2021 The Nutcracker

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TABLE OF CONTENTS The Nutcracker by Ventura County Ballet December 11 & 12, 2021 4 | Welcome Letter 5 | Directors: Kathleen Noblin 6 | Directors: Marina Fliagina 7 | Production Crew 8 | Libretto 11 | Cast 13 | Guest Artists 15 | Dancer Bios 17 | Seniors 20 | VCB Alumni 21 | Behind the Scenes 24 | Sponsors 25 | Red Shoes

Executive Director Kathleen Noblin Associate Artistic Director Marina Fliagina

Board of Directors President Michelle Parcher Secretary Cheryl Sills Members Cynthia Loughman Eileen Riddle

Parent Volunteer Guild Chair Alyssa Poelstra Meggen Maloney Red Shoes Co-Chairs Wendy Ullrich Casey Steiner

Advisory Board Barbara Fitzgerald J.Toby Noblin, Esq. Kristina Brook Kim Bingham John & Barbara Tyler *Melodie Kleiman *Sandra Laby *Mara Lysova *Ronald Noblin, M.D. *Micheline Sakharoff *Helen Yunker *In Memoriam

Dear Friends of Ventura County Ballet, Greetings and welcome to Ventura County Ballet’s 23rd annual production of The Nutcracker – although, perhaps, we should have an asterisk by 23rd. Last year, our planned outdoor Nutcracker performances as part of Concerts in Your Car were derailed by the emergency stay-at-home order. Nonetheless, we persevered with a last-minute performance one week early for friends and family amid high winds and blustery temperatures. As they say, the show must go on … and it did!

We are now so very grateful to once again dance live before you in this beautiful theater after nearly two years, unlike anything any of us had ever experienced before. It was a time when theaters went dark across the world, but dancers and other artists never stopped perfecting their art.

Whether in kitchens or living rooms or even parking lots, dancers kept dancing and sharing their work digitally. However, when theaters went dark, Ventura County Ballet and other performing arts organizations like us saw all revenue cease. That’s why your support, demonstrated by your presence today, is vital to keeping dance alive in Ventura County!

We are so pleased to bring you this year’s production – featuring global ballet stars Aaron Smyth and Elizaveta Domracheva and nearly 80 highly talented professional and preprofessional local dancers and the happiest, hardest working snowflakes and Ginger kids you’ll ever see. It is truly a gift for all of us to dance for you today!

This is just the beginning of the rebirth of live dance in Ventura County.

In 2022, we’re planning a wonderful Spring Show as well as more intimate performances of contemporary and neoclassical works in diverse venues and outreach performances to take live dance to those who could otherwise not experience it.

Please visit our website (www.venturacountyballet.com), follow us on Facebook and Instagram, or join our email newsletter list to stay in the know.

We hope you will continue to support Ventura County Ballet (a 501c3 nonprofit organization) with your attendance, enthusiasm, and financial support. You’ll find more information outlined in this program on the Red Shoes page and on our website.

We wish you all a healthy and joyous holiday season. Now, sit back, relax and be prepared to enter the magical world of The Nutcracker.

Kathleen Noblin, Executive Director

Michelle Parcher, President

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Ms. Noblin founded the Ballet Academy Ventura in 1992. The school has successfully trained students for the finest professional summer programs in the U.S. and Europe.

Graduates have received scholarships to Columbia University, UCLA, Cal State, BYU, and University of Southern California. Jazmine Quezada, 18 yrs old, has been accepted into professional level of San Francisco Ballet’s School on full scholarship. Her sister, 16-year-old Julie Quezada, has also been accepted on full scholarship to San Francisco Ballet’s School. Summer intensive students, Greta Pankratz and Audrey Flynn: New York City Ballet’s School of American Ballet, Alyssia Troutman: Joffrey Ballet – New York, Jasmine Duncan: San Francisco Ballet, Natalie Burkhart: Rock School of Pennsylvania Ballet and Ella Hoyt: Joffrey Ballet Chicago. Other acceptances have been from American Ballet Theatre, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Ballet West, State Street Ballet and Boston Ballet to name a few.

