2015 Press Kit

2015 Press Kit (Photo: ABA dancers in "Waltz of the Flowers" in ABA's Nutcracker.) About Academy of Ballet Arts Academy of Ballet Arts is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization as the Community Arts Advisory Council-Academy of Ballet Arts. CAAC was originally founded in 1986 by area artists interested in bringing a greater quality and quantity of arts to San Diego and its East County communities. An emphasis was placed on arts education and affordability for all residents. Since its inception, hundreds of students have participated in classes of dance, music, drama, and the visual arts. Residents have enjoyed numerous stage productions. Many of our students have moved on to professional careers in the arts with many more developing a lifelong appreciation of how the arts enrich their lives. We are proud to announce that the CAAC is now permanently housed at the Academy of Ballet Arts studios in Murrieta, CA. We offer classes in dance, our Jr. Company, an annual “Nutcracker” performance, our Summer Ballet Intensives, our annual Summer Performances, and other performances throughout the Inland Valley area. Our Vision At the Academy of Ballet Arts, we feel very privileged to work with your children and pass on to them the beauty and art of ballet. We provide the highest caliber training from the beginning student to the professional, while developing confidence and self-esteem in a caring, supportive environment. We believe in teaching our students that with passion, discipline, and self-motivation they will be able to be successful in any career they choose to pursue. We believe that experiencing the performing arts is a vital element in the development and education of our children. We extend a heartfelt welcome to you and your family! (Photo: Diana Gallegos as "Titania" and Reagan Bryant as "Oberon" in ABA's "A Midsummer Night's Dream".) Faculty As the Directors of the Academy of Ballet Arts, Dana Nelson, Jose Chavez and Teresa Hall-Wells take great pleasure in sharing their love and knowledge of classical ballet with all of their students. As former professional ballet dancers, they feel honored to have worked with some of the best choreographers and teachers of our time, and it is their great pleasure and privilege to pass that heritage and knowledge on to the future generation of dancers. Ms. Dana and Mr. Chavez have had the opportunity to train many dancers that have been accepted to several prestigious Ballet Summer Intensives and have gone on to become professional ballerinas and male danseurs. Dana Nelson – Director Miss Dana received her training with Teresa Wells, formerly of Kansas City Ballet and has trained with Paul Koverman, Paul Giovionazzo, California Ballet, Robin Sheretz-Morgan of the San Diego Ballet, Steve and Elizabeth Wistrich of City Ballet of San Diego, Wilson Morelli, Dame Sonia Arova, Jose Mateo of Ballet Theatre of Boston and Boston Ballet. She began dancing professionally at the age of 16, and has performed soloist and principle roles with Mirábilé Ballet Company, Ballet Theatre of Boston, California Ballet, San Diego Ballet, Spindle City Ballet, Pax Fiat and Island Moving Company-Providence. Dana has training in Dance Medicine, Dance Kinesiology and Conditioning for Dancers. She is also a certified massage technician and mat Pilates instructor. She has been teaching for over 20 years, and has taught for Boston Ballet, Ballet Theatre of Boston, California Ballet, San Diego Ballet, San Diego Dance Centre, Ballet at the Heritage, Temecula Dance Company and California Ballet Opera. Jose Chavez – Director Jose Chavez’ theatrical experience began in junior high school as a stage actor with the Old Globe Theater. His ballet training began with Teresa Wells, formerly of Kansas City Ballet, as well as intensive studies on scholarship with California Ballet and San Diego Ballet. Jose was awarded a full scholarship to attend the graduate program at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre under the direction of Terence Orr and Marianna Tcherkassky where he performed with company for three years. Jose has performed ballet by such choreographers as Dwight Rodin, Desmond Richardson, Ben Stevenson and Twyla Tharp. Jose later danced as a principle and guest artist throughout the East Coast, performing principle roles in ballets such as The Nutcracker, Cinderella, Giselle, Swan Lake Western Symphony, Don Quixote, and Sleeping Beauty. Jose now performs as a guest artist and teacher throughout Southern California. He also has a great passion for the healing arts and became certified as a massage therapist so he can help fellow dancers. Teresa Hall-Wells – Artistic Director Ms. Wells was born in Kansas City, Mo. where she trained with Tatiana Doukoudovska at the University of Missouri Conservatory of Music and Dance. She began her professional career at the age of 13 with the Performing Arts Foundation where she performed with such notable people as