29 - 31, 2025
DANCE IS THE ANSWER.
At The Wooden Floor, we love dance. It’s powerful. It has the ability to encourage our youth to think differently about themselves, to push through obstacles, and emerge as strong and confident leaders.
It’s why our students call us their second home, why on the dance floor they feel supported, able to embody who they really are.
It’s why, when partnered with our academic, college and career readiness, and family services, 100 percent of our graduates do what only about half of their socioeconomic peers have done –finish high school on time and enroll in higher education for 21 consecutive years.
Through dance, The Wooden Floor provides a solid platform for advancement and success. Dance moves our youth. Forward.
Ireally wanted to be in the Annual Concert. When I was selected, I told myself that I needed to step it up. I really wanted to show my worth in dance and that The Wooden Floor made a good decision by selecting me to participate.
The Wooden Floor is a place where you can express yourself, not only in dance, but personally about how you’re doing in school or as a person. There are a lot of people here to help me succeed. It is really beautiful. There is a lot of pride in being here.”
Sammy, Class of 2031
Sammy is a sixth grader at Orange County Educational Arts Academy. This is his first Annual Concert performance with The Wooden Floor. Since starting the Annual Concert process, he has become a leader and role model for his peers. Sammy has a wide range of interests that lead him to approach every opportunity with eagerness and curiosity. His natural ability for holding conversations has helped him build strong connections with both his peers and The Wooden Floor staff.
Welcome
It is my pleasure to welcome you to the Irvine Barclay Theatre for The Wooden Floor’s 42nd Annual Concert: Curious Currents of Possibilities! It has been a true honor to serve my first year as Chair of The Wooden Floor's Board of Directors, and during such a strategically important time for our organization.
As you may know, we are firmly in the middle of our 10-Year Strategic Vision 2021-2031 to: Drive Social Innovation, Grow Impact, and Uplift Our Community. We characterize our strategic plans as chapters in a book to guide us in reaching our strategic vision, and to me, the middle of a book is where determination is deepened, where values are strengthened, and where courage is formed.
Our current strategic plan is aptly titled Chapter Two 2024-2026: Building Upon Our Strengths. Thriving With Purpose. This chapter was created through community-listening, research, and consulting with education experts to ensure our students are futureready by addressing the increasing need for AI literacy and technology education. We will also ensure our organization is well-prepared to navigate opportunities by developing strategic foresight to enhance design thinking practices and innovation. These are just two of the many goals within our exciting middle chapter.
As The Wooden Floor launches into our fifth decade of impact, our process of setting a 10-year Strategic Vision and aligning strategic plans to work toward the vision has been transformational. The Board of Directors and staff are dedicated to using our Strategic Vision 20212031 to move our organization forward, much like dance moves our students forward.
We hope that you will join us to find ways that you can make a meaningful difference in The Wooden Floor’s evolving mission.
Sincerely,
Jehan Jayakumar CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, THE WOODEN FLOOR
As Artistic Director Jennifer Bassage Bonfil and I collaborated on our 42nd Annual Concert title, we thoughtfully reflected on our organization’s journey as well as the themes emerging from the three dance pieces our students co-created to craft the title. Curious Currents of Possibilities evokes a sense of movement, discovery, and transformation, all of which are integral components of our Annual Concert and our organization’s work as a whole.
The word “curious” speaks to both wonder and the courage our students exhibit daily, from actively engaging in their dance education, to many going on to become the first in their family to attend college. “Currents” suggests the continuous flow of energy, relationships, and growth. “Possibilities” highlights the boundless potential that emerges when we embrace change, lean into our strengths, and navigate life’s unfolding journey. Rather than following a single pre-determined path, we recognize through the strategic foresight learnings that we are embarking on as an organization, that the future is not fixed. Curious Currents of Possibilities invites us to consider how the opportunities around us, both small and large, shape who we are and who we might become.
An alumna of The Wooden Floor recently shared with me what she really admires about our organization is that we are a “living organism” that continues to grow and evolve to meet the needs of the students and their families. How we evolve to meet the needs of our community is an exciting thought, so much of which rests on you, our loving community of supporters, who choose to continuously invest in our students and mission. With you by our side, we ensure our students have the social, emotional, and academic wellness as well as important life skills required to succeed today in the 21st-century economy and world.
Many students share that their participation at The Wooden Floor’s year-round programs, and in our Annual Concert is a transformative opportunity to learn about themselves, increase their understanding of others with empathy, and build their confidence, which they can apply both in school and in life. It is why we know that Dance Is The Answer® .
With gratitude,
Dawn S. Reese, CFRE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, THE WOODEN FLOOR
2024-2025 Board of Directors
Jehan Jayakumar,* Board Chair
Founding Partner, Carlson & Jayakumar, LLP
Theresa Allen,* Immediate Past Chair
Managing Director, RBC Wealth Management
Joseph Chatelle,* Vice Chair Principal, Mercer
Richard Lee,* Secretary
Market President, Retired, Aetna, Southern California
Yvonne O’Neill,* Treasurer
Certified Public Accountant, O’Neill Financial Management
Wendy Arciero Executive Director, Anaheim Ducks Foundation
Sasha Ayloush,* Director of Sales & Marketing, Hydraflow
Seán Curran, Chair, Department of Dance, NYU Tisch School of the Arts
Michelle Dean,* Community Leader
Jen Dibble, VP, Corporate Counsel, Edwards Lifesciences
Christina Di Rocco, Business Solution Design Manager, Capital Group Companies, Inc.
Brent Funston, Chief Executive Officer, Wind River Group, LLC
Cristina Garcia, Alumni Representative Community Leader
Roxanne Goodman, Controller, Mountain View Services, Inc. and Chem-Pak Products
Naveen Jonathan, PhD, LMFT, Community Representative
Clinical Associate Professor of Marriage & Family Therapy, Chair, Marriage & Family Therapy, Crean College of Health & Behavioral Sciences, Chapman University
Jeremy Krout, President/CEO, Environmental Planning Development Solutions, Inc.
Richard LeBrun, Managing Director and Head of Alternatives Business Management, PIMCO Investments, LLC
Sarah Lopez, MD, MBA, Medical Consultant, Division of Quality and Population Health Management, California Department of Health Care Services
Catherine M. MacIver, Community Leader
Kim Nguyen, Vice President, U.S. Bank Private Wealth Management
Maria Ochoa, Parent Representative Community Leader
Juan M. Pacheco, Parent Representative Community Leader
Alix Portillo, Assistant Vice President, Compliance Monitoring Officer, Genesis Bank
Judith F. Posnikoff, PhD, Managing Director, Martlet Asset Management, LLC
Morgan Ratcliffe, Executive Director, Chief Communications Officer, Providence Health Plan
Dawn S. Reese, CFRE, Chief Executive Officer, The Wooden Floor
Saar Swartzon, Principal Attorney, Cohn & Swartzon, a Professional Law Corporation
Jerry Thode, Chief Executive Officer, J Paul Group, LLC
Shervin Vadood, Vice President, Branch Manager, Farmers & Merchants Bank
Ernesto M. Vasquez, FAIA, NCARB, Partner & CEO, SVA Architects, Inc.
