortuny Theatre in Reus.
In 1995 he was guest ballet master at the Ballet Theatre of Bordeaux, in France.
He was also invited to work as a ballet master and rehearsal director at the Ballet of Zaragoza,
directed by Arantxa Argüelles.
Since 1999 he has worked as a ballet master in the young company IT Dansa, directed by
Catherine Allard.
The academic years of 2000-2001 and 2001-2002 he worked as a ballet master at Scuola di
Danza Fondazione Teatro dell’Opera, directed by Paula Jorio. In September 2002 he started
working as a ballet master at the professional dance conservatory teaching classical technique,
Pas de Deux and classical repertoire at Institut del Teatre of Barcelona.
The academic years 2004-2005 and 2005-2006 he was a guest ballet master at the
prestigious dance school Rudra Béjart of Lausanne, Switzerland.
He was a guest ballet master at the Elmhurst Ballet School of Birmingham and the English
National Ballet School, and he worked as ballet master at the Royal Ballet School during
the academic years 2015-2016 and 2016-2017.
In October 2019 he participated in the symposium at the Cuban Ballet School of New York,
organized by the prestigious dancer Cynthia Harvey for the ABT, and in December he worked
in Havana with the company directed by the prestigious dancer Carlos Acosta.
He is currently starting a new project as the High Performance Dance Programme artistic
director, requested by Factoria Cultural de Terrassa.

Wu Man Li

伍曼麗教授藝術顧問/國內評委長
中國文化大學舞蹈學系兼任教授
長期致力於舞蹈教學、創作、展演以及推廣國際交流，在教育崗位上培育出許多傑出舞蹈人才，為台灣
舞蹈教育的發展貢獻良多。
歷年率領華岡舞團前往歐美及亞洲各國訪問演出達 300 餘場。
1989-2019 中國文化大學舞蹈學系教授兼主任
1999-2019 舞蹈研究所所長
1978～2019 華岡蹈團多次於台北國父紀念館及城市舞台展出「年度公演」，編創舞作《風問》《交錯》
《山中即景》《小交響曲》《夜曲》《長平公主》等近 30 齣舞作；指導《仙女》《吉賽兒》《茶花女》
《天鵝湖》《海盜》等芭蕾舞劇並擔綱演出。
2020 Dance Open America Taiwan Regional 台灣區域賽國際評審

Etienne Béchard

Born in France in 1987, Etienne BÉCHARD is a contemporary choreographer who mixes
different styles with a strong classical base. Keen on a physical and dynamic approach, his
shows combine aesthetics, acrobatics, and explosive movements, as well as poetry, with a
commitment to bringing light to various social causes and a generous slice of humor. He was
ten years old when he started to dance in the south of France. His professors taught him
various choreographic styles, and this diversified education would bring him later to develop
his own creativity. At 16, he started at the workshop-school Rudra-Béjart, after which he then
joined the Béjart Ballet Lausanne 2 years later, where he learned discipline and precision. Two
skills that still affect his works today.One thing becomes clear to him : he wants to create
choreographies. So much, that he leaves the Béjart Ballet Lausanne to fully dedicate himself to
his new calling.Thus, in 2010, answering a desire of emancipation, he
settled down in Bruxelle and started his own company : Opinion Public Dance Company. Since
then, his creations have drawn their raw materials in modern day neurosis, always with humor
and poetry, touching on the issues and stakes of our time. In 2016, he was invited to the Ballet
de Opéra national du Rhin, under the direction of Ivan Cavallari. This was an experience with a
big company of 30 dancers and the creation of the shows « ...Cupidon s’en fou » . In 2016 again,
under the direction of Estefania Miranda, he put back on once again his “Post Anima” ( created
originally in 2014 ), the 15 dancers of the Tanz Konzert Theater with him, and the next season
also, after that his “Bolero”. The trade press named Tanz Magazin, named Etienne Béchard in
2017, as one of the most promising choreographers of the international stage. In 2018, he was
invited to create a “The Rite of Spring” for Les Grands Ballets Canadiens. After the great
success of the reinterpretation of Stravinsky’s work, the director of Les Grands Ballets
Canadiens , entrusted him to envision his own version of “Carmen” for the Ballet. In 2022,
Etienne presented “Carmen” to Montréal.

Yolanda Correa

Yolanda Correa was born in Cuba and studied in the Vocational School of Art Holguín and in
the Cuban State Ballet School Havana.
She has worked in several international ballet companies. From 2000 till 2010 she danced in
the National Ballet of Cuba Havana, being Principal Dancer from 2005 on. In 2009 she danced
with Víctor Ullate Ballet. From 2010 until 2018 she was Principal Dancer in the Norwegian
National Ballet Oslo.
Since 2018 she is the Principal Dancer of the Staatsballett Berlin.
She has received several awards:
1999 Winner of the “International Meeting of Ballet Academies”
2010 “Grand Prix Giuliana Penzi”
2012 “Premio Positano”: best female newcomer
2014 “Wilhelmsen Holding ASA Company Award for Opera and Ballet”
2014 Nomination “Benois de la Danse” as best female dancer
She has also been a guest artist in many international companies: Royal Swedish Ballet
Stockholm, Ballet of Teatro di San Carlo Napoli, The Kremlin Ballet Moscow, Ballet of Kazan,
Compañía Nacional de Danza Madrid

Kumiko Noshiro

Kumiko Noshiro was born in Ishikawa, Japan and came to Europe at the age of fifteen, studying
in St Gallen, Switzerland and later graduating from Franklin College in Lugano.
Inspired by the entry of her son into professional ballet training, she became increasingly
interested in the idea of opening her own school, offering intensive, high-standard dance
education and in 2012 established the Munich International Ballet School in the center of the
city. Offering vocational and pre-vocational training and staffed by experienced professional
and ex-professional dancers, the school prepares talented students from Munich and overseas
to audition for both professional companies and state ballet academies.
Within one year the school had celebrated its first professional alumnus , with a student
being awarded a contract with Ballet Augsburg and since then, students have successfully
gained entry into prestigious schools such as:
· Zurich Dance Academy
· The School of the Hamburg Ballet, John Neumeier
· The Ballet Academy of the Vienna State Opera
· The Vienna Conservatory
· The Royal Ballet School Antwerp
· The Hungarian Dance Academy
The school offers students an intensive 5-day program, which includes two hours of classical
ballet, 90 minutes of pointe work and variations and a choreography-rich programme, giving
the students the ability to learn from challenging and varied repertoire. There are daily
stretching, pilates and floor exercise classes, as well as optional open classes at the weekend,
taught by ballet professionals in a company atmosphere. In addition to the regular program,
students are given the chance to participate in workshops and classes with international guest
teachers such as Roland Vogel (Princess Grace Academy Monaco), Loretta Alexandrescu
(Accademia Teatro alla Scala) and international guest ballet master Yannick Boquin. The
school also provides regular opportunities to perform and due to excellent links with
professionals from the Bavarian State Ballet, the students have the chance to learn from
professional dancers working at the highest level.
Munich International Ballet School also hosts an annual 7-day audition workshop for both
students and professionals. During this week, dancers have the opportunity to audition for
seven dance directors without the need to travel between several cities.
With the additional benefit of her experience as a qualified yoga teacher, with almost 20 years
experience in the health industry, Ms Noshiro is also very conscious of the health and
well-being of those under her care. She attempts to give students a sense of responsibility for
their own learning and to help them develop an awareness of their bodies to aid injury
prevention. Ms Noshiro continues to work constantly to maintain and improve the standard of
the school and to seek out the best possible opportunities for her students.

Daryl Gray

Daryl Gray studied acting and music as a child and was also trained in a full dance
curriculum at the Harkness, ABT and SAB schools in New York City. He was a protégé of
Ballet Master David Howard and a soloist with the Brussels based Bejart Company and a
principal guest artist with dance companies in Classical and contemporary roles in the US,
UK and abroad. In addition, he made his professional debut as an actor at age 14 and went
on to perform as a Broadway cast member in Bob Fosse’s Dancin’ and appeared in On
Your Toes and in other shows, touring internationally.
He began choreographing for the concert stage at a young age and has choreographed over
70 works on 5 continents for such companies as Joffrey, Bejart, Les Ballet Jazz de
Montreal, Batsheva Dance Company of Israel, Royal Ballet of Belgium, Northern Ballet
Theater UK, Atlanta Ballet, North Carolina Dance Theater, Ballet San Jose and Australia’s
Queensland Ballet. His many musical stagings have been seen at such theaters as; The
Koch Theater and Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center, Coconut Grove Playhouse, California
Musical Theatre, Playhouse 91 in Manhattan, Santa Fe Festival Theater, Playwrights
Horizons, Brooklyn Academy of Music, St. Louis Muny Opera, Chicago Civic Theater, the
Palladium as well as on CBS and PBS television. In addition, Mr. Gray has directed and
staged works for the New York G & S Players, “Carmen” at the New York City Opera, ice
dancing, video, high fashion, a Disney extravaganza featuring the music of Alan Menken,
industrial shows and televison, including A Celebration of the American Musical, which was
televised “Live from Lincoln Center”. He was chosen for the prestigious Dancebreak,
creating concert work at the Ailey Theater which lead to the creation of two original Off-
Broadway musicals “Andy Warhol Was Right” and “All About Harry” (Best
Choreography Award) for the New York Musical Theater Festival. His unique theatrical
Australian QB ballet production “Pirates of Penzance!” was voted “Best of the Bay” (San
Francisco) and was subsequently presented internationally in 26 cities by Columbia Artists.
Gray recreated two new updated productions in Orlando and for Ballet San Jose.
Recent credits: choreography and musical staging for The Merry Widow, The Tales of
Hoffman and Jekyll & Hyde for the St. Petersburg Opera, Director/choreographer Kiss Me
Kate at the Palladium theater. Pre-COVID: Pirates! the New Dance Musical directed and
choreographed by Gray was slated for London’s West End 2020, produced by Tony Award
winning producers Bruce Robert Harris and Jack W Batman. Upcoming: Handel’s Semele
for The St. Petersburg Opera and Rudra Bejart. His many teaching credits include; ABT
Intensive, The Metropolitan Opera, The United Nations, Harvard University, Washington
University, University of Missouri at St. Louis, Vassar, University of South Florida and
numerous Dance organizations and schools. He is a member of The Council of the Dance
(Paris), a Fulbright Fellow and a popular teacher worldwide. (Please scroll down for a list)
Teaching Credits Include:
Ballet and or Theater Dance and Choreography:
ABT Summer Intensive
Joffrey School in New York
School of American Ballet
Steps NYC
Ballet Academy East
Randolph College Of The Arts in Toronto
Goh Academy in Vancouver
Patel Conservatory of Tampa
Broadway Dance NYC
Studio Dancin’ of Japan
Dance Educators Of America – 12 US cities coastto-
coast/ 4 National Conventions
Dance Masters Of America – 17 cities in the USA
and Canada/ 2 National Conventions
Anne Reinking’s Broadway Theater Project
Harvard University
Vassar University
Washington University
Webster University @ St. Louis
Tampa University
Princeton School of Dance
University of South Florida
University of Missouri @ St. Louis
University of Queensland, Brisbane Australia
University of Norway
Nutmeg Conservatory of Dance
Ballet San Jose
Atlanta Ballet
St. Louis Ballet
Batsheva Dance Co. of Israel
National Ballet of Colombia
National Ballet of Norway
National Ballet of Yugoslavia
Les Ballets Jazz de Montreal
Universal Ballet of Seoul, Korea
Australia’ Queensland Ballet
Jeunne Ballet de France
Centre de Danse Classique, Cannes, France
Chicago Dance Teachers Association
Tampa Ballet
Hartford Ballet
Ballet Hawaii
The Metropolitan Opera in New York
The United Nations
Numerous private schools and much more .

