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Message @artsballetApril 27, 2025(Amaturo Theater)Broward Center for the Performing ArtsApril 26, 2025Aventura Arts &Cultural CenterPROGRAM IVSPRING GALA

Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida is a 501 c 3 non-profit organizationArts Ballet Theatre of Florida relies on the support of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners, the Broward County Cultural Division, the Cultural Council, and the Broward County Board of County Commissioners, and with the support of Arts Access Miami at The Miami Foundation, Funding Arts Broward, the National Endowment for the Arts, Citizen Interested in Arts, The Children Trust, the Walmart Foundation and The City Coral Gables.WE ARE PROUD OFOUR SPONSORS

Lewis ThalerSharon Miller PresidentMarialva ValeraTreasurer Ada ValienteLeslie Rozencwaig Fortuna LudmirAnna SolorzanoCriseida WenderbergDevorah SashaSecretaryLisa StarkLesly SimonNina AllenDorothy BarrieRafaela DulantoGary PyottVice - PresidentJosiePodesta Soto Miguel FerroBOARD OF DIRECTORSBOARD OF DEVELOPMENTHONORARY FOUNDINGBOARD MEMBERSADVISORY BOARD

ARTISTIC DIRECTORVladimir IssaevBALLET MISTRESSMary Carmen CatoyaCOMPANY DANCERSMatthew Bryce, Yoichi Habaguchi, Rena Iwasaki, Kuan Lun Li, Sara Marlin,Suzuka Matsumoto, Yuzuka Matsumoto, Ataru Matsuya, Kazusa Murayoshi,Saaya Okada, José Luis Pechené, Matteo Rollini, Louise Rigby,Yayoi Sasaki, Seiga Sato, Zoárd Szabó, Remina Tanaka,Urara Tsukamoto, Kirsty Walker, Clarence Wong.JUNIOR CORPS: Putri Gobel, Mayu Kanazawa, Indira MayraniMayuko Nono, Zara Scott, Gai Suehiro, Kanon Tanaka.ADMINISTRATIVE STAFFExecutive Director & Development Ruby Romero-IssaevAdministrative DirectorOperations and Patron EngagementRicardo MontealegreLía AranguibelEDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, FACULTYVISCB Director Giselle DeyáElla GarcíaArts Ballet Goes To School Youth Arts AdvocateKirsty WalkerOutreach Coordinator (summer) Patricia Laine &Isabella KennedyMaster Classes Vladimir IssaevGiselle DeyáPianists Milagros Tejas Remina Tanaka Teresa ValdiviaPRODUCTION CREWTechnical Crew SeamstressStage Manager Gunilla AlvarezGladys SanabriaLighting Designer and production manager Bobby BrinsonAventura Arts & Cultural CenterBroward CenterPhotography Patricia LaineVideo Carlos OchoaGraphic Designer Anastasia RomeroArts Ballet Theatre of Florida does not discriminate on the basis of any race, color, gender, marital status, age, sexual orientation, disability, religious preference and national or ethnic origin.@artsballet #ABTFSeason2024-25

