friday, october 4, 2019 @ 7:30pm - auditorium theatre

Friday, October 4, 2019 @ 7:30PM

presents

Community Partner

AUDITORIUM THEATRE 2019–20 SEASON SPONSORSENSEMBLE ESPANOL AND CERQUA RIVERA ENGAGEMENT

Official Hotel Partner Magazine Sponsor

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and

2 | ENSEMBLE ESPAÑOL SPANISH DANCE THEATER + CERQUA RIVERA DANCE THEATRE | OCTOBER 4, 2019

PROGRAM

CERQUA RIVERA DANCE THEATRE

American CatrachoThe American Catracho suite is the culmination of a three-year exploration of immigration that

involved over three dozen artists and other collaborators, including hundreds of audience members. Inspired by Cerqua Rivera cofounder and Artistic Director Wilfredo Rivera’s own personal journey,

the four-part piece moves through themes of dislocation, assimilation, renewal, and hope.

Part IMemories Behind

The Crossing

Part IIFirst 200 Feet

Part III Mi America

Part IV Land of Dreams

Creator and Director: Wilfredo RiveraOriginal Music: Joe Cerqua (with introduction by James Sanders)

and “Fijate Bien” by Juanes, arranged by Stu GreenspanAdditional Choreography: Noelle Kayser, Christian Denice

Costume Design: Jordan RossLighting Design: David Goodman-Edberg

Projection Design: Simean Carpenter

Additional Collaborators: Lewis Achenbach (painter), Charin Alvarez (actor), Laura Crotte (actor), Julian Hester (actor), Cecilie Keenan (theatre artist), Ethan Kirschbaum (movement consultant),

Shawn Lent (dancer educator and immigration activist), Kristi Licera (movement consultant), Dr. Daniel Michaud-Novak (psychologist), Myesha-Tiara (actor)

Creation of American Catracho is sponsored by The Cliff Dwellers Arts Foundation and The Saints.

ENSEMBLE ESPAÑOL SPANISH DANCE THEATER

Ecos De España (Echoes of Spain)

The inexhaustible vitality and distinctly individual qualities of Spanish folk music, with all its rhythms and colors, have fascinated composers in Europe and worldwide throughout the 20th century. Ensemble Espanol founder Dame

Libby Komaiko was inspired by paintings from Francisco de Goya’s “Black Period” and Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s musical creations. The celebrated Russian composer and music teacher Rimsky-Korsakov is famous for his popular

symphonic suites and imaginative blend of orchestral sounds.

Choreography and Lighting Design (1983): Dame Libby KomaikoChoreographic Collaboration: Edo (Fandango Asturiano)

Costume Design: Dame Libby Komaiko (original Scene y Cante Gitano costumes), Christine Fransen (original Fandango Asturiano costumes)

Note: For this tribute, costume designs and construction are by Paco Alonso.Dancers: Company

Music: Capriccio Espagnol, Op. 34,Scene y Cante Gitano (fourth movement), and Fandango Asturiano (fifth movement) by

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (1844-1908)

Deshojando Flores (Stripping Petals)

The theme of this work is inspired by the corrida de toros (running of the bulls), portrayed in the dance style known as zapateado (dance of the shoe). The choreographers would like to give a special thank you to

Paloma Gomez and Luis Lorente.

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OCTOBER 4, 2019 | ENSEMBLE ESPAÑOL SPANISH DANCE THEATER + CERQUA RIVERA DANCE THEATRE | 3

PROGRAM

Section 1: ZapateadoLighting Design: Dustin Derry

Choreographers and Dancers (2014): Crystal Ruiz, Principal Dancer and Olivia Serrano, SoloistChoreography Collaboration: Crystal Ruiz, Principal DancerMusic: Oriente Mediterráneo (Zapateado) by Vicente Amigo

Una Obra De Arte (A Work of Art) This rhythmical dance, in the compass (rhythm) of four, is in the flamenco Farruca style.

Traditionally danced by men, dancer and choreographer Claudia Pizarro was inspired by the rhythms, technique, and masculine line of this flamenco style.

