Proudly Presents APRIL 11, 2025 7 PM APRIL 12, 2025 2 PM & 7 PM
CENTER FOR THE ARTS | MARGARET A. WEBB THEATRE
GUEST CHOREOGRAPHER
AMALIA VIVIANA BASANTA HERNANDEZ, BALLET FOLKLÓRICO DE MEXICO
Dear Friends & Families,
It is my privilege to welcome you to the 2024-2025 performance season at Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA)! I am so honored to introduce this year’s amazing lineup of student performances and events.
This school year marks an exceptional milestone, as OCSA has now resided and flourished in the city of Santa Ana for 25 years! Over the past quarter of a century, the OCSA campus in Santa Ana has seen countless performances and served as the launching pad for thousands of dreams. Our campus has also provided a home away from home for students (and staff!) from Santa Ana and beyond. I cannot wait to see how our legacy within Santa Ana continues to grow and evolve.
As we open yet another exciting chapter in the history of the school, I would like to give a warm welcome to our new Chief Operations Officer, Dr. Gregory Endelman. Not only does he bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the position, but he is also a great and caring human being who is ready to do what it takes to help our school be the best it can be for our students and staff.
I am looking forward to partnering with Dr. Endelman, along with our esteemed administrators, faculty, and staff, to take OCSA into this next chapter!
At this time, I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to our 2024-2025 corporate season sponsors, Pendry Newport Beach, Farmers & Merchants Bank, Boot Barn, and Yamaha, as well as to our Board of Trustees, Foundation Board of Directors, Emeritus Board, President’s Circle, and Encore members. The continued success of OCSA’s mission would not be possible without their support, leadership, and vision.
Finally, I must acknowledge our parents, alumni, administrators, faculty and staff, members of the local community, and most importantly, our student artists. Our students are the inspiration and driving force behind what we do every single day.
I am thrilled to have you join me in celebrating another impressive performance season. Please enjoy all of the magic OCSA has to offer!
With gratitude,
Teren M. Shaffer President & CEO Orange County School of the Arts
We provide an unparalleled arts and academic education in a creative, challenging, and nurturing environment to a diverse group of students who are passionate about the arts, preparing them to reach their highest potential.
Established in 1987, the nationally recognized Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA) offers a dynamic school culture that enables students to flourish as artists and scholars. The school currently serves a diverse student body of approximately 2,300 students in grades 7-12 from more than 100 cities throughout Southern California.
In addition to offering a challenging college-preparatory academic program that produces high-achieving, motivated scholars, OCSA provides aspiring young artists with the opportunity to refine their skills and flourish in one of 17 arts conservatories. Each year, more than 200 concerts, recitals, staged performances, and exhibitions are presented at a variety of venues in Orange County and throughout the world, providing students with the unique experience of entertaining and inspiring thousands of audience members.
OCSA is a donation-dependent public charter school; no student is offered or denied admission based on financial capacity. The school’s rigorous academic education coupled with advanced arts training has impacted many students, molding generations of creative thinkers, leaders, artists, innovators, and entrepreneurs.
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Dear Friends, Family, and Supporters,
It is with immense joy and gratitude that we welcome you to our Ballet Folklórico Conservatory concert, Cielo, Mar y Tierra—a celebration of movement, music, and the deep cultural roots that connect us to Mexico’s vibrant traditions.
Tonight, our talented students take the stage to showcase not only the rich and colorful heritage of Mexican folkloric dance but also their versatility in flamenco, modern, and contemporary dance. Through these diverse styles, they honor the rhythms of the past while embracing the artistry of the present, creating a breathtaking fusion of tradition and innovation.
This extraordinary performance would not be possible without the unwavering support of our generous donors, sponsors, and parents. Your contributions and encouragement provide our dancers with the opportunity to grow, refine their craft, and bring these incredible dance suites to life. Because of you, they have the platform to preserve tradition, explore new creative expressions, and share their passion with the world.
It is through your support that our students had the opportunity to work with Amalia Viviana Basanta Hernandez, Director of Ballet Folklórico de Mexico earlier this year. These connections are inspiring and help our students understand not just the art form, but the importance of keeping these traditions alive.
Thank you for being part of this journey, for believing in our students, and for helping us keep this cultural legacy alive. We invite you to immerse yourselves in the magic of Cielo, Mar y Tierra and celebrate with us the beauty of dance in all its forms!
With heartfelt appreciation.
Marlene Peña-Marin
PROGRAM
Orange County School of the Arts
BALLET FOLKLÓRICO DANCE CONSERVATORY presents
Jaranas Yucatecas
Mexticita
Nicte Ha
Timbalero
Mimi Gines
Reyna Grisel
Guanajuato Colonial
Los Barreteros
Jarabe Gatuno
Los Ritmos Neoleoneses
El Romi
Monterrey de Mis Amores
Los Jacalitos
Blanca Nelly
Pajaro Campana
Among the Clouds
Nuestra Tierra
INTERMISSION
La Tierra Prestada
Tangos de la Sultana
Sevillanas
Farruca
Alegrias de Cadiz
Boda en la Huasteca Xontolero
Xochipitzahuatl
La Petenera
La Prietita Clara
La Calavera
Cielito Lindo
La Huazanga
¡Viva Jalisco!
Cancion Vaquera
La Negra
El Jalisciense
El Tranchete
El Jarabe Tapatio
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The Ballet Folklórico Conservatory of the Orange County School of the Arts is dedicating this weekend’s performances to our beloved maestro Alejandro Gonzalez Herrera, Director Artística de La Compañía Titular de Danza Folklórica de la Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León. We had the honor of working with maestro Herrera in September of 2017 where he mounted our Nuevo Leon suite which is remounted for this production. He unconditionally gave his knowledge and passion of the dances of Nuevo León to many students over his tenure as a teacher and director. Always kind and willing to support in any way possible. His resume is a long list of concerts, tours, and more workshops than one can imagine where he instructed dancers from all over the world. One of the most humblest individuals that will be extremely missed in the folklórico world of dance. May you live on in every dancer you have touched maestro.
