2021 BBB International VIP Jury, Master Class Teachers & Special Events

Colleen O’Callaghan

Colleen O'Callaghan danced with American Ballet Theater under the direction of Lucia Chase and Mikhail Baryshnikov. She trained on scholarship with the schools of the Louisville Ballet, the Pennsylvania Ballet, the Joffrey Ballet, and the American Ballet Theater. Before joining American Ballet Theater’s main company, she danced with ABT’s Ballet Repertory Company under the direction of Richard Englund and Gage Bush. Mrs. O’Callaghan received a Bachelor of University Studies degree from the University of Utah in the Physiology and Psychology of Dance She has been teaching ballet for over 33 years and has been a faculty member of the University of Utah, Ballet West, California State Long Beach, California Institute of the Arts, the Stanley Holden Dance Center, Westside School of Ballet, Louisville Ballet and many other nationally recognized schools. For over five years she was the classical dance director for the Orange County High School of the Arts (OCSA). For over 15 years Colleen has been a faculty member for American Ballet Theatre’s Summer Intensive programs. She is certified through level 7 of ABT's National training curriculum. She is a certified Yoga instructor and is passionate about the powerful outcome for dancers finding strength and balance from the proper foundations from Yoga. In addition, she currently is pursuing the certification for The Zena Roomett Floor Barre series. Mrs. O’Callaghan is the founder and Artistic Director of O’Callaghan Moves, a company dedicated to providing pre- professional training to dance students in a positive and nurturing environment. She loves to travel and share her expertise with schools and company as a guest faculty member. Most recently, besides teaching for American Ballet Theatre’s 2017 intensive Orange County , Ca. She taught for The Chicago Dance Conservatory summer intensive program under the direction of Tressa Mohler. 

Lizt Alfonso

Entrepreneurial, persevering and charismatic, Lizt Alfonso had a clear dream when she was a little girl: founding her own dance company and taking it worldwide. That dream became a reality when, at the age of 23, she founded Lizt Alfonso Dance Cuba (LADC) in 1991 resident company at the Gran Teatro de La Habana Alicia Alonso, that has become one of the most popular and prestigious in the dance and musical world for its novel style: a fusion never seen before. Multi awarded for her choreographic creations and recognized for her artistry, tenacity, simplicity and professionalism, Lizt Alfonso began in the arts world at the age of four, when she received her first ballet class. From then on, her training took place at the Cuban National Ballet School and Spanish dance academies, schools of Dance Theater, folklore and others, until she graduated in Theater and Drama at the Havana’s University of the Arts (ISA) in 1990. She has conceived, choreographed and directed all the shows staged by LADC. Under her guidance, LADC has performed in hundreds of stages around the world, participating in the most important dance festivals, regular dance series, as well as in commercial theaters. Her vision and perseverance took LADC to be the first Cuban dance company to have seasons of performances in New York City, at the New Victory Theater. She was specially invited to explain her creative process and mise-en-scéne of her work at the Work and Process series in New York's Guggenheim Museum and took LADC to the Fall for Dance Festival in the New York City Center and the Luminato Festival in Toronto, among many others. he has been granted with several recognitions worldwide: BBC’s list of the 100 inspiring and influential women from around the world in 2018; International Spotlight Award by the USA President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, granted at the White House, by the First Lady, Michelle Obama, in 2016; The National Culture Order of Cuba; Ambassador of the Cuban Artist Fund of New York; the Canada’s Dora Mavor Moore Award in the category of Best Choreography of a Musical for her show “Vida” in 2008; the First Choreography Prize by the Cuban Artists and Writers Association in 2006 and 2008 and the Cuban Artist Fund of New York Award in 2001, among many other.

Astrid Sherman

Astrid Sherman (BSc, FISTD, MA candidate)

Astrid graduated from the Pretoria Technikon School for the Performing Arts before dancing professionally with the NAPAC Ballet Company in South Africa. After immigrating to Canada in 1997, she co-founded Pro Arte Centre in Vancouver BC,  focusing  her teaching in Classical and Contemporary Ballet and gaining her Fellowship teaching qualification with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD). Her graduates were accepted into numerous companies and prestigious post-graduate programs within Canada, the United States and Europe including, to name a few: Juilliard, Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal, Ballet BC, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, Alberta Ballet, Philadanco, Ballet Theatre UK, Ballet Jorgen, Twyla Tharpe Dance, Joffrey Ballet, Rudra Bejart, Hungarian National Ballet, NBS Canada Graduate Program, Dutch National Ballet School, Rambert and Mark Morris Dance. Her students were awarded BC Provincial titles and often recognized for outstanding artistry and technical ability as finalists in internationally acclaimed competitions such as YAGP (New York), the Genée International, ADC IBC (USA), Ballet Beyond Borders (USA) and Tanzolymp (Germany).                                                                                                    With a keen interest in dance science and holistic training for healthier and stronger dancers, Astrid started a kinesiology degree through Simon Fraser University. Her school became recognized for its Holistic Pre-Professional Training Program. She was selected and invited to present research at many international  conferences and workshops around the world including for the International Association of Dance Medicine & Science (IADMS) Birmingham, Singapore, Pittsburgh, Houston, Montreal and Healthy Dancer Canada in Vancouver and Toronto. Her research has also been published in the Journal of Dance Medicine and Science and the IADMS Dance Teacher’s Bulletin. Astrid is currently serving on the Dance Educators’ Committee for IADMS, was the organizer for regional IADMS conferences for teachers in Vancouver, Johannesburg and Cape Town and is the Dancer Wellness Advisor for Ballet Beyond Borders (BBB).                                                                                                                                                  August 2019 saw Astrid relocating to Los Angeles to be with her new husband and taking on the new role of International Representative for the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) in North America, Mexico & the Caribbean.  She is also taking this opportunity to complete a MA in Professional Practice at Middlesex University while guest teaching and leading  the LA chapter of the Bridge Dance Project, a new venture that aims to connect safer dance training information to the competitive dancer, parent and teacher.