Solo Choreographer and Costume Design (2017): Claudia Pizarro, First Dancer Company Choreographer and Costume Design (1999): Jorge Peréz, Associate Artistic Director

Choreographic Collaboration (1999 and 2010): Joel Maisonet and José Torres, First DancerLighting Design: Dustin Derry

Dancers: Claudia Pizarro, First Dancer; José Torres, First Dancer;Juan Carlos Castellon, Principal Dancer; Luis Beltran and Jonathan Pacheco, Company Dancers;

Matt Jalac, ApprenticeMusic: Paco Fonta, David Chiriboga, Patricia Ortega, Javier Saume-Mazzei, Zara Zaharieva

Mar de Fuego (Sea of Fire)

Inspired by legend “The Red Thread of Fate,” choreographer Carlos Rodriguez transcends thisinspiration with Ensemble Español dancers to create the flamenco contempory ballet Mar de

Fuego with visionary lighting designer Luis Perdiguero. According to this East Asian legend, weare destined to connect with one another via this magical red cord from the lunar gods. We are

connected regardless of place, time, or circumstances. This magical cord may stretch or tangle, but never break. Carlos Rodriguez dedicates this ballet to Dame Libby Komaiko for her love, passion, and dedication to the art form

of Spanish dance, music, arts, culture and education.

“Gracias, Dama Libby, de todo corazón (wholeheartedly) for connecting us all.” – Carlos Rodriguez

Choreographer (2018): Carlos RodriguezCostume Design: Carlos Rodriguez and Paloma Gomez

Lighting Design: Luis Perdiguero Sound Editor: Javier Saume-Mazzei

Dancers: CompanyMusic: Nicholas Britell, Ketama, and Rao Kyao

Azabache (World Premiere)Azabache is a dance in the Alegrias de Cádiz flamenco style. This piece is dedicated to those who endure

transformation and to those that strive to inspire through art and compassion.

Solo Choreographer, Dancer, and Costume Design (2019): Claudia Pizarro, First DancerLighting Design: Dustin Derry

Music: Paco Fonta, David Chiriboga, Patricia Ortega, Javier Saume Mazzei, Zara Zaharieva

Pasion Oculta (Hidden Passion) This flamenco contemporary work, set on five couples of Ensemble Español Company dancers by artistic director

Irma Suárez Ruíz portrays the hidden passions of love and desire. Ruíz has set this sensual new work to two songs by the all-female electronic string quartet Escala.

“Tormented by his hidden passion, her being is brought to life in every corner of his heart, mind and soul.” – Irma Suárez Ruíz

Choreography and Costume Design (2019): Irma Suárez Ruíz, Artistic DirectorCostume Production: Luz Creations and Tanya Tailor

Lighting Design: Dustin DerryDancers: José Torres, First Dancer; Crystal Ruiz, Olivia Serrano, Monica Saucedo,

Juan Carlos Castellon, Principal Dancers; Amanda Saucedo, Frida Medina, Luis Beltran, Jonathan Pacheco, Company Dancers; Matt Jalac, Company Apprentice

Music: “Requiem for a Tower” and “Palladio” by Escala


PROGRAM/ABOUT CERQUA RIVERA DANCE THEATRE

Duende Gitana (Gyspy Soul)

Dancer, Choreographer, and Costume Designer (2010): Irma Suárez Ruíz, Artistic DirectorCostume Production: Luz Creations

Lighting Design: Elias MoralesFlamenco Singer: Paco Fonta

Percussionist: Javier Saume-Mazzei

Triana Inspired by the province of Triana, located on the east bank of the Guadalquivir River in the city of Seville, Barrios

sets this festive Flamenco Tangos finale in honor of the beloved Dame Libby Komaiko.

