FLAMENCO VIVO CARLOTA SANTANA

QUINTO ELEMENTO

Thursday, May 1, 2025 AT 8PM

Performance Sponsor
The City of Irvine

This performance is presented without an intermission.

FLAMENCO VIVO CARLOTA SANTANA

presents

QUINTO ELEMENTO

Choreography by: Patricia Guerrero

Musical Score by: Francis Gomez

Artistic Director: Carlota Santana

Associate Artistic Director: Emilio Ochando

Dancers: Emilio Ochando, Lorena Franco, Fanny Ara, Rebeca Tomas, Yoel Vargas, Hugo Sanchez

Guitarists: Francis Gomez-Composer, Antonio Gonzalez

Singers: Manuel Soto, Loreto de Diego

www.flamenco-vivo.org

QUINTO ELEMENTO was made possible by the New England Foundation for the Arts’ National Dance Project, with lead funding from the Doris Duke Foundation and the Mellon Foundation.

ABOUT QUINTO ELEMENTO: THE FIFTH ELEMENT

Of the four classical elements of the Earth, there is a fifth that eludes our full understanding. Known as ether—or quintessence—it finds new life in the modern concept of dark energy, the mysterious force driving the universe’s accelerating expansion. This hypothetical substance, invisible, weightless, and elastic, is believed to permeate all of space, serving as the medium through which all forms of energy are transmitted. In dance, the fleeting nature of movement—constantly appearing and vanishing—becomes tangible through the inertia of its own energy.

PROGRAM

The Beginning: A deafening silence—the birth of the cosmos, of matter. Beings move and connect within an unfamiliar void.

1. The Fifth Essence (siguiriya): The Company. The energy of the void takes shape and finds expression through movement—constantly shifting between order and chaos.

2. Orbit (folklore): Emilio Ochando and Yoel Vargas. Circular inertia draws these two beings into a relationship, causing them to dance in a cyclical and distinctly unique way.

3. Hypothetical (jaleos): The Company. The dance emerges through a deconstructed bulería, revealing its unique nuances.

4. Gravity (caña): Hugo Sanchez. A body enters the scene, its movements and impulses guided by the gravity of the universe.

5. Estrella Alborada (mariana): The Company. Stars that emerge at dawn—drawn into a cosmic dance, where Mariana’s singing invites them to connect with one another.

6. Eternities Lorna Franco, Fanny Ara, Rebeca Tomas: Black holes take shape as tailed robes, forming a series of singularities that make each one unique. The bata de cola mirrors the essence of black holes.

7. The Fifth Essence (siguiriya): The Company. The energy of emptiness continues to take shape and find expression through dance, unfolding in a cyclical and infinite motion.

PATRICIA GUERRERO (Choreographer) is an acclaimed flamenco dancer and choreographer, recipient of the 2021 National Dance Award from Spain’s Ministry of Culture, and was appointed director of the Andalusian Flamenco Ballet in 2023. Born in Granada—a city at the heart of flamenco tradition—Guerrero is deeply rooted in the art form, yet equally fluent in other styles, ranging from classical dance to Cuban guajiro. She began performing at the age of 8 and was touring professionally by 15. At 17, she won the prestigious Desplante Award at the Las Minas International Cante Festival, and soon after, appeared at major dance festivals including those in Jerez and Düsseldorf. In 2010, she premiered her first solo show, which toured across Europe, and she has since choreographed numerous acclaimed works. Legendary director Carlos Saura invited her to perform as a soloist in Flamenco Today, which toured internationally—including a stop at New York City Center—and she appeared in his film Flamenco, Flamenco. In 2011, she was named prima ballerina of the Andalusian Flamenco Ballet, and the following year, she received the Best New Artist Award at the Bienal de Sevilla. Guerrero has performed in works by renowned artists such as Belén Maya, Dani de Morón, and Antonio Rey. From 2020 to 2022, she starred as La Bella Otero with the Spanish National Ballet—a role that earned her a second National Dance Award.