Domsa Radu

Domsa Radu is the co-founder of Jump In Dance Company from Transilvania, Romania, where he is developing educational programs, organizing cultural events, touring dance productions, teaching Masterclasses, and inspiring dancers around the world.Radu specializes in Breaking and Contemporary Dance Style and is responsible for educating the new generation of dancers around the world using techniques that help him to develop his creative dance style. Radu is a powerful force and uses his positive attitude and tireless energy to encourage others to be creative, original, work hard and succeed. After he graduated from Choreography and Drama Art School, he starts touring internationally in China and Germany with the musical production of Andrew Loyd Webber. Radu also danced in the company of Gigi Caciuleanu, one of the most important personalities in the world of contemporary dance.  He was the finalist in the Romanian Tv Dance Competition “Romania is dancing”.  His work has brought him nominations and awards for his dance choreographies and abilities from dance competitions around the world.  He is the 4th time in a row champion of BBB competition and received awards for Most Innovative & Original Choreography and for Outstanding Performance. As a professional dancer, his experience is the biggest value he owns. He learned and grew through dance and life experiences. He became wiser and stronger with each challenge that he faced.  Dance taught him that nothing comes for granted and you have to work every day for what you wish for.

Vicky Clark

Eclectic and quirky, Vicky A Clark, PhD, (independent curator, critic, professor) has been part of the Pittsburgh art scene for over 40 years. She grew up in the Southern California of the Beach Boys but self-identifies as a child of the sixties. Seeking to reconcile those formative experiences, her life has unfolded in expected and marvelous ways. Always situated in the margins, starting with a dissertation on illustrated late medieval astrological manuscripts, she has a consuming interest in how others navigate the unknowable and the intangible. Curious in nature, she has been intrigued by the creativity and intelligence she finds in contemporary art and artists who attempt the impossible. A passionate feminist, a tenacious tennis player, an avid reader, and proud owner of an enviable and growing shoe collection, she is committed to encouraging others to see the world in new ways with eyes wide open. She met BBB in Pakistan as participants in an art festival and is looking forward to adding a visual arts component to their programs.

Cynthia Newport

Cynthia Newport: independent producer, director (and life-long lover of ballet)

A dynamic filmmaker focused on the creation of highly cinematic feature documentaries with a distinctive narrative feel that spark audience discourse across divides.  As founder of illume productions, inc, has demonstrated a unique eye for compelling character and led development of emotionally engaging films unfolding in significant historic, social and cultural contexts. In doing so, has built high-functioning, collaborative production/postproduction teams that include Academy Award winning directors, cinematographers, and editors  and  on-the-ground and emerging talent. Works include:

. dance cuba

Initiated and oversaw international production of the expansive dance cuba project.  More than a decade in the making amidst international conflicts and high-risk political and production challenges, led a team of 400 to bring forth compelling and universal human stories set again the sweep of the conflicted US-Cuba relationship.   Results include a core feature film that ‘is breathtakingly beautiful by any standard’  - dance cuba DREAMS OF FLIGHT – and an archive that is ‘historically invaluable and increasingly pertinent’  now at Lincoln Center’s Library for the Performing Arts where is ‘will serve as the basis for public programming for decades to come’. 

. Summer Sun Winter Moon (SSWM)

           Initiated and led development of a work that ‘shreds the pages of textbook history’. Broadcast nationally on PBS,  SSWM dares to question the impact of Lewis and Clark’s legendary “Corps of Discovery” mission on Native American communities.  Created with the invaluable cooperation of Blackfeet leader Darrell Kipp, significant portions of the film were shot in Montana.  Riveting images of Native American dance highlight the conclusion of the film.  