Board Emeriti
Joan Beall, Community Leader
Beth A. Burns, Founder of The Wooden Floor and Artistic Director (’83-’05)
Sharon Hartshorn, Community Leader
Richard C. Hunsaker,** President, Hunsaker Management
Virginia Hunsaker,** Community Leader
Damien M. Jordan, General Manager, Retired, American Funds/ Capital Group Companies, Inc.
Yvonne M. Jordan, Community Leader
Socorro Vasquez, Community Leader
About The Wooden Floor
Founded in 1983, The Wooden Floor is one of the foremost creative youth development nonprofit organizations in the country. We inspire and transform the lives of young people through the power of dance and access to higher education. In Orange County and through national licensed partners, we use a long-term approach grounded in exploratory dance education to foster the confidence and gifts within each child to innovate, communicate, and collaborate – skills necessary for success in school and in life. 100 percent of students who graduate from The Wooden Floor enroll in higher education. Our students become change agents and beacons of hope within their own families, their neighborhoods, our community, and our world.
Dance Education & Performance Opportunities
Dance education and performance are the core transformational elements through which our youth change the way they think about themselves and aspire beyond any socioeconomic barriers. In the dance studio, exploration, creativity, and self-knowledge lead to critical life skills, confidence, leadership, teamwork, well-being, and joy.
■ DANCE EDUCATION
Dance classes are offered each week in modern, ballet, improvisation, and choreography with professional faculty and live music accompanists.
■ CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT
We make a commitment to a dance aesthetic that values exploration, discovery, and innovation, which leads to student success in school and in life.
■ COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Dance Free Weeks©, provides dance programs in-school free of charge to Title I schools within Santa Ana Unified School District and surrounding public schools. Dance Uplifts© is an after-school dance education program offered at 18 school sites within Garden Grove Unified School District. These two community outreach efforts reach approximately 3,000 additional students annually.
■ ON STAGE
Our young artists collaborate with recognized choreographers to create unexpected and challenging works of contemporary dance, performed in professional settings.
Academic Services & College and Career Readiness Programs
We make a 10-year commitment to our youth from third grade through high school and guide them through their long-term journeys to higher education.
■ ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
Individualized one-on-one tutoring, homework assistance, remedial workshops, and access to a computer lab and resource library ensure our students meet or exceed grade-level proficiency.
■ COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS
A majority of our graduates qualify for merit-based, four-year scholarships, totaling up to $10,000 from The Wooden Floor.
■ COLLEGE & CAREER READINESS PROGRAMS
Through The Next Step™, college planning begins in the sixth grade. Career Panels and college tours help our youth select a degree to pursue. College application and financial aid workshops ensure they are prepared for higher education.
Family Services & Enrichment Programs
The Wooden Floor provides a safe space for our students to ensure they are supported in their personal and family lives. Through their journeys, creativity is fostered, commitment is fundamental, and discovery occurs every day.
■ CASE MANAGEMENT & CRISIS INTERVENTION
An open-door policy for dealing with crises or parental concerns allows our students and families to feel supported at home. If we can’t provide immediate assistance, we refer them to a community partner.
■ FAMILY WORKSHOPS
Parents attend workshops related to parenting and family health.
■ RELATIONSHIP BUILDING
Students receive daily mentoring by The Wooden Floor’s skilled staff, including dance faculty, tutors, and mentors.
Introducing The Class of 2025
and the colleges and universities they will be attending
Angel Alvarado
Cal State Long Beach
Mechanical Engineering
Celeste Arvizu
Cal State Long Beach
Interior Design
Camila Baez
Orange Coast College
General Education
Fergie Balboa
Golden West College Cosmetology
Violeta Carcamo
Cal State Fullerton Political Science
Sienna Cervantes
Orange Coast College Nursing
Esther Corona Santa Ana College Health Care
Melissa Cortes
Cal State Fullerton
Mechanical Engineering
Geraldinne Cruz
Cal Poly Pomona Architecture
Ashley Garcia
Cal State Fullerton Biology
Leslie Garcia
Cal State Fullerton Education
Arely Gutierrez
Chapman University Business Administration
Princess Huerta
Cal Poly Pomona
Mechanical Engineering
Denise Loaiza
Chapman University Political Science
Carlos Lozano
Chapman University Political Science
Mackenzie Maddox
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Animal Science
Rosa Virginia Marcano UCLA Environmental Science/ Engineering
Beverly Mazon
Santiago Canyon College
General Education
Anahi Mejia
Cal State Long Beach Criminal Justice
Brad Olivarez
Cal State Fullerton Business Administration
Julissa Olivero
Santa Ana College Health Care
Jacqueline Rodriguez
Cal State Long Beach Geology
Jeslyn Rodriguez Chapman University Psychology
Paola Ross
Cal State Fullerton
Communication Sciences & Disorders
Viridiana Ruiz
Santa Ana College Business
America Sanchez Fullerton College Nursing
Alumni of The Wooden Floor Graduating From College in 2025
Alumni of The Wooden Floor Currently in College
Amemory I will always cherish is performing in my first Annual Concert in 2023. I can still recall admiring the roaring audience and leaving the theatre feeling super accomplished. The Wooden Floor is an amazing place where you build relationships and learn to be a team player. It also teaches you to improvise in challenging situations.
Without The Wooden Floor, I don’t think I would have the dedication or the friends that I have come to love today. My time here has taught me how to collaborate with others and the importance of teamwork. I see it every time I go to class when students help each other and support each other.”
Priscila, Class of 2029
This is Priscila’s third Annual Concert performance with The Wooden Floor. She is in eighth grade at Legacy Magnet Academy, where she holds a 4.0 GPA. Priscila has two siblings attending The Wooden Floor as well. She dreams of joining her older sister by being the first generation in her family to attend college.
Our Dance Approach
At The Wooden Floor, we have a deep passion for crafting exquisite art with our exceptional young people. We pride ourselves on our ability to produce original and thought-provoking work, and that is why everything you see on stage is innovative and compelling, perhaps even unusual or curious. Below, we share what makes our approach unique, with the hope it will heighten your appreciation for the work and our students, whom I lovingly call “super-humans.”
We extend our appreciation to you for joining us to witness our 42nd Annual Concert, Curious Currents of Possibilities. This title embodies movement, discovery, and transformation, encouraging us to be courageous and bold while recognizing that the continuous flow of energy, relationships, and choices we make, shape who we are and who we have the potential to become. We are grateful you are here to witness the transformative power of dance, and we hope you feel inspired by what you see on stage. Enjoy the performance.
JENNIFER BASSAGE BONFIL
Artistic Director, The Wooden Floor
Our students thrive.
Dance encourages our youth to think differently about themselves, to push through obstacles, and emerge as strong and confident leaders. Through Annual Concert participation our students develop their confidence, autonomy, creative problem-solving abilities, internal awareness, and presence. In other words, our Annual Concert process and contemporary modern dance approach teach our students necessary skills to thrive.
Student voices matter.
Cultivating community is an essential part of what we do. Students work independently, in pairs, in small groups, and as a whole cast toward a common goal. Inviting, acknowledging, and integrating the student voice in the process not only strengthens the community but also increases the students’ motivation and investment. With multiple student voices contributing to the process, our dancers gain an increased ability to receive, respond to, and value new ideas. It also awakens the human spirit, promotes joy, and allows for personal uniqueness to flourish. Our students learn that what they have to say matters.
What does it mean?