“I dedicate this work to Dama Libby for her life’s love, mission, dedication, and devotion to all that is Spanish dance, music, art, and culture. Gracias, Dama Libby, with love and admiration.” — José Barrios

Choreography (2019): José BarriosCostume Design: Irma Suárez Ruíz, José Barrios, and Dancers

Lighting Design: Dustin DerryDancers: Company

Music: Paco Fonta, David Chiriboga, Patricia Ortega, Javier Saume-Mazzei, Zara Zaharieva

ABOUT CERQUA RIVERA DANCE THEATRE

Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre was founded in 1999 by Joe Cerqua, composer and musician; Wilfredo Rivera, choreographer and dancer; and Matt Lamb, painter. The founding mission — to fuse music, dance, and visual art to explore and celebrate contemporary American society — remains the company’s driving force today. Cerqua Rivera’s art grows from collaborations among composers and musicians, choreographers and dancers, and visual artists, where the art forms are combined in cohesive performance pieces. Their performances are theatrical and thoughtful, vivacious and exuberant. The company’s work is rooted in its founders’ vision of what art can do — gather people to contemplate factors that knit our community together and differences that add strength and complexity to our society. Every year, Cerqua Rivera’s diverse collective of artists makes new multi-disciplinary performance pieces that combine dance, music, and visual art. Each piece is strongly rooted in a narrative crafted by a choreographer. The work is shaped and brought to life by a wide group of collaborators, including a composer, dancers, musicians, and others, ranging from costume and projection designers to poets and actors.

As the company celebrates #CRDT20th in 2019 — its 20th anniversary — they demonstrate the values that have shaped Cerqua Rivera over two decades: commitments to high artistic standards, to connecting deeply with audiences, and to reflecting and celebrating the diversity of its hometown of Chicago.

ARTISTIC AND EXECUTIVE LEADERS

JOE CERQUA (Cofounder and Composer) is an award-winning composer, producer, vocalist, and sound designer. Cerqua has composed and designed sound for over 300 productions, both nationally and internationally. He has created original music and done sound design for theatres and companies including Steppenwolf Theatre, Goodman Theatre, American Players Theater, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Asolo Theater, the Alliance, Mark Taper Forum, Geva Theater, Deaf West Theatre, Northlight Theatre, Skyline Opera, Cleveland Playhouse, Clarence Brown Theatre, Forward Theatre, Kansas City Repertory Theatre, Indiana Repertory Theatre, Berkshire Theatre Festival, Shakespeare & Co., Actors Theatre of Louisville, the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, and Remy Bumppo Theatre

Company. National tours include Sideman, American Buffalo, How I Learned to Drive, The Laramie Project, Broken Glass, and Master Class. Cerqua is the Composer in Residence for Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre and the Creative Director and Producer for the Music Department at Columbia College. Future projects include creating original music and sound designs for productions with the Milwaukee Chamber Theater, First Stage, American Players Theater, and Forward Theater.



WILFREDO RIVERA (Cofounder and Artistic Director) was born in Honduras. He trained with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and was a founding member of River North Dance Chicago. Rivera was honored with the 2009 Cliff Dwellers Arts Foundation Choreography Award and a 2001 After Dark Award, and was nominated for a 3ARTS Award in 2017 and 2018. Rivera’s concert work has been featured at the Auditorium Theatre, Symphony Center (with the Chicago Sinfonietta), Chicago Jazz Festival, Hyde Park Jazz Festival, Harris Theater, Ruth Page Center for the Arts, the DuSable Museum, Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, Links Hall, Old Town School of Folk Music, and Mayne Stage, among others. Theatrical works include productions for Goodman Theatre, Forward

Theater, Bailiwick Theatre, Metropolis Arts Center, Columbia College, American Theater Company, American Players Theater, Porchlight Music Theatre, and Pegasus Players. Most recently, he choreographed Sandra Delgado’s La Havana Madrid, a Teatro Vista and Collaboraction Theatre Company co-production. Rivera extends his gratitude to the Auditorium Theatre, Jorge Pérez, and the entire Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre creative family for their commitment and passion towards the development and presentation of American Catracho.

CATHERINE PAINTER (Executive Director) became the first Executive Director of CRDT in 2015. She also serves as Development Consultant to the Chicago Human Rhythm Project, Praize Productions, and Rivendell Theatre Ensemble and is a member of faculty at the University of Illinois-Chicago’s Certificate in Non-Profit Management Program. Previously, Painter worked with Victory Gardens Theater, Merit School of Music, Northlight Theatre, and Latin School of Chicago. She holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master’s degree from Northwestern University.

