Associate Lighting Supervisor ..... Dio Raquel Jr.
Production Swing Nichole Pollack Manager of Patron Services Alec Speers
Assistant Manager of Patron Services .............................. Tina Carroll
Assistant Manager of Patron Services Lonnie Goertz
Assistant Manager of Patron Services .............. Savannah Rose Parker
Analyst, Sales & Customer Support .................... Kristin Fortuna
Marketing & Social Media Coordinator Natalie Bollinger
Marketing Account Manager Erika Nelson
Graphic Designer Krissi Kugler
Web Designer ......................... David Sponseller
Lead Housekeeper ....................... Victoria Doss
Ad Sales ... marketing@significantproductions.org
SIGNIFICANT PRODUCTIONS BOARD
President .................................................................................................. Elliot Sussman, MD, MBA
Vice President ..................................................................................................... Marcus Bridgewater
Treasurer
Secretary
Board
Donna Taylor
Elizabeth Constant
Jason Goedken
WHITNEY MORSE on
The Sharon®L. Morse
PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
Dear Patron of the Arts,
Welcome to The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center!
This year marks a very special milestone—10 years since The Sharon first opened its doors. What began in 2015 as a bold dream has grown into a vibrant home for live performance, rooted in the adventurous and artistic spirit of my grandmother, Sharon L. Morse.
Over the past decade, we’ve been honored to earn your trust, show by show, standing ovation by standing ovation. Whether you’re here tonight to experience a beloved Broadway tour, a favorite artist, or something entirely new, know that every performance has been thoughtfully curated by our passionate team of artists and arts administrators.
As we celebrate our first ten years, we’re also stepping into an exciting new chapter: The Sharon is now proudly powered by Significant Productions, a registered nonprofit dedicated to creating meaningful, memorable arts experiences in our community. With this new foundation, we’re not only preserving what makes The Sharon special, we’re building toward a future filled with bold ideas, diverse stories, and even more opportunities to surprise and delight you.
Thank you for being part of this journey. We’re so glad you’re here. Enjoy the show, and here’s to the next ten years of discovery, connection, and applause.
See You at The Sharon,
Whitney Morse
Founder & Artistic Consultant
Significant Productions
ART. ARTISTS. AUDIENCE. SIGNIFICANT PRODUCTIONS (SIGPRO) is a Non-Profit arts organization that operates The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center (The Sharon) & The Studio Theatre Tierra del Sol (The Studio).
OUR MISSION; SigPro cultivates a diverse collaborative community with a focus on artists' well-being that strives to provoke thought and spark conversation through high quality performing arts.
OUR TEAM MEMBERS
We believe that fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace is essential for the creation of exceptional art. Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion extends to our employees. This ensures every individual who contributes to our productions feels valued and empowered. We actively promote a workplace culture that embraces differences and encourages collaboration among our diverse team of artists, technicians, administrators, and volunteers.
Thank You
FOR SUPPORTING SIGNIFICANT PRODUCTIONS
STANDING OVATION
$2,022 A YEAR
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DEDICATIONS
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Thank you to our Vibe Setters and anonymous donors.
PRIVATE BOX experience
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THE NUTCRACKER
THE NUTCRACKER
Sponsored in part by The PNC Foundation It’s just not the Holidays without the Nutcracker!
Welcome to Judge Silberhaus’s festive Christmas party! His daughter Clara is given a fantastic Nutcracker Doll by her mysterious Uncle Drosselmeyer. She is enchanted by the gift. But in a fit of jealousy her mischievous brother Franz breaks the doll. Almost magically her Uncle Drosselmeyer’ s handsome nephew fixes the toy! After such excitement, she falls into a restless sleep, dreaming of a fierce battle between an army of toy soldiers and huge wicked rats. The Nutcracker soldier battles the Mouse King, and is saved at the very last moment by Clara, who fells the wicked Mouse with her shoe. Lo and behold, he is the handsome nephew!
To thank her for saving his life, he takes her on a wonderful journey.
They travel through the Land of Snow to the Kingdom of the Sweets where the beautiful sugar Plum Fairy reigns over wondrous sweets from different lands.