The work is thought-provoking and intentional, but it is alright if you don’t “get it.” You may have ideas, thoughts, or emotions that come up while you are watching. Allow that to happen. When viewing dance like this, there is not a wrong answer. There was an impetus for the creation, and the dancers perform with specific motivation and that is why we are moved or invested or intrigued by what we see. It is completely acceptable though, to have your own interpretation of the dance.
Artistic excellence is a priority.
We are committed to producing a professional quality experience with and for our students. Fueled by our organization’s Guiding Principle that “when we provide our students the best, they rise to their best,” our artistic team is comprised of guest choreographers who are influencing and shaping the genre of contemporary dance. We are known for inviting top-tier artists, designers, and production teams, who excel in their craft and areas of expertise, to collaborate with our students and staff.
We hope you are moved.
Our dance aesthetic values exploration, discovery, and innovation, and that is why we commission original works by choreographers who co-create with our students. These highly sought-after dance makers provide movement prompts that inspire and guide our students to create original movement. It doesn’t matter whether you are witnessing modern dance for the first time, or are a seasoned dance viewer, our hope is that you are moved by the originality of what you see these young people creating.
THANK YOU TO OUR
42nd Annual Concert Underwriters
HONORARY UNDERWRITERS
The Beall Family Foundation Helen Sperry Lea Foundation WHH Foundation
ASSOCIATE UNDERWRITERS
Socorro & Ernesto Vasquez
CONCERT UNDERWRITERS
Bobbi Cox
Davis/Dauray Family Fund
Yvonne & Damien Jordan
Linda and Tod White Charitable Fund
CONCERT PARTNERS
Michelle & Timothy Dean
Janet & Walkie Ray
Cath MacIver & Jim Slaughter
Judith F. Posnikoff
Robyn & Dave Stauffer
CONCERT SUPPORTERS
Sharon & Terry Hartshorn
Carole & Rich Lee
MEDIA SPONSOR
*As of May 7, 2025.
About the Dances
Not Just One Kind of Super
Artistic Director Jennifer Bassage Bonfil’s new piece, Not Just One Kind of Super, uncovers the unique superpowers within us all. Through energetic and intricate movements, the dancers explore themes of empathy, integrity, curiosity, and inner strength. Moments of bold physicality highlight agility and stamina, while quieter introspection reveals the beautiful superpower of self-discovery. Inspired in part by the dancers’ own words, the choreography embraces the quirky and remarkable, offering a reminder of our responsibility to honor personal uniqueness within a shared community. Original music by Patrick Vargas, featuring vibrant rhythms inspired by various world cultures, pulses with energy and joy, providing a dynamic soundscape for this celebration of extraordinary qualities.
No Matter What
Choreographer Billy Smith’s new work, No Matter What, draws inspiration from the undercurrents within familial relationships, particularly those with sibling dynamics. The dancers’ abstract motions evoke the concepts of sharing, argument, empathy, saying goodbye, and celebration. Structure and formality are juxtaposed with raw, frenzied, and vulnerable moments. These relatable ideas inspired the original music written by Daniel Manoiu for solo piano, a piece filled with a wide range of tones and rhythmic patterns. In a unique approach for the choreographer, the movement style was greatly influenced by the dancers themselves through a collaborative creative process.
A Rough Translation of Love
Choreographer Eva Stone’s new work, A Rough Translation of Love, takes the audience on a journey through one of our most basic human emotions. This piece explores how love brings us together as friends, as family, and as part of our shared humanity. The dancers form movements driven by the concepts of love: from those that are complex and challenging to those that are joyous and recognizable in everyday situations. The work is inspired by the stories of love the dancers shared during the creative process, and each section in the dance brings these stories into a visual and physical image. This piece invites the viewer to appreciate and participate in the love that is continually happening all around us.
Program Listing
PLEASE NO PHOTOGRAPHY OR VIDEOGRAPHY DURING THE PERFORMANCE.
■ Remarks from Chief Executive Officer Dawn S. Reese and Artistic Director Jennifer Bassage Bonfil
■ Not Just One Kind of Super World Premiere
Choreography Jennifer Bassage Bonfil
Costume Design Lisa Kowalewski
Lighting Design James F. Ingalls
Music Original Score by Patrick Vargas
Rehearsal Assistant Jocelyn Magaña
-BRIEF PAUSE, PLEASE REMAIN SEATED-
■ No Matter What World Premiere
Choreography Billy Smith
Costume Design Lisa Kowalewski
Lighting Design James F. Ingalls
Music Written and Performed by Daniel Manoiu
Rehearsal Assistant Sammi Waugh
-INTERMISSION-
■ A Rough Translation of Love World Premiere
Part One: Rebound
Part Two: Chiral
Part Three: If You’re Happy and You Know It
Choreography Eva Stone
Costume Design Lisa Kowalewski
Lighting Design James F. Ingalls
Part Four: Dilly Dally
Part Five: Quicksand
Part Six: Across the Room
Music Guillaume Perret, Gabriel Yared, Pérez Prado, Sebastian Iradier
Rehearsal Assistant Kenneth Walker
Our Dancers
Not Just One Kind of Super
Jessica Aragon
Estella Bucio
Naomi Capparelli
Guadalupe Castro
Alexia De La Torre
Alexa Delgado
Isabella Santiago Diaz
Genny Fernandez
Emily Frutos
Saray Suazo Frutos
Gael Garcia
Armando Garcia
No Matter What
Esperanza Aguilar
Priscila Baez
Camila Baez
Fergie Balboa
Gabriela Barrera
Natallie Barrera
Natalie Cabezas-Ayala
Molly Campos
Esther Corona
Camila Cruz
Luna Esquivel
Emily Figueroa
Bethany Garduno
Delilah Gonzalez
Mary GonzalezCabezas
Olivia Gudino
Olivia M. Gudino
Amy Guevara
Edelyn Hernandez
Eva Lambaren
Genesis Lopez
Pilar López
Celeste Macias
Caroline ManzoMoreno
Mia Marquez
Diana Juarez Melendez
Sebastian Miramontes
Iris Mondragon
Emily Muñoz
Regina Ocampo
Liliana Rios Pastor
Camila Pinedo
Timber Ramirez
Kamilah Ramirez
Daleyza Reyes
Brianna Rivera
Lexie Rivero
Victoria Rosete
Mia Soria-Hernandez
Priscilla Tapia
Kymberlee Valencia
Daysi Vargas
Aylene Flores-Tlachi
Emma Frutos
Ashley Garcia
Leslie Garcia
Lucero Godinez
Kayla Gomez
Andrea Gonzalez
Emma Gonzalez
Keyra Gonzalez
Lyla Hernandez
Christian Herrera
Cindy Ibarra
A Rough Translation of Love
Jessica Alanis
Yamilet Alcauter
Julian Almeida
Sofia Botero
Violeta Carcamo
Vania Cervantes
Geraldinne Cruz
Evelyn Flores
Isabella Gomez-Rosete
Rubi Gonzalez
Tiffany Gudino
Jade Hernandez
Heidi Jimenez-Agama
Jennifer Loaiza
Keiley Loaiza
Denise Loaiza
Emery Lemen
Jennifer Lopez
Maximiliano Lorenzo
Sammy Mejia
Layla Mendoza
Elijah Mendoza
Seylah Miles
Mackenzie Morales
Abby Pacheco
Isabella Pacheco
Melanie Palacios
Jacqueline Rodriguez
Jeslyn Rodriguez
Yvonne Santana
Kayla Santana
Stephanie Segura
Olivia Torres
Zyanya Toscano
Lizbeth Vargas
Shaden Velasquez
Constanza Villa-Popoca
Alondra Zamora
Brianna Luna
Mackenzie Maddox
Rosa Virginia Marcano
Beverly Mazon
Kuanari Morales
Aranza Nunez
Madison Ochoa
Regina Pina
Andrea Rojas
Paola Ross
Viridiana Ruiz
America Sanchez
Darlene Santo
Jennifer Bassage Bonfil, Choreographer, is a dancer, dance educator, and dance maker who has been teaching at The Wooden Floor since 2006. She earned her MA in Dance Education from the University of Northern Colorado, a BFA from Chapman University, and an Arts Management & Dance Training certificate from the José Limón Dance Foundation. Jenn danced professionally with Backhausdance for 13 years and is currently the Artistic Director at The Wooden Floor.
