STEPS Show Program April 2026

STEPS SHOWCASE April 26, 2026

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

THANK YOU TO OUR

STEPS SPONSORS

A LETTER FORM THE

HEAD OF COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT The joy of working in dance is witnessing the transformation of students from their very first day of class to their final performance.

For over two decades, the STEPS program has provided students with the opportunity to grow—developing not only technical skills, but confidence, discipline, and a love for movement.

This afternoon, we are excited to share a glimpse of that journey with you. Each STEPS residency will present elements of their regular classwork, along with a final dance combination that reflects the skills, artistry, and dedication they have built throughout their residency.

We extend our sincere thanks to the City of Orlando for its continued support of Neighborhood Centers and public schools, and to our valued program partners: •

The Harvey and Carol Massey Foundation

•

Florida Blue

•

Duke Energy

•

TD Charitable Foundation

Their generosity helps us serve over 700 student dancers annually, providing dancewear, high-quality instruction, and performance opportunities here at the Harriett’s Orlando Ballet Centre. We are also grateful to the individual donors whose generosity fuels the work of Orlando Ballet and extend a sincere thank you to our Board members for their steadfast advocacy and leadership in championing our mission.

STEPS offers 2nd–5th grade students across Central Florida an introduction to ballet through 13- and 20-week residencies. Each program culminates in a final showcase—either at their school, community site, or here at HOBC. Students may also be invited to continue their training through scholarship opportunities with the Orlando Ballet School Bridge Program.

At its core, STEPS is rooted in the fundamental principles of classical ballet— posture, coordination, musicality, and balance—which support both artistic growth and overall development.

Enjoy The Show!

SHANE BLAND

Head of Community Enrichment ORLANDO BALLET

STEPS SHOWCASE

ROCK LAKE NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER TEACHING ARTIST Dion DiDonna

DANCERS Sophia Beswick • Ava Cruz • Isabelle Fish Kalis Grice • Li’Amar Rousseau

WADEVIEW NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER TEACHING ARTIST Chloe Lawrence

DANCERS Emilia Burgess • Aylin Marie Garcia Balbuena • Angeline Otero Nora Dietrich • Mariana Zapata

2025/2026 SEASON

STEPS SHOWCASE

JOHN H. JACKSON NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER TEACHING ARTIST Robert Kelley

DANCERS Carliese Morrison • Chinaa McCrimon • Isabella Morales Mahri Johnson • Leilanee Parrilla

COLONIALTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER TEACHING ARTIST Amelia Anderson

DANCERS Blujaye Wharff • Carlisle Cannarella • Chloe Rutherford Elizabeth Shamblin • Evelyn Aboraya • Liberty Romano Nicholas Quinter • Ava Ventin • Zaria Lingard

ORLANDO BALLET

STEPS SHOWCASE

WINEGARD ELEMENTARY TEACHING ARTIST Brittany Monachino

DANCERS Royalle Richardson • Roycee Richardson • Rendariah Richardson Leannes Santiago Medero • Ambar Martinez • Jaysalee Arroyo Lauren Eduarte Hernandez • Rendalis Vega • Alis Ramirez Lizmarie Aquino Leon-Serrano • Jenah Wash

DR. JAMES R. SMITH NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER TEACHING ARTIST Bonnie Gombos

DANCERS Jai’Niyah Burns • Kodie Hampton • Empress Jackson Zariah Jean-Baptiste • Peyton Johnekins • Keonnie Kilpatrick Malaysia Sims

2025/2026 SEASON

STEPS SHOWCASE

IVEY LANE NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER TEACHING ARTIST Bonnie Gombos

DANCERS C’yoni Bell • Malayah Bryant • Dellabella Casanova Keilani Dallas • Jaida Davis • Dora Higgs • Amiyah Sanders Amina Scott • Skye Spinks • Amiyah White

DOVER SHORES NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER TEACHING ARTIST Nicole Moran

DANCERS Lia Alfonseca • Rebeca Arcas • Naylah Claudio • Alayna Davis Angela Delgado • Estefania Paola Delgado De Jesus • Ann Leavy Ashbell Navarro • Angely Oliva • Laila Ortiz El Ayoubi Barbara Pirela • Scarlett Quigg • Lilliana Tessler Isabella Thompson • Isabella Vidal • Eloise Zifferblatt

MAXEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHING ARTIST Amelia Anderson