CERQUA RIVERA DANCERS

BRIANA ARTHUR is from Gary, IN. She received her BFA in dance from The Juilliard School in 2013. Arthur is currently the school director of her local dance studio, South Shore Dance Alliance. She looks forward to the opportunity to continue sharing her passion for movement.

RILEY CORNACCHINI is from Bloomfield Hills, MI. She graduated from Western Michigan University, where she received her BFA in dance, in 2018. While at Western, she performed works by Antony Tudor and Frank Chaves, among others. Previously, Cornacchini had the privilege of interning with nunArt

Creacions Contemporànies in Barcelona, Spain. She is excited to perform with CRDT and to continue growing her passion.

ROSS LINDHOUT is from Grand Rapids, MI. He began his dance training at the age of 9 and trained in a variety of styles, including ballet, tap, jazz, and contemporary. He attended Grand Valley State University, where he majored in dance with a minor in non-profit administration.

SHELBY MORAN AMARANTOS is a Chicagoland native. She graduated from The Juilliard School in 2015 and went on to dance with Thodos Dance Chicago. She apprenticed for Visceral Dance Chicago and is now in her second season with CRDT. She has also danced for Jessica Miller Tomlinson Choreography and Hanna Bricston and Dancers.

JOE MUSIEL graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology. Previous credits include performances at South Chicago Dance Theater, Dance in the Parks, Paramount Theatre, Civic Opera House, and with Giordano Dance Chicago. He was named a 2019 Chicago Dancemakers Lab Artist award finalist.

LUCY PIERSON is a graduate of Point Park University, where she received her BFA in dance. She has been fortunate to work with South Chicago Dance Theater as an Emerging Artist and is enjoying her first season as a Performing Apprentice with CRDT.

BRENNEN RENTERIA is originally from Corona, CA. He earned a BA in dance from California State-Fullerton in 2014. He then joined Thodos Dance Chicago, where he danced for three seasons and worked with many esteemed choreographers. He has also performed with Elements Ballet and in various Chicago productions. He joined CRDT in 2017.


FERNANDO RODRIGUEZ joined Missouri Contemporary Ballet in 2009 and currently serves as Resident Choreographer. He has guest performed with Grand Rapids Ballet, Springfield Ballet, and Owen/Cox Dance. In 2015, Rodriguez joined Giordano Dance Chicago and later joined River North Dance Chicago, Paramount Theatre, and Cocodaco Dance Project.

RYAN SCHWAAR graduated from Grand Valley State University in 2019, earning his BA in dance. He received three separate dance scholarships, and twice presented a solo at the American College Dance Association Conference in 2019. He is very grateful to perform alongside CRDT!

RACHEL SPIES received her BFA from the University of Akron in 2016. After graduating, she worked as a trainee with Thodos Dance Chicago during the company’s final season. Noteworthy performances include Dance for Life 2018, Thodos Dance Chicago’s New Dances, and Visceral Dance Chicago’s Within. She is in her second season with CRDT.

KRISTEN VASILAKOS is originally from Minnesota and graduated from the University of Iowa with a BFA in dance and a BA in health and human physiology. After graduating, she worked as a trainee with Thodos Dance Chicago. Vasilakos joined CRDT mid-season in 2017, and is thrilled to be continuing as an ensemble member for her second season.

CARSON VONFELDT is from Fort Worth, TX. He began dancing at a very young age. He attended Lindenwood University in St. Louis, where he worked with artists such as Keigwin + Company, Michael Mizerany, and Ally Duffy. He has been performing with CRDT for two years.


CERQUA RIVERA JAZZ BAND

STU GREENSPAN (Musical Director, Bass, Guitar) is a founding member of CRDT. In the studio, he contributes to sound designs for theatre companies throughout the country. Greenspan performs with many jazz and pop ensembles and serves on the music faculty of Columbia College Chicago and the Francis Parker School.

TIMOTHY ARCHBOLD (Cello) is a freelance cellist who plays in many exciting projects in the Chicagoland area, in addition to having a large private teaching studio. A native of Australia, he received his undergraduate music degree from the University of Melbourne and studied chamber music and cello performance in Bremen, Germany.