DIRECTORS

Kathleen Noblin, Executive Director/ Founder

Ms. Noblin founded the Ventura Country Ballet (VCB) in 1998 and has served as Executive Director since its inception. VCB presents Tchaikovsky’s beloved The Nutcracker as well as a Spring Ballet annually. Ms. Noblin directs the Ventura County Ballet’s Therapeutic Dance for Children and Educational Outreach for elementary and middle school students in Ventura County and the annual Nutcracker program for the Ventura County Hospital Pediatric Oncology Unit. She has directed collaborations with New West Symphony, Ventura Music Festival, Ventura County Master Chorale, Museum of Ventura County, San Buenaventura Foundation for the Arts, National Charity League, Working Artists Ventura (WAV) and Focus on the Masters. Ms. Noblin, UCLA graduate, holds a B.S. in Sciences and Nursing from UCLA and credentials, is a Certified Public Health Nurse and holds a credential in Health and Development from UCLA postgraduate. Ms. Noblin has participated in Ventura’s cultural landscape as a member of the Ventura Cultural Planning Steering Committee. In 2008, Ms. Noblin received the Mayor’s Arts Award from the City of Ventura as Arts Educator of the Year. She worked with Arts Live Advisory Council which is directed at strengthening local arts organizations through training and audience development, fund development, marketing, strategic planning, and planned giving.

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DIRECTORS

Marina Fliagina, Choreographer / Ballet Mistress Born in Russia, Ms. Fliagina graduated with distinction from the Perm State College of choreography in Russia. In 1990 she was accepted to Moscow State Theatre Kremlin Ballet where she worked with the renowned Vladimir Vasiliev and Ekaterina Maximova.

She was then accepted to the worldrenowned Perm Ballet where she was a soloist at the Perm State Opera House/ Tchaikovsky Ballet. She has performed roles in all the famous classical ballets and has toured internationally with the Russian Imperial Ballet, Moscow Classical ballet, and the Moscow Festival Ballet. Ms. Fliagina joined State Street Ballet as a dancer in 1998 was promoted to Ballet Mistress since 2000.

In addition to her Ballet Mistress duties, she continues to appear in character roles in ballets like The Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet, and Cinderella. Ms. Fliagina has been an instructor at Ballet Academy Ventura since 2000. She has been Ventura County Ballet Company’s Associate Artistic Director and Choreographer and Ballet Mistress since 2005, choreographing 11 full-length ballets.

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Amy Watts

Backstage Props and Quickchange

Lobby Sales

Deirdre Lomeli

Yesenia Anderson

Brown Paper Tickets

Michelle Parcher Dressing Rooms

Michelle Parcher & Kimberly Globerman

Make-up

Matt Ehret Packers and Loaders

Amy Aguilar

Cuing

Poster, Flyer & Digital Program Cover Design

Camarillo Flower Shop

Ulyana Poteshkina

Flowers

Digital Program Design & Layout

Michelle Edwards

Tara Pielaet & Ulyana Poteshkina

Hospitality

Melinda Hoyt & Christine Renshaw

Digital Program Photographer

Cheryl Sills & Amy Aguilar

Grams

Media

Deirdre Lomeli

Alyssa Poelstra

Box Office

Security

Ann De Farra, Barbara Whalen, Barbara Messer & Barbara Viruetta

Kathleen Noblin

Seamstress

Julia & David Marsden

Small Props, Headpieces & Hand Sewing

Ticket Takers/Program/Ushers

The Ventura County Ballet would like to thank all of the volunteers who gave so selflessly of their time to make this year’s Nutcracker a great success. Without out wonderful volunteers these productions would not be possible.

PRODUCTION CREW

Rochelle Roman

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THE NUTCRACKER

A Ballet in Two Acts E.T.A. Hoffman's Nutcracker and the Mouse King Music: Peter I. Tchaikovsky Choreography: Marina Fliagina after Marius Petipa and Vaynonen

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The strange soldier was a Nutcracker.

Clara is very taken with the awkward Nutcracker Soldier doll, and she promises to take good care of him. When Clara danced and played with her new toy her brother Fritz bounded up , grabbed the Nutcracker and broke him. Clara is heartbroken and cries.

Godfather Drosselmeyer repairs the Nutcracker with Clara's ribbon. He tells Clara that true love is the real magic and that she must always take care of her doll. The party comes to an end. The guests leave with their holiday gifts. The house falls dark and silent.

LIBRETTO

It was Christmas Eve, a night for magic. Anything could happen. The Stahlbaum family is happily preparing for their holiday party. The guest and the children spilled into the parlor. The Christmas tree is suddenly ablaze with lights, which delight the guests.