Lidice Nuñez

Lidice Nuñez was born in Havana, Cuba. She studied and graduated from the National School of Art and the Superior Institute of Art of Cuba with Honors and became a first dancer and principal choreographer at the Contemporary Dance Company of Cuba.

She studied choreography in Paris under the auspices of the Brownstone Foundation and has the Ulpam Emshej Diploma Certification from the Hebrew University. She was a guest choreographer for the Mexico City Ballet Company, which was nominated for the Lunas Awards of the National Auditorium in 2017. She is also a member of the International Dance Council CID UNESCO.

Ms. Lidice has performed and created for several International Dance and Ballet Festivals in Havana and on worldwide tours.

Some of the most important international ballet and dance festivals include:

> International Dance Festival - Sintra, Portugal

> Dance Festival of Northwestfalia - Germany

➢ International Dance Festival - NRW, Germany

> International Festival - Padua, Italy

➢ II Dance Bienal, LE FENICE - Venice, Italy

> International Dance Season at the Harbourtfront Center -

Toronto & Ottawa, Canada

> Festival Les Meridiannes Toulouse, France

➢ International Dance Festival "Itálica" - Sevilla, Spain

> Netherlands Dance Festival - The Hague, Holland International Dance, among others.

Ms. Lidice was a professor at the Superior Institute of Art and at the National School of Dance in Cuba.

She is a member of the National Council of Performing Arts and also a member of the National Union of Cuban Writers and Artists.

Recently, she was invited to teach at the Feijóo Ballet school .

She has received numerous awards, including the high distinction awarded by the Ministry of Culture of Cuba: Distinction for National Culture, in addition to the First award for choreography and interpretation awarded by the Art Criticism. Her work as a choreographer is registered in the Book of Honor of the Great Theater of Havana, awarded by a jury that was chaired by the famous Alicia Alonso.

Dancers such as,Matthew Rushing- Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater ; Miguel Altunaga-Rambert dance Company; Victor Alexander artistic director of the Ruth Page Center; Cervilio Amador-National Ballet of Cuba-Cincinnati Ballet ; Yacnoi Abreu-Ballet Preljocaj; Maray Gutiérrez- Hedwig dances ; Alexis Fernandez- La Macana; Alain Rivero- LaMov; Yaday Ponce- Carlos Acosta dance, and many others, have danced Ms. Lidice’s choreographies.

THE JURY 2022 SEASON

Antonio Marquez

ANTONIO MÁRQUEZ

World-known artistically as ANTONIO MÁRQUEZ, Antonio García Santillana, dancer, teacher, and choreographer, was born in Seville on May 24,1963. He was brought up in Ibiza, where he started dance lessons at the age of 12. In 1981, he moved to Madrid, where he still lives, and continued his training at the Escuela del Ballet Nacional de España. He became a part of this institution almost as soon as joining the company, and he advanced his career until he was promoted to Principal.

Mr. Márquez is considered the most standout male performer of Spanish Dance of the late 20th and early 21st centuries, his broad dancing knowledge and teaching skills cover the sensuality, exhilaration and “tearing” of the flamenco feeling as well as the dramatical expression of contemporary composition.

His versatility is backed up by his successful performances of a broad array of characters such as Jason in Medea or “El Molinero”, in El Sombrero de Tres Picos (The Three-cornered Hat), or his memorable performances of Don Juan, Hamlet, Don José, La Oración del Torero, Ritmos, Zapateado among others.

After a bright career as Principal with the Ballet Nacional de España and as a guest artist in Star Galas with world-known companies, he decided to form his own company, premiering in the Teatro de la Maestranza, Seville in 1995 as well as participating in the inauguration of Teatro Real, Madrid, performed in the film La Traviata in Paris, by Giuseppe Patroni Griffi directed by Zubin Mehta and produced choreographies for operas including: Carmen, La Traviata, Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Don Quixote, etc., for the Opera House of Monte Carlo, the National Opera House of Paris, the National Opera House of Hungary and the Opera House of Athens.

AWARDS. Among the many awards he has been granted, it is worth mentioning: Nureyev Award (1997, Italy); Most Valued Professional Dancer Award (1998, Spain); Best Foreign Dancer (1999, Hungary); Nijinski Award to the Best Show for Zapateado (Italy, 2000); Best Show Award at the Festival de Jerez: Después de Carmen (Spain, 2000); National Dance Award Cultura Viva (Spain, 2001); First Prize at the International Dance Festival of Jerez: Boda Flamenca (Spain, 2003); Critics Award for the Best Show at Festival de Jerez: El Sombrero de Tres Picos and Bolero (Spain, 2005); Positano Award “Leonide Massine per l´Arte della Danza” to Antonio Márquez anche il Flamenco ha la sua Stella (Italy, 2005); Tanit de la Consell de Ibiza y Formentera Award (Spain, 2006); APDE Award (2008); Actúa de Danza Award, Fundación AISGE Trust (Spain, 2018); Audience Award at Festival de Jerez 2021.

Miguel Altunaga

Born in Havana, Cuba, Miguel trained at the National School of Art in Havana. After six years with the Cuban National Contemporary Dance Company where he performed as a principal dancer, Altunaga moved to the UK and joined Rambert in 2007.
At Rambert, Miguel has performed works by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Wim Vandekeybus, Hofesh Shechter, Wayne McGregor, Gary Stewart, Merce Cunningham, Christopher Bruce, Itzik Galili , Siobhan Davies, Doug Varone, Barak Marshall, Lucinda Childs, Marion Motin, Alexander Whitley, Ben Duke, Shobana Jeyasingh, Malgorzata Dzierzon, Andonis Foniadakis, Mark Baldwin and Benoit Swan-Pouffer.
Miguel has worked with other international choreographers including Mats Ek, Steve Paxton, Joaquin Sabaté, Jan Linkens, Georges Céspedes, Julio Cesar Iglesias, Samir Akika and Exedia Dance Company (Greece).
As a choreographer, Miguel has created work for the National School of Ballet, Cuba, Danza Contemporanea de Cuba and for the bands Simply Red and The Zutons. He created Memoria for Carlos Acosta at the London Coliseum and was commissioned to create Derrumbe for Acosta’s Cubania evening at The Royal Opera House.
He was commissioned by Kevin O’Hare, Director of The Royal Ballet, to create Dark Eye for the Deloitte Ignite Festival 2014 (The Royal Opera House). In 2016 he was commissioned by the Tate Modern to create a work which was shown alongside the retrospective exhibition of Cuban artist, Wifredo Lam, and throughout 2016/2017 Miguel collaborated on a trilogy of choreographic works with German visual artist Michaela Zimmer.
He has also created five works for Rambert’s Evening of New Choreography and one of these pieces, Don’t Think About It, joined Rambert’s repertoire. In 2018 he was commissioned by Danza Contemporanea de Cuba to create a piece for the company titled Mas alla del Polvo (Beyond Dust)

Noshiro Kumiko

Kumiko Noshiro was born in Ishikawa, Japan and came to Europe at the age offifteen, studying in St Gallen, Switzerland and later graduating from Franklin College in Lugano.
Inspired by the entry of her son into professional ballet training, she became increasingly interested in the idea of opening her own school, offering intensive, high-standard dance education and in 2012 established the Munich International Ballet School in the centre of the city.
Offering vocational and pre-vocational training and staffed by experienced professional and ex-professional dancers, the school prepares talented students from Munich and overseas to audition for both professional companies and state ballet academies.
Within one year the school had celebrated its first professional alumnus , with a student being awarded a contract with Ballet Augsburg and since then, students have successfully gained entry into prestigious schools such as:
· Zurich Dance Academy
· The School of the Hamburg Ballet, John Neumeier
· The Ballet Academy of the Vienna State Opera
· The Vienna Conservatory
· The Royal Ballet School Antwerp
· The Hungarian Dance Academy

The school offers students an intensive 5-day program, which includes two hours of classical ballet, 90 minutes of pointe work and variations and a choreography-rich programme, giving the students the ability to learn from challenging and varied repertoire. There are daily stretching, pilates and floor exercise classes, as well as optional open classes at the weekend, taught by ballet professionals in a company atmosphere.
In addition to the regular program, students are given the chance to participate in workshops and classes with international guest teachers such as Roland Vogel (Princess Grace Academy Monaco), Loretta Alexandrescu (Accademia Teatro alla Scala) and international guest ballet master Yannick Boquin .
The school also provides regular opportunities to perform and due to excellent links with professionals from the Bavarian State Ballet, the students have the chance to learn from professional dancers working at the highest level.
Munich International Ballet School also hosts an annual 7-day audition workshop for both students and professionals. During this week, dancers have the opportunity to audition for seven dance directors without the need to travel between several cities.
With the additional benefit of her experience as a qualified yoga teacher, with almost 20 years experience in the health industry, Ms Noshiro is also very conscious of the health and well-being of those under her care. She attempts to give students a sense of responsibility for their own learning and to help them develop an awareness of their bodies to aid injury prevention.
Ms Noshiro continues to work constantly to maintain and improve the standard of the school and to seek out the best possible opportunities for her students.

Rodolfo Castellanos

A former dancer with National Ballet of Cuba, during his academic career he graduated as a classical Ballet dancer and ballet master at the National Arts Schools of Havana, Cuba. Some of his ballet masters were Fernando Alonso, Joaquín Banegas, Josefina Méndez and Ramona de Sáa. He graduated at the Higher Institute of Art in 1993, and he has a degree in Dance Art with a specialization in ballet in the city of Havana, Cuba. He also received the status of ballet master of the Higher Institute of Art in Havana (Cuba). He graduated from the Higher Conservatory of Dance of Institut de Teatre (Barcelona) of the Barcelona Provincial Council, specializing in Dance Pedagogy (2015). His artistic career is brilliant: he made his debut as a professional in 1973 with the National Ballet of Cuba. From 1975 to 1977 he participated in the Ballet of Camagüey. In 1977 he moved back to the National Ballet of Cuba, with Alicia Alonso as a director, where he had an ascending professional career: First Artist 1977, Soloist 1982, First Soloist 1985 and Principal Dancer 1986. His repertoire includes all the leading roles in the great romantic-classical tradition. He was invited to many dance companies as a principal dancer, and he premiered throughout America the version of the Spartacus ballet by the Hungarian choreographer Lazlo Zeregi at the Ballet of Santiago de Chile. He has shared a staged with stars like Julio Bocca, Marcia Haydee, Vladimir Vasiliev, Alicia Alonso and Paolo Bartolucci among others. He worked with many contemporary choreographers like Michel Descombey, Jhon Wisman, José Antonio or Antonio Gades, and he performed all the work from Cuban choreographers like Alberto Mendes, Gustavo Herrera or Ivan Tenorio. As a ballet master, we must underline that since 1982 he has combined being a dancer with his job as a ballet master at the Cuban National Ballet School of Havana, where he got excellent results with students, according to Carlos Acosta and Víctor Gili. In 1992 he collaborated with Ben Stevenson in the production of The Snow Maiden in Santiago de Chile. In 1994 and 1995 he worked as a ballet master and rehearsal director at the Euskadi Ballet, directed by Rafael Martí. He participated in the performance of Giselle, which is available at the Barakaldo Theatre in San Sebastián and the Fortuny Theatre in Reus. In 1995 he was guest ballet master at the Ballet Theatre of Bordeaux, in France. He was also invited to work as a ballet master and rehearsal director at the Ballet of Zaragoza, directed by Arantxa Argüelles. Since 1999 she has worked as a ballet master in the young company IT Dansa, directed by Catherine Allard.