Director: Marlene Peña-Marin
FACULTY
Chelsea Asman - Modern
Anne Elise Garrison – Choreography Composition and Contemporary
Mercedes Ibarra – Flamenco
Sarah Burke – Classical Ballet
Lilia Muñiz – Folklórico Repertory
Madeline Peña – Folklórico Repertory and Technique
Ismael Murillo – History of Folklórico Dance
JUNIOR CONSERVATORY STUDENTS
7th Grade
Ella Bustillos, David Godinez, Olivia Herrera, Ashlynn Lozano, Atticus Martinez, Karen Martinez, Alan Parra, Kara Pineda, George Rivera, Alyssa Sarinana, Alexander Servin
Alexi McGinness, Alyssa Felix Garcia, Nichole Smith
PROGRAM NOTES
Jaranas Yucatecas
Choreography by Lilia Muñiz and Madeline Peña
Yucatan’s folklórico culture, a vibrant blend of indigenous, Mayan and Spanish traditions, is particularly evident in its music, dance, and clothing. The Jarana is a distinct style of music and dance with a history dating back at least two centuries, blending indigenous and Spanish influences, as well as Cuban and African elements. The traditional Jarana dance is typically performed in pairs, with the intricate footwork being the same for both women and men. The women adorned in their beautiful ternos clearly show the syncretism between the Spanish influence through the embroidery, and the indigenous huipil style of dress. The vaqueria is a popular festivity, organized by landowners to thank their hired hands after the cattle branding, where the Jarana is traditionally performed. The music is often played by an orchestra with prominent instruments like clarinet and saxophone, and the music is a blend of Spanish folklore with pentaphonic sounds of Mayan music, and Afro-Caribbean guaracha style.
Guanajuato Colonial
Choreography by Lilia Muñiz
Dance was of great importance during the colonial period, as it was the form used by the friars to catechize. In the last two centuries of colonial life, a mestizo music and dance tradition inevitably developed, blending European forms—not only Spanish, but also those from many other countries with which, through Spain or directly, there was some contact. This country’s new artistic expression achieved its definitive consolidation in the 18th century. When the “son” appeared in the early 18th century—applying this name to popular songs and dances—the mestizo sensibility, the basis of all aspects of Mexican nationality, was already represented in music and dance.
Los Ritmos Neoleoneses
Choreography by Lilia Muñiz and Madeline Peña
Nuevo León folk dance reflects the region’s rich cultural heritage, blending indigenous traditions with influences from Spanish colonial and European styles, with many dances and songs emerging in the 20th century. European dances like the polka and schottische, along with musical instruments like the accordion found their way into the region, influencing the music and dance styles. The dances of this state, particularly in the northeastern region, feature lively dances like the polka, shotis, redova, and local huapangos, influenced by German, Polish, and Czechoslovakian traditions.
Among the Clouds Choreography by
Anne Elise Garrison
This piece is inspired by the physical explorations that might take place if given the opportunity to explore a world among the clouds. Movement generated through inspired vocabulary, student creativity, and contemporary techniques, dancers will transport you into a world of peaceful fog, elegant stratus swirls, and powerful thunderstorms.
Nuestra Tierra Choreography by Chelsea Asman
This piece is inspired by the stories shared by students in both Modern I and Modern II describing their families’ journeys to the United States and their thoughts and feelings around current events involving deportation. Students brainstormed words they associated with immigration. These words were the catalyst for the movement of the dance and can be seen woven throughout the piece. The words included are hope, running, crossing the border, sacrifice, family, wall, American dream, fear, community, separation, discrimination, opportunity, and journey.
La Tierra Prestada Choreography by Mercedes Ibarra
Flamenco, which is from the region of southern Spain called Andalucía, is a few hundred years old, but it has roots that go back about 1,000 years to the northwest region of India. This is where the Romani people, the creators and keepers of Flamenco, originated. Over the next few hundred years, the Romani, who were often attempting to escape slavery and persecution, traveled through Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Africa, crossing both land and water, until some arrived in Spain. Along the way, the Romani paid close attention to the music and dance of all the places they passed through and took what they liked and mixed it with their own to create something new.
The title of this Flamenco section comes from the title of a book by Patrick Jasper Lee called, We Borrow the Earth: An Intimate Portrait of the Gypsy Folk Tradition and Culture. In it, Lee talks about how the Romani were commonly known as “Children of the Earth,” or “Children of the Air,” because of their nomadic existence. As you can see, the show’s title, Cielo, Mar, y Tierra, perfectly encapsulates this history of the Romani and Flamenco. This section begins with Tangos de la Sultana, a song and dance that harkens back to the time Andalucía was under Moorish rule as well as the time the Romani traveled through the Middle East. Flamenco Tangos is a rhythm that is often described as “earthy,” due to its more grounded style, perfectly representing “Tierra.” We continue with the Sevillanas, which is an example of an already existing Spanish folk dance that was fused
with Flamenco once the Romani arrived in Spain. The Farruca speaks of a black bird taking flight and is therefore the dance representing “Aire.” It also is representative of the Romani who arrived in Spain from the north and spent some time in the region of Galicia. Finally, we end with Alegrías de Cadiz, a style from the Bay of Cadiz, and therefore representative of “Mar.” This is a perfect ending to this section because it is a dance that tells a story with a large range of emotion, including both sadness and joy.