As the Sugar Plum Fairy and her court wave goodbye, Clara’s Uncle Drosselmeyer mysteriously appears with the magical Nutcracker.
Alas, it was all a dream. But was it?
by Johnston Photography
Photo
THE NUTCRACKER
CREATIVE STAFF
Music .................................................................................................. P.I. Tchaikovsky
Choreography ............................................................................................. Kim Tuttle
Light Design ...................................................................................... Robert P. Robins
Clara, their Daughter ................................................................................. Leah Perine
Franz, their Son ........................................................................................... Kai Cuevas
The Nanny .............................................................................. Ashley Brooke Valladon Uncle Drosselmeyer............................................................................... Tony Mancuso
His Nephew, the Nutcracker .................................................................... Stirling Kolb
Paloma Berjano, Beatriz Correa, Marilyn Deiorio, Marite Fuentes, Emilia Leon, Beatriz Povoas, Rachel Ridley, Alison Tucker
INTERMISSION
Act II
The Kingdom of the Sweets
The Sugar Plum Fairy & Cavalier
Rosemary Deiorio & Tales Ribeiro
Clara & The Nutcracker Prince ......................................... Leah Perine & Stirling Kolb
Divertissements
Chocolate from Spain .......................................... Soloists Rachel Ridley & Jose Ramos with Paloma Berjano, Beatriz Correa, Marite Fuentes, Alison Tucker
Coffee from Arabia .......................................................Emilia Leon with Roberto Vega Tea from China .... Beatriz Povoas & Tenki Nomura with Ribbon Girl Marilyn Deiorio
Variation .................................................................................................... Mr. Ribeiro
Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy .................................................................. Ms. Deiorio
Coda ............................................................................... Ms. Deiorio and Mr. Ribeiro
Final Waltz ............................................................................................. The Company END
ABOUT DANCE ALIVE NATIONAL BALLET
Dance Alive National Ballet, a Florida based professional ballet company, is one of the premier touring companies in the United States. The Company features an international roster of award winning dancers. Elegant and exciting, they are at the heart of the company’s undeniable success. DANB’s repertoire ranges from the quintessential classic, ‘the Nutcracker’, to the cutting edge movement of contemporary ballet. Throughout this choreographic tapestry are woven the ballets of founders
Artistic Director Kim Tuttle and Resident Choreographer Judy Skinner whose distinctive artistic styles brand the company. Entertaining and insightful, provocative and joyous, Dance Alive National Ballet is a company for the ages.
DANB has toured the Continental United States, Cuba, Russia, Brazil and Costa Rica and virtually in Japan, and is represented by Siegel Artist Management.
“ admire the exquisite combination of techniques….the tradition of the Bolshoi, the spirit of jazz and the sensuality of modern dance in a first class spectacle.”
La Nacion, Costa Rica
STAFF
Artistic Director/Founder, Kim Tuttle
Resident Choreographer/Founder, Judy Skinner
Executive Director, Tim Cannon
Public Relations, Susan Scannella
Assistant Artistic Director, Andre Valladon
Ballet Masters, Jose Ramos, Andre Valladon
Company Choreographers, Jose Ramos, Tales Ribeiro
Technical Directors, Robert P. Robins; Gerard Hale, III
Stage Manager, Tim Cannon
Resident Lighting Designer, Robert P. Robins
Technical Consultant, Todd Bedell
Guest Set Designers, Carlos Asse, Paul Costanza, Matt Pollard
Technical Assistant, Victor Mancuso
Costume Designers, Chris Takashima, Rebecca Flake
Nutcracker Student Costumes, Claudia Norden
Composer in Residence, Stella Sung
Conductor, Raymond Chobaz
Medical Consultants, Dr. Anthony Mancuso; Dr. Kevin Vincent
Physical Therapist, Claudia Senesac
Videographer, Houston Wells, Philip Marcel
Sound Studio, Skylab
Studio Photographer, Johnston Photography
Performance Photographers, Ani Collier, Caroline Murray, Monica Sue Nielsen
Director of Grants, Ronda Bourn
Marketing & Communications, Darcy Herlihy
Office Manager, LaTrinda Perry
Outreach Director, Emily Pozek Dixon
Administrative Assistant, Rosemary Deiorio
Graphic Designer, Hector Del Valle
ABOUT DANCE ALIVE NATIONAL BALLET
Social Media Manager, Caroline Murray
Social Media Specialist, Beatriz Povoas
Web Consultant, Aaron Hall
Consultant, Linda Rocha
Accounting Firms, Kattell & Company, James Moore & Co.