Catherine Zuaznabar

Catherine Zuaznabar Mejias, born in Havana,Cuba
Graduate from the Cuban National Ballet School where she later joined the ranks of the Ballet National of Cuba (BNC). During 5 years of professional career in this institution, she reached the category of first soloist, playing leading roles in the classical repertoire, including her complete version of Swan Lake in 1997.
That same year, her desire to know and open herself to other horizons led her to Switzerland, where for 18 years she worked as a soloist at the Béjart Ballet Lausanne, performing great classics such as Boléro, Bhakti 3, Le teck, Seraitce la mort? among others.
After 23 years of professional career Catherine decides to pass on her knowledge and inspire new generations of dancers.
Since 2015 Catherine is a certified teacher of STRETCHING POSTURAL (R) .

Natasha Kusch

Natalya Kusch was born in Nikopol (Ukraine).
From 1998 to 2000 she started her career in Opera and Ballet Theatre in Dnepropetrovsk (Ukraine), after she moved to Vienna in order to study classical ballet with her Russian ballet teacher Shida Mubaryakova. From 2005 to 2013, she was member and soloist in the ballet of the Vienna opera under Gyula Harangozo and later Manuel Legris.
Her desire to move to Australia started when she danced the “Corsaire” pas de deux with Daniel Gaudiello at a ballet gala in 2012. In 2013, she took the first opportunity to work as a principal dancer with the Queensland Ballet under Li Cunxin. In 2015, she reached her goal to join the Australian Ballet under David McAllister.
From 2017 she is a guest artist in Royal New Zealand Ballet under Francesco Ventriglia.
Natalya has also toured internationally to Austria, Germany, Italy, Egypt, Australia, Japan, New Zealand.
Her first small roles were one of the 4 cygnets in “Swan Lake” (Nureyev), a gipsy in “Romeo and Juliet” (Cranko), Princess Stephanie in “Mayerling” (MacMillan), Olga in “Onegin” (Cranko), Blie Bird in “Sleeping beauty” (Peter Wright), Friends in “Don Quixote” (Rudolf Nurejew), Flüte solo in “Suite en Blanc (Serge Lifar), Pas de deux of “PAQUITA” (Pierre Lacotte).
Her main roles include:
“Giselle” (Elena Tschernischova), 2011, 2014, 2015
Sylphide and Effie in “Sylphide” (Pierre Lacotte), 2011, 2012
“Romeo and Juliet” (Nureyev and MacMillan), 2012, 2014
Clara and Sugar Plum Fairy in “Nutcracker” (Nureyev and Stevenson), 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, Swanilda in “Coppelia”, 2014
Hermia in "Midsummer Night Dream" (Jorma Elo), 2013
The ballerina in “The Concert” (Robbins) 2011
Odette and Odilie in “Swan Lake” (Stephen Baynes) 2016
Aurora in “Sleeping Beauty” 2015
Romola and Karsavina in “Nijinsky” (John Neumeier) 2016
Carmen in “Carmen” (Roland Petit) 2017
She also danced various neo-classical and contemporary choreographies like “Rubies” (Balanchine), “In the Night” and “Glass pieses” (Robbins), “Vertiginous Thrill” (Forsythe), “A million kisses” (Dawson), “In the upper room” (Twyla Tharp), “Symphony in three movement” (Balanchine), “Symphonic variation” (Frederick Ashton), “Symphony in C” (Balanchine).
Her most important choreographers include John Cranko, Kenneth MacMillan, Rudolf Nureyev, George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, William Forsythe, Peter Wright, Ben Stevenson, John Neumeier, David Dawson, Roland Petit.

Dennis Nahat

Dennis Nahat began his dance training at age 8 in Detroit, Michigan under the tutelage of Jeff and
Enid Ricardeau and Kay Bliss. At age 17 he was awarded a full scholarship in dance with a
minor in music at the Juilliard School of Music, studying under Martha Hill, Martha Graham, José
Limón, Donald McKayle, Anna Sokolow, Antony Tudor, and Louis Horst. Nahat was a charter
member of City Center Joffrey Ballet and later a principal dancer with American Ballet Theater. He
performed on Broadway in the original SWEET CHARITY, and HOW NOW DOW JONES
productions and choreographed, Broadway Musicals, TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA,
JUMPERS, and GOOD TIME CHARLEY along with many off Broadway musicals and stage
productions.
Nahat co-founded both the School of Cleveland Ballet (1972) and Cleveland Ballet (1976)
with the late Ernie (Ian) Horvath. Nahat later assumed sole Artistic Directorship (1983), a position
he held for 40 years. He created the longest running and most successful co-venture in the country
between San Jose, California and Cleveland, Ohio (1985). This company, previously San Jose
Cleveland Ballet was later named Ballet San Jose (2000). His choreographic credits of over 104
works extend from ballet, to Broadway, to television, to film. Nahat’s groundbreaking ballet BLUE
SUEDE SHOES, with music by Elvis Presley, was seen on PBS and received two Emmy
nominations.
He unveiled his new Theatre Ventures International School and Productions in 2012.
Nahat created an original production in China entitled YULAN, a multi-media international
extravaganza premiering in China in 2012, then in the Unites States in 2013 along with
NUTCRACKER / THE TERRACOTTA PRINCE, two moths later, also in 2013.
Currently, with Lea Vivante McKayle, Executor/Artistic Director, Nahat serves as
Associate Artistic Director/Producing Manager to THE DONALD McKAYLE LEGACY. The late
Professor Donald McKayle, recipient of dozens of honors and awards in every aspect of theater
and his illustrious career, has been named by the Dance Heritage Coalition "one of America’s
Irreplaceable Dance Treasures: the first 100." McKayle was Nahat’s mentor and teacher at the
Juilliard in 1963. From then on to today, Nahat has strives to produce his works and teaching all
the while McKayle has inspired the dance world and thousands of artists worldwide.
Through TVI, Nahat produced and stage-managed the new International Performing Arts
of America (IPAA) premiere performance in San Jose, CA on August 26, 2018 - 2021 with
formidable dancer/choreographer and new artistic director, Yang Yang. The IPAA Festival featured
diverse dance groups from America, Silicon Valley and other countries. As well, CASH was again
presented in Sacramento and Folsom, CA – created by choreographer and former ballerina,
Sunny Mitchell, this cavalcade of Johnny Cash music, dance and friends is a show stopper with
17 dancers/singers and live musicians. Country at its best!
In 2015, Nahat joined AKYUMEN Technologies, Silicon Valley’s newest hi-tech company,
producing and hosting the inaugural opening and unveiling innovative products and is
Entertainment Advisor. AKYUMEN is the world’s first Smartphone with built in Projector, and
more...
Among Nahat’s passions are dance training, cooking and gardening.

Anlin Li

Mr. Li was born in Nanjing, China. At the age of 13, he went to Beijing to study at the Beijing Dance Academy and graduated to the Young Dancers Company. He first met and worked with Ben Stevenson while he was a student at the Academy. In 1982, he joined the National Ballet of China as a soloist and danced in many cities in China, Thailand and Hong Kong. In 1985, Mr. Li was invited by Ivan Nagy to join Ballet de Santiago in Chile as a soloist and was soon promoted to principal dancer. In 1989, Mr. Stevenson invited Mr. Li to join Houston Ballet as a soloist.
During his 21-year career as a dancer, Mr. Li was featured in many of Mr. Stevenson's ballets including The Sleeping Beauty, Coppélia, Cinderella, The Nutcracker, Dracula, Three Preludes, Four Last Songs, "L," Swan Lake, Peer Gynt, Cleopatra, and Don Quixote among others. He also danced in ballets by many other choreographers including Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s Elite Syncopations, Manon, and Gloria; Ronald Hynd’s Papillon, The Merry Widow,and Rosalinda, John Cranko’s Romeo & Juliet, and The Taming of the Shrew; George Balanchine’s Serenade, Agon, Theme & Variations, and The Four Temperaments; Vicente Nebrada’s Coppelia and Doble Corchea, André Prokovsky’s Anna Karenina and The Three Muskateers, Jiri Kylian’s Sinfonietta; and Christopher Bruce’s Cruel Garden and Journey among others. In 2000, Mr. Li was named Ballet Master for Houston Ballet, and helped set and rehearse many of Mr. Stevenson's ballets. In 2003, Mr. Stevenson invited Mr. Li to be the Assistant Artistic Director of Texas Ballet Theater. He now stages and rehearses Mr. Stevenson’s ballets on Texas Ballet Theater and many other ballet companies around the world including Ballet West, Tulsa Ballet, Ballet de Santiago, Kansas City Ballet, Alberta Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet and National Ballet of China.