Boda en la Huasteca
Choreography by Amalia Hernandez restaged by Viviana Basanta Hernandez, Marlene Peña-Marin, and Madeline Peña
In the lush and vibrant landscape of the Huasteca Potosina lies a tradition that transcends time and connects the living with the spirits of their ancestors. Known as Xantolo, a celebration that marks the Day of the Dead festivities. Dancers adorn masks that represent the living and the dead, followed by the danza Xochipitzahuatl, meaning “thin flower” that has a mystical ritual sense in honor of mother earth. The Huapango, a vibrant form of Mexican folk dance and music, are a cornerstone of the traditional Son Huasteco style, particularly prominent in the Huasteca Potosina region that showcase the virtuosity of the dancers’ footwork combined with intricate formations. The extreme landscapes and emotions are reflected in this suite’s story of love and death.
¡Viva Jalisco!
Choreography by Marlene Peña-Marin
The traditional sones and jarabes, in addition to those of this generation, have been adapted to a style for presentation to a larger and less intimate audience. The folklore is no longer confined to local celebrations but has reached the level of a serious theatrical art form. The caporal has been replaced by the charro and the simple campesina by the ranchera with her attractive and colorful dress. But the basic structure and its essence have been preserved. The result continues to be undeniably – Jalisco!
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Born in Mexico City to teacher Amalia Hernandez and Argentine writer Joaquin Basanta, Viviana began her dance studies at the age of 5, both in traditional Mexican dance and in classical dance. At the age of 13 she joined the National Ballet of Mexico under Maestra Guillermina Bravo where she studied contemporary dance. Later she studied both modern, contemporary, and jazz technique abroad with instructors such as Alvin Nikolai, Murray Louise, Hania Holm, Alvin Ailey, and Hortan Dunham. In 1977 she returned to be part of the Ballet Folklórico de México as a dancer and strengthened the future of the company created by her mother Amalia Hernandez.
In 1979 she was named principal dancer of the company and later Artistic Coordinator. Since then she has carried out some of the research that was essential for the creation of the ballet’s programs such as Mexican Christmas, Sones y Gustos de Guerrero, and Tlaxcala, among others. She has received numerous awards and recognitions both in Mexico and the United States, too numerous to mention.
In 2002 she founded the Amalia Hernandez Dance Academy, ACADEZ in Mexico, and in 2005 she began México en Movimiento contemporary dance company. It should be noted that her choreographic work has gone beyond the borders of Mexico, through the creation and presentation of various staged performances with groups in the US. She works throughout the United States in her sought after workshops sharing the repertoire of the Ballet Folklórico de México. Maestra Hernandez continues to inspire, develop, and teach for the Ballet, as well as contributes and teaches at the school of the famous Ballet whose founder, Maestra Amalia, designated it a training center for folk dancers, and tasked it with the dissemination of Mexican culture through dance, both for the country of Mexico and the entire world.
MARLENE PEÑA-MARIN - DIRECTOR
As an artistic director, choreographer, and dancer, Marlene Peña-Marin’s talent is recognized throughout the Mexican folk-dance community. She has studied folklórico dance under numerous renowned directors and choreographers from the United States and Mexico, as well as La Escuela Nacional de Danza Folklórica del Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes in Mexico City. Growing up in the dance studios of Relámapago del Cielo, then a Company performer, Marlene began instructing children in 1987 as part of their Grupo Juvenil program creating new pieces and staging annual concerts. In 2002, Marlene was appointed Director of the newly formed Ballet Foklórico Dance Conservatory at the Orange County School of the Arts where she developed and implemented the program. In 2003 she was officially appointed Artistic and General Director of Relámpago del Cielo Grupo Folklórico carrying on the important work of her mother Rosie Peña founder of RDC. In 2013 she was invited to the Disney Resort to help choreograph a new holiday show titled, Disney ¡Viva Navidad! and in 2017, with the anticipation of the release of the Disney/Pixar movie Coco, Marlene was once again invited back to the Disney Resort to help choreograph “A Musical Celebration of Coco’’ where she remounts these shows annually. Her life’s mission is to give back to the youth in the community that was given to her through folklórico dance, a sense of connection and pride.
CHELSEA ASMAN - MODERN
Chelsea Asman is a graduate of the M.F.A. in Dance program at University of California, Irvine. She currently teaches dance at Glendale Community College, and for both the Kinesiology and Theatre & Dance Departments at California State University Dominguez Hills. Mrs. Asman has served as the Mentor Match Coordinator for Everybody Dance LA! since 2018 and is a new member of the Ballet Folklorico Conservatory faculty at Orange County School of the Arts. She has also taught at Loyola Marymount University and Fullerton Community College. Mrs. Asman has performed with many Los Angeles based dance companies including Diavolo Dance Theatre’s Education Company, Method Contemporary Dance Company, Invertigo Dance Theatre, Multiplex Dance, Kairos Dance Company, Jess Harper and Dancers, and Jay Bartley and Dancers. In addition to performing, Chelsea has shown work of her own at CSUDH, Glendale Community College, University of California, Irvine, L.A. Dance Festival, MixMatch Dance Festival, Transient Truths, Invertigo Dance Theatre’s Not Quite Love Stories, and HHII by Nebula Dance Theatre in Santa Barbara, California. In addition to dance, Mrs. Asman also has a background in fitness. She holds certifications in Pilates mat, Yoga, Yin Yoga, TRX Suspension Training, and is a certified personal trainer through the National Exercise and Sports Training Association.