Education consultants, Jean Reid
Web Design, Gainesville Dev Academy
Photography, Johnston Photography CAB Liaison, Carol Velasques-Richardson
Soloists: Paloma Berjano, Luan Brito, Beatriz Correa, Marilyn Deiorio, Tucker Gokey, Stirling Kolb, Marite Fuentes, Emilia Leon, Alison Tucker
Corps de Ballet: Ellie Aponick, Sophia Borchardt, Leo Cuevas, Jaylina Farberow, Madison Gaston, Luna Hassikawa, Lia Issakov, Christine Johnson, Adalay Luetgert, Victor Mancuso, Leah Perine, Eva Vakusich, Maureen Ventresca, Olivia Wood
Apprentices: Kendall Barnett, Eva Cancellieri, Iolanthe Cushman, Irma Impink, Bailey Thomas, Esther Thompson, Yaqi Song
Guest Artists: Nicole Assaad, Sterling Baca, Tim Cannon, Tak Kwan Chu, Ani Collier, Stephon Johnson, Mark Lowe, Tony Mancuso, Oksana Maslova, Marianna Mancuso, Norbert Nirewicz, Luana Rayssa, Keith Scheaffer, Sarah Beth Thompson, Tevfik Vatansever
~Exclusive Tour Representation~ Siegel Artist Management, LLC; www.siegelartist.com
Pofahl Studios is the Official School of Dance Alive National Ballet
Dance Alive National Ballet is funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency in partnership with the Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture. DANB is a registered 501C-3 not-for-profit organization. A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained by calling (800)4357352. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval or recommendation by the State.
Born in Brazil, Ms. Amâncio trained at the Grupo Corpo Ballet School until joining Ballet Cristina Helena where she was a featured soloist. Ms. Amâncio was then invited to join Sesiminas Dance Company where she performed as a principal dancer until beginning a freelance career as guest artist. She performed Diana and Acteon in Havana, Cuba at the Closing Gala in 1997. In 1998, she participated at the Brasília Dance Congress where she got from professor and director, Michael Birkmeyer, a scholarship to study for 6 months at his school in Vienna, Austria. Ms. Amâncio was awarded 1st Place at the III Junior Capezio Festival, Brazil, 1st, and 2nd places at the CBDD Unidança Competition, Brazil, and Finalist at the Concours International de Danse de Paris, France. She has danced the roles of Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, ‘Lady Bug’ in Ladybug: Action Hero, Carmina Burana, Phantom, Dracula, Carmen, Esmeralda, Le Corsaire, La Bayadere, Coppelia, Don Quixote, Diana and Acteon, Giselle, and is a featured artist in numerous ballets by Dance Alive National Ballet choreographers Kim Tuttle and Judy Skinner. Carla has toured extensively including North Ossetia, Russia. She is a bravura dancer that captivates audiences throughout the world. Currently Carla is a Principal Dancer with Dance Alive and teaches at Pofahl Studios.
ROSEMARY DEIORIO
Rosemary DeIorio grew up in Ocala, FL training both in Ocala and at Pofahl Studios in Gainesville. Later she was invited to train at the Harid Conservatory year-round, where she received three years of rigorous Vaganova ballet training as well as Spanish/ Flamenco, Character, Modern, and Jazz. She enjoyed dancing roles such as Waltz Soloist and Mirlitons in The Nutcracker, Raymonda, Giselle friends, and corps works in Le corsair, as well as in modern pieces by choreographers Mark Godden and Lauren Carey. Rosemary graduated Valedictorian and with the Fred Lieberman Award for Excellence. Since joining Dance Alive in 2019, Rosemary is incredibly grateful to be performing both classical contemporary works such as Swan Lake Pas de Trois, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Nutcracker pas de deux, and Lady in Red in Carmina Burana, that continue to challenge her not only as a dancer, but as an artist.