Ballet Master, Choreographerand Artistic Director.Vladimir Issaev was born in Russia in 1954. His career started at the age of 11 at the Choreographic School of Voronezh. After working as a ballet dancer at the Opera House of Ufa and at the Opera House of Odessa, he received his masters degree from the “Gitis State Institute of Arts in Moscow” as Ballet Master and MasterChoreographer with the highest honors in 1986. He held the position of Academic andArtistic Director at the “Choreographic School of Frounze”, in the former Soviet Union. In 1987, he worked as Ballet Master and Regiseur for Ballet Metropolitano de Caracas and ayear later for Ballet Nacional de Caracas, directed by Vicente Nebrada, where he worked formore than ten years, teaching and coaching the principal dancers of the Company for theirsoloist classical roles. During his extensive career as a Choreographer and Ballet Master,Issaev has had the opportunity to work with many prestigious dancers and directors suchas Papa Beriozoff for Don Quixote, having Julio Bocca and Eleonora Cassano as soloists;Alla Sizova, Alla Osipenko, Tatiana Terekhova and Irina Kolpakova. He has also been invitedas a guest Ballet Master by several companies such as Le Jeune Ballet de France, BalletNacional de España, Les Ballet Jazz de Montreal, Orlando Ballet among others. UntilAugust of 2002 he held the position of Ballet Master at the Miami City Ballet School. As aChoreographer, he has staged several ballets in Russia, the Puerto Rico, Peru, Japan andVenezuela. Mr. Issaev was the recipient of the “New Choreographer Award” for his piece“El Encuentro” at the Dance Under the Stars Choreography Competition in Palm Desert,California. In June of 2005 Ballet Concierto de Puerto Rico presented the premiere ofIssaev’s work “Doctor Ouch!“, a ballet in two acts based on the story of Korney Chukovskiywith great success restaging it in 2007. In 2004, Vladimir Issaev staged “ShostakovichSuites” for the Voronezh Choreographic School in Russia. An invitation from Prima BallerinaAltanay Assylmuratova, director of the Vaganova - Kirov School of Ballet in Saint Petersburgfollowed to stage a Ballet for the graduating students joining the Mariinsky (Kirov) BalletCompany. This choreography premiered in March of 2006 at the Mariinsky Theater in SaintPetersburg, Russia. Due to its success this choreographic work was presented again in Juneof 2006. Vladimir Issaev belongs to the Artistic Advisory Council for the Classical DanceAlliance. He is recipient of the Honorable Merit Diploma from the Terpsihora Foundationfor the Advancement of the Arts of Dance of Saint Petersburg, Russia, in recognition forhis outstanding performance enhancing the art of classical ballet on the Vaganova Stylein the United States. He has also been awarded with the National Foundation for theAdvancement in the Arts award as the most influential Ballet teacher. Mr. Issaev was also awarded in 2009 as Best Arts Educator of the State of Florida bythe Florida Alliance for Arts Education. He has been Artistic Director of the InternationalBallet Competition in Caracas, Venezuela; Artistic Director of the Russian Ballet of SouthAfrica and International Ballet Competition in Lima, Peru. In January of 2011 his balletStone Flower was premiered in Nagoya, Japan with tremendous success and the greatestreviews. In 2013, two new ballets were premiered in Japan during the Aichi TriennialFestival and resented by the Michiko Matsumoto Ballet: Polovetsian Dances and thepremiere of Firebird. Mr. Issaev has been invited to present his dancers and choreographies in Poland, Germany, Peru, Indonesia and most recently he had the honor to teach Master Classes at the Beijing Ballet Academy and has been named Artistic Director of the Asia Ballet Academy in Malaysia. Maestro Vladimir Issaev has been recently awarded “A Life for Dance” at the InternationalBallet Festival of Miami for his long lifetime achievements in Ballet. He received a recentProclamation from Mayor Daniella Levin Cava declaring June 11, Vladimir Issaev’s Dayand he received a recognition from the Department of Cultural Affairs from the Peruvian government in Lima for his contribution to the ballet in Peru.Mr. Issaev is considered one of the top ballet masters and choreographers world wide. VLADIMIR ISSAEV