Clara’s godfather Herr Drosselmeyer arrives with very special gifts. The children begin to dance and play. Drosselmeyer entertains the children by disguising himself as a wizard, but Clara recognizes him. He then calls the children around him to view a puppet show. The puppets tell the story of pure hearted Princess, the evil Mouse Queen, and the brave Soldier. Herr Drosselmeyer also presents two life size dolls: a Harlequin who dances and gives his heart to lovely Columbine. Finally, Clara’s Godfather brought out a small wooden soldier, no bigger than a doll. His head was large and his features coarse.

Clara crept back to the parlor and cradled her Nutcracker. She curls up with him next to the tree and falls asleep and begins a wonderful dream... Now the magic begins!

The clock strikes twelve. Bong! The hungry Rats appears with their evil Mouse Queen.

Clara gasped. Suddenly, everything including the tree begins to grow. Nutcracker grown as large as Clara. The Fritz’s Tin Soldiers become life-size. The battle begins. The Mouse Queen and her Rats outnumber the Nutcracker and his soldiers. She was about to destroy the Nutcracker when Clara bravely steps forward to protect her Nutcracker with her love and bravery. Her goodness knocks the Mouse Queen helplessly to the ground.

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LIBRETTO

The walls of the parlor dissolved into the night. Before Clara’s eyes, the Nutcracker turned into a handsome prince. She was now dressed in the gown of the beautiful princess. What is the truly wonderful magic!! The Prince and his Princess travel through the Snow Forest filled with Snow Fairies. Clara’s unconditional love and bravery have been rewarded. They are greeted by the Snow King and Queen who present them with a magical sleigh to take them to the Kingdom of the Sweets.

On the way to a Kingdom of the Sweets, Clara and the Prince were greeted by the delicate Angels. The Sugar Plum Fairy presents Clara with a beautiful magical cape, as a token of gratitude for her bravery. With great ceremony Princess Clara and Prince were led to the banquet hall, where Sugar Plum Fairy beckoned her troupe of Delicacies. The Celebration begins!

First to perform were two Hot Chocolates, danced Spanish Fandango. Next come Arabian Coffee. The Chinese Tea Dancers fluttered their fans. High-stepping Russians kicked up their heels. Gingerbread Soldiers was guarding their Candyland Dolls with crispy candy canes. Mother Ginger rustled up with her children. Next the Dew Drop Fairy escorts them to the Land of the Flowers. Princess Clara dances with her beloved Nutcracker Prince. As the music faded, Clara knew it was time to return home. Sugar Plum Fairy reminds her that wishes come true if you have a pure and loving heart.

Frau Stahlbaum awakens Clara from her magical dream, and what a dream it was! No longer in the Kingdom of the Sweets, Clara finds herself beside her own Christmas tree. "Where is my beautiful Nutcracker?" said Clara. He was magically gone. Clara was no longer a princess, but a young girl who has learned the power of love, friendship, and devotion to others.

Godfather Drosselmeyer arrives for holiday supper with a special guest, his beloved nephew, young Herr Drosselmeyer. Clara marvels at the nephew’s resemblance to the Nutcracker Prince. What a dream! Clara learned that love must come from inside oneself. It must be unselfish, true, and unconditional. We must love everyone and rejoice in our differences. May your holidays be a “Season of Love”.

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Narrator: Don Gillespie Happy Family: Quinn Ferguson, Don Gillespie, Stevi Almanza, Emma Hansen, Emma Morneau, Leona Bea Rutherford Bossy Family: Ava Renshaw, Carter Gillespie, Aubree Lindsey, Giselle Lomeli, Olivia Poelstra, Mila Watts Clara’s Friends: Avila Edwards, Hailey Hall, Abby Steiner, Sylvie Watts Intellectual Family: Tiera Walsh, Caleb Knight, Kirra Anderson Snobby Mother: Olivia Roman, Daxton Ehret, Kaylee Rice Impressionable Family: Ella Ullrich, Jonah Tillery, Noelle Hall, Isabella Olmeda Late Mother: Nika Wallach, James Garrison Grandmother: Alvaro Quita Act I: Scene 1: The Party Frau Stahlbaum: Caroline Marsden Herr Stahlbaum: Jack Stewart Clara: Miranda Aguilar Fritz: London Lindsey Drosselmeyer: Enton Hoxha Harlequin Doll: Aaron Smyth Columbine Doll: Emma Steiner Tin Solder Doll: Jonah Tillery Grandmother: Alvaro Quita