TENKI NOMURA
Mr. Nomura is a bravura technical dancer trained in Japan. He won a silver medal in the 2016 Tallin Ballet Competition and gold in the 2017 World Ballet Trial in Tokyo. He won gold medals in the 2017 Japan Estonia International Ballet Competition and at The Ballet Competition Osaka. In 2018, Mr. Nomura participated in the USA International Ballet Competition, and in 2019 he won a silver medal at Valentina Kozlova International Ballet Competition. His repertoire includes Alan in ‘La Fille Mal Gardee, all of the
PRINCIPAL DANCERS
major classical pas de deux and male variations in the classical ballet repertoire. He has performed in the Shiki (Japan) Theatre Company’s production of ‘An American in Paris’, with choreography by Christopher Wheeldon. Mr. Nomura’s work ethic is something to be admired and proves itself with his technical proficiency and amazing stage presence.
BEATRIZ POVOAS
Born in Brazil, Ms. Povoas joined DANB in 2016 as a welcome addition to the company. She has participated in numerous ballet competitions (Argentina, Berlin, Brazil). Ms. Povoas was awarded at 1st place and 2nd place on Passo de Arte Belo Horizonte, finalist in the YAGP Brazil, 4th place on Tanzolymp Berlin, “Best Dancer” at Festival Nacional de Dança de Cabo Frio and more. She has worked professionally since 2015 at Ballet Marcia Sampio/ Cabo Frio-Rio, Cia Jovem de Ballet de Rio de Janeiro, and Sesiminas Dance Company since 2013. Featured roles with DANB include Don Quixote, Esmeralda, Flames of Paris, Harlequinade, Constellations, Who Speaks, Requiem, and The Ring. Ms. Povoas is a petite dancer with a bright stage presence.
JOSE ANTONIO RAMOS, CHOREOGRAPHER
Jose Antonio Ramos started his dance studies in 1985, in the Provincial School of Arts of Matanzas, Cuba, moving up eventually to the Havana National Ballet School and graduating in 1993. As a professional dancer and ballet teacher, he joined the National Ballet of Cuba where in 1996 he was promoted to soloist. In 1998 he defected to Brazil where he joined the Sesiminas Dance Company, as a principal dancer. He won a gold medal at the Festival de Dança de Joinville, and in 2000, he won gold medals in The Brazilian Dance Competition and Capezio National Ballet competition. He was also a chosen Brazilian representative at Concours International de Danse de Paris. In January 2006, Mr. Ramos was hired by Deborah Colker Dance Company in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where he worked as a dancer and subsequently ballet master. In the years 2014 and 2015, Mr. Ramos worked with Sesc Dance Company in Belo Horizonte, and Ballet de L’Opera National du Rhin in Mulhouse, France as a ballet master. By the end of 2015 he returned to Deborah Colker Dance Company as a dancer and teacher where he often coordinates, choreographs, and teaches at the most renowned schools of the region. Jose brings strong sense and knowledge of dance to Dance Alive.
PRINCIPAL DANCERS
TALES RIBEIRO, CHOREOGRAPHER
Tales Ribeiro was born in Brazil and trained at Studio Arte Danca in Divinópolis. He participated in numerous ballet competitions both nationally and internationally including Passo de Arte Internacional, Festival de Internacional de DanÇa Goias, Passo de Arte Grand Prix, and Festival de DanÇa de Joinville, of which the last two he excelled winning first, second, and third prizes. Additionally, he has received special awards such as “Best Dancer” in five different competitions between 2017 and 2019. He joined the Jazz Company Emaline Laia in 2018 as a soloist where he performed for a year before joining Dance Alive. In February 2024 he choreographed and performed “At First Sight” for DANB which premiered at UF’s Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Mr. Ribeiro has been promoted to Principal Dancer for his fourth season with DANB and teaches contemporary dance and ballet at Pofahl’s Studios, and he also serves as a Co-Director and Choreographer for Dance Alive’s student performing group The Next Generation.