PAUL COTTON (Percussion) is a principal musician with Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago. He attended the American Conservatory of Music. He currently works with Keith Eric and Waterhouse Reggae and Calypso Band; Picate Latin Jazz Band; Nyah Binghi Drum Choir; Bata Eca; and Eye Plus One.

ROB DICKE (Drums) thrives in any musical setting. He is celebrating his 10th year with CRDT, and also performs around Chicago with Fareed Haque, Radio Free Honduras, and his own group, Calamity Flamtet.

DAN HESLER (Woodwinds) composes, arranges, and plays various woodwinds. He has been working with CRDT for many years.



CERQUA RIVERA DANCE THEATRE THANKS THESE SPONSORS FOR THEIR GENEROUS SUPPORT OF TONIGHT’S PERFORMANCE:

Patti Eylar and Charlie GardnerGinger Farley and Bob Shapiro

Sandra McNaughtonMarcia and Gerald Nowak

Elizabeth SenguptaWeinburg Family Foundation

LEANDRO LÓPEZ VÁRADY (Piano) was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He graduated from the Catholic University of Argentina, where he majored in composition. He has toured with the Eldeé Young Quartet and performs with the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic, and currently teaches piano at Lewis University. He joined the CRDT band in 2008.

FELIPE TOBAR (Violin) was born in Santiago, Chile. He is a violinist and composer and is influenced by classical, folk, and jazz music. His repertoire includes South and North American folk, jazz, and classical music, along with his own compositions. He is also a violin teacher and orchestra conductor at the People’s Music School Youth Orchestra.

PHAREZ WHITTED (Trumpet) holds degrees in music from DePauw University and Indiana University. He has taught at Ohio State University and Chicago State University. Whitted is currently the Director of the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra’s Jazz Orchestra, and he was selected as the Chicago Tribune’s Chicagoan of the Year in Jazz in 2016.

JULI WOOD (Saxophone) has performed for the past 20 years as a saxophonist, vocalist, and composer. She has established herself as a solid, swinging, lyrical, and entertaining performer in Chicago’s music scene and around the world.

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ABOUT ENSEMBLE ESPAÑOL SPANISH DANCE THEATER


Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater has appeared at many major theatres and universities in Chicago and Illinois, including the legendary Auditorium Theatre, the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, Harris Theater, and Symphony Space, to name just a few. The Ensemble has performed throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii, and has also performed in Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Poland, Australia, China, and Spain.

ARTISTIC AND EXECUTIVE LEADERS

DAME LIBBY KOMAIKO (Founder) had an innovative, unique, and visionary career that encompassed art, education, and culture for over half a century. Her passionate pioneering creations are respected and hailed throughout the Americas and internationally. As a teen, she studied jazz, modern, and musical theatre with Gus Giordano. At the age of 18, she auditioned for the legendary José Greco and was given the opportunity to learn and perform with his world-famous Spanish dance company. In 1975, Dame Libby created and founded the Ensemble Español, the premier Spanish dance company and center in the United States to have “in residence” status at a university, Chicago’s Northeastern Illinois University. In 1983, she became the first American artist in history to be decorated with Spains

highest honor, the “Lazo de Dama de Isabel la Católica” by Juan Carlos I, King of Spain, for her superlative work in spreading the cultural and artistic values of Spain throughout the United States.

IRMA SUÁREZ RUÍZ (Artistic Director) was born in Chicago, and then moved to Mexico City to live with her family. Her formal dance training in classical ballet and Spanish dance began with Dame Libby Komaiko in 1979. She studied with such Spanish dance legends as Maria Alba, Edo, Paco Alonso, Victorio Korjhan, Juanjo Linares, Roberto Lorca, Timo Lozano, Manolete, Carmela Greco, and Juan Mata and Ana González (founding members of the National Ballet of Spain). She also studied with Cristian Almodovar, Aida Gomez, Rafaela Carrasco, Belen Maya, La China, El Guito, and Paco Romero and Candela Soto at the Amor de Dios Flamenco Dance Academy, and learned ballet with Anna Czajun. She graduated with honors from NEIU in April 1983 with a BA in foreign languages and

literature and a minor in dance. Suárez Ruíz has been honored with the Artistic Ambassador Award from the Ruth Page Foundation and NEIU in recognition of her artistic achievements and contributions to dance internationally. She was recognized by the St. Louis Flamenco Society for her longstanding commitment to the art form, and was part of the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs’ Viva Latina series. She is part of NEIU’s dance faculty, and was a guest choreographer with the Civic Ballet’s production of Black Tights/Spanish Rhythms, presented by the Ruth Page Dance Series. She is an accomplished choreographer, contributing five full ballets to Ensemble Español’s main company, and many works for the organization’s Youth Company and arts education program. She is married to Antonio Ruíz, and together they are the new, proud grandparents to Joaquin, Manolo, and Emily.