Giuseppe Picone

𝘈𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘰 𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢 𝘚𝘤𝘶𝘰𝘭𝘢 𝘥𝘪 𝘉𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘰 𝘥𝘦𝘭 𝘛𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘳𝘰 𝘥𝘪 𝘚𝘢𝘯 𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘰 𝘥𝘪 𝘕𝘢𝘱𝘰𝘭𝘪 𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘭' 𝘈𝘤𝘤𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘢 𝘕𝘢𝘻𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘦 𝘥𝘪 𝘋𝘢𝘯𝘻𝘢 𝘥𝘪 𝘙𝘰𝘮𝘢, 𝘢 𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘪 𝘥𝘰𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘪 𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘪 𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘦 𝘴𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘢 𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘢 𝘍𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘪 𝘦 𝘉𝘦𝘱𝘱𝘦 𝘔𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘪 𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘭 𝘨𝘪𝘰𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘦 𝘕𝘪𝘫𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘬𝘺. 𝘈𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘢 𝘴𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘯𝘦, 𝘴𝘶 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘭 𝘊𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘧𝘰 f𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘗𝘪𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘦 𝘓𝘢𝘤𝘰𝘵𝘵𝘦, 𝘥𝘦𝘣𝘶𝘵𝘵𝘢 𝘢𝘭 𝘉𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘕𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘥𝘦 𝘕𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢 𝘯𝘦𝘭 𝘳𝘶𝘰𝘭𝘰 𝘥𝘪 𝘗𝘦𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘬𝘢 𝘥𝘪 𝘔.𝘍𝘰𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘦. 𝘕𝘦𝘭 1993 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘨𝘶𝘦 𝘭𝘢 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘳𝘢 𝘢𝘭𝘭 ' 𝘌𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘕𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘉𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘥𝘪 𝘓𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘢 𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘦, a 21 anni, è 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘰 𝘪𝘭 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘮𝘰 𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘰 𝘢 far parte d𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘰𝘴𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘨𝘯𝘪𝘢 𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘭'𝘈𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘉𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘳𝘦 𝘥𝘪 𝘕𝘦𝘸 𝘠𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘤𝘰𝘯 𝘭𝘢 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢 𝘥𝘢 𝘚𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢, 𝘴𝘶𝘣𝘪𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘰𝘱𝘰 𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘰 𝘪𝘭 𝘳𝘶𝘰𝘭𝘰 𝘥𝘦𝘭 𝘗𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘱𝘦 di "𝘊𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘰𝘭𝘢" 𝘤𝘰𝘯 𝘭𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘧𝘪𝘦 𝘥𝘪 𝘉𝘦𝘯 𝘚𝘵𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘰𝘯. 𝘋𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦 𝘭𝘢 𝘴𝘶𝘢 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘳𝘢 é 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘰 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘰 𝘪𝘯 𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘵à 𝘥𝘪 𝘌𝘵𝘰𝘪𝘭è 𝘖𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘥a 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘪 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘨𝘯𝘪𝘦 𝘦 F𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘭 𝘥𝘪 𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘻𝘢 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘶𝘵𝘵𝘰 𝘪𝘭 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘰 𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘢 𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘷𝘶𝘵𝘰 𝘶𝘯𝘢 𝘭𝘶𝘯𝘨𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢 𝘥𝘪 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘪 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘰𝘴𝘪. 𝘋𝘢𝘭 2016 𝘢𝘭 2021 𝘩𝘢 𝘋𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘰 𝘪𝘭 𝘊𝘰𝘳𝘱𝘰 𝘥𝘪 𝘣𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘰 𝘥𝘦𝘭 𝘛𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘳𝘰 𝘥𝘪 𝘚𝘢𝘯 𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘰 𝘥𝘪 𝘕𝘢𝘱𝘰𝘭𝘪. 𝘐𝘯 𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘵à 𝘥𝘪 𝘊𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘧𝘰 𝘩𝘢 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘻𝘻𝘢𝘵𝘰 𝘪 𝘴𝘦𝘨𝘶𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪 𝘣𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘪;𝘊𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘰𝘭𝘢, Lo Schiaccianoci, 𝘉𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘳𝘰, 𝘓𝘦 𝘘𝘶𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘳𝘰 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘪, 𝘓𝘢 𝘛𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘯 𝘭𝘢 𝘙𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘢 𝘥𝘦𝘭 𝘔𝘢𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰 𝘡𝘦𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪.

Lorena Feijóo

Director of Pre-Professional Program
Ballet Mistress
International Ballet Star & Former Principal, San Francisco Ballet

Internationally renowned ballerina known for her impeccable technique, virtuosity and musicality. Ms. Feijóo has danced every major classical critical acclaimed role in the ballet repertoire. She has performed important contemporary works by to
day’s most influential and renowned choreographers such as Balanchine, Tudor, Forsythe, Wheeldon, Lubovich and Morris.

Ms. Feijóo regularly appears on international stage sold-out audiences including: New York, Paris, Tokyo, London and Milan. Ms. Feijóo has forged memorable partnerships with Carlos Acosta of the Royal Ballet, Jose Manuel Carreño of American Ballet Theatre and Yuri Possokhov of the San Francisco Ballet.

The key to Ms. Feijóo’s artistry is her eloquence in expressing emotion. Her performances are not merely a display of impeccable technique; more importantly, they are elevated by an uncanny display of character. She not only dances her roles, she becomes them. New York Times dance critic, Anna Kisselgoff, describes her as “a dancer of astonishing dramatic impact”. Octavio Roca of The San Francisco Chronicle remarked, “she is exquisite, sensual and simply unforgettable.”

Whether dancing classical or contemporary ballets, Ms. Feijóo infuses her unique style and presence to every role she portrays. Ms. Feijóo can dazzle with sensuality and bravura portraying Kitri in Don Quixote, or heartbreakingly seduce in arguably the richest and most demanding role in classical ballet – Giselle. Her dancing incorporates classical purity, intuitive musicality, insightful intelligence and poignant lyricism. Nothing is superfluous or superficial – she means every step.

Ms. Feijóo was born and trained in Havana, Cuba where she became Prima Ballerina at the Ballet Nacional de Cuba under the direction of legendary Prima Ballerina, Alicia Alonso. She won the Bronze medal at the International Ballet Competition in Varna, Bulgaria 1985. In 1990, Ms. Feijóo left the Ballet Nacional de Cuba to pursue other artistic opportunities. She became Principal dancer of Ballet de Monterrey (1990-1993) and The Royal Ballet of Flanders (1993-1995). In 1995, Ms. Feijóo moved to Los Angeles to help establish Ballet of Los Angeles a project that never came to fruition due to financial problems. She then joined The Joffrey Ballet of Chicago as Principal dancer (1995-1999). Ms. Feijóo joined San Francisco Ballet in 1999 as a Principal dancer under the direction of Helgi Tomasson until her retirement in 2017.

Lorena’s sister, Lorna Feijóo, also Prima Ballerina of Ballet Nacional de Cuba, joined Boston Ballet in 2003 as Principal Dancer. Together, they form the only Prima Ballerina dynasty in ballet history. Lorena and Lorna Feijóo created a sensation by performing together in Boston’s Ballet production of Swan Lake in May 2004. The sisters interchanged the roles of Odette (the white swan danced by Lorna) and Odile (the black swan danced by Lorena). The event garnered them the cover of Pointe Magazine for the May 2004 issue.

Ms. Feijóo was awarded The Isadora Duncan Dance Award in April 2004 along with her Cuban partner Joan Boada for their performance of San Francisco Ballet’s production of Don Quixote.

Lorena's artistic versatility has allowed her to transcend the ballet world. She has performed in films, theater, singing and dancing in musicals and in Television along with actor and director Andy Garcia in the film Lost City. With Rob Nielsen in Collapse and Denis Demirer in Last Girl. She premiered the play Tosca at The Geary Theater with The American Conservatory Theater, under the direction of Cary Perloff and was coached by Rita Moreno for the role of "Anita" in Jerome Robbins' West Side Story. Additionally, two episodes of the iconic Sesame Street were written for her and her sister Lorna Feijóo former Prima Ballerina of Boston Ballet. They were both invited to appear in the number one rated prime-time TV show Dancing with the Stars partnered by American Ballet & Theatre star Jose Carreño.

Ms. Feijóo is thrilled to join her sister Lorna as Ballet Mistress and Director of the Pre-Professional Ballet Program at Feijóo Ballet School. Lorena resides with her adorable daughter Luciana in League City, Texas near her sister and their mom.

Runqao Du

Runqiao Du, Founder and Artistic Director of “Runqiao Du Ballet Coaching”, an online ballet program that provides quality live ballet lessons for worldwide access. Mr. Du was born in Shanghai, China. At the age of 11, he was selected and awarded a scholarship to study at the famed Shanghai School of Dance. Upon graduating with honors, Mr. Du moved to the United States to begin his performing career with The Washington Ballet. During his nearly 20-year tenure with TWB, he performed various leading roles in classical and neoclassical ballets including Romeo in Romeo and Juliet, Albrecht in Giselle, Prince Charming in Cinderella, Oberon in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the Prince in Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty, and the Cavalier in The Nutcracker.
He also had the opportunity to dance leading roles choreographed by some of the most influential choreographers including works by Jerome Robbins, Christopher Wheelden, Nacho Duato, Mark Morris, Edwaard Liang, Septime Webre, Twyla Tharp, William Forsythe, Trey McIntyre, Lila York, and Jiri Kylian.In 2000, while maintaining his principal position with The Washington Ballet, he accepted an invitation from the legendary ballerina, Suzanne Farrell, to join her brand-new company The Suzanne Farrell Ballet as a principal dancer. Under her coaching, Mr. Du danced some of the most important works created by George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, and Maurice Bejart.
In 2008, after his illustrious performing career, Mr. Du accepted a lecturer position from the Dance Department of Towson University where he teaches Ballet Technique to the top level
BFA Majors. He also teaches Ballet Repertory, Men’s Ballet Technique, Partnering, and is the Artistic Director of the Towson Dance Company for the fall semester. In the Dance Department, Mr. Du has played a major role in cultivating an environment for male dancers. He has written a new comprehensive curriculum to train male ballet students in college. He has also developed a new course called Method of Teaching Ballet Technique as a part of the K-12 teaching curriculum.
Mr. Du joined the American Dance Institute faculty in 2009 and was the Artistic Director of the ADI School from 2010 to the spring of 2015. He also formed Ballet ADI, the resident company of American Dance Institute from 2010 to 2015. The company produced two highly acclaimed productions each year during its tenure. In 2010, he completed an entire production of The Nutcracker for the ADI School students. The school performed The Nutcracker annually at the ADI Theater as well as benefit performances at The Children’s Inn at NIH and Walter Reed Army and Naval Hospital in Bethesda MD. In 2016, as Co-Director, Mr. Du created and successfully launched ADI’s Future Artists Initiative to promote and support diversity in dance.
In 2018, Mr. Du was invited to join the renowned Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington, DC as a master teacher to teach a Career Seminar Course, Ballet Technique, and a Choreographic Composition Class to the school’s pre-Professional level and Senior level students. He became Artistic Director of Kirov Academy 2019-2021, under his direction, Kirov Academy was awarded Outstanding School at YAGP in 2020 and 2021. Mr. Du was awarded Outstanding Choreographer in 2020.
In the summer of 2018, Mr. Du was invited to participate as a master teacher in the Master Class Summer Intensive that was part of the 6th Shanghai International Ballet Competition. He taught the Senior level Men’s class and choreographed a new work for the class to be performed at the culmination of the Intensive.
Mr. Du has been a guest artist, master teacher, repititeur, and adjudicator nationally and internationally. He has choreographed over 30 classical and neoclassical works for various companies, schools, and universities, including his own version of the full-length ballet, Sleeping Beauty, Coppélia, Swan Lake, and The Nutcracker. His choreographic work has also been presented in festivals and competitions, including Youth America Grand Prix, VelocityDC Dance Festival, New Jersey Youth Ballet Competition, and the Millennium Stage at The John F. Kennedy for the Performing Arts Center.

Mr. Du is happily married to his long-time on-stage partner, Erin Mahoney Du, they are blessed with two beautiful daughters.