RACHEL RIDLEY
Trained at Pofahl Studios, the Official School of DANB, since the age of 5. Ms. Ridley studied various styles including classical ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, and hip-hop. She extended her studies through summer programs with Orlando Ballet, ABT, and the Radio City Rockettes. Ms. Ridley started performing and traveling with DANB since the age of 10. She has performed in DANB’s production of The Nutcracker since she was a child, and has toured with DANB performing in Don Quixote, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Robin Hood, Balanchine’s Allegro Brillante, Lady Bug: Action Hero, Cinderella, Rhapsody in Blue, Bolero, Scheherazade, Requiem, Phantom, and Carmina Burana among others. She currently teaches various classes at Pofahls Studios and is the Co-Director of the Next Generation, the student performing company. Ms. Ridley has a degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and is a practicing Speech Therapist. Her grace, beauty and innate musicality makes her a dream for choreographers to work with, and her lovely stage presence makes her an audience favorite.
ANDRE VALLADON, ASSISTANT ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Mr. Valadon joined DANB in 2007. He studied at Studio de Danças Cristina Helena in Brazil before joining, first Grupo Corpo Brazilian Dance Company and then Companhia de Dança do Palácio das Artes where he became Principal Dancer. In 1995, he represented Brazil at the International Dance Competition in Osaka, Japan where he received the “Lift Prize” and a contract with Jeune Ballet de France where he danced for a year before joining Ballet du Rhin for a year. Mr. Valladon was then invited to join the Rio de Janeiro Municipal Theatre Ballet, for the next 7 years, as Principal Dancer. In 2005 he assumed the role of Maître de Ballet at Sesiminas Dance Company where he also
PRINCIPAL DANCERS
acted as principal dancer which was his last post in Brazil before joining DANB. Mr. Valladon has been awarded several gold medals, Revelation Prize, Character Dance Revelation Prize, and Grand Prix at the Festival de Dança de Joinville. He has also been awarded Gold Medal in classic and contemporary at the Brazilian Dance Council Competition, Lift Prize and the International Dance Competition in Japan, and finalist in the USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Mississippi, and Concours de Danse de Paris, France. Mr. Valladon has danced principal roles in all the timeless classical ballets and is a descriptive and inventive contemporary dancer. Roles created for him at DANB include principal roles in Robin Hood, L’Amour, Choices, Phantom, Constellations, Vampyra, ‘Bottom’ in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Tango, Fused Tutu, Nessum Dorma, and Raindrop Prelude. Mr. Valladon’s technical virtuosity and mature artistry are a remarkable inspiration to dancers and audiences around the world.
ASHLEY BROOKE LUNN VALLADON
Among other awards and prizes from multiple competitions, Ashley Brooke Lunn Valladon received 1st place, silver medal, and a full scholarship to study at AIC in Florence, Italy from the World Ballet Competition. From there she graduated and proved mastery in classical ballet and multiple modern techniques. She went on to be a soloist and principal dancer at Moravian-Silesian Theatre in the Czech Republic and later Slovak National Theatre in Slovakia, with which she toured Europe, the United States, and Canada. Currently, she is a principal dancer with Dance Alive National Ballet in Gainesville where she excels in neoclassical and modern expressive works.
ROBERTO VEGA
Mr. Vega joined DANB in 2015. Prior to joining DANB, Mr. Vega was first soloist with the Cuban National Ballet. Mr. Vega has performed as soloist and first soloist with ballet companies all over the world, among them companies in the Dominican Republic, Canada, Nicaragua, Spain, Italy, Mexico, England, France, Australia, Puerto Rico, and the United States. He has danced leading roles in Giselle, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Don Quixote, Nutcracker, Coppelia, Theme and Variations, Napoli, La Fille Mal Gardee, Time Out of Mind, and Flames of Paris among others. Featured and principal roles at DANB include the Firebird in Gerard Ebitz’s Firebird, all principal roles in The Nutcracker, A Haunted Swan Lake, Corroboree, The Ring, Lady Bug: Action Hero, ‘Puck’ in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, L’Amour, and Don Quixote. Mr. Vega is a virtuosic and versatile dancer and has a beautiful daughter, Valeria.