JORGE PÉREZ (Executive Director) was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He began his formal study of Spanish dance with Dame Libby Komaiko in 1985 after receiving a scholarship apprenticeship. Pérez continued his studies with many guest artists at the Ensemble’s annual Festival and in Spain at the Amor de Dios Flamenco Dance Academy with Spanish dance legends including Edo, Paco Alonso, Victorio Korjhan, Juanjo Linares, Roberto Lorca, Timo Lozano, Manolete, Carmela Greco, Paco Romero, Candela Soto, and Juan Mata and Ana González (founding members of the National Ballet of Spain), and studied ballet with Anna Czajun. Pérez is a graduate of NEIU with a BA in speech communication and performing arts and a minor in dance. He has been honored with the

Artistic Ambassador Award from the Ruth Page Foundation and NEIU in recognition of his artistic achievements and contributions to dance. In 2002, he received an Appreciation Award from Mayor Richard M. Daley for his exceptional contribution to the arts in Chicago. In 2004, Pérez was honored with the Twentieth Anniversary Award from the St. Louis Cultural Flamenco Society. In 2014, he graduated from the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program, where he recently served on the welcoming panel for the 2017 cohort, which featured special guests Lloyd Blankfein (CEO of Goldman Sachs) and Mayor Rahm Emanuel. His accomplishments have been listed in Who’s Who Among Hispanic Americans, Who’s Who Among Business Leaders of America, and Who’s Who in Dance.



ENSEMBLE ESPAÑOL DANCERS

CLAUDIA PIZARRO (First Dancer) is from Chihuahua, Mexico. She began studying Spanish dance in 2002. In 2003, she became an apprentice to the Ensemble, and in 2004, she was promoted to Company Dancer. Pizarro performs nationally with the Ensemble, and has choreographed numerous duets

with her fellow first dancer José Torres. She is married to company percussionist Javier Saume-Mazzei and is the proud mother to their son, Gael.

JOSÉ TORRES (First Dancer) was born and raised in Chicago, and began his formal Spanish dance training with Dame Libby Komaiko in 1995 as part of Ensemble’s Youth Company. He has performed nationally and internationally in principal roles with the Ensemble. He was a guest artist and guest

choreographer of Danza Viva Spanish Dance Company in Perth, Australia, under the direction of Deanna Blacher OAM in 2007, 2011, and 2013.

CRYSTAL RUÍZ (Principal Dancer, Rehearsal Assistant) was born and raised in Cicero, IL. She began her formal Spanish dance training as a young child, and first performed with the Ensemble at the age of 4. She was a member of the Ensemble’s Youth Company, and became a Company Dancer in 2003. In

2012, she became Rehearsal Assistant to the professional company. She rehearses and teaches the Ensemble’s Youth Company grade-school division.

JULIA HINOJOSA (Principal Dancer, Artistic Director of the Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Youth Company) was born and raised in Chicago. Hinojosa began her Spanish dance studies in 2000 with Dame Libby Komaiko, and became a Company Dancer in 2005. She coordinates and teaches for the

Ensemble’s educational outreach programs at schools throughout Chicago. Hinojosa was awarded the 2017 Negocios Now 40 for 40 Hispanic Entrepreneur Award.

OLIVIA SERRANO (Soloist Dancer, Rehearsal Assistant) is a Chicago native. She began dancing ballet, modern, and jazz at age 10 with the Chicago Park District under the direction of Katia Marzolf-Borione, Sarah Glover-Heston, and Rebecca Pollok. In 2003, she began her formal Spanish dance training with

Dame Libby Komaiko and Ensemble’s Youth Company.