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ANNE ELISE GARRISON - CONTEMPORARY
Anne Elise Garrison is a performer and teaching artist based in Long Beach, CA. Originally from South Carolina, Anne Elise began her dance training at Augusta West Dance Studio, where she trained in various styles such as ballet, jazz, contemporary, tap, and hip hop. Before graduating, she had the privilege of traveling with Dancemakers Inc. as an assistant and demonstrator to industry dancers such as Kathryn McCormick, Robert Roldan, and Justin Giles. Anne Elise moved to California in 2018 to earn her undergraduate degree at Chapman University, completing a BFA in Dance Performance and a Minor in Nutrition. Her time in Southern California has led her to dive deeper into the practice of Gaga and Countertechnique and before joining Backhaus Dance, perform for artists such as Ido Tadmor, João Ducci, Kelly McGill, and Mara Hancock. Since becoming an educator in 2022, Anne Elise balances her time as a Backhaus Dance Teaching Artist and Company Member with her time in studios as an instructor for the Dancecapade Ballet Company, Jazz/Contemporary Competitive Dance Team at FOCUS Dance Center, and OCSA’s Ballet Folklorico Conservatory as a Contemporary and Choreography Instructor. She values the time spent with her students as they keep her curious and eager to spread joy through dance education.
MERCEDES IBARRA - FLAMENCO
Mercedes Ibarra discovered Flamenco in 1995 at UCLA when choosing a dance class on a whim. In just a year, she became a member of DeLiRitmo Dance Company, under the direction of Liliana de Leon-Torsiello, and then later joined the Gabriela Garza Flamenco Dance Company, performing all around Southern California. In 2005, she moved to Spain where she studied at the world-renowned Centro de Arte Flamenco y Danza Española, Amor de Dios, in Madrid. Also studying with Flamenco masters such as La Truco, David Paniagua, Inmaculada Ortega, Marta Jimenez and Manuel Reyes Maya. While in Madrid, Mercedes also performed at the tablao, El Juglar, in the historic Flamenco district of Lavapiés. After returning from Spain, Mercedes began performing at all the local tablaos in Southern California and continued her studies with Roberto Amaral, Briseyda Zarate, and Linda “La Matadora” Andrade, joining Andrade’s company, Sakai Flamenco, in 2010. She has also been a regular collaborator with Collage Dance Theater/Heidi Duckler Dance Theatre since 2010. In 2016, Mercedes joined the faculty of the Ballet Folklorico Conservatory at the Orange County School of the Arts. In 2019, Mercedes took over as the Artistic Director of Sakai Flamenco and in doing so, became a Teaching Artist for the Los Angeles Music Center, Los Angeles Arts Organization, and College of the Canyons, leading workshops and producing performances in schools and in the community. She has been a member of the International Dance Council at UNESCO since 2014.
LILIA MUÑIZ - FOLKLÓRICO
Ms. Muñiz was introduced to dance at a very young age and quickly realized it was her passion. She has studied various forms including Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Folkórico, which is what she enjoys the most. In 2007 she opened her own dance space and became the director of USA Dance Studio. Ms. Muñiz was a member of Grandeza Mexicana Folk Ballet Company for over 10 years, under the direction of Jose Vences. Some of her performance venues include the Ford Amphitheatre, Hollywood Bowl, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, and the Colosseum at Caesars Palace. In 2017/2018 she was cast in the holiday show ¡Viva Navidad! at the Disney Resort. She continues to enhance her folklórico knowledge by attending conferences and seminars both in the US and Mexico. In 2019 she was awarded the OCSA Artist Teacher Fellowship to travel to Tepic, Nayarit studying the indigenous and received the fellowship once again in 2023 where she traveled to Yucatan to continue her training. Miss Lili truly enjoys teaching the beautiful and colorful dances of Mexico and wishes to pass on that knowledge for many years.
MADELINE PEÑA - FOLKLÓRICO
As a third generation of a family of dancers, Madeline was immersed in folklórico dance at a very young age. She began instruction at age 3 with Relámpago Del Cielo where she is now part of the dance company and an instructor continuing to research and create new pieces. She is a graduate of the Orange County School of the Arts Ballet Folklórico Dance Conservatory. Madeline has performed in various venues throughout California and Mexico and has continued her training by attending the Seminario Transnacional de Danza workshops in Mexico to help further her knowledge in folklórico dance. Madeline has had the privilege of performing in Disney ¡Viva Navidad! Since 2013, as well as “A Musical Celebration of Coco” presented at the Disney Resort. Madeline has returned to her alma mater OCSA as an instructor in the Ballet Folklórico Dance Conservatory to give back to the community that inspired her. Miss Maddie, as she is known by her students, enjoys sharing her passion and choreographing for the next generation of dancers.
Ballet Folklórico Dance Conservatory
CONSERVATORY OVERVIEW
The Ballet Folklórico Dance Conservatory offers intensive and specialized training in the art of Mexican folk dance, emphasizing technique, body alignment, control, strength, and style. This program is designed to develop well-rounded dancers with a curriculum that includes folklórico technique and repertoire, classical ballet, modern, contemporary, flamenco, and Spanish folk dance. Students receive professional training from ballet folklórico maestros, guest master artists, and university faculty. Ballet Folklórico Dance students expand their understanding of choreography by learning repertoire from the various states and regions of Mexico and Spain, thereby developing technical strength and artistry while also gaining appreciation for historical and cultural values.
Ballet Folklórico Dance Conservatory students in grades 9-12 have the unique opportunity to audition for the award-winning performance group Las Estrellas, which is regularly invited to perform at charitable events throughout the community. Upon graduating, all Ballet Folklórico Dance students will have gained the skills and experience needed to audition for professional opportunities and/or attend a four-year university dance program.
PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES
Through performances, students are provided the Through performances, students are provided the opportunity to develop their creative abilities and express themselves as dancers and artists. The Ballet Folklórico Dance Conservatory presents an annual spring concert showcasing repertoire from the entire school year, as well as special choreographed pieces. Additional performance opportunities include a holidaythemed dinner show, Danzantes Unidos Festival Showcase, a student choreography presentation, various competitions, and Season Finale at Segerstrom Center for the Arts.