Prima Ballerina and Ballet MistressMARY CARMEN CATOYAPrima ballerina of Miami was born in Venezuela. She began her training at the age of six in Caracas and began her professional career at the age of 13. She danced with the Youth Ballet of Venezuela, the Contemporary Ballet of Caracas, Cleveland Ballet and as a principal with the National Ballet of Caracas, where she was coached and trained by Ballet Master Vladimir Issaev. She danced as a principal at the Miami City Ballet from 1999 to 2015. Her repertoire includes works of George Balanchine, Vicente Nebrada, Dennis Nahat, Alberto Mendez and Vladimir Issaev. Ms. Catoya has danced extensively abroad at many festivals and galas, including an international gala before the King and Queen of Spain, the inauguration of the Theater Simon Bolivar in Brazil, Dance Aspen, and the Gala of Stars at the Festival International de Santander and was the prima ballerina responsible to open the Arsht Center in Miami with her interpretation of Don Quixote. She has also dancer at the Gala Night at the Mikhailovsky Theater in Saint Petersburg, Russia and at the Orlando Competition Gala of the Stars. She has danced with both Taras Domitro and Daniel Sarabia in Queretaro, Mexico and with Rolando Sarabia at the Fire Island Festival in New York City. In July 2011 she was the prima ballerina for Les etes de la Danse at the theatre du Chatelet in Paris with Miami City Ballet. She received the award “Premio Casa del Artista” as Best Classical Dancer of theYear in 1999 and Premio Municipal de Danza 2002 as best dancer. Mary Carmen have been coached and trained by remarkable artists such as Jose Pares, Vicente Nebrada, Vladimir Issaev, Rafael Portillo, Zane Wilson Karelia Moreno,Elena Madan Vera at the Ballet Nacional de Caracas, Dennis Nahat at ClevelandBallet, Ileana Lopez, Violette Verdy, Jean Pierre Frohlich, Maria Cagliari, Mary Ashleyand Edward Villella at Miami City Ballet. Most recently she performed in Poland, Mexico, Peru and Indonesia next to her ballet master Vladimir Issaev. Ms. Catoya is principal dancer and also the Ballet Mistress of Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida since 2015. VISCB SCHOOL DIRECTORGISELLE DEYÁBorn in Havana, Cuba, Ms. Giselle embarked on her ballet journey at the age of 9 at the Alejo Carpentier Ballet School, later graduating with honors from the National Ballet School of Cuba. Mentored by renowned instructors such as Fernando Alonso, Ramona de Saa, and Loipa Araujo, she joined the National Ballet of Cuba in 1998, showcasing her talents in classical roles.Earning honors in 2006 from the Higher Institute of Art of Cuba, Ms. Giselle’s expertise extends to teaching, where she became a faculty member at the National Ballet School of Cuba. Her teaching repertoire includes ballet and pointe techniques, variations, pas de deux, character dance, ballroom dance, and repertoire. She played a crucial role in launching Guidance Vocational Workshops, contributing as a Professor of Methodology.Ms. Giselle has shared her knowledge globally, coaching students for international competitions and working as a repertoire teacher in Cuba and Mexico. She became Ballet Mistress at The Ballet Art School in Belize and, from 2010 to 2016, led the Bhakti Victor Ullate School in Spain, serving as Head of Studies and personal assistant to Master Ullate, while also being Ballet Mistress for the Victor Ullate Ballet Company.Her career includes staging numerous classical productions like Graduation Ball, Giselle, Coppelia, Don Quixote, Swan Lake, and Sleeping Beauty. In 2016, Ms. Giselle assumed the role of Ballet Mistress and Director at the Vladimir Issaev School of Classical Ballet, bringing her wealth of experience and artistry to shape the next generation of dancers.

MEZZOSOPRANOGREISEL DOMINGUEZGreisel Dominguez began her professional studies in Cuba at the Instituto del Arte, where she formed the Coravila Chorale. Upon arriving in Miami, she continued her studies at the New World School of the Arts and private lessons with Maestro Hilda del Castillo, TheOpera Atelier and Manny Perez. Ms. Dominguez enjoys a succesful career as choir director, chorus master, soloist and music and voice teacher. She has conducted ensembles, such as the Pro-Arte Gratelli Chorale, Coral Cubana, The Opera Atelier, Florida Opera Prima Choir, Musicall . In 2017, she co-founded Voices of Miami with Marilin Cruz and Aimee Fiuza. Voices of Miami is a non-profit company formed by soloists, with a wide repertoire of opera, zarzuela and oratorio. She has co-directed the Barry University Choir in a performance of Rossini’s Stabat Mater, Carl Orff's Carmina Burana and recently joined the South Florida Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Sebrina Alfonso for the Messiah Oratorio. Ms. Dominguez and VOM have organized two important choir festivals, in 2018 and 2022. For the past 15 years, Greisel has maintained a private studio as Choirmaster and Soloist. Her experience as mezzo-soprano includes performances of operatic roles, including Leonora in La Favorita, Cherubino in Le Nozze di Figaro, Amnina and Flora in La Traviata, Carmen in Carmen, Amneris in Aída, Isabella in L’italiana in Algeri, Azucena in Il Trovatore ,among others. Her Zarzuela roles include Luisa Fernanda, and others. PIANISTIn collaboration withDANIEL DAROCADaniel Daroca is an artist who expresses himself as a pianist, writer, and composer. His musical credits include the Casals Festival in Puerto Rico, and recitals in Taiwan, Austria, Spain, Puerto Rico, New York City and Miami. Educated at the Manhattan School of Music, the Folkwang Universität der Künste in Essen, and the Konservatorium Wien Privat Universität, Mr. Daroca is the recipient of an Alban Berg Stiftung fellowship, a fellowship of the Viennese Musical Institutions of Higher Learning, and a Rotary Foundation scholarship. Mr. Daroca is the Musical Director of The Opera Atelier and La Zarzuela. Among his original works, the operas The Not so Little Prince (2019), and Frau Haydn in Trouble (2023) deserve mention; notable plays include A Night in Paris with Chopin and Malibran (2015), and Máquinas del recuerdo (2023).