She was promoted to Company Dancer in 2005. She is a Rehearsal Assistant to the Ensemble’s professional company, teaching and assisting in rehearsals.

MONICA SAUCEDO (Principal Dancer, Teacher) is a Chicago native who began dancing at age 5 with the Nobleza Azteca Mexican Folkloric Dance Group, under the direction of Frances Garcia and Vicente Guerrero. In 1999, Saucedo was given a scholarship to the Ensemble’s Youth Company and

was promoted to Company Dancer in 2005. In 2014, she became a part-time dancer with the Ensemble, and assists in teaching and rehearsing the Ensemble’s Youth Company grade-school division.

JUAN CARLOS CASTELLON (Principal Dancer) is originally from El Salvador and has studied modern, Latin, African, capoeira, and ballet. He began his formal Spanish dance training as an apprentice with the Ensemble in 2005, and was promoted to Company Dancer in 2006. Castellon performs nationally

and internationally with the Ensemble.

ABIGAIL VENTURA (Company Dancer, on leave) is a Chicago native who began studying Spanish dance with After School Matters, under the direction of Julia Hinojosa at NEIU. She has studied modern, ballet, and jazz at NEIU with Venetia Stifle, Rachael Burton, Jamie Ferrell, and Victor Alexander. She joined

the Ensemble’s Youth Company in 2010, and became an apprentice and was promoted to Company Dancer shortly after. Ventura teaches throughout the Chicago area at various dance studios and schools.

AMANDA SAUCEDO (Company Dancer) is a native of Chicago who started dancing at age 5 with Nobleza Azteca Mexican Folkloric Dance Group under the direction of Frances Garcia and Vicente Guerrero. She joined Ensemble’s Youth Company in 2007, under the direction of Dame Libby Komaiko and

Sara Samuels, and became an apprentice to Ensemble in 2013. Saucedo travels nationally with the Ensemble and teaches for the Ensemble’s community outreach programs.



FRIDA MEDINA (Company Dancer) is a Chicago native who began dancing ballet and jazz at age 7 at St. Mary of the Angels Elementary School. She began her formal Spanish dance training in 2004 with the Ensemble’s Youth Company, under the direction of Dame Libby Komaiko and Sara Samuels.

In 2013, she became an apprentice to the Ensemble. Medina is on faculty with the Ensemble Español Flamenco Dance community workshops.

LUIS BELTRAN (Company Dancer) is a Chicago native originally who began his Spanish dance training in 2004 as part of the Ensemble’s Youth Company, under the direction of Dame Libby Komaiko and Sara Samuels. He became an understudy and an apprentice to the Ensemble in 2013. Beltran performs

nationally and internationally with the Ensemble.

JONATHAN PACHECO (Company Dancer) is a Chicago native. He began dancing ballet with Destine Young at the W Dance Studio and studied Latin rhythms with Massiel Zaragoza at Prosser Career Academy, as well as Blas Ortiz at the Miracle Center. In 2013, he began his studies in Spanish dance with Irma

Suárez Ruíz while attending classes at NEIU. Pachecho became an apprentice to Ensemble in 2014.

SAMANTHA MICKLEWRIGHT (Company Dancer) was born in Arlington Heights, IL. She began ballet and tap classes at the age of 2 at DanceXpress Studio. In 2013, at the age of 11, Micklewright auditioned for the Ensemble Español Youth Company and was awarded a full scholarship. Micklewright traveled

to Spain to study at Amor de Dios in 2015 and at the Conservatory of Professional Dance in 2017.

NALANIE MOLINA (Company Apprentice) is a Chicago native who was first introduced to Spanish dance at the age of 18 through After School Matters under the direction of Irma Suárez RuÍz and Leticia Aravena in 2011. Within that same year, she auditioned for the Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Youth Company, where

she began her formal training with Julia Hinojosa and Sara Samuels. She currently works for Chicago Public Schools as a teacher’s assistant and after school dance instructor.