Laura Alonso

Laura Alonso, born in New York and is the daughter of world famous ballerina Alicia Alonso and renowned teacher and founder of the Cuban Ballet School Fernando Alonso. She herself is known as a teacher, coach and an expert at staging the well-known classics. For several years she served as the personal coach and teacher for international prima ballerina assoluta, Alicia Alonso. Dance Theatre of Harlem artistic director, former prima ballerina and former editor of Pointe magazine, Virginia Johnson, calls her an “international master teacher extraordinaire.”
Ms. Alonso was honored with an award as the best coach at the Jackson International Ballet Competition in 1990. Her student, Jose Manuel Carreno, won the Grand Prix de Ville, the highest award possible. Ms. Alonso has served as coach, jury member and teacher at the Jackson IBC and as jury member of the Concours International de Danse de Paris, France, the Alicia Alonso International Ballet Competition and other competitions around the world. A teacher of world class experience, Ms. Alonso has taught for professional ballet companies all over the world.
Ms. Alonso’s 25 year performing career with Ballet National de Cuba included soloist work in all of the traditional classics. Today she travels around the world teaching and staging the classics for pre professional as well as professional companies such as London’s Royal Ballet School and The Royal Danish Ballet.
Ms. Alonso has been guest teacher and artistic advisor of Canton Ballet since 1990 and has helped train many of our dancers through her frequent visits.
Ms. Alonso founded CUBALLET Summer Intensive in 1984. She founded and is now the current director of Centre ProDanza in Habana, Cuba.

Laura Comi

Laura Comi, conseguito il diploma di maturità classica e il diploma con passo d’addio presso la Scuola di danza del Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, dopo una tournèe in Germania e un periodo di perfezionamento presso la Compagnia londinese “English National Ballet”, entra nel Corpo di ballo del Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, arrivando a ricoprire il ruolo di Prima Ballerina Etoile.
Nella sua carriera ha danzato i maggiori titoli del repertorio classico quali: “Lo Schiaccianoci”,”Giselle”,”Don Chisciotte”, “La Bella Addormentata”, “Il Lago dei Cigni”, “Romeo e Giulietta”, “La Sylphide”, “Cenerentola”, “Raymonda”, “La Fille Mal Gardée”, “Bisbetica Domata”,”E. Onegin”,”Spartacus”,”Pas de Quattre”,”La Péri”,“Petruska”.
Ha danzato versioni moderne dei balletti: “Cenerentola” di L.Cannito,”Coppelia” di M.Bigonzetti,”Romeo e Giulietta” e “Coppelia”di A. Amodio.
Ha interpretato produzioni in omaggio a G. Balanchine danzando “I Quattro Temperamenti” (Il Sanguigno), “Allegro Brillante”, “Who Cares?”, “Apollon Musagete (Tersicore); in omaggio a V. Nijinsky “Yeux”, e in omaggio a L. Massine “La bambina americana” in ”Parade”.
Ha danzato inoltre: “Sei in movimento” di M.Bigonzetti; “Kachaturian pas de deux” di D.Allan; ”Uccello di fuoco” e “Carmina Burana” di G.Carbone; “Il Pipistrello” di R. Nunez; “Tre Preludi” di B. Stevenson; “Estri” di A.Milloss; “Ricercare a nove movimenti” e “Per Alvin” di A.Amodio; “Arlesienne” e “Ma Pavlova” di R.Petit; ”Pini di Roma” e “Blues e Fanfare” di R. North; “Vespri Siciliani” di H. Spoerli; “L’Art d’Aimer” di G.P.Aviotte; “Le Jarden Jeux d’Amour” di G.C. Maillot; “Orlando”, “Filumena Marturano” e “Gerusalemme” di L. Bouy; “Passasti al par d’amor” di L. Gay; “Girotondo Romano” e “Trilogia di Figaro” di L. Cannito.

Nel 1996 è stata nominata Prima Ballerina del Teatro dell’Opera di Roma e per tale nomina le è stato conferito dal Prof. Alberto Testa il premio “Leonide Massine” per la danza, a Positano.
Dal 2000 ha collaborato come insegnante presso la Scuola di danza del Teatro dell’Opera di Roma.
Nel 2001 ha ricevuto il premio Gino Tani, per l’interpretazione in “Romeo e Giulietta”.
Nel 2002 è stata invitata dal Teatro Comunale di Firenze per la stagione estiva.
Nel 2003 ha partecipato al Gala Internazionale “Todi Music Fest” tenutosi a Norfolk in Virginia (U.S.A.).
In rappresentanza del Teatro dell’Opera si è esibita in Brasile (Porto Alegre – B.Gonsalves).
Nel 2004 ha danzato, in tourneé con la compagnia del Teatro dell’Opera,”Il Lago dei cigni” a Piacenza presso il Teatro Municipale e a Catania presso il Teatro Massimo Bellini e “Petruska” presso il Teatro Kremlin di Mosca.
Nel 2004 è stata nominata Etoile del Teatro dell’Opera di Roma.
Nel 2004, 2005 e 2006 ha preso parte alla commedia” Il canto del cigno” con l’attore Mario Scaccia.
Nel 2005 ha danzato “Petruska” nell’antico Teatro romano di Aspendos (Turchia).
Nello stesso anno le è stato conferito, dall’Associazione Culturale “Romeo Collanti” il premio “Marforio d’oro” per la danza.
Nel 2006 ha danzato “Jeux” al Teatro Verdi di Trieste.
Nello stesso anno ha ricevuto il premio “Le ragioni della nuova politica” dall’Associazione Culturale L’Alba del Terzo Millennio.
Nel 2007 ha debuttato nella prima assoluta di “Alcyone”, spettacolo di musica, danza e prosa con Mario Scaccia; inoltre ha coreografato le scene ballate prendendovi anche parte, di Rigoletto, Traviata e Trovatore nell’ambito del Festival dei Presidi di Orbetello.
Nel settembre dello stesso anno è stata invitata a Positano alla serata “Pas de Dieux” appendice del premio.
Nel 2008 ha ricevuto, a Positano, il premio alla carriera “Leonide Massine”.
Nel 2009 ha ricevuto i premi “La Ginestra d’oro” e “Roma è… Arte”.
Nel 2010 ha ricevuto il premio “GEF” e la targa d’argento”Athena Parthenos”.
Da ottobre 2011 è Direttrice della Scuola di danza del Teatro dell’Opera di Roma

Shahar Binyamini

Is a choreographer and performer from Israel. He danced with Batsheva Dance Company from 2006 to 2013 where he performed extensively the repertoire of choreographers Ohad Naharin and Sharon Eyal, Among the works Shahar was the original cast of are; Hora, Sadeh 21, The Hole -by Ohad Naharin and Bill, House- by Sharon Eyal.
During those years in the company, Shahar began his activity as a Gaga movement language teacher. He acted as the artistic director of the Gaga intensive courses in Tel Aviv, Italy, Los Angele, New-York and Japan.
As a choreographic assistant to Ohad Naharin, Shahar is working with dance companies around the world, including Paris Opera Ballet, Ballet BC, Nederlands Dans Theater, Compañía Nacional de Danza, Finish National Opera, Gothenburg Opera house, and Bordeaux national Ballet.
After Leaving Batsheva dance company, Shahar started his international choreographic path on 2016 in Singapore, where he created his choreographic work FLAT for Frontier DanceLand.Throughout his career, Shahar was commissioned by many international dance companies and dance Institutions to create new pieces, including MENSCH (2016) For Saarländische Staattheater, LUNGS (2016) for UCLA, EMPTY3 (2017) for Ate9 and Gauthier Dance Company, PARADISO (2018) for Frontier DanceLand, VULNER (2018) for Norrdans, BALLROOM (2019) for Festspielhaus St. Polten, and I AM (2019) for Ballet du Rhin.
Since 2013, Together with professor Atan Gross from the Weizmann institute for science in Israel, Shahar established a research group of dancers, scientists and choreographers called TNUDA which are based in Weizmann institute and explore the connection between science and movement. Tnuda was also developed into a course for research students at the Weizmann institution between the years 2014-2016 which was led by Shahar Binyamini, Shani Garfinkel and prof. Atan Gross.

Carlos dos Santos, Jr.

Carlos dos Santos, Jr. is a recognized dancer, choreographer and teacher. He has performed as a principal dancer with major U.S. and Brazilian dance companies, including the Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, and DanceBrazil (US); as well as Grupo Salto, Bale Folclorico da Bahia, and Bale Teatro Castro Alves (Brazil).

Mr. Dos Santos' choreographic credits include works for Colorado Ballet, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, American Dance Festival, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, DanceBrazil, New Jersey Dance Ensemble, Festival Ballet (CA), Cassiano Ricardo Foundation, and Sesi Minas Dance Company (Brazil), Cape town dance company (South Africa) Alvin Ailey 2, Joffrey Ballet 2, Houston ballet 2, CUNY residency choreographer, WKY University Residency choreographer, John Cranko School (Stuttgart Ballet school), Blake High School, Passo De Art(Brasil), Orlando Ballet School, Dallas Conservatory, National Ballet de Sodre(Uruguay) Dallas ballet School, with Dance Brasil he has created many projects, including his latest collaboration with award-winning composer, Tania Leon.

Mr. Dos Santos has taught at dance schools, colleges and universities throughout the U.S. and abroad and has served as a jury member and resident choreographer of Youth America Grand Prix international student ballet competCape town dance company (South Africa) Alvin Ailey 2, Joffrey Ballet 2, Houston ballet 2, CUNY residency choreographer, WKY University Residency choreographer, with Dance Brasil he has created many projects, including his latest collaboration with award-winning composer, Tania Leon.

Mr. Dos Santos has taught at dance schools, colleges and universities throughout the U.S. and abroad and has served as a jury member and resident choreographer of Youth America Grand Prix international student ballet compet as well as his own solo performances around the world. For many years Mr. Dos Santos has also been a resident choreographer of Youth America Grand Prix international student ballet and contemporary dance competition, staging works for YAGP alumni currently working with ABT and annual Grand Defilés featuring up to 350 dancers.

Mr. Dos Santos has been featured in numerous TV programs as an actor, dancer and model. His TV credits include appearances on PBS (US) and SBT TV (major Brazilian TV network), as well as coverage as a performer and choreographer in news programs around the world. His acting career included “Medea Materialis” for the New York Fringe Festival, “Dream on Monkey Mountain” with the Denter Center Theater Company, “Chaplin” with the Edison Souto Theatre Group, “Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands” with the Fernando Guerreiro Theatre Group, and “Yalorixa,” a popular Brazilian soap-opera.

Mr. Dos Santos has taught at dance festivals, schools and universities around the world, including the Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble, The Ailey School, Steps on Broadway, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance School and International Summer Institute, DanceBrazil, Academy of Colorado Ballet, Wells College, New Jersey Dance Ensemble, McAllen Ballet, “Open Look” Festival in St. Petersburg, Russia, and Youth America Grand Prix Student Ballet and Contemporary Dance Competition, as well as master classes in the U.S., Italy, Switzerland, Egypt, Israel, Turkey, Czech Republic, Argentina, Brazil, and Russia.