Ming Yan Davis

Born in Beijing China, Ms. Yan Davis graduated from the Beijing Dance Academy and danced with the Central Ballet Theatre of Beijing for eighteen years. She came to the United States in 1986 and studied at the Martha Graham Modern Dance School. Ms. Yan Davis has taught Chinese Folk dance and in the United States since 1987 introducing Chinese culture to American students. She has been a frequent Guest Artist with Rocky Mountain Ballet Theatre & toured with the Company in 2008 and 2010 to China.

Charla Genn

Ms. Genn is currently on the ballet faculty of the Juilliard School. In addition, she instructs professional ballet company classes in New York City at Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet, The Metropolitan Opera, Les Ballets Trockaderos de Monte Carlo, Ballet Hispanico, and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. She coaches professional ballet dancers, which include dancers from the San Francisco Ballet, American Ballet Theater, The Norwegian Ballet, The Washington Ballet, The Joffrey Ballet, and Dance Theater of Harlem. Ms. Genn is also a Dance Rehabilitation Specialist who works one on one with professional ballet dancers recovering from injuries and surgery. Ms. Genn has appeared as a guest teacher at Vaganova School in St. Petersburg, Russia, The Washington Ballet, The Alberta Ballet, Les Ballet Jazz de Montreal, LA Dance Project, Body Traffic, South African Ballet Theatre, Cape Town City Ballet, Batsheva Dance Company, The Hong Kong Ballet Academy, The Japan Ballet Society, Jacob’s Pillow, Rocky Mountain Ballet Theatre, and Royal Academy of Dancing Summer Schools. 

Caridad Martinez

Caridad Martinez, a former principal dancer with the National Ballet of Cuba, has performed in many of the world's greatest theaters, including Scala de Milano, the Champs Elysses Theatre in Paris, the Metropolitan Opera House in New York, the Beaux Arts Theater in Mexico City, and the Bolshoi, Kirov Theater in Saint Petersburg. A graduate of Cuba’s National Ballet School, she also studied at the Superior Institute of Art in Cuba. While Ms. Martinez lived in Mexico, she spearheaded a 9-year campaign to bring Cuban-based training to Mexican youth. She succeeded in this by founding and serving as Artistic Director of the Cuban School of Ballet- Veracruz for 13 years. She continues to be an advisor for the School. Ms. Martinez has also served as the Artistic Director and choreographer of The Havana Ballet Theater Company, as guest teacher and choreographer for the Beau Art Schools in Mexico, and as Conservatory Director and teacher at Brooklyn Ballet. She has choreographed for movies, television, ballet and modern dance companies, and is currently working with the Escuela Cubana de Ballet in Veracruz, Danza Activa in Panama, the 92nd Street Y, Alberta Ballet School in Calgary, and the Bessie Awards. Ms. Martinez is happy to bring the Cuban methodology to the Ballet Hispánico School of Dance.

Kathy Wildberger

Kathy Wildberger has been teaching, performing, and choreographing nationally and internationally for dance and theatre since the early 1970’s. In New York her choreography has been produced by Dance Theatre Workshop, DIA Foundation, The Museum Of Modern Art, The Danspace Project at St. Mark’s Church, Movement Research, Joyce Soho, White Wave, and the 92nd Street Y Harkness Dance Center. Kathy has been reconstructing the repertoire of Jeff Duncan since his death in 1989. It is through this connection Kathy developed storytelling through dance. Her professional credits include: founding and directing the PATH Dance Company in Baltimore for 12 years, touring internationally as a founding member of the Toronto Dance Theatre, and choreographing and performing with Sean Curran in NYC. She has been awarded several choreography fellowships as well as a First Light Grant from the Jerome Foundation. Kathy is a Master Teacher of the Jose Limon Technique and improvisation. Recently retired from 20 years as Senior Lecturer at Vassar College and Assistant Director of Vassar Repertory Dance Theatre, she now joyfully is a contributing choreographer and instructor for Rocky Mountain Dance Theatre. 

Hina Abidi

Hina Abidi is a Pakistani American based in Los Angeles. She has been involved with Pakistan Arts Council of USC Pacific Asia Museum since 1995. Hina has a long standing interest in textile, in particular ethnic and tribal embroideries. She visits Pakistan every year, traveling to places that are off the beaten path, meeting people, collecting handicrafts, learning about their unique artistic and cultural traditions. She values the friendships she had developed through these travels and loves to share the embroideries and stories that she has collected over the years.