CARLOTA SANTANA (Founder and Artistic Director) has been hailed by Dance Magazine as “The Keeper of Flamenco” and was honored by the King and government of Spain with La Cruz de la Orden al Mérito Civil in recognition of her “years of passion, excellence, and dedication to the flamenco art.” In 1983, she co-founded Flamenco Vivo with Roberto Lorca. Following his passing from AIDS in 1987, she remained committed to continuing their shared vision. Over the decades, she has led Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana with a mission to promote flamenco as a living, evolving art form and a vital expression of Hispanic heritage. Ms. Santana developed the company’s innovative arts-in-education program, which integrates Spanish dance and culture with academic curricula. She has also pioneered bilingual education initiatives that serve immigrant communities across the U.S. In addition to her work with the company, she has taught on the faculty at Duke University. Beyond performance and education, Ms. Santana spearheaded the groundbreaking exhibition 100 Years of Flamenco in New York, presented in collaboration with The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. The first curated museum exhibition on flamenco in the United States, it was praised by The New York Times chief dance critic Alastair Macaulay for its “vitality and pride.” He noted: “This vivid collection enriches our ideas of both this genre and this city.”

EMILIO OCHANDO (Associate Artistic Director, Dancer), a native of Valencia, Spain, began his dance training at the age of 9. By 12, he was already collaborating with the National Ballet of Spain, and at 16, he moved to Madrid to continue his studies at the Royal Conservatory of Madrid. He went on to perform with numerous acclaimed Spanish companies, including those of Domingo and Inma Ortega, Malucos Danza, Nuevo Ballet Español, Aida Gómez, and Rafael Aguilar, as well as in prestigious tablaos across Spain. His career has taken him to stages throughout Spain and around the world. In 2015, Ochando founded his own company, for which he has choreographed several original works including Ida y Vuelta, 3DEUNO, SIROCO, and CLÁSICA TRADICIÓN. A highly decorated artist, Ochando received multiple honors in 2016 alone: First Prize in the dance category at TalentMadrid, First Prize for Group Choreography at Madrid’s Certamen of Spanish Dance and Flamenco, and the Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana Award, which brought him to New York City to perform with the company. Now a core member of Flamenco Vivo’s artistic team, Ochando works extensively as a dancer, choreographer, and educator. His accolades also include nominations for Spain’s prestigious Max Awards: Best New Artist and Best Male Performer in 2017 for SIROCO, and Best New Show in 2020 for CLÁSICA TRADICIÓN. He continues to pursue solo projects, guest performances with national and international companies, and teaches workshops and masterclasses around the globe while touring his latest original works.

LORENA FRANCO (Rehearsal Director, Dancer) began studying dance at the age of five in her home town of Cordoba. She continued her studies there until 2005 when she received a grant to study with the well-known Maestro Granero in Seville. There she also studied with Andrés Marín, Isabel Bayón, Rocío Coral, Matilde Coral, Rubén Olmo, Antonio Canales, Rafael Campallo, Encarna López, Adela Campallo, and Eva Yerbabuena, among others. She began her professional career with Eva Yerbabuena in 2006 and worked with her until 2017 as rehearsal director. She then worked with other companies such as Daniel Navarro, Javier Latorre, Andrés Peña, Álvaro Paños, among others. She has worked as soloist in productions of Agustín Carbonell "el Bola" and Manuel Cuevas. She also performs frequently as soloist in tablaos such as Los Gallos in Seville, Las Tablas in Madrid, Los Tarantos, and Las Ramblas in Barcelona and in Japan.

FANNY ARA (Dancer) is an internationally acclaimed and award-winning choreographer, performer, and instructor. Widely recognized as one of the leading forces in contemporary flamenco, she is celebrated by devoted fans around the world for her mastery across the full spectrum of the art form—from the deeply traditional to the boldly avant-garde. Fanny has been a featured artist at prestigious festivals both nationally and internationally, touring extensively across Canada, Central and South America, the Middle East, Africa, and throughout Europe. Since 2006, her work has earned multiple nominations from the Isadora Duncan Dance Awards, including Most Outstanding Individual Dancer, Most Outstanding Music, Ensemble, and Individual Performance for her project Juncal Street, as well as Best Ensemble for her collaboration with the San Francisco Opera in La Traviata. In 2012, she was honored as a finalist for the Vilcek Foundation’s “Creative Promise in Dance” award. Her versatility and artistry are vividly expressed in her wide-ranging body of work. As dance critic Philip Gardner wrote of her performance at the Joyce Theater in New York City: “My newest love is Fanny Ara... The captivating expressive qualities of Fanny’s upper body mesmerized us, while her footwork dazzled both the eye and the ear... she soared into the uppermost echelon of dance artists I have witnessed over the years.”