Music: Cesare PugniChoreography: Arthur Saint-Léon Saaya Okada and Remina TanakaCorps:Rena Iwasaki, Louise Rigby or Mayuko Nono, Kirsty Walker, Urara Tsukamoto Indira Mayrani and Yoichi HabaguchiorPutri Gobel and Zoàrd SzabòLa Traviata pas de deuxMusic: Giuseppe VerdiChoreography: Vladimir Issaev PART IMARKITANKA (La Vivandière)LA TRAVIATALA FAVORITAWith the participation and collaboration ofThe Opera Atelier“ Fia dunque vero - O mio Fernado” (Recitativo, aria et cabaletta)Mezzosoprano: Greisel DomínguezPianist: Daniel DarocaDonizetti VariationsFrom The Opera La Favorita (1840)Music: Gaetano DonizettiChoreography: Vladimir IssaevMatthew Bryce, Yoichi Habaguchi, Rena Iwasaki, Mayu Kanazawa, Kuan Lun Li, Sara Marlin, Suzuka Matsumoto, Yuzuka Matsumoto, Ataru Matsuya, Indira Mayrani, Kazusa Murayoshi, José Luis Pechené, Matteo Rollini, Louise Rigby, Seiga Sato, Gai Suehiro, Zoàrd Szabò, Kanon Tanaka, Remina Tanaka, Urara Tsukamoto, Kirsty Walker, Clarence Wong.

Music: Riccardo DrigoChoreography: Vladimir Issaev / Pas de Deux: Marius PetipaCostume Design by Jorge Gallardo / Masks by KarnevalSets by Bobby BrinsonLighting Design by Vladimir Issaev & Bobby Brinson PART IIHARLEQUINADECassandro, a stern and wealthy man, wishes to marry off his beautiful daughter, Columbine, to the rich but dull Alessandro. However, Columbine’s heart belongs to the playful and clever Harlequin. Determined to keep them apart, Cassandro locks Columbine away and entrusts the key to her chamber to his servant, Pierrot. But in a mischievous twist, Pierrot’s companion, Pierrette, seizes an opportunity and steals the key, allowing Columbine and Harlequin to reunite in a joyous dance of love.Their happiness is short-lived, as Cassandro’s loyal servants intervene and cruelly hurl Harlequin to the ground, leaving him seemingly lifeless. Just as all hope seems lost, the Good Fairy arrives, accompanied by a legion of Harlequins, and miraculously revives him with her magic. When Cassandro returns and witnesses the ensuing chaos, he calls for a Notary to immediately arrange Columbine’s marriage to Alessandro.Desperate and unwilling to lose his beloved, Harlequin pleads for the Good Fairy’s help. With a swirl of magic and trickery, the stubborn Cassandro and Alessandro are whisked away, leaving the bewildered Notary to mistakenly wed Columbine and Harlequin instead. As the joyous couple celebrates their triumph, the entire town joins in the revelry, dancing and rejoicing in the triumph of love and laughter.Harlequinade is a delightful homage to the timeless world of La Commedia dell’Arte, where wit, magic, and romance reign supreme.SYNOPSIS