Gee-gee Brass, Costume Assistant, is a recent Theatre, Film, and Digital Production graduate from the University of California, Riverside. Since completing her degree, she has entered the professional world of costuming for the arts as she continues to work for UCR. She is excited to be joining The Wooden Floor for her second Annual Concert.
Kate Darby, Stage Manager, is honored to be joining the production team of The Wooden Floor again this season. Kate is the Stage Manager and Head of Props for Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, performing at the Harris Theater in Chicago as well as touring with the company.
Teresa Farias, Costume Supervisor, began her journey at The Wooden Floor as a volunteer for Annual Concert in 1999.
Her natural skills are an integral support in costume production, working with the Costume Designer to ensure the dancers look and feel their best on stage. Teresa earned her MS in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy, enhancing her ability to support backstage as the students prepare to perform.
James F. Ingalls, Lighting Designer, has designed nineteen concerts for The Wooden Floor since 1996. Recent dance: Peter Pan (Nevada Ballet Theatre), Celts (Houston Ballet), Mayday (BODYTRAFFIC), The Hard Nut (Mark Morris Dance Group), Echo (Paul Taylor Dance Company). Recent opera: Castor et Pollux (Opera National de Paris), Ruinous Gods (Spoleto Festival/USA). Recent theatre: Three Short Comedies (DRUID/Galway), A Year with Frog and Toad (Minneapolis Children’s Theatre Company).
Lisa Kowalewski, Costume Designer & Costume Construction, has worked with The Wooden Floor since 1996 and designed costumes for IBM and Disney commercials. She has created hand-painted and airbrushed designs for Janet Jackson, Backstreet Boys, Mary J. Blige, and the opening ceremonies of the Salt Lake City Olympics. Other work includes costumes for the pre-and post-game events of Super Bowl 50 and headpieces for Katy Perry. She
is currently working on costume designs for Cedar Fair Parks and Legoland.
Brianna Kowalewski, Assistant Costume Designer, is a Senior at California State University, Fullerton, majoring in Theatre Arts. She was head of the Props Department for 3 years at Moorpark College and has been Prop Mistress/ Scenic Designer for many shows. She was Assistant Costume Designer/Set Costumer for Haunt at Great America in 2019 and The Wooden Floor in 2021. Additionally, she was Assistant Costume Designer for Legoland in 2023 and 2024.
Daniel Manoiu, Composer, is an awardwinning pianist and composer. Originally from Romania, Daniel has performed at world class venues, including Carnegie Hall. He has written original music for films and TV and is an active composer and music editor for dance, film, and TV. Daniel earned a Doctorate of Musical Arts degree from the University of Miami, is the Principal Dance Musician at UC Irvine, lecturer at CSU Fullerton, and dance accompanist at The Wooden Floor.
Jocelyn Magaña, Rehearsal Assistant, is an alumna of The Wooden Floor, who realized at a young age that performing is her passion. Jocelyn has performed
works by Seán Curran, Laurel Jenkins, John Heginbotham, and José Limón. She holds a BFA in Dance from California State University, Long Beach, and postgraduation, completed the LimónPro Program. Jocelyn is part of the Dance Education Staff at The Wooden Floor and is grateful to give back to her community.
Alvaro Nuñez Ramos, Technical Director, was born and raised in Long Beach, CA. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Dance from California State University, Long Beach, and a Master's degree in Art and Culture Marketing from Denver University. Alvaro's passion lies in designing lighting for various artistic forms. He is known for his technical expertise and artistic vision, which he applies to create innovative lighting designs. Alvaro is committed to pushing boundaries and creating unforgettable experiences for audiences.
Billy Smith, Choreographer, is a critically acclaimed dancer, choreographer, and educator in New York City. He has spent the past two decades performing, teaching, and creating internationally. From Fredericksburg, Virginia, he graduated George Mason University magna cum laude in 2007 and received achievement awards in performance, choreography, and academic endeavors. He danced with Parsons Dance from 2007 to 2010 and is
currently a member of the world-renowned Mark Morris Dance Group.
Eva Stone, Choreographer, is a Seattlebased artist. She is on faculty at Pacific Northwest Ballet School (PNB), where she initiated New Voices: Choreography and Process for Young Women in Dance, a nationally recognized program designed to mentor the next generation of female dance makers. Her work has been commissioned by PNB, Spectrum Dance Theater, Eugene Ballet, and the National Choreographers Initiative, among others. Eva is also the founder/producer of CHOP SHOP Contemporary Dance Festival.
Patrick Vargas, Composer, has worked in dance for over thirty years, collaborating with a distinguished array of choreographers and teachers. A Fulbright recipient with a Master’s in Composition and Ethnomusicology, Patrick himself has performed everywhere from legendary rock clubs to the Sydney Opera House. He often tours the US in a successful tribute band, has music-directed dozens of musicals, and produced and emceed several extraordinary variety shows in Hollywood.
Kenneth Walker, Rehearsal Assistant, holds a BA from UCLA in World Arts and Cultures and an MBA and MA in Arts
Management from Claremont Graduate University. He is the Artistic Director of Kenneth Walker Dance Project and a Lester Horton Dance Awards Nominee for Outstanding Performance by a Company. Currently, Kenneth is on faculty at The Wooden Floor and a Lecturer at CSU, Dominguez Hills, where he teaches Ballet and Dance Appreciation
Sammi Waugh, Rehearsal Assistant, is a dance artist and educator based in Southern California. She received her BFA in Dance Performance from Chapman University and currently dances professionally with Backhausdance. Passionate about arts education, Sammi has taught and created curriculum for organizations, studios, and elementary schools across Southern California. Sammi is proud to be a Dance Faculty member at The Wooden Floor.
Bri Westad, Production Manager, is excited to return to The Wooden Floor to work on Curious Currents of Possibilities. Bri is a freelance theatre artist originally from upstate NY who has found a home in Southern California. Bri has a BA in Theatre Studies from Ithaca College and an MFA in Stage Management from UC Irvine. Thank you to the amazing team that it takes to put on this incredible concert.