Carla Stallings-Lippert

Director of the Severance Conservatory of Ballet. Ms Stallings Lippert began her training with Marquerite Phares in Sacramento, California at the age of seven. She was awarded the Ford Foundation Scholarship at the age of 13 by New York City Ballet Principal, Violette Verdy through the Pacific Regional Festival. She attended New York City Ballet's School of American Ballet as well the American Ballet Theatre’s summer intensives on full scholarship. Miss Stallings joined American Ballet Theatre as an apprentice in 1977. In 1982 she won the bronze Medal in the Senior Division at the International Competition in Jackson MS. In 1984 Mikhail Baryshnikov promoted her to the rank of soloist. In 1987, Ms. Stallings Lippert joined Boston Ballet as a principal dancer where her repertoire included Odette/Odile in Swan Lake, Giselle, the Sylph in La Sylphide, the Chosen Woman in Roland Petit’s Sacre du Printemps among others. Over the course of her career, Carla had the honor of working with Anthony Tudor, Sir Kenneth MacMillan, Natalia Makarova, Woytek Lowski, Bruce Marks and Anne Marie Holmes. She toured with Mikhail Baryshnikov, Rudolph Nureyev, and Fernando Bujones and was guest artist with many regional companies. Carla retired from Boston Ballet in 1994 and began teaching at Severance Fresno Ballet School in 1997. Currently, Ms. Stallings coordinates and teaches for American Ballet Theatre’s summer intensive program in Tuscaloosa Alabama. She is certified in the American Ballet Theatre Curriculum and also teaches and sets choreography around California and the US for various ballet schools and summer programs. She was chosen to adjudicate the 2020/21 season for the Regional Dance America, coming full circle to where she was awarded the Ford Foundation Scholarship. 

Christy-Ann Brown

Christy-Ann Brown began making dances in Seattle in the 1980's. Where she performed the first iteration of Cycle Piece as a solo at Meany Hall then subsequently in Toga Village in Toyama-ken Japan. Recently (weeks before the pandemic) she had a solo show in NYC at Artifact Gallery entitled Green Trees Through Concrete which included video, painting, sculpture, and dance performance. Her work has been published in Women and Performance and she recently edited and published Marianne Goldberg's Reconstructing Trisha Brown: Dances and Performance Pieces 1960-1975, which is now in the Rare Books Collection at Lincoln Center Performing Arts Library in New York City. Her film Duet for One performed at the Judson Church in NYC (a pregnancy dance) and her installation piece Body Memory Table performed by Elaine Summers can also be viewed at LCPAL.

EMU

Emu is a highly accomplished, award-winning Pakistani musician, keyboardist, composer and music producer. He is also the brains behind Fuzon, one of Pakistan’s leading rock bands. The band’s very first album became an overnight sensation, selling more than 100,000 copies in India alone. Emu’s signature style of blending Eastern classical and folk vocals with soft rock has won the group many awards and recognition all over the world. Emu has also composed and produced music albums for many leading artists.

Jordan Marinov

Jordan dancing and acting have taken her around the world – from NYC to the Russian Embassy, to Cyprus. She has worked as a producer, dancer, actress, and choreographer for film, television, commercial, music video and concert works.  Jordan has choreographed and directed personal film & live projects for many A list actors/actresses including Katherine Bigelow and Natalie Portman to name a few. Jordan recently choreographed and produced the first chapter of Shades of Red, and Virtual Reality experience about women’s rights that she created featuring Georgina Pazcoguin, soloist NYC Ballet. Jordan set a live version of the piece on dancers from the Orlando Ballet. The Hidden Tears Project, a film production company focusing on social impact issues which she co-founded, works with law enforcement, survivors, rescuers and child advocates across the nation. The company produced Unseen Dances which she co-directed and choreographed and Tanya written by House of Cards staff writer Sam Forman and directed by Monica Raymund. Jordan is currently Artistic Director of Marinov Dance and is working on an evening length dance theatre production to Verdi’s Requiem. M Dance premiered Pavement Woman in San Francisco and Los Angeles and was commissioned to create an original work for the students of Loyola Marymount University and adjudicated a dance short film festival for the University of South Florida. Jordan recently completed two dance short films with Bill Hayward entitled Beauty Is No Show  and the film  Asphalt, Muscle & Bone which she choreographed and performed in recently premiered at the Amsterdam Film Festival and took home some awards. She also choreographed a film called Dream of a Dance, directed by Jolie Oliver.

Farah Yasmeen Shaikh

Farah Yasmeen Shaikh is an internationally acclaimed Kathak performer, choreographer and instructor, and Founder & Artistic Director of Noorani Dance. As a performer, Farah is known for her evocative storytelling, technical precision, delicacy and grace, with two decades of training from the late Pandit Chitresh Das. She has gone on to develop a unique artistic voice, often addressing topics of historical and social relevance, while also maintaining the classical elements of Kathak. Farah performs her own traditional and innovative works, most notably, The Forgotten Empress - based on the life of 17th Century Mughal Empress Noor Jahan, and The Partition Project — based on the 1947 India-Pakistan Partition and Nazaakat aur Taaqat - Delicate Power. A TEDx speaker, and host of her own podcast, Heartistry Talk Show, Farah has received support and recognition from the National Endowment for the Arts, Walter & Elise Haas Fund, New England Foundation for the Arts, Zellerbach Family Foundation, Alliance for California Traditional Arts, California Arts Council, Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation, San Francisco Foundation, SVCreates and Dancers’ Group. 