ABOUT THE DIRECTOR
As an artistic director, choreographer, and dancer, Ms. Marlene Peña-Marin’s talent is recognized throughout the Mexican folk dance community. From an early age she was deeply immersed in the rich traditions of folklórico dance, leading to her training at La Escuela Nacional de Danza Folklórica del Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes in Mexico City. This exposure ignited a passion for preserving and celebrating the cultural heritage of Mexico through dance. She is the founding director of Orange County School of the Arts’ Ballet Folklórico Dance Conservatory which began in 2002.
In 2003, she was officially appointed as the artistic and general director of Relámpago del Cielo Grupo Folklórico, where she grew up dancing and eventually teaching, staging concerts, and helping to grow the organization into one of the largest folklórico studios in the region. She continues to study and research the dance form through conferences sponsored by the Asociación Nacional de Grupos Folklóricos and the annual Seminario Transnacional de Danza in both the United States and Mexico. In 2013, Ms. Peña-Marin was invited to co-choreographed the holiday show Disney ¡Viva Navidad! at the Disneyland Resort. She returned to the resort in 2017 to co-choreograph A Musical Celebration of Coco, which she remounts annually. Ms. Peña-Marin’s dedication to ensuring the historical and cultural accuracy of the regions she presents is crucial to the success of the groups under her direction.
SCHOOL, FOUNDATION & CONSERVATORY LEADERSHIP
SCHOOL
President & CEO
Teren Shaffer
Chief Operations Officer
Gregory Endelman, Ed.D.
Principal
Michael Ciecek
Assistant Principal of Instruction
Kimberly Barraza Lyons, Ph.D.
Assistant Principal of Student Services
Becca Freeland
Assistant Principal of Arts
Maria Lazarova, D.M.A.
Assistant Principal of Student Supervision
Abbe Levine
Director of Special Services
Lauren Reynolds
Learning Specialist
Shelley Stanphill
FOUNDATION
Vice President of Communications
Kelly Andrews
Vice President of Development
Elizabeth Ton
CONSERVATORY
Director of Productions
Eric Hamme
SCHOOL OF APPLIED ARTS
Arts & Enterprise
Ally Bushman, Director
Mekjian Family Culinary Arts & Hospitality
Daniel Mattos, Chef Director
SCHOOL OF DANCE
Ballet & Contemporary Dance
Steven B. Hyde, Director
Ballet Folklórico Dance
Marlene Peña-Marin, Director
Ballroom Dance
Robert Porch, Director
Commercial Dance
Nicole Berger, Director
SCHOOL OF FINE & MEDIA ARTS
Creative Writing
Joshua Wood, Director
Martin & Cynthia Howard
Design & Media
Patrick Williams, Director
Film & Television
Aaron Orullian, Director
Integrated Arts
Charna Lopez, Director
Cassandra Foster, Conservatory Manager
Visual Arts
Paige Oden, Director
Randy Au, Assistant Director
SCHOOL OF MUSIC
Classical Voice
Ryan Reithmeier, D.M.A., Director
Instrumental Music
Sarkis Baltaian, D.M.A., Director
Pianist Program
Strings & Orchestra Program
John Reynolds, D.M.A., Director
The Garn Family Jazz Studies Program
Frederick Fennell Wind Studies Program
Nicholaus Yee, D.M.A., Coordinator
Strings & Orchestra Program
Popular Music
Natasha Pasternak, Director
SCHOOL OF THEATRE
El-Erian Family Acting
John Walcutt, Director
Donald Amerson, Conservatory Manager
Musical Theatre
Ryan Miller, Director
Amelia Barron, Conservatory Manager
Production & Design
Kelly Marie Pate, Director
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Officers
Paul Satkin, Chair
Gary Humphreys, Secretary
Members
Hon. Halim Dhanidina (Ret.)
Vincent Foley, Jr.
Jessica Herthel
FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Officers
Jason Herthel, Chair
Teren Shaffer, President & CEO
Jennifer Sternshein, Secretary
Michael Laven, Treasurer
Hon. Halim Dhanidina (Ret.), Board of Trustees Representative
Jennie Johanson-Maya, Vice Chair, Public Relations & Marketing
Eoin L. Kreditor, J.D., Vice Chair, Legacy Giving
Kimberley Lakes, Ph.D., Vice Chair, Human Capital
Christine Walker-Bowman, Vice Chair, Finance
Directors
Lisa Argyros
Jim Bergman
Lisa Brennan
Miaad Bushala
Bruce E. Chapman
Jim Conroy
Julia Feldman
Lamia Gabal, M.D.
Julie Garn
Jason Gwin
Gillian Hayes, Ph.D.
Steven Ho
Martin Howard
Michael Le, M.D.
Lee Runnels
Don Steiner
EMERITUS BOARD
Julia Argyros
John Daniels
Sandy Segerstrom Daniels
Mohamed El-Erian
Brad Ellis, J.D.
Maria Newkirk Fong
John Gates
Carol Green
Jerry Mandel
Michal Mekjian, Jr.
James “Walkie” Ray
Judy Sabbagh
Susan Samueli, Ph.D.
Janice Frey Smith
Kate St. Clair
Russell Stern
John Vestri
Scott Woolsey
In Memoriam
Paul Folino
Doug Garn
Sebastian Paul Musco
Lew Webb
The OCSA Foundation is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to providing financial support to the school The Foundation accomplishes this through individual contributions (in addition to families’ annual Conservatory Funding Agreements); membership support and social groups, including Encore; corporate sponsorships; special events; foundation grants; legacy giving; capital campaigns; and community engagement programs and classes.
All Foundation gifts and membership contributions provide invaluable support toward important schoolwide initiatives that directly benefit our talented students.