CURIOUS CURRENTS OF POSSIBILITIES
PRODUCTION STAFF
Jennifer Bassage Bonfil
Artistic Director
Bri Westad Production Manager
Kate Darby Stage Manager
Alvaro Nuñez Ramos Technical Director
Brianna Kowalewski Assistant Costume Designer
Teresa Farias
Costume Supervisor
Gee-gee Brass
Costume Assistant
Veronica Avzaradel
Box Office
George Simian
Concert Photographer
Albert Rascon
Concert Videographer
THE WOODEN FLOOR YEAR-ROUND STAFF
Dawn S. Reese, CFRE Chief Executive Officer
Nancy Arellano Development Operations Coordinator
Payal Avellan Director of Communications and Marketing
Renett Banagas Development Manager
Diana Barriga College and Career Readiness Coordinator
Jennifer Bassage Bonfil Artistic Director
Iliana Coronado Controller
Teresa Farias Family Services Case Manager
Kris Filip Marketing and Communications Manager
Tianna Haradon Chief Development Officer
Kimberly Hernandez Director of Student Development
Andrea Ordaz Dance Education Coordinator
Vanessa Rodriguez Chief Operating Officer
Eusebio Romero Academic Coordinator
Gabriela Ruiz Administrative Assistant
Alyssa Ventress Public Relations and Development Associate
THE WOODEN FLOOR DANCE EDUCATION STAFF
Ashley Allen Faculty
Nicholas Ceresia Dance Uplifts Instructor
Bruno Cilloniz Accompanist
Cailey Fono Substitute Faculty
Zaq Kenefick Accompanist
Paul Kohlhas Accompanist
Jocelyn Magaña Faculty
Daniel Manoiu Accompanist
Ismael Murillo Substitute Faculty
Kiel Palsgaard Dance Uplifts Instructor
Gina Quintana Dance Uplifts Coordinator and Faculty
Lilly Ramirez
Dance Uplifts Instructor
Tessa Rawlinson
Dance Uplifts Instructor
Ashton Titus Faculty
Patrick Vargas Accompanist
Kenneth Walker Faculty
Sammi Waugh Faculty
Brian Wood Accompanist
THE WOODEN FLOOR STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES
Andrea Almeida Garcia Receptionist/Student Support Services Mentor
Maria Basile Student Support Services Mentor
Dulce Garcia
Family Services Support Specialist
Marbeli Luis Student Support Services Mentor
Alexi Pacheco Student Support Services Mentor
Melina Tirado Receptionist
Ashley Vazquez Receptionist
THE WOODEN FLOOR ACADEMIC ADVISORS
Diana Arellano
Kathren Becerra
Chip Solomon
Kevin Vargas
THE WOODEN FLOOR TUTORS
Audrey Barcenas
Stephanie Baten-Quiche
Kadin Cops
Michael Gugliotta
Melissa Jaime Caius Lindbeck
Yaritza Martinez
Lily Rangel
Cianna Ruiz
David Sabedra
Carly Zamora
We are very grateful to the many individuals and organizations who support The Wooden Floor’s mission
...and contribute funds to the life-changing outcomes the organization provides its students and families.
The Wooden Floor acknowledges the generous contributions of the following supporters who contributed between March 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025.
$100,000+
The Beall Family Foundation ○
Fondation Chanel
Suzi Chauvel/Chauvel Foundation ○
Carl and Roberta Deutsch Foundation ○
$50,000-$99,999
Theresa & Jonathon Allen
Michelle & Tim Dean p
Sharon & Terry Hartshorn
Larry and Helen Hoag Foundation
Vidya Jhaver & Sishir Reddy
Emily & Jeremy Krout of EPD Solutions, Inc.
Janice & John Markley
Donald and Constance Sperling Foundation ●
Kelly & Richard LeBrun ●
Linda and Tod White Charitable Fund ○
Willette Charitable Foundation ○
$25,000-$49,999
Andersen Foundation ○
Anonymous ●
Anonymous
Anonymous
Raymond Chao
DevTo Support Foundation ○
Dhont Family Foundation ○
$10,000-$24,999
Alfred E. Mann Charities
Aubree Boul
Robin & Linda Boyd
The Huneycutt Family Foundation/
Michele & Joseph Chatelle p
Virginia Connolly
Bobbi Cox
Charleys Kids Foundation
Crevier Family Fund ●
Croul Family Foundation ●
Davis Dauray Family Fund
TROY Group, Inc. of The Dirk Family ● DLE Equipment
Sung-Hee Suh & Peter Dolotta
Don Yoder Foundation ●
Michele & Peter Duncan/
Myra & Peter Duncan p
Frome Family Foundation ●
Helen Sperry Lea Foundation
The Robert H. Murphy Foundation
Judith F. Posnikoff
Socorro & Ernesto Vasquez
WHH Foundation
Farmers and Merchants Bank
Mary Ann R. Finley Family Foundation
Adele & Bryan Green p
The Hughes Family
Nancy & Brian Hunsaker ●
Hutton Parker Foundation
Hydraflow - Ayloush Family p
Daniel H. Hyman
Jillian & Jehan Jayakumar of Carlson & Jayakumar LLP
Yvonne & Damien Jordan
KNU For Kids Foundation ●
Carole & Rich Lee
Cath MacIver & Jim Slaughter
Robert Mairena of Office Solutions ●
Ginger & Arthur Ong
Nicholas Pardon
Charles and Mildred Schnurmacher Foundation, Inc. ● Schoellerman Foundation
Segerstrom Foundation ●
Nancy & Geoffrey Stack
Robyn & Dave Stauffer
Tappan Foundation
Warne Family Charitable Foundation
Nancy & Arn Youngman
Ling & Charlie Zhang ●
$5,000-$9,999
Anaheim Ducks & Honda Center
Wendy & Mike Arciero
Diane & Dennis Baker p
Edie Barvin
Cohn & Swartzon, a Professional Law Corporation Crean Foundation
Fletcher Jones Foundation
Honorable Albert A. Frink & Denise Frink
$2,500-$4,999
Glennda Adair
Anonymous
Archarios Foundation
Kathleen & Anthony Arciero
Jennifer & Albert Bonfil n
Kimberly Brink p
Nancy & Irving Chase p
Simon Chiu
Laura Curran
Kimberly Estrada
Christin Foreman p
$1,000-$2,499
Kathy Abels
Paul & Marta Allen
Denise & Keith Banning
Raschel Barlow
Elizabeth & Daniel Barnes
Cindy & Ronald Bassage
Summer Born
○ Lead Class Partner ● Class Partner
Melissa & Brent Funston
Gochnauer Family Foundation
The Herb Alpert Foundation
Teri & Alan Hoops
Elizabeth & David Hunsaker
James F. Ingalls
Elizabeth & Don Johnson
Michelle & Robert Kargenian
Joanne & Dennis Keith
Karin Krogius & Scott Mason
Michelle Lund & Lawrence Kostrzewa p
Pamela & James Markman p
Joy McGuinness
Marilyn McIntyre
Mary Lou Mettler
Paula & Douglas Neff
Rudy Pacheco, Esq. – DiMarco
| Araujo | Montevideo Injury
Attorneys
Providence Health Plan
Maryanne Skorpanich
The Smith Group
Karen K. Ulman & Robert M. Knapp
Deborah & Harold Ward
Carolyn & Don Frost p
Sharyl & Troy Givens
Roxanne & Eric Goodman p
Ingram Micro, Inc.