Dr. Ravil A. Nigmedzyanov

Representative of the Republic of Tatarstan under The Trade Representation of The Russian Federation to The USA: conducted official meetings on intergovernmental level, as well as meetings with commercial companies on trade cooperation, joint projects, investments, cooperation in education, cultural programs, etc. Conducted analytical research of the market and prepared briefs with practical recommendations. In my free time continued scientific research of PTSD issues, wrote and published three books (Copyright Certificates of The Library of Congress). Trade Mission of Embassy of Russian Federation in USA –Washington, DC, USA November 2005- January 2015

Zulfia Avzalov

Zulfia Avzalov is the president of the Alfia Avzalova Foundation and has had a long and successful vocal professional concert career. As a producer, Zulvfia has organized international festivals and collaborated with Rocky Mountain Ballet Theatre in Kazan, Russia during their Ballet Beyond Borders official USA State Department Tour to Russia. Due to that successful collaboration, both organizations signed a memorandum of agreement and cooperation to continue their shared values and vision of promoting global understanding through the arts. 

Andile Ndlovu

of Johannesburg, South Africa, now in his seventh season with The Washington Ballet. Mr. Ndlovu began his training in Latin American and ballroom dance at the age of ten. At fifteen, he began training in ballet under Martin Schöenberg, director of Ballet Theatre Afrikan.  In 2007, Ndlovu performed with South African Ballet Theatre, performing the lead in Don Quixote and the Jester in Swan Lake, among other roles. He went on to dance with Cape Town City Ballet. Andile was featured in the title role of “ Spartacus†in 2015 in Veronica Paeper’s adaptation of the classic masterpiece and produced by the South African Dance Trust.Andile tied for the Gold medal in the contemporary category of the 2008 South African International Ballet Competition. Ndlovu choreographed Guardian of the Pool which was performed by The Washington Ballet Studio Company andnowhe is rapidly creating a unique niche in the world of young and successful choreographers.   Andile won a silver medal in the Valentina Kozlova ballet competition in 2011. He was a finalist in the USAIBC in Jackson Mississippi in 2014 . In 2016 Andile won double gold for both ballet and contemporary dance categories at the premiere of VIBE USA BALLET competition and in Montana.

Guy de Bock

Guy de Bock began his training in Belgium at the Ballet School Antwerp, in Belgium with Maurice Bejart and Paolo Bortoluzzi and ballet at the Centre de Danse Rossella Hightower.  He trained in Cunningham and Martha Graham technique in Cannes and in Nice jazz at “Off Jazz.”

Mr. de Bock was a soloist with companies in Germany, Luxembourg and Florence It. He was assistant choreographer at the Opera National de Paris and is currently an internationally known teacher for classical ballet and modern/contemporary dance.

JAMAL SHAH

Artist, writer, filmmaker, Educationist and social worker was born in Quetta. He completed his masters in English literature from Balochistan University and joined NCA for a degree in Fine Arts with a major in Sculpture. Completing his 4 years’ professional studies, returned to Quetta where he set up the Department of Fine Arts in Balochistan University, chaired the department for 3 years and went on a British Council scholarship   to do a masters in print making from The Slade School of Arts London. Trained in various disciplines of Visual Arts, his forte remains sculpture. He also has the distinction of being the first Graduate in sculpture from NCA. He has been a prolific artist throughout his carrier and has exhibited vastly in Pakistan and internationally. He is the recipient of many awards including Gold medal in the 5th Asian Art Biennale in Dhaka His work is part of permanent collection in Victoria and Albert Museum, London and Fukouka Museum Japan. He has done many important commissioned projects in Pakistan and abroad. Jamal Shah joined TV in 1976 as a singer and composer and has been part of the most noted Pashto Musical programming for 15 years and became one of the most revered singers. People in the Pashtoon belt of Pakistan and Afghanistan still expects music from Jamal Shah. As an actor, he has achieved the image of a serious, committed and extremely choosy actor, never compromises on content and quality. He has done many Serials, Tele films and a Soup on PTV and other Pakistani channels. Jamal Shah has also acted in International projects such as TRAFFIK a channel 4 production and the recipient of 11 international awards and a Hollywood feature film K2. As Director and script writer, He has land mar productions such as, Palay Shah, Barish Ke Baad, Kal, MDMR, Darckola, Bazeecha, Kohkan and Geet Aur Goli for television and Panja Shianja, Tamaasha, Bazeecha and Yehan Se Sheher ko Dekho. He has written produced and directed “Revenge of the Worthless” a film on violent extremism. Jamal Shah has dedicated most of his time and resources towards the promotion and propagation of Art and culture in Pakistan. He was responsible for establishing The Fine Arts Department in his home town Quetta and Studio Gandhara in Islamabad. Hunerkada College of Visual and Performing Arts is his most important contribution to Islamabad and Lahore. He has been sponsoring this not for profit Art Institution since 1992.He has been on boards of governors of many Art Institutions and cultural bodies. Besides Hunerkada he has been teaching and giving workshops and lectures in NCA and all other Art schools in Pakistan. Jamal Shah has also supported causes such as Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital Trust by organizing 3 fund raising Art auctions for it and Donating his work for meaningful causes. Jamal Shah also organized Art Aid, a big Live Art Auction in collaboration with PTV and raised funds for the victims of October 2007 Earthquake, the flood effected people in KPK and the recent earthquake effectees in Swat, Chitral and Buner. He has been a vocal supporter of human rights in the country.          