PALOMA BERJANO
Paloma, a native of Spain, comes to Dance Alive National Ballet after 5 years dancing as a member of the prestigious Philadelphia Ballet. A lyrical and musical dancer, she excels in both classical and contemporary works. Before joining the Philadelphia Ballet Paloma was a member of the Larreal Professional Dance Conservatory of Mariemma, Madrid, Spain, dancing principal roles from ballets such as Don Quixote, Swan Lake, Les Sylphides, Nutcracker and many more. She has been finalist in several dance competitions, including Youth American Grand Prix in both the USA and Spain, World Dance Fair, Dance World Cup Final and Confederation National de Danse Concours National Lyon (France).
LUAN BRITO
Luan Brito was born in Brazil. He began his studies and graduated from Mainara Albuquerque. He participated in numerous contests and competitions, including Prix de Lausanne-selective Uruguay, Tanzolymp, Berlin, Joinville Dance Festival, YAGP-Brazil and Brasilia International Seminar among others. He won numerous awards such as Best Dancer and Outstanding Dancer while receiving scholarships to companies and schools in USA, Canada, Portugal, Holland, Switzerland, Italy and Egypt. He has danced leading roles in Don Quixote, Le Corsaire, The Nutcracker, Paquita, Raymonda and Sleeping Beauty among others. Mr. Brito joined DANB in 2022. He is a superb partner as well an explosive dancer with endless power and effortless physicality.
BEATRIZ CORREA
Born in Brazil, Beatriz graduated from the Balé Jovem de São Vicente, Brazil. She participated in numerous national and international ballet competitions such as Festival de Dança de Joinville, Tanzolymp, Passo de Arte Grand Prix, and Youth America Grand Prix and others. She has received first, second, and third place awards as well as special awards such as “Best Dancer”. Through these competitions she was also selected for various summer courses. Additionally, she was selected to dance in festivals Concurso Internacional de Bailando de Porto and European Ballet Grand Prix in Vienna. In 2019 she had the opportunity to participate in the esteemed Academie de Danse Princess Grace summer intensive. Beatriz is a lovely dancer and looks forward to extending her repertoire with Dance Alive.
SOLOISTS
MARILYN DEIORIO
Marilyn DeIorio grew up in Ocala, FL training both in Ocala and at Pofahl Studios in Gainesville, as well as summer intensives at various locales. With her long-limbed beautiful line, and technical strength she quickly moved into pre-professional training, and subsequently joined Dance Alive as a soloist in the fall of 2021.
Ms. DeIorio has performed in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Lady Bug: Action Hero, and particularly loves classical roles such as Lilac Fairy from Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker. After her first season with Dance Alive, she has proven her skill in both neoclassical and contemporary works as well.
MARITE FUENTES
Ms. Fuentes started her artistic education at the Elementary Ballet School of Havana in 2006 and in 2010 danced in The Nutcracker with the Cuban National Ballet. After graduating, Ms. Fuentes danced professionally with the Cuban National Ballet Company for 8 years performing classical and contemporary roles on tours to Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Mexico, El Salvador, United States, Spain, France and China. In 2022, she was invited to dance the role of Snow Queen in The Nutcracker for Ruth Page Center of Arts, returning in their 2023 production as the Snow Queen and Dewdrop. Ms. Fuentes has also performed in Paquita and La Fille Mal Gardee with the Cuba Classical Ballet of Miami and was invited to perform with DANB in last season’s performance of Swan Lake. Ms. Fuentes is thrilled to join DANB as Soloist this season.