Nelson Madrigal

Nelson Madrigal trained with the Cuban National Ballet School, under the direction of the famous Alicia Alonso. He joined the National Ballet of Cuba in 1994 where he was a distinguished Primeros Bailarines. Madrigal was a principal dancer with Cincinnati Ballet for the 2002-03 Season and then joined Boston Ballet as a Principal Dancer in 2003. Mr. Madrigal’s dancing repertoire is expansive, including every leading role in the classical ballets: Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Giselle, Paquita , La Bayadere, Raymonda, Caniparoli’s Lady of the Camellias and The Nutcracker, Bournonville’s La Sylphide, Kudelka’s Cinderella, Ashton’s La Fille Mal Gardée, Cranko’s Romeo and Juliet, Elo’s Plan to B, Eldar Aliev’s 1001 Nights, Balanchine’s Divertimento No. 15, Ballo della Regina, Square Dance, Symphony in C, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Serenade, Concerto Barocco, Coppélia, Martins’ Distant Light, Emeralds, The Four Temperaments, Jewels, Mozartiana, Stars and Stripes, Sylvia Pas de Deux, Theme and Variations, Tchaikovsky Pas De Deux, Who Cares, Twyla Tharp’s In the Upper Room, Kylián’s Sarabande, No More Play, Petipa’s The Sleeping Beauty and Le Corsaire Pas de Deux among many others. He performed Michel Fokine’s Les Sylphides, Le Spectre de la Rosa, dancing this last piece for the first time with the famous Italian Ballerina, Carla Fracci.
Mr. Madrigal was invited to dance in the Benoit de la dance at the Bolshoi Theater. Spotlighted by Lewis Segal, critic of Los Angeles Times who expressed “…pride of place belonged to Nelson Madrigal as the dancing Master for his brilliant turns and jumps, perfect clarity; whether on the ground or in the air, and disarming modesty. A dancing master indeed.” Mr. Madrigal performed with BAHBT for four seasons as guest artist and relocated from Boston to the Houston area to become BAHBT’s Ballet Master and Artistic Director. Mr. Madrigal has enjoyed creating and staging
full-length ballets for BAHBT such as Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Dracula and Swan Lake alongside Associate Artistic Director, Natalie Zundel. Mr. Madrigal has two beautiful children with wife Lorna Feijóo. Their children are the light of their lives.

Ivonne Lemus

Ivonne Lemus, current Principal Ballet Mistress of Next Generation Ballet, a
former dancer with The Royal Winnipeg Ballet and former soloist with Ballet
National of Cuba. Ms. Lemus graduated from the National Ballet School of Cuba
in 1986 and while with the company, she had the privilege of being trained by
Alicia Alonso, Josefina Mendez, Loipa Araujo, and Laura Alonso. Through Ballet
National of Cuba, Ms. Lemus participated in numerous International Ballet
Festivals and has performed in more than 30 countries including those in Europe,
South America, Australia, Asia, and the United States of America. Throughout
Ms. Lemus’s teaching career, she has coached numerous award-winning
students at various competitions, namely, 2006 Gold Medalist winner, Misa
Kuranaga at the International Ballet Competition, Jackson, MS., 2012 Grand Prix
Winner, Hannah Bettes at Youth America Grand Prix Finals, and Audience
Favorite at Prix de Lausanne, 2009 Gold Medalist Winner, Jeffrey Cirio at the
Helsinki International Ballet Competition, and 2019 Gold Medalist, Hector Jain at
ADC|IBC. Ms. Lemus’s students have also competed at Beijing International
Ballet & Choreography Competition, Dance Open America, and World Ballet
Competition. Ms. Lemus has several former students dancing professionally in
top companies around the world, including Stuttgart Ballet, Zurich Ballet, Dutch
National Ballet, Royal Swedish Ballet, Royal Ballet, American Ballet Theater,
Ballet West, Houston Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, and Miami City Ballet. As a
teacher with Next Generation Ballet, Ms. Lemus has staged many classical
works such as Swan Lake, Cinderella, Coppelia, Giselle, Don Quixote, and Le
Corsaire. Ms. Lemus was awarded Teacher of the Year 2021.

Maximiliano Guerra

Dancer Argentine, born in 1967, and belongs to a family of musicians. He began his dance studies at age 10 under the tutelage of Wasil Tupine, and expanded his training at the school of the Teatro Colon of Buenos Aires, where joined in 1979 and made his entire career. He made his debut with the Ballet Argentino of la Plata. He was a dancer of the Teresa Carreño Foundation of Caracas, and in 1985 became part of the Ballet of the Teatro Colón. In 1987, he began his international career as a guest dancer of the Ballet of Los Angeles, and a year later joined the English National Ballet Dancer as a star. Since 1991 has been guest principal dancer in various companies, including the Deutsche Oper of Berlin, of the Kirov Ballet, the Ballet of Novosibirsk, the Stanislavsky Ballet, the Scala Theatre, the Ballet of the Opera of Rome, the Universal Ballet and the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires. He won the gold medal in the category Senior of the XIII contest international of Ballet de Varna (1988)

Samantha Dunster

Samantha Dunster began her ballet training with Cristina Pora in Toronto, Ontario. Then, at age 17, she traveled to Havana to train with the National Ballet of Cuba. She continued dancing with the company of Centro Pro-Danza, under the direction Laura Alonso, where she also worked as regisseur and ballet mistress.
In 1996, Samantha accepted the position of artistic director and principal dancer of Bale da Ilha in Brazil, where she staged numerous full-length ballets. By 2000, she became ballet mistress of Orlando Ballet, where, under the direction of the late Fernando Bujones, she re-choreographed La Fille Mal Gardee for the company. In 2004, she was commissioned by Orlando Ballet to create a world-premiere production of Camelot, the success of which broke ticket sales records. In 2007, she accepted the role of assistant to the artistic director of Orlando Ballet, under the direction of Bruce Marks. The following year, the pair together staged the full-length Don Quixote.
In 2011, Samantha accepted the position of chair/artistic director of the Hartt School Community Division Dance Department at the University of Hartford. During that time, she created and choreographed two new full-length ballets: Snow White and Peter Pan with original score by Kermit Poling. She also founded the pre-professional company HarttWorks as well as created the summer ballet intensive program From Studio to Stage, which has attracted guest artistic directors such as Bruce Marks, Laura Alonso, and Angel Corella.
Samantha has danced and taught in countries all around the world, including Sweden, Argentina, and Brazil. In 2003 and 2009, she set her staging of La Fille Mal Gardee for the National Ballet of Korea and the NBA Ballet Company in Tokyo respectively. Additionally, she has staged several works of Bruce Marks, including Lark Ascending for Louisville Ballet, and, in 2010, served as the Canadian judge for the International Ballet Competition in Jackson, MS.
Samantha began her tenure as ballet mistress with Pennsylvania Ballet in November 2014 and was appointed assistant director in November 2015. Since joining the Artistic Staff, she has staged her ballets, Snow White and Prince Charming for Pennsylvania Ballet II and Peter Pan for the School of Pennsylvania Ballet. She has also appeared on stage as Carabosse in The Sleeping Beauty. She is married and has a daughter.

Niurka Naranjo De Saa

Niurka Naranjo De Saa was born in Cuba, Havana City, on January 7, 1965. Under the title of dancer-teacher, she shares her thirty-seven years of professional experience.

She graduated from the National Ballet School of Cuba (Dancer-Teacher title), she continues to Laureate at the University (Higher Institute of Art in Havana, Cuba) in the specialty of Danzario Art, with excellent teachers of experience in the national and international scope.

She performs various roles as soloist and corps de ballet of the traditional and contemporary classical repertoire, with the guidance of maitres and choreographers recognized in the field of dance, such as Ramona De Saá, Laura Alonso, Mirta Pla, Alberto Méndez, Hilda Rivero, among others.

She discovered her love for teaching from an early age and embarked on this path alongside prestigious teachers.

She began to teach at the Elementary School of Ballet in Cuba, later at the National Ballet School (intermediate professional level) and later at the Department of Specialized Teaching of the National Ballet of Cuba as a teacher. She was assigned the responsibility of teaching courses of methodology of the Cuban Ballet School in the national and international CUBALLET practical courses, under the direction of Laura Alonso. She obtained in this center the category of Maitre.

She lends her professional experience in various countries in Latin America, North America, Europe, as a guest teacher (Canada National Ballet School, Teatro Nuovo, Italy.) She is invited on several occasions to the Mercosur Dance Festivals in Brazil, Bento Con ¢ alves and Joinville, in the latter being awarded as an outstanding teacher of the festival. She has contributed to the training of dancers, who currently work in internationally renowned professional companies.

She currently works at the Teatro Nuovo di Torino (Italy), at the Liceo Coreutico Germana Erba and in her early days as Maitre de la Cía Teatro Nuovo. When the company was active, she disseminated the methodology of the Escuela Cubana de Ballet through courses organized by the Piedmont Region and the Teatro Nuovo Foundation. She was awarded the Cittadinanza Onoraria de Vignales Monferrato e Pinerolo per la Danza.

Gonzalo Galguera

Gonzalo Galguera was born in Camagüey, Cuba. He completed his education at the Escuela
Nacional de Ballet de Cuba in Havana. His professional career began with the Ballet de Camagüey
under the direction of Fernando Alonso.
As a young ballet student, Galguera created his own choreographies for the ballet school.
This was followed by engagements with the Joven Guardia (young ensemble) of the Cuba's
National Ballet under the direction of Alicia Alonso, Ballet Municipal de Lima and Ballet Clásico de
Madrid María de Ávila.
He was recruited In 1990 by the renowned choreographer Tom Schilling at the Komische Oper
Berlin (today's Berlin State Ballet). Gonzalo was artistically shaped and promoted under his
direction.
Johannes Felsenstein was able to win him over as ballet director of the Dessau Ballet in 2001.
Felsenstein granted the young choreographer artistic autonomy and development.
During this period, numerous narrative ballets, symphonic works, and contemporary pieces were
created, which gave the Dessau Ballet success and recognition.
In 2006, Tobias Wellemeyer, the former director of the Theater Magdeburg, brought Gonzalo
Galguera to the state capital's theater as ballet director.
The redesign of the Ballet Magdeburg was not limited to a specific style.
His choreographic development resulted in an extensive repertoire of classical academic narrative
ballets, ballets with literary models, symphonic and sacred works as well as abstract and
contemporary chamber pieces.
From 2015 to 2018 he was the ballet director and artistic director of the Compañía Colombiana de
Ballet (INCOLBALLET).
The company gained recognition and success through him and his works in Latin America and
Europe.
Furthermore, Gonzalo Galguera devotes himself together with his company, the Ballet Magdeburg,
to the creation of works that show his understanding of theater and dance.
Gonzalo Galguera is a jury member at many international ballet competitions in Europe and the
USA, including Danza Si (Rome, Italy), World Dance Award (Milan, Italy), Worldcoup Dance
(Venice, Italy), Dance Open (Miami, USA)
Awards

1984 2nd prize in the national chorgeography competition, Havana

1989 Best dancer at the Latin American Ballet Competition in Lima

(Peru)

1998 1st Prize Ibero-American Chorgeography Competition Madrid

(Spain)

1999 Nomination for “Best Young Choreographer” by the specialist

journal Ballett International

2009 „Magdeburger des Jahres“

2012 Honorary award of Theater Magdeburg

2014 & 2015 Award "Best Choreographer of the Year" from the French
specialist magazine Danser / recognition of his company