SEASON SPONSORS
Thank you to the following 2024-2025 President’s Circle members:
Armi and Ron Abiera
Cheryl Alderson and Charles Dominguez
Courtney and James Banaag
Autumn and Frank Bignami
Alyson and Alfredo Cartagena
Kara and Rob Casola
Kathy and William Chang
Joy Chao and Jason Lee
Arpi and Bobby Charlu
Julia and Lewis Cho
Gretchen and Jim Conroy
Michelle and Tim Danaher
Neeti and Sandeep Dang
Saranya and Halim Dhanidina
Malisa and Kanwal Duggal
Julia Feldman and Ryan Malone
Sally and Dan Fleet
Laura Forbes and Mike Huntley
Betsy and Luke Freiler
Lamia Gabal and Charlie Wilcoxson
Stacy and Jason Gwin
Sameena and Ali Habib
Allison and Brian Herman
Jason and Jessica Herthel
Jennie Johanson-Maya and Sal Maya
Karen Kim and Spencer Ho
Annu Khemka and Maneesh Goyal
Cheryl and Michael Laven
Debbie and Bonaparte Liu
Sherry and Paul Main
Greg McCollum and Jeff Van Hoosear
Matt and Diana McCutchen
Maeesha Merchant and Gaurav Diwan
Jessica Miley and Alejandro Brubaker
Tita Nguyen and Michael Le
Rose Paguirian-Steiner and Don Steiner
Allison and Jim Panetta
Amy Parekh and Jay Shah
Brad Pivar and Rod Escobedo
Ami and Rakesh Puvvada
Alexis and Julian Recana
Catey and Chris Reese
Trilby and Michael Robinson-Dorn
Melissa and Jeffrey Ruderman
Anna Schlotzhauer and Jim Bergman
Jennifer and Brad Smith
Karen Smith and Jay Jerrier
Mohini and Vip Soni
Jeannette and John Soumbasakis
Lisa Stevens Wegner and Jed Stevens
Rina Stinson
Kim and Bert Tavares
Mei Tsang and Steve Brown
Ivy Wang and Patryk Symchych
Courtney and Andrew Wittkop
Manuella and Michael Yassa
Michelle and Gary Yoshino
Sandy and David Young
Jinny and Ed Yun
Thank you to the following 2024-2025 Season Sponsors:
Thank you to the following 2024-2025 Encore members:
Armi and Ron Abiera
Acting Conservatory Mom
Anonymous
Justin Aragon and Laura Boysen-Aragon
Ms. Jyothi Atluri
The Bailey Family
James and Courtney Banaag
Edgar and Julie Barajas
Team Bignami
The Bittel Family
Ronald and Dawne Both
Lisa and Jack Brennan
Christe Bruderlin
The Bullock Family
Dr. Alyson and Alfredo Cartagena
The Casola Family
Kathy and William Chang
Joy Chao and Jason Lee
Arpi and Bobby Charlu
Tim and Rita Chen
Julia and Lewis Cho
Vincent and Karla Chung
Cogswell Design Inc.
Dr. Gretchen and Mr. James Conroy
Kristy Crownover
CV Programs
The Dale Family
Tim and Michelle Danaher
Neeti and Sandeep Dang
Ramit and Rakhi Dayal
The Deutschman Family
The Dhanidina Family
Joe and Jessica DiPenta
DM
The Dominguez Family
Isabel Dong
Kyle and Courtney Duff
Malisa and Kanwal Duggal
The Elder Family
Dr. & Mrs. Gregory and Lisa Endelman
The Engle Family
Julia Feldman and Ryan Malone
Sally and Dan Fleet
Laura Forbes and Mike Huntley
Luke and Betsy Freiler
Lamia Gabal and Charlie Wilcoxson
Kim Gangnes
Byron and Raquel Gillen
The Goodemote Family
The Gourley Family
Apra and Rahul Gupta
Mala and Neeraj Gupta
Brandi and Javier Gutierrez
Jason and Stacy Gwin
Sameena and Ali Habib
Aurora He
The Herman Family
Jason and Jessica Herthel
Stacey and Justin Hill
Andy and Gracie Hinton
Scott Holty and Emilie Albert
Angela Huang
Cindy Hughes and Paul Schmidhauser
The Idriss Family
Ivie-Valle Family - IN This House Love Rules
Jenii Jacobson
Jennie Johanson-Maya and Sal Maya
Angela Kent
David and Sara Kerrane
Andrew and Chinyee Keyoung
Annu Khemka and Maneesh Goyal
Karen Kim and Spencer Ho
Kevin and Kelly Kelley
Barbara and Keith Kuntz
Jason and Susan Lai
Cheryl and Michael Laven
Rosemarie and Michael Le Coz
My Lee
The Lee Family
Scott and Susan Lee
The Liu Family
Debbie and Bonaparte Liu
Kevin and Louise Lloyd
The Ly-Pang Family
Jay and Danielle Madison
Molly Mahoney and John Dominguez
Paul and Sherry Main
Greg McCollum and Jeff Van Hoosear
Matt and Diana McCutchen
Paul Mendoza
Maeesha Merchant and Gaurav Diwan
Val and Larry Miles
Jessica Miley and Alejandro Brubaker
The Mitras
Olga, Geoff, and Avery Mizrahi
Moon’s Family
Yvonne Naranjo
Tita Nguyen and Michael Le
Niu Family of FTV
The Oh Family
The Ortiz Family
Molly Ortwein
Rosemarie Paguirigan-Steiner and Don Steiner
Jim and Allison Panetta
The Parekh Shah Family
Oscar and Jessica Parra
The Passalacqua Family
The Pennor Family
Peters Architecture Inc.