TUCKER GOKEY
Tucker Gokey was born in Vermont and raised in Ocala, FL. He grew up dancing in Ocala and trained extensively at Pofahl Studios, the Resident school of Dance Alive National Ballet, from ages 11 to 14. He then began traveling and working around the United Sates assisting choreographers in creating dances and teaching classes for competition team schools. He was a competitive dancer and won dancer of the year at the Streetz dance convention, and consequently traveled with them throughout the US as an assistant. He won First Place at Radix in Los Angeles Cal. Since then he has been based in Chicago working in the contemporary art form. This is Tucker’s first season with Dance Alive National Ballet, and he brings an outstanding stage presence and athleticism to his dancing. Tucker says “now I am at Dance Alive National Ballet and couldn’t be more happy!” He is also now an instructor at Pofahl Studios. Dance Alive is extremely fortunate to have such a versatile and talented young artist in our roster.
STIRLING KOLB
Stirling Kolb began his training at Pofahl Studios at the age of 8 where he was trained in all styles of dance. Stirling performed with Pofahl Studio’s Next Generation in pas de deux roles in Les Sylphides, Blue Bird from Sleeping Beauty, and Coppelia. He also performed with Dance Alive National Ballet in their productions such as Ladybug: Action Hero, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Firebird, Wonderment, and Carmina Burana. Stirling was privileged to perform the principal role of the Nutcracker Prince in The Nutcracker. Stirling has also danced with the Sarasota Ballet Margaret Barbieri Conservatory as a trainee where he performed a piece choreographed by Sarasota Ballet’s Luis Gonzalez.
EMILIA LEON
Emi began her dance career with Pofahl Studios at age 9. There she trained in a variety of styles including ballet, tap, jazz, and contemporary. She has danced and toured in many of the Dance Alive performances since she was young including A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Lady Bug: Action Hero, and The Nutcracker. As she grew, she came to perform professional roles in Dance Alive’s productions. Emi has attended summer intensives including Orlando Ballet, Alonzo King Lines Ballet, and Kansas City Ballet where she was exposed to additional diverse styles and esteemed teachers. Since joining Dance Alive, Emi has expanded her repertoire to include Don Quixote, Swan Lake Pas de Trois, and Carmina Burana, as well as contemporary and neoclassical works. Emi is a versatile, spirited performer and is delighted to follow the footsteps of her father who danced with Dance Alive as part of his professional career.
HERNAN MONTENEGRO
Hernan Montenegro was born and raised in Santiago, Chile, where he graduated from the Escuela de Ballet del Teatro Municipal de Santiago. At the age of 16, he won a silver medal at the Lima International Ballet Competition and a contract with Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida where he danced as a principal dancer for 3 years. In 2016 he joined Ballet De Santiago where he had the honor of dancing principal and soloist roles in ballets such as Raymonda, Firebird, The Magic Flute, Taming of the Shrew, Romeo and Juliet, Onegin, among others.
In 2020 Montenegro moved back to the United States where he worked as a principal guest artist and teacher for Utah Metropolitan Ballet, Southwest Virginia Ballet, Virginia National Ballet, and Star City School of Ballet.
In 2021 he joined American Repertory Ballet under the artistic direction of Ethan Stiefal and Gillian Murphy. There, he had the honor of performing principal roles and several world premiers.
SOLOISTS
In 2022 he joined State Street Ballet where he had the opportunity to tour nationally and internationally.
In 2023 Hernan performed with Ballet Five Tokyo before joining The Royal Ukrainian Ballet as a soloist for a tour of Mexico, Poland, Amsterdam, and Belgium. In 2024, Hernan danced for Hong Kong Ballet and Hong Kong Disneyland, before returning to his home Country of Chile to dance with Ballet De Santiago for several programs.
ALISON TUCKER
Alison began dancing at the age of four in Ocala, FL where she trained in various styles including ballet, contemporary, and jazz. Dancing classics such as Giselle, Sleeping Beauty, and Swan Lake, Alison’s artistry deepened in classism. During her training she attended summer intensives at Florida State University, Next Generation Ballet at the Straz, and was accepted into Boston Ballet. In 2019 she started training at Pofahl Studios and joined the Next Generation and quickly began performing in Dance Alive performances such as A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Requiem, The Nutcracker, and Carmina Burana. Joining Dance Alive as a soloist in 2022, Alison looks forward to sharing her vibrant love of dance with audiences.
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