REBECA TOMÁS (Dancer) began her formal flamenco training in Granada, Spain, later continuing her studies in Madrid at the renowned Flamenco Academy Amor de Dios. In 2006, she relocated to New York, where she performed with prominent U.S.-based companies such as Flamenco Vivo and Noche Flamenca. In 2010, she founded her own company, A Palo Seco, for which she continues to serve as director and choreographer. Tomás’s choreographic work has been supported by ArtsWestchester, the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, the Jerome Foundation, the Connecticut Office of the Arts, and the CUNY Dance Initiative. She is a two-time recipient of the NYFA Fellowship in Choreography (2013 & 2019) and was named one of ArtsWestchester’s “50 for 50” top artists. She also won first place at the XIII Concurso Nacional de Flamenco in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Her diverse projects include Lincoln Center’s Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, R.Evolución Latina’s Choreographer's Festival, and Yaron Zilberman’s feature film A Late Quartet. Hailed as “awesomely fiery” by The New York Times and “a postcard image of the feminine flamenco dancer” by Kansas City Metropolis, she has performed at major venues across the U.S., including NY SummerStage, (le) Poisson Rouge, the Chicago Flamenco Festival, the Eastman School of Music, the Pocantico Center (Rockefeller Brothers Fund), Flushing Town Hall, the New Victory Theater, and the Hollywood Bowl. A passionate advocate for arts education, Tomás leads workshops, residencies, and lecture-demonstrations for students of all ages and backgrounds throughout the country.

YOEL VARGAS (Dancer) began his dance training at the age of 9, studying Spanish Dance, Classical Ballet, Contemporary, and Flamenco. In 2017, he enrolled in the Professional Dance Conservatory of the Institut del Teatre in Barcelona, where he graduated in 2021. In 2020, Yoel was honored with the Outstanding Dancer Award at the Certamen Coreográfico de Madrid, and in 2021, he received the prestigious Dávalos-Fletcher Foundation Award for his choreography Malagueña. Yoel later joined the Manuel Liñán Company for the show VIVA!!!, touring major cities worldwide. In 2023, he directed and choreographed Flamenco, Tablao at the Sona Flamenco Festival. He regularly performs at renowned tablaos such as Tablao El Cordobés, Tablao Las Carboneras, and Tablao Corral de la Morería. In August 2023, at just 19 years old, Vargas was awarded the esteemed "El Desplante" Award at the 62nd edition of the renowned Festival Internacional del Cante de las Minas.

HUGO SÁNCHEZ (Dancer), born in Madrid in 1984 and now based in Seville, has been a professional dancer since the age of 10, securing his first contract with the Antena 3 program Menudas Estrellas. In 2007, he won the 1st Prize for Young Flamenco, marking the beginning of an illustrious career. Since then, he has performed in some of the most prestigious tablaos and festivals both nationally and internationally, including the Bienal de Sevilla, Festival de Jerez, Festival Flamenco Nîmes, and Festival Flamenco Alburquerque, among many others. Hugo has collaborated with renowned artists such as Patricia Guerrero, Rafael Campallo, Adela Campallo, Mercedes de Córdoba, Rosario Toledo, María Moreno, and more. Currently, he performs in numerous tablaos on both national and international stages, while also working with three different companies, including Patricia Guerrero's Deliranza. He is the lead artist in the show Hamlet: La Danza del Melancólico with Jesús Herrera and serves as the principal dancer in Spirit of Sevilla by the Antonio Andrade company.

MANUEL SOTO (Singer) was born in Jerez de la Frontera, into a family of artists from the Barrio de Santiago. His professional career began at the age of 10, when he trained as a flamenco dancer at the Dance Academy of Manuela Carpio. At 16, he transitioned from flamenco dance to become the vocalist of a rock band called Plashe. After several years of academic training, he returned to the arts, dedicating himself to singing. From 2003 to 2009, he worked with pianist Rosario Montoya "La Reina Gitana," performing at prestigious venues such as the World Fair of Flamenco (Seville), Caixa Forum (Barcelona), Fiesta de la Bulería (Jerez), and the X Festival de Jerez. In 2008, he toured Italy with María Luisa Sereno Lozano "Chiqui de Jerez" and traveled to the United States with José Porcel in the show Libre Albedrío, performing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and The Bronx Museum of the Arts. Manuel has also performed with Carlos Carbonell’s company at the Festival de Lille (France, 2008) and the XIII Festival de Jerez (2009), as well as with Antonio and Silvia Perujo, and in the company of Andrés Peña and Pilar Ogalla. Since 2019, he has been part of Maestros Flamenco Online, an international platform for flamenco courses directed by Manuel Betanzos. He is the official cantaor for bailaor Eduardo Guerrero. In 2022, he performed as the singer for Juan Fernández's De los Puertos at the Festival de Jerez. He regularly performs at renowned tablaos such as Casa de la Memoria, El Arenal, Corral de la Morería, and Casa Patas.