DANCERS Amaya Coates • Aubrey Baucom • Autumn Thurston Cailee Daniels • Emerie Smith • Haliyah Smith • Isabella Crawford Jamila Borden • Julia Rosa D’Aulia Furquim • Jurnee Barnes Kennedi Kingcade • Khloe Bryant • Laila Williams Laiyah Stephenson • Madison Kingcade • Rhyan Barker Salana Fraser • Shelby Sharpe • Stella Nguyen ORLANDO BALLET

28

2025/2026 SEASON

ORLANDO BALLET

BOARD OF DIRECTOR S OFFICERS PRESIDENT Jonathan Ledden Private Investor

VICE PRESIDENT Jayne Willi s DNP, RN

EX-OFFICIO John A. “Skip” Kirst Jr. Collado Real Estate

Diane Kuhl

Development Consultant

UCF College of Nursing

Keith Lashley

TREASURER Jean Grono-Nowry

Krista Ledden

HKS Architects

Massey Services, Inc.

Community Volunteer

SECRETARY Angie Jernigan

Jennifer Lowndes

Orlando Health — Jewett Orthopedic Institute

DIRECTORS Margaret Shan Atkins

Independent Corporate Director

Jaleh Benner

The Scout Guide Orlando

Sandor Bondorowsky

Total Media Productions, Inc.

Meredith Cook

Scientia Global Consulting

Holland & Knight

Erich S. Maschhoff

Foley & Lardner, LLP

London Ott

City of Orlando

Geanne Share

Community Volunteer

Richard J. Skaggs USF Credit Union

Yadhira Sollberger

Community Volunteer

Robert Suchor Lisa Westlake

Independent Corporate Director

Jennifer Curry Siemens Energy

David Withee J.P. Morgan

Colte Debbouza-Suggs Époque, Inc.

Ekta Desai

Schenkel Shultz Architecture

Keri Holliday

PNC Private Bank

Eric Horner

Eric Horner Interiors

Andrew Howell

Tropical Smoothie Cafe

Kelley Irby

Orlando Magic

ORLANDO BALLET

Artistic Director

Bradley Renner

Executive Director

Rebekah Essick

Co-Chair Orlando Ballet Ambassadors

Kara Howell

Co-Chair Orlando Ballet Ambassadors

Lizette Valarino

Chair, Amigos del Orlando Ballet

Truist

Truist

M.C. Cravatta

Jorden Morris

FOUNDERS Barbara Riggins Kip Watson Patti Watson Walsh

DIRECTORS EMERITUS John A. “Skip” Kirst Jr. Krista Ledden

ORLANDO BALLET

STAFF ARTISTIC

Jorden Morris..........................................................................................................................................................Artistic Director Lisa Thorn Morris...............................................................................................................................Associate Artistic Director Heath Gill............................................................................................................................................................ Rehearsal Director Amado Bobadilla.................................................................................................................................................. Company Pianist Angelyn Chen....................................................................................................................................................... Company Pianist

ADMINISTRATIVE

Bradley Renner................................................................................................................................................... Executive Director Katherine Fabian............................................................................................................................................... Managing Director Jen Flood............................................................................................................................................. Director, Marketing & Sales Kim Sydebrant.................................................................................................................................................................... Controller Alyssa David........................................................................................................................................................Director of Events Melinda Rutland............................................................................................................................................... Major Gifts Officer Helen Preston......................................................................................................................................... Individual Giving Officer Noelle Park...........................................................................................................................................Individual Giving Manager Anna Tanzilla ......................................................................................................................................................... Grants Manager Richard Elo...........................................................................................................................................................Facilities Manager Patrick Ingram.......................................................................................................................Manager, Group Sales & Ticketing Maureen Walsh..........................................................................................................Manager, Marketing & Communications Mal Clark............................................................................................................................................................... Graphic Designer Jamie Gillies............................................................................................................................................................. Retail Specialist Noelle Malfa................................................................................................................................................Marketing Coordinator Francis Mihm......................................................................................................................................... Philanthropy Coordinator Jackie Nash Gill................................................................................................................Executive Assistant & Board Liaison Kirsten Smith ................................................................................ Coordinator, Ticketing Concierge & Consumer Insights Bekki Tyler.....................................................................................................................................................Accounting Specialist

PRODUCTION

John Beaulieu..............................................................................................................................................Director of Production Cecilia de Erausquin........................................................................................................................ Production Stage Manager Alex German................................................................................................ Company Manager & Assistant Stage Manager Eddy Frank Fernandez....................................................................................................................................... Costume Director Norelis Dean..................................................................................................................................................Wardrobe Supervisor Gina Makarova.............................................................................. OBS & Community Enrichment Wardrobe Coordinator Ani Boer.......................................................................................................................................................................Shoe Manager