Cherrill & Kyle Kawakami p
Shelly Sandoval & Jon Lash
Ann W. McDonald p
Monica & Jim Meacham
Gisela & Ken Meier p
The John & CC Nelson Family
Trish O'Donnell
Yvonne & John O'Neill p
Orange County United Way
Lisa & Barney Page
Bonnie & Dan Platt
Richmont Corporation
Jeffrey Richter n
Ronald M. Simon Family Foundation
Marja & Michael Selna
Peggy & Doug Slonkosky p
Vicky Staub
Kathleen & Jerry Thode
Charlotte & Hal Van Ryswyk p
Gena & Richard Way
Peter G. Welsh
Mary Ann & Frank Xavier p Zappettini Family Fund
Jodi & Marty Boyd
Jackie & Tom Budnik
Kristen & Jeffrey Bush
Cathy & Mark Chamberlin
Charter Communications
City National Bank
Shana & Mark Conzelman
Lead Class Partners and Class Partners are individuals, companies, and organizations who support the academic, college and career readiness, and college scholarship programs that each of The Wooden Floor’s 10 graduating classes of students need to make their dreams of higher education a reality.
Evan & Tom Corkett
Susan Cossaboom
Christina Di Rocco
Jen & Erik Dibble
Jane & Jim Driscoll
The Fritz and Mary Lee Duda
Family Foundation
John & Denise Duncan
Suzanne & Scot Ellingson
Nancy & Stephen Eng
Quinn & Bryan Ezralow
Gayle & Marc Ezralow
Floral Park Neighborhood Association
Dance Partner supporters underwrite a student’s annual participation at The Wooden Floor. Dance Partner students know there is someone outside of their family standing in their corner, encouraging them to overcome challenges and achieve success in school and life. Dance Partners and students stay connected through pen pal letters and optional visits at events and on campus. n Neighbors
A group of committed supporters who build community through monthly giving to inspire our youth to succeed. Sustaining monthly gifts provide the support our students can count on.
$1,000-$2,499
Kelly & Jacob Ford
Barbara & Gary Freedman
Gantry, Inc.
Ruchika Garga / RGA LLP
Sharon Govern p
Teresa & Richard Hamm
Salma Bushala-Hamud & Harold Hamud
Camille & Ron Howarth p
Stephanie M. Jernigan
Jewish Community Foundation
Orange County
Lisa & Larry Kallestad
Virginia Kroenlein n
The Beatrice F. Kroesche
Foundation
Sara & Steve Kuljis
Karen & David Leff
Littler
Joe & Sylvia Livingston n
John C. Lockhart Family Trust
Sarah López & Paul Korc
Beth & Randy Luce
Lugano Diamonds
Bertha & Kevin Masuda
Sally McIver p
Sandy & Charlie McLaughlin
Toni & Barry McManus
Linda & Ken Mesesan
$500-$999
Audrey & Andrew Aw
Tracey Booker-Veale & Allen Booker
Chris Chudacoff
Margaret J. Collins
Christine Crawford
Sandra & Gary Crouch
Kristi & Doug DeCinces
Suzanne & Peter Desforges
Catharine & James V. Dunlap
Kathy & Jerry Dunlap
Deborah & Cody Engle
Anthony Ferry
Jeni & Craig Frial
Hope & Rob Gannon
Diane Giblin
Wayne Goebel n
Eileen & Thomas Hildebrandt
John Jordano III
Jayme Klocker
Phillip Smith & Amy Larson
Joann Leatherby & Greg Bates
Agnes Lee
Berene & Swithin Lindbeck
Dandy O'Shea & Patrick McCalla
Christine McCauley
Dale A. Merrill
Evan Miles n
Erin & Todd Meyer
Barbie & George Miranda
Kim Nguyen
Trish O'Donnell
Peter Perrin
R & G Boyd
Morgan Ratcliffe n
Janet & Walkie Ray
RBC Wealth Management
Dawn & Eric Reese n
MacKenzie Corporation
Cheri & Rick Smetanka
Diane & Max Stites
The Strelow Family
Swartzon Family Foundation
Talented Outstanding Performer
Awards
Judy & David Threshie
Shervin Vadood
Denise & Bob Heenan
Firth & Colin Waldon
Suzanne M. Walsh
Richard Ward
Weier Family Foundation
Valerie & Aaron Weiss
Julie & Justin Wilson
Sharon & Greg Wohl
Erica Wohlwend
Mitsubishi Electric U.S.
Melissa & David Mohlman
Leigh A. Morris
Cathy L. Mullins n
Neurocrine Biosciences
Chanda Parrett
Stephanie & Steve Pinkus
Ryann & Ed Polatschek
Diane Sagey n
Heather Saito
Katy & Jack Schoellerman
Sally Lane & Gary L. Schoonyan
Karyn & Damon Shelly
Jill & Mike Stevens
Ginny & John Trapani
Amy & Jeff Vieth
Heather M. Vigil
Ellen & Michael Volk
Nancy & Jon Wagner
Pat & Richard A. Wallace
Betty & Jerry Werksman
Jon Whittaker
Jodie L. Wollman n
Lynn & Ron Wood
Jordan Young $1-$499
Sheila & Oz Abregov
Bernice & Dennis Adame
Logan Altman
Deborah Anderson
Lauren Andrews
Nancy Arellano
Payal & Adrien Avellan n
Norma Ayala
June Bahr
Renett Banagas n
Jessica Barkley
Julie Barrett
Kirsten Bauman-Vosyka n
Katy Biggerstaff
Susan Bonfil
Sheryl & Larry Bourgeois
Gwen & Jeffrey Brady
Valerie & Bill Brasher
Isabelle Brayman
Laura & Todd Brooks
Jyothsna Buddharaju
David Buster
Jasmin Camacho
Denise Carcel
Wendy & Randy Carr
Marcia & John Cashion
Heather Chalmers
Clark Construction Group, LLC
Edna & Richard Cole
Krista Coriaty
Lisa Cornell
Iliana Coronado n
Kelly Costello
Sarah Covarrubias
Paul Curran
Seán Curran
Frank T. Curry, D.D.S.
Pat & Jack Curtis
Johanna Cypis
Amy Dessaro
Maria & Stephen F. Donovan
Casey Doolin
Phillip Doolittle
Jennifer Durham
Jess & Phillip Dykstra n
John Eckhardt
David Elliott
Debbie Elliott & Jim Frieden
Chelsea Farbolin n
Nelson Farris
Brenda Fenn
Iain Fenwick
Gayle L. Fisher
Kim & David R. Fix
Judy & Mark Foster
Dinah & Cliff Frieden
Suzanne Finley Friend & David
Andrew Friend
Cubby & Richard Fyke
Yvonne Gallegos
The Gehr Family
Mahyar Ghassemian
Valerie Glover
Terry Goldfarb
Ron Goldstein
Jessica Gonzalez
Andrea Greil
Anh Nguyet Nancy & Paul Groner
Kassandra Guevara
Monica & Joe Guillena
Tianna Haradon n
Beverly & John Hargrove
Lisa & Todd Harman
Meagan C. Hayes
John Heginbotham
Mallory & Brandon Henderson
Janet & Joe Henry
Lois Heo
Anne Marie Herrera
Stephen Hryniewicki
Renee & Hayden Hunt
Susie Hyman
Erika Iler
Karen J. Jimenez
Olivia & A. Andrew Johnson
Kerry Johnson
Naveen Jonathan
Holly H. Joslin
Father Brad Karelius
Jeffrey Katz
Genie Tracy Kirchner
Ayleen Kiyan
Linda Kiyan
Usha & Vin Kumar
Sharon & Mark La Bonte
Lahmani Law
Kathryn Langston
Jennifer & Ron Lawrence
Gale & Wilbur Layman
Trudy J. Le Clair & Raymond S.