FRANCIS GÓMEZ (Composer, Guitarist), born Francisco J. Gómez Cruzado in August 1987 in Moguer, Huelva, began studying guitar at the age of 13 under Quique Paredes and later refined his technique with masters such as Miguel A. Cortés and Manolo Sanlúcar. He has performed with prominent flamenco artists including Joaquín Grilo, Arcángel, Argentina, and Marco Flores, among others. In 2018, Gómez joined Joaquín Grilo’s company as a guitarist, both performing and composing the music for La calle de mis sueños, which premiered at the Jerez Festival. He went on to serve as musical director for Grilo’s productions Grilo, Alma y Cucharon, and Paso atrás. He is also a key collaborator with Marco Flores, composing the original score for Jack, Horse and Queen. In 2021, he received the award for Best Dance Composition at the Madrid National Choreography Competition for En mi sentir, choreographed by Macarena López. A regular guitarist for Arcángel, he also served as musical director for Arcángel’s latest production, Un mar de cantes, presented at the Seville Biennial. In addition to his live performance work, Gómez is an accomplished composer and producer. His credits include El árbol despacio by Alejandro Rivera, Fresa Ácida by Alba Casado, and Alzaré mi voz by Rocío Belén. He also leads two of his own creative projects—Flazz Trio and Planeta Jondo—both of which have produced original recordings.

LORETO DE DIEGO (Singer) is a flamenco artist based in Madrid, performing both as a soloist and as a singer for dancers. In 2017, she received the Rhythm Songs Prize at the Festival de Lo Ferro and 2nd Prize at the Singing Competition of the Federation of Peñas Flamencas Granadinas. At the Festival Internacional del Cante de las Minas, she won the Seguiriyas Prize in 2018 and placed third in the final in 2019. Loreto is frequently invited to perform with prominent dance companies, including the Ballet Nacional de España, Cía. de María Pagés, Aida Gómez, Marco Flores, and Jesús Carmona, touring globally. She also performs at major tablaos such as Corral de la Morería, Villarosa, Casa Patas, and El Cordobés.

ANTONIO GONZÁLEZ REYES (Guitarist) was born in Chipiona, in the province of Cádiz. He began his guitar studies at an early age, receiving lessons from Juan Gómez of Chipiona. He later trained with renowned Jerez musicians such as José Luis Balao, Manuel Lozano “El Carbonero,” Juan Diego Mateos, José Ignacio Franco, and Niño Manuel of Sanlúcar de Barrameda. In 2019, he had the honor of working closely with Maestro Manolo Sanlúcar, whose teachings deeply influenced his development. In 2021, Antonio graduated with honors from the Conservatorio Superior de Música "Rafael Orozco" in Córdoba, specializing in flamenco guitar. He has performed with well-known artists including Arcángel, Belén López, El Choro, María Moreno, Carmen La Talegona, Paula Comitre, Eduardo Guerrero, Nino de los Reyes, Concha Vargas, Pedro Córdoba, Mercedes Ruiz, and many others. Currently, Antonio performs at prominent tablaos in Madrid and teaches at the Centro Superior Música Creativa in the Official Master of Flamenco, alongside artists such as Arcángel, Josemi Carmona, Dani de Morón, and Antonio Serrano.

DAISY LONG (Lighting Designer) is a lighting designer specializing in theater, opera, music, and dance. She is excited to return to Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana at the Joyce this year. Her credits include the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Keen Company, Abingdon Theatre, Alliance Theatre, Everyman Theatre, Wexford Festival Opera, BAM, The Shed, Speakeasy Stage Company (IRNE Award for The Scottsboro Boys), and TADA! Youth Theater (National Youth Arts Award for The Perfect Monster). Daisy is a New Georges Affiliated Artist and a Roundabout Teaching Artist. She is a member of USA 829. IG: @daisyglong

JOANNA REYES (Production Stage Manager) is a dedicated stage manager with over six years of professional experience in the theater arts. A proud graduate of California State University, Los Angeles, she holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theater Arts. Joanna has worked on a wide variety of performances, including dance shows, magic acts, musical theater, and children’s theater. Her reputation for strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage complex productions has earned her recognition in the industry. She ensures everything runs smoothly, from rehearsals to opening night, aligning technical elements with artistic vision. Joanna’s love for theater extends beyond her technical expertise—her passion for traveling and experiencing different cultures fuels her work, viewing each project as an opportunity to contribute to the arts and broaden her perspective. She remains committed to creating magical experiences for audiences and supporting the artists and performers she works with.