MATT JALAC (Company Apprentice) is from Chicago and of Filipino descent. He was first introduced to Spanish dance at Gordon Tech High School under the direction of Monica Saucedo. In 2013, he auditioned and was accepted into the Ensemble’s Youth Company, where he began his formal dance training

with Julia Hinojosa and José Torres. In 2017, Jalac was awarded an apprenticeship to the Ensemble Español’s professional company.

TASIANA VILLALOBOS (Company Apprentice, on leave) is a Chicago native who began studying Spanish dance in 2011 at the age of 16 with Ensemble Español’s After School Matters program. That same year, she began training with the Ensemble’s Youth Company under the direction of Sara Samuels, Julia

Hinojosa, and José Torres. Villabolos graduated with her BA in communication, media, and theatre with a minor in dance from NEIU.

LAILA GALECKI (Company Apprentice) is a Chicago native who started dancing with Ensemble Español at the age of 7 in the community workshop classes. At the age of 10, Galecki began her formal training as a Youth Company dancer under the direction of Sara Samuels, Julia Hinojosa, and José Torres. She

works for the Ensemble Español’s community class outreach program teaching students of all ages.

ENSEMBLE ESPAÑOL MUSICIANS

PACO FONTA (Flamenco Singer, Guitar) is from Jaen, Spain and began his professional career performing in tablaos (a space for flamenco shows) and festivals, accompanying singers and dancers such as La Niña de la Huerta and Antonio Molina in Spain. Fonta later toured Europe with the Kurt Savoy Trio.

In 1985, he won first prize in cante jondo at the flamenco festival in Jaen, Spain. He works with flamenco companies in the US and abroad.

DAVID CHIRIBOGA (Flamenco Guitar) was born in Ecuador and raised in Chicago. He has been playing the guitar since his early teenage years. He has gone on various trips to Spain for extended studies with many master flamenco guitarists, and he has played in various parts of the country and

performed in many Chicagoland venues.


ENSEMBLE ESPAÑOL SPANISH DANCE THEATER STAFF

Artistic Director Irma Suárez RuízExecutive Director Jorge Pérez

Ballet Master Anna CzajunPilates/Yoga/Nutritionist Martha Montes

Director of Operations and Finance Josephine DiCesareDevelopment Manager Kimberly Grigsby

Director of Education and Community Outreach Katia BarioneMarketing Coordinator Miguel Garcia

Administrative Assistants Brenda Rodriguez and Erica SauderIntern Rachael Mudloff

Technical Director Dustin DerryStage Manager Sarah Lackner

Videographer Mike MikrutPhotographers Dean Paul, Joe Davis, Joel Maisonet, Dave Suarez, Todd Crawford

Siegel Artist Management LLC / Exclusive National Tour Representation:Siegelartist.com

NORTHEASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY STAFF

President Dr. Gloria Gibson Provost Dennis Rome

Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Executive Director of NEIU Foundation Liesl DowneyChairman, Music Department and Dance Program Dr. Travis Heath

Ensemble Español’s performance is partially supported by Northeastern Illinois University, the Caerus Foundation, Wintrust Bank, and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.

PATRICIA ORTEGA (Flamenco Singer) has Mexican and Cuban musical roots, which contributed greatly to her interest in ethnic music studies and performance. She is currently a member of the Spanish guitar ensemble Las Guitarras de España. She has the ability to create vocal phrasing on the spot in

many genres including Cuban, rhythm and blues, soul, and flamenco music.

JAVIER SAUME-MAZZEI (Percussion) is a native of Caracas, Venezuela and began playing percussion at the age of 8. He has performed with Rhonda Richmond, Reginald Veal, Herlin Riley, and Cassandra Wilson, and the Symphony Orchestra Sistema de Orquestas Juveniles de Venezuela. He

has performed internationally in concerts, master classes, and residencies. He currently records with Sones, the only group in history to be nominated for the Latin Grammy and Grammy in the same year.

ZARA ZAHARIEVA (Violin) was born in Pleven, Bulgaria and started studying the violin at the age of 3. She has made a number of recordings, many of which utilize her own musical arrangements and include string sections she has put together. Zaharieva maintains a rigorous and ever-changing performance schedule

and records throughout Chicago and the United States.


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NEXT SHOW!

friday, october 4, 2019 @ 7:30pm - auditorium theatre

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