2021 CASTING

Prologue

Party Mothers: Quinn Ferguson, Ava Renshaw, Olivia Roman, Ella Ullrich, Nika Wallach, Tiera Walsh Party Fathers: Carter Gillespie, Don Gillespie, Caleb Knight, Jonah Tillery Parent’s Dance: Caroline Marsden & Jack Stewart, Quinn Ferguson, Ava Renshaw, Olivia Roman, Ella Ullrich, Nika Wallach, Tiera Walsh Clara’s Friends: Avila Edwards, Hailey Hall, Abby Steiner, Sylvie Watts Party Girls: Stevi Almanza, Kirra Anderson, James Garrison, Noelle Hall, Emma Hansen, Emma Morneau, Kaylee Rice, Leona Rutherford Party Boys: Daxton Ehret, Aubree Lindsey, Giselle Lomeli, Isabella Olmedo, Olivia Poelstra, Mila Watts Princess Puppet: Monroe Jackmon Nutcracker Puppet: Zane Ehret Rat Queen Puppet: Keira Barker Act I: Scene 2: The Battle Nutcracker: Alvaro Quita Rat Queen: Ella Hoyt Rats: Carter Gillespie & Jonah Tillery (Leaders), Sienna Darlucio, James Garrison, Molly Globerman, Noelle Hall, Olive Kranzler, Makena Large, Avery Ohl, McKenna Parcher, Ava Renshaw Red Cross Brigade: Daxton Ehret, Zane Ehret, Makinley Gray Cavalry: Steve Almanza (Dec. 11 @ 2 PM), Emma Morneau (Dec. 11 @ 7 PM & Dec. 12 @ 2 PM), Kira Anderson, Emma Hansen, London Lindsey, Kaylee Rice, Leona Rutherford Tin Soldiers (on pointe): Avila Edwards, Hailey Hall, Penny Kranzler, Madeline Rick, Abby Steiner, Sylvie Watts 11

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2021 CASTING

Act I: Scene 3: Journey Through the Land of Snow Princess Clara: Leeza Domracheva Nutcracker Prince: Aaron Smyth Snow Queen: Greta Pankratz Snow King: Jack Stewart Snow Princesses: Ella Hoyt, Olivia Roman Snow Fairies: Quinn Ferguson, Caroline Marsden, Emma Steiner, Ella Ulrich, Nika Wallach, Tiera Walsh Snowflakes: Estelle Bartell, Marlee Bourne, Mia Poteshkina, Isabella Quintero, Violette Ritchey, Rubi Santana, Elena Tibbals, Edison Trigueros, Evelyn Young (Dec. 11 @ 2 PM & Dec. 12 @ 2 PM) Act II: Kingdom of the Sweets Angels: Sienna Darlucio, Molly Globerman, Penny Kranzler, Makena Large, Isheeta Pal, Ava Renshaw Sugar Plum Fairy: Greta Pankratz Variation: (Dec.11 @ 2 PM & Dec. 12 @ 2 PM) Chocolate (Spanish): Emma Steiner, Ella Ulrich Coffee (Arabian): Olivia Roman Side Arabian: James Garrison, London Lindsey, Avery Ohl, Kaylee Rice Tea (Chinese): Tiera Walsh, Carter Gillespie Side Chinese: Vivienne Aulenta, Keira Barker, Juliette Joens, Aubree Lindsey French Marzipan: Quinn Ferguson (center), Caroline Marsden, Nika Wallach Trepak (Russian): Olive Kranzler, McKenna Parcher, Caleb Knight Side Russian: Stevi Almanza, Kirra Anderson, Noelle Hall, Emma Hansen, Emma Morneau, Leona Rutherford Candyland Dolls: Hailey Hall, Penny Kranzler, Abby Steiner, Sylvie Watts Mother Ginger: Alvaro Quita Gingerbread Soldiers: Sienna Darlucio (Dec.11 @ 7 PM & Dec. 12 @ 2 PM), Molly Globerman (Dec. 11 @ 2 PM), Avila Edwards, Avery Ohl, Madeline Rick Mother Ginger Children: Daxton Ehret, Arianna Garcia, Josie Garrett, Makinley Gray, Monroe Jackmon, Giselle Lomeli, Olivia Poelstra, Mila Watts Dew Drop Fairy: Ella Hoyt Flowerland Cavaliers: Carter Gillespie, Caleb Knight, Jack Stewart, Jonah Tillery Flower Fairies Demi Solo: Quinn Ferguson, Caroline Marsden, Olivia Reese Roman, Tiera Walsh Flower Fairies: Miranda Aguilar, Sienna Darlucio (Dec. 11 @ 2 PM), Molly Globerman (Dec. 11 @ 7 PM. & Dec. 12 @ 2 PM), Olive Kranzler, Isheeta Pal, Madeline Rick, Nika Wallach, Emma Steiner, Ella Ulrich Grand Pas de Deux & Coda Princess Clara: Leeza Domracheva Nutcracker Prince: Aaron Smyth