MINERVA JOSIFF (Co-Lighting Designer & Lighting Supervisor) is an Egyptian-American lighting designer from Los Angeles. She is deeply grateful for the opportunity to pursue her passion for art, storytelling, and connection. Minerva sees light not just as a tool but as a language that speaks to culture, identity, and emotion, shaping her approach to design. Every project is a conversation—between space and emotion, tradition and innovation, artist and audience. She is committed to creating spaces where people feel truly seen and where stories come to life. Minerva continues to contribute to the world of storytelling in ways that foster connection and resonance.

4 West 43^rd Street, Suite 608 New York, NY 10036
Tel: (212) 736-4499 ♦ Web: www.flamenco-vivo.org ♦ Email: santana@flamenco-vivo.org
For N. American bookings please contact Cathy Pruzan: cpruzan@aol.com
415-789-5051 / www.pruzandancearts.com

Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana’s work is sustained through support from funders including: Charles Schwartz Foundation for Music, The Consulate General of Spain in New York, The Daniel Rosenblatt Foundation, The Dorsey & Whitney Foundation, Durham Arts Council, Harkness Foundation for Dance, Howard Gilman Foundation, Martha Lovenheim Siegel Charitable Trust, Merrill G. and Emita E. Hastings Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, New England Foundation for the Arts’ National Dance Project, New York City Council Member Keith Powers, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with City Council, New York State Council on the Arts, New York State Dance Force, North Carolina Arts Council, New York City Department of Education, The Pierre and Tana Matisse Foundation, The Robertson Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, The Spray Foundation

Board of Directors of Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana

Hernando Ruiz-Jimenez
Kerem Yaman
Nadir Darrah
Jose Fernandez
Nelida Lara
Emily Alejos
Carlota Santana
Julia Chambers
John Kaufmann
Annie Kim

Staff

Founding Artistic Director: Carlota Santana
Associate Artistic Director: Emilio Ochando
Executive Director: Hanaah Bates
Senior Program Manager (Arts Education): Luciana Farias
Development Manager: Puma Guerrero
Studio Coordinator :Joshua Eguia
Program Assistant: Allyssa Trujillo
Project Coordinator:Rachel Higbee Pathak

Special Services for Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana

Artist Management: Cathy Pruzan
Travel: Road Rebel / Atlas Travel of Daytona Beach
Castanets: Galiano, Castañuelas del Sur
Shoes: Gallardo, Don Flamenco
Costumes: Carmen la Carmelilla

Bob Romney, Chairman
Community Leader

Gary Fabian, Treasurer
Chief Financial Officer
Kind Lending

William Parker, Secretary
Professor Emeritus Physics and Astronomy
University of California, Irvine

DIRECTORS

Eugene Choi
Betty Martinez Franco
Harason Horowitz
Terry Jones
Mike Kerr
Jennifer Klein
Dr. Tiffany Ana López
Bonnie Lubock
James Mai
Sherry L. K. Main
Jerry Mandel, Ph.D.
Christopher Ramsey
Richard and Cheryll Ruszat
Kathleen Treseder, Ph.D.
Stuart Winston
Anu Worah