Margot Fonteyn and Edward Villella. From the age of 12 she was a member and later, a featured soloist with the University of Mo. Ballet Company and the Kansas City Ballet. Since moving to California, Ms. Wells has been company teacher for the Golden State Ballet, Artistic Director and founder of the Mirabile’ Ballet Co., Executive Director and founder of the Community Arts Advisory Council and it’s programming for which she received a S.D. County Board of Supervisor’s Commendation Award for her contributions to the arts in our area. She served as the Artistic Director of the San Diego Civic Youth Ballet in Balboa Park and has taught locally for the San Diego Ballet, Centre City Ballet, Academy of Performing Arts, San Diego Ballet, and California Ballet schools, as well as being a master class teacher for schools in her native state of Missouri. Jacqueline Hepner – Thurston – Artistic Adviser, Historian “Miss Jackie” has trained in three recognized methods of ballet: Russian (Vaganova), Cecchetti, and Royal Academy. A member of the New York City Ballet from 1948 to 1952 . Principal ballerina with the Washington Ballet and National Ballet from 1954 to 1964 . Artist in Residence, Maryland University from 1958 to 1964 . Director of Jacqueline Hepner School of Ballet, Bethesda, Maryland from 1964 to 1972 . Director of San Diego Ballet School from 1972 to 1977 . Faculty member, UCSD from 1977 to 1986 . Director of Ballet Society of San Diego from 1977 to 1986 . Director of Ballet Department at School of Creative Dance & Performing Arts from 1989 to 1999 . Master Teacher for California Ballet, Dance Masters of America, and the Academy of Performing Arts . Ms. Hepner holds a California teaching credential since 1974 with Choreography as her specialty. Alyssa Boysen Alyssa began dancing at the age of four. She has received formal ballet training at the San Diego Academy of Ballet and later graduated from Virginia School of the Arts under the direction of Adam Sage. She has attended intensive programs at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and on full scholarship to the Joffrey Ballet School in New York. Alyssa has performed roles such as Sugarplum Fairy, Columbine Doll and Arabian in The Nutcracker, Swanhilda in Coppelia, and performed ballets such as The Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Paquita, and Don Quixote as well as roles in contemporary pieces choreographed by Rafael Delgado and Lisa Thomas. She currently performs professionally as a guest artist throughout Southern California and enjoys sharing her passion with those around her by teaching ballet, yoga, and Pilates. Kerry Flores Kerry Flores has been dancing and singing for 24 years and involved in musical theatre for the past 15 years. She has directed and choreographed various musicals and has performed in over 15 ballet productions. She began competing in dance at the age of five and over the course of nine years, won numerous dance titles. She won the “Dance Star” title when she was a senior in high school and was flown to London to dance and represent California in the New Year’s Day parade. She attended UCI where she majored in dance. While in college, she worked as a professional dance instructor for the Universal Cheerleading Association for four years. She taught dance camps to high school and college dance teams all throughout California. Kerry is also an accomplished singer, having performed and competed with the Madrigal Show Choir for four years. She released her first CD with the Tyler Street Praise Band in 1997. She is currently the dance director at SCEGA gymnastics, where she is training the competitive gymnasts in the areas of jazz and ballet. Kerry’s energy in contagious and she always gets 100% effort from all of her students. Of her many accomplishments, the ones she takes the most pride in, are her four beautiful children; Kylee, Allie, Ian and Titus. (Photo: Reagan Bryant and Macie Rowe as the "Arabian Coffee" in ABA's Nutcracker.) Training Center In 2015 we celebrate our 4th year in the Temecula and Murrieta Valley. Since opening our doors in 2011, we have trained award winning talent and won numerous scholarships. Since our inception, we have developed a junior company consisting of our most dedicated trainees. The junior company membership is by invitation only through an audition process. Members have been recognized at the regional and national levels in both the 2014 and 2015 Youth America Grand Prix competitions. Our studio welcomes students of all ages from 3 through adult with classes running 6 days a week for students of all levels from beginner to advanced and pre-professional. Academy of Ballet Arts (ABA) is a recognized is an approved vendor for Julian, Sky Mountain and River Springs Charter schools. For serious students committed to ongoing training, ABA provides summer intensives geared toward advancing trainees up to the next level.

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