EDUCATION

Chris Alloways-Ramsey..............................................................................................................................Director of Education Jenny Logus............................................................................................................................... School Administrative Manager Victoria Sarau.............................................................................................................. Sr. Manager of Educational Operations Shane Bland.............................................................................................................................. Head of Community Enrichment Amyia Burrell..............................................................................................................................Head of Young Dancer Program Gonzalo Espinoza.......................Assistant to the School Director, School Choreographer, & Principal OBII Teacher Natasha Glos...............................................................Principal Teacher, Repetiteur for the Academy, & Principal Coach Kim Marsh............................................................................................ Head of Preparatory Training Center & Certification Sofia Tsutsakova-Abenanty.........................................Principal Teacher, Company Liaison for OBS, & Methodologist Chandler Blum................................................................................................................. Community Enrichment Coordinator Aless Kendrick.......................................................................................................................... Fitness Thru Dance Coordinator Kayla Reyburn..............................................................................................School Admin & Summer Intensive Coordinator Melissa Miller.................................................................................................................................................Front Desk Assistant Susan Swain...................................................................................................................................................Front Desk Assistant Carlie Miles ....................................................................................................................................................Front Desk Assistant

FACULTY MEMBERS

Allison Baber • Ani Boer • Lisa Buono • Andrea De Faria • Dion Leonhard DiDonna • Jenny Dzuranin Heather Fryxell • Bonnie Gombos • Gina Hatch • Ellexis Hatch • Elaine “Lanie” Hoxie • Patrick Ingram Krista Ledden • Shawn Lowe • Mila Makarova • Trish Marijanich • Brittany Marcell Monachino • Susan Olson Robin Robertson • Elizabeth Shook-King • Jessica Springer • Heidi Towle • Stephanie Towle • Mariana Tzanova Giovanni Villalobos • Tammy Renee Weber • Randee Workowski

TEACHING ARTISTS

Anneke Belman • Anna Diaz • Andrea Faria • Abigail Krefta • Abigail Markel • Amelia Anderson • Bonnie Gombos Brittany Lebida • Brittany Monachino • Christy Kowal • Chloe Lawrence • Cyndi Litz • Dion Leonhard DiDonna Elizabeth Shook • Gina Hatch • Heather Fryxell • Jasmine Burelsmith • Jessica Springer • Julia Vinez Mares Sanchez • Madeline White • Nicole Moran • Patricia Marijanich • Robert Kelley • Shawn Lowe Sydnie Zvolenski • Valerie Poku

2025/2026 SEASON

ISRAEL ZAVALETA ESCOBEDO PHOTOGRAPHY

TECHNIQUE THAT GROWS WITH YOU. Taught by professional dance faculty, our diverse offerings are designed to meet you where you are.

SUMMER PROGR AMS O RL AN DO BALLET SCH O O L

Whether you’re just beginning, continuing your dance training, or maintaining your practice, you’ll find a supportive environment to build strength, flexibility, and confidence. Experience the benefits of dance while staying active, engaged, and motivated.

ORLANDO BALLET

For scheduling & registration information visit ORLANDOBALLET.ORG

ISRAEL ZAVALETA ESCOBEDO PHOTOGRAPHY

YOUR HOME FOR MOVING, GROOVING, & IMPROVING. Taught by professional dance faculty, our diverse offerings are designed to meet you where you are.

Whether you’re just beginning, continuing your dance

FITNESS THRU DANCE ORL ANDO BALLET SCHOOL

training, or maintaining your practice, you’ll find a supportive environment to grow and improve.

For scheduling & registration information visit ORLANDOBALLET.ORG

SPONSORED BY

DR. PHILLIPS CENTER • STEINMETZ HALL

Step into a world of glittering parties and dark deception. With live music from the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, dazzling costumes, and cinematic staging, The Great Gatsby explodes to life in a glittering, emotional story of glamour and heartbreak. See the drama BUY TICKETS

unfold and get tickets at orlandoballet.org

ISRAEL ZAVALETA ESCOBEDO PHOTOGRAPHY • HITOMI NAKAMUR A • JAYSAN STINNET T

APRIL 30 – M AY 3

HARRIETT LAKE FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS “The Angel of the Ballet"