The ServantsPenelope Aguilera-Lujan, Ella Garcia, Sophia Torrens, and Christopher NoelOne Million HarlequinsItzuri Arrieta, Ginalda Joseph, Alexandra Mizrahi, Natalia Mizrahi, Ruth Pierre, Ivanna Polonio, Jayne Previlus, Natalia Rios, Vanessa Rosabal, Lainey Seror, Sophia Scheer, Vivian Shamosh, Michelle Shaposhnikov, Sofiia Sukhina, Ella Taranto, Armila Tavgazova, and Arslan Shamsutdinov, Juan Torres, Brandon BaldomeroCASTHarlequin: Ataru MatsuyaColumbine: Kanon TanakaPierrot: Yoichi HabaguchiPierrette: Suzuka Matsumoto or Yuzuka MatsumotoThe Fairy: Saaya OkadaHer Companion: José Luis PechenéAlessandro: Seiga SatoFather Cassandro: Clarence WongThe Notary: Matthew BrycePas de SixPutri Gobel or Kazusa Murayoshi, Mayu Kanazawa, Sara Marlin, Indira Mayrani, Urara Tsukamoto, Kirsty WalkerThe TownKazusa Murayoshi, Remina Tanaka; Zara Scott, Zoàrd Szabò; Mayuko Nono, Kuan Lun Li; Rena Iwasaki, Matteo Rollini; Louise Rigby, Matthew BryceSuzuka Matsumoto or Yuzuka Matsumoto, Gai SuehiroAnd proud students of Vladimir Issaev School of Classical BalletPenelope Aguilera-Lujan, Luna Aranguren, Marina Artiukhova, Samantha Barake, Sophia Bauza, Farrah Bensalah, Romy Breton, Isabella Cabrera, Kaylee Cabrera, Natasha DeMier, Penelope Elias, Emily Gallego, Ella Garcia, Elise Garver, Christopher Noel, Sashka Saintil, Sofi Elis Shmytova, Clara Strassnig, Sophia Torrens

Mr. Bryce received his formal ballet education at the Alberta Ballet School and later became a Trainee at the Alberta Ballet in Canada where he is from. In addition to his classical ballet training, Mr. Bryce s currently studying a degree in Film Scoring from the Berklee College of Music. He is a pianist and a music composer. He joins Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida as a Company Artist for the 2024/2025 season.Mr. Habaguchi began his formal dance education at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy under the direction of Marina Leonova. He later moved to Canada to join Alberta Ballet School, where he graduated. Mr Habaguchi joined Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida in 2023 and has since performed leading roles in our productions of The Nutcracker, Le Papillon, and Petrouchka, amongst others.Ms. Iwasaki comes from the Perm State Choreographic College where she trained for the three years before graduating in 2023. In 2020 she won 2nd Place at the Prix du Japan and in 2022 she was awarded First Place in the Japan International Ballet Festival. Rena joined the company in 2023 and has since been promoted to the company artist. Her repertoire with the company includes Danzon, Inspired by love, The Nutcracker, Le Papillon, Klimt, and others.Ms Marlin began her training at Vladimir Issaev School of Classical ballet at the age of 4. As a student of the school, she performed in many of the company’s productions such as The Nutcracker, Coppelia, Firebird, and Fairy Doll among other classical and neoclassical pieces as well as attending many ABTF summer intensive programs. She has traveled with the company to participate in various renowned dance festivals in Germany, Poland, and Peru and participated in various ballet competitions around Florida. She became an Apprentice of Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida in 2019, following her graduation and was subsequently promoted to the corps de ballet in 2022. Since joining the company Sara has performed soloist roles in our productions of Tarde en la Siesta, Doble Corchea, Danzon, The Nutcracker, Pentimento, and Suite of Waltzes alongside many others.Mr. Li was born in Taiwan. He received his early training at the Tainan Municipal School. Mr. Li, later moved to Washington, District of Columbia where he continue to train and subsequently graduated from the Kirov Academy of Ballet. He has been a guest dancer for the Tainan City Ballet, the Mariinski and the Ballet Nacional de Cuba. He joins the Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida as a company artist for the 2024/25 season COMPANY DANCERSMATTHEW BRYCEYOICHI HABAGUCHIRENA IWASAKIKUAN LUN LISARA MARLIN