Louise Hickey

Trained in classical ballet at The Ballet School with Mr George Francis in Rochester, NY., and then at Mary Days’ Washington School of Ballet. She was the youngest student accepted into the first year of the National Academy of Dance/Arts (NAD/A) in Champaign Urbana, Illinois. Musical Theater Dance teacher Gemze de Lappe, took Louise as her protege at a very early age, priming and mentoring her throughout her career and life. While a principal Ballerina with The Boston Repertory Ballet, under the direction of Samuel Kurkjian, Gemze de Lappe reconstructed Isadora Duncan choreography on the company. She requested Louise move to NYC to audition for founder and executive director Lee Theodore, who was creating a company of “triple threat” artists.  “THE AMERICAN DANCE MACHINE” (Alpha Company) was born and premiered on Broadway at the Century Theater, for 200 performances. This marked Louise’s transition to the world of Broadway Theater, and various work in TV/Music Videos/Commercials and Film. Broadway Debut, she (Louise Hickey) appeared as a Soloist with “THE AMERICAN DANCE MACHINE” working with an impressive list of legendary broadway performers, choreographers and directors. Appearing next in the Broadway revival of “OKLAHOMA!” (Dream Laurie) at The Palace Theater. Receiving direction directly from Agnes de Mille and Gemze de Lappe was truly an amazing privilege and honor. She appeared on Broadway as a featured performer, as The Bathing Beauty in “JEROME ROBBINS’ BROADWAY”;  Power Girl in “MAIL”.  Regional featured performer, as  Maggie in “FLORA THE RED MENACE” Pasadena Playhouse;  Louise in “CAROUSEL” Portland Opera;  Kathy in “COMPANY” The New York Theater Co.;  Azuri in “DESERT SONG” NY City Opera (Debut);  Dream Laurie in “OKLAHOMA!”;  Bonnie Jean in “BRIGADOON”;  Tiger Lilly in  “PETER PAN” and Cinderella in  “CINDERELLA”  The MUNY Theater;  Louise in “CAROUSEL”;  featured in “NAUGHTY MARIETTA” and  “ANNIE GET YOUR  GUN”, Paper Mill Playhouse;  Ado Annie in “OKLAHOMA” Starlight Musicals; featured in “KENNEDY CENTER HONORS”, Agnes de Mille recipient. Michael Mao, Director of MICHAEL MAO DANCE introduced Louise to Zena Rommett, to learn and teach classes to his company, she is now a Certified Floor-Barre® Mentor. Louise is forever grateful to have received personal transmissions from Zena Rommett.  Studying Mind, Body, Spirit and Holistic Medicine practices, she is a Certified Teacher of Primordial Sound Meditation, and Ayurvedic Health from The Chopra Center University; and a 200hr Certified Hatha Yoga Instructor, from Sivananda Yoga Farm. Proud to support her dear friend Charlene Carey (both Graduates of NAD/A), she wishes to acknowledge Charlene’s dedication and inspiring work with dancers and artists around the globe, and for inviting her to contribute to Ballet Beyond Borders 2019. Louise is a grateful Mother of two inspiring young men, Joseph Cadiff, a scholar of English, Religion, Spirituality, Buddhism and Yoga Studies now at LMU in Los Angeles CA; and Alexander Cadiff, a talented aspiring TV/Screen/Theater writer, working as Development Coordinator at Bungalow Media, in NYC. 

Claudia Zaccari

Claudia Zaccari is a former Prima Ballerina of the Teatro dell'Opera in Rome and Guest Prima Ballerina in famed theaters and opera houses including: Arena di Verona, Massimo di Palermo, Toulouse, Avignon, and London. She has danced alongside world-class dancers such as Maja Plisetskaia, Carla Fracci and Vladimir Vassiliev. Mrs. Zaccari has worked as a Consultant and Artistic Director of numerous dance schools, dance performances and events in Italy and abroad such as: the 'Cecilia Kerche Festival' in Belem (Brazil) and the 'Centro Teatral di Mazatlan' (Mexico). Currently, Mrs. Zaccari is the Director of Opus Ballet's Department of Classical Dance and a public relations representative for So Danca. Mrs. Zaccari's awards include the title of "Knight of the Republic" for having promoted artistic exchanges on the international level between Italy and countries worldwid

ROSANNA BROCANELLO
Artistic Director of Opus Ballet Centre
Artistic Director of COB Opus Ballet Company