The Pivar-Escobedo Family
Rakesh and Ami Puvvada
The Ransford Family
Hon. Julian and Alexis Recana
Chris and Catey Reese
Mr. and Mrs. Carlos and Nancy Reyes
Savalai and Brent Ridley
Trilby and Michael Robinson-Dorn
Logan and Carol Ross
The Rossfeld Family
Melissa and Jeff Ruderman
Anna Schlotzhauer and Jim Bergman
The Schultz Family
David and Tina Sidoni
Bandana and Jolly Singh
Brad and Jennifer Smith
Karen Smith and Jay Jerrier
Mo and Vip Soni
Lisa Stevens Wegner and Jed Wegner
Rina Stinson
John and Jeannette Soumbasakis
Patryk Symchych and Ivy Wang
Kim and Bert Tavares
Elliot Tong
The Truong/Kondo Family
Mei Tsang and Steve Brown
Reagan Vallejo
Michael and Nicole Vicioso
The Vik Family
The Villanueva Family Foundation
The Vitta Kama Family
The Voros Family
The Weaver Family
Courtney and Andrew Wittkop
Parents of David Wong (CW, ‘26)
Brenda Wooding and Eric Adler
Brian Yan’s Family
Michael and Manuella Yassa
Michelle and Gary Yoshino
Drs. Edward and Jinny Yun
The Zazik Family
UNLOCK LEGAL
Professional License Defenders
We Represent All Licensed Professionals
• Doctors
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• Real Estate agents/ brokers
• and many more
The goal of Students First: A Capital Campaign is to create an enhanced campus environment that will benefit the entire OCSA community.
Thank you to the following individuals and organizations who have donated in support of this transformational campaign:
Acting Conservatory Families, Class of 2025
Anonymous
Julia and George Argyros
Lisa Argyros
Albert and Miaad Bushala
The Cha Family
Dr. Gretchen and Mr. James Conroy
The DeVoe Family
DevTo Support Foundation
The Dhanidina Family
The Dirk Family
El-Erian Family Foundation
Roberta Estrin
Farmers & Merchants Bank
The Garn Family
The Harold Struck Charitable Fund
Shelley and Steven Ho
The Larry and Helen Hoag Foundation
Martin and Cynthia Howard / Howard CDM
Chinyee and Dr. J. Andrew Keyoung
N&D Kim Family
Tina and Eoin Kreditor / Cleo A Bluth Charitable Foundation
Dr. Kimberley Lakes and Dr. James Kay
Cheryl and Michael Laven
Hsueh Chun Lo
The Malone Family
Jennifer and Paul Meyhoefer
Mrs. Tita Nguyen, Esq. and Dr. Michael Le
Ryan and Jin O’Grady
The Park Family
Debbie and Joe Rogoff
Samueli Foundation
Anna Schlotzhauer and Jim Bergman
Karen Smith and Jay Jerrier
The Sternshein Family
The Tioleco-Cheng Malabarba Family
Ryan and Nicole Warne-McGraw
The Wegner Family
Michelle and Gary Yoshino
If you are interested in supporting the OCSA Foundation, please reach out to Vice President of Development Elizabeth Ton at elizabeth.ton@ocsarts.net or visit www.ocsarts.net/DonateNow
Special Thanks To Our Families
Thank you to all of our OCSA families who have contributed this year through the Conservatory Funding Agreement (CFA) in support of their child’s arts conservatory experience. Your contributions specifically support conservatory salaries, facilities, equipment and supplies, performance opportunities, guest artist master teachers, and field trips.
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COLLEGE SUCCESS
Emphasizes fundamental operational skills, computational fluency, and problem-solving abilities
Integrates Algebra, Geometry, and Statistics to prepare students for both traditional and Integrated Math courses
Topics beyond our curriculum scope, such as Algebra 2, Trigonometry, or Calculus, are covered under our Homework Support program
HOMEWORK SUPPORT
Ideal for students needing assistance with homework, struggling with specific concepts, or preparing for tests
Offers support for higher-level Mathematics and AP courses
Sessions are student-driven, structured towards specific needs, and focus on the material students bring for support
Dependent on teacher availability and subject matter
Enhances reading fluency, higher-order analysis skills, and overall comprehension
Prioritizes development of advanced critical thinking skills to cultivate confident, proficient readers
Expands knowledge of vocabulary and word meanings
STUDY SKILLS
Enhances academic habits through goal setting, organizational skills, time management, and effective test-taking strategies
Strengthens active reading, listening, outlining, note-taking (including the Cornell method), and study techniques
Tailored for middle to high school demands
Provides extensive customizability to meet individual student needs effectively
Develops the five-step writing process and various writing techniques that make writing assignments more manageable
Stengthens fundamental language skills (grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling) that make writing clear and accurate
Provides experience with various essay types: narrative, informative, persuasive, and research
SAT/ACT PREP
Provides teacher-led in-depth instruction on application of best practices, key reasoning skills and test-taking strategies
Access to two student workbooks (Math, English) which provide instruction on test concepts and features, homework, and mixed review practice
Access to SylvanPrep.com, an individualized online component, for one full year
Access to multiple full length practice tests which mimic the conditions of a real test
*SylvanPrep.com can be used as a standalone self-led program (Sylvan Prep Online) *Sylvan Insight Assessment is required for enrollment*
Pendry Newport Beach is proud to be a sponsor of the Orange County School of the Arts.
Contemporary Luxury
WHEREVER THE FUTURE TAKES YOU
MAKE YOURSELF HEARD
CREATE ENRICHING OPPORTUNITIES
The Hearts for the Arts campaign provides additional support for arts conservatory needs beyond each conservatory’s annual budget. Donations help to fund special equipment and supplies, performances, field trips, and other arts enrichment opportunities for our talented OCSA students.
HELP STUDENTS IN NEED
The Artist Scholar Sponsorship Program supports economically disadvantaged students who attend OCSA. Donations help to fund the arts conservatory portion of their school day and ensure they have access to the full OCSA experience, including yearbooks, technology, school supplies, and more.