2017 & 2018 Nomination of Ballet Magdeburg “Company of the Year” under

the direction of Gonzalo Galguera, critics' survey

2019 Nomination for "Best Musical Production of the Year" by the
trade

journal Tanz

2021 Italian Dance Prize "The Golden Nutcracker".
Award for excellence in world dance also in Italy.

Choreographic work

11/1992 Luces del Sue, Deutsche Oper Berlin

M: Medina, S: Gonzalo Galguera; C: Gonzalo Galguera

11/1992 Poema Aparte, Deutsche Oper Berlin

M: Mickey Hart, S: Gonzalo Galguera, C: Gonzalo Galguera
05/1993 Unendliches Werden, Akademie der Künste Berlin
M: Indian Tradinional Music, S: Gonzalo Galguera, C: Gonzalo
Galguera

05/1994 Diferentes Diferentias, Akademie der Künste Berlin
M: N.W., S: Gonzalo Galguera, C: Gonzalo Galguera

11/1995 Tronic Siute, Podewil Berlin

M: W. Altmann, S: Gonzalo Galguera, C: Gonzalo Galguera

10/1997 Suite Subtil, Havanna Cuba

M: Josef Haydn/ W. A. Mozart, S: Nancy Torres, C: Gonzalo
Galguera

05/1998 Euphorion (Faust 2), Anhaltisches Theater Dessau
M: Claude Debusy, S: J. Hübner , C: J. Hübner
10/1998 Goya, Anhaltisches Theater Dessau
M: Rodrigo. e.o, S: J. Hübner, C: J.Hübner
10/1998 Dorn, Zarter Dorn, Anhaltisches Theater Dessau
M: Antonio Vivaldi, S: Jens Hübner, C: Jens Hübner.
10/1998 Pilger, komische Oper Berlin, Havanna Kuba
M: Tomas San Miguel, C: Gonzalo Galguera, S: Gonzalo
Galguera

09/1999 Bach Con-Cierto, Havanna, Kuba

M: J,S.Bach, S: Gonzalo Galguera, C: Udo Neumann
10/1999 7. Sinfonie L. v. Beethoven, Anhaltisches Theater Dessau
M: L. v. Beethoven, S: Jens Hübner, C: Jens Hübner
10/1999 Carmen, Anhaltisches Theater Dessau &

Theater St. Gallen Schweiz
M: Rodion Tschedrin, Lecuona, S: Jens Hübner, C: Jens
Hübner.

10/1999 Instante, Havanna Kuba

M: K. Bjornstedt, S: Gonzalo Galguera, C: Pascale Arndtz
04/2000 h-Moll-Messe, Anhaltisches Theater Dessau
M: J. S. Bach S: Jens Hübner, C: Jens Hübner
10/2000 Beauty Instinct, Anhaltisches Theater Dessau
M: Tecno Project, S: Jens Hübner, C: Jens Hübner
04/2001 Die Vier Jahreszeiten, Anhaltisches Theater Dessau
M: Antonio Vivaldi, S: Jens Hübner, C: Jens Hübner
04/2001 Sueños de Tango, Anhaltisches Theater Dessau &

Theater St. Gallen Schweiz
M: Astor Piasola, S: Jens Hübner, C: Jens Hübner.
2002 Sag mir nicht Adieu, Anhaltisches Theater Dessau
M: Zarah Leander, S: Juan Leon, C: Pascale Arndtz
2002 4. Sinfonie, Anhaltisches Theater Dessau
M: Antonio Vivaldi, S: Jens Hübner, C: Jens Hübner
2002 Cum Angelis, Anhaltisches Theater Dessau

M: Hildegard von Bingen, S: Jens Hübner, C: Jens Hübner
2002 Romeo und Julia, Anhaltisches Theater Dessau
M: Prokofiev, S: Juan León, C: Pascale Arndtz
02/2003 Schwanensee, Anhaltisches Theater Dessau
M: P. I. Tschaikowsky, S: Juan León, C: Pascale Arndtz
10/2003 Der Nussknacker, Anhaltisches Theater Dessau
M: P. I. Tschaikowsky, S: Jens Hübner, C: Jens Hübner
01/2004 Ausnahmezustand, Anhaltisches Theater Dessau
M: Phillip Glass, S: Juan León, C: Pascale Arndtz

10/2004 A los aires, Festival internacional de Ballet de La Habana/

Kuba
M: Narco Tango, S: Gonzalo Galguera, C: Gonzalo Galguera
01/2005 2. Sinfonie, Theater Magdeburg & Nationalballet Kuba
M: Johannes Brahms, S: Juan León, C: Pascale Arndtz

01/2005 Terra Nostra, Theater Magdeburg

M: Vicente Amigo, S: Juan León, C: Pascale Arndtz

01/2005 Cantus Perpetuus, Theater Magdeburg
M: Karl Jenkis, S: Juan León, C: Pascale Arndtz
01/2006 Maria de Buenos Aires, Theater Magdeburg
M: Astor Piazolla, S: Juan León, C: Pascale Arndtz

11/2006 Requiem, Theater Magdeburg

M: W. A. Mozart, S: Pascale Arndtz, C: Juan León
01/2007 Keine Schmerzen, Theater Magdeburg

M: Schneewittchen Musik, S: Iris Kraft, C: Frank Lichtenberg

05/2007 Aschenbrödel, Theater Magdeburg

M: S. Prokofiev, S: Juan León, C: Pascale Arndtz
02/2008 Die verlorenen Schritte, Theater Magdeburg
M: G. P. Telemann, S: Juan León, C: Pascale Arndtz
05/2008 Zweites Klavierkonzert, Theater Magdeburg

M: Dimitri Schostakowitsch, S: Jerome Kaplan, C: Jerome
Kaplan

05/2008 Seelenträume, Theater Magdeburg

M: Alfred Schnittke, S: Jerome Kaplan, C: Jerome Kaplan
05/2008 Die Schicksalssinfonie, Theater Magdeburg

M: P. I. Tschaikowsky, S: Jerome Kaplan, C: Jerome Kaplan

09/2008 Abendtraum, Theater Magdeburg

M: L. .v. Beethoven, S: Juan León, C: Dorin Gal
05/2009 Manon Lescaut, Theater Magdeburg

M: Jules Massenet, S: Jerome Kaplan, C: Jerome Kaplan

10/2009 Heilig, Theater Magdeburg

M: Franz Lizt, G. B. Pergolesi, F. Schubert, S: Juan León,
C: Julia Danilenko

11/2009 Der Nussknacker, Theater Magdeburg

M: P. I. Tschaikowsky, S: Jerome Kaplan, C: Jerome Kaplan

05/2010 Debütantenball, Theater Magdeburg

M: Offenbach, Strauß, S: Jerome Kaplan, C: Jerome Kaplan

04/2011 Stürmische Höhen, Theater Magdeburg

M: Jan Michel Schönberg, S: Juan León, C: Stephan Stanisic

10/2011 Don Quichote, Theater Magdeburg
M: L. Minkus, S: Juan León, C: Stephan Stanisc

06/2012 Bolero, Theater Magdeburg

M: Maurice Ravel, S: Jerome Kaplan, C: Jerome Kaplan
06/2012 Kubanische Ouvertüre, Theater Magdeburg

M: Georges Gerschwin, S: Jerome Kaplan, C: Jerome Kaplan

06/2012 La Consagración de la Primavera, Kolumbien
M: Carl Orff, S: Jerome Kaplan, C: Jerome Kaplan

06/2012 Carmina Burana, Theater Magdeburg
M: Carl Orff, S: Jerome Kaplan, C: Jerome Kaplan

10/2012 Sinfonía Vivante, Theater Magdeburg

M: Georges Bizet, S: Juan León, C: Stephan Stanisic

10/2012 Poem, Theater Magdeburg

M: Ernest Chauson, S: Juan León, C: Stephan Stanisic

10/2012 Studien, Theater Magdeburg

M: Erik Satie, S: Juan León, C: Stephan Stanisic
02/2013 Romeo und Julia, Theater Magdeburg

M: S. Prokofiev, S: Jerome Kaplan, C: Jerome Kaplan

10/2013 La Sylphide, Theater Magdeburg

M: Herman Lovenskiold, S: Jerome Kaplan, C: Jerome Kaplan

04/2014 Le Sacre Du Printemps, Theater Magdeburg
M: Igor Stravinsky, S: Juan León, C: Stephan Stanisic

06/2014 3. Sinfonie, Theater Magdeburg

M: Arvo Pärt, S: Juan León, C: Stephan Stanisic

10/2014 Lorca, Theater Magdeburg

M: Maria la Burra, Tania Morente, Simone Kermes, Von
Magnet, S: Juan León, C: Stephan Stanisic
04/2014 Don Quichote, Compan͂ía colombiana de Ballet/

Kolumbien
M: L. Minkus, S: Juan Leon, C: Stefan Stanisic
04/2015 Dornröschen, Theater Magdeburg

M: P. I. Tschaikovsky, S: Josef Jelinek, C: Josef Jelinek

05/2015 Miracle, Theater Magdeburg

M: tradicional egipcia, S: Stephan Stanisic, C: Gonzalo
Galguera

10/2015 Stabat Mater, Theater Magdeburg

M: Gioachinno Rossini, S: Gonzalo Galguera, C: Stephan
Stanisic

11/2015 Nussknacker, Compan͂ía colombiana de Ballet/ Kolumbien
M: P. I. Tschaikowsky, S: Juan Leon, C: Stephan Stanisic

04/2016 Coppelia, Theater Magdeburg

M: Leo Delibes, S: Juan León, C: Stephan Stanisic
10/2016 Die Wahlverwandtschaften, Theater Magdeburger
M: Franz Schubert, Thomas Duda, S: Juan León, C: Darko
Petrovic

06/2016 Carmina Burana, Compan͂ía Colombiana de Ballet/

Kolumbien
M: Carl Orff, S: Darko Petrovic, C: Darko Petrovic
02/2016 Bolero, Compan͂ía Colombiana de Ballet/ Kolumbien
M: Maurice Ravel, S: Juan León, C: Stefan Stanisic

04/2017 Le Corsaire, Theater Magdeburg

M: C. Pugni Adolphe Adams, S: Darko Petrovic, C: Josef
Jelinek

09/2017 America Noir, Theater Magdeburg

M: Aaron Copland, William Grand, S: Christiane Herscher,
C: Stephan Stanisic

04/2018 Raymonda, Theater Magdeburg

M: Alexander Glasunow, B: Darko Petrovic, K: Josef Jelínek

09/2018 Diva, Theater Magdeburg

M: Thomas Duda, Balanescu Quartet, Luca D`Alberto, S:
Christiane Herscher, C: Stefan Stanisic
04/2019 Dracula, Theater Magdeburg

M: Sergej Rachmaninow, Jean Sibelius, Ralph Vaughan
Williams, Edward Elgar, Elizabeth Maconchy, George Lloyd,
Franz Schreker und Leon Gurvitch, S: Darko Petrovic, C:
Darko Petrovic