Born in Genoa, she trained at the dance school of Giannina Censi, a well-known dancer of Futurist dances. She continued her studies with Rossella Hightower, M. Miskovitch, Victor Rona, completing her classical training with Riccardo Nunez. She learned the Graham technique with Elsa Piperno and Joseph Fontano. She danced for the first time at the International Festival of Nervi with the London Festival Ballet in The Nutcracker. She returned to the International Festival of Nervi with the Off Jazz Dance Company, directed by Gianin Loringett and again with Louis Falco Dance Company in New York in a work produced by the International Festival of Nervi which toured all over Europe. She worked with choreographers such as Matt Mattox, Peter Goss, then in Paris with Kim Kam (Limon technique), she also collaborated on the choreography of the musical comedy "Musical" with the group of Teatro Stabile di Genova directed by Gian Maria Volonté. In 1984 she moved to Florence where she founded and directed the company Hot Jazz Dance, which later became Opus Ballet, developing a new choreographic language, the result of deep research in the field of modern and contemporary dance. She collaborated with the Police drummer, Stewart Copeland, for the creation of the ballet “Il grande amico Meaulness". She taught and directed modern dance courses at the Florence Dance Center School of Marga Nativo and Keith Ferrone in Florence. In 1999 she founded the Opus Ballet Cultural Association and she is currently the artistic director of the Opus Ballet Company.From 2000 to 2004 she co-directed the Toscana Dance/School Association, home of the Balletto di Toscana School directed by Cristina Bozzolini, then in 2004, with Daniel Tinazzi, she founded and co-directed the International Dance and Performing Arts Centre OPUS BALLET in Florence.She takes STAGE and Courses for dance teachers all over Italy and abroad and is invited as a jury member to international choreographic competitions.

LIC. DANIELA ORTIZ LÓPEZ

En 1991  inicia sus estudios de Ballet Clásico en Fomento Artístico Cordobés, bajo la Dirección técnica- artística de Martha Saghún. En 1994 continua sus estudios en la Escuela Cubana de Ballet de Veracruz, bajo la Dirección artística de Caridad Martínez (Ex primera bailarina del Ballet Nacional de Cuba) y con asesoramiento técnico de Joaquín Banegas y Silvia Marichal (Maîtres del Ballet Nacional de Cuba). En 1999, se gradúa como bailarina Clásica y Maestra por la ECBV y el Ministerio de Cultura de la Habana, Cuba. Ha tenido como maestros en diversos cursos y talleres nacionales e internacionales a; Lea Darwin (EE.UU), Pattie Obey (EE.UU),  James Kelly (EE.UU.); Franco de Vita  (Director de la Escuela Jackie Onasis, del American Ballet Teathre), Raymond Lukens (EE.UU.), Juan Sánchez (Puerto Rico), entre otros. Dentro de su preparación como bailarina y docente ha tenido maestros de la talla de Fernando Alonso, Dubia Hernández, Fernando Jhones, Pedro Beiro, Esther García, Miriam Hernandez, Adria Velásquez, Gustavo Herrera, Fidel García y Alberto Terrero (ex bailarines del Ballet Nacional de Cuba) entre otros. Fue seleccionada como aspirante a la Compañía Nacional de Danza en 2004. Del mismo modo, ha sido bailarina invitada por la Compañía Veracruzana de Ballet, dirigida por Denia Hernández y Raúl Bustabad (ex bailarines del Ballet Nacional de Cuba), por la Compañía Vera danza U. V., dirigida por Jorge Ortiz, a su vez, por el Grupo Independiente MODULO Danza Contemporánea, dirigido por Alejandro Schwartz; de igual manera, bailarina huésped por la Asociación “Dance Educators of America” en San José de Costa Rica; por el Brooklyn Ballet N.Y.; la orquesta Sinfónica juvenil Daniel Ayala y por  la Orquesta Sinfónica de Xalapa, entre otras compañías independientes. Ha participado en Concursos Nacionales e Internacionales, dentro de los cuales destacan;  Finalista y Medalla de bronce en el Primer y Segundo Concurso Nacional de Ballet Clásico Infantil-Juvenil;  Medalla de Oro en el VI Certamen Internacional de Ballet Infantil-Juvenil de países Latinoamericanos; y  Medalla de Platinum en el “Ballet Seminar Competition”, New York City. Becaria en la Compañía del Joffrey Ballet Alabama.  En 2013, realiza sus primeros grados de Curriculum Training of American Ballet TTheatre en la ciudad de New York, para adquirir también conocimientos de la enseñanza de la Técnica Americana de Ballet. En 2014, le es otorgado reconocimiento por la Escuela Cubana de Ballet de la Habana Cuba, dirigida por la Maestra Ramona de Saa, por su trayectoria dentro de la Enseñanza de la Escuela Cubana.  Dentro de su trayectoria como docente, sus alumnas  han sido finalistas en el Octavo,Noveno y Décimo Concurso Nacional de Ballet Clásico Infantil- Juvenil, y medallistas en Concursos Nacionales e internacionales organizados por diversas Asociaciones de Danza tales como, Grand Prix Danza Américas, Panama, B VIBE International  Ballet Competition, Ballet Beyond Borders en Missoula, Montana, E.U.,, entre otros. Actualmente dirige la Escuela Cubana de Ballet de Veracruz, , y cada año organiza el Curso Internacional  de Invierno como parte de preparación de su alumnado, en donde la ECBV, invita a maestros reconocidos del extranjero y cada dos años su alumnado hace intercambios con otras Escuelas importantes de Estados Unidos mediante el sistema de becas, otorgadas dentro de este Curso Internacional  (Bolshoi Ballet Academy, Moscu, Rusia, Alvin Ailey School, NY., New York Dance Project, y Steps of Broadway, NY.), empezando a buscar oportunidades para  el alumnado interesado en la Danza como una forma de vida;  o simplemente abrir un arcoíris de posibilidades dentro de la misma. Daniela Ortiz también es Licenciada en Derecho por la UAV - UNAM y actualmente sigue preparándose dentro del área docente, Coreográfia y de  Gestión Cultural dentro de las Artes escénicas. 