Suzuka Matsumoto began her early training at the Ashiya Dance Studio in her native Japan, before joining the Perm State Ballet School in Russia where she continued her formal training. Suzuka Matsumoto then went on to train at the European School of Ballet in Amsterdam – The Netherlands before joining Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida as an apprentice in 2023. Suzuka was subsequently promoted to Company Artist and her repertoire includes soloist roles in The Nutcracker, Le Papillon and Klimt, amongst others.Yuzuka Matsumoto was born in Hyogo, Japan, where she began her early ballet training at Ashiya Dance Studio. She then went on to continue her training at the Perm State Ballet School in Russia for two years before joining the European School of Ballet in The Netherlands. Yuzuka joined Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida as an apprentice in 2023 and was promoted to Company Artist in 2024. Since joining the company her repertoire has included Inspired by love, Petrouchka, Danzon, and Klimt as well as soloist roles in Four Seasons, The Nutcracker and Le Papillon.Mr. Matsuya was born in Japan and began his early training at the Lucia Ballet School at the age of six. He was later accepted at the Pôle National Supérieur de Danse Rosella Hightower in Mougins, Cannes – France where he graduated in 2022. Mr. Matsuya received Bronze Medals at the Hatsukaichi International Ballet Competition and the Youth America Grand Prix – Japan, as well as,was Silver Medals at the Kobe All Japan Dance Competition and the Miami International Ballet Competition. Mr. Matsuya has also performed as a guest artist in Medellin, Colombia in 2022. Since joining the company in 2022, Ataru’s repertoire includes leading roles in pieces such as Le Spectre de La Rose, Le papillon, The Nutcracker, Pentimento, and Chipollino. Ms. Okada was born in Japan. She began her ballet training at the age of five with Reiko and Rie Matsuoka and performed in many of their original pieces with Reiko Matsuoka Ballet Company. Ms. Okada also trained at Ayano Tsuchiya's Ballet Studio and danced with Ballet Theatre UK before joining Orlando Ballet School in 2019. During this time, she had the opportunity to dance with Orlando Ballet Company in Victoria Morgan's Cinderella and Robert Hill’s The Nutcracker. Saaya has competed at multiple international competitions, winning the silver medal at Miami International Ballet Competition, third place at the World Ballet Art Competition in Canada, and ranking in the top 12 at the Youth America Grand Prix. Ms. Okada has performed many principal and soloist roles with Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida since joining in 2021. Among them: The Sugarplum Fairy in The Nutcracker, Farfala in Le Papillon, Winter in Four Seasons, Ballerina Doll in Petrouchka, and Spring Waters Pas de Deux.She was born in Japan. Ms. Murayoshi attended the Elmhurst Ballet School in Birmingham, England under the directorship of Robert Parker. She later attended the European School of Ballet in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. During her time in Amsterdam, she had to opportunity to take intensive courses with Balanchine Trust Répétiteur Suki Schorer and Claude Bessy, former Director of the Paris Opera Ballet School. She joins Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida as a company artist for the 24/25 season. SUZUKA MATSUMOTOYUZUKA MATSUMOTOATARU MATSUYAKAZUSA MURAYOSHISAAYA OKADA