09/2019 La Fille Mal Gardee, Theater Magdeburg
M: Peter Ludwig Hertel u. a., S: Darko Petrovic,
C: Stefan Stanisic

02/2020 Der Zauberladen/ Petrouschka, Theater Magdeburg
M: Ottorino Respighi (nach Rossini) und Igor Strawinsky,
C: Stefan Stanisic, S: Christiane Herscher

10/2021 Paquita, Theater Magdeburg

M: Edouard Deldevez, Ludwig Minkus, K: Darko Petrovic,
B:Darko Petrovic

Rosario Suarez

Regarded in Cuba as the greatest and most popular ballerina of her generation,
Rosario Suarez was universally known for the profound artistry, versatility, and innovation
with which she performed ballet repertoire. Among her many achievements, Rosario won
the gold medal at the International Ballet Competition in Varna, Bulgaria in 1970. Over
a remarkable twenty- seven year career with the National Ballet of Cuba, she performed
principal roles in over 50 countries, to worldwide critical acclaim. In 1991, the Cuban
Ministry of Culture awarded her with La Orden Por La Cultura Nacional, recognizing
and honoring her artistic achievements.
Born in Havana, Cuba, Rosario began her ballet training at the Province Ballet
School, then continuing her studies at the National School of the Arts, with teachers
Joaquin Banegas, Fernando Alonso, Alicia Alonso, Menia Martinez, Ramona De Saa,
Jose Pares, and Karemia Moreno. When Rosario was only fifteen years old, Fernando
Alonso, the director of the National Ballet of Cuba, invited Rosario to join the Company,
thus launching her nearly three-decade professional career, which included a fifteen-year
tenure as Principal dancer. Rosario was also a principal dancer of Ballet Theater of
Havana, under the direction of Caridad Martinez.
Rosario’s performances in Coppelia, Swan Lake and Giselle have brought her the
highest acclaim. However, her roles in works by Cuban choreographers, such as Tarde en la
Siesta and Rara Avis, were performances that have also been said to have set the standard
for future generations of dancers.
Rosario’s interpretation as Odette-Odile in Swan Lake at the Theater of Les
Champs-Elysees in Paris in 1983, was a highlight of her career, as well as her
interpretation of The Sylphide and The Scotsman at the International Cervantine Festival in
Guanajuato, and Giselle, at a historic performance at the Teatro Albeniz in Madrid, which
brought roaring audiences to their feet. At that time, Rosario established herself as an
artist in Spain, participating in a number of festivals and teaching throughout the city. In
2000, at the debut of Anna Pavlova: Diálogos del Alma, within the setting of the Dance
Festival of Madrid, she performed the famous Death of the Swan by Fokine. While in Spain,
she worked at the Conservatory Real in Madrid alongside Virgina Valero, as well as with
Victor Ullate, Goyo Montero, Juan Carlos Santa Maria, Raul Cardenes and Ramon
Oller, and many others.
Rosario’s career brought her to Miami, where she served on the faculty at New
World School of the Arts, under the direction of Daniel Lewis. She then established her
own company, Ballet Rosario Suarez, and an affiliated dance academy dedicated to the
preservation of the Cuban Style of Ballet. In 2002, she created her first choreographic
work, Cecilia Valdes, with great success. Her final performance took place in Miami in
2010, as the star of the ballet theater production “La Ultima Funcion,” based on a poem
by Abilio Estevez and directed by Lilian Vega. In 2012, Rosario was named one of the
top 100 Latinos in Miami with the greatest cultural impact.
Rosario’s career also took the form of film appearances, as she was featured in a
documentary directed by Marisol Trujillo, Mujer Ante el Espejo, inspired by the experience
of maternity of ballerinas; a short for the School of Cinematography, Two Gladys For You,
directed by Aaron Yelin; a documentary about Pablo Neruda, and Stolen Verses, by
Orlando Rojas. She appeared extensively, via modern interviews and archival
performance footage, in a documentary of her own life, directed by Orlando Rojas, Queen
of Thursdays, which won the award of Best Documentary at the Miami Film Festival.
Rosario is recognized as a versatile interpreter who builds her characters around
expressive musicality. Her constant search for freedom throughout the course of her
career has inspired her work, and she is an artist and performer who has reached critical
acclaim, winning over the hearts of audiences all over the world. In 2008, Rosario joined
the Miami Conservatory/Thomas Armour Youth Ballet, where she trained future
generations in her role as Ballet Mistress. She continues to travel and tour as a teacher
and coach for students internationally. Behind Rosario’s fame, experience, and technique
is an unbridled passion to affect change in her students and help them unearth their full
artistic potential.

Jennifer Kronenberg

Jennifer was born in Queens, New York where she trained with Teresa Aubel, Nicholas Orloff, Norman Walker, and Barbara Walczack; continuing her studies on scholarship at the School of American Ballet before being chosen to join Miami City Ballet as an apprentice in 1994, at the age of 17. She moved steadily through the ranks achieving the title of Principal dancer, which she held with the company from 2001-2016. She has written a “From the Heart: Why I Dance” essay, published in DANCE Magazine’s April 2011 issue, the first edition of her book entitled “So, You Want to be a Ballet Dancer?” has been published electronically by Diversion Books, and the second edition has been published in paperback by The University Press of Florida. In addition, she currently serves on the Advisory Board for Florida’s own World of Dance Magazine. Ms. Kronenberg was a regular faculty member of the Miami City Ballet Summer Intensive Program, and has been an invited guest teacher with numerous schools throughout the United States and abroad, including Conchita Espinoza Conservatory of the Arts, Ballet East, Florida Dance Conservatory, The Cary Ballet Conservatory, Ballet Concerto, Ballet Chicago, Ballet Arts of Jackson Tennessee, El Ballet de Monterrey Curso de Verano, New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, and Naples Dance Conservatory, among many others. She and her loving husband and dance partner, Carlos Miguel Guerra, are proud to be the co-Founding Artistic Directors of South Florida’s newest ballet company, Dimensions Dance Theatre of Miami.

Carlos Guerra

A native of Cuba, began his training at the Professional School of Ballet and Plastic Arts in Camaguey, Cuba. In 1996 he joined the Professional Ballet Company of Camaguey as a principal dancer and performed in such works as Swan Lake, Giselle, Carmen, Romeo and Juliet, and Coppélia, among others. He was invited to dance as a soloist for the Ballet Company of Santiago in Chile in 1998, assuming and holding the rank of principal dancer for the following two years. He participated in the International Festival of Ballet in Havana and the International Latin Gala in Asuncion in Paraguay, and was awarded first prize in the Provincial Contest at the School of Ballet in Camaguey in 1995. He also received honorable mention in 1996 at the International Ballet Competition in Havana. He came to the United States through an invitation to appear on the famous Latin television program Sabado Gigante in 2000, and just a few months later he was invited by American ballet icon Edwrad Villella to join Miami City Ballet as a soloist. He was named principal dancer in 2003, and danced with the company until spring 2016. He now proudly steps into a new role as he joins his wife and dance partner, Jennifer Kronenberg, in both the co-Founding and the Artistic Direction of their new ballet company, Dimensions Dance Theatre of Miami.

Lourdes Lopez

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Lourdes Lopez has become one of the ballet world’s most prominent and accomplished
contributors. Dance Magazine named her a 2018 recipient of its prestigious Dance Magazine
Awards, choosing Lopez for her “…admirable stewardship of Miami City Ballet, building
upon the company’s Balanchine legacy while also embracing the local culture and
community of Miami,” and as “…an exemplary leader, someone whom dancers look up to
and are inspired by.” In 2017, the magazine also named her one of “The Most Influential
People in Dance Today”.
She became Artistic Director of Miami City Ballet in 2012, bringing with her a nearly
40-year career in dance, television, teaching and arts management. As a Soloist and
Principal Dancer with New York City Ballet, Lopez danced for two legends of the art form,
George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins. Under Lopez’s direction, Miami City Ballet has
become one of the country’s premier ballet companies. According to The New York Times,
“This troupe [is] at the forefront of all those dancing choreography by George Balanchine
today…. Bold, light, immediate, intensely musical, the dancing of Miami City Ballet flies
straight to the heart.”
Born in Havana, Cuba in 1958 and raised in Miami, Lopez began taking ballet lessons at the
age of five, on the recommendation of a doctor. At the age of 11 she received a full
scholarship to the School of American Ballet (SAB), the official school of New York City
Ballet, splitting the year between Miami and New York City. At fourteen, she moved to New
York permanently to devote herself to full-time studies at SAB, and shortly after her
sixteenth birthday, joined the corps de ballet of New York City Ballet.
Under the direction of George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins, her star rose quickly at New
York City Ballet. In 1984, she was promoted to Soloist, performing countless featured roles
including Balanchine’s Violin Concerto, Liebeslieder Walzer, Firebird, Serenade, Symphony in
C, Agon, The Four Temperaments; and Robbins’ Dances at a Gathering, Glass Pieces, Fancy
Free, In the Night, Four Seasons and Brandenburg.
Upon retirement, Lopez joined WNBC-TV in New York as a Cultural Arts reporter, writing
and producing feature segments on the arts, artists and arts education. She was also a
full-time senior faculty member and Director of Student Placement, Student Evaluation and
Curriculum Planning at New York’s Ballet Academy East. She served on the dance faculty of
Barnard College and guest taught at numerous dance institutions and festivals in the
United States.
In 2002, Lopez became the Executive Director of The George Balanchine Foundation,
which works to educate the public about dance and to further the art of ballet, with a
special emphasis on the work and achievements of George Balanchine. In this position, she
oversaw the 2004 Balanchine Centennial Celebration, a worldwide festival honoring the
choreographer and his legacy. Lopez co-founded The Cuban Artists Fund, which supports
Cuban and Cuban-American artists in their endeavors.
In 2014, Lopez was elected to serve on the Ford Foundation’s Board of Trustees and is
presently starting her second term, marking the first time an artist was elected to serve on
its board. In 2011, she received the prestigious Jerome Robbins Award for her years in
dance. She has served as a dance panelist for the National Endowment for the Arts.
In 2017, she received an award from the American Immigration Law Foundation honoring
Cuban Americans for their accomplishments and contributions to American society. She
also co-founded Morphoses with Christopher Wheeldon in 2007—a New York-based dance
company aiming to revitalize dance through innovative collaborations with important
artists from the worlds of music, visual arts, design, film and fashion; and by inviting
younger and broader audiences to engage in and actively experience dance.
In 2019 she was honored with Ballet Hispánico’s “Toda Una Vida” Lifetime Achievement
Award and in 2021 she was awarded the prestigious “Una Vida para la Danza (A Life for
Dance) by the International Ballet Festival of Miami.
Lopez is married and is the mother of two daughters, Adriel and Calliste.

THE JURY 2021 SEASON

OUR 2020 DISTINGUISHED JURY PANEL

International Dance Competition

JUDGES

THE JURY 2023 SEASON

THE JURY 2022 SEASON

THE JURY 2021 SEASON

OUR 2020 DISTINGUISHED JURY PANEL