Ventura County Ballet

Grand Finale

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Aaron John Smyth was born in Gold Coast, Australia. He trained with Prudence Bow Atelier and Dianne Talbot and attended the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at American Ballet Theatre on full scholarship under the direction of Franco De Vita. Mr. Smyth was then promoted to ABT II under the Direction of Wes Chapman where he danced at the Guggenheim Museum in Jessica Lang's La Belle Danse, Vivace Mottifs and Oblivion. Mr. Smyth joined the Royal Ballet in 2012 where he created a role in Christopher Wheeldon's Titian: Metamorphosis. Mr. Smyth was "Showcase" Australian Dancer of The Year in 2006 and in 2008 he won the Gold Medal at the Genee International Ballet Competition and the Bravo Audience Choice Award. In 2010, he was a Finalist at the Prix De Lausanne and won the Silver Medal (Partner) at the USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson Mississippi. In 2012, he was the Silver Medalist at the Cape Town International Ballet Competition, the Silver Medalist at the Beijing International Ballet and Choreography Competition in 2013. Mr. Smyth won a Bronze Medal at the USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson Mississippi 2014. He received the prestigious Royal Academy of Dance Solo Seal Award, placed 3rd in the Australia's Got Talent Television Series. He performed at the Metropolitan Opera House in American Ballet Theater's Spring Gala and the Royal Academy of Dancing Gala in Tokyo, Japan. In 2012, he performed at The International Olympic Committee Gala at the Royal Opera House, in the Beijing International Ballet Awards Gala in China and the Seoul International Dance Gala in Korea. Recently, he has been a guest artist at The International Ballet Gala in South Africa and has performed with The Joffrey Ballet of Chicago and Royal Ballet, London. Prince.

Aaron recently performed the lead role in the London production of American in Paris.

In 2018, Mr. Smyth played the ‘Snow Cavalier’ in Disney’s “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms”. Ventura County Ballet is pleased to have Aaron return as the Nutcracker for our 23rd annual performance.

GUEST ARTISTS

Aaron John Smyth

Elizaveta Domracheva (Leeza) Leeza was born in Santa Barbara, CA, and graduated with honors from International Perm State Ballet College – a professional Ballet School in Russia and danced professionally with Russian Ballet Theatre in Moscow. She has toured through Germany, Switzerland, China, and Greece. In 2016 Elizaveta became a finalist of the Russian national Talent TV show “Blue Bird” in Moscow. In the spring of 2019 Elizaveta won Second Place at the International Ballet and Contemporary Dance Competition “Domenico Modungo” in Italy, where she also got a Special Jury Prize.

In the fall of 2018, Leeza performed the principal part of Liza in the ballet premiere “La Fille Mal Gardee”, on the Stage of the famous Perm Opera and Ballet Theater. Also, at a young age, she was trained at the Official school of State Street Ballet and Ballet Academy Ventura prior to attending Perm State Ballet College. She has performed with State Street Ballet in Cinderella and with Ventura County Ballet and Fresno Ballet Theater.

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GUEST ARTISTS

Jack Stewart From Albuquerque, New Mexico, received his dance training at New Mexico Ballet under the direction of his mother, Jennifer Boren. Jack has performed principal roles with the State Street Ballet in The Nutcracker, The Secret Garden, Starry Night and An American Tango. Jack return for his twelfth season with Ventura County Ballet having recently danced the principal role in Convergence part of Ventura County Ballet’s Dance ART presentation. He will dance the role of Herr Stahlbaum and Snow King in The Nutcracker this season.