Bradley
Michelle Ryan & Roni Lebauer
Jennifer Lee
Kathryn Lee
Kathleen Lehman
David Lewis
Nathan Lozano
Theresa Madden
Jeri Marcia
Kathy & Joseph D. Mason
Tracy Mclaughlin
Louise & George Medina
Diane & Phillip Merdinger
Microsoft Rewards
Linda & Dan Miller
Edward Mora
Mary G. Morley
Betsey & JC Mosquera
Jeannie & Kevin Mullin
Patricia Mura
Pamela & Randall K. Nelson
Barbara K. Newsom
Linh Nguyen
Nike
Sophie Nolan
TJ O'Brien
Sara & Juan M. Pacheco
Rocio & Luis Padilla
Jahan & Sumeet Pandhoh
Loretta F. Panighetti
Jeanine Pardon
Leo Paredes
Teresa Pasquale
PayPal Giving Fund
Sandra Pearson
Edna Bernal Perez & Phillip Perez
Kelly Peterson n
Alix Portillo
Sandy Possehl
Melissa Potter
Caroline & Marshall Powell
Judi & John K. Power
Karen & Steve Presley
Kirsten & Eddie Prosser
Karen Raab
Emily Rankin
Megan Rappe
Mindy Rappe
Danielle Rivas
Sol & Ken Roberts
Vanessa Rodriguez n
Mayra Romero
Jan Vitti-Rubel & Mike J. Rubel
Veraina Sakes
Angela Salgado
Cheryl & James D. Sanchez
Lauren & Spencer Schmitz
Meryl & Murray Schrantz
Sandy Schwartz
Colleen Scully
Heather Sheira
Sheri Shepherd
Martha Silva
Nancy Skinner
Annie Song n
Melissa Rosenberg & Lev Spiro
Rositsa Staynova
Kim & Jack Stemper
Lois A. Stolz
Marlowe Stone n
Camille & Tim Strader Jr.
Shelly Summers
Donald & Stephanie Sun
Ondar Tarlow
Karen Taylor-Bleiker
Michele & Scott Thayer
UBS Financial Services
Robert Valdovinos
Claire Van Ryswyk & Bryan D. Price
Gaddi & Elaine Vasquez
Sylvia Vazquez n
Judith & Murray Via
Maria Villa
Cheryl & Charlie Wagner
Maureen Wauters
Kristi L. Willette
Susan Williams
Chelle Wingeleth
Linda Zamora
Carol Zavala Living Trust
Debra Zimmerman
Step Forward: BUILDING
UPON 40 YEARS OF IMPACT
The Wooden Floor Endowment Campaign
In 2023, The Wooden Floor launched a special fundraising campaign in celebration of our 40th Anniversary. Step Forward is designed to further grow The Wooden Floor’s Endowment Fund to ensure future generations of students can reach their full potential in school and life.
Your impact when contributing Endowment resources to The Wooden Floor:
■ Serve hundreds more students each year through community engagement efforts.
■ Reach those students least likely to be able to afford the programs and services we offer.
■ Maintain our connected-campus model plus potential new spaces, and much more.
The Endowment Fund helps us sustain the high impact and quality programs and services that we are known for. We aim to provide long-term financial sustainability for today, and future generations of students to come.
ENDOWMENT FUND OPPORTUNITIES
There are three main areas of focus where your gift to the endowment can make an impact.
The Wooden Floor Endowment (in support of greatest need)
Contributions to The Wooden Floor’s Endowment Fund create a legacy from your support, addressing areas of greatest need: inventive artistic and performance opportunities; wrap-around services, including mental health support, academic tutoring, and technology; college and career readiness; individualized mentoring beginning as early as 6th grade; family support services, and much more.
The Wooden Floor Scholarship Endowment
Direct gifts or planned gifts towards The Wooden Floor’s Scholarship Endowment create long-term sustainability for the College Scholarship Awards program, to support more tailored college scholarship awards to keep pace with students’ access to higher education and help ensure our students graduate.
Build Upon the Future Endowment
Direct gifts or planned gifts in support of The Wooden Floor campuses will ensure that we will be able to grow prudently while focusing on financial sustainability, support the infrastructure and staffing required to sustain services, and update and improve upon our beautiful student facilities.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE THAT WILL LAST FOR GENERATIONS
Please consider a gift to our Step Forward campaign to strengthen our important mission to inspire and transform the lives of young people through the power of dance and access to higher education. We are happy to share more and discuss your thoughts on how you can make an impact today with a direct gift and/or through your estate planning as part of The Wooden Floor Legacy Society. Please contact CEO Dawn S. Reese at 714-541-8314 x136 or at Info@TheWoodenFloor.org. With you walking by our side, we will step forward together.
The Wooden Floor Endowment Underwriters
Priscilla & Ed Akins
Theresa & Jonathon Allen
Anonymous
Veronica & Bill Avzaradel
The Beall Family Foundation
Mary Anne & Brad Blaine
Janet & James Brown
Beth Burns & Mark Gorman
Kristen & Jeffrey Bush
Dr. & Mrs. John L. Butler Jr.
James & Dori Caillouette
The Huneycutt Family Foundation, Michele & Joseph Chatelle
Capital Group Companies Inc.
Bobbi Cox
David Danielson
Suzanne & Fouad Darweesh
Katherine & John Dean
Deloitte
Carol & Steven Delson
Donald and Constance Sperling Foundation
Laurie & Steve Duncan
Sally A. Durham
Employees Community Fund of Boeing California
Fainbarg Family Foundation
Fieldstead and Company
Cheryl Finley & Barry Neal
First American Financial Corporation
Fluor Foundation
Darlene & Walter Gerken
Judy Gillispie
Mary Ellen Glaser
Genet & Manuel Gómez
Patricia & Frank Hall
Sharon & Terry Hartshorn
Hearst Foundations
Helen Sperry Lea Foundation
Lydia & Ken Himes
Richard T. Howard
Elizabeth & David Hunsaker
Ginnie & Rich Hunsaker
Hutton Parker Foundation
Irvine Barclay Theatre
Olivia & A. Andrew Johnson
Yvonne & Damien Jordan
Dorothy & Donald Kennedy
Laguna Beach Ballet Studio
Linda & Richard Lambert
Luana & David Langlois
Cath MacIver & Jim Slaughter
Janice & John Markley
Marilyn McIntyre
Daphne Munzer
Tricia Nichols
Tom Nielsen
Trish O'Donnell
Yvonne & John O'Neill
Ginger & Arthur Ong
Julie & Scott Osborn
Pacific Life Foundation
Palley Family Trust
Dorothea & Peter Perrin
The Wooden Floor Legacy Society
Constance & Alan Peters
R.C. Baker Foundation
Rochelle V. Thacker Foundation
Samueli Foundation
Schoellerman Foundation
Segerstrom Foundation
Sisters of St. Joseph Ministry Fund
Judith F. Posnikoff
Manya & Jim Slevcove
Peggy & Doug Slonkosky
Joni & G. T. Smith
Teresa & Bill Smith
Robyn & Dave Stauffer
Patricia W. Stayner
Jean Stevenson
Lois Stolz
Marjorie Sutton
Judy & Dennis Sweeney
Judy & David Threshie
Mary & Gary Tolar
Caitlin & Ben Tusher
UBS Financial Services
Ueberroth Family Foundation
Socorro & Ernesto Vasquez
Isabelle Villaseñor
Ellen & Michael Volk
Linda & Tod White Charitable Fund
Pat & Bob Willis/John D. Glaser
Scholarship Fund
Marilyn & John Wilson
Mary Ann & Frank Xavier
The Wooden Floor Legacy Society is proud to recognize and continue to honor those who have made provisions for a future gift through a bequest, life insurance, annuity, trust agreement, or an outright gift to the organization. We extend deep gratitude to the members of The Wooden Floor Legacy Society for their visionary commitments.