Mr. Pechené began his formal training at INCOLBALLET in Cali – Colombia where he graduated. He then went on to train at Danso and Fort Lauderdale Youth Ballet before receiving a full scholarship to attend the Summer Intensive Program at The Rock School for Dance Education in Philadelphia. Mr. Pechené was awarded 1st Place in the Universal Ballet Competition Regionals in Fort Lauderdale and 1st Place in the Youth American Grand Prix Semi Finals in Boston, both in the Senior Male Division Classical. Before joining the company in 2023 José Luis was a member of Philadelphia Ballet II. Since he joined the company his repertoire has included leading roles in Inspired by love, Le Papillon, Danzon, Four Seasons and Petrouchka. At an early age, he began his intensive training at the Royal Ballet School in London, where he completed the Foundation and Development Programmes at the White Lodge. Mr. Rollini continued his training at the Kings International Ballet Academy in Leicester and his final four years at the Moorland International Ballet Academy before joining us for the 24/25 season. He received a Diploma in Dance Education by the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing. Ms Rigby began her formal training at Tring Park School for the Performing Arts, where she studied for 8 years until she graduated in 2021. Following her graduation, Louise joined the Graduate program and Northern Ballet, where she performed alongside the company in many of their productions and national tours. Prior to joining Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida as an Apprentice in 2022, she performed with the Le ballet du Capitol Toulouse in their production of Giselle. Ms Rigby was promoted to Company dancer in 2023 and her repertoire includes Doble Corchea, Pentimento, and Le Papillon, as well as soloist roles such as Countess Cherry in Chipollino, and The Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker amongst others. Since joining the company Louise also had the opportunity to perform with English National Ballet in their production of Swan Lake in-the-round.Mr Sato graduated from the Hungarian Dance Academy in Budapest – Hungary, where he received a full scholarship from the government sponsored program. He has competed in multiple international competitions, receiving the bronze medal at Miami International Ballet Competition, a Scholarship Award at the Youth America Grand Prix and First Place at the Tokyo Ballet Competition. Seiga joined the company in 2022 and has since performed in many of our productions such as Chipollino,DobleCorchea, The Nutcracker, Danzon, and Taiko.Ms Sasaki was born in Miyagi, Japan. Her early ballet training started at the Company Bona Terra. She then went on to train at the New Zealand School of Dance where graduated in 2019. Ms. Sasaki has won many awards including the Sendai Mayor Award 1st prize in 2015 and 2016, The Gailene Stock Memorial Young Dancer Award, and the Incentive Award at the Educational Ballet competition in 2018. She was the finalist at the Japan Grand Prix in 2021 and won 1st prize at Miami International Ballet Competition in 2023 and 2024. Prior to joining Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida in 2021 she danced with Fort Wayne Ballet. Since joining the company Ms Sasaki’s repertoire has included soloist and principal roles in Coppelia, Tarde en la Siesta, Pentimento, Chipollino, Le Corsaire, Four Seasons, and The Nutcracker, amongst others. She has also performed at the International Ballet Festival in Barranquilla, Colombia and the Miami Dances Festival in 2023JOSÉ LUIS PECHENÉMATTEO ROLLINILOUISE RIGBYYAYOI SASAKISEIGA SATO

Mr Szabò comes from the Opera Krakowska in Krakow – Poland, where he was a professional ballet dancer since 2021. Mr. Szabò received his early formal training at the Hungarian Dance Academy prior to receiving his Bachelor Degree in Classical Ballet from Ballett-Akademie der Hochschule für Musik und Theater in Munich – Germany. Since joining Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida in 2023 his repertoire includes: Danzon, The Nutcracker, Le Papillon, Klimt, and others. Was born in Sendai, Japan. His early ballet training started at Soki Ballet International, under Kenichi Soki and Kumi Soki. He also trained at Academié Princesse Grace in Monaco and San Francisco Ballet School. In 2019, he joined Orlando Ballet where he was part of their productions of Vampire’s Ball, The Nutcracker, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Moulin Rouge, Peter Pan, and The Robert Hill Collection. He also performed as a pianist with Orlando Ballet in the production of Vampire’s Ball, Uncorked, Ballet Ball and The Robert Hill Collection. Since joining Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida in 2021, Mr. Tanaka has performed Vladimir’s Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux , Coppelia Pas de Deux and Le Papillon Pas de Deux at the International Ballet Festival of Miami, and soloist roles in productions such as The Nutcracker, Le Spectre de la Rose, Le Papillon and Coppelia. He has also performed at the International Ballet Festival in Barranquilla, Colombia and the Miami Dances Festival in 2023Ms. Tsukamoto comes from the Alberta Ballet School in Calgary – Canada, where she was part of the Trainee Program on full scholarship, awarded by the Youth American Grand Prix. She has competed in multiple international competitions including winning First Place at the National Ballet Competition in Tokyo and Hirakata, the European Ballet Grand Prix in Vienna, the World Art Ballet Competition and the bronze medal at Miami International Ballet competition. Ms. Tsukamoto joined Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida in 2022 and among others has performed soloist roles in The Nutcracker, Four Seasons, Doble Corchea, and Pentimento.Mr. Wong graduated from The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts where he received a Bachelors Degree, majoring in Classical Ballet under the Gifted Young Dancer Program. He began his formal education at The Commonwealth Society of Teachers of Dancing and at The Royal Academy of Dance. In 2021 Mr. Wong received a Gold Medal at The 49th Open Dance Contest. Since joining the company in 2023, Mr Wong has performed in many of our productions including leading roles in Danzon, Le Papillon, and Petrouchka. Born in the United Kingdom, Ms. Walker trained full-time at Elmhurst Ballet school for 8 years under the direction of Robert Parker and Desmond Kelly. Following her graduation from Elmhurst in 2019, Kirsty joined Orlando Ballet as a Trainee where she performed alongside the company in productions such as Victoria Morgan’s Cinderella and Robert Hill’s Vampires Ball, The Nutcracker and Requiem. Kirsty joined Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida in 2021 and has performed in many of our productions including soloist roles such as Consuelo in Tarde en la Siesta, The lady in Le Spectre de la Rose, the title role in The Firebird and others. REMINA TANAKAURARA TSUKAMOTOKIRSTY WALKERCLARENCE WONGZOÀRD SZABÒ