Alvaro Quita From Tucson, Arizona, began his ballet training at Dancing in the Streets Arizona under the direction of Joseph Rodgers and Soleste Lupu at age 17.

He then attended State Street Ballet’s Summer Intensive and joined the for Professional Track training program two years.

Alvaro has performed in numerous State Street Ballet productions, both in Santa Barbara and on tour, and has been a guest dancer with Fresno Ballet Theatre, Northwest Ballet, and at his home studio in Tucson. This is Alvaro’s third season with the Ventura County Ballet.

Caleb Knight From Grand Junction, CO, started his training with Absolute Dance. He received additional training from Milwaukee Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, and has been receiving training from State Street Ballet PreProfessional program in Santa Barbara, CA, since the fall of 2020. Caleb has performed as the Snow King in Absolute Dance’s production of The Nutcracker and Rat with State Street Ballet.

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16 years old, Ventura High School Years dancing: 14 Professional summer intensives admissions & acceptances: San Francisco Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Marat Daukayev School of Ballet, State Street Ballet Academic awards: Full scholarship to San Francisco Ballet Summer Intensive, Outstanding Musicianship Award for st Saxophone, 1 place contemporary piece and 2nd place for ballet variation at California Classics 2017

Emma Steiner 16 years old, Ventura High School Years dancing: 14 Professional summer intensives admissions & acceptances: Ellison Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, American Ballet Theater, Joffrey Ballet, The Rock (scholarship), Marat Daukayev School of Ballet, State Street Ballet Academic awards: The Rock school summer intensive scholarship, 1st place California Dance Classics, 2nd place California Dance Classics

Ella Ullrich 16 years old, Ventura High School Years dancing: 10 Professional summer intensives admissions & acceptances: San Francisco Ballet, Marat Daukayev School of Ballet, State Street Ballet Academic awards: Honor Roll

PRE-PROFESSIONAL

Olivia Roman

Nika Wallach 15 years old, Ventura High School Years dancing: 13 Professional summer intensives admissions & acceptances: State Street Ballet Academic awards: Girl Scout Silver Award, Community service

Tiera Walsh 16 years old, Ventura High School Years dancing: 12 Professional summer intensives: State Street Ballet Academic awards: Community service

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PRE-PROFESSIONAL

Quinn Ferguson 17 years old, Ventura High School Years dancing: 14 (5 at BAV) Professional summer intensives admissions & acceptances: Marat Daukayev School of Ballet, State Street Ballet Academic awards: Honor Roll, Society of Women Engineers Certificate of Merit

Ella Hoyt 17 years old, Foothill Technology High School Years dancing: 15 Professional summer intensives admissions & acceptances: ABT New York, Joffrey Chicago, Ballet West Academic Awards: Ballet Academy Ventura Dancer of the Year 2018, California Dance Classics Bronza, FTHS Renaissance 4 years

Caroline Marsden 17 years old, Ventura High School Years dancing: 12 Professional summer intensives admissions & acceptances: Marat Daukayev School of Ballet Academic awards: Quill and Scroll Society, Honor Roll, Los Angeles Times High School Insider, Mock Trial attorney, Editor-in-chief of The Cougar Press

Greta Pankratz 17 years old. Ventura High School Years dancing: 15 Professional summer intensives admissions & acceptances: School of American Ballet New York City, Marat Daukayev School of Ballet, Cuizon Ballet Centre, Ballet Academy Ventura, accepted to Joffrey Ballet summer intensive Academic awards: Honor Roll, California Scholarship Federation, National Honor Society, Society of Women Engineers Certificate of Merit winner, Editor-in-Chief of school newspaper, first place for duets at California Dance Classics 2017

Greta, Caroline, Ella, and Quinn are high school and Ballet Academy Ventura seniors.

This is a very special performance for them, as they will be dancing in the Nutcracker

by Ventura County Ballet for the last time as BAV students. Let us take a moment and look back at their years in Ballet Academy Ventura.