PROVIDE GUEST ARTIST EXPERIENCES
The Master Artist Series supports high-profile visiting artists who create meaningful experiences for our student artists. Donations help to bring master artists and industry leaders to OCSA’s campus to share their career stories and expertise with students through residencies, master classes, lectures, and performances.
CSArts Academy offers extracurricular arts courses to student artists of various ages from throughout the community. Join us for fun and rewarding classes in the fall, spring, or summer!
FALL SATURDAY SERIES
Classes begin September 21, 2024
Registration opens in late August
SPRING SATURDAY SERIES
FALL SATURDAY SERIES SPRING
SPRING
Classes begin February 22, 2025
Registration opens in January
Classes begin July 7, 2025
Registration opens in January
BECOME A SPONSOR!
Promote your business at a specific conservatory performance or throughout the entire conservatory season! Hear your company’s name announced from the stage, promote your brand to a loyal target audience, and receive complimentary tickets!
$2,500 PER CONSERVATORY PERFORMANCE SEASON
BENEFITS
•Recognition in conservatory-specific promotional materials and communications
•Customized speech from the stage at select performances in your conservatory’s season*
•Two (2) complimentary tickets to each performance** in your conservatory’s season
•Recognition on OCSA’s Digital Donor Wall in the Tower Lobby, Center for the Arts Lobby, and DMS Lobby
$1,000 PER SPECIFIC CONSERVATORY PERFORMANCE
BENEFITS
•Recognition in conservatory-specific promotional materials and communications
•Customized speech from the stage at your selected conservatory performance*
•Two (2) complimentary tickets to your selected conservatory performance**
•Recognition on OCSA’s Digital Donor Wall in the Tower Lobby, Center for the Arts Lobby, and DMS Lobby
PROCEEDS WILL DIRECTLY SUPPORT THE CONSERVATORY OF YOUR CHOICE!
To view a list of upcoming performances, please visit www.ocsarts.net/BoxOffice.
*Also applicable to conservatory-specific events.
**Some exclusions may apply, including special events and performances at outside venues.
Support from businesses directly impacts the transformational education and creative opportunities provided for our students.
Current OCSA Families: Please note that donations from businesses to this campaign cannot be allocated toward your Conservatory Funding Agreement (CFA). All OCSA families are encouraged to contribute the requested amount toward their child’s conservatory through the CFA prior to supporting other OCSA initiatives.
To secure your Spotlight Sponsorship, please contact Greg McCollum, Director of Corporate & Business Relations, at gregory.mccollum@ocsarts.net or 714.560.0900 ext. 6616
Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA) proudly offers a wide range of professional-level performance groups comprised of inspiring student artists from the school’s many arts conservatories. Make your private, corporate, or charity function more special by featuring a select group of OCSA’s bright and talented students!
Our extensive variety of repertoire is completely customizable. Choose the group that best meets the needs of your event and budget!
Ballet folklórico dancers
Ballroom dancers
Classical singers
Commercial dancers
Instrumental musicians
MONTAGE! performance ambassadors
CATERING SERVICES
We cater to your needs! Let our talented high school students and their world-class chef instructors make your gathering an event to remember.
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Our highly accomplished psychiatrists provide personalized, comprehensive and compassionate care to adolescents and adults.
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BEACH CLEAN-UP
WHAT IS KIWIN’S?
CNH KIWIN’S (California, Nevada, Haiwaii), similar to its KEY CLUB counterparts, is an student-led club that stretches among multiple schools, including OCSA. This club promotes a sense of community and allows students easy access to various COMMUNITY SERVICE events. Students can learn to strengthen skills such as LEADERSHIP, collaborating with others, and can learn the significance of supporting your community. This looks great on COLLEGE APPLICATIONS, especially since joining this club can open up opportunities for SCHOLARSHIPS, AWARDS, and NETWORKING.
ZOEY ZIEN, CA&H ‘27 CLUB PRESIDENT zoey.zien@ocsarts.net
“CHILDREN: THEIR FUTURE, OUR FOCUS, LIVE2LEARN”
One of CNH KIWIN’S major focuses/service events puts emphasis on students promoting education and literacy, focused on youth, ages 5-9. This is just one of the many community service opportunities strengthening students’ connection with their area.
✓ Low teacher:child ratios
✓ Child-centered, emergent, engaging curriculum
✓ Inclusive & integrated learning environments
✓ Strong image of the child
✓ Highly trained teaching team
Currently serving children ages 3 to 5 years old
PROGRAM OFFERINGS
California State Preschool
•Reduced family fees for qualifying families
•Part-Day Program Sites:
•Commonwealth Elementary
•Hermosa Drive Elementary
•Maple Elementary School
•Orangethorpe Elementary
•Pacific Drive Elementary
•Woodcrest Elementary
•Full-Day/Full-Year Program Sites:
•Richman Elementary
•Valencia Park Elementary
Fee-Based Preschool
•Part-Day Program Sites:
•Beechwood Elementary
•Sunset Lane Elementary
•Full-Day Program Site:
•Sunset Lane Elementary
Fullerton School District
Educational Services
Preschool Program
714-447-7499
https://www.fullertonsd.org/preschool
Fullerton School District 2025 - 2026
Dual Language Academy
Great Schools, Successful Kids
Accepting Intents to register TK through 8th grade
Spanish and English Dual Immersion 90/10 Model
Korean and English Dual Immersion 50/50 Model Read, write, and communicate effectively
Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) 21st Century Learning Skills, Cross-cultural competencies
FOR MORE INFORMATION: 714-447-7416 / FULLERTON_DLA@MYFSD.ORG OR VISIT: FULLERTONSD.ORG/PAGE/2468