HONORARY

Larry Agran
Mayor, City of Irvine
 
Howard Gillman, Ph.D.
Chancellor
University of California, Irvine

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Erica Morikawa

Dr. and Mrs. John Mull

Elaine and Cameron Mummery

Tasha and Owen Naccarato

Richard Nakai and Cindy Wederich

Virginia Olson

Lisa Osako

Judy Oswald

Hon. Julie Owen

Lauren and Richard Packard

Tom and Diane Pardue

Gerald Parham

Thomas and Davida Parham

Ms. Julie Patterson

Karin S. Paul

Dr. Dolly Platt

Brian Paegel and Jeremy Pyle

Lois Rake

Paul Ramey

Elaine Ramsay

Brad Rawlins

Kenneth Reinhard and Julia Reinhard Lupton

Anita and Bruce Reisman

Dennis and Marie Richman

In Memory of Irene DeNoia

Paul Schmidhauser and Cindy Hughes

Paul and Kristen Schmidt

Jack and Katharine Schoellerman

Jill Sekiguchi, DDS

Michael Sheffield

George Sidorakis

Tom Slickelman

John L. Smith and Mary Anne Anthony-Smith

Karen R. Speros

Jack and Molly Spiegel

D. Stroebel

James and Nadine Turner

Joanne Vargas

Linda Venezia

Kathy Vickers and Jeremy Freimund

Elliot Vogelfanger

Michele and Irwin Walot

David and Renee Warren

Bruce and Susie White

Steven and Elizabeth White

Roxanne Wong

Henry and Yen Yang Wu

Susan Yee

$150+

Mark Achong
Nancy and Wayne Broadhag
Hoku and Mark Aichele
Mrs. Kaui Balderston
Gregory Bates and Joann Leatherby
Melissa Beck and Daniel Pugh
Paul Blank
Christopher Blank and Josie Badeaux
Laura Brandlin
David Coscia and Mark Armstrong
Charles and Maureen Davison
Susan Lindquist de la Parra
RJ, Rita, and Timmy De Rama
Mark and Kathi Denny
John Elwood
Eduardo and Elsie Espinosa
James Evans
Ian and Kari Gibson
Kevin and Candice Gomez
Roger and Patt Grable
Judith Guffey
Patricia Hansen
Gayle and Phil Harp
Arlene and Mike Kato
Kyle and Cherrill Kawakami
Kathleen Koch
Duane and Kathie Mauzey
Janis and Dave Murray
Hon. Julie A. C. Owen
Julie Patterson
Christopher and Lynne Ramsey
Brad and Susie Rawlins
Jill Sekiguchi
Tom Slickelman
T. Sommers-Bernhardt
Michael and Marilyn Staffieri
Cindy Thomas
Fred and Patricia Viele
David and Renee Warren
Roxanne Wong
Andrew and Wendy Yurcho

$10 monthly

Mr. and Mrs. J. Boyer
Vivian Daniel
Karen Kotake
Traci Shirachi and Cory Chhiap

$75 month

As a partner in the annual National Choreographers Initiative, Irvine Barclay Theatre is also pleased to acknowledge all those who support this important contribution to American dance.

National Choreographers Initiative 2026
Molly Lynch, Artistic Director

Honorary Producer 

Bobbi Cox

Joanne and Dennis Keith

Barbara Roberts

Michelle Rohé

Richard and Elizabeth Steele Endowment Fund

Choreographer Sponsor

Terry Causey

Sophie and Larry Cripe

Judi Gorski

Diane Silber

Dancer Sponsor

Ellen Breitman and Brien Amspoker

James Carter

Croul Family Foundation

Janet and Henry Eggers

Mary and Andrew Franklin

Artistic Sponsor

Alan Andrews and Molly Lynch

Betsy Andrews and Alex Moad

Diane Diefenderfer and David Hanlon

Gale Edelberg and Bob Butnik

Gillian Finley and Robert Labaree

Carol Hamilton

Nancy and Ned Kriz

Dr. Rosalyn Laudati and Dr. James Pick

Kathryn Lynch and Robert McDonnell

Rachelle Menaker and Eddie Schuller

Marica Pendjer and John Miller

Andrew Rose

Sally Anne and Don Sheridan

Paula Tomei and David Emmes

Lynn Weiser and Mike Tompkins

Patron Sponsor

Dr. Michael Bear

Stacie Brandt

Laurie and Bart Brown

Gail and Denis Kalscheur

David Carmichael

Joseph Herron and Dana Klein

Chuck Johnston

Margi and John Murray

Diana Putz

Kim Smith

Jenny Szabo

Karen and Gary Thorne

Barbara and Jack Tingley

Dance Shoe Sponsor

Diane and Dennis Baker

Darci Bodin

Bronny Daniels

Roberta Fox

Sharon McNalley

Ivar Roth, Concierge Podiatry & Spa

Katy and Jack Schoellerman

Ann and Richard Sim

Linda and Steve Weitz

Dance Partner

Ellen Fujikawa

Mike Kerr and Jenny Backhaus

Maurice and Alexandra Mandel

Edward McPherson

Rita Mitchell

Mitsuhiko and Reiko Nakano

Dr. Janice Gudde Plastino

Rosalind Russell

Joseph Sheridan

Dan & Jeanne Stokols

Robert Strang

Mary Vensel White

Update as of 7/14/26

DONATE TODAY

Please consider making a donation to support the work of the National Choreographers Initiative. We need your contributions to support the dancers and choreographers involved in the project. Be an angel to the arts-dance! Thank you!

Send your donation to: NCI 3334 E. Coast Hwy #276, Corona del Mar CA 92625