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Party Mother | Parents Dance | Snow Corps | Mirliton (Center) | Demi Waltz Prior roles: Rat | Gingerbread | Clara's Friend | Waltz Corp | Russian | Party Parent | Chinese | Snow Corps | Demi Waltz | Demi Snow | Mirliton

QUINN FERGUSON

5th Season

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ELLA HOYT 12th Season

Rat Queen | Snow Duet | Dew Drop Fairy Prior roles: Snowflake | Mouse | Candy | Puppet | Infantry | Side Chinese | Party Girl | Side Russian | Cavalry | Clara’s Friend | Candyland Doll | Russian Variation | Clara | Chinese Variation | Snow Corp | Merliton | Doll/Columbine | Demi Waltz | Demi Snow | Spanish Variation | Snow Duet

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Snow Queen | Sugar Plum Fairy Prior roles: Snowflake | Candy | Red Cross Mouse | Puppet | Lollipop | Cavalry | Side Chinese | Side Russian | Side Spanish | Party Girl | Party Parent | Angel | Candyland Doll | Russian Dancer | Waltz Corp | Demi Waltz | Snow Corp | Demi Snow | The Doll | Arabian

GRETA PANKRATZ

13th Season

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VCB ALUMNI

Sophia Parker: University of California, Irvine: Dance Major Natalie Burkhart: Butler University, Indiana: Dance Major Jasmine Duncan: University Southern California: Non-Governmental Organizations and Social Change Olivia Gaston: University of California Santa Barbara- Feminist Studies Maia Virtue: Ventura College Shalyn Bib hens: Adventure College Charlotte Fox: University of California Santa Barbara: Biological Sciences Marley Reinig: Michigan State University: International Studies (Business) Alexandra Roth: Grand Canyon University: Forensic Science Kira Tebbe: University of Cincinnati: Biology, specializing in Medical Sciences Roxey Newman: University of Utah: Dance Tia Johnson: University of California, Irvine: Art Madeline Offerman: University of California, Los Angeles: Cellular and Molecular Biology Madeleine Riddle: Pepperdine University: Theatre Arts and Dance Anastacia Barnaby: Cal State University, Northridge: Liberal Studies Danna Friedman: California State University, Sonoma: Elementary Education: Dance extracurricular Corynn McAtee: Parsons the New School for Design, New York Chelsea Portugal: American River College: Early Childhood education Hana Goldstone: $40,000 scholarship: Columbia University: Dance Samantha Schilke: State Street Ballet, Santa Barbara Shannon Finnegan: Scholarship: California State University, Long Beach: Dance Chloe Donnelly: California State University, San Francisco: Communications/Dance Taylor Montgomery: California State University: Communications Rachel Arnold: California State University, Long Beach: Dance Steven Flores: full scholarship: California Institute of the Arts: Dance Virginia Shields: University of California, Santa Barbara: B.S. Mechanical Engineering Sharlee Horton: California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, B.S Business Administration Kristin Rice: Moorpark College Sabrina Rosengren: University of California, Los Angeles: English Melissa Radley: Scholarship: Brigham Young University: Dance Adrian Torres: Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre: New York Sarah Grether: Stuttgart Ballet, Germany Megan Philipp: Scholarship: Butler University: B.A. Dance, M.A. Dance Pedagogy, New York University Vanessa Stowers: Scholarship Butler University: B.A. Dance Lucia Edlinger: Berlin Opera Ballet: Germany Amy Womer: Full scholarship: Butler University: Graduate B.A. Dance, M.A Dance, Purchase College, New York Jennifer Hutchison: University of California, Los Angeles: B.A Dance/Psychology, M.S., Ph.D. Psychology

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BEHIND THE SCENES

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BEHIND THE SCENES 22

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BEHIND THE SCENES 23

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2021 SPONSORS $10,000 Director's Circle

State of California Arts and Culture Program

$5,000 Principal

City of Ventura Cultural Funding Program

Ventura County Community Foundation

Ventura County Cultural Arts Relief Program

$1,000 Corps de Ballet

$500 Patron

$250 Partner

Ish and Barbara Messer John and Barbara Tyler Kalorama Landscape, Inc Kathleen Noblin Ms. Christine Petti

Julie Capritto Michelle Parcher

Barbara Fitzgerald Cheryl Sills Sarah Otterstrom

$100 Contributor

$50 Friend

Cynthia Loughman Eileen Riddle Madeline Hazard Meggen Maloney Pamela Burkhart

Kathryn Felix Laura Garcia Michele Fabrizi Pooja Bavkar

Legacy Donors Dr. and Mrs. Ronald D. Noblin Jordan and Sandra Laby Miss Helen M. Yunker Sakharoff Foundation

In-Kind Donor Hofer Properties Media

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