Theresa & Jonathan Allen
Anonymous
Diane & Dennis Baker
Corrine Bayley & Laurie Julian
The Beall Family Foundation
Brenna & Keegan Bell
Brian & Brenda Deeley Family Foundation
Michele & Joe Chatelle
Laura Curran
Michelle & Tim Dean
Donald and Constance Sperling Foundation
Honorable Albert A. Frink & Denise Frink
Wayne Goebel
Sharon & Frank Govern
Adele & Bryan Green
Patricia & Frank Hall
Sharon & Terry Hartshorn
Ginnie & Rich Hunsaker
Jillian & Jehan Jayakumar
Yvonne & Damien Jordan
Virginia Kroenlein
Carole & Rich Lee
Nancy & Edward Leonard
Sylvia & Joe Livingston
Cath MacIver & Jim Slaughter
Robert Mairena/Office Solutions
Shari & Beau Nokes
Patrick O'Halloran
Cyrus Parker-Jeannette & Patrick Ross Jeannette
Dawn & Eric Reese
Caitlin & Ben Tusher
Socorro & Ernesto Vasquez
Gena & Richard Way
Pat & Bob Willis/John D. Glaser
Scholarship Fund
Barbara & Bill Yingling
Carole Zavala
Thank you to our Scholarship Underwriters
Scholarship Endowment Fund Underwriters
We are grateful to the following supporters who have invested in The Wooden Floor’s Scholarship Endowment Fund through direct scholarship gifts, pledges, and bequests:
Dawn & Charles Antis
Michelle & Tim Dean
Fainbarg Family Foundation
Suzanne Finley Friend & David Andrew Friend
Sharon & Frank Govern
Adele & Bryan Green
Carole & Rich Lee
Linda & Tod White
Charitable Fund
Annual Scholarship Underwriters
Teresa Loughlin & Brent Finley
Mary Ann R. Finley Family Foundation
Cheryl Finley & Barry Neal
Donald and Constance Sperling Foundation
Thank you to Suzi Chauvel and the Chauvel Foundation for underwriting The Wooden Floor scholarship awards for up to four consecutive years during a student’s college tenure, lovingly known as the Chauvel Scholars.
Uplift Scholarship Underwriters
We are grateful to the following supporters for investing in The Wooden Floor’s Uplift Scholarship Award to provide financial assistance to The Wooden Floor’s highest-achieving graduates. The scholarship is designed as a means to complete the student’s unmet financial need, so they have the opportunity to pursue higher education at their first choice university at no cost.
Anonymous
Suzi Chauvel/Chauvel Foundation
Legacy Scholarship Underwriters
Sishir Reddy
Donald and Constance Sperling Foundation
In honor of their legacy at The Wooden Floor, we would like to acknowledge Board Emeriti Virginia and Richard Hunsaker, who before their passing in 2021, have ensured that any student of The Wooden Floor who is accepted to the University of Redlands will receive a full scholarship award through the university’s Hunsaker Scholars Award, in perpetuity.
KeepthePromise Wine Tasting Benefit™
Sponsors of our annual Keep the Promise Wine Tasting Benefit help us keep the promise we make to each of our students: “From here, you can step anywhere.” We are grateful to our 2024 Sponsors whose leading support helped our 18th Annual Benefit gross nearly $410,000 to fund our core year-round dance, academic, and family support programs.
PREMIER ($30,000+)
The Beall Family Foundation
Janice & John Markley
PLATINUM ($20,000-$29,999)
Theresa & Jonathon Allen
GOLD ($10,000-$19,999)
Wendy & Michael ArcieroAnaheim Ducks & OCVIBE
Frome Family Foundation
Adele & Bryan Green
Emily & Jeremy Krout
Charitable Gift Fund
Rick LeBrun
Nicholas Pardon
Judith Posnikoff
Nancy & Geoffrey Stack
Nancy & Arn Youngman
SILVER ($5,000-$9,999)
Capital Group Companies
Farmers & Merchants Bank
Sharon & Terry Hartshorn
Teri & Alan Hoops
Hydraflow - The Ayloush Family
Jehan JayakumarCarlson & Jayakumar LLP
Yvonne & Damien Jordan
Karin Krogius & Scott Mason
Carole & Rich Lee
Joy McGuinness
Paula & Douglas Neff
Ginger & Arthur Ong
Rudy Pacheco, Esq. – DiMarco | Araujo | Montevideo Injury Attorneys
Providence Health Plan
The Smith Group
Karen K. Ulman & Robert M. Knapp
Warne Foundation
Peter G. Welsh - Gantry, Inc.
BRONZE ($3,000-$4,999)
Michele & Joseph Chatelle
The Ezralow Company
Cath MacIver & Jim Slaughter
Monica & Jim Meacham
Trish O'Donnell
Bonnie & Dan Platt
Shelly Sandoval & Jon Lash
Ronald M. Simon Family Foundation
Robyn & Dave Stauffer
Kathleen & Jerry Thode US Bank Private Wealth Management
COPPER ($1,500-$2,999)
Denise & Keith Banning
Jeff & Kristen Bush
City National Bank
John & Denise Duncan
Nancy & Stephen Eng
Ruchika Garga / RGA LLP
Greystar
Salma Bushala-Hamud & Harold Hamud
MVS Foundation
Julie & Justin Wilson
of September 20, 2024.
The Wooden Floor helped me build real confidence in myself. It took me outside my comfort zone by giving me a space to take risks and realize that I was capable of more than I thought. That sense of confidence wasn’t just about dance, it carried into how I approached school, work, and eventually leadership. It’s something I still draw upon today.
Returning to The Wooden Floor this spring as a Career Day panelist was incredibly moving and a full-circle moment - proof that the foundation built here can lead to real success. It reminded me how powerful this space was for me when I was a child. Seeing how the organization continues to evolve and impact the lives of youth has allowed me to reflect on how important it is to share experiences with younger generations. It means showing youth that their goals are within reach and that they are part of a community that believes in them.
The Wooden Floor is so much more than a dance program. It’s a place where young people are empowered to dream big. It’s a place that builds confidence, the confidence needed to succeed in life. My career goals have always been rooted in public service, and I consider it a privilege to serve the community I call home.”
Sylvia, Class of 1998
Sylvia Vazquez serves as the Deputy City Manager in Santa Ana, helping oversee key city operations and initiatives that improve the quality of life for residents. After high school, she pursued higher education and began a career in public service with the City of Santa Ana. She started as an intern and worked her way up over the years, serving in roles from Workforce Specialist to Economic Development Specialist. Sylvia earned her AA degree from Santa Ana College and her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a minor in Business Administration from California State University, Fullerton.