Erica Rose Jeffrey

Erica is a dance activist and researcher engaged in cross-disciplinary practice of community dance. Experienced peacebuilding practitioner and researcher. Dancer, choreographer, educator, speaker, researcher, and community facilitator. Specifc practice and research focus on the use of dance with young people in peacebuilding programs and dance and health such as the Dance for Parkinson’s programs. She is the director of Dance for Parkinson's Australia which initiated, implemented and launched the frst Dance for Parkinson’s programs across Australia in partnership withprogram founders-Dance for PD and Mark Morris Dance Group in New York. Involved in the initiation of programs and teacher training across Australia and expanding into Asia. www.danceforparkinsonsaustralia.org 

Karen Opacich

Ms. Opacich holds a BS (occupational therapy) from the University of Kansas and earned both the MHPE (health professions education) and PhD (public health) from the University of Illinois-Chicago. Her very first curricular endeavor in 1978 entailed designing a physician residency training program in developmental pediatrics funded by HHS, and she is currently Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Public Health and Clinical Associate Professor of Health Policy & Administration in the School of Public Health at the University of Illinois in Chicago. Dr. Opacich was raised in a family that valued the arts. Her father was a luthier and an NEA National Heritage Fellow (2004). Throughout childhood she studied music, dance and painting. She began college as a graphic arts major/music minor, and somehow switched gears entirely. After years of training, she abandoned the piano but managed to hang onto the ballet slippers for a time until she became immersed in the world of horses, who after all, are very much like dancers. 

Jorge Barani

Jorge Barani was Born in Matanzas, Cuba and graduated from the National School of Art Ballet in Havana, Cuba before joining The Ballet de Monterrey Company in Mexico (Luis Serrano) in 2010. Barani came to the United States in August 2012 and has performed as a freelance International Guest Artist and with such companies as Ballet San Jose (Jose Manuel Carreno), Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida (Vladimir Issaev), Northwest Florida Ballet (Todd Eric Allen), Soloist with Cincinnati Ballet (Victoria Morgan) and Principal Danseur with Kentucky Ballet Theatre (Norbe Risco). Jorge was invited to the final YAGP Gala in New York City, dancing with Maria Kochetkova from San Francisco Ballet. Jorge won two Gold Medals at the World Ballet Competition USA (2013), The Silver Medal at The Korea International Ballet Competition (2015), The Gold Medal at Vienna International Ballet Competition (2016), The Silver Medal at Varna International Ballet Competition (2016) and received a professional contract to join Cincinnati Ballet at the Finals of Jackson International Ballet Competition (2018).

Peter Bussian

Peter Bussian has had a multi-faceted career at the nexus of visual media and international development as an a award-winning humanitarian photographer, filmmaker and consultant for more than 30 years. His photographs have been published in The New York Times, Paris Match, The Independent, Vogue and other publications and he is the author and photographer of two books: “Passage to Afghanistan” (Skyhorse, 2016) and “Trans New York” (Apollo, 2020). He has made documentary films in Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Sudan and Nigeria and was an Academy Nicholl Fellowships semi-finalist for his screenplay "Scarlet Poppy". He was also a producer and lead actor in Golden Globe winning Director Siddiq Barmak's "Opium War" - which won multiple festival awards and was Afghanistan's submission to the Academy Awards. He has been a guest lecturer at Columbia University (SIPA), New York University, The New School for Social Research and Frostburg State University and is on faculty of the Pakistan National Council of the Arts Film School.

Sophie Rebecca 

Rebecca is an English ballet dancer who was the first openly transgender person to train at the Royal Academy of Dance’s courses for female dancers. The academy changed its policy in 2013 and no longer insists that students taking these courses must have been born female.  Sophie is an articulate representative of the transgender community and can share her journey to womanhood and how dance has played an important role.  She explains how dance saved her.  She will speak at the Diplomacy Conference, moderate a panel discussion at the film festival and perform.