Comes from the Indonesia Dance Company. Ms. Gobel graduated from the Marlupi Dance Academy in Jakarta, Indonesia where she is from. She received a Bronze Medal at the Malaysia International Ballet Grand Prix in 2017, the First Place at the Asian Grand Prix International Ballet Competition in 2018 and the First Place at the Youth American Grand Prix Regional Jakarta in 2022. She joins Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida as part of our Junior Corps for the 2024/2025 season.She began her training at a very early age at the Tateda Ballet Studio in her native Tokyo, Japan. She continued her formal training at the Victoria Academy of Ballet in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada where she graduated in the Spring of 2024. During her time as a student, she was able to complete and receive certifications at different levels within the Cecchetti educational program. Ms Kanazawa joins the Junior corps of Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida for the 24/25 season.Ms. Mayrani trained at the Marlupi Dance Academy in her native Indonesia, under the directorship of Founder Marlupi Sijangga and Fifi Sijangga with faculty member Claresta Alim, former dancer at Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida. She graduated from The Australian Ballet School where she spent the last three years of her formal training. In 2019 she received the Grand Championship Medalist Award at the Japan Ballet Competition and in 2021 she was awarded a Gold Medal at the Dance Prix Indonesia. Indira joins the Junior Corps of Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida for the 2024/2025 season. She received a Bachelor Degree with Honors from the Central School of Ballet in London and later completed the Graduate Programme at the Northern Ballet in Leeds, England. At the Youth American Grand Prix Japan 2018 she received and later attended the intensive course offered by the Alberta Ballet School, Canada in 2019. She joins the Junior Corps of Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida for the 2024/2025 season.Ms. Scott comes from Elmhurst Ballet Company after completing a few years of training and graduating from Elmhurst Ballet School under the directorship of Robert Parker. She had the privilege of dancing the title role of Cinderella with Birmingham Royal Ballet in England. She joins Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida as a member of our Junior Corps for the 2024/2025 season.Comes from The Dallas Conservatory under the directorship and training of BJJ, MMA and ballet star George Birkadze in Dallas, Texas where he trained from 2021. Mr. Suehiro received his early training at the Naomi Funatsuki Ballet studio in his native Japan. In 2023, he won the Second Place at the Washington District of Columbia Grand Prix. He joins Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida as part of our Junior Corps for the 2024/25 season.Ms. Tanaka began her early training at the Tchaikovsky Memorial Kyoto Ballet in her native Japan, where she stayed for 13 years. She continued her formal education at the Houston Ballet Academy in Texas. In 2019, she won Second Place at the Japan Grand Prix. Ms Tanaka joins the Junior Corps of Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida for the 2024/25 season. JUNIOR CORPSPUTRI GOBELMAYU KANAZAWAINDIRA MAYRANIMAYUKO NONOZARA SCOTTGAI SUEHIROKANON TANAKA

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